Book Reviews: My (not so) Perfect Life, The Trophy Child, and The Apartment

I go through phases where I barely read, and then I go through phases where I finish a book every few days.  Right now I am reading a book every few days.  Getting a library card when I moved to Idaho is one of the smartest things I have ever done!

I haven't read a ton of books by Sophie Kinsella, but "My (not so) Perfect Life" was on display at the library and sounded good, so I gave it a try.  It is about a woman around my age who lives in England and pretends to have a perfect life.  Her facade kind of unravels as the book goes on, but it is nice to get to know the real her instead of the person she pretends to be.  Reading this book made me want to read more books by Sophie Kinsella.

"The Trophy Child" by Paula Daly was also on display at the library.  Coincidentally, it also takes place in England.  It is about a "helicopter" or "tiger" mom, and what she puts her family through.  I have never read a book by Paula Daly before, but it was so not what I expected it to be that I will be looking for more books by her in the future!

"The Apartment" by Danielle Steel was a typical book by her, but I absolutely loved it.  It is about 4 friends who share an apartment in Hell's Kitchen in New York.  I love the friendships and romances in her books.  It didn't hurt that the characters in the book were all right around the same age as me.

I have 5 more library books sitting on my dresser waiting to be read, so be ready for more book reviews/recommendations!

Book Review: A Perfect Life by Danielle Steel

This book was so amazing, I read it in on and off and finished it in a day.  It's about world famous newswoman Blaise McCarthy.  Everyone thinks her life is perfect, but she has challenges, they're just sometimes different than ours LOL.  She always has to worry about a younger newswoman replacing her, she has an untraditional relationship with her daughter, she has dating problems, etc.

I never know how to give glowing book reviews without giving too much of the plot away.  But really, you should read this book.  You won't regret it! :)

Book Review: Love Letters by Debbie Macomber

I think Debbie Macomber will always be one of my favorite authors.  "Love Letters" is the newest paperback in her Rose Harbor series.  I've read all of the paperbacks in this series so far, and I love them!

The series revolves around Jo Marie Rose and all of the guests at her bed and breakfast.  Jo Marie's handyman Mark also plays a big role in every book.  I think they have crushes on each other!

Love Letters is about two different guests.  Ellie Reynolds is coming to Cedar Cove to meet someone she has been chatting with on Facebook.  She is coming to see if there is a love spark, and her mom thinks she is making a huge mistake!  Maggie and Roy Porter are coming to the inn to see if they can save their marriage.  Their marriage is a roller coaster throughout the whole book, and you really never know what's going to happen until the end!

The Rose Harbor novels are really cute love stories, and this was one was as good as the rest!  I hope Debbie Macomber keeps writing this series for a while!

Have you read the Cedar Cove or Rose Harbor books by Debbie Macomber?

Book Review: Private L.A. by James Patterson

Everyone who reads my blog knows I love James Patterson,  I loved this book as much as all of his other books.  Private investigation firm is fantastic and I hope he keeps writing novels involving them!

This novel is about a famous couple named the Harlows, that just go missing with all 3 of their kids!  There was also a whole side plot about a group called No Prisoners that are basically committing terrorist attacks!  I love trying to figure out how multiple plots are going to come together, or if they're going to have nothing to do with each other!

If you're a James Patterson lover, or have never read one of his books, give this one a try! :)

I Read 3 Great Books in July

I like to read books while I am on the elliptical machine at the gym, so I get to indulge my love of reading while getting healthy!  Once I start a book at the gym, I often end up finishing it in a day or two because I have trouble putting books down!

This month I have read three great books so far (no, I did not only go to the gym three times!).

No Time for Goodbye by Linwood Barclay is one of the best books I have read all year!  I started it while babysitting one night, and I was so into the suspense of it that I about jumped off the couch when someone came home and walked in the door!  The book is about Cynthia, who wakes up one morning to realize that her whole family is gone without a trace.  The book starts when her family disappears, and then jumps ahead twenty-five years to her as an adult.  What happens next is beyond anyone's wildest thoughts!  I absolutely loved this book and would highly recommend it to anyone!

Double Take by Catherine Coulter was good for two reasons.  The first reason was that I read another book by her last month so I knew some of the characters in this book.  I love following familiar characters through different books!  The second reason was that like the book above, what happens is just beyond anything I would ever think of!  This book takes you into the world of psychics and more!  I never saw the ending coming until the bitter end.  I would also highly recommend this book because the level of suspense was great and the characters were perfectly lovable or hate-able.

