- Stay home
- Stay warm
- Stay safe
The snow is definitely fun to play in but not so fun to drive in.
Friday, December 19, 2008
To all of those being hit by a lot of snow.
The snow is definitely fun to play in but not so fun to drive in.
Noontime Book Chat - Like Glass
Today - is Café of Dreams turn.
I hope you will join us. The schedule is below:
Monday: J. Kaye's Book Blog
Tuesday: Socrates' Book Reviews
Wednesday: A Blog of Books
Thursday: Things We Read
Friday: Café of Dreams
What do you do? Visit each of these websites around noon (we all post at noon during our time zone so... there is a little variation). Comment on the book if you have read it etc.
Thanks so much!
I hope you will join us. The schedule is below:
Monday: J. Kaye's Book Blog
Tuesday: Socrates' Book Reviews
Wednesday: A Blog of Books
Thursday: Things We Read
Friday: Café of Dreams
What do you do? Visit each of these websites around noon (we all post at noon during our time zone so... there is a little variation). Comment on the book if you have read it etc.
Thanks so much!
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Lost and Found
Lost and Found by Carolyn Parkhurst
What was this book about?
Laura and Cassie are mother and daughter who have a big secret. Each were wrapped up in their own world not paying attention to the other. One wanted anyone to notice her. When the secret is revealed Laura decides that she needs to find a way of healing that relationship.
So they join the crew of a reality TV show where they travel the world solving puzzles. There they meet several other contestants that have their own questions and problems.
Juliet is a former child star that wants more then anything to be famous again. Can she deal with the fact that she is no longer someone that everyone wants to be around?
Carl has a son who has been sick – he is divorced and alone. So when the opportunity comes up to join in the game with his brother – he decides to do it!
Justin and Abby are former homosexuals (or so they say) that have been saved by God. They are now married and spend all their time together. They are interested in using the show to explain to the world that others can be helped like them. Are Justin and Abby denying their true selves? What will happen if they figure out that things aren’t totally what they seem to be?
Add in a TV show that wants to get the most drama out of everything. The executives know their secrets and will exploit them if they can.
What did you think about the book?
I really liked this book. I have to admit I was never a huge fan of The Amazing Race – but I have seen it a few times. And while this reality show isn’t totally like it – it is close in many ways.
I was expecting the book to be just about the mother and daughter relationship of Cassie and Laura – but it really was so much more then that. It was the relationship of several people on the show and how each affected the other. Their reasons for being on it etc.
I will definitely be passing this book on as a recommendation – a great introspection on who we are as people and how our decisions affect others.
What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics
Overall:
Question for You!
If you could go on any reality show – what would it be an why?
What was this book about?
Laura and Cassie are mother and daughter who have a big secret. Each were wrapped up in their own world not paying attention to the other. One wanted anyone to notice her. When the secret is revealed Laura decides that she needs to find a way of healing that relationship.
So they join the crew of a reality TV show where they travel the world solving puzzles. There they meet several other contestants that have their own questions and problems.
Juliet is a former child star that wants more then anything to be famous again. Can she deal with the fact that she is no longer someone that everyone wants to be around?
Carl has a son who has been sick – he is divorced and alone. So when the opportunity comes up to join in the game with his brother – he decides to do it!
Justin and Abby are former homosexuals (or so they say) that have been saved by God. They are now married and spend all their time together. They are interested in using the show to explain to the world that others can be helped like them. Are Justin and Abby denying their true selves? What will happen if they figure out that things aren’t totally what they seem to be?
Add in a TV show that wants to get the most drama out of everything. The executives know their secrets and will exploit them if they can.
What did you think about the book?
I really liked this book. I have to admit I was never a huge fan of The Amazing Race – but I have seen it a few times. And while this reality show isn’t totally like it – it is close in many ways.
I was expecting the book to be just about the mother and daughter relationship of Cassie and Laura – but it really was so much more then that. It was the relationship of several people on the show and how each affected the other. Their reasons for being on it etc.
I will definitely be passing this book on as a recommendation – a great introspection on who we are as people and how our decisions affect others.
What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics
Overall:
Question for You!
If you could go on any reality show – what would it be an why?
Noontime Book Chat - Like Glass
Today - is Things We Read.
I hope you will join us. The schedule is below:
Monday: J. Kaye's Book Blog
Tuesday: Socrates' Book Reviews
Wednesday: A Blog of Books
Thursday: Things We Read
Friday: Café of Dreams
What do you do? Visit each of these websites around noon (we all post at noon during our time zone so... there is a little variation). Comment on the book if you have read it etc.
Thanks so much!
