Wednesday, April 30, 2014

The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc by Loraine Despres

Really good book. Definitely not what I thought it would be (which was a light and fluffy classic chick lit- southern style) and although it was southern through and through and started off as a slightly edgy story turned dark about the second third of the way in and I was hooked. Some of it was a little strange, like I thought hmmm I wouldn't act that way if that happened, but with all stories there has to be a slight suspension of disbelief (even in the straight up non-surreal fiction) and I was riveted and happy with the ending even though I didn't see it coming. I enjoyed it and was sad to think the author didn't go on to write a bunch of books. so boo on that.

Glitter and Glue, a memoir by Kelly Corrigan

I lost my mom last year. And I tend to avoid things I can't relate to but with this book I think it's a first step to Step Up To The Plate, as they say. And then, just when I thought it was going to be all lovey dovey me and my mom and this great relationship and everything's perfect--- SMACK wake up!!! It wasn't. It was a story completely different from what I had thought. (I should be used to being wrong by now). It is about mother -daughter relationships, but it's filtered though Corrigan's early adulthood when she went on a trip with her friend and ended up being a nanny for a family that had recently lost the mother to cancer. We don't know a whole lot about the mother but we see in short vignette chapters Corrigans realizations about life and parents and what it means to be a parent. We aren't force fed information about that stuff but rather led gently with a lot of lightheartedness as well as sweet emotional tugging. I didn't cry like I read a lot of reviewers did but then again I kind of have numbed myself to that. It was a quick read, definitely worthwhile whether you are focused on mom-daughter relationships or not.

The Theory of Opposites by Allison Winn Scotch

I don't know what made me respond to a facebook post about her e-book being 1.99 because I had tried her other books and they didn't take. This one caught me and took me right away to a non-chicky-lit place but was still somewhat a romance. What I liked the most was the philosophy of life in terms of fate and free will and how you think you're life is going. I liked the balance of the theories and the pace of what was going on. What if your spouse wanted to take a break and what if you rekindle something with an old boyfriend that you should have never said no to? Throw in the aspect of possible motherhood and facing your parents ideas of life and choice and you got a great read. I highly recommend this book to people who aren't into straight up girly reads but also appreciate something somewhat light but thoughtful.

Man and Boy by Tony Parsons

Of the Jonathan Tropper, Nick Hornby sort.. It's not often I am able to browse a bookstore for the sheer purpose of finding a book. I go through all these rituals of checking reviews and reading sample chapters so i don't feel like i am wasting time or money on a book. To just walk and look at titles and pick something and look at it just as it is is a huge gamble of the literary sorts. But that's how I came across Tony Parsons book Man and Boy and I'm so happy I did. A plain looking book with just shoes, a mans and boys shoes and a couple of blurbs were enough to make me want to risk using the rest of my gift card and hope for the best. 2 days later and I'm in love in the same way I loved Nick Hornby's British style of writing in the domestic issues from a man's POV. I love these books - life like stories with hints of humour throughout. I liked Harry Silver. He's flawed (of course) but the story goes and is edited in just the write places not droning on too much and not skipping too much either. It's about making a crappy stupid mistake and then moving on but also dealing with the aftermath. It's a chick lit/dick lit read that I am happily moving on to the 2nd in the series (yay!! so happy there was a follow up) carry on, readers, carry on.

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler

I have been disappointed in books lately. Or it could be my skittish mind refusing to get hooked but this one was a sight for sore eyes. It is part scenic description of what it would feel like to be from a Midwestern town but not overboard (Steinbeck, anyone?) and it's also part family and friendship. In fact, I'd go as far as to say it could have been written about 4 women as instead of the 4 leading men, Henry, Lee, Kip and Ronny. I don't need to summarize the story but it's just good to know that it's from different points of view, all adding the necessary ingredient to bring the richness to the story, how each of the men's lives mix in and effect each other. We get to see lines blurred and crossed and the aftermath. I have read that some people questioned the ending. It's sort of open ended/abrupt but I didn't think it detracted anything. I loved the writing and seeing what led the characters to where they stood. Do know that it jumps back and forth a bit but it's no confusing if you're a close reader.

