Wish List Wednesday (#1)

I’ve been looking for a quick and dirty way to spotlight the many books I hope to acquire – and lo and behold – I found that a fellow blogger over at Pen to Paper has a fun little wish list blog hop. Book bloggers are so dang clever! Considering that my wish list is actually more magnanimous than my to-read pile, I’ll be making a lot of use out of this meme.  Seriously guys, my wish list is ridiculous! I covet books more than Carrie Bradshaw desires Manolos. Perhaps I should seek out a 12-step program for compulsive bookaholics.

So I might be bending the rules just a tad, but it’s too hard to just feature one book. Surely I’m exempt due to my addiction disorder! Here are just a few random novels I’ve got my eye on:

Let’s Pretend this Never Happened by Jenny Lawson (aka The Bloggess/Jessica Sinn’s idol)

Synopsis (from Goodreads) When Jenny Lawson was little, all she ever wanted was to fit in. That dream was cut short by her fantastically unbalanced father (a professional taxidermist who created dead-animal hand puppets) and a childhood of wearing winter shoes made out of used bread sacks. It did, however, open up an opportunity for Lawson to find the humor in the strange shame spiral that is her life, and we are all the better for it. More…

Ten by Gretchen McNeil

Synopsis (from Goodreads) It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives—an exclusive house party on Henry Island. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their reasons for being there (which involve T.J., the school’s most eligible bachelor) and look forward to three glorious days of boys, booze and fun-filled luxury. But what they expect is definitely not what they get, and what starts out as fun turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine. More…

The Dinner Party by Jenny Ladner Brenner

Synapsis (from the publisher) Lainie Silver isn’t jealous. Regardless of what her nagging mother and overpaid therapist might say. So what if her oldest friend-turned-frenemy, Miya, is a celebrity make-up artist with endless good press, has a loft in Tribeca, and impossibly shiny hair? So what if Lainie is stuck in professional purgatory and a disastrous (albeit disease-free) dating life? Jealousy definitely isn’t why Lainie sleeps with Miya’s husband after hosting a dinner party of overcooked sea bass and tension sliced extra thick. Especially since Lainie can’t even stand Jake. Especially after eight minutes of mediocre sex. The Dinner Party tells the story of Lainie’s resolve to stash her secret, wangle a new career, and land a man of her own without ever having to set the table again.

Against the backdrop of occasional bad decisions (alas: been there, slept with that), with guilty angst and acerbic wit as her must-have accessories, Lainie searches for her version of happiness—preferably six-feet tall with most of its hair. But is finding love enough to keep a marriage, a friendship, and Lainie’s sanity intact?

What do you think? Are any of these books on your wish list? Hop on over to Pen to Paper for more about this fun little meme.

Sundays in Bed With…(#2)

Hooray for Sundays! Whenever this lovely day of the week rolls around, I look forward to long hours of reading, big pancake breakfasts and drinking coffee out of a ceramic mug rather than a to-go sippy cup! These simple pleasures really make life worth living! On this glorious day, I’m still in bed (don’t judge!) with  Ann Brashares’ Sisterhood Everlasting.

This is going to sound really melodramatic, but I’m just goint to say it: Ann Brashares is like the Picasso of writing. She has a true gift for painting the many colors of complicated emotions that most of us can’t even put into words. Once again, she has blown me away with her poignant prose, poetic analogies and multi-layered characters.  I have to hand it to myself, I did a fantabulous job picking out incredibly moving books this month!  After reading Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt, I was in the mood for another tear-jerker about broken spirits, female bonding and the power of friendship. And boy did this book deliver!

This is going to sound really weird, but I have to admit, I’ve been avoiding this book because I didn’t want the Traveling Pants series to end. I couldn’t handle saying goodbye to the sardonic Tibby, the introverted Lena and the theatrical Carmen. But most of all, I didn’t want to say goodbye to the impulsive, spirited, fast-moving Bridget. I absolutely love this character, probably because she and I have a lot in common.

A word to the wise, do not listen to this book on tape in a public space! Find yourself a nice, quiet place where you can cry your eyes out and tear through the pages at warp speed. It was really aggravating pressing the stop button when bombshells were dropped and secrets were revealed. I promise to give you more details in the full review, so stay tuned!

What are you reading this Sunday? Post a comment and tell me all about it! This fun little weekly meme was created by my fellow book blogger, The Midnight Book Girl.

True Love Way by Nancy Scrofano

People who know me well often poke fun at my love for old-school TV shows.  It’s always very awkward at social gatherings when people start talking about shows like Glee or Dancing with the Stars. When the conversation turns to me, I just give them a blank stare and say, “How about that Jessica Fletcher? Did you see her solve the case of the poisoned clam chowder?”  Thanks to my nifty DVR (best invention next to the Ford Taurus!) I no longer have to join the masses in TV Land.  Give me a recycled episode of Murder She Wrote over a dumpy reality show any day! I still don’t know who the Kardashians are and what they’re all about – and I intend to keep it that way!