I hope you will join us. The schedule is below:
Monday: J. Kaye's Book Blog
Tuesday: Socrates' Book Reviews
Wednesday: A Blog of Books
Thursday: Things We Read
Friday: Café of Dreams
What do you do? Visit each of these websites around noon (we all post at noon during our time zone so... there is a little variation). Comment on the book if you have read it etc.
Thanks so much!
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Flirting with Forty
Because one of our winners of "Flirting with Forty" had already won a copy from another book blog we are able to give out one copy to a new winner!
Congrats!
- Theresa N
Congrats!
Noontime Book Chat - Like Glass
So today is my day to talk about "Like Glass" by Matthew Cory. I actually did a full review of this book sometime in the past. I really enjoyed it. But for the sake of the Noontime Book Chat - I am going to pretend that I didn't read the whole book but talk about something that someone else posed to me.
How do you feel about a book so much about emotions being told from a man's perspective? If you are a woman does that turn you off to a book? Does it make you want to read it more because it is unusual? What about if you are a man? Would you ever pick up a book like this?
When I originally wrote the review someone commented "Interesting that you liked that this is from the man's point of view. I was reading some publishing industry person recently who said that no one wants to read this sort of thing."
I read so very much that I found it to be refreshing to have a different sort of book on my bookshelf. What do you think about that?
Was there a line in the book (as far as you have read) that really stuck out to you as being something that touched you?
As a complete side note - I have communicated with Matthew Cory a few times (and even have an Author Spotlight up) and I find him to be a joy to "talk to" over email. And if you haven't already purchased his book - you should.
Now to move on with the story in terms of J. Kaye and Socrates'.
When he finds out his brother is dead - he goes to visit Janet and the kids. He hasn't spoken to her (or his brother in years). It is hard for him to deal with the death. Do you think he was right to separate from his brother like that?
Do you feel that Janet had the right to ask him to not attend the funeral? In some ways I understand it is hard for her to see him (considering their past relationship and the fact that the man she loved - her husband - died wanting a relationship with Rob). All of that would be a lot to get over. At the same time Rob is the brother. He also has to be grieving. And he was the one who was innocent in the original debacle.
I hope you will join the others posting. The schedule is below:
Monday: J. Kaye's Book Blog
Tuesday: Socrates' Book Reviews
Wednesday: A Blog of Books
Thursday: Things We Read
Friday: Café of Dreams
How do you feel about a book so much about emotions being told from a man's perspective? If you are a woman does that turn you off to a book? Does it make you want to read it more because it is unusual? What about if you are a man? Would you ever pick up a book like this?
When I originally wrote the review someone commented "Interesting that you liked that this is from the man's point of view. I was reading some publishing industry person recently who said that no one wants to read this sort of thing."
I read so very much that I found it to be refreshing to have a different sort of book on my bookshelf. What do you think about that?
Was there a line in the book (as far as you have read) that really stuck out to you as being something that touched you?
As a complete side note - I have communicated with Matthew Cory a few times (and even have an Author Spotlight up) and I find him to be a joy to "talk to" over email. And if you haven't already purchased his book - you should.
Now to move on with the story in terms of J. Kaye and Socrates'.
When he finds out his brother is dead - he goes to visit Janet and the kids. He hasn't spoken to her (or his brother in years). It is hard for him to deal with the death. Do you think he was right to separate from his brother like that?
Do you feel that Janet had the right to ask him to not attend the funeral? In some ways I understand it is hard for her to see him (considering their past relationship and the fact that the man she loved - her husband - died wanting a relationship with Rob). All of that would be a lot to get over. At the same time Rob is the brother. He also has to be grieving. And he was the one who was innocent in the original debacle.
I hope you will join the others posting. The schedule is below:
Monday: J. Kaye's Book Blog
Tuesday: Socrates' Book Reviews
Wednesday: A Blog of Books
Thursday: Things We Read
Friday: Café of Dreams
The Devil Can Wait
The Devil Can Wait by Marta Stephens
What was this book about?
Several teenagers have turned up washed up and dead. Sam Harper needs to figure out what is going on and why. As additional murders crop up he figures out that it all seems to be connected to this so-called cursed black pearl ring that used to be the ring of a pope.
Can Sam find out in time whether the curse is real? Can he figure out how the ring is connected to the teenagers? What about Jennifer Blake, the writer who gets involved with the ring's story and ends up risking her life to find out the truth of it?
What did you think about the book?
There was a lot going on in the book. The first character that I really liked - you saw a little bit of and then nothing else happened. So that was a bit disappointing to me.
I have never read any of the other Sam Harper books that Marta Stephen's has written so I don't know if I had read them - if I would have liked Sam more - or gotten to know him better.
