Book Nook Club: relationships

Showing posts with label relationships. Show all posts

Showing posts with label relationships. Show all posts

May 29, 2012

+One, by Brian Baleno

In + One, Brian Baleno takes the reader through a modern-day love story where Jake and Kara must decide if their love can withstand the external pressures of Jake's high-powered career.

I was initially drawn to the book because I lived/am living the plot. Nearly five years ago, I met a "Jake". In my case, he was an accountant instead of an investment banker, but he also dealt with the pressure-filled world of corporate mergers. One of the biggest issues in our relationship was his crazy schedule and lack of time to spend with me.

Plot: Since the story hit close to home, I certainly felt the plot was believable. I also appreciated its progression, and that it wasn't a predictable story that wraps things up in a nice bow.

Characters: Jake was likeable enough, and the reader could really feel the internal conflict between his career and his personal life. Kara, on the other hand, drove me pretty nuts. I saw a lot of myself in her (I know I whined a TON in the early stages of my relationship), but man was all her whining annoying. I felt that the true conflict in the book was less about Jake's life and his career decisions and more about how much Kara cared -- or didn't care -- about Jake. Then again, maybe that's my personal bias taking over because I know that a man can have a high-powered career and the love of his life. Kara couldn't seem to see that possibility.

My biggest issue with this book was the editing. While the writing was easy to follow and dig into, there were many passages of Jake's internal monologue that felt tangential and not important. But overall, it was an interesting take on the standard love story. 3 stars.

**While I received a free copy of this book for review purposes, the opinions shared here are all mine!**

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March 28, 2012

Coming Home by Stacy Hawkins Adams

Dayna is a successful executive with a beautiful home, a loving fiance, and a lot of baggage she believes she's left behind. One day she opens the door to find her ex-husband standing there with a bouquet of roses, wanting to apologize for having cheated on and divorced her years before. He's dying of terminal cancer, and wants her to help him and his wife, the very woman he's cheated with and left her for, establish a foundation to leave a legacy after his death. Can Dayna put aside her anger and allow Brent to find peace in his final days?

This is a novel of forgiveness in the face of ultimate betrayal. Adams bravely constructed a powerful scenario all women can relate to in one way or another. How many of us have been betrayed by a good friend or a love interest at one point and wondered how we could ever truly forgive them?

I enjoyed Adams' writing. She keeps unnecessary description to a minimum while somehow giving the reader a vivid picture of what is happening. The story never lags, there is always something happening. And while I normally care nothing for material trappings, she made me want a designer handbag and better hair and wardrobe with her characters' thoughts on such things. It takes a talented writer to create such desires in a reader.

There are only two negatives I can find in this book. First, Dayna's boyfriend, Warren, struck me as a jerk. I could tell I was supposed to like him, but he just wasn't likeable. Second, there are way too many details about phone calls. I can appreciate that there is realism in this, especially in our age of constant communication, but I found myself gritting my teeth every time Dayna is about to do something but gets a gossipy phone call. Perhaps because I hate it when I'm about to do something and am interrupted by a gossipy phone call. I think Adams was demonstrating Dayna's ties of friendships and the ways in which we are all influenced by and depend upon our friends, but it irritated me anyway.

Overall I enjoyed this book and appreciated its powerful message and the package Adams wrapped it in for us.

I received a copy of this book for the purpose of review.

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February 14, 2012

On the Rim of Love by Marie Astor

Maggie has it all. She's beautiful, been accepted to Yale Law School, engaged to a superstar movie producer, and a talented photographer. But something is missing, herself. Ever since Maggie met fiance Jeffrey, she's been hiding from her true feelings and dreams because who wouldn't be in love with such a handsome and successful man.

One week after their engagement Jeffrey surprises Maggie with a two week skiing trip, just the two of them. Then it becomes the four of them as Jeffrey invites their best friends along. As soon as they arrive at the Ritz resort Maggie learns the real reason for the trip is for Jeffrey to do some pre-production work on a new skiing documentary he is shooting of a hot shot ski bum who lives in the area. Instead of the romantic vacation she envisioned, Maggie ends up with a lot of time alone to think, ski, photograph the surrounding area, and fall head over heels for that hot shot ski bum.

