Book Review: Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple (2012)

It's not often that I find a book I can read within just a couple of days, so when I do, I absolutely must share it with the world! By now you might have already heard about Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple. It came out almost three years ago and I've been wanting to read it for almost as long, but always had a hard time finding a copy at the library. I had always heard great things about this book, but was also a little skeptical as I usually am when book's are given such raving reviews.

Basically, the reviews were right. I wouldn't give the book a 10 out of 10, but it's definitely one of those novels you can't seem to put down (and that's usually a very good thing). The story telling aspect is very unique and well-done. Maria Semple is able to tell a funny and captivating story that has a much darker root to it, in a way that gives you more than one side of the story. You're left wondering "Who's crazy? Who's not? Is anyone sane?!" But, alas, that is up to you to decide.

The only downside of Where'd You Go, Bernadette is that I wish it had gone a little more in depth with the character's stories and inner demons, so to speak. The book is meant to be funny, though, so we don't really get too into the backgrounds and feelings of each character and what has led them to be who they are at the present day. We get just enough information that it is up to the reader to form their opinions and thoughts on each character's background.

If you're looking for a book that you won't be able to stop reading until you've gotten to the end and find out what actually ends up happening, Where'd You Go, Bernadette is certainly the next book you should read! I also loved that the story gives us plenty of twists and surprises. More than one character ends up changing. 

Two of my favorite quotes from Where'd You Go, Bernadette:

"People like you must create. If you don't create, Bernadette, you will become a menace to society."

"My heart started racing, not the bad kind of heart racing, like, I'm going to die. But the good kind of heart racing, like, Hello, can I help you with something? If not, please step aside because I'm about to kick the shit out of life."

Have you read Where'd You Go, Bernadette? What did you think of it?

P.S. Check out all my other book reviews!

Hump Day Funnies: Cuteness Overload Edition

Warning: This post will make you go "aww." Usually my hump day posts are filled with stuff I've found on the internet that will make you crack up. This Wednesday I thought I'd change it up a bit and give you a cuteness overload! As long as I'm cracking a smile on your face to combat those hump day blues, mission accomplished.

Hump Day Funnies Pt. 4

This week may be a bit hard for some of you coming back from a long weekend. Tons of stuff to catch up on at work or maybe you're a student who's getting ready to take finals and write a bunch of papers before heading home for the holidays. It also may have been a pretty gloomy and rainy week for you so far and you need some laughs to pick up your spirit. Well, look no further because I have gathered some of my favorite internet finds from the past couple of months for this latest installment of "Hump Day Funnies"! Enjoy :)

Hump Day Funnies Pt. 3

It's hump day. Half way through the week. You may be feeling slumped, bored, tired, etc. Here are some funny finds from the almighty internet to get you through hump day ;)

Inspiration Monday & Hump Day Funnies: All rolled into one.

I've been off the radar lately (and feeling quite guilty about that.) But sometimes even bloggers need to take a break. This holiday weekend was pretty hectic for me because of a room change that involved lots of stressful furniture building. Even though you're supposed to feel well rested after a weekend, especially a long weekend, I woke up Tuesday morning totally burnt out. Could also be due to the fact that it was super humid (there I go, blaming the weather once again) and my allergies kicked up about 5 notches. Despite all this "crumminess" I'm trying to get back into the swing of things.

I promise good posts are coming, but for this morning I want to share some of my usual "Inspiration Monday" goodies combined with "Hump Day funnies" (which I've decide is okay to do because this week is all over the place, so there.)

 "Don't sit and wait. Get out there, feel life. 

Touch the sun, and immerse in the sea."

-Rumi

 

 

To get you through the hump day blues...

Wednesday. Hump day. Blah day. Is it the weekend yet?! Nope. Only half way there. But rather than looking at the glass as half empty, look at it as half full, right? Well, if you're having trouble looking on the bright side, here are some of my favorite internet finds that are sure to make your hump day blues fade away (many courtesy of Imgur, which I highly recommend you check out if you're ever in need of some laughs.)

The stages I go through with "that song" everybody loves

I'm sure you've all been there before. There's a new hit song and everybody loves it. It's on the radio all the time; it's everywhere you turn. Problem is, you hate it. You loathe it. Two things can happen at this point. Either you wait for it to fade out (which might take months...) or suddenly you find yourself actually enjoying it a bit, only to realize that you have the song on blast as you're driving and happily singing along. You are all guilty of this, do not deny it!

This happened to me a couple years ago when I was still in college and the latest song that literally everybody was singing or blasting at parties was "Call Me Maybe." When I first heard it I was like, "what the hell is this crap?!" It drove me nuts (and trust me, it's ten times more annoying when that song you hate is being sung by a bunch of drunk girls.) Eventually, I caught on. I was singing it at bars. I wasn't switching the radio station when it came on. I had fallen into the trap. Of course, now if I ever hear it my reaction is just "Stop. Bye."

Here are the stages I go through when it comes to songs like these.
The song I shall be using as an example is none other than "Happy" by Pharrell. You know, that song.

1. "This song sucks."

The moment I first heard the song, I was in a bitter mood. Who the hell is going to like a song that's all about happiness when they're in an awful mood? Whatever, I changed the station and problem solved.

2. "Why is this song everywhere I go?!

I heard this song twice while substitute teaching. At two different schools. They play it in the morning while kids are at their lockers getting ready for first period. They play it before school is over while the kids are packing up. It's here, it's there, it's everywhere.

3. "Why does everyone love this song so much?"

So I'm standing on line at the cash register and someone's phone starts ringing. It has a music ringtone. Guess what song it is. He lets it ring for a little bit, while the people around me start smiling. A woman says "I love that song." My dad says, "me too!" I just stand there. Wondering why.

4. "It's kind of catchy..."

My old high school recently did a video to the song for their spirit day and I watched it because I was curious to see what was up at WOHS and if I'd recognize anyone (which I did not since I am old.) The video is cute and upbeat, and made me miss high school (wow.) Even if it was that song in the background. I found myself suddenly not hating the song.

5. "This song ain't so bad!"

I'm driving my car, "Happy" comes on. I'm in a fairly good mood. Spring is kind of sort of in the air. I have my windows down a bit. I'm cruising down the street. I find myself putting the volume up. I don't change the station. I listen to the song the whole way through. That's when I realize. I like this song.

6. "Okay, seriously, enough already."

This hasn't happened yet, but I guarantee it will very soon. You get sick of the same song playing over and over again. We're human, it's in our nature. Enjoy the fact that you're not annoyed with it yet, because it's gonna happen.

Here is the video my old high school did for "Happy" by Pharrell.