The Longest Way Home

Almost everyone is familiar with actor Andrew McCarthy who rose to fame in the 80's film hits, "Pretty In Pink," "Weekend at Bernie's," and "St. Elmo's Fire," to name a few.  However, few people may have heard of Andrew's second career, travel writer.  When Andrew isn't acting or directing, he travels the world and writes about his travels for publications such as "National Geographic Traveler."  "The Longest Way Home," is Andrew's heartfelt memoir which focuses not on his acting career but how his love of travel helped him overcome his apprehension of settling down and marrying his fiancee without sacrificing his fiercely independent spirit.



I loved this book.  I was fortunate to receive an advance copy from the publisher, Free Press (a division of Simon & Schuster).  I couldn't put it down and I read certain passages several times to truly savor the book.  Andrew is a phenomenal storyteller.  His descriptions of his travels to places like Patagonia, the Amazon, and Mt. Kilimanjaro are vivid and make it easy to visualize these foreign sites in clear detail.  I also related to Andrew's relationship struggles.  All relationships require compromise and commitment but how do you compromise and commit without losing yourself?  Andrew did an excellent job of describing his emotions and thoughts as he tried to sort this out for himself.  Andrew may be a successful actor and a world-traveler but I, a 31 year old paralegal/book blogger was able to relate very well and I think most readers will relate to him easily as well.  This was a terrific book and I can't wait to read through Andrew's previous travel writings as linked on his website.  I recommend everyone travel to their local bookstore today and pick up a copy!

I also participated in a webchat recently with Andrew and some other bloggers from around the world.  Andrew read from his book and we were able to ask him questions via the web chat.  I asked him what places he would like to visit that he hasn't the opportunity to visit yet.  He replied Burma and the Atacama Desert and added that he really loves deserts. I then inquired as to what advise he'd give someone like me who was on a tight budget but was anxious to see the world.  He said world traveler is cheaper than you think, that it can be done with little money if you're determined and you should just go.

So today, I set off, not to any foreign city but to Ridgewood, NJ to meet Andrew McCarthy at his signing at Bookends.  Bookends is great little bookstore with lots of events.  I was lucky enough to not only get a signed copy for myself but to get one autographed copy to raffle off right here on the blog!  Please comment below and tell us where in the World would you like to visit, then follow through the Rafflecopter prompts.  Now, off to the Rafflecopter we go.  Raffle is open to US residents only.

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Andrew McCarthy and I

 

Note, I received no financial compensation for this review, webchat, author visit etc.  I simply love to promote great books and meet adorable, talented writer/actors.

Darker and Freed

A few weeks ago, I reviewed the New York Times Bestseller and the most buzzed about book of the moment, "Fifty Shades of Grey."  The sequels were just as entertaining if not more so than the first.

"Fifty Shades Darker" begins just a few days after "Grey" left off.  Ana is determined to stay away from Christian but he's just as determined to win her back.  I don't think it's a spoiler to confirm that they reunite.  This wouldn't be much of an erotic romance if you didn't have a romantic couple.  However, new complications threaten and deepen their relationship.  I actually think a better title for this book would've been Fifty Shades Deeper as it took you deeper into Ana and Christian's personal lives, family backgrounds, and the structure of their relationship.  And of course, being an erotic romance, there are a ton of fun, frisky sex scenes. As well as the continued, unintentional humor I found with the terms "inner goddess" and the one I can't write here, but I'll just abbreviate it as KF.

"Fifty Shades Freed," is the conclusion to the trilogy and just when Ana and Christian seem to have found their happily ever after, unexpected complications jeopardize their relationship and their lives.  This book really upped the ante on dramatic events and the sex.  I wasn't really pleased with one of the obstacles Ana and Christian faced and I found the conclusion a little too neat.  However, I really enjoyed the edgier sex scenes in this book and the dramatic events moved at such a frenetic pace, that it was hard to put this book down.

This is honestly the most entertaining and fun series I've read in a long time.  It's no fine work of literature and it's not extremely well written but if you're just looking for a good time, give them a read you won't be sorry.  I read through "Darker" and "Freed" in just a matter of days.

I recently had the privilege, to meet the author E.L. James.  My awesome dad agreed to take May 8th off of work to take me and our friend to meet E.L. James at a signing at the Barnes & Noble in Paramus, NJ.  Paramus isn't too far away from where we live in NY and the event didn't start until 7:30PM.  However, Barnes & Noble began handing out wristbands at 9AM that day to the first 300 guests.  So to ensure we got in, we embarked on our adventure early that morning.  We arrived at the store a little after 9AM and about 100 ladies were already waiting to get in the store to buy the book and obtain a wristband.

