I think this book may have been my least favorite- I felt like E.L. James tried too hard to wrap the story up in a neat, tidy bow and everything came...moreI think this book may have been my least favorite- I felt like E.L. James tried too hard to wrap the story up in a neat, tidy bow and everything came together almost a little too perfectly for me at the end. I still was completely engrossed, but I would have enjoyed a little more drama.(less)
In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner tells the story of sisters who couldn’t be more different. Rose is a successful Philadelphia lawyer while Maggie is be...moreIn Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner tells the story of sisters who couldn’t be more different. Rose is a successful Philadelphia lawyer while Maggie is between jobs, apartments and boyfriends. When Rose walks in on Maggie and Jim, the man Rose dreamed of marrying, Rose has had enough.
Sick of taking care of her little sister, Rose throws Maggie out, quits her job at the law firm and unexpectedly starts a dog care business. Maggie, with nowhere to go runs to the one place she never thought she’d fit in: Princeton University, Rose’s alma mater. Pretending to be a student, Maggie successfully lives in the library for a semester, until she is found out. With no one else to turn to, Maggie calls her estranged Grandmother who lives in Florida and books a one way ticket to the sunshine state.
Ella, Rose and Maggie’s grandmother hasn’t seen her grandchildren since her daughter and their mother died years before. She isn’t quite sure how to begin a relationship with them and is grateful when she has the chance to reunite with Maggie and later Rose.
Each chapter is told from the perspective of Rose, Maggie or Ella. Hearing each woman’s voice allowed me to get into their head. At times, I truly hated Maggie, but after hearing her side of the story, I was able to empathize with her.
The book has a heartwarming ending and a happy reunion between the two sisters. While the book is a little more dramatic than most sisterly arguments, having a younger sister myself, I was able to relate to some of the annoyances that Weiner describes.
Unfortunately, I saw the movie (and didn’t like it) before reading the book. After reading Weiner’s other books, I have to say, this isn’t her best. It was a bit slow to get through and I found it hard to identify with the characters.
However, if you are a fan of Good in Bed and Certain Girls, you’ll be delighted to know that Cannie Shapiro makes a cameo in this book!
The lesson I took away from this book was that no matter what, sisters are forever. People come and go, but a sister will always be a sister and will be there for you when you least expect it.(less)
The Lost Girls is the personal story of three young women who quit their jobs in New York City to travel around the world.
After taking a trip to South...moreThe Lost Girls is the personal story of three young women who quit their jobs in New York City to travel around the world.
After taking a trip to South America, Jen, Holly and Amanda discuss the possibility of quitting their jobs for a year. A few years later and that discussion becomes a reality. Leaving their careers, their families and some serious relationship baggage, Jen, Holly and Amanda plan for a year of adventure.
The chapters alternate between each woman and focus on a different city or country they visited.
I loved taking this entire journey with them. I felt like I was along for the ride. I was most amazed at how seamlessly the chapters flowed, even though they were all written by different people. The three women were so different, yet I completely understood why they clicked and why traveling together was so ideal for them. It reminded me of my summer in Rome when I became absolute best friends with my three roommates and travel buddies.
This book gave me the severe travel bug. As I was reading, I was learning about so many places in the world I had previously never given consideration to, and googling exotic places and mentally adding them to list of places I hope to one day see. These three young women are inspirational; they left their entire lives behind and took a huge risk, but they did what was important to them. They made their dreams come true and they saw the world. They learned about different cultures. They met people they never would have ever known about had they not taken this leap.
My only complaint was that this book was a bit too long…close to 600 pages. I completely understand why the book was long; I mean these girls traveled around the entire world, for a full year; how can that possibly make for a short book? However, as hard as it already probably was for them to edit some scenes out, I think the book might have been stronger if it was shorter.
I also thought it was pretty cool that the girls blogged throughout their travels….the book deal came later, and you can still check out their original blog posts. (I’d suggest not reading through their posts until you’re finished the book- spoilers!). Now, their website also serves as a hub for travelers to find advice and news for traveling.
This book definitely reminded me of why I love to travel. It inspired me to think about how I can make this passion a bigger part of my future. It made me think about the world in a different way. It made me consider places I’d never heard of.
This one is pretty much blurring together with the first book because I read them one right after the other. Again, I couldn't put this book down! I l...moreThis one is pretty much blurring together with the first book because I read them one right after the other. Again, I couldn't put this book down! I liked that Ana and Christian became more of a "normal" couple in this book, and I especially enjoyed the drama and suspense that came with a few of the storylines.(less)
Sixteen year old Beatrice Prior has a huge decision to make. In dystopian Chicago, sixteen year olds must choose which of the society’s five factions...moreSixteen year old Beatrice Prior has a huge decision to make. In dystopian Chicago, sixteen year olds must choose which of the society’s five factions they want to be a part of for the rest of their lives. Beatrice must choose between staying with her family in Abnegation, or making her own decision and beginning a whole new life somewhere else.
When Beatrice decides to join the Dauntless, the strong and brave faction, she changes her name to Tris and begins to undergo several intense challenges leading up to her initiation into the faction. Life is certainly different in the Dauntless. Tris learns how to use a gun, how to fight and quickly learns who are her friends, and who are her enemies. Along the way, an unlikely romance blooms. As Tris competes with several others for just a handful of spots at initiation, she transforms into someone; someone she never thought she could be.
Tris quickly learns that things aren’t as they seem within the five factions. Something bigger is brewing; something that whether she realizes it or not, Tris will play a role in.
The way I described this book on Twitter was, “SO good and SO unlike anything I’ve ever read before.” This statement could not be more true. I’m on a bit of a dystopian kick in 2011, but this book was seriously unlike the other dystopians that I’ve read and loved this year. DIVERGENT was dark, scary and kept me on my toes.
