Friday Finds -- 7/31

My Friday find this week is Dancing with Ana by Nicole Baker.

Here is the description from the author's website:

Sixteen year old Beth Baxter’s life merely resembles the one she’s always known. Her father has left. She is falling for Jeremy Duscana and the diet she started has somehow turned into an obsession. Yet her three best friends remain the same, always there for her. But even their love can’t save her from herself.

I am really looking forward to reading this. What was your Friday Find?

Review -- A Reliable Wife

A Reliable Wife
by Robert Goolrick
Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2009
291 pages
Received from: the library

Summary: Ralph Truitt, a rich Wisconsin businessman, advertises for a wife and chooses to marry Catherine Land, a women with a secretive past. Taking place at the turn of the twentieth century, Ralph and Catherine try to build a future together while the sins of their past come back to haunt them.

Review: A Reliable Wife is the story of people with terrible pasts who are grasping for second chances. The writing has a lyrical quality and the reader is able to ponder the thoughts and feelings of characters who refuse to show their true selves to anyone. The characters are awful people, who have made tremendous mistakes and must live with them. Some seek forgiveness, while others try anything to change the course of their destiny. Yet through the language the reader is kept separate from them, watching from above as they live their day-to-day lives. The plot does have some twists and turns, but there no shock and awe. You know the characters are capable of anything. Overall, an engrossing read that makes you think even after the last page is read. Rating: **** out of 5.

Barney's Online Book Club -- Vote for the August book!

Time to chose a new book for the month of August! Here are your choices taken from member recommendations:

1. Testimony by Anita Shreve
2. Julie & Julia by Julie Powell
3. Royal Blood by Rona Sharon
4. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
5. April and Oliver by Tess Callahan

In the comments section, tell me your first and second choice. All the titles are linked to their Barnes and Noble page, please take a few minutes to read the summaries and physical descriptions. Please also make sure that the book is available in your area.

If you are not on the email list, please leave me your email address so I can add you. New members are always welcome! If you are on the email list, you will receive book club news and links to all the posts. I will not count your votes if you are not on the email list. The voting will end on July 31st at 8pm EST. The results will be posted on August 1st and the discussion will take place on Sunday, August 30th. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at jedziedz@hotmail.com.

Review -- Burn

Burn
by Linda Howard
Random House, 2009
384 pages


Summary: Jenner Redwine's life is turned upside down when she wins the lottery. As friends and family disappoint her, she seeks refuge in Miami. There she meets Sydney, a debutant with self-esteem issues. The two become friends and decide to go on a charity cruise for fun. But nothing goes as planned when Sydney is kidnapped before she reaches the boat and Jenner is forced to play a part in the kidnapper's plans.


Review: I absolutely loved the beginning of this book. The story of Jenner and how she wins the lottery and how it alters her life is compelling. It isn't until the second part of the story when Sydney is held by kidnappers that the story gets a little out of hand. With that said, this story is the perfect escape. Yes, the plot is a little far fetched and the romance is a little forced, but the characters are wonderful and the book allows your imagination to go places you 've never been before (let's hope). Rating: *** out of 5.