Reading With Redneck

Andrea's favorite books »

Reviews below are of books I have read. All reviews are written by me.

Links provided are to reviews written on my blog, and if I have received the books for free via publishers, etc. that disclaimer is written on each post to indicate where needed.


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My 2013 reads:

1. Maid for the Billionaire, Ruth Cordello
2. Home in the Morning, Mary Glickman
3. Fallen, Laury Falter
4. Hungry, Allen Zadoff
5. Clear Your Clutter With Feng Shui, Karen Kingston
6. The Tell, Hester Kaplan
7. The Comfort of Lies, Randy Susan Meyers
8. Yesterday's Sun, Amanda Brooke
9. Lost in Suburbia: A Momoir, Tracy Beckerman
10. Till We Eat Again: A Second Helping, Judy Gruen
11. Beach House No. 9, Christie Ridgway
12. Bungalow Nights, Christie Ridgway
13. The Love Shack, Christie Ridgway
14. bloom, Kelle Hampton
15. Friendkeeping, Julie Klam
16. I Just Want to Pee Alone, Jen of People I Want To Punch in the Throat + many bloggers
17. The Long Way Home, Mariah Stewart
18. Carry On, Warrior, Glennon Melton
19. The Mermaid of Brooklyn, Amy Shearn


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My list of reads for 2012:

1. Wherever You Go, Joan Leegant
2. The Idle Parent, Tom Hodgkinson
3. Skipping a Beat, Sarah Pekkanen
4. Carrots n' Cake, Tina Haupert
5. Almost a Bride, by Kimberly Llewellyn
6. Previous Engagement, Stephanie Haddad
7. Folly Beach, Dorothea Benton Frank
8. Spin, Catherine McKenzie
9. Delicacy, David Foenkinos
10. Winter Garden, Kristin Hannah
11. Bringing Up Bebe', Pamela Druckerman
12. Bossypants, Tina Fey
13. Ketchup is a Vegetable (and other lies moms tell themselves), Robin O'Bryant
14. 50 Shades of Grey
15. Girls Like Us, Rachel Lloyd
16. When All That's Left of me is Love, Linda Campanella
17. Left Neglected, Lisa Genova
18. Little Bee, Chris Cleave
19. Arranged, Catherine McKenzie
20. My Fair Lazy, Jen Lancaster
21. The Good Daughters, Joyce Maynard
22. SASS Yourself Slim, Cynthia Sass
23. You Know When the Men are Gone, Siobhan Fallon

• 23 -1/2 The Glass Case, Kristin Hannah (really short story!)

24. Confessions of a Scary Mommy, Jill Smokler
25. Chocolate and Vicodin, Jennette Fulda
26. The Opposite of Me, Sarah Pekkanen
27. In the Bag, Kate Klise
28. Lost and Found, Jacqueline Sheehan
29. Let's Pretend this Never Happened, Jenny Lawson (the Bloggess)
30. Dirt is Good for You, Babble.com editors
31. Second Helpings, Robin O'Bryant
32. These Girls, Sarah Pekkanen
33. On the Island, Tracey Garvis-Graves
34. A Week at the Beach, Virginia Jewel
35. Jeneration X, Jen Lancaster
36. The Cottage at Glass Beach, Heather Barbieri
37. MWF Seeking BFF, Rachel Bertsche
38. Ocean Beach, Wendy Wax
39. Labor Day, Joyce Maynard
40. Piece of Work, Laura Zigman
41. Summer Island, Kristin Hannah
42. Wild, Cheryl Strayed
43. On Being An Angry Mom, Kim Foster
44. Rock Me, Cherrie Lynn
45. Unleashed, Cherri Lynn
46. What I Did, Christopher Wakling
47. Good Enough Mother, Rene' Syler
48. Sweethaven Summer, Courtney Walsh
49. Rebel Without a Minivan, Tracey Beckerman
50. Sharp, David Fitzpatrick
51. The Unfinished Garden, Barbara Claypole White
52. The Color of Tea, Hannah Tunnicliffe
53. Forgotten, Catherine McKenzie
54. Thought I Knew You, Kate Moretti
55. Sea Change, Karen White
56. Wife 22, Melanie Gideon
57. The Girls From Ames, Jeffrey Zaslow
58. Hot Mamalah, Lisa Alcalay Klug
59. A Cowboy for Christmas, Lori Wilde
60. Gone Girl, Gillian Flynn
61. The Goddaughter, Melodie Campbell




