Well, crap, by posting this I'm missing the beginning of tonight's House Hunters episode

It’s been a bad few weeks in the Electrical Appliance department around here. First the upstairs desktop computer (THE ONE WHERE I DO ALL MY HARD BLOGGITY BLOGGY WORK) stopped connecting to the Internet. This is not usually a problem when you have a husband who is up to his eyeballs in computer parts all day long, but it turned out that it was a problem he was unable to fix by himself. Then our satellite reception crapped out on both TVs because the trees in our backyard had grown too tall and prevented a clear view to the southern sky or a laser pathway to Mars or whatever it is you need these days to get good satellite reception. Then the dishwasher started funking up, and then the refrigerator started leaking all over the floor, and finally, just yesterday, the check engine light in my car came on, even though I just had $600 worth of work done on it three weeks ago. And that’s not counting the $400 tires we replaced TWO weeks ago. And I know, tires have absolutely nothing to do with my engine and what might be wrong with it or whatever, I’m just pointing out THE HORRIBLE TIMING and the fact that we are now PRACTICALLY DESTITUTE.

We got FiOS installed exactly one week ago (which appeared to solve the TV and computer issues in one fell swoop), except two days later, it completely crapped out. We could watch ONE CHANNEL, and it was lame music videos in HD, and I am sorry, but there is only so much KT Tunstall one can take. Finally someone came out this morning and fixed it. It was a different guy than we had the last time, however, this did not stop me from coming out of the bathroom in my pajama pants and see-through, braless tank top ensemble at the exact moment he was coming up the stairs. We almost collided, and he looked thoroughly embarrassed. And I would have felt bad about that, but after he fixed the TV in our bedroom, the smell of Hard Working Man remained, and that happens to be a smell I think should be reserved for construction sites and tractor supply stores, NOT MY VERY NICELY REDECORATED BEDROOM.

During times like these, I should be prohibited from watching nice, young, hopeful couples who are being featured on House Hunters. Last night (via the OnDemand service, which we somehow were able to still get even though I haven’t seen Matt Lauer for WEEKS) I was watching this couple who I am sure I would have found absolutely adorable had I not been feeling like my entire house was about to come crashing down around me. And they toured three homes that were absolutely AMAZING opportunities for a first home: stainless steel and granite countertops in beautiful, roomy kitchens; three bedrooms with hardwood floors; bathtubs with mosaic tile surrounds—all at least $25k less than what we paid for our first home, even though OUR first home came with an original 1970s kitchen and more old, creepy linoleum than you could shake a stick at. And yet, they were finding things WRONG with these homes! At one point, the guy actually said, “Well, I like the house, but I’m not so sure about where the staircase is. There’s some dead space behind it.” Which, ok, it might be a little bit annoying I guess, but OTHERWISE, the house was PERFECT. Perfect! Dude, the staircase: LET IT GO. I must have shouted “I HATE YOU BOTH!” somewhere in the vicinity of 45 times during the 24-minute run of the show. And I did. I hated them last night. I hated them SO MUCH. For being so damned PICKY, about EVERYTHING, even though OBVIOUSLY, had I had the opportunity to be pickier about OUR first home, I would have been.

And then they bought the cutest of the choices and they decorated it really badly, which made me hate them even more.

But that was yesterday, people, when I was all angry and hormonal and STILL IN MY FIRST TRIMESTER. Today we cross over to Second Trimester Terrritory, and if you must know, I am FLABBERGASTED. How did this happen? I mean, I watched the weeks tick by, OH SO SLOOOOOWLY, but suddenly, here I am, one-entire-third of the way through? And tonight I realized I have the beginnings of an Actual Pregnant Belly, and it is SHOCKING. I don’t know WHY it’s so shocking—after all, there was that positive pregnancy test, and the ultrasound, and then that appointment a few weeks ago where I HEARD THE HEARTBEAT with my NON-SUPERSONIC EARS, but it’s like the belly makes it seem way more real. (Also it makes me feel much better about eating roughly eighteen meals a day.)

Hey, you guys don’t have any good book recommendations, do you? I could use some help in two categories: books I can read here at home when I have a good hour or so to myself (nights, occasional naptimes) and books I can start to stockpile for a beach vacation next month. Obviously, books I can read at home can be a little deeper and more complex because I can stop when and where I want. Books for the beach, as we all know, should be lighter and easy to pick back up and quickly remember exactly where I was before I had to stop reading so I could tear someone’s poopy swim diaper off and trek it through the hot sand to the garbage can.