I won't give anything else away but you can probably figure out what happens next because well, On the Rim of Love was simply put, predictable. I really enjoyed the setting and the descriptions of the gorgeous mountainside but I found the story to be lackluster and the characters to be one-dimensional and lacking in depth. They were each written in a way that it was obvious whose side you should be on and which characters you should like and which characters were in the wrong. Take Jeffrey for example, an vengeful and arrogant producer who thinks his wife should stay at home while he makes the money, there wasn't one thing I liked about him. Same thing with most of the characters, they were either all good or all bad. When have you ever met anyone who didn't have one redeeming quality? It just felt flat and unrealistic to me.

If you're just looking for something to keep you entertained by the pool or at the beach for a few hours, this will do the job. Just don't expect to keep thinking about it or remembering the characters after you finish the last page. 3 stars.

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February 3, 2012

An Unlikely Suitor by Nancy Moser

Lucy Scarpelli wakes up one morning to find out her family is being evicted from the only home she's ever know in New York in just one week. How will they ever find somewhere they can afford in that time? Where there's a will there's a way, and Lucy has more will than most. Determined to protect her family, Lucy searches the city for a place to live without realizing that the place she finds will also be the key to a new life.

An Unlikely Suitor is the story of three women - Lucy, Lucy's new socialite friend Rowena, and Lucy's younger sister Sophia - who are all trying to find their place in a world filled with rules, challenges, and romance. The three are all very different from each other while all longing for the same thing, to be accepted and loved by someone. Unfortunately that love comes for each of them from a place that is against all of those rules that define how society should work. So each woman will need to decide what to follow - their family advice, society's rules, or their heart.

The story that plays out is an enjoyable, although fairly predictable, one. The writing was good and easy to read but I did find that while I liked each of the women somewhat, they all seemed one-dimensional to me. They were defined as characters by their main flaw, which didn't add to their appeal or really make me want to side with any of them. So good, but not great. 3 stars.

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February 2, 2012

Giveaway: Hot Water by Erin Brockovich with CJ Lyons

Last year Erin Brockovich introduced readers to AJ Palladino in Rock Bottom as AJ returned home with her genius son David to Scotia, West Virginia where they were quickly involved in a disruption that ended in the death of David's dad Cole.

After struggling to make ends meet for so long, it looks like AJ's luck is finally going to change when the owner of a nuclear power plant, Grandel, gives her an offer that sounds too good to be true - a huge sum of money just to convince protestors that his plant is safe. Designed using brand new technology and methods to ensure safety and security, even the government has declared it a model plant. And the plant was safe until AJ got involved.

Hot Water is a thrilling journey of two parallel stories that twist and turn until they are combined into one. AJ is fighting the battle to restore order to the nuclear plant in the midst of religious fanatics and radioactive alligators while her family and friends are fighting a battle against David's grandfather to maintain custody of David. Add a great hit man, some fascinating supporting characters, and twists and turns I didn't see coming and yes, you have yourself a great read.

While this is a stand alone book, I would recommend that you read Rock Bottom before Hot Water just to understand the back story and how AJ and David's lives became as complicated as they are. I highly enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good thriller, especially ones led by a feisty female heroine.

Want a copy for yourself? One lucky reader will win a copy of Hot Water just by commenting on this post. Giveaway ends Friday, February 3rd at midnight EST.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion of the book.
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January 24, 2012

Northwest Angle by William Kent Krueger

Cork O'Connor is a detective who just wants to spend a fun and relaxing week with his family, away from his typical adventures, on a houseboat in the Lake of The Woods. And to teach his daughter, Jenny, how important children are by taking her to a small island where Native Americans used to hide their children from destruction.

On the way, disaster hits. Lake of the Woods is hit by a huge storm destroying everything in its path and leaving Jenny and Cork to struggle for survival on this small island. While searching the island for shelter Jenny comes across a cabin with a murdered young woman and a crying baby hidden not far away. And so begins another of Cork's adventures to catch the murderer without being caught himself.