Books I have read for 2011:

1. You Had Me At Woof, Julie Klam
2. The Girl in the Green Raincoat, Laura Lippman
3. Women, Food and G-d, Geneen Roth
4. Walking with Elephants, Karen S. Bell
5. The Transformation of Things, Jillian Cantor
6. Inconceivable, Carolyn and Sean Savage
7. Born Under a Lucky Moon, Dana Precious
8. The Pocket Therapist, Therese J. Borchard
9. The Bird House, Kelly Simmons
10. The World Of Pies: A Novel, Karen Stolz
11. You'll Lose the Baby Weight (and other LIES about Pregnancy and Childbirth), Dawn Meehan
12. The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake, Aimee Bender
13. The Hundred Secret Senses, Amy Tan
14. Before I Die, Jenny Downham
15. Lowcountry Summer, Dorothea Benton Frank
16. How to Knit a Heart Back Home, Rachael Herron
17. Clutter Busting, Brooks Palmer
18. A Thread of Sky, Deanna Fei
19. Husband and Wife, Leah Stewart
20. When Did I Get Like This? Amy Wilson
21. Graveminder, Melissa Marr
22. Saving CeeCee Honeycutt, Beth Hoffman
23. The Beach Trees, Karen White
24. Local Girls, Alice Hoffman
25. Best Staged Plans, Claire Cook
26. Ten Beach Road, Wendy Wax
27. The Ninth Wife, Amy Stolls
28. Jerusalem Maiden, Talia Carner
29. Hello, Goodbye, Emily Chenoweth
30. Island Girl, Lynda Simmons
31. South of Superior, Ellen Airgood
32. Love the One You're With, Emily Giffin
33. The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott, Kelly O'Connor McNees
34. Bless Your Heart, Tramp, Celia Rivenbark
35. Sisterhood Everlasting, Ann Brasheres
36. The One That I Want, Allison Winn Scotch
37. Dirty, Sexy Politics, Meghan McCain
38. Little Black Dress, Susan McBride
39. Life's a Beach, Claire Cook
40. Flirting With Forty, Jane Porter
41. The Passage, Justin Cronin
42. Suck On This Year: LYFAO @ 140 Characters or Less, Denis Leary
43. The Wednesday Sisters, Meg Waite Clayton
44. Loose Diamonds ... and other things I've lost (and found) along the way, Amy Ephron
45. Far to Go, Alison Pick
46. Marrying George Clooney: Confessions from a Midlife Crisis, Amy Ferris
47. Friendship Bread, Darien Gee
48. Don't Sing at the Table, Adriana Trigiani
49. Everything We Ever Wanted, Sara Shepard 
50. Happy Chaos, Soleil Moon Frye 
51. Wishes and Stitches: A Cypress Hollow Yarn, Rachel Herron
52. Real Moms Love to Eat: How to Conduct a Love Affair with Food and Still Look Fabulous, Beth Aldrich
53. Not Ready for Mom Jeans, Maureen Lipinski 
54. Light on Snow, Anita Shreve 
55. I Wore the Ocean in the Shape of a Girl, Kelle Groom 
56. The Three Kings, Alicia Valez-Rodriguez
57. Room, Emma Donoghue
58. Night Swim, Jessica Keener

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My list for 2010:

1. The Bright Side of Disaster, Katherine Center
2. How Starbucks Saved My Life, Michael Gates Gill
3. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
4. The Good Body, Eve Ensler
5. Things I Want my Daughters to Know, Elizabeth Noble
6. 1003 Great Things About Moms, Lisa Birnbach, Ann Hodgman and Patricia Marx
7. The Beach House, Jane Green
8. Project Daddy, Kate Perry
9. Til We Eat Again, Confessions of a Diet Dropout, Judy Gruen
10. Glory Days, Irene Peterson
11. The Bright Forever, Lee Martin
12. Why We Suck, Dr. Denis Leary
13. Confessions Of A Slacker Wife, Muffy Mead-Ferro
14. Confessions Of A Slacker Mom, Muffy Mead-Ferro
15. When you Eat at the Refrigerator Pull Up a Chair, Geneen Roth
16. No Dress Rehearsal, Marian Keyes
17. You Can't Drink All Day If You Don't Start In The Morning, Celia Rivenbark
18. Knit Two, Kate Jacobs
19. On Folly Beach, Karen White
20. Our Promised Land, Michael T. Darkow
21. Inconsolable: How I Threw My Mental Health Out With the Diapers, Marrit Ingman
22. The Accidental Mother, Rowan Coleman
23. Jane Austen Ruined My Life, Beth Pattillo
24. Skinny is Overrated, Dr. Danielle Milano

