#BookReview: CONFESSIONS OF A CALL CENTER GAL by Lisa Lim

Okay, before I tell you about this hilarious read, I have to share with you a disclaimer I received from the author when she saw I was reading it on Goodreads.

***DISCLOSURES: If you find politically incorrect shows like The Office, South Park and Chelsea Lately detestable, childish and offensive, then my book is probably NOT for you. But I don't write with malice, it's meant to be lighthearted, snarky and harmless. 

I'm a Chinese gal and I lightly poke fun at all races, including my own. Growing up in Malaysia, people were a lot more tolerant and a little less sensitive about that topic. And sometimes I think it's healthy to be able to laugh at yourself, as long as it doesn't cross a line or go over the top. 

It really did make me cackle that she felt the need to defend her work prior to me reading it.  I can't tell you how many times I wished authors who've written horribly bad books would send me a notice of disclosure before I picked up their book.  I'm not easily offended and though I don't watch The Office or South Park, I've read a few Chelsea Handler books and enjoyed them.

Recent college graduate Madison Lee can't find a job, though she doesn't seem to be trying too hard.  So when her best friend, Karsynn Higginbotham, invites her to come visit her in the hotbed of excitement that is Pocatello, Idaho, Maddy takes her up on it.  The modern day Laverne & Shirley find themselves jobs in a call center, of all things, and that's where the fun begins.

You might think that there's nothing funny about answering phones all day, but Lim does a great job of keeping the dialogue light, funny and moving at a pace reminiscent of The Gilmore Girls.  Not only are the main characters well developed, so are the secondary characters.  I don't think Lisa Lim has anything to worry about when it comes to finding an audience for Confessions.

What did you like about this book?
Reading this book was really like watching a sitcom.  Though Lim doesn't go into a lot of detail about the character's setting, their voices ring through loud and clear giving you a full impression of who they are and allowing you to visualize the characters and the call center.

I also love how the author intertwines popular culture references.

What didn't you like about this book?
It didn't bother me, but there are some jokes that others might find slightly offensive.

What could the author do to improve this book?
I would have loved a synopsis at the end giving updates on Karsynn, Truong and the rest of the crew.

296pp
Published May 2011


Purchase: Amazon | B & N | Book Depository | IndieBound

Guest Post: Commercial Music

In my 16 years of life, a great deal of things (including but not limited to: my family, my friends, strangers, celebrities, and everyday life in general) have managed to make me extremely angry. But the latest offender to make it on to my 'Things to Get Revenge Against' list is Tide. Yes, that's right. A friggin' laundry detergent has managed to further my progression into an angry black woman (the official countdown to September 8, 2014 has commenced).

You may be wondering what could cause me to be so angry at the Tide company. Did they test some new products on third world orphans and give them some terrible case of hives? Did their CEO say something racist? Well, that's entirely possible. I don't watch the news so all that could've happened and I wouldn't even know (if it did happen my, conscience can be clear because I don't even use Tide). No, what has me so enraged is their latest commercial; so, really, I guess I'm mad at their PR company.

In case you haven't seen it, the commercial is about their latest detergent, which is specially formulated to run in cold water and, therefore, use less energy. The inner child and music lover in me could really care less about the good-natured environmental benefits. They're more concerned with the song running in the background: 'Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like Dat)' by Digable Planets. The first time I saw/heard that commercial, I swear I died a little inside and every time since. It wasn't until ten minutes ago when I was sitting in a Chinese food restaurant when the doggone thing came on the TV again that I finally decided enough was enough.

WHAT WAS THAT CRAP?

Of course, I've already had my own vocal rant with my personal argument backboard (my mother) and she, of course, responded with, "Well, the song is 16 years old."

I, of course, responded with, "So?"

In blowing my poor mother's response clearly out of proportion, I came to the conclusion that, in a few weeks, when I turn 16, people are allowed to use me in commercials no matter how stupid it makes me look (love ya, ma). I'm waiting for the day somebody figures out a way to use Prince's 'Purple Rain' on a commercial so I can respond with, "Mom, it is 25 years old."