Northwest Angle is the 11th book in the Cork O'Connor series. It is the first I've read in the series and probably won't be the last. Krueger's writing is easy to read while still being deep including numerous insightful comments and moments developing the relationships among his characters.

While this is a book in the Cork O'Connor series and yes another detective thriller, I felt like the supporting characters in this book, specifically his daughter Jenny, made it better than most I've read. I've never known a detective thriller to really leave me guessing and this was no different, but I did still enjoy figuring out the mystery with Cork and his family. Recommended for adults who want an enjoyable thriller without the need to be blown away. 4 stars.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in return for my honest and unbiased opinion.

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October 30, 2011

The Lost Hours by Karen White

I picked this up because I had a few minutes before an appointment and it was the only book nearby. I started it thinking well I'll read some of it now and finish it some other time. I ended up being so engrossed that I was late for my appointment! And I finished it in the next 24 hours.

The Lost Hours begins with Piper Mills, a once world renowned equestrian, who is dealing the with recent death of her grandfather. Her parents died when she was six and Piper moved in with her grandparents. Her grandmother developed Alzheimer's and at the time of her grandfathers death, is living in a nursing home. Her grandfather's lawyer stops by after the funeral and hands Piper something he's been holding at the request of her grandparents - an angel charm and an old key. He also has a message, her grandmother has a story that Piper needs to learn.

The book is a tribute to mothers, to daughters, to best friends, and to women in general. I found myself thinking of the things and stories I have to tell my own daughters and how important it is that we give our histories to the next generation. There were some situations in the book that were almost too perfect-fit but the mystery and the interrelational dynamics are so engrossing it's completley forgivable.

4 stars! Recommended for adults.
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September 19, 2011

Fairer Than Morning by Rosslyn Elliott

Debut author Rosslyn Elliott (love the name Rosslyn by the way) just released her new novel Fairer than Morning. Set in 19th century Ohio, Fairer than Morning is a historical romance centered around the beautiful and young Ann Miller. All her heart desires is to marry Eli, the son of prominent family in town but her father disapproves because Ann is too young. When Ann finally becomes of marrying age she realizes through an experience with a broken young man name Will as well, as a a number of other men, that being the son of a prominent family may not be all that matters for a good match.

I really enjoyed the writing and the history behind this novel (based on a true story) but I kind of hated Ann as the main character. While she had a couple of helpful characteristics (compassion, strong family ties), I felt like her flaws outweighed her strengths immensely. I actually found myself actually rooting for her to go with the jerk in the end because I didn't think she was good enough for her other option. She had a number of awful things happen to her in the book but I felt like she brought them upon herself through her own pride. Luckily the other characters made up for my dislike of Ann. I would likely read another book by Rosslyn with the hope that her next main character is a little stronger than this one.

To celebrate the release of her debut novel, Fairer Than Morning, Rosslyn Elliott is giving away two fabulous prize packages. The first is brand new KINDLE in her Fairer Than Morning Kindle Giveaway. Then on September 20th she's giving away a $200 gift certificate toward a Custom-Made Historical Reproduction Dress (from Recollections) during the Fairer Than Morning Book Club Chat Party on Facebook. Giveway ends today! Click on the button below to enter.

Fairer Than Morning Giveaway

*I was given a free copy of this book for the purpose of this review.

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September 11, 2011

From Ashes to Honor by Loree Lough

Where were you when the world stopped turning that September day? In memory of that fateful day ten years ago, I thought it only appropriate to review a book centered around individuals affected by the events of 9/11.

Austin Finley, NYPD, ignored his twin brother's call. His twin brother who was calling to tell him to say goodbye when he realized there was no chance he would make it out of the south tower. Mercy Samara was the shrink who met with Austin to discuss his pain, regret, and disappointment. And the one who cost him his job with the NYPD.