25. Saving Max, Antoinette van Heugten
26. The Imperfect Mom, Therese J. Borchard

27. Never Let You Go, Erin Healy
28. The Help, Kathryn Stockett
29. The Second Nine Months, Vicki Glembocki
30. The Girl Who Chased the Moon, Sarah Addison Allen
31. Deep Dish, Mary Kay Andrews
32. The No-Cry Potty Training Solution, Elizabeth Pantley
33. Freedom's Call, John Walker
34. Best Friends Forever, Jennifer Weiner
35. The Pocket Therapist, Therese J. Borchard
36. Seven Year Switch, Claire Cook
37. Healing With Words: A Writer's Cancer Journey, Diana M. Raab
38. My Summer of Southern Discomfort, Stephanie Gayle
39. Please Excuse My Daughter, Julie Klam
40. Gerry Tales, Gerry Boylan
41. Between Sisters, Kirstin Hannah
42. Spooky Little Girl, Laurie Notaro
43. This Little Mommy Stayed Home, Samantha Wilde
44. To Your Dog's Health! Mark Poveromo
45. Handle With Care, Jodi Picoult
46. The Ice Cream Theory, Steff Deschenes
47. Men and Dogs, Katie Crouch
48. The Truth About Delilah Blue, Tish Cohen
49. What's Up Down There? Lissa Rankin
50. The Twisted Path Home, Fae Bidgoli
51. Shelter Me, Juliette Fay
52. Pieces of Happily Ever After, Irene Zutell
53. A Secret Kept, Tatiana de Rosnay

54. Driving Sideways, Jess Riley
55. Girl Time, Laura Jensen Walker
56. The Price of Revenge, Dennis Vaughan
57. You're Not The Boss of Me, Erika Shickel
58. The Lost Symbol, Dan Brown
59. Not Tonight Honey, Wait Til I'm a Size Six, Susan Reinhardt

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The Heroine's Bookshelf, Erin Blakemore



Little Goblins Ten, Pamela Jane



Wishing for Snow, Minrose Gwin

Council of Dads, Bruce Feiler

* The Lost Girls, Jennifer Bagget, Holly C. Corbett, Amanda Pressner

My 100 Books for 2010


The Twisted Path Home, Fae Bidgoli


What's Up Down There? Lissa Rankin, MD

The Ice Cream Theory, Steff Deschenes

To Your Dog's Health, Mark Povermo

Spooky Little Girl, Laurie Notaro

Between Sisters, Kristin Hannah

Finding Marco, Kenneth C. Cancellara

Healing With Words, Diana M. Raab

Gerry Tales, Gerry Boylan

Seven Year Switch, Claire Cook

The Pocket Therapist, Therese J. Borchard

The Bad Enchilada, CJ Connolly

Freedom's Call, John Walker

The Help, Kathryn Stockett

Jane Austen Ruined My Life, Beth Pattillo

Inconsolable: How I Threw My Mental Health Out With the Diapers, Marrit Ingman

Still Alice ~ June 16, 2009

I recently finished reading the novel Still Alice, by Lisa Genova. To say that this book touched me would be an understatement.

A story about a woman suffering from early-onset Alzheimer's Disease, it went deep into the mind of someone losing their way of life, losing touch with reality and slowly losing themselves. Alice wrote herself a letter to read when she no longer understood so many aspects of her everyday life. When the time came for her to read that letter, it was like another person was reading the words. My heart hurt for her, for her family, for the world she once knew and the life she once lived, now gone to pieces. Barely a sliver of her former self remained.

