Perel, Saralee. Cracked Nuts & Sentimental Journeys: Stories From a Life Out of Balance. Lexington, KY, 2012.
As a collection of two- to four-page essays, this book from award-winning columnist Saralee Perel was supposed to be one I could read in small bits and pieces. But each time I sat down to read a couple of entries during a lunch break, I found myself inventing excuses to stay at the table so I could read “just one more.” I would eat slower and slower — or worse yet, keep hopping up for yet another cookie. Saralee not only admits the wackiness and flaws in her life and home, she positively exaggerates them for comic effect. At least…
I hope she’s exaggerating. Hmm…. At any rate, I don’t know when I’ve laughed so hard.
But in other entries she shares, with grace and courage, gut-level feelings about both the toughest and the most tender moments of life. If you have ever lost a beloved person or pet, misunderstood your parents, been overwhelmed with love and gratitude, or endured a life-changing injury, you will find yourself in the pages.
You’ll also fall in love with Bob, Saralee’s husband who cheerfully nurtures almost any life form; Gracie, the self-appointed companion dog; and one or two psychotic cats.
My advice? “Read it now.” Well, first procure a large bag of Oreos and a glass of milk. And a napkin, in case you snort the milk out your nose. Available at Saralee’s website, which is well worth visiting anyway. Or from Amazon / Barnes & Noble.
Thanks for reading,
Jan
Linked up with Jen and the Soli Deo Gloria sisters! You are welcome to join the blog party, or just visit.
Jan C Johnson, Writer 
Love your book recommendations. Ordered this one for my stash. Will bypass the Oreos and milk for my new diet food – a hot bowl of steam! No calories, no fat, no sugar and it gives you a facial at the same time!
Love ya!
Cindy
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Hey, Cindy! You’ll love it. I need to swear off the Oreos, myself. Can I have some of your steam??
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Really Jan? No Oreos? Please tell me I don’t have to give them up too. If so, would Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups be an okay replacement?
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You have my permission. . . but you have to share the Reese’s with me!
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My goodness, Jan! I am so touched by your wondrous review. Thank you from my heart.
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HAVING HAD A STROKE AND WORKING BACK FROM COMPLETE PARALYSIS TO JUST A PROBLEM WITH MY RIGHT HAND; AND BEING AN ANMAL-LOVER AS WELL, I COULD RELATE TO SO MUCH IN YOUR BOOK, SARALEE! MY CAT, CHARLEY-GIRL, IS MY BESTIE! CONGRATS ON YOUR GOOD REVIEW. I BOUGHT YOUR BOOK, LOVED IT, AND PASSED IT ON TO MY DAUGHTER…
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Thank you, Pinkie.
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Hi, Patricia, I admire your determination. Thanks for stopping by.
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Jan…. I felt the same way when I read Cracked Nuts!! I have read several of Saralee’s stories before and every time I came across one of those I happily read it again! I took the book on a 4 hour flight (where I usually sleep) and I read almost all the stories flying out… And the rest flying home!! Crying and laughing out loud.
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I’m glad, Linda!
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Ain’t she great, Linda? Thanks for taking time to comment.
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And Linda’s great too.
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I’ve never read a collection of short essays. Maybe I should give it a go!
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Mary Beth, I don’t know what I’m doing on WordPress (or anywhere). I posted a suggestion for you below, so you don’t need to decide right away about the book.
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Sounds good! I love book recommendations! Hey, My linky party is open. It closes tomorrow night.
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What exactly is a linky party Dionne?
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Mary Beth, I know this sounds like a sales pitch, but it is widely known I am the honorary World’s Worst Salesperson. Case in point – before you decide if you’d like my book, several of my columns are under “columns” on the left-hand side of my homepage. Most have pics (columns on my site and in my book). http://www.saraleeperel.com
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