The mystery part of it - figuring out who had killed the teenagers and why, was interesting. And there was a lot of promise in the sub-plot of the cursed black pope ring. I think it was just all put together a little too quickly. You kept finding new characters and another sub-plot going on before I was totally ready to focus on something else.
So if you want a fast paced book that has a touch of mystery and action this is probably a good one for you.
What genre would you consider this?
Mystery
Overall:
Question for You!
Do you believe in prophesies?
What was this book about?
Several teenagers have turned up washed up and dead. Sam Harper needs to figure out what is going on and why. As additional murders crop up he figures out that it all seems to be connected to this so-called cursed black pearl ring that used to be the ring of a pope.
Can Sam find out in time whether the curse is real? Can he figure out how the ring is connected to the teenagers? What about Jennifer Blake, the writer who gets involved with the ring's story and ends up risking her life to find out the truth of it?
What did you think about the book?
There was a lot going on in the book. The first character that I really liked - you saw a little bit of and then nothing else happened. So that was a bit disappointing to me.
I have never read any of the other Sam Harper books that Marta Stephen's has written so I don't know if I had read them - if I would have liked Sam more - or gotten to know him better.
The mystery part of it - figuring out who had killed the teenagers and why, was interesting. And there was a lot of promise in the sub-plot of the cursed black pope ring. I think it was just all put together a little too quickly. You kept finding new characters and another sub-plot going on before I was totally ready to focus on something else.
So if you want a fast paced book that has a touch of mystery and action this is probably a good one for you.
What genre would you consider this?
Mystery
Overall:
Question for You!
Do you believe in prophesies?
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Noontime Book Chat - Like Glass
Today - is Socrates' Book Reviews.
I hope you will join us. The schedule is below:
Monday: J. Kaye's Book Blog
Tuesday: Socrates' Book Reviews
Wednesday: A Blog of Books
Thursday: Things We Read
Friday: Café of Dreams
What do you do? Visit each of these websites around noon (we all post at noon during our time zone so... there is a little variation). Comment on the book if you have read it etc.
Thanks so much!
I hope you will join us. The schedule is below:
Monday: J. Kaye's Book Blog
Tuesday: Socrates' Book Reviews
Wednesday: A Blog of Books
Thursday: Things We Read
Friday: Café of Dreams
What do you do? Visit each of these websites around noon (we all post at noon during our time zone so... there is a little variation). Comment on the book if you have read it etc.
Thanks so much!
Monday, December 15, 2008
Noontime Book Chat - Like Glass
I have done these with J. Kaye from J. Kaye's Book Blog before and they are a lot of fun.
I hope you will join us. The schedule is below:
Monday: J. Kaye's Book Blog
Tuesday: Socrates' Book Reviews
Wednesday: A Blog of Books
Thursday: Things We Read
Friday: Café of Dreams
What do you do? Visit each of these websites around noon (we all post at noon during our time zone so... there is a little variation). Comment on the book if you have read it etc.
Thanks so much!
I hope you will join us. The schedule is below:
Monday: J. Kaye's Book Blog
Tuesday: Socrates' Book Reviews
Wednesday: A Blog of Books
Thursday: Things We Read
Friday: Café of Dreams
What do you do? Visit each of these websites around noon (we all post at noon during our time zone so... there is a little variation). Comment on the book if you have read it etc.
Thanks so much!
Winners - Flirting with Forty
Our randomly selected winners are:
- Sue A.
- dolls123
- The Giveaway Diva
- tetewa
- LazyDaisy0413
Sunday, December 14, 2008
This One is Mine
This One is Mine by Maria Semple
What was this book about?
Violet Perry has it all. A husband who I a rock and roll manager. A wonderful toddler daughter. More money then she can figure out what to do with. But she feels like something is missing. The years have taken their toll on their marriage. She feels as if David and her are growing apart – resentments are building up.
When she meets musician Teddy Reyes she can’t help but be attracted to the fact that he is different and new. But Teddy isn’t ready to give Violet what she wants and she must deal with.
Meanwhile David’s sister Sally is ready to finally get it all for herself. She is single and has been looking for the man that will make a difference in her life. She has one on the hook. He doesn’t know it but he is going to be famous and what Sally wants more then anything is a man with money, power, and fame. And she will do anything to get him to be her husband.
Things aren’t always what they seem in relationships – whether they are between brother and sister, husband and wife. This book explores those relationships and how just one person can change everything for everyone.
What did you think about the book?
At points I liked this book, at points I found it a little slow for my taste, but the ending for me redeemed it all.
I think all the characters are interesting and unique. There interactions are telling – they are normal people with flaws and inner thoughts that are a bit disturbing at times.