But I digress…the reason for this rant is that Marlo in True Love Way is a girl after my own heart.  She may be young and hip, but she spends her free time watching I Love Lucy and Shirley Temple movies with her spunky great aunt. She even dyed her hair red to channel her inner Lucile Ball! This girl just loves, loves, loves all things retro. One thing she doesn’t love, however, is change. Who can blame her? Change is scary, especially for those of us who live in our own little nostalgic worlds.

After her ex-boyfriend, Josh, summons her back to Napa, her cushy little life goes into a tailspin.  Her best friend, Nick, isn’t all to gung-ho about her rushing back to the jerk who kicked her to the curb and scurried off to Paris. But despite Nick’s warnings, she’s desperate to get some answers…and possibly rekindle the flame.

Why did he cut and run right when their romance was blossoming? And why did he go 12 long years without calling or writing?  To quote the great Ricky Ricardo, he’s got some splaining to do!

Unwilling to let Marlo roadtrip it alone in her rickety vintage car, Nick decides to tag along. claiming that he needs to visit his sister Savannah. What could be more fun than an impromptu reunion with a bunch of old high school chums in California’s gorgeous wine country? Oh, you’d be surprised.

As soon as they set foot in Napa, things get screwy real fast. Savannah (Marlo’s other BFF) gets weird when Josh enters the picture. They used to be so close back in high school, especially when Marlo helped her raise her child right after graduation. But now it seems as though she’s holding something back…something that could potentially destroy their friendship.

Things go from bad to worse when Josh goes above and beyond to win Marlo’s heart. From balloon rides to romantic picnics to candlelit dinners, he’s pulling out all the stops to get her back. According to the butterflies in her stomach, the chemistry is alive and well. But a niggling feeling in her gut tells her to back off.

And just to make life even more complicated, Nick seems to have a special interest in the leggy, French girl who works behind the counter at his sister’s bakery. Why does he always seem to distract himself with uninteresting women with big boobs and long legs? And more importantly – why do his meaningless flings get under Marlo’s skin?

I’ll stop right here before I give anything away! You’ll have to read the book to find out what’s going on with these crazy kids. Overall, this book is a fun little beach read that will take you on a rollercoaster ride of emotional turmoil. The romance is entertaining, but what really makes the book special is Marlo. Considering our society’s obsession with all things digital, it’s refreshing to come across a character who lives in her own whimsical world of retro pop culture.

My only hangup is that the author didn’t take advantage of Napa’s gorgeous setting. I’ve never been there, but I would love to know what it’s like to soak in the breathtaking hills and valleys, to smell the aroma of vino at a classy winery, to explore a wine cellar lined with oak barrels. Although she touched on some of Napa’s scenic splendor, I would have liked more atmosphere and little less dialogue.

Aside from that minor gripe, True Love Way is definitely worth reading. Nancy Scrofano certainly has some writing chops, and I’m interested to see what she’ll come up with next!  Fans of Emily Giffin and Jane Green are sure to enjoy this charming story about a quirky woman reaching a crossroads in life.

Sundays in Bed with…(#1)

There’s nothing I’d rather do on a Sunday than laze around in bed with a good book and a pudgy cat. While everyone’s off running errands, working out and being productive, I’m unashamedly still in my PJs sipping coffee and immersing myself in a new story. When I came across the Midnight Book Girl’s cool meme, I couldn’t resist joining my fellow book bloggers – my soul sisters – in their blissful Sunday morning reading adventures!

This morning I’m completely wrapped up in Beth Hoffman’s debut novel, Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt.  One hundred pages zipped by in a flurry and now I’m in need of another box of Kleenex!  I haven’t been this moved by a book since I read The Help.

The story revolves around Cee Cee Honeycutt, a lonely little girl who really got the shaft in the parent department. The first riveting chapters take you through Cee Cee’s plight as the daughter of a bat-shit crazy mother and absentee, alcoholic father.  Shunned by the neighborhood kids, she longs for a best girlfriend more than anything in the world. To shut out her grim reality, she devours books – especially Nancy Drew mysteries.

When tragedy strikes,  Cee Cee’s great aunt Tootie swoops in and whisks her off to Savannah, Georgia. Like little orphan Annie, Cee Cee instantly goes from an abusive, loveless existance to a wondrous world of prosperity, hope and friendship.

A huge lump formed in my throat when I read this exchange between Aunt Tootie and Cee Cee.  

“Your mind must be swimming right now, but I want you to know that I’ve got a big ole house with plenty of room, and I’d love to have you.”

Those six simple words echoed around me and filled the room with light: I’d sure love to have you…I’d sure love to have you…

My shoulders began to shake, and to my disbelief, hot tears spilled from my eyes and ran down my cheeks. Aunt Tootie wrapped me in her arms and pulled me close.

Wow! I can tell you right now that this book is going to be one of my faves!

So what are you reading this morning?

Short & Sweet Sunday: Overseas by Beatriz Williams

 In honor of Sunday – a day I reserve for reading and lollygagging – I bring you a short and sweet book review!

