Tuesday Teasers

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jenn of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
  
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
  
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share does not give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
  
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
  

My teasers:

"I hated her so much in that moment, I wanted to tear her hair out. And yet, I still wanted her to change her mind. Still wanted her to put her arm around me and tell me everything was going to be fine. I still wanted her approval."
~p. 14, Revelation by Kate Brian~

Mailbox Monday

Marcia, The Printed Page, hosts Mailbox Monday each week. She writes:

"Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists."

Here's what I received in the mail last week:

From Sarah at Pocket Books for July blog tour:


Title: How Perfect is That
Author: Sarah Bird

Blythe Young—a wannabe Texas princess, a heroine as plucky, driven, and desperate as Vanity Fair’s Becky Sharp—is plummeting precipitously from up- to downstairs, banging her head on every step of the Austin social ladder as she falls. Not unlike the country as a whole, Blythe has surrendered to a multitude of dubious moral choices and is now facing the disastrous consequences: bankruptcy, public humiliation, a teensy fondness for the pharmaceuticals, and no Pap smear for ten years. But worst of all, she is forced to move back into the fleabag co-op boardinghouse where she lived when she was a student at the University of Texas.

Though Blythe cares much more about the ravaged state of her nails, and how to get the ingredients for Code Warrior—Blythe’s proprietary blend of Stoli, Ativan, and Red Bull that keeps everything in focus—her soul is hanging in the balance. Only when she is in danger of losing the one friend who’s been her true moral center is she ready to face her sins and make amends.

And her penance is merciless: she must find a way to lure her former socialite friends into the tofu tenement she has been reduced to. Little does Blythe know that the ensuing collision between the pierced, tattooed, and dreadlocked inhabitants and the pampered, Kir-sipping socialites offers the only hope of finding a way out of her moral quagmire.

Funny, fast-paced, sharp-eyed, an old-fashioned morality tale with an appropriately twenty-first-century ending, How Perfect Is That is a comic triumph of a novel. (From Barnes & Noble)

Musing Mondays

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about mid-year reading…

Now that we've come to the middle of the year, what do yo think of your 2009 reading so far? Read anything interesting that you'd like to share? Any outstanding favorites?

First, I can't believe tomorrow is the last day in June! Seriously! Where has this year gone? It's going incredibly fast for me. . .

Ok, moving on to my reading. Last year, I read 115 books - the most I've ever read in a year. So this year, I decided I had to top it and set the goal of 120. Currently, I've read 58 books. So, I am pretty much on track. I thought I could finish 2 more by tomorrow, but constant interruptions have derailed me from doing so.

I have to admit since I've discovered reading challenges and started my blog (both last year), my reading has increased and my selection has expanded. I've returned to a genre that will always have a special place in my heart, young adult fiction, and have discovered great young adult authors.

I do have to admit, my favorite list for 2009 is extremely short. On average, I rate a book between 4.0 and 4.5 stars, but last year I read quite a few by mid-year that I rated 5.0 stars. This year, only 3. If I had to choose from those three, I would pick Life Without Summer by Lynne Griffin.

I've noticed I have other books that numerous bloggers have rated highly on my TBR list, so maybe my favorite list will be longer by December 31. We'll see.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday - June 29, 2009

Books read last week:

• Being Nikki by Meg Cabot
• Ambition by Kate Brian
  

Up Next:

• Revelation by Kate Brian
• The Beach House by Georgia Bockoven
• City Dog by Alison Pace
• Dune Road by Jane Green
  

Audio book currently listening to:

• 44 Cranberry Point by Debbie Macomber
  

What's On Your Nightstand?

July 2009

I only read three books from my nightstand in June:

• Hollywood Car Wash by Lori Culwell
  
• Airhead by Meg Cabot
• Best Intentions by Emily Listfield

I'm currently reading Ambition by Kate Brian and plan to finish by June 30th. So, I'll make that four books read in June.

What's on my nightstand for July:

• Revelation by Kate Brian
• Paradise Lost by Kate Brian
• Privilege by Kate Brian
• City Dog by Alison Pace
• The Department of Lost and Found by Allison Scotch Winn
• The Beach House by Georgia Bockoven
• The Late, Lamented Molly Marx
• Red Hot Lies by Laura Caldwell
  

So, what's on your night stand?

Book Giveaway ~ The Penny Pinchers Club

Megan of Write Meg is hosting a giveaway for Sarah Strohmeyer's The Penny Pinchers Club.

Click here to enter.

A Summer Affair ~ Book Giveaway

Looking for a great summer read? Julie of Booking Mama is hosting a giveaway form A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand.

For more details, click here.

Ms. Taken Identity ~ Book Giveaway

Crystal of My Reading Room is hosting a giveaway for Ms. Taken Identity by Dan Begley.


Contest ends July 6, 2009. For more information, click here.

Mailbox Monday

Marcia, The Printed Page, hosts Mailbox Monday each week. She writes:

"Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists."