I loved Tris. My emotions for her as main character ran the gamut: I loved her, worried for her, feared for her life, admired her courage and yearned to learn more about her intricate personality. Tris was both strong and smart. Even though she was small, she used her knowledge and turned her weaknesses into strengths. She was quick on her feet and even after 16 years of living one way, she so quickly transformed into a Dauntless.
I loved all of the characters in this book. Roth did an excellent job developing not only Tris, but also several other secondary characters. My favorite secondary character though is definitely Four (*swoon*). Four absolutely captivated me from beginning to end. Even though he was only 18, his experiences made him wise beyond his years and someone I found myself attracted to, even when he came across as harsh. Roth perfectly writes this subtle romance, with perfect pacing and excellent character development.
Readers will quickly find themselves lost in the world Roth has built. I was so captivated by the five factions, and found myself trying to figure out what faction I would have chosen if I were made to choose. I was fascinated by all of the small details about the Dauntless from the tattoo parlor to their mode of transportation. These details truly make the book and make the reader feel as if they are right there, part of the terrifying action.
I find it hard to believe that Veronica Roth is only 22 years old- she writes as if she’s been professionally writing all her life! Roth excels at writing fight scenes. I never thought I’d write a review praising an author for their skill in writing down and dirty, bloody fight scenes, but DIVERGENT has opened my mind to a whole new genre of books that I might appreciate. Roth also expertly writes this book in such a way that I literally could not put it down. I spent an entire day reading this book (I even attempted reading while making soup on the stove…friends, I wouldn’t try this at home). I am absolutely blown away by Roth and DIVERGENT and I cannot wait until the next book in this trilogy comes out.(less)
You would think that reading the same day repeated in a book seven times would get boring after the third or fourth time, but Lauren Oliver expertly t...moreYou would think that reading the same day repeated in a book seven times would get boring after the third or fourth time, but Lauren Oliver expertly tells this story in a way that each day feels completely new- and like anything can happen. Like Sam can change the face of the future.
In a few reviews I read, some bloggers felt that Sam wasn’t a very likeable character in the beginning and as she began to grow and evolve, they began to like her more. I have to disagree. What I loved most about Sam is that to me, she seemed to be completely normal. Yes, she was in the popular crowd, but it was clear that her best friend was the queen bee, and she seemed to be the mean one. Sam was kind of guilty by association for her actions in my opinion. I thought Sam was completely relatable because, honestly, I think we’ve all been there. We’ve all made fun of someone. We’ve all gossiped behind someone’s back. But deep down, we know that’s not the person we’re supposed to be. We know it’s wrong. We accept that we’ve made bad choices. I think everyone can find a little bit of Sam in themselves. This is one of the reasons I found this book so powerful.
That brings me to the next thing I loved most about this book. It was intensely realistic. I truly believe that this book painted an accurate picture of what it’s like to be in high school today.It’s kind of unfortunate that this is the way things are, especially in the wake of several suicides from bullying, but if Oliver was trying to paint an accurate picture, she succeeded.
The secondary characters in this book play a huge role in the story. Throughout Sam’s seven days left on earth, we get to know the main players in her life pretty intimately. Though I could get behind Sam, even though she was kind of a mean girl, I couldn’t relate to her best friend Lindsay. I’m not sure as readers we were ever really supposed to like Lindsay though. One of my favorite secondary characters was Sam’s little sister. I thought it was really special when they were able to bond and Sam was able to get her closure that her sister would go on to have a good life.
What a beautifully haunting book that really made me stop and think about my actions. The whole time I was reading, I kept thinking about what I would do if I could go back and change the way I treated someone- or made the day a little brighter for someone else. It made me more aware of my current actions and motivated me to live an even better life.(less)
Three gorgeous girls. One sexy location. Girl Stays In The Picture by Melissa de la Cruz tells the story of three girls who are in Saint Tropez for th...moreThree gorgeous girls. One sexy location. Girl Stays In The Picture by Melissa de la Cruz tells the story of three girls who are in Saint Tropez for the summer.
Devon is a pop star fresh out of rehab. She has been cast in a movie that is filming in Saint Tropez and she is hoping that she can gain her career and respect back. She is ready to make a change in her life and is determined to stay sober.
Casey is a regular old teenager whose best friend Summer is an up and coming singer and actress. Summer was cast in the same movie as Devon and she hires Casey to be her personal assistant for the summer. Casey is so excited to live a glamorous life for once, but she struggled when she realizes that her best friend has changed- for the worse.
Fat girl turned skinny and gorgeous Livia is in Saint Tropez for the summer because her dad is the producer of the film Devon and Summer are working on. Livia has serious body issues and after weight loss surgery, she is still struggling with her image. Livia becomes friends with Casey and Devon.
The story rotated points of view which is my favorite kind of story. It’s even what I’m doing in my own novel. I loved getting to hear what was going on in each girls head and each of their individual voices truly stood out. I loved getting to know each girl and her back story. It was interesting how all of their lives intertwined and some unlikely friendships came about because of their location.
The story itself was a little predictable, but who doesn’t like a little predictability every once in awhile? This book is a perfect beach read.
One thing that made me VERY angry was the intense cliffhanger ending! The book was pretty long and I was excited for everything to be neatly tied up in the end and we were left with serious questions. A sequel is in the works, but I don’t think de la Cruz has begun to work on it yet.(less)
For years, Brooke has stood by her musician husband Julian’s side as he played gig after gig in dark, dingy New York City bars. She works two jobs wit...moreFor years, Brooke has stood by her musician husband Julian’s side as he played gig after gig in dark, dingy New York City bars. She works two jobs with a smile on her face because she knows that Julian’s music makes him happy, and that someday he’ll make it. But when Julian finally hits the big time, it isn’t what either of them expected.
Suddenly, paparazzi are staked out in front of Brooke and Julian’s apartment and all of the time off Brooke has been taking to support Julian’s new-found success is taking its toll on her career. Then, the rumors begin. When Brooke reads about her husband cheating on her in a tabloid magazine, that’s the final straw. Is fame too much for Brooke and Julian?
