Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
Shortly after I vowed to read every book Sophie Kinsella has ever written, I found this book on my living room bookshelf. And I mean really shortly after, as in 20 minutes after! A few (or more) weeks ago my sister in-law lent it to me but I had not been particularly motivated to read it because it was in actual book form and not on my beloved Kindle. But, after the last book I read and loved by this author (which I read this afternoon) I had to immediately read this book. And even though it seemed like kind of a fat book it was a very quick read because I started it at the girls bathtime and finished it by 10:00.
It was about a woman who was visited by the ghost of her late great-aunt Sadie who needs her help to find a missing necklace. Apparently she cannot "move on" or whatever you want to call it until this last request is accomplished. I thought Sadie was kind of annoying but I still liked the book. Kinsella has a way of writing her FMCs that I like, even though they often embarass the living daylights out of themselves. It is funny and they always recover and fall in love with dashing Americans (or at least they have in the last two books I read) And they are definitely not the typical romance novel - maybe because they are considered chick-lit? I am not entirely sure.
But I am moving forward with my quest. I plan to read all of her single titles first and then re-read the shopaholic series.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
No. 121: Can You Keep a Secret?
Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella
I totally loved this book. It was so funny and good I almost didn't leave to pick the girls up from daycare. And as soon as I got home and got them some dinner I started reading again until I finished. I mean, I really liked it, one of the best books I have read in a long time.
I always forget how much I appreciate a funny book - like Janet Evanovich and sometimes Suzanne Brockmann I love a book that is funny but still has a plot. I don't know if I would call this more of a chick lit or a romance - but there was definitely a focus on the relationships of the FMC. Particularly her relationship with Jack.
The book starts out with the FMC traveling back to London after a semi-disastrous work meeting in Scotland. As she is flying home the plane goes through some serious turbulence and thinking they are going to crash and die, she spills all of her deepest secrets to the guy sitting next to her. Of course he is the owner of the company she works for and hijinks ensue. Very funny hijinks.
Anyway, it was such a good book that I have now officially decided to read (or re-read) every book she has ever written! Wish me luck!!!
I totally loved this book. It was so funny and good I almost didn't leave to pick the girls up from daycare. And as soon as I got home and got them some dinner I started reading again until I finished. I mean, I really liked it, one of the best books I have read in a long time.
I always forget how much I appreciate a funny book - like Janet Evanovich and sometimes Suzanne Brockmann I love a book that is funny but still has a plot. I don't know if I would call this more of a chick lit or a romance - but there was definitely a focus on the relationships of the FMC. Particularly her relationship with Jack.
The book starts out with the FMC traveling back to London after a semi-disastrous work meeting in Scotland. As she is flying home the plane goes through some serious turbulence and thinking they are going to crash and die, she spills all of her deepest secrets to the guy sitting next to her. Of course he is the owner of the company she works for and hijinks ensue. Very funny hijinks.
Anyway, it was such a good book that I have now officially decided to read (or re-read) every book she has ever written! Wish me luck!!!
No. 120: Sizzle
Sizzle by Julie Garwood
Julie Garwood decided to release this new book on my anniversary - wasn't that a nice present! I actually bought it the day it came out and stayed up very late to read it. And I liked it. I have said many times that I don't like her contemporary books as well as I do her historical ones. And I mean it. In the hierarchy of my favorite Garwood books it goes 1) Scottish historicals 2) all other historicals, 3) contemporary serial killer books that freak me out, and finally 4) all other contemporary books. This book would happen to fall into the last category but luckily for me I still liked it better than most other contemporary romances!
This book had a little mystery, a little attempted homicide, a slightly crazy/deluded hit man and a super hot Scottish FBI agent. Those are the kind of things I can get behind in a book. Maybe for my next anniversary present she will head back to the highlands for the whole story instead of just the end!!!
