forever in blue jeans

What I Read - The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard

My Thoughts

Honestly I’m still trying to totally figure out how I feel about this book. On the one hand, I can appreciate that I did not see the twists of the tale coming at all. On the other hand, I was ~~a little~~ a lot weirded out by the twists that did come to fruition. Although I did feel a strong emotional connection to the characters through it all, and I felt like they were real, authentic people throughout everything that went down. So, I guess what I can tell you is that I mostly liked reading this book.

Quotes of Note

“And here’s the funny thing about it. Those times a person feels most afraid for their life? Those are the times you know you’re alive.”

“There was some comfort being with a man for whom losing a ball game was the definition of trouble.”

Snag or Skip? Buy or Borrow?

All things considered, I’d recommend reading this. I would say that it’s more of a “get at your local library” type book, than a “buy and keep on your shelf for-ev-er because you’ll want to read it over and over again” type.

(P.S. I’m going to try to be better about blogging all my reads in the new year. In 2011, I was about 50/50 on sharing what I was reading with the world, and I think I can do better. I hope this new review format will help make that happen)

What I Read - A Hopeless Romantic by Harriet Evans

My Thoughts

Eh. Honestly, the main character kind of annoyed me. She was willing to hook up with the dude who had a girlfriend, but then she pulled away from real life when she’d spent her whole damn life wanting a fairy tale. It was pretty standard chick lit, I suppose, and maybe I’ve just outgrown stories like these, because even with the cheesy happy ending which I always love, this book and I didn’t really gel. I’d seriously say the cover, which is super cute as you can see, is the best part of the book.

Quotes of Note

None.

Snag or Skip? Buy or Borrow?

I’d lean towards skipping. If you need a good beach read, then you might check it out at the library. Definitely not a book I’d buy.

What I Read - Pictures of You by Caroline Leavitt

My Thoughts

Apparently there is a new genre I’ve discovered *SPOILER ALERT RIGHT HERE* where ladies fall in love with someone else’s husband (Heart of the Matter is also in this category). I’m not sure how I feel about said genre. The story was compelling, I suppose, but I could totally see how things were going to go down a mile away. On that same note, I don’t know how feasible it all was. The book kept me reading, but the unrealistic nature of things left me a little unsettled.

Quotes of Note

None.

Snag or Skip? Buy or Borrow?

I’d seen this book a lot of places before deciding to pick it up, and I guess I’m glad I finally did. I’d recommend checking it out at your local library, but there’s no need to buy.

What I Read - Flat Out Love by Jessica Park

My Thoughts

I loved this book. I got it as a LendMe on my nook from my pal Danielle, and she raved about it. The book was the perfect blend of romcom and drama. There is a pretty epic twist towards the end that I didn’t see coming, so that was appreciated.

Quotes of Note

There were definitely some sappy ones about what love means, but I didn’t like any of them enough to share here.

Snag or Skip? Buy or Borrow?

A definite must read. If you’re a buyer, it’d be worth your money.

I adore Anita Shreve, but sometimes she just misses the mark with me. This is one of those times. I gave this one 75 pages to impress me, and it just didn’t do it. Maybe next time, Anita, but don’t worry we’re still pals.

What I Read - Summer’s Child by Diane Chamberlain

My Thoughts

I really liked this one. This is the third of Diane’s books that I read (I’d also recommend trying The Courage Tree and Secrets She Left Behind). There were lots of twists and turns in this one that I thought I saw coming and had totally figured out which disappointed me, but it turns out, I had the situations figured out wrong, and there were some definitely shockers, so I liked the unpredictability in that regard.

Quotes of Note

Nope.

Snag or Skip? Buy or Borrow?

I actually borrowed this one from kristen. However, I’ve bought my other two DCs, and I would definitely recommend doing that for this one. Ideally, I’d say find this at your local used bookstore, but they’re usually pretty reasonably priced at retail stores, too. (And, why do I sound like a commercial?)

In case you’ve been wondering (and I know you have), I have been reading as of late. I have committed to blogging everything I read in 2012, and I did have a format that I thought would help. Turns out (surprise, surprise), it has done nothing to help.

So here are my latest reads with an assortment of thoughts in no order whatsoever.

1). My Boyfriend Wrote A Book About Me - Hilary Winston

I loved this book. Let me rephrase this - I love, LOVE, LOVED this book. It literally made me both LOL and (Dawson Leery ugly) cry towards the end. It was so good, and I’d highly recommend it. It was a lot of what every twentysomething girl goes through, and the comedic spin she put on it was pretty wonderful. (P.S. This is a Nook LendMe read, so I can loan it out!)

2). Something Blue - Emily Giffin

This was no Something Borrowed, but I still liked it. And I didn’t think it would happen, but it changed my view of Darcy just a bit. Good read like all of Emily’s books (b/c we’re now on a first name basis obvs) tend to be.

3) - 5). Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins

These were a re-read. I had planned on just reading the first one before the movie came out to refresh myself, and then one book became three. I loved them once more. Of course. I would also note I liked the second and third books much better the second time around.

6). These Things Hidden - Heather Gudenkauf

This book was INTENSE. There were lots of plot twists, and just when I thought I had it all figured out, it’d twist again, which I liked. This is my second HG read, and I’m definitely a fan.

7). The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - Mark Haddon

Different, but good. Definitely kept me reading.

8). Me & Emma - Elizabeth Flock

I loved this book. I was sure I had it all figured out, and then, there was an unbelievable twist akin to a certain movie that I can’t say, or I’ll spoil this, and I want you to read it.

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