I absolutely love Lauren Weisberger’s books, and I can’t believe it’s taken me an entire year to pick up this one. I read it on the beach, and believe me when I say, this is a fantastic beach read.
From the very beginning, I absolutely loved Brooke. She was 100 percent relatable and I identified with her early on in the book. I admired Brooke for how hard she worked, to support both herself, as well as Julian. Her dedication to her husband and his career was certainly impressive. While some reviews I’ve read bashed Brooke for not up and quitting her job to travel with her husband, but I actually admired her. Working as a nutritionist and helping her patients gave Brooke a sense of purpose- much like music gave Julian a sense of purpose. I like that Brooke continued to do what made her feel good about herself.
Speaking of Brooke’s job, I loved the scenes of her working at a private school for teenagers. It gave this book a little more depth and feeling. I enjoyed Brooke’s encounters with the girls and I liked that the book discussed body image, especially when paralleled with the stick-thin Hollywood perceptions many young girls have. It was an interesting tie-in to the larger story.
Weisberger expertly weaves in enough back story to allow readers to understand how Brooke and Julian met. These were some of my absolute favorite chapters. I really enjoyed learning about how Brooke loyally went to the bar Julian sang at week after week to hear him perform. I especially love the moment Julian and Brooke finally talked and Julian told her that he always noticed her sitting in the back of the bar. What a perfect way to begin a love story.
If I had to describe this book in one word, I’d describe it as fun. Who hasn’t dreamed of being famous or hanging out with celebrities? In this book, readers get to put themselves inside Julian and Brooke’s shoes and actually do all of these things. It was especially fun to read about actual celebrities whom Julian and Brooke encountered throughout the book. These real life people definitely made the story come alive. I especially loved that Julian opened for Maroon 5 (one of my favorite bands!). I also enjoyed Brooke’s commentary about attending the Grammy’s and walking the red carpet. At several points in the book, I could perfectly picture the scene, almost as if it were a movie (which by the way, wouldn’t this make an awesome movie?).
While the book moved a little slowly, the second half of the book certainly picked up the pace as we dove into the main conflict. I went from adoring Julian to absolutely detesting him in a matter of pages. I love how Weisberger made my opinion of him flip on a dime. While it was painful to read about what Julian did to Brooke, I found myself completely engrossed and kept on turning the pages. I’m not sure how I feel about the ending of this book. While I of course wanted Brooke to get her happy ending, I’m not sure how realistic this book was. If I had gone through what Brooke had gone through, I’m not sure I’d be handling it as well as she did. The ending felt a little too neat for me. Life is messy, and I don’t think this book realistically portrayed this.(less)
This book absolutely captivated me. I was hooked from page one and stayed up late into the night to finish this book. This story was so much more than...moreThis book absolutely captivated me. I was hooked from page one and stayed up late into the night to finish this book. This story was so much more than I thought it would be when I began reading. I was amazed at how quickly I was engrossed in Kate's world. The whole rehab angle was unlike anything I've read before, and that was really interesting to learn about too. I devoured this book in a day and a half.(less)
Mini Shopaholic, the sixth installment of Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series continues the story of the lovable but irrational Becky Brandon (nee Blo...moreMini Shopaholic, the sixth installment of Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series continues the story of the lovable but irrational Becky Brandon (nee Bloomwood). In this latest book, we see Becky in a different light; she’s a mom! Surely she’s given up her shopaholic ways and entered the world of motherhood and responsibility? Think again.
Becky is still the same shopping-crazed woman we knew and loved throughout the six books.
Now that Becky’s a “mum” (love the British slang throughout the book!) her life revolves around her husband Luke and her two year old daughter Minnie. Becky loves being a mom, even though the job is more difficult than she ever imagined- Minnie isn’t exactly the most well-behaved two year old. Minnie’s favorite word is, “MIIIIINEEEEE!” and she’s even been banned from stores at the mall after creating havoc. Needless to say, Becky’s hands are full.
When an economic crisis hits England and Luke’s PR firm is in charge of the mess, Becky comes up with the idea to do plan a surprise birthday party to take Luke’s mind off of work and to show him how much she appreciates him. But in true Becky fashion, nothing goes according to plan.
I’ll admit, this book didn’t immediately hook me, but once I got further into the book, I couldn’t put it down! I’m a huge fan of this series. I devoured each book before this one but this book seemed to just start off slower than the other ones. I also was immediately turned off by how bratty Becky’s daughter Minnie was (though some hilarious moments do ensue).It just didn’t seem realistic. Sure, most toddlers go through “terrible twos” and I wouldn’t expect Minnie to be an exception, but not only was she annoying, but Becky did nothing to stop it. In fact, she fueled Minnie’s ways even more by giving in to her every whim. While I’m aware that this is a book and for entertainment value is going to be over the top in some ways, I just couldn’t fully get behind how much any mother would enable her daughter at such a young age. It didn’t feel real to me and made the story less believable.
Some old and lovable characters make appearances in this latest installment. Are you a Luke lover? You’ll certainly see and hear a lot about him in this book as he keeps some of his own secrets behind Becky’s back. Can’t get enough of Becky’s best friend Suze? She definitely makes a few appearances. Playing a smaller role than I thought she would (since she had a book solely about her and her relationship with Becky) was Becky’s sister Jess. Of course, Becky’s hilarious parents play a large role in this book, as Becky and Luke currently live with them.
Though Becky certainly is crazy and at some point (six books in!) you’d think she’d learn the error of her ways, but her inability to say no to spending is what makes us love her so much. I could completely relate to some of Becky’s hilarious inner dialogue. Her scheming and planning will have you laughing out loud as you read.