The idea of a fast life with all sorts of extras in some ways appeals to me in terms of a story. The people that don’t have to worry about money, who have a life that I would never have (and honestly in some ways am glad will never have) full of people who want to use them for something.
I really liked how Maria Semple tied all of these people together with a small cord that you could see emerging at some point – but didn’t know how it would affect these people for the long run.
What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics
Overall:
Question for You!
What do you think it would be like to on the surface have it all? Do you think it is all it is cracked up to be?
What was this book about?
Violet Perry has it all. A husband who I a rock and roll manager. A wonderful toddler daughter. More money then she can figure out what to do with. But she feels like something is missing. The years have taken their toll on their marriage. She feels as if David and her are growing apart – resentments are building up.
When she meets musician Teddy Reyes she can’t help but be attracted to the fact that he is different and new. But Teddy isn’t ready to give Violet what she wants and she must deal with.
Meanwhile David’s sister Sally is ready to finally get it all for herself. She is single and has been looking for the man that will make a difference in her life. She has one on the hook. He doesn’t know it but he is going to be famous and what Sally wants more then anything is a man with money, power, and fame. And she will do anything to get him to be her husband.
Things aren’t always what they seem in relationships – whether they are between brother and sister, husband and wife. This book explores those relationships and how just one person can change everything for everyone.
What did you think about the book?
At points I liked this book, at points I found it a little slow for my taste, but the ending for me redeemed it all.
I think all the characters are interesting and unique. There interactions are telling – they are normal people with flaws and inner thoughts that are a bit disturbing at times.
The idea of a fast life with all sorts of extras in some ways appeals to me in terms of a story. The people that don’t have to worry about money, who have a life that I would never have (and honestly in some ways am glad will never have) full of people who want to use them for something.
I really liked how Maria Semple tied all of these people together with a small cord that you could see emerging at some point – but didn’t know how it would affect these people for the long run.
What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics
Overall:
Question for You!
What do you think it would be like to on the surface have it all? Do you think it is all it is cracked up to be?
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched
Queen of Babble Gets Hitched by Meg Cabot
What was this book about?
Lizzie Nichols thinks that the world is finally becoming right. She is a designer who takes old dresses and makes them new again. She has become renowned after finishing a dress for a famous couple.
The only thing in Lizzie’s life that isn’t going exactly as planned is her love life. She broke up with her boyfriend and hooked up with his best friend - Chaz. Magically the ex comes back and offers her every reason to get back together and get engaged.
Lizzie doesn’t know what her feelings are for Chaz. She is fighting between those feelings and the panic that she feels about marrying Luke. Can she figure out which relationship is best for her before it is too late?
What did you think about the book?
For a little while into the book I had forgotten that I read the prequel to this book. But once I got started the world of Lizzie Nichols came flooding back to me. I do think that whoever reads this should probably read the books before it. But I don’t necessarily think it is required.
Lizzie is fun – without being overly dramatic. It would be very easy to hate a girl who hooked up with her ex’s best friend the minute they broke up (not to mention her best friends ex – even if her best friend is gay now – doesn’t mean that it isn’t trespassing a little).
You do spend the whole book liking Chaz way more then her current fiancé so you really do want to see them together.
If you want a light and fun book with some relationship drama thrown in – this is the book for you.
What genre would you consider this?
Romance/Family Dynamics
Overall:
Question for You!
Have you ever been in a relationship mainly because it is comfortable to you? Not because you think it is the best thing for you?
What was this book about?
Lizzie Nichols thinks that the world is finally becoming right. She is a designer who takes old dresses and makes them new again. She has become renowned after finishing a dress for a famous couple.
The only thing in Lizzie’s life that isn’t going exactly as planned is her love life. She broke up with her boyfriend and hooked up with his best friend - Chaz. Magically the ex comes back and offers her every reason to get back together and get engaged.
Lizzie doesn’t know what her feelings are for Chaz. She is fighting between those feelings and the panic that she feels about marrying Luke. Can she figure out which relationship is best for her before it is too late?
What did you think about the book?
For a little while into the book I had forgotten that I read the prequel to this book. But once I got started the world of Lizzie Nichols came flooding back to me. I do think that whoever reads this should probably read the books before it. But I don’t necessarily think it is required.
Lizzie is fun – without being overly dramatic. It would be very easy to hate a girl who hooked up with her ex’s best friend the minute they broke up (not to mention her best friends ex – even if her best friend is gay now – doesn’t mean that it isn’t trespassing a little).
You do spend the whole book liking Chaz way more then her current fiancé so you really do want to see them together.
If you want a light and fun book with some relationship drama thrown in – this is the book for you.
What genre would you consider this?
