LoveHampton

LoveHampton by Tess Gerritsen


What was this book about?

Tori Miller has been dumped by her long time boyfriend and is in a rut. She has a great job, owns a company that is doing quite well, and has friends that love her. They decide they will help her get out and meet someone. She gets a makeover and becomes – Miller – housemate in a share house in the Hamptons.

The Hampton’s experience is one of both a small town and college life. Everyone knows everyone and everyone shows up at the same places. But Miller finds a way to fit in and become what she always wanted. But at what price?

What did you think about the book?

Tori is a genuine person who had a down time in her life and wants to do something to pick it up. Of course when this happens, many times it is a life of extremes. You were once behaving at one extreme and it is hard to not go to far in the opposite direction. This exploration of that and her desire to become someone new is interesting. Becoming someone new can also be difficult as the old you is always lurking in the corner and will come out at the most inopportune times.

What genre would you consider this?
Summer Read

Overall:

Friday Night Knitting Club

Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs

What was this book about?

They are not just a group of women who get together on Friday Night’s to knit – they are a group of friends. What seems to be a ragtag group of people who all have some reason to be there on Fridays, end up relying on each other for support as they go through the good times and bad.

Georgia has been a single mother for many years, now Dakota, her daughter is starting to have a relationship with her father. For Georgia this relationship is bittersweet – he didn’t want Dakota in the beginning – now her ex seems to be taking over her life. Does she want a relationship with him? Even if it is just as the father of her daughter?

Cat, was Georgia’s best friend in high school but she betrayed her and they haven’t spoken in years. Cat’s bad marriage has made her claim independence. But can she find herself or will she yet again bewhat other’s want her to be?

Anita loves Georgia as if she is a daughter. Since her own husband died years before she has been alone except for this knitting store and Georgia and Dakota. Is there room in her life for another relationship?

This is just the beginning of those that are in the “Friday Night Knitting Club”.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I enjoy this new genre of knitting books talking about women’s relationships with each other and their interaction in their own lives. It is nice to know that something as old fashioned as knitting can bring people together to work through their joy and pain.

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall:

How the Other Half Hamptons

How the Other Half Hamptons by Jasmine Rosemberg



What was this book about?

Friends and twenty something’s Rachel, Jamie and Allison decide to all partake in the “share house” phenomenon in the Hamptons. They have plans for what their summer is going to be like. They have bought themselves beds in an illegal (albeit common) share house – which has as many beds as you can cram into one very nice house and for a cost you get your bed on alternating weekends.

Each girl has their own agenda. Rachel is looking for a man to marry – her sister found her future husband in a share house just like this one and while she never lives up to her sister she is hoping in this case she will find one. Jamie is a party girl, used to the best clubs and the hottest scenes. It will be an adjustment for her to figure out where she fits into this tableau as it isn’t all about her. Allison is used to having relationships and can’t help but want to jump right into one. She and her 5 year boyfriend just broke up and she needs someone to love her as that is the only way she feels fulfilled.

Each girl finds her way, learning more about herself, and learning more about sharing a house with 30 other people.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

Have you ever wondered what the Hamptons were all about? Especially for the “normal” people who don’t have millions of dollars and flit from society party to society party. If so this book is for you.

It gives a great description of what it is like to be a 20-something who just wants to get the experience of the Hamptons in a way that they can afford. It means mistakes, immature people, cattiness and letting yourself go in ways that you may have never done before.

This book gives great incite into what it would be to just be there – part of the action. Does it make married old me want to catch a plane and be part of a “share house” – not at all. But I was glad to be able to tag along for the ride in this story.

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall:

Girls in Trucks

Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch

What was this book about?

Charlestonian Sarah Walters is a part of the very special debutante group the Camilla Society. She meets girls there that she doesn’t realize will impact her life for many years to come.

“Girls in Trucks” follows Sarah and the other Camilla’s throughout the early years of training for their debutante ball until many years later when they are married, and possibly have children.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

There was so much potential here and I just felt really let down. I know that the style was intended to be this way but it bounced from place to place, year to year, person to person so much that it was hard for me to follow what was going on and who people were. It left me wanting to know the details in between to the point where I just felt left out.

There is no reason (that I can think of) that this had to happen. The story of a girl who doesn’t have a perfect life, surrounded by so many others who don’t have the perfect life seems to be a reasonable one. But you can’t like Sarah and the fact that she doesn’t just make mistakes (and realize them) she just keeps making them. She isn’t a nice person or a good person through much of the book. But when you read the description you think this is a nice "debutante" book and it just so isn’t.

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall:

Chasing Harry Winston

Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger

What was this book about?

Three women have been friends since college. They each have their own distinct personalities and yet they can’t help but rely on each other for emotional support.

