Monday, November 10, 2014

A Few Reviews

Reading is slowly picking up.  Seems I have been in a slump for a while and it was really bringing me down.  Reading helps me keep my sanity and October was definitely a month of crazy!  I managed to finish two books this weekend so thought I would add a few mini reviews rather than waiting for the end of the month.

TITLE: Bridget Jones's Diary
AUTHOR: Helen Fielding
PUBLISHER: Penguin Books

FROM GOODREADS: Meet Bridget Jones—a 30-something Singleton who is certain she would have all the answers if she could:
a. lose 7 pounds
b. stop smoking
c. develop Inner Poise

"123 lbs. (how is it possible to put on 4 pounds in the middle of the night? Could flesh have somehow solidified becoming denser and heavier? Repulsive, horrifying notion), alcohol units 4 (excellent), cigarettes 21 (poor but will give up totally tomorrow), number of correct lottery numbers 2 (better, but nevertheless useless)..."

Bridget Jones' Diary is the devastatingly self-aware, laugh-out-loud daily chronicle of Bridget's permanent, doomed quest for self-improvement — a year in which she resolves to: reduce the circumference of each thigh by 1.5 inches, visit the gym three times a week not just to buy a sandwich, form a functional relationship with a responsible adult, and learn to program the VCR.

Over the course of the year, Bridget loses a total of 72 pounds but gains a total of 74. She remains, however, optimistic. Through it all, Bridget will have you helpless with laughter, and — like millions of readers the world round — you'll find yourself shouting, "Bridget Jones is me!"

MY THOUGHTS:  I read this as part of a Goodreads group - The Reading Adventures Book Club.  I have read some chick lit and usually I find it a fast read.  However I struggled with this book.  I blame it having seen the movie and not being able to get it out of my head (and I was not a fan).  I did enjoy participating in the book group, but am in no hurry to continue with this series


RATING: 3 PAWS 

TITLE: On Borrowed Time (Library Lover's Mystery #5)
AUTHOR: Jenn McKinlay
PUBLISHER: Berkley

FROM GOODREADS:  Loving a good cup of coffee runs in the family for Briar Creek library director Lindsey Norris. But when her brother, Jack, a consultant for a coffee company, goes missing, her favorite beverage becomes a key clue in a dangerous mystery.

Between preparing the library for the holidays and juggling the affections of ex-boyfriend, Captain Mike Sullivan, and her new crush, actor Robbie Vine, Lindsey has her hands full. But the mysterious disappearance of her world-traveling playboy brother takes precedence over all.

Afraid that involving the police could brew trouble for Jack, Lindsey takes matters into her own hands. But as her quest for her brother embroils her in a strange case involving South American business dealings and an enigmatic and exotic woman, it’ll take the help of both her library book club—the crafternooners—and her eager-to-please suitors to keep Jack from ending up in hot water…


MY THOUGHTS:  This book came out just last week and I couldn't wait to read it.  If chick lit can't break a slump, a cozy mystery sure can.  I really love this series as it centers around a head librarian and the events of a small coastal town.  This was a great addition to the series and the mystery kept my attention. I love all of the characters and think McKinlay does a wonderful job of creating a cast of players.  I really like this series and hope it continues. 

RATING: 4 PAWS

2 comments:

  1. I remember really liking Bridget Jones's Diary when I read it, although I don't remember if I saw the movie before or after I read the book. I thought the second book was even funnier than the first, though I wasn't crazy about the second movie.

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    1. Maybe I will give the second one a try. I didn't dislike Book 1, it just didn't really stand out for me. I didn't even know there was a 2nd movie.

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