The Best of Times

If you have diabetes, skip this book because the syrupy sweetness will surely put you into a diabetic coma.  This book is the Game of Thrones of chick-lit.  I say that because there are easily twenty characters. Their stories are all intertwined because of a fateful car crash on a highway in England.  At times I felt like I was reading an extended version of the movie Love Actually.  I can't even get into the multitude of characters and their back stories.  Just know there are a lot relationships started, broken, patched up, broken again, and then finally ending in either marriage or some other suitable resolution, like engagement or co-habitation.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it for what it was, but it was just entirely too long.  I think it was fine for the crash to be the catalyst for the story.  It was a good way to introduce the characters. Once they were established, and the cause of the crash was resolved, we are still subjected to the entire inquest as well as the planning for a charity fundraiser for the hospital where victims were treated. Those bits were not too interesting to me. This would have been a perfect book for summer reading on vacation.  It's also a good choice for a snowstorm weekend. Please just know what you're getting into when you pick it up.

The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow

This is one of the most beautiful books I've read this year.  Since this year is almost at a close, I think I can also say that it it's one of the most memorable books I've read this year.  It's set in 1950s Louisiana and the author uses such magical language in her descriptions of settings, thoughts, and emotions that you almost feel like you are right there cloaked in magical realism.

The protagonist of the book is Bonaventure Arrow who was born mute. He doesn't speak, but he has extra-sensitive hearing. He can hear the stars being born and the spices in the kitchen tell their stories about being used for gumbo.  He lives with his mother and paternal grandmother.  They are both shrouded in a deep, grieving sadness stemming from the death of Bonaventure's father. Ultimately, it is up to the spirit of the deceased father, Bonaventure, and Trinidad Prefontaine (a Creole woman with the power of healing and prophecy), to bring healing to all the characters. This story has layers that go beyond healing, though. It's also about our actions and how they affect others immediately and indefinitely.  It's also about taking the time to listen to others and to the world around you.

There are many layers to the plot, but I won't go into much detail because I really want you to read it. It's so beautifully and vividly written that I think you will get drawn in as quickly and easily as I did.

All That I Need

I just found out recently that Francis Ray died.  When I heard that, I impulsively bought one of her books for my Kindle.  I rarely buy romance books. I usually pick one up at the library when I need a break from the "serious" books.  Anyway, I recently took a trip to Los Angeles and this worked as a quick plane book.  One that could be completed in two round trip flights lasting approximately 5 hours each.

I think I may have read this book too soon after this one. I really can only read a book like this on average about once per year.  Or, if I read more than one per year, the first one has to be in January and the second one around November/December.  It's only been four months.  Not enough time has passed for me to appreciate the cheesy romance this time around. It was the same predictable story.  I outlined the formula  plot for you in my previous review of Francis Ray's work, but it never hurts to go over it once more.

Boy meets girl; girl is reluctant; girl isn't reluctant beyond page 60; nobody wants to admit they are in love; big argument or misunderstanding; something potentially tragic or dangerous happens; then everyone admits they actually ARE in love...the end!

There you have it again, in a nutshell. This book ended kind of abruptly too because it is part of a series.  The next book in the series is called All That I Desire and the events of that book are foreshadowed towards the end of this one.  I felt kind of "meh" about this installment.  I think I just went for the guilty pleasure book too soon without reading enough heavy/non-fiction/cerebral material prior to picking it up.  However, if you are in the market for a book like this for your summer enjoyment, go for it.

Firefly Lane

This is a chick-lit book all the way.  Don't even pick it up if you expect anything different.  Now with that being said, I really enjoyed it for what it was.  The book covers the thirty-year friendship of two women, Tully and Kate.  The friendship begins in high school and the book covers the ups and downs of the friendship as well as the intertwined personal lives of the women. I knew it would be sappy and clichéd, but I still got a little teary-eyed towards the end. Did I also roll my eyes at some of the characters and their actions?  Of course.  Did I think some of the plot twists were a little too convenient? A little. However, there is something about the women's friendship and feelings that the author got right.  For that reason alone, I kept reading.  Anyone who has a complex relationship with someone will recognize certain aspects of that relationship in this book. It reads a bit like a Jodi Picoult novel without a major hot button topic as the centralized theme. I would put this in the category of summer read because it reads quickly and smoothly.  Although the story takes a sad downturn, I still felt satisfied at the end because there was some type of resolution. 