Julie Garwood decided to release this new book on my anniversary - wasn't that a nice present! I actually bought it the day it came out and stayed up very late to read it. And I liked it. I have said many times that I don't like her contemporary books as well as I do her historical ones. And I mean it. In the hierarchy of my favorite Garwood books it goes 1) Scottish historicals 2) all other historicals, 3) contemporary serial killer books that freak me out, and finally 4) all other contemporary books. This book would happen to fall into the last category but luckily for me I still liked it better than most other contemporary romances!
This book had a little mystery, a little attempted homicide, a slightly crazy/deluded hit man and a super hot Scottish FBI agent. Those are the kind of things I can get behind in a book. Maybe for my next anniversary present she will head back to the highlands for the whole story instead of just the end!!!
No. 119: Pirate Latitudes
Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crighton
I have read several books my Michael Crighton before, and I have enjoyed them all. This is his newest book and it was good, but I wouldn't say one of his best. It was kind of strange but it seemed like this was more of a movie treatment than a book. I didn't think there was as much character development - I couldn't really get into their motivations. It was all action, drama, action, drama. And it was good action and drama, don't get me wrong, but it was missing something for me. I couldn't care enough about what was happening. In fact, I actually put the book down for the night and went to bed half way through. And I almost always have to finish a book before I can sleep. And when I picked it up the next night, I finished it quickly so I could move on to something else. Something I did read all in one night (and stayed up very late to finish!)
But I bet it would make a great movie. I wonder if that is the plan...
I have read several books my Michael Crighton before, and I have enjoyed them all. This is his newest book and it was good, but I wouldn't say one of his best. It was kind of strange but it seemed like this was more of a movie treatment than a book. I didn't think there was as much character development - I couldn't really get into their motivations. It was all action, drama, action, drama. And it was good action and drama, don't get me wrong, but it was missing something for me. I couldn't care enough about what was happening. In fact, I actually put the book down for the night and went to bed half way through. And I almost always have to finish a book before I can sleep. And when I picked it up the next night, I finished it quickly so I could move on to something else. Something I did read all in one night (and stayed up very late to finish!)
But I bet it would make a great movie. I wonder if that is the plan...
No. 118: The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow
The Prayers of Agnes Sparrow by Joyce Magnin
Yet another free book, but this one is something a lot different. The narrator is Griselda Sparrow, sister of Agnes Sparrow. Agnes is a 600 something pound woman who makes miracles happen. I seriously have no idea how the author came up with this plot, but it was so interesting. Agnes, who confined herself to her home after becoming too fat to get around easily began praying for the townspeople and miracles started happening. A mysterious stranger comes to town hoping that Agnes can make a miracle happen for him. There are a couple of unusal twists, things I didn't really see coming. But I would recommend this book because it is not like any thing I have read before. And since I want people to read it I am not going to spoil it :)
Yet another free book, but this one is something a lot different. The narrator is Griselda Sparrow, sister of Agnes Sparrow. Agnes is a 600 something pound woman who makes miracles happen. I seriously have no idea how the author came up with this plot, but it was so interesting. Agnes, who confined herself to her home after becoming too fat to get around easily began praying for the townspeople and miracles started happening. A mysterious stranger comes to town hoping that Agnes can make a miracle happen for him. There are a couple of unusal twists, things I didn't really see coming. But I would recommend this book because it is not like any thing I have read before. And since I want people to read it I am not going to spoil it :)
Sunday, December 20, 2009
No. 117: Irresistible Forces
Irresistible Forces by Brenda Jackson
This was another FREE!!!! book from Amazon. I am on a spending freeze until after Christmas so I can afford all the presents I bought since I am not working. This is very unfortunate for me because I love to buy books, especially for my beloved kindle. But, at least there are some free books out there for me. Even if they are less than great.
Like this book for example. Not great, not even good really. Kind of bad if I am being honest. I knew straight off that I wouldn't like it, but I was desperate. The plot is this - a young professional (rich) woman decides that she wants to have a baby but is not interested in having a relationship to get one. So she thinks of the most perfect guy she can - a client of hers - who is also SUPER RICH and hot and SURPRISE, he wants a baby too but doesn't want to get married and he thinks she is hot so he decides to go for it.