Kinsella’s writing style never ceases to amaze me. I love the way the words seem to flow so effortlessly and are crafted and packaged in such a way that makes the reader keep turning the pages, while giggling to yourself along the way. You’ll definitely enjoy this easy and relaxing read!(less)
Knitting Under The Influence by Claire LaZebnik tells the story of three best friends who get together every Sunday morning to knit and gossip.
The fab...moreKnitting Under The Influence by Claire LaZebnik tells the story of three best friends who get together every Sunday morning to knit and gossip.
The fabulous Kathleen has just moved out of her home where she lived with her famous actress sisters. She is on her own for the first time and thinks that finding a man will help her get her life on track; however, she needs to find a man with money to help her keep up the lifestyle she is used to living.
Lucy, a scientist is dating a man, but after her friends meet him, she wonders if he is really the right one for her. She notices his snappy attitude and finds herself drifting apart from him. Then, she begins to notice how sexy and nice her lab partner is…
Sari helps autistic children for a living and when Jason, the hottest and most sought after guy from her high school brings his son Zach in to see her, Sari isn’t sure if she can handle this client.
Each week, these three women get together, munch on bagels, knit and talk about their latest man troubles. Their stories intertwine and connect which makes the book that much more exciting to read.
I loved this book and I loved all of the characters. I especially related to Sari, for some reason. Her down to earth personality most resonated with me. The friendship between the three women is so realistic and enjoyable. It made me wish I had a group of friends who had a Sunday knitting circle!
All of the male characters provided a different dynamic to the story and I enjoyed the drama that came along with each side story.
This was definitely an enjoyable read that I could not put down.(less)
The Grey Sisters stick together. After their mother died when they were just kids, the three girls are there for each other through thick and thin. Wi...moreThe Grey Sisters stick together. After their mother died when they were just kids, the three girls are there for each other through thick and thin. Winona, the oldest daughter, an overweight lawyer is struggling to find love. Aurora, the middle sister, is the family peacekeeper. And then there’s the youngest, Vivi Ann. Vivi Ann is beautiful and gets what she wants.
When a stranger comes into their small town, life changes for the Grey family. Vivi Ann quickly falls in love with Dallas, despite the wishes of her family. She marries him and they have a child. But one fated night, a woman in their town is murdered. And Dallas is arrested for her murder.Vivi Ann is heartbroken and doesn’t believe that Dallas could commit such a crime.
The unbreakable Grey family is suddenly torn apart as old prejudices and grudges are brought to the forefront. Will the family stay together or break up forever?
I’ve heard so many good things about Kristin Hannah and especially her book FIREFLY LANE, which I haven’t had the chance to read yet. Over Memorial Day Weekend, I ran out of books to read, so my mom handed over this title. I decided to give it a chance, and I’m so glad I did.
Whew. This book is hard to summarize. There is so much more to the story than just the murder and the subsequent trial that threatens to break the Grey family. This story is complex. In the first quarter of the book, we learn about the Grey family. We get to know each sister and her strengths and weaknesses. We see Winona struggle with her sister Vivi Ann dating the guy she’s always loved, Luke. We see Vivi Ann meet Dallas and struggle with whether to go with her heart or do the “smart” thing and stay with Luke. Then, the book shifts. We see more action. Dallas is thrown into jail and Vivi Ann is broken after the trial. Later, we see life through Noah, Vivi Ann and Dallas’s son’s perspective. The book shifts again as the years go by and we wonder if life will ever return to normal for the Grey’s.
My major problem with this book is its length. Now, I have no problem with long books if they are long for a reason. And TRUE COLORS spans from 1979 to the present, so we certainly have a lot of ground to cover. However, there were so many moments throughout the book that I didn’t think were necessary. There were pages and pages that I feel didn’t add to the story and could have been deleted. By that point, I was already so engrossed in the book that I didn’t mind and kept moving forward, but I was really just reading on to get to the action. While I enjoyed learning the back story of each family member, I definitely felt like I was on information overload throughout the book.
This story was about the Grey sisters. Three sisters: Winona, Vivi Ann and Aurora. After reading the book, you’d probably only say that the book was about Winona and Vivi Ann. Aurora is a consistent character throughout the book, but she really plays no role in moving the plot forward. She barely has her own storyline. For a book that is positioned as being about three sisters, I thought that Aurora should have been given her own conflict (besides her failing marriage, which was a bit of a dud as far as plots go) that could stand alone next to Winona and Vivi Ann. Perhaps this story would have been better served focusing just on Vivi Ann’s storyline, with Winona and Aurora as secondary characters.
Speaking of the three sisters…I’m not sure I ever fully came to like them. In the beginning of the book Winona comes across as petty and jealous. Vivi Ann comes across as flighty and selfish. And Aurora doesn’t come across as much of anything. When I began reading, I thought I might eventually have to put the book down because I couldn’t relate to any of the women. However, as I kept reading, I watched the women grow. While I still can’t say I related to or loved any one of them more than the other, I saw definite growth, and to me, that’s what matters in a good story.
I absolutely loved the murder/mystery plot line. I definitely wasn’t expecting it and it was a welcome surprise. Like I said, the book was very detailed and I found myself getting a little bored with the mundane description of the everyday lives of each of these characters. The mystery was where the plot began to pick up. As soon as the trial began, I was completely engrossed in the story.
I also loved when we were introduced to Noah. I enjoyed reading his journal entries and learning about life from his perspective as a pre-teen growing up without a father around. This added an entire new dynamic to the book. It was also fun to see him fall in love for the first time.
In terms of other secondary characters, I never warmed up to the girls father. He held on strong to his prejudices and his comments were hard to swallow. He also never showed any true emotion or love for his daughters….at any point in the book. I definitely struggled with relating to him. He may have been the only character who didn’t grow throughout the many years the novel took place.
What an absolutely stunning place to set a book! I found myself wishing I could visit Washington after finishing TRUE COLORS. At first, I wasn’t too keen on the whole rodeo, horses, ranch lifestyle, but toward the end, I had definitely embraced it. There were so many scenes describing the beautiful land; Hannah did an excellent job with description. Several times, I actually felt like I was in the story. I could completely picture everything the author described. And have you seen the cover of this book? Wouldn’t you like to visit?
