If you like Sophie Hannah (as I do) then you will LOVE this book. It's about a woman named Callie, who worries a lot about her daughter, her friend Su...moreIf you like Sophie Hannah (as I do) then you will LOVE this book. It's about a woman named Callie, who worries a lot about her daughter, her friend Suzy, who has money and three kids and a great life, and a newcomer to the neighborhood, Debs. The book is told through the voices of all three women and let's just start to say when you think you've finally got a handle on things, BAM! If you like your stories psychologically intense and enjoy saying "Wait, WHAT?" then you'll love this one.
PS Sophie Hannah blurbed this book, so in my mind that pretty much says it all. (less)
This book is not like anything I've ever read. I'm not sure how to explain it, but I'm going to try. On the surface, it seems like a standard, well-wr...moreThis book is not like anything I've ever read. I'm not sure how to explain it, but I'm going to try. On the surface, it seems like a standard, well-written thriller: father worried about his son falling in love with a friend of the family's daughter, who is ten years older and has a pretty checkered past, and what happens when he tries to protect his son.
But here's the thing: I kept thinking about the book when I was done with it because something in it seemed...just a little off. And so I re-read it and the narrator, Pete, seems so devoted to his wife and son and yet there are moments in the narratives where he says something that's a bit off and moments in the story where what he says happened doesn't seem to be exactly what happened.
I think this is a novel about horrible things happening---but it's all being told be an unreliable narrator. Which brings up what I think what makes this novel so awesome: What's the *real* story?
I told you it was like nothing I've ever read. Give it a try if you like thrillers, and especially if you like ones that leave you thinking "Wait, did it--no, it couldn't be--could it?"(less)
If you'd told me that my YA keeper shelf would contain a book about one of Lucifer's daughters and how she leaves hell and gets help finding her broth...moreIf you'd told me that my YA keeper shelf would contain a book about one of Lucifer's daughters and how she leaves hell and gets help finding her brother from a guy who wants to kill himself, I would have said, Sure, and then we'll all get free ponies!
Guess what? This book *is* on my keeper shelf. I've never read anything else like it--the premise is beyond intriguing and Daphne and Truman--well, let's just say I like to think they're out there somewhere, eating pie together.
The only reason I can think of for you to not read this book is that--Nope. Can't think of a reason.
This may be my favorite Sophie Hannah book yet! Not only do you get to see how dysfunctional Charlie and Simon's relationship is (I swear, at some poi...moreThis may be my favorite Sophie Hannah book yet! Not only do you get to see how dysfunctional Charlie and Simon's relationship is (I swear, at some point, I'd like to know just a little more about why Simon is so...Simon when it comes to sex), there's a shout-out to Little Face and, oh yeah, one heck of a mystery. Connie Bowskill is looking at houses for sale in Cambridge late at night and, while watching a virtual tour, sees a woman's dead body. Terrified, she wakes her husband, Kit, who looks at the tour and sees nothing. So what?
So, when Connie, who already is worried about Cambridge for reasons that become clear later in the book, goes to the police--asking for Simon at Alice Bean's suggestion--things start to go sideways for Connie. Is she crazy? Could she be a murderer? Kit loves her so much, yet there's something about the way he's acting. And throw in Connie's family--co-dependant doesn't even begin to start that, and while I figured out who the killer was, I SO didn't see the other twist coming. And then the one at the end...HOLY ##@! I actually sat there with my mouth open going, "No, no way, that's no--oh gods, that's BRILLIANT!" (And terrifying)
Does this work as a stand alone? Yes. But would it be better to Sophie Hannah's other books first? Yes, or at least read Little Face.