So basically the whole plot is trying to get this woman knocked up. And clearly they are going to fall in love. And spoiler alert - they totally succeed in getting her pregnant in the one week they spend together. And the dialogue was horrible. And, the other thing that really bothered me was that the author "told" me a lot more than she "showed" me. It was very annoying. But FREE!!!
This was another FREE!!!! book from Amazon. I am on a spending freeze until after Christmas so I can afford all the presents I bought since I am not working. This is very unfortunate for me because I love to buy books, especially for my beloved kindle. But, at least there are some free books out there for me. Even if they are less than great.
Like this book for example. Not great, not even good really. Kind of bad if I am being honest. I knew straight off that I wouldn't like it, but I was desperate. The plot is this - a young professional (rich) woman decides that she wants to have a baby but is not interested in having a relationship to get one. So she thinks of the most perfect guy she can - a client of hers - who is also SUPER RICH and hot and SURPRISE, he wants a baby too but doesn't want to get married and he thinks she is hot so he decides to go for it.
So basically the whole plot is trying to get this woman knocked up. And clearly they are going to fall in love. And spoiler alert - they totally succeed in getting her pregnant in the one week they spend together. And the dialogue was horrible. And, the other thing that really bothered me was that the author "told" me a lot more than she "showed" me. It was very annoying. But FREE!!!
No. 116: Once a Cowboy
Once a Cowboy by Linda Warren
So I was looking for a western or cowboy book and I found this one for free on Amazon! Free!!! But, unfortunately it wasn't THAT great or that much about a cowboy. And it had, perhaps, one of the top 10 worst romance novel lines of all time. But more about that later.
So in this book the FMC is a private detective who gets a new client, an older woman who is looking for her son who was stolen from the hospital as a baby 40 years ago. She brings in some pictures from the paper of a cowboy who she thinks is her long lost son. So she tries to figure out if this famous bull rider is really the baby that was stolen. The main plot was actually really good and interesting. But about half way through the book the author starts to go a bit crazy with the mystery past thing - no one in this book as a regular life. It is non-stop tragedy and craziness. I think if she would have pulled it back a little it would have been a good book.
But, there is the line - and it is terrible. And it is repeated at least 3 if not 4 times in different ways. Here you go - are you ready? The MMC is freaking out, worrying about the DNA test or something and he is out riding with his two best friends - he leaps off his horse, flings out his arms and yells "How do you fix a broken cowboy?!?!?!?!" Is that not awful? I laughed out loud, it was so dreadful. But do you know what is (almost) worse? The answer. You fix a broken cowboy with the love of a good woman.
So I was looking for a western or cowboy book and I found this one for free on Amazon! Free!!! But, unfortunately it wasn't THAT great or that much about a cowboy. And it had, perhaps, one of the top 10 worst romance novel lines of all time. But more about that later.
So in this book the FMC is a private detective who gets a new client, an older woman who is looking for her son who was stolen from the hospital as a baby 40 years ago. She brings in some pictures from the paper of a cowboy who she thinks is her long lost son. So she tries to figure out if this famous bull rider is really the baby that was stolen. The main plot was actually really good and interesting. But about half way through the book the author starts to go a bit crazy with the mystery past thing - no one in this book as a regular life. It is non-stop tragedy and craziness. I think if she would have pulled it back a little it would have been a good book.
But, there is the line - and it is terrible. And it is repeated at least 3 if not 4 times in different ways. Here you go - are you ready? The MMC is freaking out, worrying about the DNA test or something and he is out riding with his two best friends - he leaps off his horse, flings out his arms and yells "How do you fix a broken cowboy?!?!?!?!" Is that not awful? I laughed out loud, it was so dreadful. But do you know what is (almost) worse? The answer. You fix a broken cowboy with the love of a good woman.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
No. 115: At Home in Stone Creek
At Home in Stone Creek by Linda Lael Miller
I was trying to feed my new-found cowboy addiction by reading this book - another in the Stone Creek series. But tragically it turns out that this is set in the present and there were no cowboys to speak of. Very disappointing.
