Books Blog : books, reviews, fiction

Recent Chick Lit Reads

KickinLibrarian@evpl — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:33:00 GMT

In the past few weeks since my last blog post, I have been on a chick-lit rampage. I have been speed-reading through recent releases like I don't have a hundred other things to do. Laundry piled up, kitchen didn't get cleaned, and packing for my move didn't happen. These three books are part of the reason that I have been slacking.

Prospect Park West by Amy Sohn takes place in Brooklyn's prosperous Park Slope neighborhood. The lives of four women intersect as they deal with husbands, children, and playground politics. Not earth-shattering reading, but worth a chance if you have the time.

Mercury in Retrograde by Paula Froelich has a cover strikingly similar to Prospect Park West. Froelich's novel takes place across the bridge in Manhattan where three women who are down on their luck join forces to get their lives back in order. The ending is pretty predictable, but it is an enjoyable read.

Going across the pond to England, Sophie Kinsella's latest book, Twenties Girl, introduces us to Sadie, a wild flapper from the 1920s and her great-niece, Lara, living in present-day London. Sadie has passed away alone in a retirement home, but her spirit remains on Earth pushing Lara to find who stole Sadie's prized possession. True to Kinsella form, this book is laugh out loud funny and highly recommended.

Happy Reading!

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn

KickinLibrarian@evpl — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:04:00 GMT

When I went home a little while back, I saw a copy of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn in my little sister's room. Feeling a bit nostalgic, I went home and started reading the battered copy on my bookshelf. I don't know how many times I have read this book (almost as many as Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird), but I always come away feeling like I have just read it for the first time.

Betty Smith published A Tree Grows in Brooklyn in 1943 and it was an immediate success. The story focuses around Francie Nolan, a young girl growing up in the early twentieth century with a fun-loving, but alcoholic father, realistic mother, and younger brother. Struggling against poverty and isolation from her peers, Francie finds solace in the library where she plans to read every book in the collection. The story continues over the next five years of Francie's life. Her struggle to gain her mother's love, her desire to better her own life, and finding love are all issues that Francie encounters growing up in Brooklyn.

I don't want to give away too much of the story for those of you that haven't read it because A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is a book that I believe everyone should read at least once. Francie and her family have struggles that many people can relate to, and you can't help but wish to be the friend Francie so desperately needed. If you are wandering around the library one day searching for something to read, remember to grab a copy of this book.

Commencement

KickinLibrarian@evpl — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:47:00 GMT

It is sometimes hard to believe that I graduated from USI over five years ago. That may seem like no time at all for some people, but sometimes I still feel like I am 21 again. Sometimes I forget that I am a "grown-up" with a "grown-up" job and bills, house payments, etc. Many of my favorite memories involved my roommates and friends from college walking to class, throwing a frisbee outside the apartments, and staying up late to talk about the future.

When I read the premise behind Commencement by J. Courtney Sullivan, I knew I had to read it. After waiting a few weeks because of all the holds (I wish librarians got priority sometime!), I stayed up late in the night reading this book. I connected with the characters created by Sullivan because I could see a bit of myself, and my friends, in each of the four main characters.

Set in the late 1990s at Smith College, Celia, Sally, Bree, and April are put together as hall-mates. On first glance, the four seem to have nothing in common and have no desire to befriend one another. As they go through the early days of college, however, they learn to rely on one another and form a bond that lasts through their college years. The differences come to head in their early twenties as the four split off to separate lives.

At Sally's wedding a few years later, an argument occurs that leaves a rift between the four best friends. Gradually, they all begin to realize that life isn't as easy without each other and when one of the four goes missing, they come together to search for their missing link.

One of the best things about this book was that most of us can relate to an argument between friends. I just happened to get this book when one of my closest friends and I seemed to be constantly at odds. After reading Commencement, I realized that life without her wouldn't be the same and emailed her an apology. Growing up and getting older isn't simple, but it is easier to manage with great friends.

Hester Browne

KickinLibrarian@evpl — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:03:00 GMT

If you haven't read anything by Hester Browne, then you need to go to the nearest library and check one of her books out! Browne has written a hilarious series that begins with The Little Lady Agency. The story begins with Melissa Romney-Jones, a Londoner who has once again been fired from her job. In order to find more permanent employment, Melissa looks up her old etiquette teacher who serves as a companion for older men. A few dates into the job, however, Melissa finds out her job wasn't exactly what she thought! Determined to help those men who are quite helpless, Melissa starts her own business- The Little Lady Agency- to help men figure out their wardrobes, how to act on dates, etc. All is going along swimmingly until Melissa meets American Jonathan Riley. As Melissa struggles to get her company going, she also struggles to keep her attraction to Jonathan under control. Melissa's story continues in Little Lady, Big Apple and The Little Lady Agency and the Prince. Now that she is off the singles market, Melissa tries to figure out how to balance her business of helping bachelors while keeping a boyfriend.

In June 2009, Browne published a new stand-alone book. After waiting for weeks on the hold list (even librarians have to wait for the good books), I eagerly started reading The Finishing Touches this weekend. Browne has done it again! Not only does the book have laugh-out-loud moments, but there is also a bit of seriousness thrown in as well. Twenty-seven years ago a baby was left outside the Phillimore Academy for Young Ladies with a note and a small bee pendant. Betsy grows up in the shadows of the Academy walls anticipating the day she will become one of the Phillimore girls. Imagine her shock when her adoptive parents decide she is "not that type of girl" and send her off to university. Twelve years later Betsy returns after the death of her adoptive mother in hopes of bringing the Academy into the modern age and finding her real parents.

If you're looking for a new author that will make you laugh and feel a little weepy, check out any of the Hester Browne books.

So good, you may want to Cry Wolf again

E-Ville Librarian@evpl — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:17:00 GMT

Here is a post from Seeker@evpl, whose posts can be found on the EVPL Research blog:

Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs

"Becoming a werewolf brought nothing but problems to Anna every since she'd survived the vicious attack that turned her. Now, she couldn't decide if meeting Charles, a strong and charismatic werewolf who insists she is his mate, was a step up in her life or just another problem. Charles, on the other hand, is sure that Anna is not only the best thing that's happened to him, but also a gift to his pack. He's the first to realize that she's an Omega wolf, with the ability to calm and encourage others around her. As second-in-command and enforcer of his father's pack, he's a wolf that can use a lot of calming (and loving).

Anna's introduction to the pack and her growing bond with Charles kept me riveted to the story. Patricia Briggs has the gift of making the werewolf lifestyle and paranormal romances totally believable with advantages and disadvantages appearing naturally. I literally could not stop reading as reports of a rogue werewolf lure Charles and Anna out into the wilds of Montana and into a physical and magical fight for their lives and the future of their pack. I've really enjoyed everything I've read by Patricia Briggs in the past. Her paranormal romances have a lot of adventure and characters that I can care about.

p.s. While this title can be read by itself as a stand-alone adventure romance, to find out how Anna and Charles first met, read the story "Alpha and Omega" in the collection On The Prowl. All 4 stories in this collection are good reading but very different. ( seeker@evpl)"

Patricia Briggs Website