Here's what I received in the mail last week:

From Amazon Vine Program:

Title: Trouble
Author: Kate Christensen

Josie is a Manhattan psychotherapist living a comfortable life with her husband and daughter—until, while suddenly flirting with a man at a party, she is struck with the sudden realization that she must leave her passionless marriage. A thrillingly sordid encounter with a stranger she meets at a bar immediately follows. At the same time, her college friend Raquel, a Los Angeles rock star, is being pilloried in the press for sleeping with a much younger man who happens to have a pregnant girlfriend. This proves to be red meat to the gossip hounds of the Internet. The two friends escape to Mexico City for a Christmas holiday of retreat and rediscovery of their essential selves. Sex has gotten these two bright, complicated women into interesting trouble, and the story of their struggles to get out of that trouble is totally gripping at every turn.

A tragicomedy of marriage and friendship, Trouble is a funny, piercing, and moving examination of the battle between the need for connection and the quest for freedom that every modern woman must fight. (From Barnes & Noble)

Musing Mondays

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about library borrowing…

Do you restrict yourself on how many books you take out from the library at a time? Do you borrow books if you already have some out? Do you always reborrow books you don’t get to?

I usually have 10-15 books checked out at a time. I've been working on lowering this number for several months now. It's a lot harder than I thought. . .reason being I am not disciplined when it comes to library books. Yes, I continue to borrow books even though I have books already checked out that are still unread. Again, that's also part of the problem. When I see a book that's on the new book shelf and it's on my TBR list, it just doesn't seem right to leave it sitting there!

As much as I love the library, I've cut down my weekly visits. I now go once a week instead of 3-4 times each week. Lately, I've been pretty good when I go. I go to the holds shelf, find my books and check out. I have many unread, purchased books that I want to read this summer and borrowing books from the library has prevented me from doing so. After I finish reading the remaining books I have checked out, I plan to read my books for the rest of the summer. Well, that's the plan anyway. And we all know that plans can change. . .(maybe this is another part of the problem?)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday. . .

Books read last week:

• Airhead by Meg Cabot
• Holly's Inbox by Holly Denham
  

Up Next:

• An Offer You Can't Refuse by Jill Mansell
• Ambition by Kate Brian
• The Beach House by Georgia Bockoven
• Revelation by Kate Brian

Audio book currently listening to:

• 44 Cranberry Point by Debbie Macomber
  

Sunday Salon

Happy Father's Day!

It has been a slow reading week this week. I had many interruptions and wasn't able to read as much as I would have liked. I finished reading Airhead by Meg Cabot [review] and Holly's Inbox by Holly Denham [review]. Later this evening after I finish cleaning and preparing for another work week, I plan to start An Offer You Can't Refuse by Jill Mansell.

In the past few weeks, I have been on a book shopping spree. I put all blame on Barnes & Noble and Borders. I received coupons and special offers from both that I just could not not use! Earlier today, as I walked by the three stacks of books I want to read (most contain books I just recently purchased) this summer, I actually had a small pang of buyer's guilt! This unfamiliar, yet troubling, feeling stayed with me for most of the afternoon.

To ease my shame for just a moment or two, I decided to suspend most of the holds I have at my library. I just discovered this convenient feature about a month ago when I sat patiently (ok, not so patiently) waiting for my name to be moved to the top of the list for six books. Weeks go by and nothing. Then suddenly, all six books arrive at the same time. (Why does that happen???)

Anyway, today I decided I MUST tackle my unread, purchased books. I have two holds in transient and five books currently checked out. When I've finished reading these books, I plan to start reading my own books. Hopefully I can start by July 15th. We'll see. I have to admit, I'm not very disciplined when it comes to limiting myself with library books. Baby steps, right?

Holly's Inbox

Title: Holly’s Inbox
Author: Holly Denham
ISBN-10: 1-4022-1903-2
Pages: 665
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Chick Lit
Date Finished: June 21

From the back cover:

Dear Holly, Are you sure you know what you’re getting into. . .?

It’s Holly Denham’s first day as a receptionist at a busy corporate bank, and frankly, it’s obvious she can’t quite keep up.

Take a peek at her email and you’ll see why: what with her crazy friends, dysfunctional family, and gossipy co-workers, Holly’s inbox is a daily source of drams. Laughter, friendship, and romantic interludes keep her going, until one day, Holly’s secret past begins to catch up with her. . .

Written entirely in emails, this compulsively readable UK smash hit will keep you laughing and turning the pages all the way to its surprising and deeply satisfying ending.


When I discovered this book at Barnes & Noble, I immediately added it to my TBR List. I was quite surprised to learn my library owned a copy and was first on the wait list. I couldn’t wait to begin reading Holly’s e-mails.

I was looking forward to reading this as I read so many glowing reviews. I have to admit, around page 200 or so, I lost interest in Holly and her friends. I really wanted to know Holly’s back-story with Toby. It took awhile for Holly to disclose to Trisha, her co-worker.

I do have to say, the secondary characters were quite interesting and added to the story. Around page 415 (the reader was able to peek inside Trisha’s inbox), I found myself glued to the story and couldn’t put it down.

Yes, it’s a long book (665 pages of e-mails), but worth reading on a lazy afternoon. Even though I thought it was sluggish in the middle, I do hope there’s a sequel in the works. I would like an update on Holly and her friends.

Want to take a peek into Holly's inbox? Click here.

Random thoughts: Here's an interview with the creator of Holly's Inbox. It's quite surprising to learn the identity of the person behind the idea of the book.

Looking for beach reads?

Swapna of S. Krishna's Books is giving away two of Jane Green's books: The Beach House and Dune Road.

For more details, click here.