This may have been my first Kristin Hannah book, but it certainly won’t be the last. FIREFLY LANE, you’re up next!(less)
Cara has always dreamed of being popular. When her family moves to a new town, Cara jumps at the chance to reinvent herself and have the high school s...moreCara has always dreamed of being popular. When her family moves to a new town, Cara jumps at the chance to reinvent herself and have the high school social life she’s always dreamed of. Cara’s best friend Claudia jumps into action with a plan to help Cara move up “The Ladder” to become part of the extreme populazzi at her new school.
The plan involves starting near the bottom of the social ladder and dating her way up. Claudia encourages Cara to find a guy to date, meet anyone she can in his social circle, and then move on and up the ladder to a more popular guy until she reaches the very top.
Cara goes on an adventure dating a theater geek, an emo rocker and of course, one of the most popular guys in school. Throughout the story, she becomes more and more popular, eventually falling trap to forgetting where she came from and why she wanted to even be popular in the first place.
I absolutely loved the premise of this story. It tackled the same plot that so many great books before have tackled- girl wants to be popular, etc. but this book took that storyline in a completely new direction. One that was fun and fresh and definitely kept my attention.
I adored Cara, as a main character. I rooted for her because I wanted her to get what she wanted, but I also found myself conflicted and judging her as she fell deeper and deeper into losing herself and becoming just like everyone else. I think that’s a sign of a great book- when you feel that sense of conflict over whether you should even like the character or not. Allen did a great job in the beginning of the book making me relate to Cara so that when she started her downward spiral, I still was rooting for her. And of course, Cara grew throughout the novel which made me love her even more.
One thing that kind of threw me off about POPULAZZI was that at times, I felt like I was reading three seperate books. Each time Cara finds a new guy to help her climb the rungs of The Ladder, she completely changed her looks and personality. Each new guy and new personality felt a little stilted to me; the transitions between each didn’t flow the way I had hoped. However, to be fair, I did read this book over a period of about a month since I was reading bits and pieces every time I went to the gym, so perhaps it was my own fault that I felt like I was reading different books. And even though this did throw me off a bit, it didn’t stop me from enjoying the book. When I got to thinking about it more, I even realized that if this book were ever to be turned into a movie, Cara’s many transitions would probably translate quite well to the big screen.
And then of course, there’s the men in this story. It was definitely interesting to read all about Cara’s three different boys throughout the book and how she shifted and changed her personality for each- well, except for one. And that one person, I certainly was swooning over! You’ll be rooting for him until the very end too.
Allen definitely gets creative in describing the social hierarchy of high school. I love the language she uses to describe each group from the happy hopeless to the supreme populazzi. When Cara finally joins the populazzi, it was fun to read about all of the abbreviations and terminology the popular girls use; it’s like they speak a completely different language all of their own. Very fun.
I would definitely recommend this book to someone looking for a fun read with a lot of heart. This book will both entertain AND make you think(less)
Incredible. I think this was my favorite book in the series. I literally gasped out loud several times...especially the last sentence on the very last...moreIncredible. I think this was my favorite book in the series. I literally gasped out loud several times...especially the last sentence on the very last page.(less)
This wasn't my favorite book in the series. I actually found Katniss a bit annoying and found this plot a bit difficult to follow. Still, it was just...moreThis wasn't my favorite book in the series. I actually found Katniss a bit annoying and found this plot a bit difficult to follow. Still, it was just as awesome as the previous books.(less)
Emerson Cole is different. She sees things; weird things that she can’t explain. Ghosts. She’s tried absolutely everything to get rid of the visions....moreEmerson Cole is different. She sees things; weird things that she can’t explain. Ghosts. She’s tried absolutely everything to get rid of the visions. She’s been to institutions, she’s tried medicine. Nothing works. Until her brother calls in a consultant from a mysterious organization called the Hourglass.
Michael Weaver is different than all of the other consultants Emerson has seen. For one thing, he’s gorgeous. And young. Emerson is drawn to him; it’s like some strange energy keeps forcing them together, even though Michael insists that he can’t cross the professional line.
In the midst of Emerson’s frustrations with Michael, she learns that what she once thought was a curse was actually a gift; a gift that might just be able to save a life.
This book was pretty slow going for me at first. In fact, I started the book about a month ago but sort of dragged through the first half. I should have powered through quicker though because once I hit around page 200, I was completely hooked and finished the final 200 pages in one sitting. I was absolutely captivated by the second half of this book.
I enjoyed Emerson as a main character. Her attitude and confidence were two qualities that I enjoy in any protagonist, but I especially loved how Emerson stood up to Michael throughout the book to prove that she could handle whatever was thrown at her. Emerson’s tough girl attitude probably also came from her deep and dark family past. My heart broke every time I thought about Emerson losing her parents at such a young age.
I wasn’t expecting to like the whole time traveling plot, but I actually found myself enjoying it. I don’t normally read sci-fi, so I wasn’t sure if this book was going to be my cup of tea anyway, but as I mentioned before, I ended up really enjoying it. I wish Emerson would have learned her secret a bit earlier in the book so we could have learned more about the Hourglass, but I’m guessing that will come in book two.
Speaking of the Hourglass, what a cool place! I loved learning about each character’s ability and how it could both help them and hurt them. I enjoyed seeing what most people would perceive to be a strength could actually be a flaw. Plus, introducing these new characters created a whole new dynamic to the book that didn’t really exist throughout the first half.
Michael and Kaleb…mmmm, two perfectly delightful, handsome main characters. Of course, I fell in love with the elusive, mysterious Michael from the very beginning, but then rough, sexy Kaleb entered the story mid-way through and I was torn. There is so much to like about both boys. Michael is sweet and sensitive and always looking out for Emerson. Kaleb is a bit broken, but still strong and manly and there for Emerson at a time where she was feeling pretty low. Tough choice, that’s for sure.