A woman with Alzheimer's Disease and her family, knowing early enough to expect the changes in their wife, mother, and ultimately grandmother. She held her grandchildren, felt the love, and yet had little idea who they were.

How sad, how touching, how strongly written to help me understand the life of a patient suffering from this disease. I definitely recommend this read if you have ever known anyone to suffer from Alzheimer's, or even if you have not. You're sure to be touched by Alice and her story.

Keep reading ... I know I will!

Disappointed in a Character ~ August 5, 2009

Does anyone else find themselves easily disappointed in a character when reading a novel? For me, I'm currently reading The Senator's Wife, by Sue Miller. It's a given, straight from the start (not giving anything away here for those who haven't read it and want to) that the "senator" is unfaithful to his wife. His wife, Delia, who we immediately find ourselves loving.

But then, for some reason mid-book, the author decides to flash us back to the 1970s, to the in the moment aspect of their relationship. And we find out who he cheats on her with, and how one of the scenarios plays out. And you know what? I'm angry with him. I can't believe he did this to her, and I don't like him one bit.

I don't think I am supposed to, but she threw me. I thought he would kind of float in and out of the book, and be a bit of a background character, and yet, there he is. Back 20+ years in all his young married glory. And I want to smack him something awful. 

I'm not finished with the book yet, and let's just say in the '90s he does get his, sort of, and I'm trying to feel sorry for him, but with that small flash of a chapter I just can't. Is that wrong of me? Should I not care so much? I mean, he's not even a real person in the story, just mostly a man they remember more than actually see, but still ... I am emotional. And emotionally involved. 

So, how about you? Do you fall into the stories you read? Can you help yourself? Obviously I can't, and it'd be nice to know I'm not alone out there!

Happy reading!

Emotional Reading ~ August 24, 2009

Yesterday I finished a light and fluffy read. Then I started another book that is tugging at my heart with such intensity right now I can't decide if I need to keep reading and finish it, or put it down for a while before I burst into tears.

I'm reading Sarah's Key, by Tatiana de Rosnay. This book is a combination of two stories that meet many years apart. The writing style switches from chapter to chapter, going from the story of Sarah, a young 10-year-old girl, torn from her home and her family in 1942 France to the story of Julia, a woman in her 40s, a writer who is researching the stories of the families of the Vel' d'Hiv'.

While I had never heard of this particular incident (and then some,) I am well aware of what Jews in the 40s went through. I have this history in my own family, a history I sadly don't know enough about. So reading this story, which is, indeed, fiction, not even historical fiction, but a novel with history thrown in, I believe ... this story tugs at me in such a way that I am so saddened. So overwhelmed by the torture, the pain and the loss.

And yet, I keep reading. Because it's important for us to remember. Important for us to consider what happened all those years ago. And this story is one that will get us thinking. It's well written, and touching, and one I really want to recommend for anyone looking for a more serious read. And I haven't even finished it yet. But I will ... it's a matter of hours, I'm, sure. And despite my traditional summer reading fare usually being that of the chick-lit/light and fluffy genre, this is one I am glad I started. I think had I waited for the chill of winter I might have stopped, because it's just not winter-reading, in my opinion. It's too chilling all on its' own.

I Don't Care About Grace ~ September 21, 2009

Sometimes books are exhausting. I hate when I pick up a book that I think has great potential and I just CAN. NOT. GET. THROUGH IT. It makes me so cranky that I have wasted my time, and that I am trying, anyway, to get to the end and see what happens.

This happened to me recently with a book titled, The Matter Of Grace, by Jessica Barksdale Inclan. Despite my strongest efforts I could not get into this book. I found myself skimming through pages, and honestly not caring about the characters. Once the characters lose me, that's it, I'm gone for good.

Grace, the title character, was she who the story kind of revolved around. I did not like Grace. I did not feel sympathy for Grace. I did not trust Grace. I know in some ways I was not supposed to trust her, but the more and more her character developed, the more I should have at least liked her or felt sorry for her. I did not.

The women in her life were her greatest friends. Four friends who met up every summer at the swim club. I could picture doing this now, with my fellow mommy friends, I could see myself as a teenager, doing this with my junior high and high school pals. I could not see these four women connecting this way, with the major parts of their lives missing from the discussion. When they finally did open up to one another there was little there, little left, little reason to love, to feel their friendship, just plain nothing.