Airhead by Meg Cabot

Title: Airhead
Author: Meg Cabot
Series: Airhead #1
ISBN-10: 054504054-X
Pages: 337
Year Published: 2008
Genre: YA Fiction (Series)
Date Finished: June 18

From the back cover:

No one cares what’s inside.
EM WATTS IS GONE.

Emerson Watts didn’t even want to go to the new SoHo Stark Megastore grand opening. But someone needed to look out for her sister Frida, whose crush, British heartthrob Gabriel Luna, would be singing and signing autographs there—along with the newly appointed Face of Stark, teen supermodel sensation Nikki Howard.

How was Em to know that disaster would strike, changing her—and life as she’d known it—forever? One devastating accident later, and Em Watts, always the tomboy, never the party princess, is no longer herself. Literally.

Now getting her best friend Christopher to notice that she’s actually a girl is the least of Em’s problems.

But what Em’s pretty sure she’ll never be able to accept might just turn out to be the one thing that’s going to make her dream come true….

NIKKI HOWARD IS HERE TO STAY
It’s what’s outside that matters.

First Sentence: "Emerson Watts," called my first-period Public Speaking teacher, Mr. Greer, startling me from the light doze into which I'd drifted.

Last year I started my journey with reading Meg Cabot's young adult books. I had read several of her chick lit books (The Boy Next Door - highly recommend) and her Heather Wells mystery series. I read great reviews about her young adult novels and because I was reading more in this genre, I picked up The Princess Diaries and immediately was hooked. I became so engrossed in this series, that I found myself reading more of her stand-alone books. So when Airhead was released in hardcover last year, I added it to my TBR List.

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to read it last year and it was pushed further down until recently when I learned book two was being released. I had no idea that Ms. Cabot had plans for making Airhead into a series. Upon learning this, Airhead moved to the top of the TBR List.

Emerson Watts is a plain high school girl. In fact, after meeting her, you will probably forget her. She's attending Tribeca Alternative High School in Manhattan and is secretly in love with her best friend, Christopher. Em isn't your typical high school girl: she's not into fashion, make-up or gossip. Instead she likes gaming and playing JourneyQuest with Christopher.

Em appears to be comfortable with her life until the fateful day when she goes to Stark grand opening. From that day forward, her life will forever be changed. Literally.

Also attending the grand opening, is Stark's face and teen model, Nikki Howard. Nikki is THE It Girl. She's famous, rich, beautiful and everything that Em despises. That is until one tragic event will bond these two girls forever.

What happens to Em and Nikki is a little far-fetched (ok, it is far-fetched), however Airhead is still an entertaining read. Em realizes that she's quick to judge based on her assumptions without checking to see if they are true or not. She quickly learns that not all is not what it appears to be as she becomes more involved with Nikki's life and has to let her former life slip away.

Airhead is a fun, light read. My only complaint is Ms. Cabot repeated herself a lot throughout the book. Having said that, a fan of Ms. Cabot's works will enjoy this one. I'm looking forward to reading Being Nikki.

The Lost Recipe for Happiness

Title: The Lost Recipe for Happiness
Author: Barbara O’Neal
ISBN-13: 9780553385519
Pages: 450
Year Published: 2008
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Date Finished: June 14

From the back cover: It’s the opportunity Elena Alvarez has been waiting for—the challenge of running her own kitchen in a world-class restaurant. Haunted by an accident of which she was the lone survivor, Elena knows better than anyone how to defy the odds. With her faithful dog, Alvin, and her grandmother’s recipes, Elena arrives in Colorado to find a restaurant in as desperate need of a fresh start as she is—and a man whose passionate approach to food and life rivals her own. Owner Julian Liswood is a name many people know but a man few do. He’s come to Aspen with a trouble teenage daughter and a dream of the kind of stability and love only a family can provide. But for Elena, old ghosts don’t die quietly, yet a chance to find happiness at last is worth the risk.

First sentence: Elena had been expecting Dmitri for more than an hour when he finally stormed through the back door of the Blue Turtle, the Vancouver restaurant where they both worked.

I have to admit when I first skimmed the book description, I thought the plot would be: girl breaks up with current boy, relocates to new city for a fresh start, meets new boy, not sure if she should get involved with new boy, ends up getting involved with new boy and they begin new relationship. Ok, so maybe The Lost Recipe for Happiness can be summed up that way. But honestly, it’s so much more than that.

Elena Alvarez is a complicated character, but extremely likable. She’s haunted by her past and cannot rid herself of her tragic accident. She’s left not only with physical pain from the car accident, but immense survivor’s guilt. She’s the lone survivor of a car accident that killed her high school boyfriend and two sisters.

After the accident and a long period of physical therapy and healing, she left her hometown and explored her passion for cooking. Training in the best restaurants prepared her to become chef of her kitchen. While mastering the art of cooking, Elena simultaneously distanced herself from intimate relationships. Yes, she had plenty of boyfriends, however she never allowed them in, always keeping them at arm’s reach. Of course this changes when she meets Julian.

Julian Liswood is a single father with several marriages under his belt. He’s trying to raise his teenage daughter the best he can while maintaining his professional life. He’s immediately smitten with Elena, but tries to keep their relationship purely professional. After all, he is her boss.

