http://www.goodreads.com/review/list_rss/83438 en-US Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:54:34 -0800 60 http://www.goodreads.com/ 200 41 http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_logo.gif 16913087 Wed, 05 Mar 2008 20:54:34 -0800
author: Ruth Reichl
name: Denise
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2002
rating: 5
read at: 03/08
date added: 03/05/08
shelves:
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Wow. I'm so glad there is a third book from her. I finished this one too quickly; couldn't stop reading her. I wish I had her sense of taste & smell; she made me hungry! And, she is a very blunt & honest writer...her ordeal with the adoption of her daughter left me in tears.
]]> 3753296 Mon, 03 Mar 2008 12:18:34 -0800
I enjoyed how the author vividly portrayed the discomfort of people acting out their fantasies (in this case, the fantasy of living in Austen's Regency England) with others.

The outcome was satisfying and the characters memorable. I just wish, somehow, that it would have lasted longer! Maybe I was in a good reading mood that day...]]>
author: Shannon Hale
name: Denise
average rating: 3.51
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 11/07
date added: 03/03/08
shelves:
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I read this book in one day, so you know it's quick and easy.

I enjoyed how the author vividly portrayed the discomfort of people acting out their fantasies (in this case, the fantasy of living in Austen's Regency England) with others.

The outcome was satisfying and the characters memorable. I just wish, somehow, that it would have lasted longer! Maybe I was in a good reading mood that day...
]]> 15343530 Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:20:37 -0800
author: Susan Allen Toth
name: Denise
average rating: 3.49
book published: 1994
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 02/13/08
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]]> 11952229 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:37:45 -0800
author: Mary Kay Andrews
name: Denise
average rating: 3.94
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at: 02/08
date added: 01/15/08
shelves:
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For Chick Lit Book Club (check out the group here) in January. I'm discussion leader. Looks like everyone is having fun, join us!
]]> 12577654 Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:35:00 -0800
I loved the beginning of this book; Pattie lead a very interesting childhood in India and Kenya, and the scene she sets of the early sixties is fun and fascinating.

But her relationships with both musicians is more about her as a person searching for identity. While I appreciate the honesty (and I didn't really expect her to reveal any secrets about either man), I got a bit bored as she set out to discover herself without being arm candy.

That said, I did just read If Chins Could Kill, which was filled with detail, so perhaps I am unfairly comparing the two in my mind.]]>
author: Pattie Boyd
name: Denise
average rating: 3.25
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at: 01/08
date added: 01/15/08
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Don't pick this up expecting to learn a lot about George Harrison or Eric Clapton (except that the latter was a hopeless alcoholic...but you probably already knew that).

I loved the beginning of this book; Pattie lead a very interesting childhood in India and Kenya, and the scene she sets of the early sixties is fun and fascinating.

But her relationships with both musicians is more about her as a person searching for identity. While I appreciate the honesty (and I didn't really expect her to reveal any secrets about either man), I got a bit bored as she set out to discover herself without being arm candy.

That said, I did just read If Chins Could Kill, which was filled with detail, so perhaps I am unfairly comparing the two in my mind.
]]> 11701856 Sat, 05 Jan 2008 08:07:34 -0800
Anyway, hilarious and detailed memoir about getting into the biz the "independent" way and life as a B movie actor. Bruce is a great storyteller and my favorite chapter was probably the "epilogue" on his Chins Across America tour.

Fun, fun stuff. My only complaint: Dude, get your graphic designer to use a SERIF font next time. Sans serif made the print harder to read.]]>
author: Bruce Campbell
name: Denise
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2002
rating: 5
read at: 01/08
date added: 01/05/08
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Another one of my "found" books after our move. Truth be told, I don't believe I've ever *seen* Bruce Campbell in anything...not a horror movie fan, or TV Westerns, or the Hercules/Xena series (sorry, Bruce). I read this mainly because he's from the Detroit area (!)