I have her latest, but I'm saving it, as I want to savor the memory of reading this one. Or wait, better yet, re-read it and marvel at how well Sophie Hannah puts things together so that when that final, last minute OMG! comes, I can appreciate it even more.(less)
I seem to be rather alone in my love of Sophie Hannah, but I think she's one of the best thriller writers out there. Will the subject matter of this b...moreI seem to be rather alone in my love of Sophie Hannah, but I think she's one of the best thriller writers out there. Will the subject matter of this book be uncomfortable to some? Since it's about women who've been put in prison for cot-death (SIDS in the US) and then released because proof has been found that they are innocent, sure. If you can get past that, brace yourself for a look at one woman's attempt to make a documentary about them, which is proving troublesome as someone is killing these women. Hannah throws in so many twists and turns I was stunned when I found out who the murderer was and the ending, though fitting, is chilling.(less)
This is the first Patterson book I've read. I got it because it seems a shame not to read a book by the man who almost single-handedly seems to be kee...moreThis is the first Patterson book I've read. I got it because it seems a shame not to read a book by the man who almost single-handedly seems to be keeping publishing afloat, and because I LOVE everything his co-author, David Ellis, has ever written. (check out In The Company of Liars, which is a. insanely good and b. written in a way that SO shouldn't work but yet totally does)
Anyway! Guilty Wives--I get why Patterson sells so well now. The chapters are all pretty short, there's a lot of action--in fact, it's basically non-stop--and the heroine goes from glamour to prison and puts up with A LOT so you totally want her to get everything back and she does. Plus, at 424 pages, I got through this in under two hours, which I think says a lot about Patterson's ability to suck readers in.
PS Please try a David Ellis book--he is SUCH a good writer and so underrated!(less)
I loved this one! Alice is twenty-nine, happy with herself and madly in love with her husband, Nick, *and* blissfully expecting her first child. Then...moreI loved this one! Alice is twenty-nine, happy with herself and madly in love with her husband, Nick, *and* blissfully expecting her first child. Then she suddenly, she wakes up on the floor of a gym and is shocked to find that she's thirty-nine, supposedly exercises like crazy in order to keep her figure, and--oh yes, has THREE children and Nick? They aren't even together anymore!
Alice has lost ten years and so she is utterly confused, trapped in her twenty-nine year old memory/mind and struggling to deal with her thirty-nine year life. It's a really fun read. The characters are interesting without crossing over into quirky and there's lots of funny moments and twists that twist maybe one or two more times.
Plus the ending is utterly, utterly perfect. (less)
There are some good poems in here, but what really makes this collection stand out is that Valentine has an entire section devoted to Lucy, the earlie...moreThere are some good poems in here, but what really makes this collection stand out is that Valentine has an entire section devoted to Lucy, the earliest known hominid, and those poems have *so* much in them. Here's a sample:
Lucy, what you want, that I will do. To hear you know. Your poem. (But you need nothing.)
The deer and the wild turkeys that draw close now to hear you. My life is for. In its language. Your voice.
I can't tell cold from heat. Anxiety dust. Death, no not even dust.(less)
I should have reviewed this book ages ago, but I recently re-read it and realized that a. I hadn't written anything about it on goodreads and b. I abs...moreI should have reviewed this book ages ago, but I recently re-read it and realized that a. I hadn't written anything about it on goodreads and b. I absolutely need to because this book is majorly under appreciated.
An Inconvenient Wife is set (mostly) in New York City during the mid-1880s. Lucy Carleton, a member of New York's most elite social circle, is having some problems. She finds most of the social events she's required to attend taxing, frequently having "fits" and her husband, William is concerned not just about her, but the amount of cordial (laudanum) she's taking and the fact that he's taken her to see several specialists and they all agree that Lucy has hysteria--but their treatments aren't helping.
Enter Victor Seth, the newest trend among society, a neroulogist and a hypnotist. William decides Lucy needs to see him and Lucy doesn't want to go. But, of course, like every other woman she knows, she doesn't have a choice but to submit. After all, that's all she's done her entire life.
Victor Seth's "treatment" is part hypnosis and part vibrator. I know, but seriously, this was an emerging "treatment' for hysteria at the time and Chance does a great job of showing how utterly baffled some women, like Lucy, can be about their bodies and their minds.
Then the complications start. Victor realizes that Lucy is unhappy because all of the things she longs to do--travel, draw, paint--are forbidden to her. Her father felt that made her too high-spirited and William agrees.
