Author: Jen Lancaster
Stars: 4.5
Review by: Bookworm237
Destination: Illinois
A memoir written by a self proclaimed "condescending, smart-ass, surly ex-sorority girl", who made an extremely large income as a VP at a big company and then was laid off and consequently lost her swanky apartment, had to sell all her designer handbags, borrow money from her parents, and move to what she calls "the 'hood". This book is her first and it is laugh out loud funny. Jen holds nothing back and she tells the 100% true story of her life and is not afraid to admit she was as bad as she comes across in the book. (As she so eloquently points out on the back cover of her book and in the prologue--she is the "tragic hero of the book, and the bitch had it coming".)
Her first 3 books have gotten such rave reviews so I read those 3, and I have to say I loved all 3 and found myself finishing each one in a matter of a day and a half and laughing hysterically at some of the things she comes out with. Bitter is the New Black is her first, then Bright Lights, Big Ass, followed by Such a Pretty Fat--all of which I highly recommend. She even has her own website which she updates daily. Great reads and she's hilarious!
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Evening Star
Author: Carolyn Brown
Stars: 3
Review by: mystery lover
Destination: 1917 Oklahoma
Historical romance.
Stars: 3
Review by: mystery lover
Destination: 1917 Oklahoma
Historical romance.
When the Killing's Done
Author: T.C. Boyle
Stars: 4
Review by: BigDa
Destination: Channel Islands off the coast of CA
T.C.Boyle's unique style of prose takes on the fight between environmentalists and animal rights fanatics.
Stars: 4
Review by: BigDa
Destination: Channel Islands off the coast of CA
T.C.Boyle's unique style of prose takes on the fight between environmentalists and animal rights fanatics.
The American Heiress
Author: Daisy Goodwin
Stars: 5
Review by: libraryaimee
Destination: England
Cora Cash, a wealthy American heiress, travels abroad with her mother in the 1890s to find and marry a titled Englishman. This is an excellent historical fiction novel mixed with a little romance. Scandal, intrigue, secrets, history, bold characters...this book is a delight! I couldn't put it down--you will love Cora...even as a Duchess!
Stars: 5
Review by: libraryaimee
Destination: England
Cora Cash, a wealthy American heiress, travels abroad with her mother in the 1890s to find and marry a titled Englishman. This is an excellent historical fiction novel mixed with a little romance. Scandal, intrigue, secrets, history, bold characters...this book is a delight! I couldn't put it down--you will love Cora...even as a Duchess!
Bone Appetit: A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery
Author: Carolyn Haines
Stars: 4
Review by: Saraswati
Destination: Mississippi
This is the follow up of Greedy Bones. Sarah and her PI partner, Tinkie, are recouping from their life changing adventures. They decide to take a mini-vacation and wind up having to solve a mystery. While they still face the aftermath of the previous book these ladies face danger with hope and belief. A nice semi-light read after the darker previous book.
Stars: 4
Review by: Saraswati
Destination: Mississippi
This is the follow up of Greedy Bones. Sarah and her PI partner, Tinkie, are recouping from their life changing adventures. They decide to take a mini-vacation and wind up having to solve a mystery. While they still face the aftermath of the previous book these ladies face danger with hope and belief. A nice semi-light read after the darker previous book.
Greedy Bones: A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery
Author: Carolyn Haines
Stars: 5
Review by: Saraswati
Destination: Mississippi
The darkest Sarah Booth mystery yet. Laced with a feel of Hot Zone, this mystery leads to a very sad time for Sarah just when things appear to be going so well. It also makes you ponder what is really important in life and what we are willing to do to get it. A lot of loss in this mystery but there is a glimmer of light at the end of this book.
Stars: 5
Review by: Saraswati
Destination: Mississippi
The darkest Sarah Booth mystery yet. Laced with a feel of Hot Zone, this mystery leads to a very sad time for Sarah just when things appear to be going so well. It also makes you ponder what is really important in life and what we are willing to do to get it. A lot of loss in this mystery but there is a glimmer of light at the end of this book.
Wishbones: A Sarah Booth Delaney Mystery
Author: Carolyn Haines
Stars: 4
Review by: Saraswati
Destination: Hollywood & Costa Rica
Sarah Booth's dreams of becoming an actor have come to fruition. As with most things, be careful for what you wish for. She and her PI partner, Tinkie, go on a wild mystery chase. They learn that sometimes the easiest path is not the correct path. There is also love in the air and a kicker at the end that leads into the next book in the series.