Anyway, hilarious and detailed memoir about getting into the biz the "independent" way and life as a B movie actor. Bruce is a great storyteller and my favorite chapter was probably the "epilogue" on his Chins Across America tour.

Fun, fun stuff. My only complaint: Dude, get your graphic designer to use a SERIF font next time. Sans serif made the print harder to read.
]]> 7798161 Tue, 16 Oct 2007 11:08:32 -0700
Some readers had a hard time getting into this book (I didn't, I had trouble in the middle for some reason!), some absolutely HATED the characters and had no sympathy for them, me, I just enjoyed reading about women in NYC in lives I don't lead.

Pure escapism.]]>
author: Candace Bushnell
name: Denise
average rating: 3.07
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 10/07
date added: 10/16/07
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This was our book for Chick Lit Book Club (a separate group) this past month. Brain candy, for me. I'm not sure how true the characters are, but CB had something to say about successful women vs. successful men, and she got her message through.

Some readers had a hard time getting into this book (I didn't, I had trouble in the middle for some reason!), some absolutely HATED the characters and had no sympathy for them, me, I just enjoyed reading about women in NYC in lives I don't lead.

Pure escapism.
]]> 4023599 Wed, 12 Sep 2007 11:16:22 -0700
UPDATED: Whew! Finally finished it. I'm in awe of writers like this, who can keep track of such a large, diverse cast of characters (good & bad), over the arc of a long, long novel. I remember a brainiac friend of mine who nitpicked some of the author's food choices for the 18th century, but I have better things to do with my time ;)]]>
author: Sara Donati
name: Denise
average rating: 4.30
book published: 1999
rating: 4
read at: 09/07
date added: 09/12/07
shelves:
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A juicy historical fiction/romance book that's been on my list (and on my shelf) for a while. Great summertime reading for lovers of hf like me :)

UPDATED: Whew! Finally finished it. I'm in awe of writers like this, who can keep track of such a large, diverse cast of characters (good & bad), over the arc of a long, long novel. I remember a brainiac friend of mine who nitpicked some of the author's food choices for the 18th century, but I have better things to do with my time ;)
]]> 4023426 Fri, 03 Aug 2007 09:41:06 -0700
Some parts are really creepy, some make you laugh out loud. I'm so glad she finally found her calling as a psychic; sometimes it was so obvious as she struggled with different things to do with her gift you wanted to yell at her, "are you a psychic or not?!" and throw the book across the room.

Loved it.]]>
author: Terry Iacuzzo
name: Denise
average rating: 3.60
book published: 2005
rating: 5
read at: 07/07
date added: 08/03/07
shelves:
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WOW! I could NOT stop reading this book. Seriously, I read it in one day. The writing (obviously) flowed smoothly and quickly, and the author has a fascinating life (to me, at least).

Some parts are really creepy, some make you laugh out loud. I'm so glad she finally found her calling as a psychic; sometimes it was so obvious as she struggled with different things to do with her gift you wanted to yell at her, "are you a psychic or not?!" and throw the book across the room.

Loved it.
]]> 2956797 Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:03:44 -0700
author: Cara Black
name: Denise
average rating: 3.62
book published: 2000
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 07/11/07
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]]> 1934914 Mon, 25 Jun 2007 16:34:03 -0700
author: Roddy Doyle
name: Denise
average rating: 3.85
book published: 1996
rating: 4
read at: 06/07
date added: 06/25/07
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This read like an autobiography; Doyle was that far into his protagonist's head. It sort of plodded along, chipper and full of detail, until the end, when the drama was ratcheted up several notches. Painful reading, intense and all-consuming. What a job.
]]> 1188990 Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:52:55 -0700
The mother's, Elizabeth's, alcoholism is poignantly portrayed. Her fear of intimacy is realistic and her daughter Rosie is as tough as you would expect, but she is also realistically portrayed (she "saves" her mother, but not in any outright, sappy way you'd expect from a lesser novel).