The line moved pretty quickly and one woman, who had already gotten her wristband, was passing out coupons for her store.  She said, "everything that is in the book is in my store."  I appreciate her marketing skills but unfortunately her shop, which we visited later, did not include everything mentioned in the book.  For example, there was no Charlie Tango and even sadder, no Christian Grey.

Anyways, back to the line, we got in around 9:30 and got our books and our wristbands. We spent the rest of the day cruising around the Paramus area.  My dad took me and our friend to IKEA for awhile because we had both never been to one.  It was pretty awesome.  I considered moving into the one mock apartment.

Later we headed back to the store and my dad patiently waited with us and a few hundred other woman and only a couple other guys.  Seriously, if there are single guys out there looking to meet women, an E.L. James signing is good place to look.   We were able to enter the "event space" at 6:30 and they had 300 chairs for the wristband folks.  Anyone who did not have a wristband could line up outside the event space.  They weren't guaranteed a signature but odds were good Ms. James would stick around until she had signed everyone's book(s).

Needless to say E.L. James is the one signing my book.

Finally, at 7:30, Ms. James came out and greeted the crowd with the sweetest english accent I've ever heard.  Due to the size of the crowd, you couldn't pose for photos but someone, like your awesome dad, could try and snap a picture while you got your book signed.

I didn't just get a book signed for myself, I got another copy of "Fifty Shades of Grey," to give away, right here on our blog !

So, if you haven't read the book yet, here is your chance to get find out what all the fuss is about.  Or, if you've already devoured the book, here is your opportunity to have a copy of a book signed by the author herself.  This giveaway is open to US residents who are 18 or older as of today's date. Now to Charlie Tango, I mean the Rafflecopter we go !






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"There He Is...Miss America's Eye Candy..."

Actress/Singer/former Miss America Vanessa Williams is exceedingly clever.  Here's how I know.


During my lunch break, I frequently frequent the Barnes & Noble on 3rd Avenue at 53rd Street, here in Man-Squattin', NY.  Today was no exception.  As I walked in around 12:30pm, I noticed quite a buzz in the store, more patrons, more employees, and several security type-looking guys.  I also noticed that my favorite place to sit was cordoned off, and a table with two chairs were placed where they usually keep a display of books.

Hmm.

Then I saw the sign.  It said something to the effect of  "Book Signing Today.  'You Have No Idea,' by Helen and Vanessa Williams."

Hmmmm.  I had to make do with another perch, but that didn't really bother me.  If it weren't for authors, there wouldn't be books, and that would mean no bookstores.  And that would be sad, because that would mean there would never have been a Borders, which would have meant there never would have been a booksellerswithoutborders, which might have even meant that this post didn't really exist!

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Whew! Still here.  Okay, good.  On with the story.  A few minutes after I found a place to sit, the buzz in the room increased, and I heard some B&N staffers saying things to each other like, "they'll be coming through here."  So apparently the appearance was imminent.

Sure enough, a moment later I heard cameras clicking, and more voices, and one in particular that I recognized.  Sure enough, Vanessa Williams and her mother Helen Williams walked in and posed for some publicity photos, then took their seats at the table near my usual spot.  They were still there when I had to leave to go back to work.

And yes, they are both very, very lovely ladies.  Vanessa seemed taller than I had imagined.  I don't generally go giddy over celebrities, but the woman is bite-the-back-of-your-hand gorgeous.  I have to say that she's prettier than the last published author I met in that store, Mr. Allen Topol.  Really.  A lot.  Both ladies also appeared to be very gracious when speaking with the patrons who came to get their books signed.

Still and all, I left feeling a little sad for Vanessa.  As I said at the beginning of this tale, she is an exceedingly clever woman.  But it all came to nought.  All that work and planning.  But there were too many customers in the way, so I don't think she ever saw me.

To think that she would persuade her mother to co-author a book with her, go to the trouble to get it published, schedule a book tour, and have the store set the table where they did.  She obviously had somehow found out that I work in the area, visit that store, and like to sit next to that particular window.  Brilliant!  Only to fall short at the crucial moment because of a crowd-control issue.  If she had only asked them to rotate the table 90 degrees clockwise, her dream would have been a reality.  She would have had an almost unobstructed view of her heart's desire, as I sat there reading "Catching Fire."  She didn't even get a chance to smile and wave, let alone ask for an autograph or photo op.

So sweet.  I was so touched by all that she did on my account.  She must read my blog.  I would have loved to stay a little longer, but I did have to get back to work.  Besides, if I made an exception for her, I'd have to make an exception for everyone, and honestly, I am entitled to a little privacy.

'Nessa (she loves it when I call her that), if you're reading this, I usually take the 5:20 bus in the evening.  Maybe next time, sweetie.  Until then, I am...

Basso For Hire

xox