I finished reading True Colors by Kristin Hannah today - I finished it inside a week.  I read one of her books last year (Firefly Lane) and I remember feeling the same way about both books.  That she isn’t a great writer, has average character development, uses annoyingly cliche phrases throughout and yet she weaves together a saga that make her books unputtdownable. 

If you are looking for a ‘beach read’ then I would recommend her books.  It takes very little brain power to digest but you will enjoy them.

I recently finished reading the The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski.  I’ve picked up this book a million times in book shops but ultimately been turned off by the fact that it is an Oprah Book Club pick and I’ve had more misses than hits when it comes to her Book Club.

When I was in Vail I had nothing to read and very little to do so I finally picked up this book in a local bookstore because there wasn’t much else on offer.  It’s been on the NY Times Bestseller List.  I figured it must be worth a read.

I got stuck in and was immediately hooked.  I was intrigued by the characters but wasn’t really sure where the story was going.  It was enough to reel me in.  But the ending?  Oh, the ending annoyed me so much I threw the book down and wished I hadn’t bothered.  It’s hard to explain but I just felt so let down - as though I had stuck with the character and plot development and then none of it really came together for me.  

Have you read this book?  Did you like it?   

I am currently reading Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl and really struggling with it.  I’m halfway through and thinking about giving up.  I guess maybe I could put the computer down and go and pick up the book and give it another chance….

Looking for a great Book Club book?  Then definitely add this to the list.  The Help by Kathryn Stockett has been on the NY Times bestseller list for a while but I only just read it recently.  After admitting to my friends that I had been invited to join another Book Club (you know, one that actually reads books) I was almost stoned to death, so we resurrected Book Club and I (being all bossy) told everyone to read this book.

And I actually got a pretty good result, all things considered.  Three people read the book, one was halfway through and three people did not read the book.  

Even though though less than half the group read the book we still managed to have a great conversation that focused mainly on racism.  I found this book to be thought provoking - not only did it help me understand the segregation and racism that existed in the South in the 1950s but more importantly, it made me think about where we stand today.  Yes, we’ve come a long way but I still think there is a long way to go.

After reading and loving Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld I decided to bring her other book American Wife with me to Paris.  I finished on the weekend.  I don’t love this author and yet I find her books quite engrossing.  This book is based on the life of Laura Bush but is definitely in the fiction category.  I really enjoyed it and raced through it just like I raced through Prep.

I probably won’t pick up another fiction book until I get on the plane to visit my mother because I have birthing, pregnancy, and parenting books piling up on my bedside table and demanding my attention.  I can’t read fast enough these days!

While I’m on the topic of books, I bought this book (The Condition by Jennifer Haigh) on a whim from Borders a few weeks ago and cracked it open on the weekend.  So far so good.  In fact, so far so excellent!  I’m looking forward to providing a review.

And with that, I bid you adieu this evening so that I can settle down with said book and read read read :-)

Book Recommendations needed!

I usually borrow all my books from the library.  However, for my upcoming vacation to the BVI I would very much like to buy and bring 3 or 4 books.  The kind of book that makes for a good ‘beach read’.  What can you recommend for me?

Cannot put Prep by Curtis Sittenfeld down.  I finished reading another book on the weekend that took me 4 weeks to drag my heels through.  This one will be done inside a week.  I never thought I would have any interest in reading a book written from the perspective of a teenager and set in a New England boarding school but it turns out I was wrong.  

With that, I am retiring to my bed to read.

On the train to White Plains. Trying to make the most of the downtime by passing the halfway point in my book. I prefer staring out the window and yawning.

Sidenote: My pants feel decidedly tight today. I’m in for an uncomfortable day.