Book Review: Crazy Aunt Purl’s Home Is Where The Wine Is by Laurie Perry

Wednesday, Feb 10, 2010

Book Review: Crazy Aunt Purl’s Home Is Where The Wine Is by Laurie Perry

Author: Laurie Perry

Publisher: HCI Books

ISBN #: 978-0757313684

Type: Non-Fiction:Memoir:Comedy

Pages: 224 Trade Paperback

Published: February 1, 2010

Website: http://www.crazyauntpurl.com/

Purchase: $10.17 (HERE)

What It’s Like…

Sometimes it feels like there is nobody in the world who can truly understand where I’m at in life. I realize that my friends and family know about my life and, in general, how I feel. But, they don’t walk a day in my shoes. They’ve not been there. Of course, our lives are different and that’s to be expected. Some of my friends are married, live far-far away, or are overcome with little children. When this is the case it’s hard to make time to hang out the way we used to. Honestly, I’m turning into a hermit because it’s hard to have a buddy in my life that totally gets me and loves the do the things I love. When I was reading the synopsis of this book on TLC’s website, I thought to myself, “This chick sounds a lot like me!” Like Aunt Purl, I am a wine-slave, divorced, living in Southern California, 40-ish, knit in my spare time, and have a million cats. Could this be my long-lost twin? My BFF to yet be discovered? Did I mention she’s a blogger, too? Maybe she’s me in a parallel universe.

My Three Babies...

So, I left a comment on TLC saying that it sounded like a good book. And like the organized and always thoughtful friend that Lisa is, she offered me a spot on the tour. COOLNESS! Maybe she’d be funny like Jen Lancaster… maybe I’d read about somebody like me.

The first 5 chapters of the book had me smiling and laughing because I’m just like Laurie. I’ve experienced many of the same things that she has: dining alone, vacationing alone, and getting waxed (you know… down there) for the first time. Sometimes it’s harder than it seems, but often I find that I can have fun by myself doing the things that I love to do. If she can take herself to Italy alone, then I am convinced that I will eventually make my trek to Greece (which I’ve always dreamed of).

One of my favorites... 2008 Ponte Chardonnay!!!

So… what’s it like? I talk to my cats in very strange voices, calling them all kinds of silly names. I find that a wonderful bottle of Chardonnay and a good pair of socks is often better than dressing up and going out to dinner. I believe that dating is like a job interview, only worse, so why bother? I drag my knitting to things like Superbowl Parties because I’d rather knit than socialize. I keep my nose in a book because it exercises my brain and takes me on adventures. The only thing that separates me from ”Crazy Aunt Purl” is the fact that I am continually terrorized by my twin tweens. (THE HORROR!) So, yes… I found my long-lost-40ish-friend-soul-mate in this book.
Reading this book made me laugh at myself and my old-fogie ways at the young age of 40. Will I be the crazy cat (and, dog… lest we not forget) lady?

Did I love this book? Of course I loved this book!

Did I get good laughs? Uh, YEAH!

Would I recommend it to my 40-ish friends? Most definitely!

Do I feel better now? Yep.

Do I wish-wish-wish that I could meet Laurie Perry, drink a great bottle of wine, and knit together? ARE YOU KIDDING??? Would love to! After all, she’s knitted a sock which is still way scary for me because I only knit square things, too!

Would I mind if there was cat hair on her couch? NOT in the least!

The one question that I’d ask Laurie? Do you watch The Bachelor?

And, then…. What do think of this season?

(Here’s a little snippet about her first book…)

The Rating

This book was a right-up-my-alley read! I’m not sure that gals in their 20′s would really quite appreciate the subtle humor in this book, so I definitely believe there’s a target audience for it. Laurie Perry is somebody who immediately makes you feel like you are chatting with a friend in this book. I think that you just may enjoy it!

Giving Thanks

I wanted to thank TLC Book Tours for including A Novel Menagerie in this book tour! The knitting patterns in the book were a total bonus!

FTC Disclosure: This book was provided to me from the publisher. Clicking on the either the photo of the book cover or the link next to the purchase price stated above will bring you to my Amazon Affiliate page. No purchases are necessary.

14 Comments

| Posted in Books Books Books

14 Responses

Sandy

February 10th, 2010 at 4:38 am

I also loved this book. I’m not single and I don’t knit, but I think there is a little bit of Laurie in all of us. She also reminded me of some of my friends. So if you ever decide you need to have a BFF outing for a few glasses of wine with Laurie, please remember to invite me!
.-= Sandy´s last blog ..Wordless Wednesday – Lake Eola #2 =-.
Kathy

February 10th, 2010 at 7:35 am

This book sounds like so much fun! I’ve read a few books about bloggers and always feel like they totally get me.
.-= Kathy´s last blog ..Our Life in France – banking, money and numbers =-.
Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)

February 10th, 2010 at 8:23 am

Anna raved about this book and she’s been reading Laurie’s blog for ages. I’m glad you found a kindred spirit. I love Wine and talk to my dog and call him all kinds of silly names too…heck I even make up songs with his name in them.
.-= Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)´s last blog ..Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben Winters =-.
diane

February 10th, 2010 at 11:31 am

I enjoyed the earlier book of this author: Drunk, Divorced & Covered in Cat Hair…it was a fun read. I’ll check this one out at some point! Thanks for bringing it to our attention.
.-= diane´s last blog ..Waiting on Wednesday – The Heights =-.
lisamm

February 10th, 2010 at 12:46 pm

Hey Sheri! I’m so glad you enjoyed Laurie’s book and hoped you’d feel a connection to her!

Thanks so much for the review and for all the time you put into it. We appreciate it so much.
.-= lisamm´s last blog ..Winter Reading Series: KEEPING THE FEAST Discussion Questions =-.
Menagerie

February 10th, 2010 at 2:24 pm

Thank you for including me on the tour~!
Nicole

February 10th, 2010 at 6:09 pm

Books by bloggers can be so much fun and sounds like this book is too. I am so glad you shared your pictures of your babies. Love!
.-= Nicole´s last blog ..One Amazing Thing, by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni =-.
Jenners

February 10th, 2010 at 7:17 pm

This sounds like such fun! I love your review … and I’m glad you found your long lost sister! It seems like I could relate as I have a tendency to take books to parties. : )
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..Reading with the Little One: "Love You Forever" by Robert Munsch =-.
Menagerie

February 11th, 2010 at 11:16 am

See? You’re my soul sister, too!
carol

February 11th, 2010 at 2:52 pm

What a great review. I’m not sure if this book is for me or not, but I love how you connected to the book and the author.
Menagerie

February 11th, 2010 at 4:53 pm

Hey, thanks Carol!
Who Wants To Win????

February 17th, 2010 at 8:58 pm

[...] Read My Review of This Funny [...]
Anna

February 22nd, 2010 at 10:24 am

I loved this book and Laurie’s first one. Reading it felt like I was kicking back with an old friend.
Jennifer

February 26th, 2010 at 4:54 pm

I think it’s totally exciting and awesome that you found a kindred spirit in this novel. I love when I can connect with a character like that. Great review. I loved reading your reactions to this book. Awesome. And even though I’m only in my 20s I totally feel that way about my life already. I’m definitely a stay in girl and not a go out girl.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Review: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde =-.