Queen of Babble in the Big City

This is the 2nd installment of the Queen of Babble. I read the first book a few months back and liked it for the fluff and chick lit that it was. This book was still chick lit, but a little more 'real'. Real except for the part of living almost rent free in a 5th Avenue apartment with your Prince boyfriend who wants to be a doctor.
Lizzie the main character moved in with her boyfriend Luke and is on the hunt for a job in the retro clothing or wedding gown industry, but for now she is working at a law firm as a receptionist. We learn a lot about Lizzie and her dating life in this book as well as her new discovery of her best friend being Bi.
I liked the book. It was an easy read, some what predictable and a few twist thrown in!
Read August 2011

A Summer Affair

This is the 4th book by Hilderbrand that I am reading. As an author I feel like her stories are all the same, BUT I like it! The book takes place in Nantucket as do all the other books I have read by the author.

This book centers around a summer charity event that Claire who in my opinion was whiny and did not deserve the life she had. She was placed on the committee for this event and becomes involved with a married man in their small town. Their affair was made of lust and desire and was bound to come crashing down and ruining lives... but it never does. It just ends

The book is mostly told in Claire's 'voice' but then switches and we read through multiple other people, like Claire's 1st love, her Sister in Law, her lover and other committee members. The book does have some hot and steamy moments but not as good as a summer beach read could be. I did like the book. I think they are perfect for relaxing poolside!

Read July 2011

Mommywood

After reading Tori Spellings first book in April 2011 I was excited to read this second one. With out a doubt I can say I enjoyed the Stori Telling more.
In this book we learn about Tori and Dean your average suburban parents... or maybe not. Their family moved to a small block where block party and 4th of July parties are planned and where people don't like big changes in their little close knit block. Tori tries hard to be the best neighbor and mom possible, but like everyone else she makes mistakes and learns lessons.
Tori speaks frequently about her relationship with her mother and her side of the story. I think that I could have done with that. We learned how 'awful' her mother is in the first book. We also read about Tori's loss of her dear Pug Mimi. I admit it, I cried when she wrote about that.
I would still suggest this book. It is interesting with lots of fun parenting / home stories and Hollywood gossip.
Read July 2011

Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons

 Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons

I read this book for my Book Club. I was very skeptical at first and did not think I would like it at all. I had a hard time getting into the book, but then all of a sudden it just picked up!

The book focus is on 5 women who were wives and mothers living on the same street in the 60's. The women decide to start a book club to give them some adult time and female companionship. The author picked moments out of their lives and narrated it through different characters. The book continued on until the late 90's and the readers were able to learn of so many things in these women’s lives. Religion, politics, gay children, abuse, and adoption to name a few.

I loved the book. It gave such insight to the times the women lived in and what true friendship means. Being in a book clubmyself it really touched home with me. I recommend the book for anyone in a book club or adult women of any age!

Read July 2011



Bossypants

I am a fan of Tina Fey. I don't watch SNL regularly but I do watch 30 Rock all the time and have seen her in many movies. This book had me laughing out loud multiple times. I found felt almost as if I could hear her narrating the book in my head.
This book touches on most of Tina's life so far. We learn about her awkward stage crew geek days in High School through the time when she becomes part of the Second City Improve Comedy troop. After she was able to land that gig along came SNL. It seems like Tina has had a lot of opportunities that were followed up by hard work.
This book delivers on the comedy, one liners, insight to her cast and crew of 30 Rock and SNL. The book touches on her struggles being a Working Mom. It was a fun read. I think anyone who enjoys her work would like this book.
Read July 2011

Little Earthquakes

In this book Weiner looks at 4 married women. All these women have 2 things in common, 1. they are married and 2. they have given birth to a baby. This book bounces back and fourth telling the story of all 4 women.
Lisa (Lia) a Hollywood actress who returns home after her baby dies of SIDS. Lisa left her husband not letting him know where she was going or when / if she was coming back. Lisa is trying to find her way out of depression and learn to live again.
Becky is a plus size chef married to a Doctor. Her mother in law is overbearing and manipulating. Becky struggles with kicking her mother in law out of her life because of her love for her husband.
Ayinde is a TV reporter who marries a Basket Ball player. They move to Philadelphia and he is always on the road... you can guess what happens next. Yup, he cheats and gets someone else pregnant. Ayinde's own mother is more or less un-interested in her child and grandchild. Most of the things she does are just for show.
Kelly thinks her husband is her ticket to a better life. When things don't go as planned she becomes so enraged with her situation and lies to keep face. Kelly struggles going back to work early while her husband stays home and is less than productive.
All in all the book is good. It gives a view on 4 different lives and they come together in an interesting way. I enjoyed the book.
Read June 2011

Queen Of The Big Time

From previous blog post you would know that I am a fan of Adriana Trigiani. This book I picked up almost 7 months ago and never read it. I read it and liked it. It is not a favorite by this author but it is a good read.

Like other books by Trigiani, Queen Of the Big Time follows a young Nella through out her life. We learn from early on Nella has big goals to finish High School and become a School Teacher. But life has other plans. Nella faces struggles with her family and friends, death and hardships and of course love. She has to work instead of going to High School, she falls in love twice in her life time and becomes a business owner and a mother. 

The book ends with Nella's death and all things resolved in her life. It is an open ended story for me that shows that life just continues on. The book is a beautifully written and flows nicely even though it skips over many years at a time. 

Read June 2011