HOURGLASS will take you on an emotional roller coaster full of highs and lows. My absolute favorite part of this book was the fact that it mixed romance, mystery and a bit of paranormal. I like each of these genres on their own, but when they are put together, what an electrifying mix!(less)
I don't even care about all the negative reviews- I loved this book. I'm WAY late to the FSOG game (like a full year) but once I started reading this,...moreI don't even care about all the negative reviews- I loved this book. I'm WAY late to the FSOG game (like a full year) but once I started reading this, I couldn't put it down. Let's face it- not every book has to be perfectly written. Some books are meant to be pure entertainment, and for what it's worth, FSOG succeeded in accomplishing that for me.(less)
The Year My Sister Got Lucky by Aimee Friedman tells the story of Katie and Michaela, two sisters and best friends who live in New York City. The sist...moreThe Year My Sister Got Lucky by Aimee Friedman tells the story of Katie and Michaela, two sisters and best friends who live in New York City. The sisters both attend a prestigious dance school for ballet. When their parents announce that they’re moving upstate, both sisters are shocked, but Katie is devastated.
Once the girls are all moved in, Michaela settles effortlessly into the country life. She makes friends and begins risking to the top of the social hierarchy at their small high school. She dates the head football player and thrives in her new environment.
Katie, on the other hand, trudges to school day after day, avoiding making friends. She longs for her New York City life and counts down until she can go back to visit. She also struggles with her sister’s newfound popularity and wonders what will become of their relationship.
I really enjoyed this book. I stayed up late to finish this one because I was engrossed in the lives of these two sisters.
The story is told from Katie’s point of view, which was really cool. Katie is the younger sister, so we get to watch her evolve throughout the story.
Secondary characters play a big role in this book. You’ll enjoy getting to know Katie and Michaela’s next door neighbor, a yoga instructor. Michaela’s new group of friends are stereotypical cheerleaders who provide a few laughs. The men in the story also play an interesting part.
The dynamic between Katie and Michaela is so interesting and so true to life. If you have a sister that you are close to, you will surely appreciate this story. The girls are three years apart in age, but until they moved upstate, they shared a room and told each other absolutely everything. I liked that this story took a realistic approach to the ups and downs of a relationship with a sister.(less)
The Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen tells the story of two sisters who couldn’t be more different.
Lindsey Rose is a workaholic. She works at a NYC ad...moreThe Opposite of Me by Sarah Pekkanen tells the story of two sisters who couldn’t be more different.
Lindsey Rose is a workaholic. She works at a NYC advertising agency, where she is highly successful. Competing with the office whore for the biggest account and a huge promotion, Lindsey feels on top of the world. When she loses the account AND the promotion, she makes a huge drunken mistake by making out with one of her colleagues and gets fired.
She moves back home to Maryland, where she’s told her entire family that she’s in charge of opening a DC branch of the advertising agency.
Lindsey dreads seeing her sister Alex. Alex is perfect. She’s gorgeous and always has been. She models and appears on TV regularly. All Lindsey’s life, she worked hard to be the smart one to set herself apart from her twin sister Alex.
Lindsey falls into a nice little routine at home. She takes up shopping as a hobby, enjoys the feeling of looking beautiful, something she always yearned for when Alex was gaining attention from every one around them. She meets a new friend who introduces her to a career as a matchmaker. Everything seems to be going great…until there is an accident.
Faced with a crisis, Lindsey must put her jealousy and feelings for her sister behind in order to be there for her.
I really enjoyed this book. I started reading it on my flight to Chicago and before I knew it I was 100 pages in.
I could relate to Lindsey. Lindsey worked in advertising. I work in PR. I could understand the need for Lindsey to be a workaholic (though I am no where near as crazy as she is!) but I understood her field and the pressure she was under. I enjoyed learning about the campaign Lindsey was working on and reading about the workplace competitiveness. I anxiously flipped pages waiting to see if Lindsey would win the coveted promotion she so deserved.
I loved the story being told from Lindsey’s point of view. There was a lot of internal discussion that I enjoyed reading and could relate to based on my relationship with my own sister. The core discussion that I loved about this book was the idea that from an early age, we are stereotyped within our families: the smart one, the pretty one, the athletic one, etc. This book discusses whether we can escape the “roles” we are given from the time we are born. Do you think it’s possible?
My only problem with the book was the ending. While I felt like things were wrapping up neatly into a happy ending, the book ended before we fully got to that point. This leads me to wondering if there will be a sequel. Things seemed to end abruptly and there is so much more to explore. However, things did seem to end neatly enough that a sequel doesn’t seem guaranteed.
I was initially drawn to this book because I’d heard that the writing style was similar to Jennifer Weiner (my all time favorite author!) and Emily Giffin. I would definitely agree that the ideas and inward dialogue reminded me of these two other authors, so if you like them, give this one a try!(less)
Lauren Oliver has done it again! I know it seems silly to start a book review talking about the ending of the book, but let’s start there. THE ENDING...moreLauren Oliver has done it again! I know it seems silly to start a book review talking about the ending of the book, but let’s start there. THE ENDING OF THIS BOOK. Oh my goodness. I can’t even write about it. I knew something big was coming…but I never expected THAT. My jaw literally dropped and I kept flipping praying that there would be another chapter, or SOMETHING to grab onto, even though I definitely knew better. If anything, Lauren Oliver has perfect the art of the cliffhanger. And the ending of PANDEMONIUM? The ultimate cliffhanger. Perhaps even moreso than DELIRIUM.
Okay, but back to the beginning of the book. Needless to say, I was thrilled with the lovely Tara sent me an ARC of the book. I immediately dove in and started reading and was a little shocked when I couldn’t get into the book. After all, this is the sequel to DELIRIUM, my absolute favorite book of 2011. Still, for the first hundred pages or so, I trudged along, praying that the action would pick up. I should have known that it would, and somewhere around page 150, I was sucked in and stayed up late into the night to finish the book.