I hate to give a book a bad review. I often still encourage people to read it if they find themselves interested. I rarely read book reviews, unless it's an author I've never heard of and I want a bit of a synopsis, so take stock in this or don't, but if you want a summer friendship story, pick up a copy of Barefoot, by Elin Hildebrand, or The Last Summer of You and Me, by Ann Brasheres. I read those two books last summer and I LOVED them. Definite must reads, in my opinion. Heck, if you want to be "with the times," pick up Firefly Lane, by Kristin Hannah. THAT's a good read!

And hurry up, because technically summer ends tonight!

Audition ... and then some! ~ October 15, 2009

Why does this book seem like the longest book in creation? I feel like I am never going to get through it. What do you do when you're in a lull, and you've read a ton of great books, only to get stopped up on some not-so-great ones? Do you keep going? Or do you throw in the towel?

Right now I'm trying to read Audition, by Barbara Walters. I like it so far, but it's SOoooo long. Maybe it's because I wound up with the hardcover copy, and it seems so daunting to me? Or just in general because I'm expecting more excitement, and it's dragging a bit?

Or maybe it's because of the reading mode I've been in. I tried reading that Grace book (I think I posted about it already, if not, not worth it!) without much enthusiasm, and I even got 2/3 of the way through Nickel and Dimed, and while it's an interesting concept and a pretty intense story, I got through her first two experiences and we hit Minnesota (I think?) and I got so bored. So I skipped ahead and went to the epilogue. And whatever came after that, because I swear there was that much!

Anyway, now I'm trying to get through Babs' book. And while I think she has lived quite the incredible life, and met so many amazing people, I'm kind of bored. And agitated about it, because I wasted a credit on PaperbackSwap.com to get it! Sorry, Barbara!

And so, that's why I've been mia, I guess. I just haven't hit a good book in a short while, so I'm kind of grumpy and not writing about it. Just when I thought I'd try to conquer the 100 books in 2009 contest I found out there in blog-land. But more on that another time!

Happy reading! Hope you're sinking your teeth into something fabulous!

The Girl Who Stopped Swimming ~ November 5, 2009

I mentioned in my last post how I had been struggling with books recently. I have not yet finished Audition, but I've made my way through a handful of other books while I try!

The Girl Who Stopped Swimming, by Joshilyn Jackson was a really great story. Our primary character, Laurel sees ghosts, but her story is so much more than that. We find her early on, seeing the ghost of a young girl. We don't know how the girl has died, where she is coming from, but we know that she is there.

The story unfolds as we turn the pages, finding out more about Laurel's history, her family, her husband, their daughter, her sister and her parents. We find out about the town she knows all too well, and the world that she is trying to shield her daughter and husband from. We find out about the first ghost that she carried with her through her younger years, and how his death impacted her life, and her family.

Laurel is a strong woman, and her sister Thalia is even stronger, in her eyes. We watch their relationship, learn about their history and watch them come together again to support and protect one another, and Laurel's daughter.

The family dynamics in this book and the mystery that unfolds makes it worth reading. I have not yet read any of Ms. Jackson's other work, but would not hesitate to pick up something of hers again.

Happy Reading!

The Middle Place ~ November 22, 2009

I just finished an incredible book. The Middle Place, by Kelly Corrigan.

The book itself was the story of Kelly's battle with breast cancer and the parallel story of her father's battle with bladder cancer. The family life of a woman who is caught between being a mother and a daughter, a place I know so well in my own life.

And I was crying at the end of the book, because past the epilogue, Kelly shares an essay with her readers that is quite possibly one of the most beautiful essays I have ever read. She talks about being who she is, and the women in her life, and the way we, as women, go through stages of friendship.

We have history together, we journey through life together ... we become moms, and recognize what our own mothers may have experienced all those years ago. Support one another through things we'd never have imagined in our futures so many years in the past.
Time goes by, we lose touch, move away, battle things out. And then we reconnect. Find a way to hold on a bit tighter this time. Things may never be the same, or they will be ... someday.

Kelly Corrigan shares these kinds of sentiments and so much more. I wish she was my next door neighbor and friend. I hope she has the continued support and love she needs from family and friends, and that they all stay strong, as Corrigans do.