Flash forward a few years and south a few miles to Baltimore where both Austin and Mercy moved to get away from the memories surrounding NYC. During the time since when they've last seen each other, both have hit rock bottom - using alcohol and suicide as methods of escape - and have both come out on the other side. Austin is now a paramedic, highly rooted in his Christian beliefs, and Mercy is a school counselor. They happen to meet up again when one of Mercy's students has an accident and Austin is the EMT that comes to help out. That day is the beginning of a relationship that neither of them could have imagined years ago when Austin sat in Mercy's office for roughing up another delinquent.

I won't tell you anything else other than to say that this wasn't as easy a read as I thought it would be. While this was definitely fiction rooted in Christianity, life wasn't just smooth sailing for these characters. Loree Lough adds in enough of "life's not fair," events to make this seem a lot more real life than some books. And for that reason I liked it. It was centered around these two individuals whose lives were changed on September 11th, and it wouldn't have been real to think that their lives were difficult after. It would be almost like pretending September 11th didn't happen and didn't affect every single American in one way or another.

This book also reminded me of the sacrifice that so many Americans make every day to protect us. Whether it be by fighting in the armed forces, pulling families out of burning buildings, or putting their lives on the line to stop a holdup. And for that I am extremely grateful, especially on this 10th anniversary of 9/11.

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September 6, 2011

Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Have you ever had a friend that just gets you? When everyone else thinks that your fake smile is real, that friend knows there's something wrong and finds a way to either talk about it or make it better? Firefly Lane is about that kind of friendship between two women - Tully and Kate. Tully and Kate meet when they are in junior high; Kate is a nerd who just wants to be popular and Tully is popular. One fateful night they are drawn together and after that night they are never apart.

Firefly Lane follows these two women over the course of their lives as they go to college, follow their dreams, find and lose love, and share joys and losses. Like any friendship, it has its ups and downs but the root it remains the same - they love one another and are always there for each other when it matters most.

I really enjoyed this book. I completely related to Kate's character, the insecure woman who feels like she's always in the shadows of someone else when in reality she should be happy with the incredible life she has. I also really liked one of the underlying themes of the book, being happy and content with what you have. Over and over again these two women looked at each other's lives with longing, wanting what the other woman had. I'm sure that happens more often than we can imagine and I think Kristin did a great job of exploring the idea of the grass is always greener on the other side. She definitely was able to to suck me into the story and had me feeling the joy and pain that went hand and hand in these women's lives.

I would recommend this book to any woman. My mom and little sister (18) read and enjoyed it as well, which shows it's a story that not only spans but also entertains all generations.

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July 13, 2011

Larkspur Cove by Lisa Wingate

Larkspur Cove is a story about a woman, Andrea, who moves home to the beautiful town of Moses Lake, Texas with her teenage son after a shocking divorce. Rather than wallow in self-pity, Andrea quickly gets a job as a counselor and moves on with her life as she jumps head first into the lives of those around her including trying to solve the "mystery" surrounding the town recluse being seen with a little girl.

The back of the book sold this to me as a mystery/thriller but other than about ten pages, there wasn't anything mysterious about this book. And to me, there wasn't anything very interesting about this book either. Even with the slight twist in the ending I was bored with how easily it all worked out. I did, however, like the strong-willed characters and feel like I was part of the lake community reading the book, but it just didn't do it for me. So while it's not bad, there is just nothing special about it.

*I received a free copy of this book from Bethany House Publishers for the purpose of this review.

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July 5, 2011

Kings of Colorado by David E. Hilton

How many times do you look back at times in your life and ask what if?

William Sheppard stabbed his father in the chest when he was thirteen. What happens after is a series of incidents that beg for the age old question, what if? After stabbing his father, Will is sent to the Swope Ranch Boy's Reformatory, a prison disguised as a ranch known for breaking wild horses. Set in the middle of the Colorado mountains, no one thinks of escaping Swope, just of surviving. It takes Will just a few months before he find the best kind of friends, ones that stick with you forever. Together, these four teenage boys try to find a way to make it out of Swope in one piece in the midst of violence-happy guards, teenage gang leaders, and wild horses.

