books Books BOOKS

I've been a terrible blogger lately.  I've been super busy trying to get back into the swing of things, going back to school, work, it's been hectic!!

I've finished "The Last Letter from your Lover" by JoJo Moyes.. it was INCREDIBLE!!!

"The Friday Night Knitting Club" & "Knit Two" both by Kate Jacobs.

I actually picked those two up because I read "Comfort Food" also by Kate Jacobs and absolutely loved it!!

Before that it was "The Girl who stopped swimming" by Joshilyn Jackson, which was positively haunting.  Seriously, I adored it!! 

Somewhere in the middle of all those was "Sing you Home" by Jodi Picoult.

"Hope in a Jar" & "Thin Rich Pretty" by Beth Harbison. 

Last but not least of course were "Perfect Little Ladies" & "Good Little Wives"

It's a wonder that I've had time for anything else with all the reading, but seriously.. It's my favorite leisure activity, so don't judge me.

Secrets of a Shoe Addict

Another great girly book by the extrodinarily talented Beth Harbison.  It took me like 4 hours to read, but it was awesome!! I love books about the strong relationships between friends.  Check it out for yourself!! I purchased the hard cover edition from the BAM bargain section!! Best $5.47 I've ever spent!! Get yourself a copy!!

Confessions of a Rebel Debutante

I just finished this fantastic little book. Set in Burlington, NC (only 30 minutes from yours truly!!) It was a fun, even if a little slow at times.  It was a fun little autobiography of one girl growing up, and growing into herself. 

Plus, I love any book that's filled with Scarlett references..

Shoe Addicts Anonymous

I recently went on a Books-A-Million excursion and I was super proud of myself for my purchases.  For Maddie's birthday, I got her a BAM gift card. She likes to watch MTV and "hates to read".  She read the Twilight series, but  lets face it.. Who didn't?! I, a complete book nut, in an effort to get her to read more, drag her to BAM on a weekly basis hoping she'll find a book she likes (usually I find like 28 books that I like).  Anyway.. I picked up 4 books (3 of them from the Bargain section).  This book caught my eye (1 guess as to why).

I simply devoured it!!! It was absolutely adorable.  I'm trying not to label books as "quick reads" because, a quick read for me (1-2 days, mostly because I usually only read at night for an hour or two) would take my dear mom, 3 weeks. She tends to forget she's reading a book, where as I think about the books I'm reading off and on throughout the day!!

Anyway, Shoe Addicts Anonymous, is a charming story of 4 women with secrets, who come together in a bond of sisterhood... Designer Shoes!! Lorna, a 30 something waitress with a mountain of debt. Helene, the unfortunate victim of a controlling husband. Sandra, an overweight phone sex operator with agoraphobia. Finally, Jocelyn, a young nanny forced to work for an over-zealous boss with secrets of her own. The result is Adorable. A perfect pick for a summer read, or a  girly book club!!

Pospect Park West

My Dear friend Jerrica {View her Blog here} convinced me to pick this book up, and I was super glad that I did!!!  It was a really fun, quick read, full of lesbian longing, affairs, drug use, and Babies!!! Ha ha.. It sounds odd I know, but I thoroughly enjoyed it!!

A delightful summer read, though not suitable for the kiddos!!

I am Plum Crazy about these books!!!

I finished all of the published Stephanie Plum books!!! All of my copies (5 & 7-17) have been mailed off to my friend Cate, who will the mail them to Kara, who will then mail them off to Danielle.  Thanks to Janet Evanovich and Sara G (who first introduced me to the books), the Military Brides board on The Knot has established "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Books"

Seriously, The books are incredible and YOU should pick them all up!!

Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum Series

I am in LOVE with this series. The books are absolutely incredible.

There are 16 published, and the 17th due out this summer.

They are about Stephanie Plum, a former lingerie buyer turned Bounty Hunter. Let me tell you, she's not great. She gets lucky and in the end, always gets her man/woman/or midget.. The hilarious cast of characters includes: Vinnie, Stephanie's cousin/boss who has a nasty fetish for bestiality. Lula a reformed hooker. Stud Muffin cop, Joe Morelli. Mentor/Bounty Hunter/Man of Mystery Ranger. My personal favorite, Grandma Mazur, who frequently carries a sawed off shotgun in her handbag.