Romance/Family Dynamics
Overall:
Question for You!
Have you ever been in a relationship mainly because it is comfortable to you? Not because you think it is the best thing for you?
Friday, December 12, 2008
A Jolly Good Fellow
A Jolly Good Fellow by Stephen V. Masse
What was this book about?
Duncan Wagner has had a tough life. He is barely making ends meet and he is doing it through illegal means. But he has a plan that will make things better. He chooses his prey and picks up the young son of a prominent politician. He is going to kidnap the kid and make his father pay ransom.
But Gabriel Booker, the child, can't help but not behave in the way that Duncan expects. He wants to be friends with his kidnapper. The child teaches Duncan some lessons in life and gives him the chance to redeem himself. What does this child mean to Duncan?
What did you think about the book?
To start with Stephen wrote a guest post for me that I really enjoyed. I gave him free reign and told him to write whatever he wanted - finding that an open field can sometimes give me the best insight into the author. He chose to wrote about book blogs. I found the post to be fun and interesting and I really enjoyed it. It made me want to pick up his book.
So that is what I did - I picked it up. Overall I enjoyed it. It jumps right into the story which in some ways are good because it leaves you guessing - wondering what is going on and how things came to be the way they were. Why the guy wanted to kidnap this kid?
The only thing I didn't like about it was I just wasn't sure if the guy was a good guy. And it scared me. I didn't want the guy to turn out to be some evil guy looking to find a kid and do bad things to him. I guess that is my problem that I immediately think of that sort of thing. I admit that you should feel sorry for any future children that I have because I will be a bit overprotective (which I have to say is nothing compared to my husband).
Anyways I have said it before. I enjoy that a man would write about something that isn't classic literature written by a man (not a mystery, science fiction, thriller etc). It emotes feelings and thoughts. It isn't something I see enough of.
What genre would you consider this?
Fiction
Overall:
Question for You!
What guest posts or bloggers have you read - that makes you want to read their book?
What was this book about?
Duncan Wagner has had a tough life. He is barely making ends meet and he is doing it through illegal means. But he has a plan that will make things better. He chooses his prey and picks up the young son of a prominent politician. He is going to kidnap the kid and make his father pay ransom.
But Gabriel Booker, the child, can't help but not behave in the way that Duncan expects. He wants to be friends with his kidnapper. The child teaches Duncan some lessons in life and gives him the chance to redeem himself. What does this child mean to Duncan?
What did you think about the book?
To start with Stephen wrote a guest post for me that I really enjoyed. I gave him free reign and told him to write whatever he wanted - finding that an open field can sometimes give me the best insight into the author. He chose to wrote about book blogs. I found the post to be fun and interesting and I really enjoyed it. It made me want to pick up his book.
So that is what I did - I picked it up. Overall I enjoyed it. It jumps right into the story which in some ways are good because it leaves you guessing - wondering what is going on and how things came to be the way they were. Why the guy wanted to kidnap this kid?
The only thing I didn't like about it was I just wasn't sure if the guy was a good guy. And it scared me. I didn't want the guy to turn out to be some evil guy looking to find a kid and do bad things to him. I guess that is my problem that I immediately think of that sort of thing. I admit that you should feel sorry for any future children that I have because I will be a bit overprotective (which I have to say is nothing compared to my husband).
Anyways I have said it before. I enjoy that a man would write about something that isn't classic literature written by a man (not a mystery, science fiction, thriller etc). It emotes feelings and thoughts. It isn't something I see enough of.
What genre would you consider this?
Fiction
Overall:
Question for You!
What guest posts or bloggers have you read - that makes you want to read their book?
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Check it out - iheartdaily.com
As some of you may know, Anne Ichikawa and Melissa Walker started a website called iheartdaily.com, which is basically a daily newsletter and site for teen girls. Like many of their projects, the idea started out in our imaginations. Or was it when Anne and I were watching "Oprah" one day...in any case, somehow this idea actually became a reality! They officially launched yesterday and now they are a true blue entity on the internets! Look, there's even an article about us: http://www.foliomag.com/2008/ex-ellegirl-editors-launch-e-newsletter-teen-girls.
You should definitely sign up!
You should definitely sign up!
American Wife
American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld
What was this book about?
This is the book of an average American girl who grows up to become the first lady of the white house. The girl definitely isn’t perfect –she is even involved in a car accident in her teens that kills someone. She has now married into the powerful Blackwell family and she must learn to navigate through it and her life.
Alice Lindgren is bookish and loves being a librarian. She is the only child of her two parents and is raised also by her grandmother (who has her own secrets). So she – a staunch Democrat – never saw herself giving up her politics or her own career to be the wife of Republican politician. Yet when she meets Charlie rather later on in her life (compared to many women of the time) she can’t help but be drawn to him.