If you're looking for a heart-warming true story, I definitely recommend this one. I'm only sorry I waited so long to actually pick it up and read it, but perhaps there were parts of my own journey I needed to experience before I could truly feel her story. And so, now I have and I can honestly say it's one of my favorite reads of 2009. And for that, I thank her!

Books for 2010, and a look back! ~ January 9, 2010

One of the greatest things about books is that there is a never-ending supply of them.

And so, no matter what you've read in the past year, you can always find yourself reading something equally as incredible, awful, amazing, disturbing, mind-boggling, and so on in the year ahead.

Last year I read just under 50 books. I know because I tried to keep track for a challenge I was doing. This year I am participating in a challenge with some fellow TMers to reach 100. We started in mid-December, but we're all still going strong. If you're interested, check out the Books, Music and other Entertainment forum and dig up a thread called Goodreads Challenge. Worth a peek!

As for me, I have a ton of books on my list for 2010. Here's just a small sampling of what I look forward to reading:

* The Help, by Katherine Stockett
* Love Walked In, by Marisa de los Santos
* Belong to Me, by Marisa de los Santos
* The White Queen, by Philippa Gregory
* Best Friends Forever, by Jennifer Weiner
* Day After Night, by Anita Diamant
* Knit Two, by Kate Jacobs
* Home Safe, by Elizabeth Berg
* True Colors, by Kristin Hannah
* Handle With Care, by Jodi Picoult
* The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, by Marie Ann Shaffer, Annie Barrows
* Everyone is Beautiful, by Katherine Center
* Get Lucky, by Katherine Center
* The Girl Who Chased the Moon, by Sarah Addison Allen
* The Castaways, by Elin Hildebrand

So that's just a few. Are you scared for me? Or for yourself? Well, either way, here are a few I read and enjoyed this year:

* The Middle Place, Kelly Corrigan
* Accidental Happiness, by Jean Reynolds Page
* The Girl Who Stopped Swimming, by Joshilyn Jackson
* Sarah's Key, by Tatiana de Rosnay
* The Sugar Queen, by Sarah Addison Allen
* A Summer Affair, by Elin Hildebrand

So, take the journey with me and read some of the ones I'm looking forward to. Or enjoy some of the ones I've liked, and pick from my (sorry - short!) list from 2009. Either way ... Happy Reading! 

  

Confessions of a Slacker ~ February 22, 2010

I recently started reading a book that I am just loving. And I decided I HAD to share with women everywhere. It's called Confessions of a Slacker Wife, by Muffy Mead-Ferro. And I love her. I'm not even done with the book yet, but I am anxiously awaiting my copy of Confessions of a Slacker Mom, as well.

Basically what I have read so far reminds me that we, as women, are HUMAN. We're not required to do anything but eat, drink and sleep to LIVE, and yet we take on so many responsibilities. We make SO many things priority and often forget about ourselves in the mix of it all.

And we tend to prepare like you wouldn't believe. The best paragraph I have read so far in this book basically tells me that when I'm having people over that it's totally okay to just let things go. Sweep them under the rug, so to speak. Because my true friends won't give a hoot (yes, I did just say hoot!) whether or not there are toys on the floor, ready-made-dip to be eaten, or pre-sliced cheese and salami! And you know what? It might actually help THEM to feel better about themselves and their lives, and help them know that I consider them true friends. Why is that, you ask? Well, when is the last time you hid a dust bunny from a true friend? Or did anything more than say, 'Sorry for the mess, it's a regular day here!' and add a huge eyeroll about being the mother of a 3-year-old, or two 3-year-olds, or however many you deal with at home on a day to day basis!

So, let yourself go! And don't regret it! Because if you don't let it go you won't enjoy that party, that playdate, that time to bond with anyone but yourself and that 3-year-old in person. And man, that'd be the saddest thing of all!

Check out her books for better written words of wisdom without paraphrasing. But hey, it's 8:30AM, I don't drink coffee, so that's the best I could do. But we're friends, right? So it's OK. ;) 

You Can't Drink All Day ... April 23, 2010

 

That should be enough, right? All I should say, as a mom, is that you can't drink all day. 'Nuff said.

And yet, there is so much more!

