Fast Food Maniac by Jon Hein

My latest book find by BloggingForBooks is Fast Food Maniac by Jon Hein.

Fast Food Maniac is another tasty read similar to Food, A Love Story by Jim Gaffigan. In this book, Jon Hein, from The Howard Stern Show, wrote this book as a guide to all the major fast food chains plus many regional restaurants.  Each chapter delivers the menu items from each restaurant, fun facts like when each restaurant opened, their mascots and slogans, and a list of secret menu items (which are described in detail in the back of the book).
 The chapters are written in a fun and comedic style as Jon gives his take on some of the food that he's tried, similar to Jim Gaffigan's style.
  I loved the idea for this book. The only thing missing for me was color pictures and more details about the toys that have been offered in kid's meals over the years. I would've loved to have seen a list because I'm sure I would've recognized many.
 If you like Jim Gaffigan's Food, A Love Story then you will like Fast Food Maniac and vice versa. They're great companions to each other. While Jim Gaffigan's book focused more on his experience of eating the food from the restaurants, Jon Hein focused more on the restuarants themselves and their history.
 A fun book that's well worth the read. The My only warning is you'll be starving after reading all those delicious menu lists.

De Niro, A Life: by Shawn Levy

My latest Blogging For Books pick is De Niro, A Life.

  Robert De Niro is a rare breed of actor who completely immerses himself in his characters. He doesn't just read a script and give a perfunctory performance, he puts his whole heart and soul into it and really transforms into the character he's been chosen to play. This book analyzes the many (upon many) movies of De Niro's career and reveals what went into planning for each part.
  It seems I've seen only a fraction of the movies Robert De Niro has made, there were so many in here that I have not heard of. It was intriguing to read about the movies I've seen, a little less so with the ones I have not, causing me to skim over a few of the chapters. At 551 pages the book is thorough but also runs a bit tedious, going into detail on every movie De Niro has ever made and sometimes into the backgrounds of his directors.
 The only thing missing for me were more quotes and interviews from those who know De Niro. There are some but not a lot, so the book can run a little dry. But given the quiet nature of De Niro, I imagine it was difficult enough to get as much inside information as the author did. And there are many interesting stories-both behind the scenes of his movies and inside his personal life. The book has been very well researched.
 By the end you have such a respect for De Niro as an actor. So few actors research a role and dig as deep into the material the way he does. I'm among those people who are a little disappointed in his latest roles (outside of Silver Linings Playbook) when it seems more about the paycheck to him than the role. But it still cannot erase the amazing history of characters behind him.

What I'm Reading Now...

I'm midway through Babbitt by Sinclair Lewis. Oh, I love this book!....

Food a Love Story by Jim Gaffigan

Next in my reviews for BloggingForBooks is Food, A Love Story by comedian Jim Gaffigan.

 You could say I devoured this book " Food-A Love Story"  like a Hot Pocket- I didn't want to put it down! Jim brings The Funny to outrageous topics like cheese, McDonald's, and his un-love for kale in this humorous book.
 Food-A Love Story sets up the perfect conversation starter in any household because if there is one thing people love to give their opinion on it's food. Health crazed people will disagree with most chapters for it's shameless love for all things unhealthy, while the rest of us will nod our head in agreement and laugh outloud at Jim's adoring descriptions of his favorite meals. Either way, I can't imagine anyone not getting a hearty laugh out of this book.
  A Tasty read...5 stars.

(The cover alone is hilarious!)

Choose Your Autobiography by Neil Patrick Harris

The latest review I have for Blogging For Books is Choose Your Own Biography by the (ever-talented) Neil Patrick Harris.
  Neil Patrick Harris brings his trademark charm and quirkiness to this 'auto'biography. It's written in a unique Encyclopedia Brown-style where the end of each chapter asks you where you how you want the story to end and then you flip to that designated page. Some endings are the reality and some are a fanciful take on reality, but all are entertaining.
 Neil lays it all on the line, giving an unvarnished view into his early years, his lovelife, and of course his years as Doogie Howser. I loved his openness and tongue-in-cheek style about his past. With all his success he still shows a giddiness for the life he leads, he raves over an outlandish vacation with Elton John like a smitten fan would after meeting his idol, and writes about his awesome birthday scavenger hunt like it is still one of the favorite moments of his life, then ends the chapter with a sweet, heart-on-his-sleeve declaration of love for his partner David.
 If you read the book in the choosy your own autobiography style, be sure to go back and read any chapters you might have missed. There are magic tricks, flights of fancy, and some irreverent chapters from Neil's friends that you don't want to miss!

Q & A a day, Four Year Journal for Creatives

My latest review for BloggingForBooks.

   There is nothing like a book that brings out your creative side. This book is a journal/sketchbook where every day you get a 3 1/2 by 3 3 1/4" square and a daily topic to fill in to your heart's content. Throw out any  inhibitions you might have about your own artistic abilities, it's not about the Art. After all, this is your own personal journal, there's no one to grade your sketching. That's what I really love about a book like this, it's your own little space to create without any pressure to be perfect.
  Questions are varied with topics such as "Draw a sculpture or statue" to "Compose a drawing that signifies relaxation." You'll often start a sketch and find ten to fifteen minutes have passed as you spend your time filling in details and lose yourself in the simple task.
  A great relaxer and stress reliever, and especially good for people who find it easier to express themselves with pictures rather than words. Perfect for all ages, affordable, and a great gift. Pair it with the Q&A 365 Questions a Day 5 Year Journal for years of memory making.

The First Family Detail

 Today's Blogging For Book review is for The First Family Detail by Ronald Kessler.

   The First Family Detail is loaded from cover to cover with insider's stories of the first families along with details on how the secret service operates. There's a gossipy flavor to it, yet at the same time I couldn't stop turning the pages.
  A few chapters in I got the feeling of a right-wing slant to the story telling as most of the Republican first families are depicted as kindhearted angels and the Democrats all seem to be aloof staffer's nightmares. I don't entirely believe this. Stories such as Joe Biden's wanting minimal security when he returns to Delaware is written to seem like he doesn't care about the safety of his office, while it could also be told to mean he is a man who wants to be as normal as possible when he leaves the White House behind.
  The only thing I would change in the book is the chronological order of the chapters. I would've started with the earliest president's stories and ended with the Obama White House. But, beyond that little correction, the book is a juicy weekend read. History buff or not, you can't put it down.