Mindy Kaling - Book Review

Book:  Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?
Author: Mindy Kaling
Pages: 219
Rating: 5 out 5

Summary: Chapters filled with random topics and Mindy's opinions along with stories of her past.

Why I Read It:  I first noticed Mindy on the NBC sitcom The Office. I thought she was comical. I then started watching her recent sitcom The Mindy Project. I came across Mindy's book the same time I picked up the Amanda Knox memoir so I thought some comedy would be nice to counteract a murder case.

Feelings: I loved this book and my respect for Mindy grew immensely after reading it.  She is honest, intelligent, and hilarious.  I feel like if we went to college together we would be friends and possibly even live together. I loved hearing that she is besties with Ellie Kemper, Heather on The Office, in real life. I always secretly wished characters were best friends on shows AND in real life. My favorite chapter in her book was "Best Friend Rights and Responsibilities." Here are some of my favorite quotes from her book:

When referring to her best friend: "If we're on a trip or if our boyfriends are away, and there's a bed bigger than a twin, we're partnering up. It is super weird for us not to share a bed. How else will we talk until we fall asleep?" OR "On trips together, I promise to man up and be the person who drives the rental car sometimes or uses my credit card and has people pay me back later. Someone needs to check on Yelp to see what the good brunch place is. Neither of us gets to be the princess all the time. I get that."

"Sometimes teenage girls ask me for advice about what they should be doing if they want a career like mine one day....stay in school and be a respectful hardworking wallflower, and go to an accredited non-online university."

Amanda Knox - Book Review

Book:  Waiting to Be Heard
Author: Amanda Knox
Pages: 461
Rating: 5 out 5

Summary: Amanda Knox shares her truth about the murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher, that took place in 2007.

Why I Read It:  I have always been fascinated with this case and it could be because I lived in Seattle, Amanda's hometown, I studied in England, Meredith's home country, and I had a very close Italian friend and the opportunity to visit Italy, where the murder took place.  All three places held strong opinions on this brutal case. I did not realize it until after I chose this book that Knox's retrial started today in Florence, Italy.

Feelings: I strongly recommend this book if you are at all interested in this story, biographies, or court cases.  Before I read the book I was 65% convinced that Amanda played a role in this investigation. That was only because of the way she handled herself the day the police found Meredith murdered and throughout Amanda's questioning at the police station. I should keep in mind that people handle shock, anger, depression, etc. differently. After reading this memoir, I feel that there is a 50% chance she is involved. It is so hard for me to make a decision and we will never truly know who murdered Meredith due to the police handling the DNA poorly and suspects lying.  I felt that Amanda did explain herself and it is clear that she relived this ordeal when writing her memoir. The facts of the case and transcripts are correct.

What are your thoughts about the case? Did you watch the Lifetime movie Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy? I haven't yet, but I hope to soon to see how it differs from her book. I would also like to read some of the other printed work published regarding this trial, including Meredith's father's titled, Meredith: Our Daughter's Murder and the Heartbreaking Quest for Truth.

This is not a book that you read and forget.  This book will keep you thinking days later.

Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.
- headstone in Ireland. 

Sit at Thai - Restaurant Review

Restaurant: Sit at Thai Express
4910 E. Central Wichita, KS
Category: Thai
Price:  Inexpensive

Why I chose it:  I would always drive by this lime green building, but never see anyone inside. After living in the Northwest, eating Thai weekly, I had to try this place out to see if Wichita could truly hold up to the greater NW.

Summary: You can order takeaway, sit down, or hit up the drive thru. There is a small parking lot that usually has approximately zero cars in it, but don't let that discourage you from eating there. You will then walk in and see a chic menu with pictures near the ceiling. There is a bathroom, but you need a key and you have to walk around to the backside of the building. I've heard that the bathroom is surprisingly clean, knowing the location. You can order at the counter and it is always the same friendly, smiling, lady with, assuming, her mum cooking in the back while watching Thailand's Got Talent Season II on her mini iPad. The mum is equally friendly and both are very knowledgeable and attentive.  After you have placed your order, you take a seat at a small white modern table with red seat cushions and talk amongst your friends.  Like most Thai eateries, you are served small salads with the traditional Thai dressing along with your beverages. Depending on your choice of entree you are usually served one egg roll and sticky rice.  I usually stick with the chicken red curry at the inexpensive price of $5.99. Lately, I have ordered Drunken Noodles, which is now my new favorite.  All meals are relatively cheap and you will always have leftovers, unless you are extremely hungry.  You should also order the cheese crab (crab wontons) at 1.99 you get 5! The dumplings are pretty tasty too. She will refill your beverages before you can ask and will clear your plates at the right moment. Overall this place was surprisingly delicious and I definitely recommend it.

Drunken Noodles with a mild spice because I can't handle the medium spice.

Bill Bryson - Book Review

Book:  Neither Here Nor There
Author: Bill Bryson
Pages: 245
Rating: 4 out 5

Summary: Stories from Bill's backpacking adventures across Europe.

Why I Read It:  Before I jumped across the pond for 365 days, I was given a book from my aunt to read about Europe. The book is short in length and I most likely could have finished it on one of many flights I took, but I think the Xanax made that impossible. Almost one year later, I finished the book. I am actually quite pleased I waited until after my adventures to read this printed work because I can now relate to most of the countries Bill described.

Feelings: His writing is so easy to read it feels like you are in a pub having a conversation with him about his travels. The best way to describe this book was said by the Wall Street Journal:
"Bryson is unparalleled in his ability to cut a culture off at the knees in a way that is so humorous and so affectionate that those being ridiculed are laughing too hard to take offense."