I was disappointed that it took me so long to get into the book, but after finishing and thinking back on it, I realized that Oliver was giving plenty of background information about Lena’s life in the wilds to help readers understand why she acts the way she does and to help set up scenes for later in the book. I didn’t appreciate the slowness of the first half of the book while reading, but I think if I were to read the book again, I might appreciate those details that I may have skimmed over the first time.
Speaking of Lena’s life in the wilds, those were some of my least favorite scenes, even though I understand how important they are to the overall story. Even though I didn’t love reading these scenes, I enjoyed meeting some new and important characters like Raven and Tack. I love how they sort of took on the role of parents to Lena; it was nice to see Lena have someone to look up to and emulate as she adjusted to her new life in the wilds.
My favorite part of this book was Lena’s character development. Since the first book, Lena has definitely grown and changed! In the first book, she is a bit meek, following the rules of the society and slowly begins to change throughout the book. But in PANDEMONIUM, Lena is FIERCE. Her entire demeanor has changed, and it’s obvious that she’s been hardened by her time in the wilds. I absolutely loved seeing this side of Lena.
Another aspect of PANDEMONIUM that I really enjoyed was the introduction of a new male character, Julian. At first, I was staunchly against Julian. I missed Alex, and didn’t want any other male in the picture for Lena. However, without spoiling anything, I will say that I definitely warmed up to this new character throughout the book.
The second half of this book is full of the action I came to know and love after reading DELIRIUM. I was literally on the edge of my seat, holding my breath with knots in my stomach for several chapters in this book. There is so much suspense in this book, and so many scary scenes. I kept trying to imagine what life would be like if we lived in Lena’s world right now, and it’s definitely frightening to think about.
Even though I feel so lucky to have had the chance to read this book early, I’m a little sad because now I have to wait all the more longer to get my hands on the final book in the trilogy!(less)
True Love (And Other Lies) by Whitney Gaskell tells the story of travel writer, Claire Spencer. Claire is not an extraordinary woman, by any means. Se...moreTrue Love (And Other Lies) by Whitney Gaskell tells the story of travel writer, Claire Spencer. Claire is not an extraordinary woman, by any means. Self-proclaimed as extra tall and curvacious, Claire doesn’t feel attractive- especially next to her beautiful best friend Maddy who relocated to London a few years prior.
When Claire is traveling to London for work, she meets a very sexy man on the flight. His name is Jack and he is like no man Claire has ever dreamed of knowing. When Jack takes an interest in Claire, and asks to see her again in London, Claire gives him her number, but is convinced he won’t call. When he does call and they go out on a few successful dates, Claire is thrilled to have finally found someone special- even if he does live on another continent.
In the meanwhile, Claire is concerned because her best friend Maddy is ignoring her phone calls. Claire finally gets a hold of Maddy and learns that Maddy’s boyfriend has dumped her. Claire rushes to her side to console her. While she’s with Maddy, Maddy’s ex-boyfriend comes over to pick up his things and you’ll never believe who the man at the door really is.
I loved this book! My favorite thing about it was that I randomly picked this book up at a book sale a few months back. I’d never previously heard about it or read about it on a blog; I just loved the title and decided to give it a try and I ended up loving it.
I really was able to resonate with Claire in this novel. We both love to travel and we both love writing. I feel the same way about Claire in regards to relationships and I was rooting for her the whole book to land the man of her dreams.
Even though I loved Claire, I did wish that she grew a bit of a thicker skin and defended herself more throughout the book. I won’t go into more detail for fear of spoilers, but I think Claire could have been a tad bit stronger, especially since she was strong and determined in other areas of her life.
Overall, a very cute story that had me turning the pages. I finished it pretty quickly because I didn’t want to put it down!(less)
When Anna Oliphant’s dad tells her he’s enrolled her in a new school for her senior year, she is rightfully angry. When she learns the new school is i...moreWhen Anna Oliphant’s dad tells her he’s enrolled her in a new school for her senior year, she is rightfully angry. When she learns the new school is in Paris? She’s not thrilled. Leaving behind a best friend, a crush, her little brother and a decent job, Anna is not ready to move halfway across the world where she knows no one.
Until she arrives in at her new school in Paris and meets Etienne St. Clair. Etienne is beautiful, but very very taken. But even still, life isn’t so bad in Paris. Anna quickly finds a small group of friends, learns where the nearest movie theater is and begins to explore the city of lights alongside Mer, Josh, Rashmi and of course, Etienne.
Even though Anna tries to ignore it, an inexplicable force between Anna and Etienne is ever present. But Anna has some issues to work through at home, and Etienne is struggling to deal with his mom’s recent cancer diagnosis. And in the meantime, both Anna and Etienne are trying to get through their senior year of high school.
I was a little nervous to read this book because it got so much hype (I literally haven’t seen a negative review yet!) but ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS definitely lived up to my expectations. I was originally attracted to this book because of the beautiful cover and the adorable title. The cover is just so romantic! (And for all the describing of Etienne’s manly hands throughout the book, I admit, the model on the cover does have very nice hands).
Perkins describes Paris flawlessly. So flawlessly in fact, this book made me want to travel back and give it another chance (terrible food poisoning ruined my weekend in Paris a few summers ago). The setting was pure perfection; readers will feel like they’ve been transported to France. I laughed out loud towards the end of the book when Anna climbed the stairs of Notre Dame and lamented about the number of steps. When I was abroad, I often complained about the amount of stairs basically everywhere!
I adored Anna as a main character. I love that she wasn’t anything special. She wasn’t the most popular girl at school. She wasn’t the prettiest. She was you and she was me. She was unique and she wasn’t afraid to be herself, and that’s what I loved most about her. Even around Etienne, Anna never tried to play it cool; she stayed true to her personality, quirks and all. It was an added bonus that Anna was a movie buff and made references to lots of awesome movies, both new and old.