Comments

[Vanessa]

If you haven't read these yet, you should check out the Shopaholic series. They are really funny and there is no thinking required - great beach reads.

[Karen]

"The Last Lecture" by Randy Pausch is an awesome, fast read. If you haven't heard of the guy, just Google him and read up on the first link. "The Three Miss Margarets" by Louise Schaffer is another good one, and its sequel "The Ladies of Garrison Gardens" are also good, reasonably light reads ... but you won't want to put them down!

[Suze]

Argh! All those house shows are SO annoying because the houses are ALWAYS cheaper than the ones we have, with better stuff in them, and the people are NEVER happy, or turn a nice home into a purple and lime nightmare and that makes me yell "I hate them both!' too.
So there. You are not alone. I feel better now.

[Jessica]

Oooh, Twilight... by Stephenie Meyer. You may THINK you won't like them (there are 3, the 4th comes out in August) but they are like freaking crack. Unbelievable.

You WILL be embarassed when you go to the young adult section to buy them though. But seriously, WAY AWESOME... and for sure something those stupid House Hunters wouldn't like. WHORES.

Um... other than that I liked Good Grief by Lolly Winston, anything by Jennifer Weiner, Night Swimming by Robin Schwartz, and am currently enjoying Catching Genius by Kristy Kiernan.

Other great reads are Between, Georgia by Joshlyn Jackson and Gods in Alabama by the same author. I've heard her new one is really good too. Anything by Jodi Piccolut is good, but they are sometimes deep, which does not really equal a beach vacation.

My all time favorite is God Shaped Hole by Tiffanie DeBartolo. Awesome book.

Your itunes post a while back caused a $73 itunes purchase one night, so this post could be catastrophic to me and my bank account :)

[MrsWaltz]

Sorry, can't list any books right now; House Hunters Int'l just started and I have to see what these guys in Malaga are buying....

[ali]

i just read "Love Walked In" by Marisa de los Santos. it was GREAT!

[Jennifer]

Can I just turn into my mother for a second and spew the old "When it rains, it pours" cliche? Ooh! Or how about, "It's always something!" Why can't a mountain of awesome things happen at once instead of a bunch of unfun money-sucking things?

Not sure what you're in the mood to read so I'll give you a couple of different suggestions:

HEAVY
"Geek Love" by Katherine Dunn: LOVE. Dark and horrible and wonderful story about a family of carnies. One of my all-time faves.

"The Secret History" by Donna Tartt: My other all-time favorite read. Thriller about a group of college kids in snowy Vermont.

"Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett: Even though it's an Oprah book, I really enjoyed this tale centered in Ye Olden Tymes. Also? It's about a skillion pages and I love me a thick book.

LIGHT READING
"I Was Told There'd Be Cake" by Sloane Crosley: I'm reading this now and am greatly enjoying it. A collection of essays in the vein of Sedaris, it's proving to be a quick read.

"Things My Girlfriend and I Have Argued About" by Mil Millington: Fun British comedy about a man seeking to balance his increasing duties at work with the demands of his girlfriend at home.

"Case Histories" by Kate Atkinson: I LOVE this book. Funny, charming and touching novel that intertwines three separate mysteries.

[Superfantastic]

I know that there are books I've read fairly recently that I could recommend but I can't think of any now because I have been reading the Super-Informative Special Ed Handbook for approximately all eternity. If I come up with anything, I'll get back to you.

But I will say that I too experience some loathing for House Hunters couples who express reservations about a house because the second bedroom, which is larger than entire apartments I have lived in, seems "kind of small" for their toddler. Heaven forbid little Lexus should not be able to host an arena football match in her bedroom.

[Danielle-Lee]

Hello? We need pictures of the 2nd trimester belly please. You can't tell us all that stuff, and then NOT show us the baby bump!
Books! I am so a book whore, so come to me anytime you need some book-readin' advice!
Year of Fog by Michelle Richmond
My Sister's Keeper-Jodi Picoult
Such a Pretty Fat-Jen Lancaster
Rockabye-Rebecca Woolf
Shoot the moon-Billie Letts (or anything by her!)
Swimming Towards the Ocean-Carole Glickfeld
Anything by Jennifer Weiner

Let me know if you need more book ideas. :)

[Lisa]

Ok, do I have the books for you. You have to read the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. It's totally light and fluffy but once you get started, it's like crack. Completely obsessively addictive. Go order the first book. You'll thank me later!

[Katy]

there is an author names Jane Heller, her books are great for the beach, she mixes a little bit of uptpown girl with mystery, and romance, so not too mushy, but girly flirty and fun books, i love them all crystal clear was a great one !!!