Emmy is the girl next door – sweet, innocent, and loving. What she wants most out of life is a wonderful husband and children. She has been with the same man for over 5 years but he doesn’t seem ready to take the next step. When he leaves her for a younger woman she can’t help but evaluate the sacrifices she made for him. Her friends and family tell her that she is lucky to be rid of him but she doesn’t know if she believes it. She is ready to go out and finally have a fling or two before she settles down.

Adriana is a beautiful rich girl who relies on her parents to provide for her. She flitters from job to job, man to man. She has what to some would be the perfect life of no commitment. Yet when she hears her friends talking about their jobs she feels left out. She knows that her beauty isn’t going to last forever (her mother can’t help but remind her of it over and over and over again). She agrees that she is ready to move on and change her life – she is going to settle down and get engaged in the next year. With no prospects on the horizon it will be harder for her then just finding a man – she needs to find herself to be happy.

The final member of this trio – Leigh has the life her friends dream of. The perfect man – handsome and loving who wants to spend his life with her. The perfect job – a book editor who seems to be rising in the ranks very quickly. But Leigh’s panic and confronting the fact that this life may be perfect for others but isn’t perfect for you – is rising and she needs to confront it. When a job opportunity at work comes up to edit a world famous author – she jumps at the task and meanwhile is forced to figure out what she wants out of life.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

This book is the perfect realization that 1) the grass is always greener 2) what is good for some people is not what others need out of life 3) you don’t need a man to make you happy. Everyone has different goals and needs as people – be it in their relationships, jobs, or family.

What genre would you consider this?

Fiction

Overall:

If I was to nominate this book for an award it would be: Book that I would want to give my single girlfriends.

Immediate Family

Immediate Family by Eileen Goudge

What was this book about?

Four friends since college, begin telling their story at their 15 year college reunion. They have always been close but they learn that they are more then just friends – they are a family.

Jay is married to Viv and is about to have his first child. Things seem great on the surface, but Viv has way more energy then him. He would love to stay home and just relax as a family while she wants to have plans every night.

Franny wants nothing more then to have a child. She has a career but has yet to find love. Jay and Viv offer to help her by letting her have Jay’s child. What could be better a best friend and your child’s father?

Emerson grew up as the child of affluent parents. Then her father dies and she finds out the truth – they are broke. But her mother still would like to pretend everything is the way it was. Emerson has a good job and can now afford to get her mother everything she needs – even a nurse – because her mother is dieing. She has a good relationship with her ex-husband and a daughter she loves. What else could she want?

Lastly there is Stevie. Stevie has spent her entire life not knowing her her father was. When she finally finds out who he is – she can’t help but want to exonerate him from the gossip that has surrounded his life. Can her relationship with her father help her in her daily living? She can’t seem to commit to anyone – no marriage, no children.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I really enjoyed it. In some ways it brought me back to my college years. The friends, the relationships, the binding of people in a way that goes beyond blood. I found it to be quite enjoyable. If you want to read something about relationships this is the thing to read.

What genre would you consider this?

Fiction

Overall: A-

Names My Sisters Call Me

Names My Sisters Call Me by Megan Crane

What was this book about?

Courtney is the youngest of three sisters. She has felt as if she was always the oddball in her family – her father left her mother before she was even born. She can’t help but love them all just the way they are. Her mother – seems to have always been sad that her Courtney’s father has left and threw herself into her life. Norah, the oldest child, is used to being in control and having her directions followed. Raine the middle child has always been a little out of control, more worried about her artistic endeavors and being free then the feelings of those around her.

When Courtney becomes engaged she begins to want to pull her family back together. Raine has been an outcast for over 6 years now. She decides to visit Raine, also visiting her past – a boyfriend of hers that is best friends with Raine.

Courtney is forced to evaluate where she stands in life. Should she have made different decisions? Why did she do what she did? Why did her family members make the decisions that they did? Have they moved forward at all or are they all still the same hurt little girls?

What did you like/dislike about the book?

Everyone has some sort of dysfunction in their family. Whether it is secret loves, outrageous siblings, embarrassing parents. There are of course different extremes in this, but is difficult both for someone to embrace these differences as well as the person that they would like to spend their lives with.

This book addresses some of the things in your life that you thought you always wanted, but what would have happened if you really had gotten them? Are you happy where you are or are things going to be always “grass is always greener”.

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall: A-

Otherwise Engaged

Otherwise Engaged by Eileen Goudge

What was this book about?
Jessie Holland and Erin Delahanty both have lives which others would probably envy. Jessie is a published writer, lives in New York City, has a hot boyfriend. Erin owns a bed and breakfast with her husband Skip and her teen Kayla. But neither of their lives are as perfect as they (or others) think they are.