Ms. O’Neal did an excellent job bringing these characters to life. The chapters are told from both Elena’s and Julian’s perspectives. The secondary characters round out the story with issues of their own that only contribute to the depth of the plot.

If you’re looking for something different, I suggest you pick up The Lost Recipe for Happiness. Elena is a character that you will root for and in the end you will walk away satisfied.

Friday Finds

Jenn of Should Be Reading asks:

What great books did you hear about / discover this week? Share with us your FRIDAY FINDS!

Here's what I discovered while browsing at Borders and Barnes and Noble:

Cover Attraction

Each Wednesday, Marcia from The Printed Page, hosts Cover Attraction. She writes:

"I’m a very visual person and love beautiful cover art. It doesn’t necessarily mean I’ll read the book but at least I might stop and take a peek instead of walking right on by."

I am a visual person as well and have often read books simply because I liked the cover. My cover attraction for this week:

Title: A Hopeless Romantic
Author: Harriet Evans

Laura Foster is a hopeless romantic. Her friends know it, her parents know it - even Laura acknowledges she lives either with her head in the clouds or buried in a romance novel. It's proved harmless enough, even if it hasn't delivered her a real-life dashing hero yet. But when her latest relationship ends in a disaster that costs her friendships, her job, and nearly her sanity, Laura swears off men and hopeless romantic fantasies for good.

With her life in tatters around her, Laura agrees to go on vacation with her parents. After a few days of visiting craft shops and touring the stately homes of England, Laura is ready to tear her hair out. And then, while visiting grand Chartley Hall, she crosses paths with Nick, the sexy, rugged estate manager. She finds she shares more than a sense of humor with him - in fact, she starts to think she could fall for him. But is Nick all he seems? Or has Laura got it wrong again? Will she open her heart only to have it broken again? (From Amazon)

When I saw this at Borders, my thought was it would make a great movie poster. So, I'll admit it. . . I'm a hopeless romantic! I enjoy reading or watching a great tear-jerker love story.

Tuesday Teasers

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jenn of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
  
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
  
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share does not give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
  
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
  

My teasers:

"You know she'd never be caught dead in a dress like that if she were in her right mind." That's when I realized she was referring to my hospital gown. As a dress.
~p. 86-87, Airhead by Meg Cabot~

Mailbox Monday

Marcia, The Printed Page, hosts Mailbox Monday each week. She writes:

"Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books came into their house last week (checked out library books don’t count, eBooks & audio books do). Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists."

Here's what I received in the mail last week:

From LibraryThing Early Reviewers

Title: Don't Miss Your Life!
Author: Charlene Ann Baumbich

Along comes a book by a storyteller who holds the power, in true stories well told, to offer a motivating and healing balm for those thirsting and eager for somebody to remind them to "say YES to life, slow down, wake up, let go, hold on and LIVE!" As readers listen to Baumbich's stories, laugh and cry, and then revisit their own stories, they will discover the sovereign hand of God not only loving them in the midst of adversity but wooing them to live life to the full.Readers should fasten their seatbelts for this warm, fun, provocative, heartwarming ride. "We are so busy running our lives that we are often not enjoying them, giving thanks for them, or realizing our joy and potential," Charlene says. "But if you learn the lively and releasing art of listening to and mining your own stories, you'll learn that your life is, indeed, better than you think! (From Amazon)

Purchased from BarnesandNoble.com

Title: The Accidental Bestseller
Author: Wendy Wax

Once upon a time four aspiring authors met at their very first writers’ conference. Ten years later they’re still friends, survivors of the ultra-competitive New York publishing world. Mallory St. James is a workaholic whose bestsellers support a lavish lifestyle. Tanya Mason is a single mother juggling two jobs, two kids, and too many deadlines. Faye Truett is the wife of a famous televangelist and the author of inspirational romances: no one would ever guess her explosive secret. Kendall Aims’s once-promising career is on the skids—and so is her marriage. Her sales are dismal, her new editor detests her work—and her husband is cheating. Barely able to think, let alone meet her final deadline, Kendall holes up in a mountain cabin to confront a blank page and a blanker future. But her friends won’t let her face this trial alone. Together they collaborate on a novel using their own lives as fodder, assuming no one will ever discover the truth behind their words.

No one is more surprised than they are when the book becomes a runaway bestseller. But with success comes scrutiny and scandal…as these four best friends suddenly realize how little they’ve truly known each other. (From Amazon)

Title: Driftwood Summer
Author: Patti Callahan Henry

Three sisters— responsible Riley, vivacious Maisy, and fun-loving Adalee—reunite to save the family’s beach-community bookstore. But summer also marks the return of Mack Logan, whose choice of Maisy over Riley years ago destroyed the special closeness between the sisters…

Now Riley, a single mom, is hiding a shattering secret about their mother. Maisy, a California designer, still blames Riley for ruining her one true love. And Adalee resents the family’s intrusion into her summer plans. All three will be forced to confront the conflicts that tore them apart and the bounds of love and loyalty that still draw them together…
(From Amazon)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday. . .

Books read last week:

• The Lost Recipe for Happiness by Barbara O'Neal
  

Up Next:

• Airhead by Meg Cabot
• Holly's Inbox by Holly Denham
• Ambition by Kate Brian
• Revelation by Kate Brian
• Here Today Gone to Maui by Carol Snow
  

Audio book currently listening to:

• 44 Cranberry Point by Debbie Macomber
  

Sunday Salon - Blogoversary

My Blog Turns 1!!

