What a sweet story! Yes, I cried during the Winter chapters.😭 I heard that in 1968 Julie & husband Blake Edwards were shooting a movie in Ireland at an old manor house enclosed with thick walls & a cottage decorated entirely with seashells. “The moment I saw it, Julie says, “the seed of a story lodged in my mind.” Thrilled this amazing actress/singer added writing children‘s books to her repertoire.🤩🙌🏻
#ChildrensClassicRead2025
@TheBookHippie

The concept of a Jurassic Theme Park with live dinosaurs has always mesmerized me. Where can I buy a ticket?! 🫣 So I finally read the book where it all started. I was surprised to find a frightfully sinister Hammond and an even more annoying Malcolm and Lex. But overall terrifying factor—off the charts. Must read more Michael Crichton. What a creative genius he was! Is the original movie better than the book? I‘d say they go best hand in hand.

Just saw these cool new releases in the #BanyenBooks summer newsletter. I know my #Deadhead friends and fellow #Hippies will love these! 😎❤️✌🏻
@TheBookHippie @AmyG @dabbe @TieDyeDude

These two brilliant comedians/actors/singers/writers/humanitarians all rolled into the coolest couple will certainly crack you up! Megan & Nick are genuinely in love & happily make fun of each other while sharing the funniest stories & views on life. They‘re also voracious readers, delirious dog lovers & avid puzzlers. Get the book (written mostly in conversation) for all the hilarious photos & the audiobook for how well they play off each other😂

What??? #BookSpin time already? Hope to read a handful of these in July.
Happy Reading and Happy Summer! 😎📚⛱️
@TheAromaofBooks

For June‘s #BookishMonopoly, I landed on “Literary Classic” and couldn‘t decide which one of these to choose. Several of you recommended one or the other, so I decided to read both! Winnie is a true classic treasure that I adored. 🥰 And Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, though a bit slow, still gave me the heebie-jeebies.😬
@AkashaVampie

Now here‘s a man who had me swooning when I watched him in Lady Sings the Blues and Dynasty, cheering for Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars Universe & then bawling my eyes out during Brian‘s Song. Fans still mention his speech as Chicago Bear Gale Sayers. “This movie accomplished something special by getting tens of millions of people to see the humanity we all share.” What a versatile actor, singer, painter and sweet man…still suave at 88!😍🙌🏻

Gotta Love Lucy! 🙌🏻This is the lost memoir Lucille Ball started to record at the height of her career. It was somehow forgotten & discovered 20+ years later after the passing of Lucy and Desi Sr. It‘s truly a love letter from this Hollywood legend to all her fans. Loved the sizzling Lucy & Desi love story and hearing about Lucy‘s enduring friendship with Vivian Vance. Daughter Lucie‘s narration & touching intro blew me away. (Published 1996)

What a wonderful memoir by Rich Little! Remember him? Rich is probably the most famous celebrity impersonator, popular in the 60s & 70s. He often hosted The Tonight Show (Carson not Fallon!) & appeared on Hollywood Squares (when the center square was Paul Linde not Whoopi or Drew!) He shared sweet memories of all the Hollywood greats he knew, impersonated & adored: the Duke, Rat Pack, Cary Grant, Jimmy Stewart, Carol Channing, so many more!🤩

I‘ve read my fair share of self-help books (and swear by several of them), so this was an amusing adventure into the world of healers, clairvoyants, coaches, numerologists and spiritual gurus. Too bad the author spent a boatload of big bucks only to discover the inner gifts she had all along. The hilarious chapter on “Marie Kondo-ing” moved this from a so-so read to a pick! 😂
#BookSpin
@TheAromaofBooks

Just heard Priscilla‘s long-awaited memoir is releasing Sept. 23rd! She‘s finally ready to share her personal journey. I already preordered an autographed copy. ☺️
#ElvisPresley
#PriscillaPresley

It‘s time for this month‘s #BookishMonopoly! I rolled a 5 and landed on “Literary Classic.” Oh my! There are so many I want to read. These two have been on my Kindle the longest. But there are many more on my bookshelves. Please help me choose! Or name your favorite literary classic!
@AkashaVampie @Jari-chan

