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Category Archives: Humor

Taste: My Life Through Food by Stanley Tucci

24 Monday Jan 2022

Posted by Weston Public Library Staff in 20th century, Biography, cuisine, Humor, memoir

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actors, anecdotes, biography, food writers, Italian cooking, Stanley Tucci, United States

While Stanley Tucci is known for his films, this memoir focuses primarily on his love of food. Raised in an Italian family with a mother who loved to cook, his interest in food continued as he began cooking and exploring cuisines and restaurants around the world. Along the way, we learn more about his life and family, with many recipes – particularly for Italian dishes – sprinkled throughout the book. Guaranteed to lift your spirits! I highly recommend the audiobook, read by the author himself, which adds to the warmth and humor of his story.

“An instant classic, Stanley Tucci’s TASTE is as captivating, simple, charming and insanely moreish as the best Italian food. Take it to bed with you and you will fall asleep dreaming you’re in Italy. But take it to the kitchen and you will find yourself using it as often as a pan or a peeler.” –Stephen Fry

“The man, the myth, The Devil Wears Prada legend Stanley Tucci has blessed our hungry souls with a food memoir to feed our mounting appetite for the actor and cook’s wit, warmth and, let’s face it: tight polo shirts. He divulges some of his most treasured memories and stories behind favourite recipes — prepare to feel bereaved when it’s over.”—Joanna Taylor, Evening Standard

“Through food and scenes of family life, Stanley Tucci shares both his personal story and his celebration of all-things taste. With tales from peanut butter sandwiches to lobster in Maine, with recipes from the perfect Negroni to his wife’s roast potatoes, he draws us to his table. Come hungry for the food, the cocktails, the gossip and the fun. Just never, ever, cut up your spaghetti.”  –Yotam Ottolenghi

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I Miss You When I Blink: Essays by Mary Laura Philpott

10 Friday Sep 2021

Posted by Weston Public Library Staff in 20th century, anecdotes, Biography, Humor, Non-fiction

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adulthood, American women authors, finding oneself, humor, middle aged women, television talk show hosts

“Mary Laura Philpott is relentlessly funny, self-effacing and charming as she tells the story of living as a triple-A-plus perfectionist. Everything in her life is done on time and exactly right, until, of course, it all starts to fall apart. In her willingness to tell her own story, she taps into a universal truth for so many women: We plan to do it all until we find we can’t do anything anymore. I Miss You When I Blink made me laugh, it made me cry. I miss it already.”  — Ann Patchett, author of This Is the Story of a Happy Marriage and Commonwealth

“At once a love letter to type-A people everywhere and a gentle reminder that it’s okay (necessary, even) to change, this full-hearted book is a warm embrace of a life lived imperfectly.” ― Esquire

“Mary Laura Philpott is the friend you call when you want to cry but need to laugh. What a treat to spend time with her distinctive voice as she plumbs life’s quotidian moments to unearth deeper, universal truths. Wry, intelligent, and searingly honest, this book is a joy.”  — Cynthia D’Aprix Sweeney, author of The Nest

“Mary Laura Philpott is a writer, artist, and creator of singular spark and delight. I adore her, and I love her work. Thank God she has finally written a memoir! By offering these dispatches from her own life experience, she leaves us thinking about ourselves—where we’ve been, where we’re going, and who we really want to be.” — Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat, Pray, Love and Big Magic

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Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano

14 Monday Jun 2021

Posted by Weston Public Library Staff in 20th century, detective, Fiction, Humor, murder, murder and investigation, United States

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murder investigations, novelists, single mothers

Juggling motherhood, divorce, a writing career going nowhere, Finlay’s life takes a 360 degree turn while meeting with her agent at Panera.  It’s a wild ride.  Hilarity at its best.  And who can’t use a light, quick, fun-to-read murder mystery right about now?