A year ago today I was reading book blogs and thought, "Hey, I can do this!" I immediately sat on my couch and started my blog. I have to confess, I did initially attempt to create a blog on iWeb, however the outcome wasn't what I pictured. So after feeling frustrated, I took a break and decided to start again. That was when I discovered Blogger and like they say, the rest was history.

I wasn't quite sure what I was getting myself into when I started blogging. And I really didn't have a clue what I was doing. I just decided to jump in and hoped for the best. I can't believe it has been a year. . .so much has happened in the last 365 days. I've joined weekly memes, signed up for too many reading challenges, added more titles to my never-ending TBR List (thanks to all the fabulous reviews I've read on others' book blogs), created a challenge blog and a reading journal blog and tried to keep up with writing reviews on books I've read. WHEW!

Thank you to everyone who took time to read my blog and leave comments. When I started, I wasn't sure if anyone would take an interest in reading my blog. I am not sure what the next 365 days will bring, but I have to admit I'm excited. In the coming year I would like to participate in blog tours, authors guest posting and more social events. Whatever happens, I'm just truly grateful that I've been able to share my passion for reading.

Hollywood Car Wash

Title: Hollywood Car Wash
Author: Lori Culwell
ISBN-10: 1416587780
Pages: 307
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Chick Lit
Date Finished: June 7

From the back cover: College drama student Amy Spencer dreams of starring in independent films. When her roommate signs her up for a mysterious "television project" audition, she blows away the competition with her girl-next door looks and impressive acting chops, inadvertently getting a starring role on a major TV show and going from Michigan teen to Hollywood starlet overnight.

To keep the part she didn't even know she wanted, Amy finds herself taking a spin through the "Hollywood Car Wash" to make her more marketable. First, she'll have to lose twenty pounds (don't ask how). Then it's new clothes, new teeth, blonder hair, new friends, and a megastar, high-profile boyfriend (though hers comes with a big secret). Bombarded by jealous, two-faced colleagues, overeager plastic surgeons, and manipulative network executives, Amy slowly learns that the only way to survive in Hollywood is to lose her identity. Will Amy get too caught up by the glitz or will she get a grip on her life before it's too late?

First sentence: Really, if it hadn't been for my perky college roommate and her obsession with spinning class, none of this would have happened in the first place.

Hollywood Car Wash is about the overnight rise to fame of a University of Michigan student to a Golden Globe nominee TV actress. In a matter of an instant, Amy Spencer's life drastically changes. When her roommate signs her up for the audition, Amy reluctantly attends and to her surprise she is the "face" they have in mind for the part. Amy is whisked away to LA where she lands the lead role on Autumn Leaves.

Amy suddenly goes from poor college student to earning $500,000 by the end of season one. Amy feels very plain next to her co-workers and it's apparent they think the same about her. They are constantly commenting on her weight, not knowing the latest celebrity gossip and her lack of fashion sense. Amy succumbs to the pressure and slowly begins the "Hollywood Car Wash".

"I had been starved, my hair had been bleached and straightened, and my face had been injected, de-acned, and bronzed. My teeth had been shaved and capped, and I was eating less and smoking more than I ever had in my life. I was a rich and successful Hollywood Star. I was a Golden Globe nominee, and I had a killer wardrobe, two stylists, and a personal trainer. But. . . wasn't I still the same person inside?" (p. 142)

It's not until she signs a contract to be the girlfriend of an A-list movie star and her showdown with the paparazzi that she realizes maybe the Hollywood glam isn't worth it after all.

Recommended to readers: who enjoy a behind-the-scenes look on Hollywood. A chick lit fan will enjoy this quick, entertaining read. It's hard not to feel compassion for Amy as she finds herself swept away in the fast-lane.

This Is What I Want to Tell You

Title: This Is What I Want to Tell You
Author: Heather Duffy Stone
ISBN-13: 9780738714509
Pages: 233
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Young Adult
Date Finished: June 6

First sentence: I can't tell you exactly what happened, but I can tell you part of it.

Noelle and Nadio are twins. Noelle and Keeley are best friends. Keeley spends the summer in Europe with her family. This story is what happens after Keeley returns.

Upon her return, Keeley knows something is different with Noelle. Their friendship is not smooth anymore. There's too much space between them and no words can be used to bring them together. Noelle finds a new friend, Jessica, while Keeley is away. It's because of this friendship she meets Parker.

Parker is Noelle's secret. She doesn't speak of him with Nadio and certainly not with Keeley. As her feelings for Parker intensifies, Nadio and Keeley are starting a new love themselves. Keeley is conflicted with keeping their relationship a secret from Noelle. She's also struggling with an event that occurred during the summer that can negatively impact her relationship with Nadio.
When Noelle discovers their relationship, she reacts in such a volatile way, that all parties will begin to question the closeness of their friendship.

I have to say, I wasn't sure if I liked Noelle or not. She kept her relationship with Parker a secret, but yet was angry with Nadio and Keeley for keeping their relationship a secret. It wasn't until I saw how scared she was of not having a chance to live, that I started to warm up to her.

