It’s time for another BlogHer Book Club book! This time, it’s Gayle Forman’s Where She Went, the sequel to her very popular If I Stay.  A couple of weeks ago, I spent the weekend sick on the couch, and read both books back to back, so I’m having a really hard time thinking of them as two separate books, but more like two pieces of a complete story.

The first book was really Mia’s story, and Where She Went tells Adam’s story, as we follow him through one night in New York City while learning, through flashbacks, of how his life has changed dramatically since we first met him. Adam and his band are a hit, about to embark on a European tour, and he has everything a musician could want. Or maybe that’s just what it looks like from the outside.

I really appreciated Forman’s use of music and songs throughout both books, and especially Where She Went. Music is vital to both Adam and Mia, and while their styles couldn’t be more different (punk band vs. classical cello) it gives them both a drive and motivation and sense of being that is compelling. I especially enjoyed Adam’s song lyrics and playlists listed in the back of the book.

I could recommend Where She Went on its own merit, but I really think most folks would appreciate reading If I Stay first to set up the story and characters. They’re both quick but heart-wrenching reads with vivid characters. Seriously, I wanted Mia’s mom to be my best friend. She was awesome.

If you want to read more about Where She Went, check out the BlogHer Book Club site for more discussions about this book and others.

This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.

Tweet

I had never read Roth’s other books, so I admit I was expecting this to a very different read for me. I don’t read many self-help books – not that there’s anything wrong with them, they’re just not my go-to book choice. Possibly because of this, it took me some time to adapt to Roth’s writing style.

Her main goal in the book is point out that most people do not talk about money, prefer not to discuss it or in many cases even think about it, and that distance is damaging. I admit I was disappointed to read so much about becoming aware of our issues, without much actual discussion about how to overcome them. I can read this and say, “Yes, I understand that my personal issues with money can be traced to XYZ,” but without concrete steps to move past these issues, I’m not sure what to do next with this information except to say, “Now what?”

All that said, I ultimately enjoyed Roth’s writing style, which is conversational and self-deprecating. She is absolutely willing to be honest about her feelings and failings, and this honesty is refreshing. If you’re looking for a step-by-step guide to get over your money problems, this probably isn’t the book for you. But if you want to consider the emotions and experiences that led to your problems, this book might be what you’re looking for.

If you want to read more about Lost and Found, check out the BlogHer Book Club site for more discussions about this book and others.

This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.

Tweet

The writing is whip-smart and incredibly realistic. I was worried the teen-speak would get a little Juno (aka, overly-smart, overly-slanged, too much “home skillet”) but managed to stay  precocious without feeling  pretentious. Hazel in particular was just an amazing, smart, sweet girl that I rooted for the entire book.

In a nutshell – a fabulous, well-written, tear-inducing young adult book that’s certainly not just for young adults. I definitely recommend it.

If you want to read more about The Fault in Our Stars, check out the BlogHer Book Club site for more discussions about this book and others.

This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.

Tweet

The latest BlogHer Book Club book is one of those self-published books that turned into an amazing success story: Stephanie McAfee’s Diary of a Mad Fat Girl. This was available on Amazon (and maybe other sources as well) as a 99¢ self-published ebook. It became so popular, landing on the New York Times bestseller list, it was eventually picked up by a publisher for an expanded print version (this is the version I read). How cool is that?

The mad fat girl of the title is Ace, a high school art teacher in her hometown of Bugtussle, Mississippi. Ace is mad, that’s for sure – her boss is a nightmare, her best friend ditched their spring break trip, and another friend is married to a louse. As the story continues, secrets are revealed, plots are hatched, and Ace and her chiweenie dog Buster Loo have some rollicking times.

Is Diary of a Mad Fat Girl high literature? I wouldn’t say that. But it’s a fun read, and I’d classify it as good airplane reading – something fun to pass the time and have a giggle.

If you want to read more about Diary of a Mad Fat Girl, check out the BlogHer Book Club site for more discussions about this book and others.

This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.

Tweet

Smith’s memoir is a collection of essays describing her life as she grew up with two parents who each battled (and finally succumbed) to cancer when Smith was still a young woman. The essays chronicle her grief, the choices she makes in the face of this grief, and ultimately how these choices change her life and lead her to a career as a grief counselor.

The essays are not chronological, but instead are grouped in sections loosely related to Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s Five Stages of Grief. It’s fascinating to see, in one section, how Smith reacts to her circumstances as a teenager compared to later in her life as a young mother with her own daughter, and how the years and her experience change her outlook.

The Rules of Inheritance is well-written and if it is ever difficult to read it is only because you want to reach back in time and help a young Smith through her trying circumstances.

If you want to read more about The Rules of Inheritance, check out the BlogHer Book Club site for more discussions about this book and others.

This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.

Tweet

The book follows the story of three sisters, the daughters of a Shakespeare-obsessed college professor who seems to only communicate through the Bard’s quotes. The sisters all return home to care for their mother during her battle with breast cancer. But as it turns out, there are other reasons the sisters are all returning. They each have secrets that they are trying to work through and overcome during their time back in their hometown.