The years pass and he makes his way through the political circuit with her by his side. But it isn’t always easy.
What did you think about the book?
I was really excited when I heard about this book. It was controversial with it being loosely based on Laura Bush’s life (or at least had some similar experiences though since it is not a memoir all details/thoughts are fiction) and of course I expected some extra drama thrown in. But when it came down to reading it – I just couldn’t get that in to it.
I think part of it for me was I spent the whole time picturing Laura and George bush when they spoke or were intimate. While I appreciated the details it just wasn’t fast moving enough for me.
It is possible that at a different time it may intrigue me – but having tried two separate times to get into this book – I don’t think for me right now is it.
What genre would you consider this?
Fiction
Overall:
Question for you:
What expectations did you have of this book? Are there books that have totally exceeded your expectations? Or not even come close to them?
What was this book about?
This is the book of an average American girl who grows up to become the first lady of the white house. The girl definitely isn’t perfect –she is even involved in a car accident in her teens that kills someone. She has now married into the powerful Blackwell family and she must learn to navigate through it and her life.
Alice Lindgren is bookish and loves being a librarian. She is the only child of her two parents and is raised also by her grandmother (who has her own secrets). So she – a staunch Democrat – never saw herself giving up her politics or her own career to be the wife of Republican politician. Yet when she meets Charlie rather later on in her life (compared to many women of the time) she can’t help but be drawn to him.
The years pass and he makes his way through the political circuit with her by his side. But it isn’t always easy.
What did you think about the book?
I was really excited when I heard about this book. It was controversial with it being loosely based on Laura Bush’s life (or at least had some similar experiences though since it is not a memoir all details/thoughts are fiction) and of course I expected some extra drama thrown in. But when it came down to reading it – I just couldn’t get that in to it.
I think part of it for me was I spent the whole time picturing Laura and George bush when they spoke or were intimate. While I appreciated the details it just wasn’t fast moving enough for me.
It is possible that at a different time it may intrigue me – but having tried two separate times to get into this book – I don’t think for me right now is it.
What genre would you consider this?
Fiction
Overall:
Question for you:
What expectations did you have of this book? Are there books that have totally exceeded your expectations? Or not even come close to them?
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Divorcing Dwayne
Divorcing Dwayne by J.L. Miles
What was this book about?
Francine Harper is a small town girl who found the love of her life and was starting to move on with her married life. When all of a sudden she finds her husband in bed with his ex-girlfriend stripper. She does what any woman would do - she shoots at hiim and ends up in jail.
Her time in jail has changed Francine. She must rely on her family and friends to get her out of this mess. Her man - Dwayne - wants her back - but does she want him? When her crime ends up making her a celebrity - Francine is brought into the world of movies and all the things that brings with it - fame, love, and pain.
Add on to this the fact that Dwayne disappears and she is wanted for his murder. Francine can't help but think that Dwayne is alive but messed up in something that he shouldn't be (gasp - the mob!).
What did you think about the book?
Parts of this book I really enjoyed while other parts left me wanting more. If you want to read about small town country living this is the book for you. Everyone knows everyone else's business (for better or worse).
I thought I would really like the twist of the movies coming to town and liking Francine (and hiring her) would be great. And I really did love how she got all these fans and became a spokesperson for a cause (without speaking or intending to represent anything). I guess for me the hard part was the description of Francine and how she could become this hot actress/love interest if she was dumpy and unsure of herself (like her description). Also I just didn't like Dwayne. You spend the whole book supposed to hating him you just can't believe he will be redeemed.
While I think some people would really enjoy this book - for me it was only so/so.
What genre would you consider this?
Fiction
Overall:
Question for You!
Do you believe that once a cheater is always a cheater? Would you go back to someone who had repetitively cheated on their partners?
What was this book about?
Francine Harper is a small town girl who found the love of her life and was starting to move on with her married life. When all of a sudden she finds her husband in bed with his ex-girlfriend stripper. She does what any woman would do - she shoots at hiim and ends up in jail.
Her time in jail has changed Francine. She must rely on her family and friends to get her out of this mess. Her man - Dwayne - wants her back - but does she want him? When her crime ends up making her a celebrity - Francine is brought into the world of movies and all the things that brings with it - fame, love, and pain.
Add on to this the fact that Dwayne disappears and she is wanted for his murder. Francine can't help but think that Dwayne is alive but messed up in something that he shouldn't be (gasp - the mob!).
What did you think about the book?
Parts of this book I really enjoyed while other parts left me wanting more. If you want to read about small town country living this is the book for you. Everyone knows everyone else's business (for better or worse).
