This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection

by Carol Burnett
4 out of 5 stars

I really wanted to love this book, and, happily, I did. But it helps that I love Carol Burnett too, so I'd probably love her rendition of just about anything. Listening to her tell the story is great, because she's a fun narrator (complete with Tarzan yells!), though the book (which I also checked out) has photos in it (which is why I checked it out along with the CDs. I'm clever that way). I usually don't like memoirs, but this was so well told and hilarious -- I laughed out loud several times while driving, and the era she's reminiscing about, her early years in New York, and the romance of it all is wonderfully captured. And really, how can you not enjoy a story about her doing a Tarzan yell in a fancy department store to prove she was Carol Burnett so she could write a check? You just can't. I grew up watching her variety show, so I also enjoyed learning more about her earlier years and how her career got started. And her book also reminded me of what a pioneer she really was. Highly recommend!

Why We Broke Up

by Daniel Handler

3 out of 5 stars

This was a quirky, entertaining read, and, after I got used to the narrative style (is that the right term?), I did enjoy and even looked forward to listening during my drive to and from work. 

It is YA, so you can expect the usual angst and drama of the genre, as well as the humor. The story is told as Min is writing a farewell letter (i.e., through a letter...a very long, detailed letter with exhaustive detail and conversations past) to her ex boyfriend while she's in the present tense riding to his house to dump her box of relationship memorabilia (did I mention the drama?). So...yeah, it was a little hard to follow at first, and while it sounds clever (and at times was), mostly I found this technique annoying. But...I got used to it. 

Her boyfriend, Ed, actually seems like a decent guy, albeit the stereotypical somewhat shallow, vain, unsophisticated high school jock. He sees something different in Min, and the way he expresses his appreciation is sweet. I actually found myself wondering if it was really Min who was at fault here, because she *is* kind of needy and neurotic. But really, when you sift through it all, it wasn't anybody's fault. I think the lesson here is the heart wants what the heart wants, and sometimes this happens, unfortunately, before we humans are mature enough to express ourselves or possess the empathy to deal with it. And, sometimes two people can love each other but still not be a good fit. Still, it sucks to have your heart broken, and who hasn't questioned the wisdom of Shakespeare when your own personal heart is the one that's all achy breaky? ('Tis better to have loved and lost, blah blah blah). I give this 3.5 stars, though it's not an option in the little button choices.