I recently read You Can't Drink All Day If You Don't Start in the Morning, by Celia Rivenbark. A sweet Southern mama, she tells it like it is, shoots from the hip and is a total blast. And I only JUST learned that she has a Sunday column in our local paper. Where have I been the past four years? Oh, relocating to NC, having a baby who is now a three-year-old piece of work. Got it. THAT's what I've been up to!

Anyway, I'm here to tell you that Celia is hilarious. She's so real, she's so true to herself, and she makes you totally 100% want to be her friend. At least I know that I do.

I've already read two of her other books, Stop Dressing Your Six-Year-Old Like a Skank, and We're Just Like You, Only Prettier. I cannot say which I loved more. Quite possibly the first one, as that was my introduction to her writing, and her style.

So, if you're interested in some Southern charm, and some absolute truths, pick up a copy of one of her books. You won't be sorry you did, I can promise you that. And trust me, you don't have to be a Southern girl - transplant or not - to enjoy them. You just have to be a woman with opinions. And respect the opportunity she takes to share hers. And what woman doesn't enjoy a little womanly bonding now and again?

Oh, and next on my to-read list from her is Bless Your Heart, Tramp. How can one resist?

Enjoy! And Happy Reading!

Knit Two ~ May 7, 2010

Have you read Friday Night Knitting Club? No -- well, you need to read that one first. It's the better of the two books, I can tell you that much. Even though it ticked me off to no end, and had me swearing that there was no way I was going to read the sequel. That's enough to tell you how angry I was at the turn of events in that book. It only covers that there was a twist, I won't say more.

And this is the second book. The sequel? Book two of the series? I don't do books in any kind of series. No Twilight here. No No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency (I read #1, didn't love it) and, well, I guess the only one I have read and loved has been The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. But if you've read it you know what I mean. If not, go on, pick up the four books. You'll enjoy them, too!

Okay, so where was I? Right. Knit Two, by Kate Jacobs. Sort of a follow up story of the primary characters in book one. A knitting group, bound together through relationships formed in the first novel. It's not impossible to read this one without the first, but you do miss out if you haven't. Ms. Jacobs tried to give you enough back-story, but I didn't feel that it was even enough to keep me on track. I had to think about who was connected, who wasn't, the history, etc.

It was a good book, despite the way I am talking about it. It was a nice, simple read. Not quite chick-lit, but not quite heavy fiction, either. This isn't the greatest review ever, but if you're looking for books about relationships between women, mothers, daughters, friends and loved ones, this is worth a peek. But I promise, you'll enjoy Knit Two a lot more if you read Friday Night first. So look for them together, and then you'll be set with your next few reads.

Enjoy! And Happy reading!

The Imperfect Mom ~ May 24, 2010

So, if you're anything like me, you enjoy reading stories about moms who are like us.

You know the kind, right? The REAL ones. The ones who look like they have food in their hair, the only tissue they have in their bag is a used one, Cheerios are all over the bottom of their car, french fries, too, of course.

The moms who aren't singing the praises of motherhood without also recognizing how awful some things can be. Those moms. Yeah, I love 'em. Reminds me I'm not alone in this journey. I'm never alone. All I need to do is turn the page and remind myself how it could be worse, and can only get better. Love 'em!

And if you're like me, you do, too.

So pick up a copy of this book. The Imperfect Mom: Candid Confessions of Mothers Living in the Real World, by Therese J. Borchard. You'll love it, I promise. From the mom who describes how her baby fell out the window (and is totally fine, seriously) to the mom whose dirty laundry saved her baby's life. We start off with the story from a mom who was watching a friend's child, and ultimately had him nearly drown while in her care.

Then there are the moms who address secret circumcision, recovering from a C-Section, a colic-y baby who won't stop screaming, weaning, attachment issues and much more.

So read a few samples here on BarnesandNoble.com and you'll find yourself itching for more! So go on, scratch that itch!

Happy Reading! 

Do You Read Them? June 30, 2010

OK, so everyone is talking about them, I might as well ask.

Do you read the Twilight books? Or should I say, have you read them? From what I hear, every single person who has read them has really and truly READ THEM. ALL OF THEM!

Aren't they like huge? Aren't they like, for kids? ;) [I'm joking, I'm JOKING!]

