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.

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.