Being sick at home with pharyngitis – the weirdest kind of ill I've been in a while – leads to boredom. Boredom leads to browsing. Browsing leads me straight to Bookdepository.com. And we all know how that ends. 3 new books should be heading my way soon!

Charlaine Harris – Deadlocked (I seriously just made a typo and wrote 'Dreadlocked')
Had to have it. I've read every Sookie Stackhouse novel so far (I haven't reviewed the last couple of books yet) and am committed to it all the way to the – soon to come, with book 13 – end. I guess I can go ahead and say I was somewhat let down by Sookie Stackhouse book 11, and will read book 12 with the hopes that it will be better than its predecessor.

George R.R. Martin – A Clash of Kings (A Song of Fire and Ice 2)
I wanted the Sookie book, and I'm not one to buy just the one. So I had to carefully decide on one or two extra books. I haven't read A Game of Thrones, which I purchased last month, yet, but I plan to after I finish Steinbeck's East of Eden (which I will review when I'm done; I can't wait!). I felt it would be a good idea to have the second book handy just in case I do feel like continuing on with the series immediately, even though this isn't my direct plan. (I wish to savor this series.)

Rachel Cohn & David Levithan – Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist
As a music lover, I couldn't resist this book, which sounds like the cutest thing ever. It's teen romance, live music, mix tapes (!!!)… In that sense it reminds me of The Perks of Being a Wallflower.
The book I ordered is the movie tie-in, and it should also include a map of Manhattan with the places Nick and Norah visit during their adventurous night together. Should be fun to revisit New York in this manner.

What books have you been adding to your bookcase recently?

Tina Fey
Bossypants
First published in: 2011
This edition: Sphere, 2012
ISBN: 978-0-7515-4783-2
Genre: humor, memoir, non-fiction
Pages: 285 (including Q&A, reading guide)
Cover design by Mario J. Pulice; cover photo by Ruven Afanador

In a nutshell?

Man. I was feeling really down the weeks before heading to the UK for our annual book shopping… I mean toy tractor show trip. And then I found Tina, which makes Bossypants my bible.

Comedy writer and actress Tina Fey (Saturday Night Live, 30 Rock) has that delightful self-deprecating humor, which I already knew from being an avid watcher of her show 30 Rock, in which Fey plays herself a comedy writer named Liz Lemon, whose passion in life is a good sandwich.

So when I heard she'd written a memoir, I was on it so fast, I got it almost a year after it was first published, at a charity shop for what amounts to about 2 bucks. Now that's commitment right there. Right. There.

I'd just started reading Julia Child, bless her, but The Fey tempted me and I started reading that instead (after finishing Bossypants, I switched back to Julia Child and have her my full dedication). And I'm so, so glad I did. I needed this. I needed to crylaugh and be confronted with turning 40 ten years from now (an eye opener). But no, seriously. I did need this. Bossypants and the type of humor in it is the perfect prescription against having the blues.

Fey's memoir starts with this hilarious introduction – as I read it I swear I could hear Tina speaking to me… I'm Kaat d'Arc – ensuring you that you were about to read a winner. Fey proceeds to take you through her childhood, her teenage dreams, her experiences with her first jobs, That Palin Skit and how 30 Rock came to be. Bossypants is funny and varied; there's not a dull page in there. It's a wonderful way to get to know Tina Fey, if you're a fan, and I personally am really psyched that she wrote this. Tina Fey is honest and very personal about everything, with a healthy dose of self-mockery, and always keeps it upbeat.

But even if you appreciate humor – of the David Sedaris Genre, yes, I said genre – but have never even heard of 30 Rock (because you've been living under it), this book is for you. I had trouble putting it down. The humor isn't cheap or predictable, but exquisitely funny.

One of my favorite chapters is about Tina Fey's honeymoon, "My honeymoon, or A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again Either", describing how their cruise ship caught on fire, effectively ruining what cruise director 'Dan Dan the Party Man' hadn't already. (Fey is married to 30 Rock composer Jeff Richmond.) (And I'm never going on a cruise. You can forget about it.)