And then there’s Etienne. Oh, Etienne. Just like Anna and many other readers, I quickly fell for him. I only wish he and Anna had been able to get it together and admit they loved each other sooner (because that one kissing scene just wasn’t enough!) The sexual tension between the two throughout the book was very apparent, and as a reader, I wanted to scream, “GET IT TOGETHER, GUYS! COME ON!” but obviously, I understand both Etienne and Anna had their own issues to work through before they could admit to themselves the truth. Even though I wanted these characters to find each other sooner, I appreciated the subtle moments of tension where both characters were clearly wondering what the other was thinking. I’m sure we all remember these types of moments.
For some reason, it took me a few days to fully get into this book, but once I surpassed about 100 pages, I was sucked in, and I wasn’t going anywhere. After a bit of a slow start, I found myself completely in love with Anna and this story.
The ending of this book is extremely satisfying. Even though I saw it coming, I devoured each page swooning in delight for Anna and Etienne. I admit, I didn’t want the book to end. I wouldn’t have complained if we followed Anna and Etienne to college in California.
I am so looking forward to Perkins’ next novel LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR. I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next!(less)
The Accidental Bestseller tells the story of four writers and best friends. The story opens in NYC at a writers conference where author Kendall Aim’s...moreThe Accidental Bestseller tells the story of four writers and best friends. The story opens in NYC at a writers conference where author Kendall Aim’s is up for the prestigious Zelda award. She is counting on this award to boost her career and give her a renewed sense of purpose in writing.
by Mallory St. James, a NY Times best selling author, is secretly struggling with writing her next book and her relationship with her husband. Faye Truett, an inspirational writer with a televangelist husband has a secret that she can’t share with anyone– especially her husband. Tanya Mason, a single mother of two works two jobs, plus writing just to make ends meet.
Their unlikely friendships blossomed years earlier at a similar writers conference. Since then, the four women have been there for each other through thick and thin, writing struggles and personal crises.
They once again come together when Kendall loses the prestigious writing award, is faced with a looming deadline from a publishing house that can’t wait to drop her and to make matters even worse- she has just found out her husband is cheating on her. Mallory, Faye and Tanya join Kendall at her mountain house to brainstorm the novel that she desperately doesn’t want to write. They come up with the brilliant idea to help Kendall by collaborating and writing the book together. Little do they know, the book is about to become a bestseller creating lots of trouble for each of the women along the way.
I absolutely LOVED this book. I’ve been reading a lot of YA lately and while I love YA, it was nice and refreshing to pick up this women’s fiction book and jump into the world of grown women and their struggles.
The friendship between these four women is dynamic. Each woman is different, but their friendship is strong. I loved learning about each woman’s life and how they got to where they are in their careers. I especially liked seeing them come together to help Kendall and I enjoyed scenes where they brainstormed ideas and collaborated on writing.
This book gives you an insiders peek at the cutthroat world of publishing. Several scenes depict Kendall’s evil and grump editor and her young wide-eyed and hopeful assistant. Readers will get to hear a little more about how a publishing house runs and how only the popular authors get a choice in their book covers or how their book is marketed. A board room scene of an editor presenting a book she wants the house to take on proves extremely interesting as we hear how and why a book will be chosen, what creates excitement at a publishing house and the process from idea to bookshelf.
While this book is fiction, it sheds a lot of light on the publishing industry. While I’d like to hope that the world of publishing is a little bit nicer than what Wendy Wax portrays in this book, I can’t be sure until I get there, right?
Author Wendy Wax will be the first person to tell you that this is the ideal beach read. In fact, she is having a little contest- take a picture of yourself reading the book on the beach and send it in to win a beach bag of books.(less)
Since I adore Jennifer Weiner’s writing, I was very excited to read Goodnight Nobody. Unfortunately, now I have read all of Weiner’s novels, so now I’...moreSince I adore Jennifer Weiner’s writing, I was very excited to read Goodnight Nobody. Unfortunately, now I have read all of Weiner’s novels, so now I’m just waiting for her to write another! Goodnight Nobody tells the story of Kate Klein, an unsatisfied suburban mom with three kids who misses life as a working woman in New York City. Trying to fit in with the other mom’s in the Connecticut town of Upchurch proves difficult for Kate, but just as she feels like she could make a connection with one of the mom’s, Kate finds Kitty Cavanaugh dead.
Once a journalist, Kate is curious to find out as much as possible about Kitty’s life. She investigates into her past with the help of a past love, Evan McKenna and her best friend Janie Segal.
The story takes many twists and turns and I found myself really getting into the mystery of who killed Kitty Cavanaugh. After reading Weiner’s other books, it was great to see a different side of her writing…a mystery. Initially, I was skeptical about how well the whole mystery thing would go, but I ended up thinking it was awesome and I hope Weiner is considering another mystery.
I really love that the story is told in two different time periods; the first being the present in which the crime and investigation occur and the second being the story of Kate’s life in New York City ten years back with Janie and Evan.
Honestly, the only thing that REALLY bugged me about this story was Weiner’s choice to use the name Kitty as a main character. For some reason, every time I read the name, I was really thrown off.
Weiner really creates characters you can relate to and love. I found myself adoring Kate Klein and her curiosity and eagerness to solve this mystery. Kate’s best friend Janie plays a wonderful supporting role, being both hilarious and a great friend. Even Kate’s young daughter Sophie provides her own unique flair to the story.
One thing I loved about this book was that the action took place in the first chapter. I love books where I’m thrown right into the drama and just want to keep turning the pages. After reading a few slow starting books lately, I was happy to read a book that really kept me interested.
Once the mystery was neatly solved at the end of the book, I was definitely satisfied, but I would have liked the romantic aspect of the book to be tied up a bit more as well.(less)
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