While there were no cowboys, there was a retired country music star, a mysterious toxin, a drug dealer, a kitten, a fake death and cherry crepes. Also people that can hear/talk to animals. So not a complete loss :)
Also, this book was an actual BOOK - in book form, not on the kindle. It was soooo hard to turn all those pages. Just terrible, I am exhausted :)
I am going to need to find a good cowboy book now. Maybe something about the rodeo.
I was trying to feed my new-found cowboy addiction by reading this book - another in the Stone Creek series. But tragically it turns out that this is set in the present and there were no cowboys to speak of. Very disappointing.
While there were no cowboys, there was a retired country music star, a mysterious toxin, a drug dealer, a kitten, a fake death and cherry crepes. Also people that can hear/talk to animals. So not a complete loss :)
Also, this book was an actual BOOK - in book form, not on the kindle. It was soooo hard to turn all those pages. Just terrible, I am exhausted :)
I am going to need to find a good cowboy book now. Maybe something about the rodeo.
Nos. 108 - 114 Meredity Gentry Series 1 - 7
Meredith Gentry Series 1 - 7 by Laurell Hamilton
I decided to write about this series as one post because all the books run together and I read most of them in a row so while I remember what happened in the series, I have no idea what happened in each individual book.
Speaking of individual books, this series has some of the WORST titles I have ever had the misfortune to come across:
1. A Kiss of Shadows (starts out okay - and this one was FREE!)
2. A Caress of Twilight (already going downhill)
3. Seduced by Moonlight (lame)
4. A Stroke of Midnight (getting kind of creepy now)
5. Mistral's Kiss (doesn't fit in with the rest - and they did more than kiss if you know what I mean)
6. A Lick of Frost (really creepy double meaning when there is a character named Frost)
7. Swallowing Darkness (extra super creepy double meaning when there is a character named Darkness)
She started to lose me by about book number 3 with the titles but SERIOUSLY!!! I would not be able to buy these books in the store (thank goodness I have Kindle or I would never know how the series turns out)
I am not even entirely sure why I keep reading the series anyway. I don't really like it at all. It is not my genre of romance - more fairy/fantasy with a good helping of erotica thrown in. I like to be able to read my books with out my delicate sensibilities being offended and I don't like blushing, even in the privacy of my own home. But, there is something about the story line that makes me want to find out how it ends. So I end up reading as fast as humanly possible over the more graphic parts. Which happens quite a bit unfortunately. Although in one book she went like 4 whole chapters without having sex with someone. Which was a record.
The plot involves a fairy princess (seriously) from the Unseelie court of the Fae. I don't really want to go into too much detail because it would take forever, but she needs to get knocked up to inherit her evil Aunt's throne (she is Queen of the Unseelie) and save all of Fae-kind. Anyway, she basically HAS to sleep with like a million guys until she gets pregnant. So she does, a lot. And a TON of other weird, creepy, disturbing and gross stuff happens. I really have to say I would not reccommed this series or any of the books in it to anyone. In fact, the whole time I was reading I kept thinking "why am I reading this?" but I am compelled to finish a series. No matter how unpleasant.
You might be wondering why I have not purchased and read the recently released 8th (and hopefully last) book in this series. Well, because I will never in a million years pay $13.00 for a Kindle book in this series. Forget about it. I will wait until it is cheaper or I will read it at the library or Barnes and Noble. So I will post about that one when I read it. For the record, it is called Divine Misdemeanors which does NOT fit in with her trend of terrible titles. What is up with this Hamilton person - where is the consistency?!?!?
I decided to write about this series as one post because all the books run together and I read most of them in a row so while I remember what happened in the series, I have no idea what happened in each individual book.
