Friday, December 31, 2010

Friday Finds -- 12/31

Happy Friday! My Friday Find is Riding with the Queen by Jennie Shortridge. Here is the Barnes and Noble description:

Full of big dreams of the fast life, Tallie Beck hit the road at the age of seventeen to become a rock 'n roll star-and vowed never to look back. Now, at thirty-four, she's little more than a down-and-out singer who smokes and drinks too much and knows better than to make promises she can't keep. Dumped by her latest band and low on cash, Tallie has no choice but to go back to Denver. Back to her crazy mother, and her resentful younger sister, Jane, who's never forgiven her for leaving. But seeing her family again after all these years stirs something unexpected in Tallie. And after so many miles on that long, exhilarating, scary-and often lonely-road, she's looking back to trace some wrong turns, and figure out the way to where she really wants to go...

What is your Friday Find?

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Book Club Spotlight -- Ines of My Soul by Isabel Allende

One of the books that the library book club will be reading over the next few months is Ines of My Soul by Isabel Allende. Here is the Barnes and Noble description:

Born into a poor family in Spain, Ines works hard to make ends meet. It is the sixteenth century, and when her shiftless husband disappears to the New World, Ines uses the opportunity to search for him as an excuse to flee her stifling homeland and seek adventure. After her treacherous journey takes her to Peru, she learns that her husband has died in battle. Soon, she begins a fiery love affair with a man who will change the course of her life.

I have started this book and am really enjoying it. Unbelievable description of how they lived makes it hard to put down. Have you read this? If so, what did you think?

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Book Club Spotlight -- Finny by Justin Kramon

One of the books the library book club will be reading over the next few months is Finny by Justin Kramon. Here is what Publisher's Weekly had to say:

In his impressive debut, Kramon takes on a number of familiar coming-of-age plots -- small town fish out of water adolescence, frustrated first love, boarding school friendships, big city escapes -- and pulls it off with flair and humor.

Sound good, right? Have you read this? If so, what did you think?

3 W Wednesdays -- 12/29

This meme is hosted by Should Be Reading.

What are you currently reading? I just started When She Flew by Jennie Shortridge.

What have you recently finished reading? I just finished Love and Biology at the Center of the Universe by Jennie Shortridge (review to come), Last Night at Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisberger, and One Day by David Nicholls (click on title to read my review).

What are you planning on reading next? Not sure. I have one more Jennie Shortridge book on the bookcase -- Riding with the Queen. I also have Nancy Martin's newest -- Our Lady of Immaculate Deception.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Review -- Last Night at Chateau Marmont by Lauren Weisberger

Last Night at Chateau Marmont
by Lauren Weisberger
Simon and Schuster Adult, 2010
370 pages
*I borrowed this book from the library.

Summary: Brooke and Julian have been married for five years. She is a nutritionist who works two jobs, supporting her husband so he can work on his music career. When Julian's record comes out and an appearance on Jay Leno makes him a celebrity, Brooke is left alone in New York and hounded by the paparazzi. Will their marriage survive the roller coaster ride of being a celebrity?

Review: I have to say that out of all the Lauren Weisberger novels (Everyone Worth Knowing, The Devil Wears Prada, and Chasing Harry Winston) -- this is my favorite so far. I enjoyed the character of Brooke and could sympathize with her as she struggles to make her marriage work. I thought she was a great character -- down to earth and interesting. Overall, the book was a bit disappointing. The plot was a bit predictable and the supporting characters were kind of dull. However, it was a quick easy read that was entertaining. Rating: *** out of 5.


Have you read this book? If so, leave a link to your review in the comments section!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Review -- One Day by David Nicholls


One Day
by David Nicholls
Knopf Doubleday, 2010
437 pages
*I won a copy of this book from the publisher.

Summary: Dexter and Emma are connected by the one day they spent together after graduating from college. As they go their separate ways and become different people, they continue to stay connected through letters and eventually become best friends.

Review: Through 'snapshots' of one day (July 15) over the course of twenty years, author David Nicholls describes the relationship between two people as they journey to find themselves and their way through life. The novel is entertaining, the characters are interesting and real, and the novel is (at times) heartbreaking. Emma and Dexter are wonderful characters, who are perfect for one another, but the reader is allowed the time to see them grow and mature both in and out of their relationship. A wonderful read. Rating: **** out of 5

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Book Club Selections


The local book club that I belong to chose these books to discuss over the next six months:


Finny by Justin Kramon
Ines of My Soul by Isabel Allende
House Rules by Jodi Picoult
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks
The Book Club by Mary Alice Munroe
Someone Knows My Name by Lawrence Hill

I will be highlighting each of these books in future posts. I have already started Ines of My Soul and am really enjoying it.

Have you read any of these books? If so, did you like / dislike any of them?