"I wasn't scared of being left by him, I was scared of being left behind. Of Keely living a life I couldn't see. Of not getting to do the things other people got to do. Of not getting a chance." (p. 199)

Nadio has an interesting role in the story. Not only is he the twin brother and the best friend's brother, he's the man of the house. Nadio's father left the family and Nadio isn't sure how to be. He questions his feelings, he isn't sure what to do and blames his father for this. He begins to write letters to his father as a way to figure out who he is as a son, a brother, a boyfriend and an individual. Nadio is conflicted with his new feelings for Keeley and his loyalty to his sister.

This Is What I Want to Tell You illustrates the repercussions on a relationship that is strained by jealousy and secrets.

Waiting on Wednesday

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill of Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating


Title: After You
Author: Julie Buxbaum
Publication Date: August 25

The complexities of friendship. The unraveling of a neglected marriage. And the redemptive power of literature...Julie Buxbaum, the acclaimed author of The Opposite of Love, delivers a powerful, gloriously written novel about love, family, and the secrets we hide from each other, and ourselves.

On a cobblestone street in Notting Hill, Ellie Lerner's life-long best friend, Lucy, is stabbed to death in front of her eight-year-old daughter. Ellie, of course, drops everything - her job, her marriage, her life in the Boston suburbs - and travels to London to pick up the pieces of the life Lucy has left behind. While Lucy's husband, Greg copes with his grief by retreating to the pub, eight-year-old Sophie has simply stopped speaking.

Desperate to help Sophie, Ellie turns to a book that gave her comfort as a child, The Secret Garden. As the two spend hours exploring the novel, its story of hurt, magic and healing blooms around them. But so, too, do the secrets Lucy kept hidden, even from her best friend. As Ellie peels back the layers of her friend's life, she's forced to confront her own as well - the marriage she left behind, the loss she'd hoped to escape, and the elusiveness of the place we choose to call home.

A novel that will resonate in the heart of anyone who's had a best friend, a love lost, or a past full of regrets, AFTER YOU proves once again the unique and compelling talent of Julie Buxbaum. (From the author's website)

Cover Attraction

Title: The Accidental Bestseller
Author: Wendy Wax

Once upon a time four aspiring authors met at their very first writers’ conference. Ten years later they’re still friends, survivors of the ultra-competitive New York publishing world. Mallory St. James is a workaholic whose bestsellers support a lavish lifestyle. Tanya Mason is a single mother juggling two jobs, two kids, and too many deadlines. Faye Truett is the wife of a famous televangelist and the author of inspirational romances: no one would ever guess her explosive secret. Kendall Aims’s once-promising career is on the skids—and so is her marriage. Her sales are dismal, her new editor detests her work—and her husband is cheating. Barely able to think, let alone meet her final deadline, Kendall holes up in a mountain cabin to confront a blank page and a blanker future. But her friends won’t let her face this trial alone. Together they collaborate on a novel using their own lives as fodder, assuming no one will ever discover the truth behind their words.

No one is more surprised than they are when the book becomes a runaway bestseller. But with success comes scrutiny and scandal…as these four best friends suddenly realize how little they’ve truly known each other. (From Amazon)

When I first saw this cover, childhood memories immediately came to mind. During my summer breaks, I spent most days reading outside, sitting on my front porch. I just want to grab a book, a nice cool drink and sit outside on my deck.

Best Intentions by Emily Listfield

Title: Best Intentions
Author: Emily Listfield
ISBN-10: 1416576711
Pages: 338
Year Published: 2009
Genre: Fiction
Date Finished: June 6

First sentence: I lie in bed watching the numbers on the digital alarm click in slow motion to 6:00a.m., 6:01.


Is it possible that the world you carefully constructed can shatter in an instant based on an assumption you made after hearing a voice message on your husband's cell phone? This is what Lisa Barkley begins to think after hearing the muffled message from an unknown woman to her husband.

"Everything I was certain—well, almost certain—of just twenty-four hours ago, job, husband, the intrinsic netting of my life, is suddenly flimsy, insubstantial, everything I have taken for granted now seems up for grabs." (p. 49)

On the outside, Sam and Lisa are happily married with two daughters, Claire and Phoebe. Lisa holds a top position at a PR firm, while Sam is a journalist. They met and fell in love during college and married shortly after graduation. Their daughters attend private school on the Upper East Side.

Lisa never thought to question her marriage until she hears this voice message. She shares her concerns with her best friend, Deirdre. Deirdre does not share Lisa's suspicions and tells her it's probably nothing. Lisa tries to shrug it off, however she just cannot seem to let it go.

Meanwhile an old college friend comes to Manhattan to interview for a job and to celebrate his 40th birthday. Jack is Deirdre's former boyfriend and the four of them get together for a night of celebration and to reminisce. Jack and Deirdre entertain the idea of resuming their past love, only this time both have significant others. Jack is now married to Alice and Deirdre is in a relationship with Ben.

The four friends' reunion sets the stage for past secrets, betrayal and lies to be revealed. Can we truly leave our past in the past? If we try to correct past mistakes, are really doing more harm than good?

