Something Borrowed

What would you do if you were in Rachel's shoes? That is the question that this book makes you ask yourself. This is chick lit at it's best. The characters and plot are very predictable. You know what is going to happen but the well written tale by Giffin is what makes the book fantastic.
Darcy is the wild child and gets her way, Rachel is the good girl who follows the rules and works hard. So why are they friends? That question is haunting Rachel and she finds herself betraying her Best Friend by sleeping with her fiancee.
I read this book in 2008 and did not retain most of it. I re-read it before the movie drops this coming weekend and was SO happy that I did. I loved this book. I tore thru it finding quotes and passages that spoke to me. There is a lot of history of the girls friendship woven in this book. It brings you back to the 5th grade. I would suggest this book for the people out there who like a real chick lit, who don't mind figuring out the plot and say read it before you see the movie!
Read April 2010

Black Heels to Tractor Wheels

I have to preface this review by saying that I am a fan of Ree and her blog at The Pioneer Woman. I think she is funny and someone I would want to be friends with. That being said I liked this book. This is a whimsical story of how Ree and her husband (known as the Marlboro Man) met and began their family.

The author is a city girl (Black Heels) and falls for the Rancher (tractor wheels). The writing is good. It is not thing superb or overly technical. It is a quick and fun read.

Through out the book there is tales of Ranch life mishaps, family history and love. Ree explains in detail how and why she fell in love with the Marlboro Man. The book is light hearted until you reach the last few chapters where you find sorrow and hard times. Still Ree puts a spin on these tales that make you know, they do not last forever.

This is a fun book. It is not a serious read and should be looked at as light hearted romance novel. Every girl wants to be swept off her feet and Ree was lucky enough to find the man to do it. I would suggest it for a light read. Perfect for a vacation or sitting on a front porch with an iced tea!

Read April 2011

Stori Telling

As a fan of 90210 I thought about reading Tori's book for a while. She was never my favorite character on the show and I couldn't name anything else she had been in other than Troop Beverly Hills. (Anyone remember that movie?) I picked it up at the library and decided that I was going to give it a shot.
With in the first chapter I was hooked. This book is funny! Tori's life has always been documented in the tabloids and Entertainment News shows. I have had envy for the Manor that she lived in and wondered what it was like to have 'that much money'. This book summed it up for me- it was her parents money, she saw little of it and she had a hard relationship with her mother.
Tori talks about the life she lead and people in her life. There is her first (and second) husband, her Nanny, immediate family, 90210 co-stars, bad boyfriends and friends. Tori takes the blame and admits where she made mistakes and seems to lay it all out on the table.
I really liked this book. It was funny, interesting and a quick read. I am going to definitely be reading her follow up books.
Read April 2011

Believe it, Be it

I am a big fan of the TV show The Biggest Loser. I did not watch all of the season that featured Ali the author. I have seen her in person and loved her spunk.
Ali and her mother were part of the Biggest Losers (BL) cast of 2008. She was sent home, but in a BL twist of fate she lost the most during her stint at home and came back. Ali went on to win the season and was the first female BL.
Ali starts and finishes this book with her struggle. Ali realizes that she was not at her highest weight because she just ate bad food, but because she had her own inner struggle. I love that Ali speaks from the heart in all that she does. Believe it, Be it touches on weight loss and dealing with inner battles and is not a "how to" for weight loss. There are plenty of tips and ideas for living and learning to be a healthier person. Ali believes in finding the inner you and not letting it hid behind barriers of fat.
I liked this book. I do not believe it is something I would recommend for anyone. BL fans and people on a weight loss journey would enjoy it. It is overall a self help book and a guideline for healthier living.
Read March 2011

The Art Of Racing In The Rain

This was a Book Club pick. I have seen this at book stores before but never picked it up. I wish I would have read this book sooner. It is a fantastic read for anyone who has a pet!

Being a dog lover and having a dog all of my life this book hit home with the idea of, “What are they thinking?" I loved the way that Stein told the story through Enzo's (the family dog) perspective. This was not a happy story. It starts on the last day of Enzo's life and is a look back on what happened in his 11 years.

Denny, Enzo's master is what the book focused on. We learn about the relationship between Master and pet and what a man with a family can endure. But the reader also learns the daily activities and desires of Man's Best Friend. 

I cried a few times, felt anger and happiness. What more can you ask for from a book? This was a great read.

Read March 2011

Are You There, Vodka?

I really enjoyed this book. After reading Handler's collection of One Night Stands I was not too sure I would enjoy another book by her. But, this one proved me wrong.
The still of writing was witty and humorous. This book was over the top in parts but funny none the less. Chelsea brings the raunch but used it playfully. I could not help but laugh at Handlers description of a midget by calling her a "nugget". I loved the talk about her friends and family.
This book is a fun read but not for the prude. Her comedy is raunchy but kept me laughing out loud. Great read!
Read March 2011

Don't Sing at the Table...

This was Trigiani's first book of Nonfiction. I have read many other books by this author and have loved her writing style. I was hoping that some of the same storytelling would shine through in this book, and I was not disappointed.
Trigiani wrote this book in homage to her Grandmothers and the lessons that she learned through her family. We learn about two women who are alike in many ways yet lived different lives and helped shaped the authors life. As a person who is very close to my grandparents I found this book to be well written and interesting. In some ways I think this book could be defined as a "how to" for women. There is emphasis on manners, entertaining and being a strong independent loving woman. All things that shine through in the fiction works for Trigiani.
I liked this book. It was something unexpected from one of my favorite authors.
Read February 2011