Chasing Harry Winston by Lauren Weisberger

Sadly, Weisberger's, Chasing Harry Winston is a miss.

This book doesn't come close to the cleverness and wit that we read in, The Devil Wears Prada. The plot if you want to call it that is weak and lacks imagination. Despite this, Weisberger manages to hold your attention (barley) due to the dynamic friendship between the main characters.

This book is a bit of a knock off, of Sex in the City. It ends a bit too pretty, as everything ties up nicely. Save your hard earned dollars and wait for paperback.

Grade: C-

Such a Pretty Fat: One Narcissist's Quest To Discover if Her Life Makes Her Ass LookBig, Or Why Pie is Not The Answerby Jen Lancaster

Jen Lancaster, is laugh aloud hilarious.

She adds honesty and humor to make this entertaining book, funny for those with or without weight problems. Her footnotes add to the quirky writing. Lancaster's novel is like reading your favorite blog all in one huge dose. This is not the typical, whiny, emotional journey of weight lost we've gotten us to reading. Lancaster is on fire! 

  Grade: A

Revealers by Amanda Marrone

Revealers is about witches and the book does such a great job at keeping one entertained that I have changed my mind about "witch" books and look forward to adding them to my collection of books on the realms of the supernatural. The plot is a unique and there are many twists along the way, very few are predictable. The friendship relationships are realistic adding a special sweetness to this intriguing tale. This books is freaky fun. 

Grade: B+

Night World 1: Secret Vampire; Daughters of Darkness; Spellbinder by L.J. Smith

Spellbinder One could say that that Smith disappoints as her stories continue to move forward. Spellbinder seems more rushed than the two previous novels and the characters lacked depth and development.

I have more interest in stories about vampires, which may be the reason behind my dislike for spellbinder which deals with witches. I really wanted to like this story line but it dragged along and was quite simplified. 

  Grade: D

Night World 1: Secret Vampire; Daughters of Darkness; Spellbinder by L.J. Smith

Daughters of Darkness

Daughters of Darkness was a tad bit on the disappointing side. It just didn't' have the same spark as Secret Vampire.

It is a bit simplistic and not very enthralling. There is lack of suspense, excitement and that rush you get from reading a good book. The characters are over simplified and the ending has a predictable element to it.

Pass this story over... or read it, if you enjoy simplistic writing skills and weak story lines.


Grade: C-

Night World 1: Secret Vampire; Daughters of Darkness; Spellbinder by L.J. Smith

Secret Vampire

Secret Vampire is the first book in the Night World Series and it is a great start. The characters are quite enjoyable which makes for a quick and thrilling read.

This is my first read from this author and she easily captured my attention and I was involved in her story. This book is quick paced which makes it nearly impossible to put down.

Smith's vampires are a bit different. They can walk around in daylight, be born vampires not just be made into vampires which makes for a bit of a a change in the "typical' vampire lore.

This book has made me a fan of Smith...lets see if her next books keep up with this pace.

Grade: A

Fat Girl : A True Story by Judith Moore

Fat girl is given many accolades but in reality it just doesn't live up to the hype. It is like reading a long detailed grocery list followed by menus from various restaurants with a bit of a story in between the chaos.

This story falls into an uninteresting, flat and emotionless ramble of words. The author is 20-40 pounds overweight but describes her "fatness" as if she were the mother on "What's eating Gilbert Grape."

She proclaims to have never had an eating disorder, yet she steals food and starves herself into a thinner self. Moore is unfocused making it impossible to get a grasp of her life story.

I can't not in good conscious recommend this book and will leave it grade less.


Grade: NONE [ can't recommend]

Sickened: The Memoir of a Munchausen by Proxy Childhood by Julie Gregory

Sickened downplays the often lethal and horrific effects of Munchausen by proxy.

Gregory's memoir is poorly written and lacks the ability to draw in the audience. Her tragic life story has the potential to enthrall but her writing does not captivate. It is quite dry and lacks passion.

Her writing is vague, scrambled and boring which does little to draw attention to this horrific disorder.

The book is not informative and if you don't have prior knowledge of Munchausen you have the potential to get lost and not understand the severity of this disorder.

Take a pass on this book.


Grade: D-

Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner

Certain girls in engaging and a fantastic sequel to "Good in Bed." I have anxious awaited this book and the wait was definitely worth it. Weiner gives us a more "grown up" , Cannie. The chapters are told from two different point of views, Cannie's and her teen daughter's. Expect the unexpected. You will feel the pain and frustration of both, Cannie and her daughter, Joy. Weiner's other books besides, Good in Bed were a just a bit above average but she wins back her fans with this one. Be prepared for a more mature and lovable, Cannie. Weiner delivers a plethora of emotions while adding a mix of tradition, family, friendship, love and acceptance. Some people may hate the end but I felt it added more truth and reality, there by giving this book more substance and life like quality. 