The gist: Meet Kate Wilson, an overworked, hyper-ambitious financial analyst. Caught up in a fast-paced, high-stress New York City lifestyle, she’s too immersed in her thankless job than to even consider falling in love. That is until she crosses paths with Manhattan’s most scrumdiddlyumptious British billionaire at a business meeting. Coveted by women and feared by Wall Street moguls, Julian Laurence embodies the trifecta of hotness: Power, smoldering good looks, and mystique. There’s something very odd about this golden haired It Boy. Not only does he avoid the vapid and soulless Manhattan party scene, he also seems to be from another time and place. He could have any woman in the world, but for some inexplicable reason he sets his sights on Kate. What is it about the shy bookish number-cruncher that has him so enamored?  Kate finds herself equally attracted and mystified by this curiously old-fashioned hunk of a man. What’s the deal with their instant attraction? And why does it seem as though they’ve met before? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

What I liked: The time travel. Despite its size, the book is a super-fast read. I was kept guessing about the whole time-space-continuum thing until the very last few pages.  The author expertly weaved together two narratives: one of Kate’s current situation in New York; the other of her time traveling adventures in World War I-era  France, where Julian serves as a dedicated officer in the British Army. As the story progressed, Kate’s mission to warn Julian about his impending death gets more desperate.  If he doesn’t heed her warning, she will be forced to roam the earth lost and alone.  

What irked me: I love a strong, fearless female protagonist just as much as the next girl, but Kate could have been a little bit more flexible with the whole money situation.  I get that she doesn’t want to be showered with material things, but she could have at least let him help her with her legal defense when her firm accused her of insider trading.  If I had a billionaire boyfriend, I sure would enjoy the safety net of all his riches in a crisis situation.  

This book is best read: On an airplane. I devoured this  400 + page tome while flying to and from Austin and California. The stern flight attendants, crappy watered down cokes and ear-splitting wailing babies didn’t faze me at all while I whizzed through the pages.

Favorite quote:  “There was really nothing like retail therapy for a girl with a train wrecked career and a near-paralytic case of sexual frustration.”

Casting call: If this book ever graced the silver screen, I could totally see the luscious Jude Law playing Julian. With his dark, golden hair and piercing eyes, he would be a perfect fit! Oh how I would love to hear those sweet nothings coming from his lips! As for Kate, I pictured Michelle Morgan, who plays Lou Flemming on Heartland. Her alabaster skin, long legs and raven locks perfectly match Kate’s classic good looks. Read my Book Boyfriend post for more Jude Law/Julian Laurence yumminess.

Overall:  Typically I like books in which romance is a secondary storyline. The swoony dialogue in Harlequin romances can be a little much. But this book is an exception! All of the plot threads – the time travel, the mystery, the paranormal romance – had me under a spell.  I was so lost in this book, I almost forgot to catch my connecting flight to Dallas! Or perhaps that was my subconscious telling me to not set foot in another busy, confusing airport. Either way, this book is worth reading!  Even though this is her debut novel, Beatriz Williams writes like a seasoned pro. Her lyrical prose and whimsical dialogue rivals that of Deborah Harkness (A Discovery of Witches) and Elizabeth Kostova (The Historian).

Let’s Hear it for Strong Women!

My grandma back in her heyday. She’s the mischievous one on the right hiking up her skirt.

If you’re not already a regular follower of Sylvia Dickey Smith’s blog, Writing Strong Women, you’re in for a treat! Visiting her website is like sipping a cup of coffee with a good friend, the kind of friend you turn to for sage advice and encouragement. Sylvia’s blog gives me the kick in the pants I need harness my inner girl-power and face adversity head on! Can I get a Ya Ya!

I couldn’t think of a better place to post a tribute to the strongest woman I’ve ever known, my grandma. As you can see in this picture, she was a real firecracker! I’d like to think we share the same qualities, especially her smile and ability to love unconditionally. For more about this incredibly important woman in my life, stop on over at Writing Strong Women to read my guest post!

Who’s your favorite strong female character (in fiction or real life)?

Memorable Monday #1

Let’s face it, Mondays are the pits. So what better way to beat the back-to-work doldrums than by revisiting our favorite books? Thanks to the ladies over at Escape in a Book, I can look forward to highlighting a favorite passage every Monday.

Cathy Lamb is an extremely gifted women’s fiction writer who has a knack for crafting lyrical prose and poignant messages. I especially love her book, Such a Pretty Face, a riveting story about a 30-something office grunt who confronts her personal demons after shedding a ton of weight. Fun and frothy it is not, but if you’re in the mood for a powerful read, I highly recommend this book.
Without further adieu, here is my inaugural Memorable Monday quote:

 “A child’s bond to her mother cannot be understated, and my bond with Helen was a ragged, baffling, disheartening, chaotic mess. I felt crazy, often, around my own mother. I grew up questioning what was normal, asking what reality was and wasn’t, and not trusting the outcome of different situations. She scared me and I couldn’t predict her behavior, so I was often off-kilter and worried.” ― Cathy Lamb, Such a Pretty Face

Do you have a favorite quote? Do share!