Me and Miss M by Jemma Forte

A cute british lit book about a personal assistant who truly wants to be an actress so takes a job as a PA to get as close as possible to hollywood (her boss is a famous american star). She is also a world class bitch, real diva type. There's love and drama and all the qualities you'd expect from a classic chick lit book. I don't do too many of these but this was delicious! Libraries around here don't have it so hit me up if you wanna borrow my copy.

The One Plus One by Jojo Moyes

OMG. Seriously ... 10 stars. It blew me away. 500pages Phhhhhhht done. And most of it took place in a car! I don't know what to say, the summary doesn't do it justice. I didn't even like Me before You but this, not THIS has got to be one of the best novels I have read in a long time. It's inspiring realistic just fantastically written. It's humorous but not funny. Just great. Some love, some triumph some defeat, ALL GOOD. WOW.

With or Without You by Helen Warner

hmmmm. wow. I don't know what to say about this one. It was like a juicy soap opera but it also rang true. I guess the best of both worlds when you're looking to slip right in to a story and not feel like it's cheesy or too riddled with subtle meaning to pick through. Just a good old fashioned story that hit a few nerves but in a good way. What happens when your spouse cheats? Do you forgive? Do you walk away immediately? Does it matter if there are children involved? These are a few of the questions taken into consideration in this well crafted tale. It kept me guessing until the very last page. Bravo, Ms. Warner, Bravo.

Paint me a Monster by Janie Baskin

Read this on my kindle which I only do if I can't get it from the library and it's cheaper than a paperback. And I can't wait. This one was okay. It a come of age story, very short chapters about a girl who is growing up with a mom who's basically in her own world. It's borderline abuse I think and painful to read but very good.

The Headmaster's Wife by Thomas Christopher Green

Pretty good. I was a little bored with the first half. Not that it wasn't written well, it was just humdrum affair blah blah jealousy blah blah blah. But then as expected from the other reviews BAM!!! and you're like Whaaaaaat the F.......? then you get to know the other character and then it comes together and it's a worthwhile read. I liked it a lot. Nothing fantastical about the end but not all stories require such flash. I liked it. Quick travel read is my recommendation.

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

OMG GET THiS GET THIS!! Check it OUT RIGHT NOW!!! or put it on hold!! Short...semi-sweet...a little tiny bit sad... but YUMMY. I love that writers usually throw in the subject of books in their literary pursuits. And for people who adore reading what better material than a bookstore...add to that the work of publishing and book reps etc. This is the story of A.J. Fikry who is a little jerky in the beginning, a little stuck in his ways but opens up quite quickly when he finds a baby in his store left for his caretaking. It's a little humorous shot through with book recommendations and love and overall a very quick delightful read. Maybe I didn't love the ending but not because it was a bad ending like the writer sucks at endings, just a personal opinion. Definitely recommend.

Tempting Fate by Jane Green

Haven't been able to finish a Jane Green book. Often I can't get into it and writing is kind of cheap or cliched and I want to like it since the summary is interesting but this was the first one I finished. I liked it and it was almost painful to read because of the material at hand but a good ending, perhaps not entirely believable but hopeful. About an affair. About a woman who, yes she has it all, but does she really when she's swept off her feet so easily?

Then and Always by Dani Atkins

Had I known what a mystery this was I might not have applied for it from Netgalley. But so glad I did. Rachel Wiltshire is 18 and getting ready to go to college. She has a handsome boyfriend and a childhood best friend who is a boy and there's a little triangle going on but then an accident happens. Fast forward 5 years and things are different. Rachel has recovered but she's engaged now. Somethings not right. Her best friend is dead. 5 years ahead again and Rachel has lost the past. It might be amnesia but she remembers things that she shouldn't. And her best friend is alive. Don't want to give too much away but everything was done so well. It was so interesting and I usually don't like mysteries. I was kept turning the page wondering what the hell was going to happen until the end and even then I was a little confused but it was all good. This was a really really good book.