Speaking of individual books, this series has some of the WORST titles I have ever had the misfortune to come across:
1. A Kiss of Shadows (starts out okay - and this one was FREE!)
2. A Caress of Twilight (already going downhill)
3. Seduced by Moonlight (lame)
4. A Stroke of Midnight (getting kind of creepy now)
5. Mistral's Kiss (doesn't fit in with the rest - and they did more than kiss if you know what I mean)
6. A Lick of Frost (really creepy double meaning when there is a character named Frost)
7. Swallowing Darkness (extra super creepy double meaning when there is a character named Darkness)
She started to lose me by about book number 3 with the titles but SERIOUSLY!!! I would not be able to buy these books in the store (thank goodness I have Kindle or I would never know how the series turns out)
I am not even entirely sure why I keep reading the series anyway. I don't really like it at all. It is not my genre of romance - more fairy/fantasy with a good helping of erotica thrown in. I like to be able to read my books with out my delicate sensibilities being offended and I don't like blushing, even in the privacy of my own home. But, there is something about the story line that makes me want to find out how it ends. So I end up reading as fast as humanly possible over the more graphic parts. Which happens quite a bit unfortunately. Although in one book she went like 4 whole chapters without having sex with someone. Which was a record.
The plot involves a fairy princess (seriously) from the Unseelie court of the Fae. I don't really want to go into too much detail because it would take forever, but she needs to get knocked up to inherit her evil Aunt's throne (she is Queen of the Unseelie) and save all of Fae-kind. Anyway, she basically HAS to sleep with like a million guys until she gets pregnant. So she does, a lot. And a TON of other weird, creepy, disturbing and gross stuff happens. I really have to say I would not reccommed this series or any of the books in it to anyone. In fact, the whole time I was reading I kept thinking "why am I reading this?" but I am compelled to finish a series. No matter how unpleasant.
You might be wondering why I have not purchased and read the recently released 8th (and hopefully last) book in this series. Well, because I will never in a million years pay $13.00 for a Kindle book in this series. Forget about it. I will wait until it is cheaper or I will read it at the library or Barnes and Noble. So I will post about that one when I read it. For the record, it is called Divine Misdemeanors which does NOT fit in with her trend of terrible titles. What is up with this Hamilton person - where is the consistency?!?!?
No. 107: Kindred in Death
Kindred in Death by JD Robb
I actually read this book quite awhile ago but since I am so far behind on my posting I completely forgot about it! Luckily I have my Kindle which keeps all the books I read in one place so I don't lose it altogether.
I have read every book in this series. I like every book in the series - this is the 30th one!!! JD Robb (aka Nora Roberts) has the amazing ability to write both good love/romance and good gruesome crime and death. I like that even though every once and a while her bad guys totally creep me out!!!
This one completely creeped me out, and also made me very sad with his unfortunate choice of victims. I wasn't 100% sold on his motivation, but the more I think about it, I can buy it. I hate to give away too many details in these books because I know so many people read them.
I actually read this book quite awhile ago but since I am so far behind on my posting I completely forgot about it! Luckily I have my Kindle which keeps all the books I read in one place so I don't lose it altogether.
I have read every book in this series. I like every book in the series - this is the 30th one!!! JD Robb (aka Nora Roberts) has the amazing ability to write both good love/romance and good gruesome crime and death. I like that even though every once and a while her bad guys totally creep me out!!!
This one completely creeped me out, and also made me very sad with his unfortunate choice of victims. I wasn't 100% sold on his motivation, but the more I think about it, I can buy it. I hate to give away too many details in these books because I know so many people read them.
No. 106: A Precious Jewel
A Precious Jewel by Mary Balogh
This book tricked me into thinking it was new and good when in reality I had read it before and HATED it. And I HATED it this time too. In fact, I HATE it so much it I have to use caps when I write HATE.
