Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano

 

Hello everyone.  I hope you are having a great day.

I always say something about hope you're having a nice day or week because I mean it.  Watching the news can make you sick these days, so much hate.  No matter what religion you do or do not believe in, we can all agree that humans have been on this planet for thousands of years.  It amazes me that in all those years we haven't learned one simple thing, mean is bad, and kind is good.  How can all this time have passed and we still think hurting each other is a good idea?  No matter where you are from, the United States, France, Iran, Russia, or Singapore, I guarantee you we are ALL the same.  We want nothing more than to have a nice life.  We want to learn, maybe fall in love, have shelter and food, raise our children in a safe pleasant environment.  No matter what our governments or countries are doing, we all, at the core, are the same.  It drives me crazy that we still fight and physically hurt each other.  Wouldn't we be so much better if we treated each other with respect and kindness.  I mean, call me silly, but I'd rather laugh than be blown up.  How wonderful would it be if we could embrace each other's differences and want nothing more than kindness.  Oh, you need oil, no problem...you can't grow grain, we've got you covered.  If we could only drop jokes, smiles and love instead of bombs.  I know I'm getting sappy but bad happenings get annoying quickly.  So, for today, instead of hate let's try love, instead of punishing each other, let's make each other laugh.  Let's try being the humans we should have been a long time ago.  To put that smile on your face, maybe you want to start with a book.

I recently read Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun by Elle Cosimano.  This author has written two other books following the same set of characters, Finlay Donovan is Killing It and Finlay Donovan Knocks 'Em Dead.  I have reviewed and loved both previous books.  The series begins when you meet Finlay Donovan, a mother and author, trying to do it all.  Her husband has left her and fired their nanny.  Finlay is late for a lunch meeting with her agent.  While eating and discussing Finlay's new novel, the lady at the next table overhears the plot.  She believes Finlay is a contract killer, a real one.  This woman offers the cash strapped author a bundle to "dispose" of her husband.  The story is off and running.  Finlay and her sidekick nanny, Vero, get pulled into adventure after adventure in the unsavory world of killing people for cash.  The only thing is they don't know what they are doing.  The improvising author and mom along with the super sarcastic nanny, get themselves into all kinds of hilarious situations.  In the latest, Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun, Finlay and Vero get stuck going to a mock police academy, living in a dorm and taking classes in police procedure, all while trying to track down a villain.  As with all the books, you will find yourself laughing out loud and smiling through the whole read.  What else could you ever want?  One more book in the series yet to come, I will be terribly sad when it's over as the world could use more Finlay Donovan and Vero comedy.

By the way, when I think of kindness my mind always goes to Canada on September 11th.  When the US was being attacked and all flights were stopped, Canada let planes land and people took Americans into their homes.  It was so beautiful during something so horrible.  I'll never forget it. The people of Canada set a wonderful example of how we should all be every day.

Playing With Myself by Randy Rainbow

Hello everyone.  I hope your day is going well.

Today's book deals with several sensitive topics, the author does this with heart and comedy.  If you are politically driven, don't like a raunchy laugh or are easily offended, perhaps skip this review.  I promise to have a delicious thriller up next. 

I recently read Playing with Myself by Randy Rainbow.  Randy is a popular personality on YouTube.  He does parody videos with rewritten songs generally from Broadway shows.  He is enormously gifted and if you have a sense of humor, he will brighten your day.  I gave my speech about politics because once Trump became President, his administration was the subject of many videos.  I thought this book would be about how Randy makes those videos, using a green and a computer, and it is, but there is much more substance, which surprised and delighted me.  The book tells the story of when he was a child, figuring out he was gay, eventually telling his parents.  He encounters plenty of mean kids in school, as we all do.  Randy talks about wanting to be a performer but almost falling into his current career.  There are loads of sarcasm, profanity, laughs galore and even a few tears. If you're interested in the people he's met and has worked with, the author does not hold back, naming them all specifically.  He has charming stories about Carol Burnett, who I'm so happy to say is actually due the adoration I've had for her for years.  You'll read about Stephen Sondheim, Steve Martin, Patti LuPone...the list of his admirers is endless and the stories amazing.  Best of all, the reader is treated to a peek into Randy's relationship with his mother, which will make you choked up and smile at the same time. This is a feel-good book you'll be glad you read.

If reading nonfiction isn't your thing, I get it, in general it isn't mine.  At the least do yourself a favor, put away your political affiliation, pull on your big boy/girl pants, and go look up Randy Rainbow on YouTube.  You will be amazed at his talent.

Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano

Hello everyone.  I hope you're having a good day.

Have you ever seen one of those videos that pops up in your Face Book feed where a baby laughs at their grandfather making a face? I'm not subscribed to any cute baby groups but they always show up in my feed, kind of like those videos about how to serve a filet mignon dinner using only ring dings and mustard.  Obviously some portions of the internet think I'm a female MacGyver, obviously they haven't seen the the fine film of filth covering my house!  Hummm, maybe the filth is holding everything together and that IS my MacGyver-ness.  I like that, dirt on purpose not because I'm lazy.

Something everyone has in common is liking to laugh.  I remember being at my Aunt and Uncle's house for a Christmas Eve party and my dad holding the whole room captive as he was delighted by telling a joke.  I think it went like this: "I have a bird named Chet and he sings.  If I hold a match under him but to the right he sings Jingle Bells.  If I hold a match under him but to the left he sings Oh Holy Night.  If I hold a match under him in the center he sings Chet's Nuts Roasting On An Open Fire." My extended family laughed loudly and my father was filled with joy at making everyone laugh.  Now maybe it was the booze, being off work for the holiday, or being with his family but Dad was truly happy.  It's a very good memory.

I recently read Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano. This book is about an author who goes to meet her agent and misses their reservation at an upscale restaurant so they end up meeting at Panera.  Finlay is describing the plot of her book when she is overheard by a woman at a nearby table.  When Finlay gets up to leave she discovers a note from the other patron who is offering her $50,000 to kill her husband.  The plot of the book has been taken as real and Finlay is thought to be a contract killer! Not only is Finlay way behind on her book but she's out of money, making the stranger's note all the more interesting.

This book is a great read and perfect break from the world we live in.  It is fast, interesting, easy to read, easy to get into, has clearly defined characters and plot but most of all this book is funny.   How funny?  Read to your husband funny.  Tell him to put his meeting on mute so they don't hear you reading him your book, funny.  Text your sisters, "OMG you've got to read this" funny.  If you like to laugh and could use a break from reality, this book is for you. If you like slapstick comedy but in word form, you must read this story.  Oh heck, just trust me, go get this book.  Unless of course you hate to laugh, then I wash my hands of you. 

Even though my dad is gone, my nephew has his same sense of humor.  I'll have to make sure I tell him Dad's Chet joke and see who he can make laugh.