I'm not necessarily opposed to using songs in commercials. In some cases, like Bacardi's latest using Matt and Kim's 'Daylight', it's alright (let's ignore the fact that I'm underage and I’ve seen all the multiple edited versions of the commercial because I keep watching late night TV). I like the song, the commercial is artfully done, unlike the Tide commercial the song is edited well so it doesn't sound as choppy, and, most importantly, THE SONG IS NEW (relatively).





Using new songs in commercials allows the television viewing audience to hear songs that they may not have heard if their local radio station offers little-to-no variety (hint, hint, St. Louis). Using older songs, however, only makes people like me who actively listen to music suffer for a month and a half while the thing is circulation. Need I remind you of 'This Will Be' and eHarmony (and the fact that you can’t hear that song without cringing)? I thought not.

I'd just like to point out that the minute I finished this, the music video just came on my TV. God must really love irony (and making me angry).

--Jordan is a sixteen year old high school junior (and my kid), interested in TV and her headphones. Her life goals include making it through Titanic without falling asleep and finally getting a decent score in skee-ball. She has a full time job as a sarcastic commentator for everyday life and a part time job of trying to make it through said life.

Repost from August 2009

#BookReview: CHORE WHORE: Adventures of a Celebrity Personal Assistant - Heather H. Howard

HILARIOUS! If you're a fan of The Nanny Diaries or The Devil Wears Prada, run to your nearest bookstore or library and pick up this book.

Single mother and personal assistant extraordinaire, Corki Brown is called on to do everything from picking out birthday presents for Steven Spielberg to planning her employer's wedding, redecorating her house AND carrying around the employer's fiance's mother's ashes! With a Rolodex that most would envy, Corki carries off even the most ridiculous of tasks without batting an eye.

Based on her own experience as a personal assistant in Hollywood for over 20 years, I can only imagine some of the drama that the author has witnessed. My only wish is that she would do a follow up or at least give us hints as to whom her characters are based on. This book was a quick, light hearted read.

288 p.
Published: February 2006

Purchase: Amazon | B & N | Book Depository | IndieBound

My passion for reading is missing. Can you help me find it?

I love to read. If you asked him, my father would tell you that I picked up a book at age 4 and haven't put one down since. I can remember getting fussed at for bringing a book with me to family night, to church, to the skating rink...you get the picture.

With the exception of my college days, when I was distracted by men, parties & what not classes, there's never been a time when I wasn't reading at least one or two books. In grade school I could easily read a book a day and still have time for recess, homework and playing outside until the street lights came on. In high school I could easily read a book every two days and still have time for homework, watching the neighborhood boys play basketball, and practicing a new dance routine with my next door neighbor for the party of the year that happened weekly.

As a new mother sixteen years ago, reading was my escape from diapers, formula and a crying brat baby. As the Princess of Snark, as I call my daughter, became more independent, I found myself able to get back to the book a day habit. So now as we start her junior year in high school, a time when her dependence on me is at an all time low, when I should have hours upon hours of free time to read, I've lost my passion for reading.

I've fallen off the wagon. Me! The woman known for reading 3 - 4 books at a time, strategically placed in my purse, car, bathroom and bedroom. Last week I read 2 books. Who does that? This week I've read bits and pieces of The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros after reading a review of it by IB Reading and noting that it was one of Evelyn Ashford's favorite books. Have you seen or read this book? It's not big by any means, 134 pages at most. Twenty-five pages in and I tossed it back in my bag. I tried picking up James Patterson's The 8th Confession. Shortly after I picked it up, I dropped it back on the floor underneath my desk at work. I even tried another Ellen Douglas book.

Is it possible that I've lost the passion for reading? Could it be the subject matter? I think I read a pretty diverse selection of books, but maybe I need to be introduced to something else? I'm looking for a book that blows me away like Kathryn Stockett's, The Help. I want a book with imagery so vivid that I feel like I've been there before, the way Alexander McCall Smith makes me feel about Botswana in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series.

What books have you read that left you wanting more? Which authors leave you hungering for their next book? I'm begging you to help me find good books, help me get my mojo back!