My Fair Lazy: One Reality Television Addict's Attempt to Discover If Not Being A Dumb Ass Is the New Black, or, a Culture-Up Manifesto by Jen Lancaste

My Fair Lazy is not nearly as funny as Lancaster's previous books but I still enjoyed the read.

Lancaster's writing style and sense of humor is what makes her so successful and the "mean girl" you actually like.

She is no longer easy to relate too. You can get the being fat, unemployed and broke part but not that dropping 400 dollars on tea part.

This particular book felt a bit forced but I will remain faithful and read her next book.

Don't expect the Jen from the past because her cleverness and wit are tucked away in the pages on this memoir.

I also recommend that you not let this be the first Lancaster book you pick up or you won't feel the need to read her other, much more entertaining and hilarious ones.

Grade: B



Synopsis
(B&N)

Jen chronicles her efforts to achieve cultural enlightenment, with some hilarious missteps and genuine moments of inspiration along the way. And she does so by any means necessary: reading canonical literature, viewing classic films, attending the opera, researching artisan cheeses, and even enrolling in etiquette classes to improve her social graces.

Stolen Innocence: Triumphing Over a Childhood Broken by Abuse: A Memoir by Erin Merryn

Stolen Innocence is written in a very simplistic, easy term. The format is a diary and the story is heart wrenching.

The writer, Erin Merryn has, had to overcome a lot and it is this readers opinion that this book is best read by children/teens that have been sexually abused since it is mainly written for that audience.

It is graphic as she describes the details of her abuse so take caution with minors that you allow to read this.

Grade: B-



Synopsis

Eleven-year-old Erin Myrren's life was transformed on the night she was sexually abused by her cousin, someone she loved and trusted. As the abuse continued, and as she was forced to see her abuser over and over again in social situations, she struggled with self-doubt, panic attacks, nightmares and the weight of whether or not to tell her terrible secret. It wasn't until a traumatic series of events showed her the cost of silence that she chose to speak out-in the process destroying both her family and the last of her innocence.

Through her personal diary, written during the years of her abuse, Erin Myrren shares her journey through pain and confusion to inner strength and, ultimately, forgiveness. Raw, powerful and unflinchingly honest, Stolen Innocence is the inspiring story of one girl's struggle to become a woman, and a bright light on the pain and devastation of abuse.

My Husband's Sweethearts by Bridget Asher

The premise for My Husband's Sweethearts sounded good but that story lacked depth and the characters were plain and simple.

The characters are difficult to relate to and the novel is not necessarily engaging. I had to push myself to finish this book and was angry with myself for going through with it, when it ended.

I simply did not care for the characters or the story itself. It is a waste of time. There are too many good books out there, If I were you I would pass on this one.

If you MUST read it, check it out from the library or borrow it from a friend.

Grade: D


Synopsis
[B&N]

When Lucy discovered that her charming, cheating husband was dying, she came home, opened up his little black book, and decided she wasn’t going through this alone. After all, Artie’s sweethearts were there for the good times—is it fair that Lucy should have to manage the hard times herself? In this wise, wickedly funny new novel, Lucy dials up the women in Artie’s black book and invites them for one last visit. The last thing she expects is that any will actually show up.

But one by one, they do show up: The one who hates him. The one who owes her life to him. The one he turned into a lesbian, and the one he taught to dance. And among them is a visitor with the strangest story of all: the young man who may or may not be Artie’s long-lost son.

For Lucy, the jaw-dropping procession of women is an education in the man she can’t forgive and couldn’t leave. And as the women find themselves sharing secrets and sharing tears, they start to discover kindred spirits—and even something that’s a lot like family. But Lucy knows one thing for certain: the biggest surprises are yet to come….

Numbers by Rachel Ward

The concept behind the book Numbers is great but the writing and direction the book leads into is just average.

The character development could use work. Admittedly there are parts of the book that really grab you but then you are disappointed when it fades away into nothing.

It does have drama, action and romance. I really wanted to love this book since the idea was so interesting instead I ended up with an okay read.

The predictability is high, I guessed everything that was going to happen. There is no element of surprise.

Ward is currently working on a sequel but I think I might just have to pass on it.

Check it our or borrow it.

Grade: C

Synopsis
(B&N)

Ever since she was child, Jem has kept a secret: Whenever she meets someone new, no matter who, as soon as she looks into their eyes, a number pops into her head. That number is a date: the date they will die. Burdened with such awful awareness, Jem avoids relationships. Until she meets Spider, another outsider, and takes a chance. The two plan a trip to the city. But while waiting to ride the Eye ferris wheel, Jem is terrified to see that all the other tourists in line flash the same number. Today's number. Today's date. Terrorists are going to attack London. Jem's world is about to explode!

Secrets of Eden: A Novel by Chris Bohjalian

Secrets of Eden is predictable. The storyline while interesting did not hold my attention.

It is broken down into sections and narrated by characters, which is something I like but the transitions were weak and there didn't' seem to be much of a character change.

It is an OK book but nothing in particular that screams out special or read me.


Grade: C


Synopsis
(B&N)

From the bestselling author of The Double Bind, Midwives, and Skeletons at the Feast comes a novel of shattered faith, intimate secrets, and the delicate nature of sacrifice.

"There," says Alice Hayward to Reverend Stephen Drew, just after her baptism, and just before going home to the husband who will kill her that evening and then shoot himself. Drew, tortured by the cryptic finality of that short utterance, feels his faith in God slipping away and is saved from despair only by a meeting with Heather Laurent, the author of wildly successful, inspirational books about . . . angels.