Why did I HATE a book by one of my all time favorite authors? Author of one of my all time favorite series? (I am looking at you Slightly series) Creator of one of my all time favorite characters? (Wulf!) That is a good question.
First and foremost this is one of those terrible stories about a lady who has fallen on hard times though absolutely no fault of her own and has to become a prostitute. I think that is depressing. Then she meets a guy and even though he is totally paying her for sex, she falls in love with him. And he falls in love with her - even though he treats her like crap occasionally. But it can never be because she is a whore. I hate this kind of plot. I also thought the MMC was a slightly creepy jerk and the FMC was unsympathetic. I didn't care when her heart was broken - that is no good.
I am making a vow - no more books like this. Unless they are free. I can't turn down a free book no matter how terrible :)
Balogh has a new Regency series coming out this winter - I can't wait to read it because her new stuff is ONE MILLION times better than this early 90's nonsense.
This book tricked me into thinking it was new and good when in reality I had read it before and HATED it. And I HATED it this time too. In fact, I HATE it so much it I have to use caps when I write HATE.
Why did I HATE a book by one of my all time favorite authors? Author of one of my all time favorite series? (I am looking at you Slightly series) Creator of one of my all time favorite characters? (Wulf!) That is a good question.
First and foremost this is one of those terrible stories about a lady who has fallen on hard times though absolutely no fault of her own and has to become a prostitute. I think that is depressing. Then she meets a guy and even though he is totally paying her for sex, she falls in love with him. And he falls in love with her - even though he treats her like crap occasionally. But it can never be because she is a whore. I hate this kind of plot. I also thought the MMC was a slightly creepy jerk and the FMC was unsympathetic. I didn't care when her heart was broken - that is no good.
I am making a vow - no more books like this. Unless they are free. I can't turn down a free book no matter how terrible :)
Balogh has a new Regency series coming out this winter - I can't wait to read it because her new stuff is ONE MILLION times better than this early 90's nonsense.
No. 105: Snowbound
Snowbound by Janice Kay Johnson
This book was free! So I wasn't expecting much to be honest. But it was better than anticipated. The story starts when a teacher and her students get trapped in a snowstorm and become stranded (snowbound?) at a lodge owned by a veteran semi-recently returned from Iraq. He is, of course, damaged both physically and emotionally by war. Nevertheless, he is able to fall in love with the FMC in the short period of time she is stranded at the lodge. The feeling is mutual and she even returns to stay with him over the Christmas holiday.
But (and here is where things get kind of annoying) she gets pissed off when he won't tell her the terrible things he experienced during the war. I thought she was a jerk for trying to make him relive things that he clearly wasn't ready to deal with yet. So they kind of break it off for awhile. Later he decides he is ready to get some psychiatric help (maybe something a loving girlfriend could have proposed as a solution rather than breaking up with him?) and goes back to her after he is less crazy.
In sum - it was okay, better than I expected but I still thought the FMC was annoying. I am sensing an unpleasant trend. I might need to read some old favorites before the year is over to end on a good note!
This book was free! So I wasn't expecting much to be honest. But it was better than anticipated. The story starts when a teacher and her students get trapped in a snowstorm and become stranded (snowbound?) at a lodge owned by a veteran semi-recently returned from Iraq. He is, of course, damaged both physically and emotionally by war. Nevertheless, he is able to fall in love with the FMC in the short period of time she is stranded at the lodge. The feeling is mutual and she even returns to stay with him over the Christmas holiday.
But (and here is where things get kind of annoying) she gets pissed off when he won't tell her the terrible things he experienced during the war. I thought she was a jerk for trying to make him relive things that he clearly wasn't ready to deal with yet. So they kind of break it off for awhile. Later he decides he is ready to get some psychiatric help (maybe something a loving girlfriend could have proposed as a solution rather than breaking up with him?) and goes back to her after he is less crazy.
In sum - it was okay, better than I expected but I still thought the FMC was annoying. I am sensing an unpleasant trend. I might need to read some old favorites before the year is over to end on a good note!
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