I thought I would really like the twist of the movies coming to town and liking Francine (and hiring her) would be great. And I really did love how she got all these fans and became a spokesperson for a cause (without speaking or intending to represent anything). I guess for me the hard part was the description of Francine and how she could become this hot actress/love interest if she was dumpy and unsure of herself (like her description). Also I just didn't like Dwayne. You spend the whole book supposed to hating him you just can't believe he will be redeemed.
While I think some people would really enjoy this book - for me it was only so/so.
What genre would you consider this?
Fiction
Overall:
Question for You!
Do you believe that once a cheater is always a cheater? Would you go back to someone who had repetitively cheated on their partners?
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Testimony
Testimony by Anita Shreve
What was this book about?
Three teenage boys and a very young woman are engaged in sexual activity on a video tape. It is found and turned in to their private high school - Avery Academy. Because the boys are all 18 and 19 years old and the girl is only 14 years old they can't help but think that the boys are at fault.
The town, the families, and the boys are all devestated. The headmaster can't help but realize that he is partially at fault for how things turned out. This book is a "recap" of what happened and why. Everyone has their own point of view.
What did you think about the book?
It took me a little while to get into the book but I did enjoy it. It made me made because I really did feel for the boys and I felt that the girl was definitely at least partially at fault. Yes they were older and should have known better.
This was one of those books that if I had children I would almost be interested in having them read. Why? Because life isn't fair. You can have good intentions (or at least not bad ones) and something can happen that can ruin your life and the life of everyone you know with one fell swoop. So many teens think they are invincible and that their actions don't matter - but they do.
What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics
Overall:
Question for You!
What did you do as a teen that you know now was a bad idea - and you were just lucky?
What was this book about?
Three teenage boys and a very young woman are engaged in sexual activity on a video tape. It is found and turned in to their private high school - Avery Academy. Because the boys are all 18 and 19 years old and the girl is only 14 years old they can't help but think that the boys are at fault.
The town, the families, and the boys are all devestated. The headmaster can't help but realize that he is partially at fault for how things turned out. This book is a "recap" of what happened and why. Everyone has their own point of view.
What did you think about the book?
It took me a little while to get into the book but I did enjoy it. It made me made because I really did feel for the boys and I felt that the girl was definitely at least partially at fault. Yes they were older and should have known better.
This was one of those books that if I had children I would almost be interested in having them read. Why? Because life isn't fair. You can have good intentions (or at least not bad ones) and something can happen that can ruin your life and the life of everyone you know with one fell swoop. So many teens think they are invincible and that their actions don't matter - but they do.
What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics
Overall:
Question for You!
What did you do as a teen that you know now was a bad idea - and you were just lucky?
Monday, December 8, 2008
The Misadventures of Oliver Booth
The Misadventures of Oliver Booth by David Desmond
What was this book about?
Oliver Booth is a wannabe high society antiques dealer. He will do whatever he can to be a part of the "better" class and he believes that he belongs there.
Oliver has a hard time hiring clerks - but feels like he may have hit the jackpot when he finds frenchman Bernard. Bernard is a great clerk in his antique shop.
When society head Margaret Van Buren meets Oliver and Bernard she decides to teach Oliver a lesson. She hires Bernard and Oliver to go to Paris and find antiques for her guest house. She knows that Bernard is the brains and so what happens to Oliver is a hilarious set of pain to Oliver.
What did you think about the book?
There were parts of this book that I really loved and others I was lukewarm about. I think that if I had visited the places the book was talking about I probably would have enjoyed it even better. I have never been to Palm Beach - but even without that I can guess that some of the attitudes are definitely accurate.
It was definitely fun to see Oliver Booth get what was coming to him. He was a really unlikeable charecter (by design).
I think my favorite part of it thought - was the interaction between Bernard and Martin. The kid was bright and wanted attention and Bernard gave it to him while teaching him a lesson.
What genre would you consider this?
Fiction
Overall:
Question for You!
Is there a place that you have visited that you loved reading a book about? If so what book?
What was this book about?
Oliver Booth is a wannabe high society antiques dealer. He will do whatever he can to be a part of the "better" class and he believes that he belongs there.
Oliver has a hard time hiring clerks - but feels like he may have hit the jackpot when he finds frenchman Bernard. Bernard is a great clerk in his antique shop.
When society head Margaret Van Buren meets Oliver and Bernard she decides to teach Oliver a lesson. She hires Bernard and Oliver to go to Paris and find antiques for her guest house. She knows that Bernard is the brains and so what happens to Oliver is a hilarious set of pain to Oliver.
What did you think about the book?
