Time of My Life by Allison Winn Scott

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

This is the quintessential beach read…  light, amusing, and easy on the brain!  It is the story of Jillian, a full-time mother and wife who has been thinking more and more lately about her ex-boyfriend, Jack and her ex-career as an ad exec, while lamenting the current status of her marriage.  She goes for her appointment for her massage, and suddenly she finds herself rewound about 6 years prior, with another chance to reset the trajectory of her life.

This is a cute premise — probably something everyone at some point wishes for, even briefly — and it is written in a cutely engaging prose.  But even though it is sprinkled with an occasional heady idea, it is fairly predictable and trite.

Again, it is a fun, light book to read through if you have a lot of time to read (like on the beach).  If your reading time is limited though, I would not spend it on this!

Ladies Night by Mary Kay Andrews (migrated from bookblogger)

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Another fun book to add to your list of lighter, summer fare!  When Grace finds her husband having sex with her personal assistant and in her fury drives his very expensive sports car into their pool, she is sentenced by the judge to a “divorce recovery group.”  It is here that she meets her new allies who really do support her through the unfamiliar terrain of going through a divorce and landing back on her own two feet.

What makes this book fun is really the multiple lines of the story.  There are different relationships that develop among the characters who I felt I came to really like, there is an illegal scam to be uncovered, and of course, a romance that is budding even from the group itself.  And the outrageous behaviors of ex-spouses taking revenge also add a sometimes comedic/sometimes tragic note to this story.  In any case, there were a number of times I had to exclaim out loud at this book!

If you’re on your way to the beach be sure to pack this book next to your towel!

The One and Only by Emily Griffin (migrated from bookblogger)

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Shea is a football fanatic in a small town in Texas, who has found herself stuck in a small-time job , with a small-town relationship. Her best friend’s father, the coach of the local college football team whom she has idolized, suggests to her that she needs to get out of her rut.  In the process of making some needed changes, she sort of comes full circle in discovering what she really wants in her life.

With her usual uncanny ability, Griffin scooped me right up with this very engaging story.  Her characters are smart and sassy and there is a lot of humanity in them as well.  There are real conflicts with real layers just as in real life, but there’s just enough glamor mixed in to make it fun to read.  And even though I know nothing about football -it’s got to be one of my least favorite sports! – I still was able to follow the gist of what was going on.

Basically a great summer read – perfect for the beach, which exactly where I read it!

London Falling by Emma Carr (migrated from bookblogger)

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Admittedly, I was looking for something mindless when I chose this, but I got more than my fair share of mindlessness with this choice.  It is the silly tale of Aimee, who finds herself in London, with all her money and possessions having been stolen.  Seeking a way to pay for her ticket home to Seattle, she finds her way to the estate of Simon, a handsome, rich, and of course, tender-hearted bachelor and begs him to hire her as a housekeeper.  Because he’s seeking the account of the Royal Family for his family-owned bank, he cannot be perceived to do anything illegal, including hiring anyone with no working papers.   Predictably, they figure out a sort of compromise, and of course, fall in love and become somewhat embroiled in a situation because of Simon’s father who reigns over him with a strong arm.

While it actually was a cute premise, the rather weak writing combined with the lack of imagination in the plot line kept it only at that.  It remained only superficial and did not really go anywhere significant.  I downloaded it for only $2.99 and even at that price, it was more than it was worth!

Heartburn (migrated from bookblogger)

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Heartburn by Nora Ephron

This is true vintage Nora Ephron, a book where not much happens, but she has you laughing through much of what she has written.  The story, such as it is, is about a woman who is 7 months pregnant with her second child and discovers that her husband is cheating on her.  This is, of course, her second husband and it feels as if everyone she’s surrounded by is cheating or has been cheating as well.  In addition, she happens to be an author of cook books, and so interspersed with the story are recipes.  It’s a bit of a bizarre story, but it is cute.  (Evidently, it was also made into a movie awhile ago as well.)

Not exactly high literature, but it was a light, quick read on the beach!

Wedding Night (migrated from bookblogger)

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella

I love Sophie Kinsella!  She can always be counted on to supply a light-hearted, fun read with a convoluted plot line that gradually untwists into an utterly happy ending.  And Wedding Night does not disappoint!

Fliss, Lottie’s older sister, cannot sit by and watch Lottie commit yet another “Unfortunate Choice,” Fliss’s name for the extreme reactions Lottie’s had after previous bad break-ups.  Unfortunately, Fliss seems to be having her own severe reaction, to the point where she’s orchestrating disaster on Lottie’s honeymoon in order to protect her.

There’s a lot of wincing and “oh, no’s” while you are reading this, but a lot of giggling as well.  It’s not Shakespeare, but it is great fun.  Perfect for the beach this summer!

Can You Keep a Secret?

