Friday Finds -- 6/18

This meme is hosted by Should Be Reading.

My Friday Finds this week is Sally Koslow's new book, With Friends Like These! Here is a quick description from Sally Koslow's website:

Quincy, Talia, Chloe, and Jules met in the early nineties after answering a roommate ad for a Manhattan apartment. Despite having little in common, the women became fast friends. A decade later, their lives have diverged, though their ties remain strong.

I really enjoyed her previous novels, The Late Lamented Molly Marx and Little Pink Slips, so I can't wait to pick up her latest on August 10th.

What did you find this Friday?

Review -- The Late, Lamented Molly Marx

The Late, Lamented Molly Marx
by Sally Koslow
Random House, 2009
320 pages
Barney's Online Book Club July 2009

Summary: Molly Marx has been found dead by the side of the Hudson River but her spirit hovers in The Duration watching over the people in her life. As Molly watches them grieve and speculate on how she died, she remembers her life and the reason she was on the banks of the Hudson that fateful day.

Review: A novel about grief in its many forms, The Late Lamented Molly Marx is a gem of a book. Molly is a wonderful character -- frank, funny, and complex. She is real, flaws and all. Actually, all of the characters in Sally Koslow's book are compelling, woven around the mystery of Molly's death. The heart of the book lies in the choices that the characters make, some small and some not so, and how they lead to Molly's demise. The only part that felt rushed was the ending in which we find out the fate of Molly's family and friends and although it is very satisfying, I felt it was a tad rushed. Overall, a great novel that I recommend to readers who love a character driven mystery with a dollop of humor. Rating: **** out of 5.

Barney's Online Book Club -- July 2009 Discussion

Welcome to the first discussion post of Barney's Online Book Club! This month we are discussing The Late, Lamented Molly Marx by Sally Koslow. Below are questions to start the discussion, feel free to raise your own questions in the comments section. Please note that the questions and the comments sections may include spoilers! Read at your own risk. To learn more about the book, please visit Sally Koslow's website.


Let the discussion begin!

Discussion Questions

1. What are your overall impressions of Molly and the life she led?

2. What were your thoughts of The Duration? Do you think Molly found what she was looking for there?

3. What role do you think Barry played in Molly's death? Luke? Kitty?

4. What do you think was Lucy's true motivation for taking Annabel from school?

5. Who do you think sent the picture of Luke to the detective?

6. Do you think Molly should have divorced Barry and pursued her relationship with Luke? Why didn't she?

So comment away! And remember to come back throughout the day and reply to other members' comments.

Barney's Online Book Club -- July 2009 Discussion Date Reminder

Just a reminder that the Barney's Online Book Club discussion of The Late, Lamented Molly Marx will take place on Monday, July 27th. All are welcome to join in the discussion and anyone who would like me to send them an email when the discussion questions are posted can leave their email address in the comments section. If you received an email announcing this post, then you are already on the email list. Author Sally Koslow will be stopping by throughout the day to say hello and discuss her new novel, so we would like everyone to participate. If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments section or email me at jedziedz@hotmail.com. Hope to see you on Monday!

Saturday Stuff -- 7/18

This week has been a good week for reading. I was able to post three reviews: The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies, Need by Carrie Jones, and Mr and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy by Sharon Lathan . I also started the Stephanie Plum series and am currently reading the third book. Speaking about the Plum series, I am wondering if bloggers review every book they read. I tend to stay away from reviewing series that I have already started before I began blogging less than a year ago. Series such as Anita Blake or Sookie Stackhouse in which I have read every book, I shy away from reviewing. I think my reasoning is that I would hate to spoil the earlier books for a reader who has just started them. What about you? Do you review every book that you read? I also finished The Late, Lamented Molly Marx by Sally Koslow, which is the Barney's Online Book Club Selection for July 2009. The group will be discussing the book on July 27th and all are invited to join us. Author Sally Koslow will be stopping by throughout the day to say hello and discuss her new novel. I am really looking forward to this -- Sally's novel was absolutely wonderful and should make for an interesting discussion.
Last night I started A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick and after a slow start I am engrossed in the novel. For those who haven't come across this novel it is about a rich man who advertises for a wife and gets more than he bargins for.

How was your week of reading? What are you reading this Saturday?

It's Monday! What are you reading? -- 7/6

Currently Reading:
The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davis (Library Book Club Selection -- July 2009)
The Late, Lamented Molly Marx by Sally Koslow (Barney's Online Book Club Selection -- July 2009)
The Bronte Project by Jennifer Vandever
Lust, Lothing, and a Little Lip Gloss by Kyra Davis
Read / Reviewed / Reviews To Come:
Passion, Betrayal, and Killer Highlights by Kyra Davis-- review
Curse of the Spellmans by Lisa Lutz -- review
The Divorce Party by Laura Dave -- review
Obsession, Deceit, and Really Dark Chocolate by Kyra Davis -- review to come

The Frog Prince by Jane Porter -- review to come

Something Rotten by Alan Gratz -- review to come

Review -- Little Pink Slips

Little Pink Slips
by Sally Koslow
Published by Penguin, 2008
400 pages

Summary: Little Pink Slips is the story of Magnolia Gold, editor-in-chief of Lady magazine. When the company president decides to bring in Bebe Blake (a crass pseudo celebrity) to be the new face of the Magnolia's magazine, Mags must navigate the treacherous office politics while trying to keep her sanity.

Review: A fun and quick read, Little Pink Slips is filled with amusing characters and humorous situations. Magnolia is a great character, you can easily see how ambitious she is, but also down to earth and generous. I actually enjoyed the character of Bebe Blake as well. Most of the time, she is crude and awful to people, but she had moments of goodness as well. Author Sally Koslow keeps the prose action and comedy packed, making you want to keep reading about Magnolia's adventures. The ending was not my favorite (it was way too far fetched), but overall this was a fun read. Rating:*** out of 5

Friday Finds -- 5/1

My Friday Find this week!

I got an email from author Sally Koslow yesterday telling me about her new book, The Late, Lamented Molly Marx which is available starting May 19th. Until that book comes out, I thought I would read Sally's first book, Little Pink Slips, which sounds great. Here is the Barnes and Noble description:

Inspired by real-life events, Little Pink Slips is about the fall, rise, and sweet revenge of a woman who witnesses corporate shenanigans at their most flagrant. Filled with gossipy revelations about celebrity obsession and behind-the-scenes details of the media business in all its malfeasant glory, this novel is delicious, can't-stop-reading fun.

What are your Friday Finds this week?