There were parts of this book that I really loved and others I was lukewarm about. I think that if I had visited the places the book was talking about I probably would have enjoyed it even better. I have never been to Palm Beach - but even without that I can guess that some of the attitudes are definitely accurate.
It was definitely fun to see Oliver Booth get what was coming to him. He was a really unlikeable charecter (by design).
I think my favorite part of it thought - was the interaction between Bernard and Martin. The kid was bright and wanted attention and Bernard gave it to him while teaching him a lesson.
What genre would you consider this?
Fiction
Overall:
Question for You!
Is there a place that you have visited that you loved reading a book about? If so what book?
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Cutting Loose
Cutting Loose by Susan Andersen
What was this book about?
Jane, Ava, and Poppy inherit a mansion and all of its contents from a dear old friends of theirs. Their own friendship had been formed many years before when they got everything they needed from each other – if not from their families.
Each woman has a task to help bring this mansion back to order. Jane, a museum curator, is in charge of taking all the old collections that had been donated to her museum and catalog them – getting them ready for an exhibit. But once she meets Devlin she can’t keep her mind on the job. Dev is everything she always told herself she didn’t want – and yet she can’t stop thinking about him (neither can he).
Can Jane put aside her preconceived notions and let herself be in a relationship with him? What about her collection? Where are some of the pieces going to? Is there someone out to get her and ruin this for her?
What did you think about the book?
For a fun, flirty, romance novel – this was just what the doctor ordered. The main character was someone you could identify with. She hadn’t had the perfect life, she has best friends who love her so much, and she has ideas of where her life is going. Of course that isn’t how life usually works. Throw in a believable sub-plot of a mystery/theft going on and a man who is hot and you have this book in a nutshell.
You like her and you like Dev. In fact while reading the book I was sad that so many of his family were married (it meant we couldn’t see more books about them). They were so much fun! I love the back and forth snarky comments that were between Jane and Dev, and even their families.
So if you are looking for something light and entertaining this will definitely be the book for you. I was even a little disappointed when I went to Susan Andersen’s website and found out I have till next Summer before I will get Poppy’s book. I wanted it now!
What genre would you consider this?
Romance
Overall:
Question for you:
Do you have a big family? Or small family? How does that impact how you view relationships?
What was this book about?
Jane, Ava, and Poppy inherit a mansion and all of its contents from a dear old friends of theirs. Their own friendship had been formed many years before when they got everything they needed from each other – if not from their families.
Each woman has a task to help bring this mansion back to order. Jane, a museum curator, is in charge of taking all the old collections that had been donated to her museum and catalog them – getting them ready for an exhibit. But once she meets Devlin she can’t keep her mind on the job. Dev is everything she always told herself she didn’t want – and yet she can’t stop thinking about him (neither can he).
Can Jane put aside her preconceived notions and let herself be in a relationship with him? What about her collection? Where are some of the pieces going to? Is there someone out to get her and ruin this for her?
What did you think about the book?
For a fun, flirty, romance novel – this was just what the doctor ordered. The main character was someone you could identify with. She hadn’t had the perfect life, she has best friends who love her so much, and she has ideas of where her life is going. Of course that isn’t how life usually works. Throw in a believable sub-plot of a mystery/theft going on and a man who is hot and you have this book in a nutshell.
You like her and you like Dev. In fact while reading the book I was sad that so many of his family were married (it meant we couldn’t see more books about them). They were so much fun! I love the back and forth snarky comments that were between Jane and Dev, and even their families.
So if you are looking for something light and entertaining this will definitely be the book for you. I was even a little disappointed when I went to Susan Andersen’s website and found out I have till next Summer before I will get Poppy’s book. I wanted it now!
What genre would you consider this?
Romance
Overall:
Question for you:
Do you have a big family? Or small family? How does that impact how you view relationships?
Friday, December 5, 2008
Winner - The American Journey Of Barack Obama by The Editors of LIFE Magazine
Our randomly selected winner is:
- Bookfool
Win a Copy of Jane Porter's Flirting with Forty
Win a copy of Jane Porter's Flirting with Forty.
We will be giving away 5 copies.
Same rules apply as usual -
Please comment below if you are interested. Be sure to include some way for me to contact you (if I can't find you I can't get you the book). One person will be drawn at random on Dec. 12. So enter now!
This contest is eligible to those 18 years of age that are residents of the US and Canada. We will not be able to mail to P.O. Boxes. One entry per person.
All entries are due by December 12th - so enter now!
Flirting with Forty
Airs December 6th on Lifetime at 9 PM/8 Central!
See Other Jane Porter Books:
- THE FROG PRINCE
- FLIRTING WITH FORTY
- ODD MOM OUT
- MRS PERFECT
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