I didn't read the Kindle edition of Second Honeymoon by James Patterson, but that is the only image that matched my book cover!  James Patterson is one of my favorite authors whose books I always buy when they come out on paperback.  This book had me a bit confused in the beginning because so much was going on, but after a while I started to get what was going on.  Like the other two books, I had no idea how things were going to be resolved or why the murders were happening until the very end!  I had a favorite character in this book, which normally doesn't happen with me.  There was an FBI agent named Sarah Brubaker who played a pretty big role in this book.  I really hope we get to see her again because she was very likable.  If you enjoy James Patterson books, you will definitely enjoy this book!

It looks like I have read three murder mysteries in a row.  I think it's time for a comedy or romance novel.

Have you read any great books recently?

Love the One You're With by Emily Giffin

After reading two books by Emily Giffin, my mom and I decided to buy her other two books that are out.  The first one I read is Love the One You're With.

Ellen Dempsey has the perfect marriage to her husband, Andy.  One day as she is walking down the street, she passes the one that got away, Leo.  All of a sudden all of these feelings come flooding back to her, and she can't get Leo out of her mind.  They start talking again...

I really wanted to know what was going to happen in this book.  I needed to know if Ellen was going to stay with Andy or go back to Leo.  I don't think this gives anything away, but I was really unhappy with how the book ended.  Emily Giffin writes some questions for a reading group guide at the end of every book, and one of the questions after this book is "Do you think Ellen made the right decision in the end?"  I think this shows that the author expected some people to not like the end!

When you read books, are you ever really unhappy with the ending???

2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge - 19/50 

100+ Books In a Year - 27/100

Cross Fire by James Patterson

I was two books behind on the Alex Cross series James Patterson is writing.  I have always loved Alex Cross, and I love these books that focus a little more on him and his life...and his enemies.  This book has Alex Cross on the verge of getting married, which is really exciting.  But, this book also brings back Kyle Craig, one of the worst enemies Alex has ever had.  As a sniper is killing important people across Washington, DC, how will Alex Cross deal with Kyle and also plan his wedding?  Haha, gotta read the book to find out!

I am going to search my bookshelves for the next book in the series, but I'm just not sure if I own it or not :/

2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge - 17/50 

100+ Books In a Year - 24/100

Miracle Cure by Harlan Coben

 

Miracle Cure opens with a letter from Harlan Coben to the reader, telling them not to read this book if they have never read one of his other books.  Uh oh - not a good start!  He says it's because it was his second novel...but who knows the real reason.  I've read one of his books (Just One Look) before, so I decided to go for it.

I have to say, I could not put Miracle Cure down.  I was drawn into the story from the beginning.  This book is about a newscaster woman, her sports star husband who gets sick, and some doctors in a secret laboratory, whose patients are being killed off.  The way the story all comes together is just amazing.  Even though the book had tons of characters, which I normally can't stand, I had no trouble remembering who all of them were.  This book was just as disturbing as the other book I read by him.  I even had tons of nightmares last night after finishing it!  If you are looking for a scary suspense novel, this is for you.

I am going to check our bookshelves to see if we have any other books by Harlan Coben.  I might only read them during the day though LOL

2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge - 16/50 

100+ Books In a Year - 23/100

New York to Dallas by JD Robb

 

As you all know, I love the "In Death" series by J.D. Robb.  I was so excited when I was at Costco about a week ago and saw this book there.  I bought it and instantly read it.

This book brings Eve back to Dallas, where her life began.  She is hunting down a killer who she imprisoned as a rookie, that now wants to get revenge on her.

It was really fun to travel to Dallas with Eve and watch her interact with a whole new team.  I feel like I know her so well at this point, I always love seeing what she will do next.  Her next book is called "Celebrity in Death" I believe...and you can bet I will be buying it as soon as I see it in paperback!

2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge - 15/50 

100+ Books In a Year - 22/100

The Postcard Killers by James Patterson & Liza Marklund

I know a lot of people don't like James Patterson's books anymore, especially the ones he "co-writes" with another author, but I still enjoy all of his books, and The Postcard Killers was no different.  

The Postcard Killers mainly takes place in Europe.  There is a couple going around Europe killing other couples, sending a postcard to a journalist before each murder.  A NYPD detective who lost his daughter to these killers goes to Europe to help track them down.  Who are the killers?  Why are they murdering people? Will Jacob find any peace?  You have to read the book to find out!

I really liked this book and could hardly put it down.  I had to know how it would end, and I have to say I was shocked by the ending.  Have you ever read this book?  Are you good at guessing book endings?