Heather survived a childhood that culminated in her own parents' murder-suicide, so she identifies deeply with Alice's daughter, Katie, offering herself as a mentor to the girl and a shoulder for Stephen -- who flees the pulpit to be with Heather and see if there is anything to be salvaged from the spiritual wreckage around him.
But then the State's Attorney...

Blonde Ambition: The Untold Story Behind Anna Nicole Smith's Death by Rita Cosby

There is absolutely, nothing new or earth shattering in this book. If you followed the media circus after Daniels death until Anna Nicole's you know about 99.9% of what is in this particular book.

This book is essentially "Tabloid Trash". I am completely disappointed. The read is super simple and the writing is shallow.

A huge mess and waste of paper. I am embarrassed that I took the time to read it and am grateful I did not purchase it.

Do not read this book, I can't recommend it.


Grade: F

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella (Twilight Saga) by Stephenie Meyer

This novella is an unexpected disappointment, other than introduction of the character Freaky Freddy, the entire book is a bust.

The writing and character development we've come to love from Meyer falls short in this novella. The story feels padded and thin and Bree is far from an interesting character. You don't learn much more about Bree so one has to ask, What was the point to this book? To cash in money...? ( Yes, I know it was for the sake of the movie).

This novella adds, NOTHING to the Twilight series. None of the character relationships are explored or fully developed.

The best thing about this book is the dollar donation that goes to the Red Cross.

Grade: F

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Before I Fall is Oliver's debut novel. She captures your attention with her skillful writing techniques.

She builds suspense despite the day repeating itself seven times by producing different outcomes. Think of the movie Ground Hog Day.

Oliver successfully gets the reader to like characters who are deplorable in the beginning in particular the heroine.

This is a tale of change and redemption. A bit long winded but entertaining nonetheless.

I look foward to reading more from her and so will you.

Grade: B+



Synopsis (B&N)

"You'll have no choice but to tear through this book!"—Jay Asher, author of the New York Times bestseller Thirteen Reasons Why What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.

Instead, it turns out to be her last.

Then she gets a second chance.

Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death-and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.

Spirit Bound (Vampire Academy, Book 5) Richelle Mead

Spirit Bound is beyond amazing and entertaining. It is full of love, passion, treason, fear, sadness, and grief. You will find yourself mesmerized and as events unfold.

Mead captures you like never before (and this series is pretty damn good). This book will go beyond any expectations you have. The storyline is intense, the characters are still beautifully crafted. You will be on the edge of your seat.

This book is so good you have to put it down and walk away in order to absorb all that is happening. Mead takes you on a roller coaster of emotions and the ending (a cliff hanger) will leave you anxious for the next (and maybe final) installment.

You, MUST read the previous four books in order to get the full impact of this one of a kind series.


Grade: A+


Synopsis

After a long and heartbreaking journey to Dimitri's birthplace in Siberia, Rose Hathaway has finally returned to St. Vladimir's—and to her best friend, Lissa. It is nearly graduation, and the girls can't wait for their real lives beyond the Academy's iron gates to begin. But Rose's heart still aches for Dimitri, and she knows he's out there, somewhere.

She failed to kill him when she had the chance. And now her worst fears are about to come true. Dimitri has tasted her blood, and now he is hunting her. And this time he won't rest until Rose joins him . . . forever.

The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf

The Weight of Silence is Gudenkauf's debut novel. It is mesmerizing, entertaining and bittersweet. The story is told from many different perspectives, giving you a glimpse into each wonderfully created characters "life". Be prepared to be fully engrossed because this book is hard to put down. You will be fully absorbed in the characters and the story. This is a book you will recommend to friends and family. A wonderful read and little gem among many. 

Grade: A 

Synopsis (B&N) It happens quietly one August morning. As dawn's shimmering light drenches the humid Iowa air, two families awaken to find their little girls have gone missing in the night. Seven-year-old Calli Clark is sweet, gentle, a dreamer who suffers from selective mutism brought on by tragedy that pulled her deep into silence as a toddler. Calli's mother, Antonia, tried to be the best mother she could within the confines of marriage to a mostly absent, often angry husband. Now, though she denies that her husband could be involved in the possible abductions, she fears her decision to stay in her marriage has cost her more than her daughter's voice. Petra Gregory is Calli's best friend, her soul mate and her voice. But neither Petra nor Calli has been heard from since their disappearance was discovered. Desperate to find his child, Martin Gregory is forced to confront a side of himself he did not know existed beneath his intellectual, professorial demeanor. Now these families are tied by the question of what happened to their children. And the answer is trapped in the silence of unspoken family secrets.

Bite Me! by Melissa McKenzie Francis

Bite me! is quite possibly the very worst vampire book I have read. The character's are bland, the storyline is far from interesting and there is no degree of realism.

I struggled to finish it and for the first time in ages I will have to take a break from reading for a few days in order to clear my mind.

Don't waste your time, energy or money on this book. I wish I hadn't!


Grade: F


From the Publisher

AJ Ashe isn't your typical seventeen-year-old vampire—as if there is such a thing! She's stuck in the middle of a huge fight between her two BFFs. Her ex-boyfriend—whom she's still totally in love with, by the way—is now her stepbrother. A former classmate—who, um, she may or may not have turned into a vampire—is stalking her. And now, apparently, the fate of humankind lies in her little undead hands. What ever happened to the good old days, when all a vampire girl had to worry about was the occasional zit and hiding her taste for blood?