Victor encourages Lucy to start to reclaim her passions, first on a professional level, and then, as thing shift between them, on a personal level.
The twists and turns are not unexpected except for the last two paragraphs. And the final sentence of the novel..oh, it sent chills up my spine. It was one of those sentences that makes you say "Holy crap!" and then think about what you've read and see that everything can be seen in an entirely different light.
And that, I think, is something that is majorly kick-ass and makes this novel worth checking out. (less)
It's no secret I'm a fan of UK mysteries/thrillers over what you can find in the US, but this one had so much buzz and had such an interesting premise...moreIt's no secret I'm a fan of UK mysteries/thrillers over what you can find in the US, but this one had so much buzz and had such an interesting premise that I decided to give it a shot. Long story short, assistant DA (and father) starts to work on a murder case involving a local teenager, only to find his own son is a subject. The twists are expected--and yes, every single one of them--but I did really enjoy how William Landay wrote the main character, Andy. He was so sure of what he believed in because he *had* to--and not just because he was a father, but because if he didn't, he'd have to face parts of himself he'd closed the door on. (less)
This book is not going to be for those who don't want to read about cheating husbands, so if that's an oh-no-no for you, push skip on this one.
If you'...moreThis book is not going to be for those who don't want to read about cheating husbands, so if that's an oh-no-no for you, push skip on this one.
If you're okay with it, trust me, this book IS so worth your time.
Helen has been Matthew's lover for years, and despite the fact that he sometimes tells her that he's leaving his wife, Sophie, and their two daughters, it sure looks like he isn't.
Until he does, and Helen should be happy.
The problem is, she isn't. Turns out that full-time life with Matthew isn't anything like what Helen expected, throw in the fact that she meets Sophie and actually likes her, and a whole other bunch of things and you get Helen's plan: Getting Rid of Matthew
No, it's not your ordinary book. It's about liars and cheats and people who do bad things and sometimes try to do good things and how crazy and mixed up life is. It's awesome.
As a bonus, it's also hilarious and, as of right now (April 2012) you can get a bargain pb copy of this for under $6. Now is that incentive to give this a go or what?(less)
I love this time period, and I haven't read many books about the way wealthy American girls found themselves over in England (and the rest of Europe)...moreI love this time period, and I haven't read many books about the way wealthy American girls found themselves over in England (and the rest of Europe) trying to land a titled husband, so this was a treat.
I really loved Cora. She was so immature when the book began, and I loved how Daisy Goodwin traced her evolution from a piece of fluff to a woman who realizes that the world won't bend to her whims, that you can't trust everyone, but that she can find happiness.
And Bertha! Oh, how I loved her. I don't want to give any spoilers, but I have to admit, I LOVED her story.
All the characters are interesting, actually, although I wish Cora's mother wasn't so one-dimensionally obsessed with Cora's status. But then, of course, if she hadn't been, the story never could have happened.
Definitely a must-read for fans of late 19th century American/English historicals--it's nicely paced, well-written, and bonus! Gorgeous cover. (Yes, I AM that shallow) (less)
Two interconnecting stories, one about Natasha, who is going to her grandmother's funeral--and dealing with the fact that she's about to be divorced--...moreTwo interconnecting stories, one about Natasha, who is going to her grandmother's funeral--and dealing with the fact that she's about to be divorced--and Cecily, who was Natasha's mother's sister, and who died in 1963 when she was fifteen. It's what I think of as proper UK women's fiction--a nice twisty plot, loads of family drama, and a love story to top it all off, and I'm glad that more of it is being published in the US.(less)
Jenny Downham is a genius and I wish I had one-tenth of her skill. Or could just live in her head for a day to see what it's like to be so brilliant....moreJenny Downham is a genius and I wish I had one-tenth of her skill. Or could just live in her head for a day to see what it's like to be so brilliant. One of the best dual-narrator books I've read in ages, and page 409 (of the UK version--I couldn't wait for it to be published here, although I think it just came out in the US) make me cry every time I read it because it's raw and hopeful in a way that breaks my heart and makes me want to believe at the same time.