If You Were My Man

Since I basically wanted to stab my eyes out with the last four books I read, it was time for a good old cheesy romance full of scandal and lust.  Since I couldn't get a hold of the latest Jackie Collins (who is my usual go-to author for these guilty breaks) I picked up this book by Francis Ray.  I'm not even ashamed to say I enjoyed this book.  It was just nice to have a book that kept me turning the pages instead of snoring.  There is a lot to be said for simple writing that gets to the point.  Questionable dialogue and my own personal eye rolling aside, I had FUN with this book.  At times, I was talking to it like I was at the opening of a Tyler Perry movie.

Me to the main female character:  "Girl just tell him the TRUTH!"
Me to the main male character: "You KNOW you love her!! Stop playin'!"

It was a welcome break from my faux-intellectualism. You already know the plot. Boy meets girl; girl is reluctant;  girl isn't reluctant beyond page 60; nobody wants to admit they are in love; big argument or misunderstanding; something potentially tragic or dangerous happens; then everyone admits they actually ARE in love...the end!  Oh and you know you have adverbs like warm, moist, hot, hard, and wet floating around in every chapter. However, I submit today that knowing the formula for a book like this adds to the enjoyment because you already know the couple will be victorious no matter the circumstances.  So you really can just pop some popcorn, kick your feet up, and jump into the story.  I couldn't read these books over and over again, but a few times a year I just have to take it back to basics.

Paris, My Sweet

LOVED LOVED LOVED this book. I don't know if it's because I still think of Paris on a daily basis ever since my December trip or because I love desserts, but this book made me very happy.  Amy Thomas describes the vibe and the feel of Paris and New York perfectly.  She experiences both cities through desserts. It is amazing how food can unknowingly describe a city.  Paris is steeped in history and the dessert and food choices reflect that.  New York is forever changing and the sweet offerings throughout the city continually demonstrate that. If you have experienced both cities and have moments when you daydream about the days you toured, lived in, worked in, or played in either city, this book will capture you and make you smile. It may also make you start counting your pennies to plan your next sweet trip. If you enjoy travel and desserts this is an excellent summer read.

Heart of the Matter

First, I must admit I couldn't put it down. It is 4am and I just finished it. I had to find out what was going to happen next.  The author does know how to snare you! That's a good thing.  With that being said these characters were so infuriating! There wasn't one character I truly liked (except Charlie, a 6 year old boy. He was sweet.). All the housewives are cookie-cutter 'burbs and none of them seem to share an independent brain cell between the whole lot of them.  I was so frustrated reading this! I liked the movie "Something Borrowed" and decided to give Emily Giffin a try, but I found myself secretly yelling at most of the characters.  Especially the two main female characters. If the author could maintain her current writing style, but add some STRONG female characters instead of weak, needy ones I'd be happy.

The Baby Planner

5 things about this book
1) It was definitely written with the hopes that movie rights will be bought...probably a cute little rom-com with Katherine Heigl
2) I only picked this up because Jackie Collins has a quote on the cover (and she is the queen of quick trashy reads and I <3 her)
3) That being said....Josie Brown is NO Jackie Collins
4) This is a very quick read....perfect if you have one more beach trip coming up this summer
5) It's a very predictable book and the main character is quite clueless.  You, as the reader, will catch on by page 20 and she's still clueless until page 200-something.

Gone with a Handsomer Man

This book was just plain old FUN summer reading. It was fun to read, and a quick read at that. I would recommend it as an escapism summer/beach/vacation read. It's a love story and murder mystery rolled into a storyline ripe with Southern hospitality and food (including recipes in the back of the book). The author did a decent job of making the journey enjoyable. Just what a nice escape should be. I laughed out loud at a few scenes (if you are familiar with Southerners and "their ways" you will laugh too). In my mind I'm already secretly casting the movie :-)

Poor Little Bitch Girl

Pure trashy Jackie Collins.  I loved it!  It screams "GUILTY PLEASURE!" I mean seriously....look at the cover and you just KNOW it's gonna be a mess :-)