I won't tell you anything else about what happens other than to say this book was fantastic. Like Hunger Games, this is a story about boys fighting for survival, a story that while heart-breaking and a little disturbing, I just couldn't stop reading. The sense of friendship and brotherhood that David Hilton develops is almost tangible and one that I'll definitely remember. My only complaint would be that since this book is set in a boy's reformatory, there is a lot of language and violence, actually too much language in my opinion that could have been done without. Other than the language, this is an incredible read and one I thoroughly enjoyed. 4 stars (lost one star for the language).

*I received a free copy of this book to review. The review is my honest opinion of the book.

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July 3, 2011

Princess Academy by Shannon Hale

Princess Academy is a book I've heard about a lot, maybe because it's a Newberry Honor Book. My little sister read it and loved it, and I've been meaning to pick it up for a while. When I heard the author Shannon Hale talking about how she came up with the characters and how she wrote the book at the National Book Festival a year ago my fate was sealed, I had to read this book.

It took me all of three hours sitting by the pool to finish the book. It's a very quick and fun read. The basic storyline is that the king's priests have determined that the next princess lives in a small town high up in the mountains. All of the girls ages 12-17 are forced to go to a Princess Academy for a year to prepare for a ball where the prince will choose his princess from one of those girls.

Like Hunger Games, this book has just the right amount of fantasy, romance, competition, and action. I loved the main character, Miri, as well as the other girls trying to become the next princess. And unlike a lot of other young adult lit I've read, the end actually surprised and delighted me. Definitely worth reading. 5 stars.

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June 18, 2011

Shattered by Melody Carlson

I feel like every time I read a book or see a review by Melody Carlson I have to double-check to make sure it's the same Melody Carlson. All of her books are so different from each other that I would never know it's the same author. She's written a ton of books including ones for teens, tweens, women, and children. All of those books are listed on her website. Two years ago Jacki enthusiastically reviewed three of her adult novels that she loved. I've only ever read one of her book's previously - Let Them Eat Fruitcake, which was just okay. For me her newest young-adult novel Shattered fell into the latter category of being just okay.

Cleo's mom is overprotective. And since Cleo is almost eighteen, she of course knows better than her mom and sneaks out of the house to go to a concert with her best friend Lola. That night something happens that will change Cleo's life forever. What happened is not at all what I was expecting so I don't want to ruin it for you, but it was definitely a game changer for a teenage girl. After the incident Cleo turns to drugs to try and forget that night and would succeed in forgetting and probably becoming addicted for good if not for some caring people in her life.

This book dealt with a number of issues like drug use and depression, but I felt like the book stuck to the surface of these issues rather than really getting into them. Written for teens, the book was short and just didn't suck me in enough to really care about the characters. It is a good length for teens though and touches on those issues enough as it needs to for the audience. I think based on Jacki's reviews that I'm going to have to check out one of Carlson's adult novels.

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June 15, 2011

After the Party by Lisa Jewell

The first four years of their marriage they were the perfect couple. And then the children came and something changed. The romantic date nights out on the town turned into nights passing out from exhaustion as soon as the children were in bed. Jem (I love that name by the way) and Ralph both realized that something was missing but rather than trying to find it together, they went looking for it in different places. Ralph took a spiritually changing trip to California and found a higher power, and Jem looked in her past and tried to solve her problems with alcohol, drugs, and other men.

While many books are an escape to a different world for me, After the Party was a journey in reality. A relationship that changed after children but rather than accepting and growing with that change, both partners tried to somehow turn their relationship back in time, something which just isn't possible. Sure it works once in a while, but you can't just go out every night and expect that the 18 month old baby will take care of himself in the morning while you sleep off a terrible hangover. Because it was so real, it was both easy and difficult to read. Difficult because you could feel the heartbreak and frustration as these two characters just wanted to find love again but easy because Jewell's writing is like watching a movie where each scene continues to add on to the one before.

I really enjoyed this book. I read almost the entire thing on a plane ride from DC to Switzerland. Once I started, I had to know what would happen. I also loved how the book ended and the overall idea that life changes, we change, and that change is a good thing. 4 stars.

I received a copy of this book for free to review.