Brilliant, sharp, with wonderfully drawn characters. I LOVE UK thrillers--they take something that is sensationalistic and run with it, but then twist...moreBrilliant, sharp, with wonderfully drawn characters. I LOVE UK thrillers--they take something that is sensationalistic and run with it, but then twist and turn and shape it until you're left saying "oh. OH!" I also love that the main character, Jack Caffery (who has apparently been in other books by Hayder), didn't feel like a "And this is the hero and here is his backstory and now he will save the day by doing a, b, and then c"--I had no idea he was in other books by Hayder till I looked up what else the author hadn't written until this one, which says a lot--making a reoccurring character feel fresh isn't easy, but this felt like a stand-alone to me, not a "You need to read X number of books first" (which I loved!)--and Jack is not the kind of guy who can save the world. At least, not by himself.
I got this for free at BEA and I will be dead honest, I wasn't very excited about reading it. I mean, a love story about a zombie? It's dead, rotting...moreI got this for free at BEA and I will be dead honest, I wasn't very excited about reading it. I mean, a love story about a zombie? It's dead, rotting corpse, so hardly a place to springboard from.
I couldn't have been more wrong. I finished this book in tears, stunned by how powerful Issac Marion's story was, and how I ended up loving R just as much as--ah! stop! no spoilers from me!--
Anyway, even if you think you don't like zombie books, give this one a try. It's not just about zombies, although I love Marion's take on them. It's about what makes us human, what love truly is, and how it can be both terrifying and transforming.
Maybe it's because sexting (although in This Beautiful Life, it deals with a video sent via email) has been in YA novels for a while, and because ther...moreMaybe it's because sexting (although in This Beautiful Life, it deals with a video sent via email) has been in YA novels for a while, and because there was even a YA nonfiction book about a private school that turned out to have tons of problems, or because Anita Shereve's Testimony was, at least for me, a far more nuanced look at the whole issue of young girls/older boys and sex, but This Beautiful Life (which I was so excited for) wasn't the revelation I hoped it would be. I do think that Schulman's portrait of a wealthy family falling apart is well done, and I was fascinated by Jake, but I think Shreve's Testimony is a much more compelling book about how one moment can really and truly change everything.(less)
I can see, just by looking at the overall review average for Untold Story, that I'm totally in the minority for how much I liked it, but I did. I real...moreI can see, just by looking at the overall review average for Untold Story, that I'm totally in the minority for how much I liked it, but I did. I really admire Ali for taking on a subject and topic that's bound to raise a lot of heated opinions, and she clearly did her research--her portrait of Lydia as she was before she became Lydia was wonderful and true, at least in my opinion to who the person before Lydia became Lydia was probably right (Ali also clearly read Tina Brown's bio on the person in question, because I recognized a lot of what I read in there to what was in Brown's bio)
Anyway, subject matter aside, the plot is interesting because after all, people did speculate about how/why everything happened when it did, and Ali's portrait of Lydia, an Englishwoman trying to come to grips with who she is, who and what she left behind, and how fragile everything is was really well done. It helps that Ali is a tremendous writer, and deciding to do something this polarizing? It take guts. My hat is off to her.(less)
This is part of the Chicago Stars series, but it's not about a football player. It's about Rachel Stone, who will do anything for her five-year-old, E...moreThis is part of the Chicago Stars series, but it's not about a football player. It's about Rachel Stone, who will do anything for her five-year-old, Edward, and ends up saving a man who thought he'd lost his soul forever. I adored Gabe, but Rachel--well, to me she was the heart and soul of this book and I loved her journey and how strong she was.
I still can't believe I didn't know about Susan Elizabeth Phillips until last month--how is that possible? HOW??(less)
Look, any book that starts with a girl walking down the road in a beaver suit? You've got me at hello!
And Dean and Blue's story--no, I'm not even goi...moreLook, any book that starts with a girl walking down the road in a beaver suit? You've got me at hello!
And Dean and Blue's story--no, I'm not even going to talk about it. I'm just going to say that it's so good that it made me laugh and cry and when I was done? I read it all over again.