Can you believe these Judy Blume gems were at The Dollar Tree today? I‘ll take all 4 please!
💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻

Here‘s my #BookSpin list for June and a little Garfield humor. Happy almost June & Happy Reading! 🤓📚
@TheAromaofBooks

Rare interview with Anne Tyler! She talks about her writing life and so much more! 😍👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
##AnneTyler
#CBSSundayMorning

https://youtu.be/GxENN7oUu70

A beautiful reminder of why our pets are the most devoted, loving and treasured members of our family.
#BookishMonopoly
@AkashaVampie

I‘ve always believed that watching birds and listening to their sweet songs can calm the anxious mind. So it was a soothing adventure to join Amy in her elaborate backyard refuge and see who‘s showing up for her daily bistro. Amy‘s illustrations are stunning and her inquisitive observations are both intriguing and downright comical! I even learned to identify many of my own backyard visitors. 😍🙌🏻🐦‍⬛
#BookSpin
@TheAromaofBooks

I love this guy! And not only because I‘m a geek & Trek fan. Wil is just plain brilliant…as a writer, actor, narrator, podcaster, speaker, influencer & advocate for many vital issues today: mental health, women‘s rights, social justice, climate change, etc. Such heartfelt stories about his Trek family, landing his hilarious role on Big Bang Theory, being a dad & battling depression. Powerful yet entertaining. Wil‘s audiobook narration is a must!

It‘s time again for #BookishMonopoly! I rolled an eight and landed on “GO…to the Library!” Yay! So off I went to this giant Friends of the Library bookstore at the Georgia Cole Library in Carlsbad, CA. There I found my read for May: a special tribute to Farley, the lovable sheep dog from one of my favorite comic strips: “For Better or For Worse” by Canadian cartoonist Lynn Johnston.
#libraries
@AkashaVampie

Here‘s something to look forward to…a new book by Fannie Flagg! Woooo Hoooo! A PRH release hitting the shelves on Aug 19th! 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻
It‘s a “tapestry of joyful and startling interconnected stories that celebrate how people from all across America cope with adversity and unexpected changes in a confusing world.”
Fannie‘s books are the best coping mechanisms and we sure need one now. ❤️‍🩹

Time sure is flying! Here‘s my #BookSpin list for May.
Cheers to our amazing host @TheAromaofBooks
🤗🎰

Holy Cow! Has it really been 9 years of hanging out with the sweetest, coolest and most caring bookish friends? What could top that? ❤️
I have grown so much because of you…and so has my TBR list. 😉Thanks for all the fun and for being there!

It‘s a shame clowns get such a bad rap these days. Because this guy Larry Harmon a.k.a. my pal Bozo filled my childhood with love and laughter. Larry had a deep seated belief that humor, compassion and caring can bring “all” people together. And he dedicated his life work spreading joy and smiles around the world via this endearing and lovable character. We could sure use more role models like this. Fascinating read!
#DoubleSpin
@TheAromaofBooks

I just found my Kurt Vonnegut book for September‘s #AuthorAMonth…and it‘s on sale! Would love to read more about what he has to say about the art and craft of writing. (Discount also available on Google and Kobo.)
@Soubhiville

I‘ve often found spot-on advice from Jackson Galaxy‘s YouTube channel whenever I‘ve had any cat issues. Remember him from TV‘s Cat from Hell? Now I‘m learning so much more from his book: How to better understand Frost‘s natural instincts, how to read Frost‘s body language, how litterbox size does matter…especially with older cats. And the most important lesson of all: To always remember my husband & I are living in Frost‘s home! 😸

Julie Newmar has done it all—actress, dancer, singer, teacher, pianist, mime, inventor, gardener, writer and of course playing Catwoman on the original Batman TV series. Julie is still living life to its fullest at 91 (wow! and shares uplifting life lessons here on treasuring yourself, eating healthy, boosting energy, finding peace within & more. Published in 2011, this whimsical book is more photo memoir sprinkled with empowering wisdom.