Grade: A

Stolen Innocence by Elissa Wall

Stolen Innocence is an incredible, honest and heart breaking personal story told be Elissa Wall.

It goes into great detail about her life in FLDS and her fight to break free from it despite dire consequences such as losing her much beloved family and her "ticked to heaven."

Elissa's autobiography chronicles her abuse, both sexually and emotionally at the hands of her husband and those who were suppose to protect her.

She gives you an eye opening account of what goes on in the FLDS community. You will become emotionally involved, outraged and disgusted. Her writing appears to be that of a young girl, giving you more of an idea how this young woman's life has been traumatized.

Elissa's courage will give you hope, that you too can overcome obstacles in your life ,whether they are minor or large.


Grade: A

One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell

One Fifth Avenue disappoints. Bushnell must be stuck in a literary haze of boredom.

This is the worst books she has written to date. It is filled with excessive melodrama and is overly done, way above typical "chick-lit" fashion. The characters are a-typical, predictable and overly developed.

This book is like eating a peanut butter sandwich without the jam, dry, plain and a bit annoying.

Despite these elements the book has some "OK" aspects to it. If you skim passages of nonsense chatter and descriptions and get to the core of the book, when you finish it, you can simply shrug your shoulders and say "eh...." when someone asks about it.

Read at your own risk. If boredom ensues, you can't say I didn't warn you.

Grade: D

sTORI Telling by Tori Spelling

I have never been a fan of Tori Spelling. I like many assumed she was a spoiled brat who loved the tabloids.

Her book has really changed my opinion of her and I can say I am a fan of sorts. I'm not the fan who would go up to her and beg for an autograph (actually, I wouldn't ask any "celebrity" for an autograph) but a fan none the less.

Her book is interesting, open, friendly, frank and humorous. Tori opens up about her life in a candid way and she really does appear to be "down to earth." Tori opens up her heart and life to readers and she is brutally honest about her mistakes.

Fans will love the book and us "none" fans might find out that behind that infamous "Spelling" name is just an everyday girl, who just happens to be famous.

Grade: A

Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler

Fledgling is an absolutely wonderful vampire book that breaks many of the stereotypical vampire folk-lore. These new, novel concepts add depth and entertainment to the story line. However, I must admit that there are a few "old" concepts that I miss but the writing and story kept me to entertained.

This different take on vamps will excite you however you will be left longing for much of the mythological aspects we've come to expect and love from the likes of Joss Whedon and Stephenie Meyer.

This is the first novel, I have read by Butler and I am intrigued and will be reading more of her published books in the very near future. Her new twist on vampire life is captivating and you will be hooked from page one until the very end.

Butler has given us a whole different world and a new take on vamps but sadly she died tragically in 2006 and a sequel will not happen.


Grade: A

Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction by David Sheff

Beautiful Boy is beautifully boring. Actually not really (but sort of) ... It isn't what I thought it would be, which as disappointing.

It is more about the actual processes of addiction and drugs than about the Sheff's family. Don't get me wrong there are many passages about what goes on in the family and about Nic's addiction and behavior as a result of it but nothing extremely captivating.

You don't get the same vivid picture that Nic paints in his memoir, Tweak. David Sheff's book can often be repetitive and move along slower than a dead snail. Once you get past all the non-essential information and get down to the real gritty details of this family's story on addiction the book becomes worthwhile.

I can't really recommend this book as it didn't' captivate me and I was essentially annoyed at the blame being placed on being a product of divorce rather than a product of being so lame as to try drugs in the first place.

Grade: C-

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

Life as we knew it gives a very interesting point of view of a post-apocalyptic world.

The story is told by a 16 year old girls point of view in a diary format. Normally diary form drives me mad... but in this instance it works extremely well. You get a lot of detailed info about her, her family, feelings and fears.

This book is a good read for all. The unique premise will capture your attention and keep you entertained. This book is quite bleak yet underneath all that you find what really matters and it isn't modern conveniences.

I can't wait to read the sequel. Go out and buy this book or get it from your local library, it is worth the read!


Grade: A

Untamed: A House of Night Novel by PC Cast and Kristin Cast

This is quite possibly the worst book of the series. Actually it is the very wrost book of the series. It is like watching a really, really bad episode of Charmed mixed in with the very worst episode of Buffy (I love Buffy but there were a few bad episodes) and a bit of Angel. I digress... the book just wasn't really all that interesting and with the exception of a few characters they were all a bit flat. Cast, some how lost the quirky, fun and exciting moments of the series. Don't get me wrong there are a few but they are seldom and very predictable. Lets just hope the next book, set to be released in March of 09' is better and ties up lose ends. I think this series is on it's final leg. I just hope it ends on a high note but I do enjoy the series and have high hopes for it.

Grade: C-