2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge - 15/50 

100+ Books In a Year - 21/100

Something Blue by Emily Giffin

After finishing Something Borrowed, I immediately started reading Something Blue.  I think I read it for a day and a half or something because I had to know how it ended!

Something Blue is told from the point of view of Darcy, the best friend of Rachel, the main character in Something Borrowed.  I hated Darcy by the end of the book, so I was nervous to read a book all about her.  And I have to admit, I loved hating her through a lot of this book as well.  In this book, Darcy goes to London to start over, except the people in London don't love her like the people in New York used to.  Will she change?  Will she go on blaming everyone but herself for her problems?  I highly recommend reading this book and finding out.

My mom ordered a few of Emily Giffin's other books from a used bookstore down south.  I am really excited that we are going to go pick them up this weekend!

2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge - 14/50 (I have to get back to work on this!)

100+ Books In a Year - 20/100

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

Ack, I didn't read a book for almost a week!  I finally got back on track, and read Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin in about 2-3 days.  My mom read it before me and couldn't put it down, so I had high expectations for it.  Somewhere along the way, I also remembered it was a movie I had wanted to see but never got around to.

Something Borrowed is about Rachel White, a nice attorney from New York who has always been passive, and who has always put her best friend Darcy's needs above her own.  On the night of her 30th birthday though, she ends up alone with Darcy's fiance, Dex, and they confess their feelings for one another!  Eek!  Will Darcy stay true to her friend or follow her heart?

This was a great book.  Emily Giffin's writing style is fantastic.  I felt like I was with the characters in the book the whole time, and I am almost scared to watch the movie now because what if the actors aren't how I pictured everyone?  I have to watch it anyway though, just to find out!  I hope my mom will watch it with me since she enjoyed the book as much as I did.

Now I have started Something Blue, a book that takes place after the end of Something Borrowed.  Have you heard of these books/the movie?  Have you read them/seen it?

2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge - 14/50 (I have to get back to work on this!)

100+ Books In a Year - 19/100

Legacy by Danielle Steel

                                               

Danielle Steel is someone I can read again and again.  While her stories all kind of follow the same plotline - man & woman fall in love, have a conflict, then live happily ever after, the location always changes so I am good to read a few of her books each year.

Legacy is about Brigitte Nicholson.  Brigitte plays it safe - all the time!  She has had the same boyfriend for years, their relationship has plateaued.  She has been at the same job for 10 years - turning down promotions because she is content being third in command.  She has been working on publishing a book that she never has time to finish.  One day her life is suddenly turned upside down and she ends up agreeing to help her mother research their family genealogy.  Along the way Brigitte learns that she had a Sioux Indian ancestor named Wachiwi, who somehow married into her family from France.  The book is really neat because while you are reading Brigitte's story, you are also reading Wachiwi's story.  At times I forgot about Brigitte and thought I was reading a book about Wachiwi.  If you want to find out how Wachiwi got into Brigitte's family and how Brigitte's life ends up, you will have to read this book!

I love Danielle Steel, but is she on the list of authors you read?

2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge - 14/50 (I have to get back to work on this!)

100+ Books In a Year - 18/100

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

                                                     

I am all about the trilogies lately.  Catching Fire is the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins.

After finishing The Hunger Games, I visited used bookstores to find Catching Fire.  I just hate paying full price for books!  I found it at this great little bookstore on the Santa Barbara Mesa called Mesa Bookstore.  The nice man had it behind the counter and sold it to me at a great price in almost new condition!

Spoiler alert to anyone who hasn't read book 1.  Catching Fire follow Katniss and Peeta after they have both managed to win The Hunger Games.  The Capitol is livid with them for making fools out of them.  Katniss is thinking of just running away from it all.  I couldn't put this down and had to force myself to read it over two nights instead of staying up all night reading it!  My friends were unfortunately right about one thing though, the second book is somehow more violent and disturbing than the first!

What an amazing trilogy.  Where did Suzanne Collins think of this stuff???

2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge - 14/50

100+ Books In a Year - 17/100

Just Over the Mountain and Down by the River by Robyn Carr

                                                       

Just Over the Mountain and Down by the River are books #2 and #3 in the Grace Valley Trilogy by Robyn Carr.  This series revolves around Dr. June Hudson, a local who moved back to town a few years back to become the town doctor.  Grace Valley is a town where everyone knows everyone...you know how that goes!