Perfect little book to help escape reality!
😁🍩🍪🍫

Didn‘t think I‘d get many since I haven‘t been to the movies since 2020 and rely on DVDs. Good thing I‘m a Sci-Fi fan and have seen every version of Dune. And there are quite a few! Sigourney Weaver rocked Avatar! Was disappointed Lady Gaga didn‘t win Best Actress but happy she was recognized for her hypnotic original music in A Star is Born. Oh, I still need to see so many more of these movies.
#TLT
#ThreeListThursday
@dabbe

Oh George, you can read to me anytime with that deeply mesmerizing voice of yours! This amazing Star Trek actor/activist shares such moving stories: spending his childhood imprisoned in American “relocation” camps during WWII(as depicted in his stirring graphic novel), meeting Gene Roddenberry, landing his most iconic role aboard the Enterprise & remaining longtime friends with the cast. Even tho Shatner tried to steal all the best lines!😁🖖🏻

It‘s almost time for @TheAromaofBooks to reach into her magical bag of tricks for April‘s #BookSpin numbers. Here‘s my list!
Righty-O! 😸

This heartfelt collection of Conroy‘s most touching blogs, speeches & interviews is certainly a fitting tribute to this most loved author. Though he passed away almost a decade ago, Pat‘s legacy still lives on in his autobiographical novels. He loved writing, though never considered himself anywhere near the high ranks of his own favorite authors. Above all, Pat adored meeting his fans & listening to their stories.
#BookishMonopoly
@AkashaVampie

Gotta give a shout out to the coolest used bookstore in Pasadena: Book Alley! Shelves stuffed with over 50,000 titles on every subject you can imagine. Vintage signed books, kid‘s classics, DVDs & more. Got to meet owner Tom Rogers who sadly lost his home in the recent California wildfires. So If you‘re looking for a rare book, please check out www.bookalley.com Let‘s #supportindiebookstores and awesome booksellers like Tom!
#BookAlley

So thrilled to meet Nikki High, owner of Octavia‘s Bookshelf—California‘s only Black Woman owned bookstore in Pasadena, where namesake & beloved author Octavia E. Butler spent her life & writing career. During the recent California wildfires, Nikki moved all her books to the attic and opened her bookstore to neighbors who lost their homes and needed refuge. Let‘s #supportindiebookstores & community-minded sellers like Nikki!✌🏻❤️✊🏻
#OctaviaButler

This description of Pat Conroy‘s stunning writing style says it all. 😍
#BookishMonopoly
@AkashaVampie

I had this book on hold since before the election 😳 and finally got it last month. It was a tough, maddening, heartbreaking and frightening read. Not only because of the blatant lies the American public are being fed and the ridiculous rewriting of facts to cover up the real truth, but because so many people believe it all. 🤯 It‘s a shame those who need to read this book never will.
P.S. Audiobook is wonderfully narrated by Rachel Maddow.

Pocket Bonaventure(not in database)is a thought-provoking look at the philosophy & spirituality of the Italian saint. I attended many classes by author Father Tom, a Franciscan Friar who made the lives of saints such as Bonaventure, Francis of Assisi & Thomas Aquinas very relatable in their struggles to understand God and the meaning of life. Tom loved his chihuahuas and also painted all the mesmerizing illustrations.
#BookSpin
@TheAromaofBooks

I loved reading this new Copyright message and seeing how more publishers are supporting their authors and taking a stand against racism and AI. Yaass!!! 🙌🏻💪🏻🙌🏻

What I love about Anne Tyler is how she introduces me to a handful of quirky characters who I can relate to, lets me chuckle, cringe, cry and connect with them during a slice of their ordinary lives, and helps me understand a little more about myself and the quirky people in my own life through their journey. And in this book, she does it all in under 200 pages! Brilliant, engaging and another winner for me! 🙌🏻🥇

It‘s time for my monthly #BookishMonopoly! I rolled another lucky 7 and landed on “Nonfiction.” Since I was so enamored by Pat Conroy‘s beautiful writing last month, I chose the tagged book. It was published in 2016, sadly the year Pat lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. It‘s a collection of Pat‘s most charming and memorable interviews, articles & letters as well as tributes honoring his legacy. He left us too soon. 😢
@AkashaVampie