“Read in a single night, applauding along the way. For anyone who’s ever wished to turn her life around, Finlay Donovan is the master. From failing everything, to succeeding brilliantly, she proves you only need to get mistaken once for a contract killer, to solve all your problems.”
―Lisa Gardner, #1 New York Times bestselling author of When You See Me

“Part comedy of errors, part genuine thriller… Deftly balancing genre conventions with sly, tongue-in-cheek comments on motherhood and femininity, Cosimano crafts a deliciously twisted tale.”
―Booklist

“Funny and smart, twisty and surprising―Finlay Donovan is a character to root for. This suspenseful romp made me laugh but also kept me on the edge of my seat with its many surprises. I can’t wait for the next book!”―Megan Miranda, New York Times bestselling author of The Last House Guest

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The Women in Black by Madeleine St. John

28 Friday May 2021

Posted by Weston Public Library Staff in 20th century, Fiction, Humor

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1950's, Australia, department stores, employees, female friendship, novels of manners, Sydney (N.S.W.), women, women's clothing industry

Set in the late 1950’s, this novella offers readers a glimpse of the lives and relationships of four women who work for a Sydney department store.  Readers will find here a thoughtfully written and gentle story filled with hope. 

“The book I most often give as a gift to cheer people up.” —Hilary Mantel

“Like the deceptively simple (but perfectly crafted) little black dress, this delicious and sly masterpiece works its magic from the very first sentence. Once you slip into its folds– full of hope and new beginnings, of luck and laughter and love– I dare you not to catch yourself smiling, and wanting to twirl, for days and days and days.” –Sarah Blake, author of The Guest House and The Postmistress

“Funny and light, this story moves quickly as each character navigates the 1950s-era challenges of being a working woman in a male-dominated society with limited options for the happily ever after they all strive for.” —Booklist

“A striking debut novel of wit, charm, female friendships and universal dreams… a delightful and uplifting slice-of-life view.” —Shelf Awareness, starred review

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A Guide to the Birds of East Africa by Nicholas Drayson

05 Friday Feb 2021

Posted by Weston Public Library Staff in Fiction, Humor, nature

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bird watching, Kenya, ornithologists, wildlife refuges, wildlife watching

This is not a guide book. It is a delightful novel. Crack open the covers of this little book and be transported to a time and place that probably no longer exists.   A one week bet between 2 club members prompts this fun romp written with tongue in cheek humor.  Each daily bird hunting trek takes us into another aspect of life in Kenya.  This book is equally appealing to birders and non-birders alike.

“A lighthearted novel about birding and a wager to win the right to call a woman for a date.” Kirkus Reviews

“While the reader is pulled along by the suspense of the contest, the glorious sights, sounds, and smells of Nairobi provide lovely rest stops along the way.” Library Journal Starred

” A Guide to the Birds of East Africa…reads like transplanted Wodehouse.” Christian Science Monitor

A beguiling novel that does for contemporary Kenya and its 1,000 species of birds what Alexander McCall Smith’s Ladies Detective series does for Botswana – Amazon

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The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

26 Monday Oct 2020

Posted by Weston Public Library Staff in Fiction, Horror, Humor

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book clubs, discussion groups, married women, missing children, motherhood, suspense, thrillers, vampires

“Its a horror thriller, with a touch of humor and a real page turner.”

“Ghosts of the past have also inspired one of the most rollicking, addictive novels I’ve read in years: THE SOUTHERN BOOK CLUB’S GUIDE TO SLAYING VAMPIRES by Grady Hendrix, a tale of housewives battling vampires that is sweetly painful, like hard candy that breaks a tooth.”—Danielle Trussoni for The New York Times Book Review

“A delight…its incisive social commentary and meaningful character development make The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires not just a palatable read for non-horror fans, but a winning one.”—USA Today, 3.5 out of 4 star review

“Hendrix has masterfully blended the disaffected housewife trope with a terrifying vampire tale, and the anxiety and tension are palpable…a cheeky, spot-on pick for book clubs.”—Booklist, starred review

“Hendrix cleverly sprinkles in nods to well-established vampire lore, and the fact that he’s a master at conjuring heady 1990s nostalgia is just the icing on what is his best book yet. Fans of smart horror will sink their teeth into this one.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

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Ayesha at Last by Uzma Jalaluddin

05 Tuesday Nov 2019

Posted by Weston Public Library Staff in Fiction, Humor, romance

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arranged marriages, Canada, humor, love stories, man-women relationships, Muslim women, Muslims, romance

A great read on the lighter side – romantic, humorous, outrageous -unlike anything you’ve read before!  Delightful farcical cases of mistaken identity, disastrous proposals, Muslim-arranged marriages with a touch of Shakespeare and Austen thrown in.  An entertaining read guaranteed!