I enjoyed reading where The Bossy in Bossypants began: during her job at the (chapter is also entitled) "Young Men's Christian Association". It's fun to stay there. She also writes about improv, which I actually found very useful reading.

As a photographer I especially enjoyed reading about Tina's experiences with photo shoots and her opinions on retouching in "Amazing, Gorgeous, Not Like That". You kinda get to see it from a whole new perspective. It was one of the chapters which birthed one of several epic crylaughs: unstoppable laughter while the Niagara Falls streamed down my face. (Wil came into the living room during one of these momentous occasions, and proceeded to stare, not sure whether this was good or bad and whether he should hide yes or no.)

I appreciate her chapter "30 Rock: An Experiment to Confuse Your Grandparents", telling us how the show came to be, and introducing us to the people who have written or are still writing for the show using snippets of script to point out their various talents. (It was then that I learned Donald Glover, who plays Troy in Community used to be a writer on 30 Rock.) I appreciate the chapter because I am a fan of the show, but also because I think Fey did a wonderful thing by including her fellow writers in her book.

When I finished the book, I felt a little sad and empty. It was over and done with. I knew I would need to write Tina Fey a bunch of fanmail now begging, BEGGING, for an autographed glam photo and for her to write a second book. It was going to be a chore. I heaved a sigh, and then my eye fell on the Q&A and reading guide sections, usually reserved for the publisher to go all out and inspire us readers to discuss amongst ourselves the value of what we'd just read and the social impact.

But no, this wasn't standard. I encourage you not to skip these parts, as the humor just continues. It's a bit of a bonus. This was a Fey Encore and for now, I am a very satisfied reader. You will be too. Read this book.

The only thing that bothered me about Bossypants is that it didn't come with a free sandwich. But I suppose there's always room for improvement and I'm sure Tina will take my (one time, limited) free advice to heart when she works on volume 2. I'm sure of it.

In a nutshell

Pros:
- Really funny. Really. It will cheer you up.
- and it's varied!

- Great for Tina Fey fans, but also for fans of humor in general
- You might experience crylaughter, which is both strange and relieving.
- Bonus: the Q&A and reading guide

Cons:
- Re: sandwich not included.

Special thanks to Wil for agreeing to be my man-arms & man-hands.

Those of you who know me, know I love to go book shopping in the UK. (It's my version of Christmas!) This weekend it was finally "the most wonderful time of the year" again. The loot:

Tina Fey – Bossypants
At long last, my wish listed Bossypants has made it to my home. And that for 1,50 pounds! Bless you, British Heart Foundation charity shop in Dover. Bless you.
I've already started reading it, alongside another memoir: My Life in France by Julia Child. I'm enjoying both books immensely and equally.

Joanna Kavenna – Inglorious
I had Kavenna's The Birth of Love on my wish list, but couldn't find it in any of the shops. What I tend to do is pick up a different title by the author in question, because usually I end up wishlisting it anyway, especially when I have a pretty good feeling about the initially wishlisted book… Kavenna's debut thus went with me.

Louise Doughty – Honey Dew
This one's reasoning is similar to that of Inglorious; I couldn't find Louise Doughty's Whatever You Love at this one particular bookshop, but I spotted another title, read the back cover, and thought it would be a nice, different read. I ended up finding and buying…

Louise Doughty – Whatever You Love
…at a different bookshop later on this holiday. A book which intrigues me, about a mother's heartbreaking grief and her devastating hunger for revenge. Psychologically, I'm interested.

Dodie Smith – The New Moon with the Old
Bought this on a bit of a whim. I've read I Capture The Castle; it was magical, and I saw this title and got curious, so in the basket it went!