After finishing the first book, I immediately went to the thrift store to looks for books 2 and 3 and found them on the first try at Paperback Alley in Downtown Goleta.  What a great store!

These books were as fantastic as the first one.  I read each one within about a 24-hour period.  They really just expand on book one, so I can't say much more about the plot.  Book 2 does bring back to Grace Valley a newly single ex-boyfriend of June's, which stirs up some drama since her secret man is MIA.

You absolutely have to check out this little trilogy, it's awesome!

2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge - 14/50

100+ Books In a Year - 15 and 16/100

Deep in the Valley by Robyn Carr

Deep in the Valley is book #1 in the Grace Valley Trilogy by Robyn Carr.  This series revolves around Dr. June Hudson, a local who moved back to town a few years back to become the town doctor.  Grace Valley is a town where everyone knows everyone...you know how that goes!

In the first book, tons of characters are introduced, including a mysterious DEA agent.  We also meet June's aunt and father, some people who live in the hills outside of town and more.

This book was fantastic.  I could hardly put it down!  I am going to comb the thrift stores in the next few days to see if I can find the other two books in the trilogy before I pay full price for them online!  A+!

2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge - 14/50

100+ Books In a Year - 14/100

Magnificent Folly by Iris Johansen

I am pretty sure I bought Magnificent Folly at Borders when they were closing, and I'm also pretty sure that I failed to read that it has a touch of the paranormal.

The story kind of starts off with the main character, Lily Deslin and her daughter, Cassie on the beach.  They are being watched by a mysterious man up overlooking the beach.  Lily notices the man for days, and finally gets worried enough that she decides to go see him the next day.  He isn't there the next day though...because he sensed that she was going to come up so he came down.  Lily finds herself falling for this stranger named Andrew, who seems to know a lot about her and her daughter.  Who is Andrew, and how does he know so much about Lily and Cassie?  Why is Andrew so secretive about what he does for a living?  Will their relationship go anywhere?  And where does the book become paranormal?  Read it to find out!

Do any of you like paranormal books?  I generally don't but this one had minimal paranormal discussion in it so I did okay. :)

Progress toward:

2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge - 12/50

100+ Books In a Year - 12/100

While My Pretty One Sleeps by Mary Higgins Clark

"While My Pretty One Sleeps" looks like a garage sale buy....yay for cheap books from garage sales!  This book was awesome!

Neeve Kearny owns a high-end boutique in New York called Neeve's Place.  She becomes concerned when one of her regular customers, author Ethel Lambston, doesn't come to pick up an order one Friday.  But Neeve is the only one concerned, because Ethel can be a bit much to handle.  As people begin to realize that Ethel might actually be missing, suddenly everyone seems like a suspect.  And somewhere along the way, Neeve herself begins to feel like she might be in danger.  Who killed Ethel?  Is Neeve really in danger?  Read the book to find out!

I always forget I love Mary Higgins Clark, but I do.  I should really hunt for more of her books at used book stores, garage sales, etc :)  Do you have a favorite author?

Progress toward:

2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge - 11/50

100+ Books In a Year - 11/100

A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard

I think America cheered when Jaycee Dugard was found.  I was too young when she was taken to remember it, but I definitely remember her rescue!  When she wrote a book, I wanted to read it just to better understand what would make someone stay with their captor for 18 whole years!

A Stolen Life really makes you understand why Jaycee stayed with her captors for 18 long years!  Not only did she write down her memories in the memoir, but she also included journal entries and pictures.  Can you imagine being 11 years old and being mind controlled by such an awful man????  If you've ever had any questions about Jaycee Dugard's story, you should read this mind-blowing book.  Parts of it were definitely tough to read, but I feel like I really understand her unfortunate situation now.

Progress toward:

2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge - 9/50

100+ Books In a Year - 9/100

1225 Christmas Tree Lane by Debbie Macomber

It was bittersweet when I decided to read 1225 Christmas Tree Lane.  I knew that after I read this book, I would never get to read a new Cedar Cove novel again!  I know Debbie Macomber will write more book that I will love, they just won't include all of these characters that I feel like I know!

1225 Christmas Tree Lane revolves around Beth Morehouse, her Christmas tree farm, the puppies that were dropped off on her doorstep, and her ex-husband, Kent.  What a great group of characters!  The book also mentioned a bit about every other character in the series so that you kind of felt like you were getting some closure on all of them.

Well, I just have to hope that Debbie Macomber creates a new series that I will love as much as I loved the Cedar Cove series.  :)

Progress toward:

2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge - 7/50

100+ Books In a Year - 7/100