Okay, seriously, Susan Elizabeth Phillips? Rocks my world! I've read all the Chicago Stars books, but this and two others are tied for my faves in tha...moreOkay, seriously, Susan Elizabeth Phillips? Rocks my world! I've read all the Chicago Stars books, but this and two others are tied for my faves in that series. This book--oh, how can you not love Bobby Tom Denton? Or Gracie?
Gracie may be one of the most fantastic heroines I've ever read about and if you like smart, sharp, funny, sexy, and so perfect-they'll-make-you-cry romances, then do yourself a favor and read this book!(less)
How have I not heard of Susan Elizabeth Phillips? HOW????
My husband bought this for me at Target instead of another book I'd asked for, but I didn't...moreHow have I not heard of Susan Elizabeth Phillips? HOW????
My husband bought this for me at Target instead of another book I'd asked for, but I didn't say anything because he's so awesome and does like a million things for me all the time.
I looked at the cover one day, a few weeks after he bought it, thought it was cute, and read the inside jacket flap. I was a little wary because it seemed like I'd have to know all about the characters from other books of Phillips' that I hadn't read, but the book I was trying to read at the time was boring and annoying and so I decided to give it a try.
Two hours later, I put this down, let out a whoop! and went on-line to order a bunch of Phillips' other books. I totally get why she's so popular--her characters are all multi-faceted and charming without being too over the top, her love scenes--oh my!!--and she really gets how and why people can become so trapped in who they are that they forget how to be happy.
Throughly enjoyable and recommended for "women's fiction" (there has to be a better term!) fans who don't mind sex scenes.
I can't wait to read more of her books--and if anyone has any suggestions....(less)
Wow! This was a...you know, it's been days since I've read this and I still catch myself thinking about it.
The basic plot is that a young woman disap...moreWow! This was a...you know, it's been days since I've read this and I still catch myself thinking about it.
The basic plot is that a young woman disappears in a small town and when her body is found, everyone seems to think a stranger/drifter killed her, except for two people, a local (and newcomer) reporter, and Alice, who was one of the most fascinating fictional teenagers I've ever read about. (It's Alice who really caught me--days later, I still don't know if what she did was because she wanted justice or she was crazy--that's the beauty of Hoffman's writing, IMO--everyone has so many layers to them that by the end, you're almost dizzy with wondering if any of what you read was real, or just the reflection of the people thinking it)
This book does have multiple narrators, and shifts back and forth in time quite a bit, so if either of those things aren't your cup of tea, I'd strongly recommend skipping this one. I love both things, but there were times where I had to try and remember what year I'd just read about, or how character X fit into the overall thread of things.
But, for me, it was totally worth it. Gorgeously written and haunting in the best--and eeriest--possible way.(less)
One of the things I discovered during my seemingly never-ending illness was Kathy Griffin's My Life On The D-List, which I really enjoyed because--wel...moreOne of the things I discovered during my seemingly never-ending illness was Kathy Griffin's My Life On The D-List, which I really enjoyed because--well, you've probably seen it, right?
This book is about Kathy, of course, and honestly, if you've seen the show, most of what's in this isn't going to be anything new. I did like knowing a little more about why she and Matt broke up, and it was interesting to read about all the years Kathy was in LA before My Life On The D-List and how she managed to take her very small amount of fame and turn it into quite a bit!
I suggest this for fans of Kathy's, for sure, but otherwise, you should totally check out the show first! Although the book jacket? AWESOME. Ditto for the title :-)(less)
I don't know how to star this book, so I'm not even going to try! It's definitely not like anything I've ever read, and if you've ever thought your pa...moreI don't know how to star this book, so I'm not even going to try! It's definitely not like anything I've ever read, and if you've ever thought your parents were strict with you, well, let's just say that this book will show you that they could have been a lot stricter. A LOT.
I liked reading about Amy Chua's parenting ideas, and it was very interesting to see how they played out with both of her daughters. (And her dogs!!)