Jessie is in a writing slump. Erin’s husband has left her. So best friends since they were young, they decide to switch places so that Jessie can write an article about their adventures. Maybe a switch in venue will help them find themselves.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

I really enjoyed this. It was a quick read – that showed the complexity of relationships and life. Things are never what they look like on the surface. Stepping out of the box can reap great rewards (even if it is a little scary).

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall: B+

Certain Girls

Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner


What was this book about?

Told from the perspective of Cannie (from her previous book Good in Bed) and Cannie’s daughter Joy this book covers a lot of ground. Cannie is dealing with the beginning’s of the classic teenage daughter – not a bad daughter, just one who is concerned with what other people think, that her mother doesn’t fit in like she wishes she does, and just wants to rebel. Cannie and her husband Peter also want to have another child. This is especially difficult because after Joy’s birth she had to have a hysterectomy. Which means while she may have viable eggs she cannot actually have the child herself.

Then there is Joy. An average 13 year old who is looking forward to her bat mitzvah. Then she finds out from some kids at school that the book her mother wrote 10 years ago tells the story of her mother’s life (which it really doesn’t exactly do). Joy has always known about the book but been told it was too adult for her. When she does read it she finds out all sorts of things that throw her world topsy-turvey. In an effort to find the truth she does investigative work to see what it is that her mother’s past really is.

What did you like/dislike about the book?

This book was great. I thought at first it was all about the mother/daughter dynamic. But truly it was a book about growing up. Realizing things aren’t always what they seem to be, but then again there is more depth to them then most people realize. There are reasons for what people do, there are thoughts and feelings behind history, some emotions can change over time to be better or wose.

What genre would you consider this?

Fiction

Overall: A-

If I was to nominate this book for an award it would be: Book I would need a box of Kleenex to read.

The Spare Wife

The Spare Wife by Alex Witchel

What was this book about?
Society is all about who you know and less about what is truly going on with the relationships. This book follows several society women as they find out the secrets about what is going on behind closed doors. Of course they can never show it.

Babette, an aspiring journalist, just wants to make her place in this society. She will do anything to get the connections she needs. Ponce, is a society widow, who has made her place by being generous and kind to everyone. She is both the husbands best friend and the wife’s. No one is threatened by her. But if they knew her big secret, that she was having an affair with a married man – they could turn on her. Shawsie has a gorgeous husband, a great job, and her own place in society. But even she knows it isn’t as good as it looks. Her husband is a classic cheater who doesn’t even try to cover it up. All she wants in life is a baby and she can’t seem to even have that.

Can these society women keep their secrets?

What was your favorite part about this book?

It was interesting to have an inner look at how you know society acts.

What was your least favorite part about this book?

Generally it was about secrets – but none of the secrets were really secrets to the reader. Figuring out that the world is manipulative and evil wasn’t something I was all that excited about.

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall: C

Shoe Addicts Anonymous

Shoe Addicts Anonymous by Beth Harbison

What was this book about?
Several women brought together by a love of shoes form a weekly support group. They all have issues and problems beyond the obvious and rely on each other to help “fix” their lives. There is socialite Helene Zaharis, a politician’s wife, whose husband’s main goal seems to be controlling her while he can do whatever he wants. Lorna Rafferty, has a low-paying job that in no way helps her when her shopping addiction (mainly for high end shoes) gets out of control. Sandra Vanderslice, is an agoraphobic who also can’t help but buy shoes even if she can’t leave her house to show anyone. Finally Jocely Bowen doesn’t really like shoes but she needs an excuse to get out of her hellish nannying job, even if it is just for one night.

What was your favorite part about this book?
I love books where the women bond together to form a tight knit group who can overcome all odds. Not with money or superpowers, but by relying on those who you consider your friends and letting them help you.

What was your least favorite part about this book?
I wanted more – I felt it all ended to quickly for me.

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall: B

Spoilers: The ending with the shoe designer helping them form a business all seemed rushed to me. Things started working out for them all and before you know it it is over. I wanted a little payback for all the hard times, a little more good times.

If I was to nominate this book for an award it would be: Best Book to share with your best friends

Remember Me?

Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

What was this book about?
Lexi Smart wakes up in a hospital after an accident, thankfully she really isn’t hurt badly. Unfortunately, the accident she remembers is one that occurred 3 years ago, not the one that just occurred the day before. She has lost three years of her life through amnesia.

She has to spend the next days figuring out what happened to her life in the last three years. Who is her husband? What kind of life does she have? Why does she look the way she does? Who are her friends? This shows you how much things can change in a short period of time, and how everyone’s perception of reality really doesn’t help the person whose life it is.

What was your favorite part about this book?
I like how it made me think about how actions and events can affect your life in ways you may not realize. Because of the slowness in which life evolves, sometimes you just don’t notice how life has changed and how you ended up being the person you are today.

What was your least favorite part about this book?
Nothing

What genre would you consider this?
Fiction

Overall: A-