I've got your number

Like Jenae, I got this book from Janssen's blog. It was one of her favorites for 2012 and it was one of the only ones without a waiting list at the library. It's called "I've Got Your Number" and it's by Sophie Kinsella, who also wrote the "Confessions of a Shopaholic" series (which I never read, but heard a lot about).

It's about a girl named Poppy who is a physical therapist and is engaged to a handsome, rich intellectual named Magnus. It starts out with Poppy frantically searching for her family-heirloom emerald engagement ring. She had been passing it around between some friends at an event, when the fire alarm went off and they were separated. Each friend seems to remember someone else having it when the alarm went off, so Poppy has no choice but to give out her cell number to everyone on the hotel staff and hope someone finds it.

As Poppy goes outside to get better service, her cell phone is stolen. Now she doesn't have the phone that she told the hotel to call her on. She begins to panic, and then she sees a phone sitting in a garbage can in front of her. She grabs it, gives the new number to the hotel staff, and is about to leave when the phone rings. A man named Sam, expecting to speak to his PA, is not happy to find that Poppy has the phone, but begs for her help in stopping a businessman from leaving the hotel before he can get downstairs to talk to him. She does as he asks and then leaves, taking the phone with her.

Sam isn't going to give up on getting his company phone back, but when Poppy explains why she needs the phone, he agrees to share it as long as she immediately forwards any texts or emails meant for him. Of course, Poppy gets nosy and begins to meddle, but she also asks him for advice on things, like how to handle her brainiac in-laws who don't like her and make her feel inferior. We get to watch as their relationship unfolds and as Poppy puts herself in one awkward situation after another. 

Anyway, it's a pretty funny book and definitely a light (and girly) read. I wouldn't say it is one of my favorite books, but I enjoyed it. There is some language and a little innuendo, though, just so you know. 

Just finished reading "No One Would Listen" by Harry Markopolos. This is an amazing true story about how Markopolos discovered Bernie Madoff's fraudulent Ponzi scheme which cost thousands of investors an estimated 65 billion dollars. Markopolos attempted to expose Madoff's fraud, but was ignored and denigrated by the SEC (Securities Exchange Commission) to whom he submitted three formal detailed complaints over the ten year period in which he and his team investigated Madoff. He tried to warn others also but most ignored him. The "returns" on Madoff's "fund" were just too great and had been "paying" consistently for too long. People believed that Bernie was as safe as a T-Bill. In the end, Markopolos testified before Congress on the complete failure of the SEC to protect investors and suggested ways in which the agency could be fixed.

This is a must read for Ben and Jonny. It is also a great read for anyone interested in things financial and a good educational opportunity for learning about and avoiding fraud. There are a lot of really good investing lessons to be learned here also.

The Happiness Project

I guess I’ll start this thing! I’m actually in the middle of reading a book that I can’t get enough of. I first saw it on Jansen (Gates) Bradshaw’s book blog.  I’m usually on there just as soon as I’m at a reading standstill and so far she hasn’t let me down.  Anyway, it’s called “The Happiness Project” and it’s by Gretchen Rubin.  I had never heard of it but when I went to check it out at the library I was 17^th in the hold line! By the time it was actually my turn I had moved to Vegas.  Luckily at the Paseo Verde library it was in my hands in a matter of a few days.  It’s basically about this lady who is already living a very happy life but feels like things could always be happier.  She takes on a year long project with a different goal in mind for every month.  It’s totally inspiring! Every chapter I have finished has left me feeling motivated.  She dedicates January to increasing her energy, February to her marriage etc.. After finishing January and reading about her organizing escapades, I finally cleaned out the trunk of my car and I swear I felt lighter.  

She is a mother of two so there is a lot that doesn’t necessarily pertain to my life but I think all the moms in this family would really enjoy it! I even think some of what I’m reading could potentially drift over into therapy sessions with future clients.  Her ideas are great and even if her idea of a “happiness project” might be different then mine, it’s gotten me on the thinking path! I’ve been reading with a pen in hand.  One of the quotes I wrote down the other day was, “Happiness is neither virtue nor pleasure nor this thing nor that, but simply growth. We are happy when we are growing.” – William Butler Yeats.  Totally recommend reading it if you have time J  

(I just grabbed this picture off of google images...so no that is not my coffee ;)