Rosie's foil, Sharon, is deftly portrayed against the backdrop of her seemingly perfect family.

Overall, an enjoyable read. Time well spent.]]>
author: Anne Lamott
name: Denise
average rating: 3.67
book published: 1983
rating: 4
read at: 05/07
date added: 06/13/07
shelves:
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I'm always nervous reading literature from renowned "writing advice" authors; Lamott was no exception. I was afraid I'd feel draaaaagged into this book, but the pace was quick and I felt naturally drawn in to the life of the main characters.

The mother's, Elizabeth's, alcoholism is poignantly portrayed. Her fear of intimacy is realistic and her daughter Rosie is as tough as you would expect, but she is also realistically portrayed (she "saves" her mother, but not in any outright, sappy way you'd expect from a lesser novel).

Rosie's foil, Sharon, is deftly portrayed against the backdrop of her seemingly perfect family.

Overall, an enjoyable read. Time well spent.
]]> 1934936 Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:45:53 -0700
author: Margaret Drabble
name: Denise
average rating: 3.40
book published: 2002
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 06/13/07
shelves:
review:

]]> 1933192 Wed, 13 Jun 2007 14:11:01 -0700
I have to warn you--at least with the hardcover version--if you are one to set aside a book and leave it face-down (as I am), her photograph on the back may frighten you. It sure did me.

Anyway, to get to the meat of the book...JC admits (and illustrates) right from the start that she knows who she is--one tough chick--and I feel this is to be admired (knowing yourself, not just being a tough chick).

Nearing the end now, I am quietly justified in not being able to follow her Artist's Way (and I've been struggling with Vein of Gold for years).

I dropped Artist's Way twice as a program, and the last time I had to say to myself, "I am not an addictive personality, and I just can't get into this process." Now knowing that she created Vein of Gold while recovering from a manic-depressive episode, I don't feel so guilty at not being able to breeze through that program either (though of the two books, Vein still intrigues me, especially as a scrapbooker rarely featured in her own pages).

I know my story must be told, and JC gives us all the courage to tell it. She also illustrates that we need to know who we are at our core. I enjoyed and appreciated this book for the insight it gave. Thanks again, Julia.]]>
author: Julia Cameron
name: Denise
average rating: 3.35
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 06/13/07
shelves:
review:
Yay! I was excited to see that Julia Cameron wrote her own memoir. After encouraging us all to free our own inner artists, she left me curious as to her own body of work (besides the Artist's Way, Vein of Gold, Right to Write self-help titles she is famous for).

I have to warn you--at least with the hardcover version--if you are one to set aside a book and leave it face-down (as I am), her photograph on the back may frighten you. It sure did me.

Anyway, to get to the meat of the book...JC admits (and illustrates) right from the start that she knows who she is--one tough chick--and I feel this is to be admired (knowing yourself, not just being a tough chick).

Nearing the end now, I am quietly justified in not being able to follow her Artist's Way (and I've been struggling with Vein of Gold for years).

I dropped Artist's Way twice as a program, and the last time I had to say to myself, "I am not an addictive personality, and I just can't get into this process." Now knowing that she created Vein of Gold while recovering from a manic-depressive episode, I don't feel so guilty at not being able to breeze through that program either (though of the two books, Vein still intrigues me, especially as a scrapbooker rarely featured in her own pages).