Stephen Fry – The Fry Chronicles
An unexpected addition to the TBR-Pile, but a very welcome one. I like the man, and would like to "get to know him" a little better. I discovered during this trip that – yes, I am a fiction reader. But I also really, REALLY value memoirs and biographies. More than I thought initially. Because I also bought…

Justine Picardie – Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life
…which was even MORE unexpected. And Wil looked at me when we were back in the car on the way to our next stop, "That one was really surprising. I thought to myself, is she really buying a book on Chanel?!" I find that I am interested in biographies / memoires when the person is interesting to me. Wil wonders what I like about Chanel. I'm no fashionista, honestly. But she was a businesswoman, a successful one at that, and she became a brand, a legend. And at this phase in my life and career, that is inspiring and valuable to me. And I can't wait to read about her life. (Plus it's a beautifully designed / formatted book which doesn't look too shabby on my coffeetable!)

Tori Amos with Ann Powers – Tori Amos: Piece by Piece
Yet another bio, which I purchased because I appreciate Tori Amos as an artist and am curious about her creative process, which is covered in this book. While that is all very personal to her, I do think it could teach me something about my own methods and introspection.

Neil Gaiman – Neverwhere
I knew immediately I had made the right decision purchasing this when the shopgirl said, "Ohhh that one's really good…!", nodded and smiled at me. I'm still working on American Gods, which I'm taking my time with, but I'm hopeful about and looking forward to my next encounter with Mr. Gaiman.

Irene Nemirovsky – Suite Francaise
You know, I'm not a big fan of World War 1 or 2 books… I find them too "painful" and saddening. But this one is authentic (as it was written during the second world war; the author died in Auschwitz in 1942, the novel published 64 years after her death) and I feel this book could be important, one not to miss.

David Mitchell – Black Swan Green
Another example of "my wishlisted book wasn't here so I'll just take this one by the same author, instead!". I've only read Mitchell's Cloud Atlas but it alone has made me decide to read every single one of his books.

Anne Tyler – Earthly Possessions
This was a case of "I heard of this one, and I heard it was good, and oh, this is a bargain!". I've read Digging to America. This will be my second Anne Tyler.

Clare Morrall – The Man Who Disappeared
Wishlisted another title, ended up with this one. Sounds a bit like what I wanted (and didn't get from) Nicole Krauss' Man Walks Into a Room, but with a crime element to it as well.

Ian McEwan – Solar
I am a huge fan of McEwan and aim to read all his work. Solar was on my wishlist as soon as it came out and I was all excited about it, etc… I just never got around to purchasing it sooner :/ Better late than never!

Tishani Doshi – The Pleasure Seekers
Wish listed this one when I researched last years' Orange Prize nominees. A story about love, family, different cultures… sounds like a winner to me.

George R.R. Martin – A Song of Fire and Ice: A Game of Thrones (book 1)
One of my happy dance purchases! The HBO series is to blame for this one. I am a massive, massive fan of the show and felt deep shame for not having read any of the books yet. I tried to make myself wait until I'd finished The Lord of the Rings, but I made it to The Two Towers and decided to reward myself with the first Martin book. I'm thrilled. I think the show covers a lot already, but there will be more detail and more to learn about this fascinating world.

Rebecca Skloot – The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Recommended to me by Kari, wishlisted as a result. This book takes on ethics in scientific / medical research and discovery. In this day and age, when more is being discovered and learned, it's important to look back and evaluate.

John Updike – The Witches of Eastwick
A must, I think, for any fan of the witch / supernatural genre, which is why I told myself I should really read it, then.

Kathleen Winter – Annabel
Another book I was very pleased to find. I've read Jeffrey Eugenides' Middlesex, also about a hermaphrodite (raised a girl, but identifies with a male), and still consider it to be one of my favorite books – and one day I will read it again. Annabel explores gender roles in a similar way, but in this case the child is raised as a boy (Wayne) but cannot let go of his feminine side, either (Annabel), much due to his mother and a trusted female neighbor. I'm interested in reading about these influences.

Malcolm Day – Voices from the World of Jane Austen
Gifted to me by my dear friend Amanda, who knows I'm a huge fan of Jane Austen. This book explores the setting (time & place) of Austen's novels; the author Malcolm Day includes dialogue and other bits from Austen's novels, letters, etc – by way of illustrating ("voicing") the social history he covers. A great way to become more familiar with the backstory, basically, of some of my favorite novels. Thank you Amanda! I'm excited to read this one.

Which books have you purchased recently?