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June 2, 2011

Broken Wings by Carla Stewart Giveaway

Sometimes unlikely pairings are the best. Peanut Butter and BBQ chip sandwiches, Romeo and Juliet, Milo and Otis. Broken Wings is made up another one of those strange pairings that that just works.

Mitzi, an eighty-one year old woman who is caring for her husband with Alzheimer's, and Brooke, a young engaged legal assistant trying who is still trying to figure out who she is and what she wants to do with her life. They meet when Brooke comes into the hospital where Mitzi is volunteering and begin a friendship on what appears to be Mitzi's concern for others' well-being, but it soon turns into more than that as the two of them realize that without knowing it, they need each other.

I absolutely loved Mitzi's character. She's a famous singer, now retired, who spends her days in the same spit-fire way I'm sure she spent the rest of her life. She lives for every moment of every day and slowly teaches Brooke to do the same. I probably liked her so much because I want to be like her character, not afraid of chasing after my dreams and wearing that red sparkly dress. And then there's Brooke, who because of circumstances comes off as the weaker character of the two, but hey, Mitzi had another sixty years to live.

This book was a pretty quick and easy read. It touches lightly on a number of issues but sticks mainly to dealing with Alzheimer's and abuse and portrays them in a fairly realistic but not difficult to read way. The one main complaint I had was how the book ended. Throughout the book Mitzi tells her life story to Brooke and at one point it just stops. I actually found her history to be a better story than the present day one between Mitzi and Brooke and was intrigued to hear it how it played out. There was a little bit of closure at the very end, but I wanted to know more. Other than that, a good read.

I've also got a copy to giveaway for anyone that is interested in getting to read about this unlikely pairing. All you have to do is leave a comment on this post to be entered (US only).

I received a review copy of this book for free. This review is my honest opinion.

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May 22, 2011

Women and Other Monsters

Enter into the twisted mind of writer Bernard Schaffer in his collection of short stories, Women and Other Monsters. The collection consists of 5 short stories that are each different, dark and deserving to be read. Each story is written with lots of character and beautiful descriptions. You actually feel like you're there; you can hear the voices, feel the temperature in the room even. And yet, that is all that connects these stories, as they are each unique from one another.

1. The Reluctant Death: This is the first short story in the collection. It is placed pre-civil war, on a plantation farm. Folklore, mysticism and darkness rule here, but there is still a hidden gentleness that emerges. I found this one to be beautiful and mysterious.

2. Codename: Omega: This story was wild, adrenaline pumping and tricky. An American soldier is killed in action during World War 1... only, he's not really dead. He's a superhuman who becomes a secret agent, bent on kicking some serious Nazi tail. Basically, if you liked Quentin Tarantino's, Inglorious Basterds, you'll enjoy this too!

3. Room Service: This story will make you laugh out loud and root for the underdog (for a change). With all these good-guy-vampire books out now, it's refreshing to read the opposite. When Rob's stripper girlfriend goes missing after a "home call", he decides to investigates and doesn't like what he finds. Having nothing to lose, he decides to take his revenge. This story was my personal favorite... good fun.

4. Cold Comforts: A married couple struggles to find intimacy with one another after the death of their unborn child. While she searches for answers at any cost, he finds comfort with another. This story made me do a double take... how twisted can you get, Mr. Schaffer? ;)

5. Nazareth: This story is written very well. It unravels slowly and has a shock factor that will make you want to re-read it. Two alien researchers are studying Earth and the human life form. They discover DNA and decide to change all of humanity with one simple act. Although this story will take you by surprise, you will also find yourself taken by Schaffer's cleverness and satirical humor.

So if you like folklore, history, war, vampires, family dramas or sci-fi, this is the book for you! There really is something for everyone!

Overall, this collection is great. You will peel through it, just to see if the next one can possibly be better than the last. And, as I said before, since they are so vastly different from one another, it's hard to compare. The only thing that was not in my taste, was that once he gave you the shock factor, the story ended. There was no wind-down or conclusion... just an open end for your own imagination to conclude. Like at the end of a great movie, when you go, "WHHHAAAT?!" (Inception, anyone?). Other than that, it was flawless.