I know my story must be told, and JC gives us all the courage to tell it. She also illustrates that we need to know who we are at our core. I enjoyed and appreciated this book for the insight it gave. Thanks again, Julia.
]]> 1291993 Fri, 18 May 2007 08:03:58 -0700
author: Sarah Mlynowski
name: Denise
average rating: 4.07
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at: 06/06
date added: 05/18/07
shelves:
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Great tips and suggested novels to read. Not only do you get a better idea of the separation between chick lit and typical romance novels, you get an idea of where this genre is going (or should go). I've started a discussion on it over at my Chick Lit group. Check it out!
]]> 1189001 Fri, 18 May 2007 07:51:48 -0700
author: Lee Nichols
name: Denise
average rating: 3.35
book published: 2004
rating: 3
read at: 05/07
date added: 05/18/07
shelves:
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While I didn't care for the protagonist at first, slowly the author put her through the wringer of dead-end jobs and it began to feel like sweet, sweet revenge. I was so hoping she wouldn't be "saved" by some romance, and she wasn't. So I've changed my rating on this book and I would recommend it to fans of chick lit, with the following warning: it ain't pretty, and I like it like that.
]]> 1291600 Fri, 18 May 2007 07:48:50 -0700
No surprise here that the two authors work in the publishing industry. The whole book feels like a fill-in-the-blanks for a successful romance novel (except for the usual "sex on page 265" blank). I'm sure young (high school and college) Christian readers will appreciate the Evil Big City theme, but the characters were all too stock for me.

While I appreciated the "Christian boy looking for Christian girl turns out to be a creep" angle (this can be so true at times), the contrast between his cold family life and her warm happy family was trite and too extreme.

I'm skeptical that her Uncle Matthew could keep up with the rent/taxes in Times Square with his mission project.

Emily's boss Xavier and his crazy behavior was a highlight but otherwise her coworkers were two-dimensional. Her Christian foil, Lane, needed better development. All Christians do not need to leave the publishing industry (unless it is to become successful romance authors, I guess).

I see this writing team has written more Bible-based romance novels. I hate to be cynical, but it looks like they found an angle and are milking it. Good news for readers of *Christian* chick lit fans. I'm just not one of those. Maybe if they took their stories out of New York, but I guess they need the Evil Big City backdrop to make their point. Over and over and over...]]>
author: Anne Dayton
name: Denise
average rating: 3.05
book published: 2005
rating: 2
read at: 05/07
date added: 05/18/07
shelves:
review:
I'll admit, I was biased from the start against the authors' (plural, there are two) focus on a Christian protagonist. I was raised Lutheran and have nothing against Christianity, I was just afraid it would make this book predictable. I was right.

No surprise here that the two authors work in the publishing industry. The whole book feels like a fill-in-the-blanks for a successful romance novel (except for the usual "sex on page 265" blank). I'm sure young (high school and college) Christian readers will appreciate the Evil Big City theme, but the characters were all too stock for me.

While I appreciated the "Christian boy looking for Christian girl turns out to be a creep" angle (this can be so true at times), the contrast between his cold family life and her warm happy family was trite and too extreme.

I'm skeptical that her Uncle Matthew could keep up with the rent/taxes in Times Square with his mission project.

Emily's boss Xavier and his crazy behavior was a highlight but otherwise her coworkers were two-dimensional. Her Christian foil, Lane, needed better development. All Christians do not need to leave the publishing industry (unless it is to become successful romance authors, I guess).

I see this writing team has written more Bible-based romance novels. I hate to be cynical, but it looks like they found an angle and are milking it. Good news for readers of *Christian* chick lit fans. I'm just not one of those. Maybe if they took their stories out of New York, but I guess they need the Evil Big City backdrop to make their point. Over and over and over...
]]> 1188360 Sun, 13 May 2007 11:30:00 -0700
author: Elizabeth Buchan
name: Denise
average rating: 3.75
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at: 04/06
date added: 05/13/07
shelves:
review:
This book has a very slow start, but stick with it and you will become interested in the characters' lives. A satisfying, if predictable, ending.
]]> 1188320 Sun, 13 May 2007 11:25:35 -0700
author: Augusten Burroughs
name: Denise
average rating: 3.88
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at: 05/07
date added: 05/13/07
shelves:
review:
I have never read a book that made me laugh AND cringe and cry, all in one chapter. AB is hilarious, and yes, mean, but overall, very, very enjoyable. For my generation, he is a must-read. Take that, David Sedaris.
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