I was interested that her husband, who is pretty well known in his own right, doesn't appear much in the book, but from what Chua says at the end, I think that was deliberate.
Overall, like I said, I have no idea how to star this book. I think Chua demanded a lot from her daughters and, in turn, from herself.
Perhaps it's telling that the most beautifully written passage in the book is actually written by one of her daughters, about playing a piece of music for an audience and how, at that moment, the piece no longer belongs to her as she's practiced and practiced, but is set free. It's really gorgeous and I thought it was the most striking passage in the book, because everyone has that moment, I think, the moment where you have to let what you have go because it's how it's supposed to be. (less)
I thought this book would be about a guy trying to, as the cover says, "losing fifty pounds in fifty miserable weeks," aka "another book where someone...moreI thought this book would be about a guy trying to, as the cover says, "losing fifty pounds in fifty miserable weeks," aka "another book where someone realizes losing weight is necessary for them! And then they do it!) but I was really surprised by how deeply Ugel looked into his relationship with food. There are a lot of books out there about females with eating disorders, but this is the first book I've ever read where a guy realizes he has one--Ugel isn't both a binge and compulsive eater, and very clearly an emotional one as well (as one realizes via his reaction when his wife and kids go away for a week)
For the honesty alone this book is worth checking out, especially because there are so few books where men talk about their relationship with food. (Also, the section about his experiences with a cleanse (juice) diet and having a colonic is hysterical.)(less)
I didn't realize how little was actually known about Cleopatra until I read this biography, which deserves all the praise it's gotten. So much of what...moreI didn't realize how little was actually known about Cleopatra until I read this biography, which deserves all the praise it's gotten. So much of what I thought I knew about Cleopatra is just myth and I love how Schiff shook all of those myths open and showed that we know basic facts and wouldn't presume how or why things happened the way they did, just offered possibilities. Cleopatra has been demonized and--more often--glorified to the point where she's more than a woman, she's a super hero, and Schiff shows why that happened, as well as what little can be seen of the truly extraordinary but still human woman Cleopatra was. An excellent example of what biography should be like.
Also! Bonus points for the lovely cover because--well, hey, who doesn't like a pretty cover??(less)
I've always been fascinated by Saxon England, and by the reign of Æthelred the Unready (I mean, just the name alone!) because he did rule for such a l...moreI've always been fascinated by Saxon England, and by the reign of Æthelred the Unready (I mean, just the name alone!) because he did rule for such a long time--and so poorly.
But, I confess, I'd never thought about his wife and thank you Helen Hollick for this amazing look into what Emma's life might have possibly been like. You can tell Hollick has done her homework not just on the period, but learned as much about the real people she's imagining as she could, because the book really takes you into Emma's world.
As an added bonus, Emma is no perfect heroine--she makes plenty of mistakes, and does some pretty awful things. But it's a sign of a good author and a compelling story that I tore through this book and look forward to reading more about Emma in Hollick's next book(less)
I only ever heard of Portia de Rossi when I started watching Arrested Development (one of the greatest tv shows of all time!) and I thought she was am...moreI only ever heard of Portia de Rossi when I started watching Arrested Development (one of the greatest tv shows of all time!) and I thought she was amazing in it--I didn't know she'd been on Ally McBeal, or that she'd had an eating disorder for most of her life, and reading about her time on Ally (which doesn't sound like much fun--it seems like the entire cast/crew/everyone seemed to run on fear of the show's creator??) as well as how her eating disorder developed, and got worst as she was on Ally, was really well done--obviously there's pressure to be thin in Hollywood and there's been other articles, etc. about it, some even from other actors. But Portia really digs deep into the obsession that drives an eating disorder and I really came away with an understanding of how someone could be killing themselves by not eating--and still see nothing but fat every time they looked in a mirror.
There's loads of great fiction out there about eating disorders, both YA and adult, but this one has star appeal (not just Portia, but that of her partner's, Ellen, as well, although she's only mentioned in the book briefly) and a very well done look at what it's like to feel that you must, MUST be thin--and how it is when you come to believe you can never achieve it. (less)
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