Why did I wait so long to read such stunning prose from this masterful author? Everything in this book left me gobsmacked: stirring essays on classic authors Pat obsessed about & the English teacher who challenged him to dig deeper into literature. What really got me was how beautifully this man could write.🤩Each sentence sculpted with perfectly chosen words that danced off the page directly into the heart. Genius!
#BookishMonopoly
@AkashaVampie

Here‘s my #BookSpin list for March! Quite a few memoirs and a couple oddities. 😁
Congrats on the exciting move into your beautiful new home, Sarah!
@TheAromaofBooks

I‘ve always had the hots for Al Pacino, so spending time with him via his memoir was a real treat. ☺️ You get to meet the incorrigible kid, the deeply passionate thespian & the self-reflective guy behind all those iconic movie characters. Al speaks fondly of his boyhood friends, mentors, fellow actors & his many loves who are still friends, and he‘s simply charming and quite funny! I did get to see him in a play on Broadway in ‘77: Ooh la la!

Been cheering for Katie since she won her first gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics. This book confirms she‘s cool, kind, down-to-earth & very passionate about enjoying life, having fun & yes…swimming! Fun to learn about her supportive family & inspiring grandmas-one who helped Albert Einstein translate his memoir! Too bad press coverage still leans toward the men. Let‘s hope Katie and more women Olympian champions will finally change that!🥇

Who knew that adored author Marguerite Henry spent her last 2 decades writing and relaxing in Rancho Santa Fe, a community known for its horse ranches & riding trails—and happens to be in my neighborhood! So off I went to the Historical Society where Henry‘s photo is featured on their wall among RSF‘s most famous residents including Bing Crosby & Howard Hughes! Will be reading this Henry bio next by Susan Friedland.
#BookSpin
@TheAromaofBooks

Sarah!!! Just received your wonderful letter and package this week. OMG, I‘m speechless!!! 🤩🤩🤩😭😭😭😘😘😘 How you ever found time to make us this beautiful blanket with all that‘s on your plate. It‘s already keeping me cozy, warm and relaxed during reading time. (And as you can see, Frost thinks it‘s for him!)
We will treasure it always…and you! 🥰🥰🥰
@TheAromaofBooks

This memoir gave me a coveted backstage pass to hang out with the fashionably coolest, powerfully inspiring, fearlessly honest & hilariously outspoken global icon. No wonder I‘m still smiling! I grew up on Cher‘s music & TV show—and she‘s still impacting us all with her compassion, resistance, resilience & truth. The stories behind Cher‘s relationships with Sonny & Gregg Allman are mind-boggling. Her mesmerizing eyes made the perfect endpapers.

Finally getting back on the #BookishMonopoly bandwagon. Yay! For this month, I rolled a lucky 7 and Snoopy landed on “Bookshelf #1.” After perusing this packed shelf, I chose my first Pat Conroy read. Looking forward to learning about the books that inspired this acclaimed novelist.
Thanks @AkashaVampie for hosting this fun and creative challenge.🤗 Glad to join my cool comrade players @Jari-chan and @ElizaMarie again.🎲

I‘m back for February #BookSpin! This list caters to every mood and then some. 😁 Yay to our coolest challenge organizer @TheAromaofBooks ❤️

This book title lured me in 8 years ago when it first came out & I finally read it.😅 It‘s slow in parts, but filled with many laughs about our most beloved (and also meh) books. And who doesn‘t love a Gen X librarian with a wicked sense of humor. Extra bonus: much fodder on celebrity memoirs and of course Ray Bradbury‘s dystopian classic.🔥
Trivia Question: How do you pronounce the title: Four-Five-One or Four-Fifty-One? See below👇🏻

What a delightful #memoir from this classy, elegant & inspiring actress from Hollywood‘s Golden Age! Sophia, now 90, survived severe poverty growing up in wartime Italy & stood up to movie moguls who wanted to change her look. Not a tell-all, just sweet stories about her films, deep friendships with her leading men & her devotion to family. Loved learning she was once a lead character in an Italian magazine‘s sultry live pictorial novelization.