If you're looking for a new book series, or just some fun beach reading for the summer, I give these books like a million thumbs up!!

Lies that Chelsea Handler told me...

As promised.. although.. promised to who? myself? my 1 follower/best friend? Anyway...

I pre-ordered this book 2 weeks before it came out, and as a HUGE Chelsea Handler fan. I dvr anything even remotely related to her, and watch it over and over and over. She puts a smile on my face and makes me LOL, always. I want to know her personally, because I think we'd get along famously. On to the book review..

This book was unlike her other 3 books. While the first 3 were written by Chelsea, about her shenanagins, this book was written by her staff, family and friends. All about the pranks she plays on them, and as the title suggests, the lies she tells them. She is soo funny. This book only dissapointed me in that fact that she is not as vocal in this book. She writes a little blurb at the end of each chapter, and includes lots of pictures. I Love pictures. I love her family. It makes me wish I were Jewish and part of a big family. The Handler Clan seem to have so much fun. Plus, can you imagine what working at Chelsea Lately would be like? Thankfully "After Lately" gave us a glimpse into the highly dysfunctional yet highly productive team that produces and writes, and lets face it dresses, the cast of "Chelsea Lately"

Back to the book.. It's great. I'm glad that in addition to being so funny herself, she surrounds herself with other funny people. Bottom line.. I Loved it. Others may not because it's not written by Chelsea, but I Loved it.

Next up, is "You'll never Blue Ball in this town" by Heather McDonald. I hope it makes me like her more, because I find her the most annoying person on Chelsea Lately. I feel like I should at least admire her because she was a 27 year old virgin and a mother of boys.. Hmm.. We'll see!!

 

Last Night at Chateau Marmont..

First off, Let me just say that I am a slightly boring individual, and I read really fast so.. Book reviews will happen quite frequently..

Okay, so on my aforementioned road trip yesterday I read "Last Night at Chateau Marmont" by Lauren Weisberger. I've really liked her first 3 books, and "The Devil Wears Prada" is one of my favorite movies, this book did not disappoint. It was a fun quick little read about a hardworking wife who works 2 jobs to support her aspiring musician husband. The book goes by quickly detailing his rise to fame and the subsequent demise of their marriage.. Will the Alter's survive? Read it to find out!! and perhaps while you're at it, you'll pick up some of the author's earlier work. What I love about Lauren Weisberger's work is her ability to blend the current and real with her made up brand of fun. Her mentions of real celebritys like John Mayer and Jay Z with the fake sleazy agent "Leo".

Plus.. who doesn't love books with shoes on the covers?!

I'm about to finish "Lies that Chelsea Handler told Me" so I'll probably review that tomorrow!!

Bossypants...

I'm currently reading "Bossypants" by Tina Fey.. I got it to entertain me on my trip from WA to NC. It's pretty good, but it's not what I was expecting. I enjoyed the beginning, reading about Ms. Fey's childhood, and how she got her start in "show business" (spoiler: summer theater).  I got lost somewhere in the middle when she starts talking about business. Blah Blah Blah, I don't care too much how many writers and producers they have on SNL or 30 Rock, Nor do I care about the Harvard graduate to Actor ratio. I like to laugh. I wanted to laugh. I wanted to annoy the person next to me on my 6 hour flight with my constant giggles. Alas, I think I have possibly laughed out loud 3 times with this book. She does give a funny takes on photoshop, breast feeding, and how she got her scar. She discuses in depth how the now famous Sarah Palin impersonation came about, and how she was admittedly condescending towards her when they met in person.

 I guess the bottom line, for me at least, if you're a Fey fan, It's a good read, if for no other reason, than to know a little bit more about her. If you'd like to know and understand the inner workings of SNL or creating and producing 30 Rock,  pick it up!! But if none of these things interest you, then it's a pass for sure.