Am I the only one who isn't into the vampire-lit types of books that are out there these days? I just don't see the point. I'm just not attracted to the stories at all. Maybe I got my fill when Tom Crazy and Brad Pitt did Interview With a Vampire eons ago (I'm dating myself, but what of it?), or maybe Blade, Blade II and Blade III were enough (and OMG, Ryan Reynolds could not have looked hotter in Blade III if he tried!) for me, but I'm just not feeling it.

So, what draws you to them? What makes them real enough for you to suspend your disbelief and get so involved in the stories that you wind up sucked in (ha, punny!) so quickly that before you blink you've finished a book the size of my old college Canterbury Tales in Olde English text book?

I promise, I won't judge. I just want to truly understand. A friend of mine clued me in today about why she likes them. I can get it better now, from her perspective, but wonder if that's yours, as well? So, let me know ... or don't. I'm cool either way.

Signing off ... a member of "Team I Don't Know Who is Who!"

Happy Reading!

Some of my favorite authors ~ August 21, 2010

I've been on a bit of a reading journey these days, and I figured I'd drop a post here to let everyone know some of the authors I have been enjoying of late.

* Jen Lancaster ~ This woman is someone you want to have as your BFF. She's hilarious. Adorable. And so real. Love her. Next of hers on my reading list is My Fair Lazy. Just picked up a copy last weekend and can't wait to dive in. I've never been disappointed, and I'm sure you'll love her, too. You can find out more by checking out her blog/website here at Jennsylvania.

* Laurie Notaro ~ I just read her latest release, Spooky Little Girl, and finished it in under 24 hours. For a mom, that's nearly impossible, right? Just goes to show you that it was a short and sweet read, with a drop of intensity and a lot of quirk. Fun stuff! You can find Laurie over at IdiotGirls.com, and my fave of her stuff is Autobiography of a Fat Bride. Hilarious!

* Kristin Hannah ~ Kristin is one of my new favorite authors. I have recently read my second book of hers, Between Sisters, and I really enjoyed it. The first of her writing that I read and absolutely loved was Firefly Lane. Amazing. Touching. Powerful writing. Definitely worth checking out. Next on my list of her work is True Colors, it's just one of the many books of hers I'm interested in!

I'm going to stick with these three as there are a handful of books recommended in there. Hope you enjoy them! Happy Reading! 

If You're Like Me ... September 19, 2010

Well, I contemplated posting before the holiday yesterday, figuring I'd get some reading done. And then I said to myself, well, I have no clue what I'll actually be reading, so I'll hold off until I'm through.

When I say holiday, I'm referring to the Yom Kippur holiday. The one where you disconnect from the rest of the world. No phone, no computer! Yes, this means no facebook, no blogger, no twitter! ACK!

So what did I do to make the day fly by? Well, I read, of course. A LOT. Because reading for me, and reading with my daughter are two of my favorite things to do!

I finished an incredible book called The Ice Cream Theory, by Steff Deschenes. It's fantastic. It was probably not the best thing to be reading on a day that I wasn't eating anything, but it worked as I finished off the night and book at the same time.

What was next on my list? I have many books on my to-read shelves right now. Yes, shelves! I know, unbelievable, isn't it? Anyway, I basically read, from cover to cover, Men and Dogs, by Katie Crouch. I love Katie Crouch. Her previous novel, Girls in Trucks was a great read. I think I liked that one better than this one, but either way, the stories were easy reading, not boring or slow, and definitely enjoyable. I'm sure I'll keep an eye out for future work by her.

And started reading Driving Sideways, by Jess Riley. I didn't get too far into it, but so far I'm enjoying it. It was recommended by Jen Lancaster. Well, she didn't directly recommend it to me, but she is quoted on the front cover with a great comment supporting the author. So if she [Jen] likes it, and I like her [Jen], I figured it'd have to be good enough for me, right?

And as for my daughter, a few books we've been loving lately are listed (and linked) below:

Too Purpley!
Ladybug Girl Dresses Up ~ (there are printables here!)
Brownie and Pearl Get Dolled Up and Brownie and Pearl Step Out (both are fantastic!)

I'm sorry these aren't exactly boy-friendly reads, but hey, they might like them, too. There are some great, bright colors and some incredible images to enjoy.

So, for you and your little ones, Happy Reading!