Stars: 4
Review by: Saraswati
Destination: Hollywood & Costa Rica
Sarah Booth's dreams of becoming an actor have come to fruition. As with most things, be careful for what you wish for. She and her PI partner, Tinkie, go on a wild mystery chase. They learn that sometimes the easiest path is not the correct path. There is also love in the air and a kicker at the end that leads into the next book in the series.
A Catered Thanksgiving: A Mystery with Recipes
Author: Isis Crawford
Stars: 2
Review by: Saraswati
Destination: NY
The most recent Simmons Sister mystery was a little tough to get through. It felt like someone took the game Clue and tried to make it a book. It was ok, but got sluggish in parts. The series does have a way with people and obsessions that make it slightly different.
Stars: 2
Review by: Saraswati
Destination: NY
The most recent Simmons Sister mystery was a little tough to get through. It felt like someone took the game Clue and tried to make it a book. It was ok, but got sluggish in parts. The series does have a way with people and obsessions that make it slightly different.
A Catered Birthday Party: A Mystery with Recipes
Author: Isis Crawford
Stars: 3
Review by: Saraswati
Destination: NY
Another mystery for the Simmons sisters to solve. The real catch of this story is the extreme animal lovers and all the industries and obsessions surrounding them.
Stars: 3
Review by: Saraswati
Destination: NY
Another mystery for the Simmons sisters to solve. The real catch of this story is the extreme animal lovers and all the industries and obsessions surrounding them.
Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets
Author: J.K. Rowling
Stars: 5
Review by: P Kerr
Destination: England & magical places
Sooooo glad I finally started reading these books. They are a delight :)
Stars: 5
Review by: P Kerr
Destination: England & magical places
Sooooo glad I finally started reading these books. They are a delight :)
Ella Minnow Pea
Author: Mark Dunn
Stars: 4
Review by: Mich D
Destination: Island off the southeast coast of US
About an island town that bases its principles on the guy who wrote the phrase, "The quick brown fox...". They have the alphabet hanging in town and when a tile falls, they think it is a message and they can no longer use that letter. But then, more tiles fall. The story is told in letters back and forth. Creative and fun.
Stars: 4
Review by: Mich D
Destination: Island off the southeast coast of US
About an island town that bases its principles on the guy who wrote the phrase, "The quick brown fox...". They have the alphabet hanging in town and when a tile falls, they think it is a message and they can no longer use that letter. But then, more tiles fall. The story is told in letters back and forth. Creative and fun.
The Sultan's Seal
Author: Jenny White
Stars: 5
Review by: smudge
Destination: Istanbul, Ottoman Empire (Turkey)
This story of murder and intrigue takes place when the Ottoman Empire and the power of the sultans are disappearing as foreign powers and new ideas are taking over. Not only is the story good, it is well told.
Stars: 5
Review by: smudge
Destination: Istanbul, Ottoman Empire (Turkey)
This story of murder and intrigue takes place when the Ottoman Empire and the power of the sultans are disappearing as foreign powers and new ideas are taking over. Not only is the story good, it is well told.
Say When
Author: Elizabeth Berg
Stars: 4
Review by: smudge
Destination: Ohio
Another good story by Elizabeth Berg. This time the story is told from the man's point of view.
Stars: 4
Review by: smudge
Destination: Ohio
Another good story by Elizabeth Berg. This time the story is told from the man's point of view.
I Shudder: And Other Reactions to Life, Death, & New Jersey
Author: Paul Rudnick
Stars: 4
Review by: Mich D
Destination: NY & NJ
Hysterical book written by the guy who did the screenplay for the movies In and Out, Adams Family Values and lots more. Parts are non-fiction about his life in NJ and in NYC, but it is interspersed with fictional accounts about this character whom I can't even describe - maybe Felix Unger to the nth degree. Very funny book!
Stars: 4
Review by: Mich D
Destination: NY & NJ
Hysterical book written by the guy who did the screenplay for the movies In and Out, Adams Family Values and lots more. Parts are non-fiction about his life in NJ and in NYC, but it is interspersed with fictional accounts about this character whom I can't even describe - maybe Felix Unger to the nth degree. Very funny book!
Robopocalypse
Author: Daniel H. Wilson
Stars: 4
Review by: Mich D
Destination: the whole world
Great book about the war between humans and robots. Supposedly going to be made into a movie by Spielberg.
Stars: 4
Review by: Mich D
Destination: the whole world
Great book about the war between humans and robots. Supposedly going to be made into a movie by Spielberg.
Precious Blood
Author: Jonathan Hayes
Stars: 4
Review by: BigDa
Destination: NYC
A first novel introducing Edward Jenner, a medical examiner, ready to jeopardize everything in order to capture an elusive serial killer.