Brown’s writing style is unique, as she uses the collective voice (“we”) throughout the book. I worried that this would grow tiresome as the book progressed, but Brown managed to keep the tone natural and it never felt overworked. I also appreciated that the characters, though named after Shakespearean heroines, weren’t carbon copies of their literary namesakes.

I know I’m not going in to too much detail about the book, but I don’t want to give away too much so you can enjoy it for yourself. If you enjoy stories about families, about returning home a different person than you were when you left, and don’t mind a few choice Shakespeare quotes, I think you’ll like this book.

If you want to read more about The Weird Sisters, check out the BlogHer Book Club site for more discussions about this book and others.

This is a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are my own.

Tweet

Rather than keep track on my site, I’ve decided to track my reading in my long-neglected Goodreads account. If you’re a member of Goodreads, here is a link to my profile, where you can see the books and how I rated them. If you’re not a member – it’s free to join! Just sayin’.

Another reason I wanted to reactivate my Goodreads account is because I have yet another resolution this year: Read 50 books. Which is entirely doable, I just have to focus. I have a LOT of books on my Kindle that I haven’t read yet, and this is a great excuse to read them. Plus, my library just started lending e-books, so that’s another way to borrow books without leaving my cozy apartment.

2012 Reading Challenge

Susan has read 0 books toward her goal of 50 books.

hide

0 of 50 (0%)

view books

I’m not off to the greatest start, as it’s already January 9th and I haven’t finished a book yet. But it’s still early! There’s plenty of time! And let’s face it – finding more time to read is not a huge sacrifice for me. Unlike, say, exercising. (Let’s just say that resolution isn’t going so well, either.)

How about you? Read any good books lately?

Tweet

It might have been the blatant symbolism. The protagonist, Lucy, is living in Japan with her boyfriend. Things are unsettled, she’s unemployed, and at the same time, the very earth beneath her feet is shaking with earthquakes. (Get it?) Her mother in upstate New York has been in a minor car accident, so she travels home to visit. While she’s home, Lucy discovers some hidden documents in a locked window seat leading Lucy to uncover family secrets. And did I mention that Lucy can also pick locks? (Get it?)

Between the unexciting family mystery that’s tied to the women’s suffrage movement and stained glass windows (yup), I just didn’t really care all that much about Lucy or her family. Characters were one-dimensional and annoying, only Lucy and her mother seemed to have any dimensions at all. In reality, I would have much more enjoyed reading a book about Lucy’s mom.

Oh dear. I think I’ll just stop there. Let’s just say this wasn’t my favorite, and that I’m hoping that the next book I read will be much more enjoyable.

But that’s just my opinion. Check out the BlogHer Book Club site for more discussions about this book and others.

Please note: I was compensated for this BlogHer Book Club review but all opinions expressed are my own.  Obviously.

Tweet

 The blogger with a pile of books, January 2010

I’ve always been a fairly consistent reader. But this year, thanks to my Kindle and the BlogHer Book Club, I’ve read more than I have in a long time. I went back and figured out exactly what books I’ve read this year, and created a separate page called (you guessed it) “Books I’ve Read: 2011.” You may have noticed the new link in my menu.

One thing I’ve made it a point to do this year is NOT read a book I’m not enjoying. The last time I forced my way through a book I hated put me off reading for quite a while. So if I finished a book, I enjoyed it. Which means all the books on this list I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed, and would recommend. I did note some with a “*” in cases where I particularly liked the book for one reason or another.

Right now I’m reading “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?” by Mindy Kaling, and I’m loving it. Have you read any good books lately?

Tweet

One portion of the documentary focused on Justinian the Byzantine Emporer, and his wife, Theodora. The film touched on the fact that Theodora was a burlesque actress (aka, prostitute), who rose from the lowest ranks to become Empress. But they didn’t really explain how such a feat was possible.

When I saw that the next book in the BlogHer book club was Stella Duffy’s Theordora: Actress, Empress, Whore I was delighted. Finally, a book to fill in the blanks and explain how an actress/prostitute could become the most powerful woman in the Roman Empire.

Duffy details the day-to-day life Theodora, starting from the death of her father through her years of training to become an actress at the Hippodrome. Not particularly beautiful, Theodora has several talents that will serve her well: she can read a room, she’s whip smart, and she’s a survivor. From her success in the Hippodrome of Constantinople, to her conversion in the Egyptian desert, and finally to her orchestrated meeting with Justinian, the book fills in the gaps of how such an ascent would be possible.

Let me be clear – this is a book of fiction, obviously. But Duffy clearly did a great amount of research into the life and times of her subject. Readers with delicate sensibilities – Theodora was a prostitute, so be prepared for some explicit scenes. Personally, I found this book fascinating. Duffy obviously had a great respect and affection for her subject, and this showed on every page. I was intrigued by the politics, the family life, and just the basic descriptions of life in general that Duffy brought to life. If you enjoy well-researched historical fiction from a woman’s point of view, I suggest picking up a copy of Theodora: Actress, Empress, Whore.

But that’s just my opinion. Check out the BlogHer Book Club site for more discussions about this book and others.

Please note: I was compensated for this BlogHer Book Club review but all opinions expressed are my own. 

Tweet