[RebeccaB]

Jen Lancaster's books are hillarious and a fun beach read!

Sloane Crosley - I was told there'd be cake

Those are the books i've been reading this summer!

[Julia]

Anything by Jodi Picoult
Marley and Me
David Sedaris is a hilarious author as well

[Teresa]

Quick beachy reads - Size 12 is Not Fat, Size 14 is Not Fat Either, and Big Boned by Meg Cabot, anything by Jennifer Weiner assuming you haven't already devoured all her chick-lit (my fave is Good in Bed), the Gossip Girl series (I know I know, totally junior high, but it's my escape from reality since my husband pretty much berates me for watching anything soap opery in my house, especially teeny bopper soaps. Did I mention how excited I am they are redoing 90210??? And heaven help me if he decides to pick up a book and see what I'm reading about. HA!)

More serious reads - I'm currently catching up on the Bourne series by Ludlum. I wanted to read the books before I saw all the movies. Didn't happen. I'm not complaining though because Matt Damon is great mental eye candy while I'm reading! Also, anything by Kathy Reichs (the author behind the tv show Bones). A little morbid sometimes but I love the chemistry between Temp and Ryan. And her eyerolls, priceless :)

Oh yeah, congrats on making it to the 2nd trimester! I stumbled upon this website the other day and thought about you and your diaper post, couldn't resist sending the link for these. I am not sure I'd ever be able to use adult diapers, much less cloth sanitary products, no matter how absorbent they claim to be. I'll stick with my landfill specials any day. http://www.cottonbabies.com/product_info.php?cPath=30&products_id=989

[becky k]

On the Kathy Reichs theme, her daughter Kerry just published a chick lit book (in the interest of full disclosure, Kerry is a friend from college) and I was really pleased at how fun it was to read! It's about weddings - many of them Southern which are another beast altogether - and friendships and is great for the beach or around the house. It's called The Best Day of Someone Else's Life.

[Jessica]

I am a big fan of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series... I recommend it to everyone who has yet to read them.

[victoria]

I just finished Water for Elephants. What an amazing book ( I stayed up until 1 to finish it) about a travelling circus in the 1930's US.

[Kimberly]

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

[Teresa]

Thanks becky k - I will have to look for that this weekend :) And hailing from MS, I can totally relate to the phenomenon that is the Southern wedding haha!

[Julia]

I love House Hunters! I just discovered this show and am obsessed. I love that they show you the couple in their new home at the end, unlike other shows that just cut out any wrap up whatsoever.

Books...

I second the opinion on The Secret History by Donna Tartt. It's great.

Other recent reads... Eat Pray Love, Water for Elephants and Things I Learned About My Dad were all pretty good reads.

[Julie]

Pillars of the Earth is my FAVE!! And I loved it before Oprah got her hands on it too. Way to ruin a great book.
But, The Good Earth by Pearl S Buck is good heavy reading- even my husnabd liked it.
And, the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon is a great beach series. Must be read in order though.

[skinny fat chick]

I just read a few books by Amanda Eyre Ward (Forgive Me, Sleep Toward Heaven, How to be Lost) and she is one of my new favorites. If I can compare her to someone it would probably be Jodi Picoult, who I also love. Her books are easy to get into, without falling into that predicatable-chick-lit category. They're probably more of the read-at-home type. I'm currently reading Songs Without Words by Ann Packer, and listening in my car to Bee Season by Myla Goldberg - and both of these are great so far too!

[Teri]

I have to suggest the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich! Great for the beach! There are 14 currently plus the short holiday novellas...with to come as well. You must start at the beginning...

One for the Money
Two for the Dough
Three to Get Deadly
Four to Score
High Five
Hot Six
Seven Up
Hard Eight
Visions of Sugar Plums (Holiday Novella)
To the Nines
Ten Big Ones
Eleven on Top
Twelve Sharp
Plum Lovin' (Holiday Novella)
Lean Mean Thirteen
Plum Lucky (Holiday Novella)
Fearless Fourteen

Make sure that you have the next one in the series ready as you will not want to wait long to get started..

Check ebay, you can usually find the whole or most books from the series sold as a set.

[lee]

Not Heavy and Not Light:
Free Food for Millionaires by Min Jin Lee

Light Light Light:
-Anything by Elin Hilderbrand (all summer books taking place on Nantucket)
-Lovehampton by Sherri Rifkin (I can't believe I'm reading a book called Lovehampton)
-Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger

[lee]

Oh, and totally ditto on the Stephanie Plum books. I'm waiting with baited breath for #14 to arrive at my library.