“Ayesha At Last is the modern Pride & Prejudice retelling I never knew I needed. Warm, witty, romantic, and relatable. Honestly, Darcy who? Khalid is everything.”—Alisha Rai, award-winning author

“There’s an overabundance of Pride and Prejudice retellings, but few are as thoughtful and creative as this stellar debut from an author to watch.”—Library Journal (starred review)

“Jalaluddin cleverly illustrates the social pressures facing young Indian-Muslim adults…a highly entertaining tale of family, community, and romance.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

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The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abby Waxman

16 Friday Aug 2019

Posted by Weston Public Library Staff in Fiction, Humor

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families, humorous fiction, introverts, life changing events, love stories, romance, single women

This novel keeps up a fun, friendly patter while still dealing realistically and respectfully with mental health issues in the form of anxiety.  A good “cozy read,” a good “beach read,” a good choice for a wide range of readers.

“Waxman has created a thoroughly engaging character in this bookish, contemplative, set-in-her ways woman. Be prepared to chuckle.”—Kirkus Review (starred review)

“Book nerds will feel strong kinship with the engaging, introverted Nina Hill, who works in a bookstore, plays pub trivia, and loves office supplies… Readers will be captivated by Nina’s droll sense of humor.”—Booklist (starred review)

“Move over on the settee, Jane Austen. You’ve met your modern-day match in Abbi Waxman. Bitingly funny, relatable and intelligent, The Bookish Life of Nina Hill is a must for anyone who loves to read.”—Kristan Higgins, New York Times bestselling author of Good Luck With That

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Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

22 Saturday Dec 2018

Posted by Weston Public Library Staff in Fiction, Humor

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female friendship

Frances is studying at Trinity College in Dublin when she and her friend meet an interesting older couple. I loved this author’s witty, somewhat detached style and the complicated relationships she explores in this novel.

“Sharp, funny, thought-provoking . . . a really great portrait of two young women as they’re figuring out how to be adults.”– Celeste Ng, “Late Night with Seth Meyers Podcast” 

“In this searing, insightful debut, Rooney offers an unapologetic perspective on the vagaries of relationships… a treatise on married life, the impact of infidelity, the ramifications of one’s actions, and how the person one chooses to be with can impact one’s individuality. Throughout, Rooney’s descriptive eye lends beauty and veracity to this complex and vivid story.”– Publishers Weekly (starred)

“Readers who enjoyed Belinda McKeon’s Tender and Caitriona Lally’s Eggshells will enjoy this exceptional debut.”– Library Journal (starred)

“A smart, sexy, realistic portrayal of a woman finding herself.”– Booklist (starred)

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From the Corner of the Oval by Beck Dorey-Stein

28 Friday Sep 2018

Posted by Weston Public Library Staff in Biography, Humor

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staff, stenographers, U.S. presidents, women employees

While this is written by a former stenographer in the Obama administration, politics don’t play that large a role in the book. Instead, this memoir is primarily about a young woman navigating life after graduating college, trying to find a career path in Washington, and falling in love. There are a lot of fun stories about working for the president (such as getting to fly on Air Force One) balanced with relationship heartbreak and the author’s dreams of becoming a writer.

“[Dorey-Stein] writes with wit and self-deprecating humor but is fully aware, too, of the pomposity and petty spite of official Washington. She’s at her best and funniest when recalling the physically unhealthy and vaguely ridiculous work of following the president wherever he goes.”—The Wall Street Journal

“History lesson meets soap opera. In this poignant, brutally honest, and often-funny work of self-reflection, Dorey-Stein pulls no punches and tells all she learned from and about the president who ‘taught me to look up.’”—Booklist

“Hilarious . . . Dorey-Stein writes with honesty and panache.”—Publishers Weekly

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