"The past is never really over. Our interpretation of it may shift like a kaleidoscope, it may inform us or lead us astray, it may bring comfort or delusion, and excuse to hate or a reason to love. Some of us race too quickly to try to escape it, some of us cling so tightly it blinds us to the present. but one way or another, it is always with us." (p. 331)

Best Intentions is a book that you can easily get lost in. I was captivated within the first chapter and began to wonder if Sam was truly having an affair. Without giving too much away, the novels twists and turns and I began to question each character's motive. At one point I truly felt for Lisa because I didn't know who was telling the truth and who was not. I have to admit, after finishing the book and finally knowing Sam's side of the story, I still had my doubts.

This is the first book I read by this author and it will not be the last. Best Intentions is one I highly recommend.

Tuesday Teasers

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by Jenn of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
  
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
  
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure what you share does not give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
  
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
  

My teasers:

"The pair of them went to the library every week to check out books. By the time she was seven, Elena could read chapter books, and she read them by the zillions."
~p. 49, The Lost Recipe for Happiness by Barbara O'Neal~

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It's Monday. . .

Books read last week:

• Legacy by Kate Brian
• Best Intentions by Emily Listfield
• This Is What I Want to Tell You by Heather Duffy Stone
• Hollywood Car Wash by Lori Culwell
  

Finished listening to:

• 311 Pelican Court by Debbie Macomber

Audio book currently listening to:

• 44 Cranberry Point by Debbie Macomber
  

Next on my list to read:

• The Lost Recipe of Happiness by Barbara O'Neal
• City Dog by Alison Pace
• Holly's Inbox by Holly Denham
• Ambition by Kate Brian
  

Musing Mondays

Today’s MUSING MONDAYS post is about reading time…

Do you have a set reading time (before bed, perhaps)? Do you read more at night or during the day? Is there a day of the week, perhaps, that you set aside to catch up on reading?

I've made a commitment to myself to read every day. I try to read during my lunch hour if I can take the full hour. I also read 1-2 hours at night when I come home. I do like reading in bed, but lately I've been so tired, that when I get in bed to read, I'm asleep before I open my book! So instead I read sitting on my couch with my cats sleeping beside me.

I also listen to an audio book during my commute to and from work. This is the only time that I listen to audio books, so it takes me almost 3 weeks to finish one book.

Now that it's summer, my reading pattern has changed. I wake up early Saturday morning to run. Sometimes if I wake up before my alarm, I will read in bed until it's time for my run. After my run and shower, I read while eating breakfast. Now that my TV shows are on summer hiatus, I find myself reading about 3 hours each evening.

For the most part, I do most of my "catch up" reading on Sunday afternoons. Sundays are usually my lazy days. I come home from church, change clothes, eat breakfast and read outside on my deck.

What about you? What's your reading schedule?

48 Hour Book Challenge ~ Completed!

For me, the 48 Hour Book Challenge is officially finished. I started 7pm on Friday and stopped reading 7pm this evening. I manged to read three books:

1. Best Intentions by Emily Listfield
2. This is What I Want to Tell You by Heather Duffy Stone
3. Hollywood Car Wash by Lori Culwell

Look for the reviews later this week.

This was my first time participating in the challenge. I really enjoyed it and would participate again in the future.

Total time: 20 hours, 22 minutes reading and blogging
Total pages: 822

Sunday Salon

June 7, 2009

It's Sunday once again. I'm in my final four hours of the 48 Hour Book Challenge. I'm halfway through my third book, Hollywood Car Wash. Unfortunately I wasn't able to read as much for this challenge as I originally planned (thanks to unexpected interruptions), but I'm satisfied with my progress.

I'm still creating my summer reading list and have now pulled books from my bookshelves. Summer is officially two weeks away and I plan to have the list completed by then. I will probably add to the list as a few titles will not be released until July.

Well, this will have to be a short post today. I needed to take a quick break from my reading. I hope everyone is enjoying the remaining hours of this challenge.

311 Pelican Court by Debbie Macomber

Title:311 Pelican Court
Author: Debbie Macomber
Series: Cedar Cove #3
ISBN-10: 1551667193
Pages: 377
Year Published: 2003
Genre: Romance
Date Finished: June 4

From the back cover:

Rosie Cox
311 Pelican Court
Cedar Cove, Washington

Dear Reader,

One thing about Cedar Cove - people sure are interested in what other people are doing. Take me, for instance. Everybody in this town knows that my husband, Zach, and I recently got a divorce. Everybody also knows that Judge Olivia Lockhart decreed a pretty unusual custody arrangement. If won't be the kids moving between my place and Zach's. We're the ones who'll be going back and forth!

Olivia isn't immune to gossip herself. Will she stay with Jack, the guy who runs our local paper, or will she get back with her ex? Inquiring minds want to know!

But the really big gossip has to do with the dead guy - the man who died at a local bed-and-breakfast. Who is he and why did he show up there in the middle of the night? Roy McAfee, our local private investigator, is absolutely determined to find out. I hope he does - and then I'll let you know! See you soon. . .

Rosie

First sentence: From the moment Rosie Cox entered Cedar Cove's divorce court, she'd felt a renewed sense of failure - not to mention betrayal.

My review: I've really enjoyed this series that author Debbie Macomber has written. The characters are warm and engaging and the reader cannot help but to wonder what will happen next in Cedar Cove. Although this is classified as a romance novel, there's a bit of a mystery as well.

The mystery begins when Dan Sherman, Grace's husband, leaves his family. Later his body is found next to a suicide note. In the note, Dan informs Grace about an incident that happened during Vietnam. This incident has haunted him his entire life. Later we learn a stranger is found dead at Thyme and Tide Bed and Breakfast. Is his death somehow related to Dan?