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella

After reading The Storyteller, this is just what I needed!  I think Kinsella’s books are my secret (although not anymore!) vice.  They are light and a little predictable but they are cute, a little outlandish and really fun to read.  In this one, the main character, Emma, is a young, ambitious marketing assistant who is sent on a business trip to represent her company.  She has had a dismal experience and on her flight home, after a few drinks and some extreme turbulence, confesses all her deepest, darkest secrets to a complete stranger.  Unfortunately, or fortunately as the case turns out to be, this stranger shows up again at her office — because he’s the founder of her company.

It’s quirky and contrived but makes for a fun read.  Perfect beach reading — unfortunately for me, it’s snowing out!

Where We Belong (migrated from bookblogger)

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Where We Belong by Emily Giffin

Having read a few of Giffin’s books before, I couldn’t help grabbing this one off the shelf in the library.  This one, Where We Belong, starts with a very interesting idea:  a successful TV producer who is trying to push her current boyfriend/boss into proposing suddenly finds herself face to face with the daughter she gave up for adoption 18 years before.  The story is told from both the mother and daughter’s voices and it quickly engages the reader.  Through a good part of the book, I was right there with the characters and looked forward to reading more.  Unfortunately, although, in truth only toward the very end, it gradually sinks into the realm of make-believe, where everyone accepts the uncomfortable situation and everyone is forgiving of each other.   It is a too-satisfying ending (never said that before!)…

The characters are very likable, and Giffin’s portrayal of both the mother and the daughter definitely reel in the reader.  The mother is very New York — penthouse apartment and a Barney’s habitue — and the daughter is a loner musician trying to find herself.  Each is trying to find happiness and I do like that the mother really learns from the daughter with respect to being honest with others and with herself.  It also brings up interesting issues around teen pregnancy and adoption as an option, perhaps, though, in a  very idealistic light.

I think it’s still a decent read, although this is not going on my top ten list!

The Love Market (migrated from bookblogger)

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

The Love Market by Carol Mason

Simply put, this is a fun summer read.  After the many heavy books I’ve completed this summer, this was a fun, light-hearted change.  The Love Market is a story about a woman just divorced who’s a professional British Yente (ie. runs a matchmaking service).  She rekindles an old flame of her own and it becomes a love triangle of sorts.

There is no larger meaning not did I learn about any major historical event.  But I enjoyed briefly getting to know these characters and sharing their romantic pursuits.

Fifty Shades of Grey – Posted 2012 on blogspot.com

Posted on by marjorieseidenfeld

Fifty Shades of Grey, by E.L. James

I thought I’d start out with a controversial one (or three)…  50 Shades of Grey!

Now, no one will freely admit that they’ve read it —  but we all have.  I have heard about people using their kids’ book socks to cover the book so that no one knows they’re reading it on the train, for example.  (Thank goodness for Kindles/Nooks, right?)  Everyone that I’ve asked about it, however, will admit it with some coaxing, and then won’t stop talking about it!

What is it about this book that we all find so unusual?  Is it the S & M stuff?  Is it the “love story” as one of my friends insists?  Is it the hero saving the damsel in distress, once again?  A Cinderella story, rags-to-riches dream that we all secretly share?  Or is it just that we’re all really horny and it’s too titillating to resist?

My guess is that it’s a combination of all of these.  But most importantly, I think it’s just plain hype!  With so much talk about the book, I figured I needed to read it just to be “in the know.”  Isn’t that why you read it also?

So what is my opinion?

Well, I have mixed opinions.  Yes, it’s a little fun to read.  Yes, there’s some suspense and some psychological intrigue.  Yes, it’s good that the female character actually has a libido too.  But yes, it’s horribly written.  Yes, the sex gets just a little repetitive (I get that they each smell good, ok?) And yes, it’s horribly unrealistic.

Mostly, though, I am sad that this may be another backslide for women.  Christian definitely steps in and saves Ana way too frequently and his money and power are all-consuming.  He is a controlling, conniving stalker and he manipulates any situation that he possibly can.  Has your boyfriend or husband bought the company you work for just so he can keep an eye on you??  Seriously??  Do women secretly want that?  Do we want someone to step in and grant us everything that we even casually wish for?  Do we want someone to solve all our problems?

I hope not.

I hope that we all look at this and feel a little sorry for Ana, who may seem to stick up for herself a bit (the end of the first book) but she really caves way too often.  I hope that we are stronger and have come further than that and appreciate when we take matters in our own hands and accomplish all on our own!  I hope that we have come beyond the Cinderella wishes of the beautiful dress and the prince who will save us from our evil stepmothers (why are the female characters always evil?).

I am not a radical feminist, but this aspect of the book did get me thinking about the way women are treated here.

Basically, you will have to read this book if you want to be a part of almost every conversation that is happening among friends these days…  so go for it!  And have your book sock ready!