5 stars

*This book is currently only available in e-book format*

I was given a free copy of this book to review. This is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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April 21, 2011

Ghellow Road by T.H. Waters

"Tomorrow could bring a brand new day and a fresh new start. But Mom would never see it like that. Instead she would move through it just like she always had, just as she always would. Living the moments of her life as though she had no past...or future."

This is the life that Theresa lives. A life with a schizophrenic mother, a brother who hates her, and a father who leaves her with just a late night drive to remember him by. Written by T.H. Waters about her true unique childhood experience, Ghellow Road is a different coming of age story different than one I've eve read before. It follows Theresa's daily life for almost twenty years as she struggles to find herself without ever really having a place or a family to call her own. The only real consistent element in her life is her mother, who floats in and out of Theresa's life, just like the voices in her mother's head.

There is just something about this story and about Theresa in general that made me want to keep reading to find out what would happen next. Over and over again Theresa jumped over obstacles that would stop most people dead in their tracks. I love her strength and fighting personality and just kept hoping that she would finally end up with some sort of permanent happiness. This book was inspiring and hopeful when in all reality it had no reason to be. Recommended for anyone but especially for anyone who has dealt with someone with a mental illness.

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April 12, 2011

Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

Do you ever feel like you should like an author or book just because everyone else does? It's been three years since I read a Jennifer Weiner book, and Best Friends Forever reminded me exactly why.I know there are people out there that buy everything she writes, but after my second experience with a chick-lit book that lacked any real imagination or characters I could relate to, it'll probably be longer than three years before I pick up another one. Now don't get me wrong, I'm a big fan of chick-lit. And romance. And novels about best friends. This book should have been right up my alley, but it just wasn't.

In Best Friends Forever, Addie and Valerie were best friends all through their childhood until a big incident their senior year of high school that left them not speaking to each other. Until one day after the high school reunion Val ends up on Addie's doorstep and asks for her help. The book follows their weekend long adventure as they try to figure out what happened the night of the reunion and when they do, how to avoid the consequences. Add in a couple of other strange characters (e.g., Holy Mary, a member of a religious cult) and you have your story.

I felt the characters in the book were extremely one-dimensional. Val was the blond, irresponsible one that just wanted to have fun. Addie was the sidekick, the girl who was always left behind even when trying to do the right thing. The book was also way too predictable for me but who knows, maybe I'm a good guesser. I read it quickly, not because I wanted to find out what happened to these best friends but because I wanted to move onto another book.

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April 3, 2011

Couples Who Pray by Squire Rushnell and Louise Duart

Couples Who Pray is a book written for married couples by a husband and wife team. It is a book explaining the benefits of couples who not only pray, but couples who pray together regularly, every day even. Included with the benefits is an actual 40-day prayer challenge that asks you and your spouse to pray together every day for 40 days straight for at least five minutes. And finally, the book includes numerous celebrity testimonies of how prayer and the 40-day prayer challenge specifically changed their marriage.

I'll admit I was hoping for a lot more from this book, but that might be because my husband and I already pray on a regular basis. I was hoping for some sort of guidance or helpful tips to make prayer more meaningful between couples, but I felt like that was included in just two pages of the entire 200 page book. If I needed to be convinced of the benefits of praying together, I may have a different opinion but for me reading the book just got old after a while. Statistic about praying together, example from some celebrity, why you should pray together, repeat. And the great 40-day prayer challenge, as far as I could tell, it's nothing more than making the commitment to pray together for 40 days straight. Yes, I get that's as a challenge but the cover and the description of the book made it seem a little more in-depth and guided. There may be some benefit in this book for those who are seeing a counselor with a Christian counseling degree. For those interested in this degree, more information can be found here.

So overall I was disappointed in the book and felt like name-dropping was more emphasized than the actual overall purpose, which is sad because I'm a firm believer that praying together as a couple is very beneficial to any marriage.

*I received a copy of this book to review through the Book Sneeze blogger program and while this review may not match your own, it is my honest opinion. 2 stars.

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