Each book in this series, flows elegantly into the next one. Though the families live separate lives, the series has a small town appeal and everyone knows (and cares) for each other. If you are in search of a good series with likable characters, I'd suggest you start with book one 16 Lighthouse Road. Soon you too will get caught up in the happenings of Cedar Cove, WA.

48 Hour Book Challenge ~ Check-in

It's been 24 hours since I started the challenge. I finally put my book down around 1:45am. I began to notice how heavy a hardback can be especially after 1am. I really wanted to finish reading Best Intentions, however between my hand hurting and my eyes drooping, I realized it was not to be.

I woke up around 6am this morning with every intention to read. That was the plan until I started doing a few chores, which led to more chores, and you know the rest. I didn't start reading until 8am. I finished Best Intentions, ate breakfast, did more chores and ran.

Best Intentions was an excellent read. I highly recommend this book. At the end, I truly felt for Lisa. I wasn't sure who to believe: Sam, her husband, Jack, an old college friend, or David, a potential client. Is it possible to correct mistakes of the past? Can we truly leave our past behind? These are a few themes this book addresses.

This afternoon I finished This is What I Want to Tell You by Heather Duffy Stone. It was a quick, easy read. What do you do when you feel your best friend is moving ahead of you and your life is at a stand still? This is a challenging question for Noelle, one of the main characters, to answer.

Look for full reviews on Best Intentions and This is What I Want to Tell You next week.

I'm now reading Hollywood Car Wash, my third book. More than likely I will stop reading around 10 or 10:30pm. I attend the 7:30am church service and need to be in bed early. Tomorrow I plan to continue reading after church and my run.

What have you accomplished so far? I hope everyone is doing well with this challenge.

Total time: 9 hours reading, 24 hours since starting
Total pages: 515

Currently reading: Hollywood Car Wash
Books finished: Best Intentions and This is What I Want to Tell You

Legacy by Kate Brian

Title: Legacy
Author: Kate Brian
Series: Private #6
ISBN-10: 1416950427
Pages: 243
Year Published: 2008
Genre: YA Fiction
Date Finished: June 2

First sentences: Death. It wasn't supposed to happen this way.

Caution: This review contains spoilers!

Reed and the rest of the Billings Girls are back in Legacy, book six of the Private Series. They are mourning the loss of Cheyenne and trying to get answers to their questions surrounding her suicide. This is the second death on the Easton campus and the question is how can tragedy strike the sheltered and the elite?

Cheyenne was president of Billings House prior to her death. Now that the presidency is vacant, only one Billings Girl seems appropriate to replace her: Reed. The same day Reed accepts the nomination, a surprise awaits her. Noelle is back at Easton Academy.

Meanwhile, Halloween approaches and it's time for the Legacy. There's just one problem: the Easton students have been blackballed. And no one knows why. Now that Reed is president, it's up to her to get everyone invites. As much as she enjoys being president of Billings House, Reed also learns it comes with a price.

48 Hour Book Challenge ~ Check-in

It's been 3 hours since I started the challenge. I'm still reading Best Intentions by Emily Listfield. It's really good. I'm finding myself slowing down with my reading as I really want to take in the story. Hopefully I can finish before going to bed tonight. I have an early morning run tomorrow. The plan is to continue reading until 1am or so. I'll resume reading after my run. The weather should be nice so I can sit outside on my deck.

Start time: 7:00pm
Current time: 10:00pm
Reading time: 2 hours, 30 minutes

Currently reading: Best Intentions
Books finished: None

48 Hour Book Challenge - Starting Line

Let the countdown begin! In about 55 minutes (7pm) I will begin the 48 Hour Book Challenge. This will be my first time participating, which I'm very excited about. I'm going to begin the challenge with Best Intentions by Emily Listfield. I started it earlier this week with plans to finish it by this evening, however other commitments pulled me away from my reading schedule.

Here's the pile of books I plan to read from:

1. This is What I want to Tell You by Heather Duffy Stone
2. Hollywood Car Wash by Lori Culwell
3. Kiss Me Kill Me by Lauren Henderson
4. Kisses and Lies by Lauren Henderson
5. Sleepwalking in Daylight by Elizabeth Flock
6. The Visibles by Sara Shepard
7. The Diary by Eileen Goudge
8. Something, Maybe by Elizabeth Scott

I'll be happy if I finish at least three from this list. I'll check in with my progress every few hours or so. To everyone participating, I wish you well. And of course. . .HAVE FUN READING!

Booking Through Thursday

I saw this over at Shelley’s, and thought it sounded like a great question for all of you:

“This can be a quick one. Don’t take too long to think about it. Fifteen books you’ve read that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes.”

Good question! My list is based on favorite childhood reads, favorite reads in high school and the first book I read by an author that hooked me and made me want to read more of their works.

1. My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
2. Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult
3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
4. Tell No One by Harlan Coben
5. The Last to Know by Wendy Corsi Staub
6. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
7. The Opposite of Love by Julie Buxbaum
8. Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas by James Patterson
9. A Crack in Forever by Jeannie Brewer
10. Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin
11. Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. by Judy Blume
12. From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
13. The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
14. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
15. Forever by Judy Blume