Stars: 4
Review by: BigDa
Destination: NYC
A first novel introducing Edward Jenner, a medical examiner, ready to jeopardize everything in order to capture an elusive serial killer.
Little Bee
Author: Chris Cleave
Stars: 4.5
Review by: Barbie
Destination: Nigeria & England
I really enjoyed the writing in this book, the character development and the twists that make it stand out. Not to give away secrets or magic, I do warn that the well written descriptive passages of brutality did make me gasp. However, the love between the female characters will always prevail. Not a book I would have picked up on my own, but a book that I am glad to have read.
Stars: 4.5
Review by: Barbie
Destination: Nigeria & England
I really enjoyed the writing in this book, the character development and the twists that make it stand out. Not to give away secrets or magic, I do warn that the well written descriptive passages of brutality did make me gasp. However, the love between the female characters will always prevail. Not a book I would have picked up on my own, but a book that I am glad to have read.
Thunder Dog
Author: Michael Hingson with Susy Flory
Stars: 4.5
Review by: JamBob
Destination: World Trade Towers on 9/11 (NY)
Finally read my "could not put down" book of the season. When I listened to the reports of survivors from 9/11 one story caught my ear immediately and that one involved a blind man leaving the 78th floor of Tower One with his guide dog. What an incredible story of determination that begins from birth for this man and his dog. His story is interposed between the events of 9/11 about his life and how he got a job in the Tower in the first place. Truly extraordinary! Of course we learn to marvel at the guide dog herself named Roselle. What amazing animals these dogs are along with inspirational people who train them.
After reading this book your eyes will be open to the world of handicapped people and their struggle to become productive members of society despite the aura of prejudice that surrounds them, unneccessarily created by people without disabilities. It is a short book and I highly recommend it to everyone for an inside view of the Towers that day, the life and death perspective of the survivors, the monumental will to live despite not knowing any of the circumstances at the time and in the face of overwhelming tragedy. Everyone in that stairwell was "blind" that day and Michael's physical disability actually becomes his asset. But you will fall in love with Roselle whose training and determination did not fail her when she was asked to reach over and beyond her animal instincts to conquer fear in a situation no trainer or handler could have anticipated.
So why the 4.5 stars? It is not prose but a quickly written type of narrative, it concentrated more on the life of the man than the events of 9/11 and I felt there is one misplaced political line referring to Pres. Bush and his whereabouts that day. HOWEVER, based upon the life achievements of this man and the dog(s) that guided him through life....this book is a 10!
Stars: 4.5
Review by: JamBob
Destination: World Trade Towers on 9/11 (NY)
Finally read my "could not put down" book of the season. When I listened to the reports of survivors from 9/11 one story caught my ear immediately and that one involved a blind man leaving the 78th floor of Tower One with his guide dog. What an incredible story of determination that begins from birth for this man and his dog. His story is interposed between the events of 9/11 about his life and how he got a job in the Tower in the first place. Truly extraordinary! Of course we learn to marvel at the guide dog herself named Roselle. What amazing animals these dogs are along with inspirational people who train them.
After reading this book your eyes will be open to the world of handicapped people and their struggle to become productive members of society despite the aura of prejudice that surrounds them, unneccessarily created by people without disabilities. It is a short book and I highly recommend it to everyone for an inside view of the Towers that day, the life and death perspective of the survivors, the monumental will to live despite not knowing any of the circumstances at the time and in the face of overwhelming tragedy. Everyone in that stairwell was "blind" that day and Michael's physical disability actually becomes his asset. But you will fall in love with Roselle whose training and determination did not fail her when she was asked to reach over and beyond her animal instincts to conquer fear in a situation no trainer or handler could have anticipated.
So why the 4.5 stars? It is not prose but a quickly written type of narrative, it concentrated more on the life of the man than the events of 9/11 and I felt there is one misplaced political line referring to Pres. Bush and his whereabouts that day. HOWEVER, based upon the life achievements of this man and the dog(s) that guided him through life....this book is a 10!
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Author: Rebecca Skloot
Stars: 4
Review by: queenbee
Destination: VA
Wow...very intense...excellent...alarming. Elements of racism, science, religion, ethics, family, history. Biography meets science with lots of things to think about. Glad I was born here, and now.
Stars: 4
Review by: queenbee
Destination: VA
Wow...very intense...excellent...alarming. Elements of racism, science, religion, ethics, family, history. Biography meets science with lots of things to think about. Glad I was born here, and now.