Remember when that movie Man on the Moon about comedian Andy Kaufman came out in 1999? Decidedly one of Jim Carrey's finer performances. Well, I was one of the people who found it interesting enough to read a couple of the biographies that were printed around the same time.

The one I distinctly recall enjoying was Andy Kaufman Revealed! Best Friend Tells All by Bob Zmuda. As manager and friend, Zmuda was privy to a side of Kaufman most people never got to see. Famous for his role as Latka on the TV series Taxi, he was known for his odd and sometimes uncomfortable sense of humor, seen in his Mighty Mouse theme song performance, Elvis impersonation, and "professional" wrestler. Andy loved to pull the wool over peoples' eyes and staged elaborate hoaxes that not everyone knew were fake. Even when he died, there were those who were convinced it was another con. But Zmuda makes sure we know that Andy Kaufman was a very real person, very human in his love of life and determination to stave off death, and a very great innovator of comedy. 

I try not to judge a book by it's cover. But I fully admit to becoming interested in checking out a book that has an interesting or appealing cover. That's one of the reasons libraries and stores prefer to "face out" books on a shelf. An eye catching cover or title can be the reason a reader picks up a book, or continues to read a review or description online, and hopefully finds enough to entice them into reading it.

Recently, I was creating a personalized book list for a library patron and noted that one book she really enjoyed was called The Luxe by Anna Godbersen. When I looked it up to find out more, here's the first thing I saw:

Between the gorgeous dress and the title in a beautiful, fancy script, I was hooked! And I lucked out because I really did like the book. The Luxe is the first in a series (followed by Rumors, Envy and Splendor) that chronicles the lives of young women living in turn of the century New York City, their lives and problems not so different from today. Secrets, scandals and triumphs are a part of everyday and romance was attended to in person, not by text. If you enjoy Gossip Girl, or a wicked soap-opera in your plot, I think you'll enjoy this series.

It's 2013 and I feel like I have so much stuff. Did anyone else make a resolution to get better organized? I mean, I like my knick knacks and brick-a-brack and am sure that having a plastic alien named Ted on my desk displays a piece of my personality. But perhaps the time has come to go through the stack of papers, consolidate all my information onto one calendar, and figure out if I really need that box (and it's contents) under my desk.

Organizing Your Day: Time Management Techniques That Will Work for You was put together by professional organizers Sandra Felton and Marsha Sims and offers great ideas and plans to become more efficient. Like me, you probably realize that it's much easier and more productive to get things done when you know exactly where the items you need are right away (rather than knowing they're somewhere in the general area). Felton and Sims book has 24 chapters - read them all or just focus on the ones you think will be helpful. For me? Chapter 5: Handling Activity Clutter and Chapter 23: Organize Your Papers are my starting points. Let's see what a little more organization can do for me! If you have other books or ideas to recommend, please let me know.