We like girlie books

Wow Its Kind Of Dead Here

elfslut — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 14:41:27 GMT

Ok people I know there may be a few of you out here in LJ land. I want to get this group going again.

What kind of activities would you like to see in the coming year?

Feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments.

A New Young Adult Writer

elfslut — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 12:41:13 GMT

Emma Michaels has her debut novel The Thirteenth Chime out on Friday, August 13, 2010. How fun and creepy is that?

Here is the book trailer which is really neat.

For those of you that prefer a blurb: No one knew of its existence until it was removed from the attic upstairs.

In a beautiful house that overlooks the sea, an antique clock has the power to change the course of their lives.

The power the clock resonates will not only force Destiny and ex-boyfriend David on a journey into the depths of one man's mind long dead, but into the mind of a man filled with hatred and bent on revenge.

With the only clues to the nature of the clock having disappeared into the sea, Destiny and David must retrace the steps the man had taken into the darkness, before they fall prey to the trap he had set in motion over half a century ago.

Book Review: The Wednesday Letters

elfslut — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 02:37:44 GMT

Author: Jason F. Wright
Title: Ribbon In The Sky
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Publish Date: December 1991
Rating: 5 Stars
Book Blurb: Their story begins with one letter on their wedding night, a letter from the groom, promising to write his bride every week-for as long they both shall live.

Thirty-nine years later, Jack and Laurel Cooper die in each other's arms. And when their grown children return to the family B&B to arrange the funeral, they discover thousands of letters.

The letters they read tell of surprising joys and sorrows. They also hint at a shocking family secret-and ultimately force the children to confront a life-changing moment of truth . . .

Review: This short little book was amazing. I started reading it in the evening and knew I couldn't keep on because I wouldn't get any sleep. It begs to be read from cover to cover.

Jack and Laurel were the sweetest couple and this book paints a picture of their marriage through the eyes of their grown children, come home to lay them to rest and through the letters Jack wrote to Laurel ever Wednesday of their marriage.

I loved how very different their three children were and how they loved each other. I perhaps would have liked to have known more about Samantha and Matthew lives. They both had troubles in their marriages but Wright kept much of the focus on Malcolm, the middle son who is part of the secret they learn through the letters and then through their aunt Allyson. It is a secret that really rocks Malcolm, the troubled middle child to the very core of his being.

This book shows what true love really is. It shows us forgiveness and healing. It displays Christian values without being preachy. It even shows how two people with different political views live as one.

The Wednesday Letters is more than just a keeper shelf book, its a must read book. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry and it will give you warm fuzzy feelings. If you haven't read this book, go get it now!!!

My May reads!

bqueenbandit — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 23:29:03 GMT

I'm pretty freakin' proud that I actually read three books this month! Will write up proper reviews when I get a second to breathe, but here's what I read (numbered by the book challenge number):

#8 "The Progressive Revolution: How the Best in America Came to Be" by Michael Lux (thumbs down)

#9 "The Experts' Guide to 100 Things Everyone Should Know How to Do" by Samantha Ettus (pretty neat)

#10 "I Hated, Hated, Hated This Movie" by Roger Ebert (50/50)

Right now I'm working on a biography of Joey Ramone, which is pretty awesome so far.

My May 2010 Reads

elfslut — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 23:20:04 GMT

I didn't read as many books this month, but I read several long ones, so that kind of evens the score. This puts me at 72 books for the year.

1. Sabina Clark - An Artful Lady 5/29/2010

2. Kimberly Raye - Til We Meet Again 5/28/2010

3. Jane Porter - King Of The Desert, Captive Bride 5/25/2010

4. Karen Robards - Green Eyes 5/24/2010

5. Mallory Kane - The Sharpshooter's Secret Son 5/20/2010

6. Jen Lancaster - My Fair Lazy 5/20/2010

7. Debra Lee Brown - Gold Rush Bride 5/18/2010

8. Lynn Jacobs - Folly To Love 5/13/2010

9. Erica Spindler - See Jane Die 5/12/2010

10. Anne Worboys - Aurora Rose 5/11/2010

11. Debbie Macomber - Savannah's Garden 5/7/2010

12. Jennifer Weiner - Little Earthquakes 5/5/2010

13. Maggie Davis - Dream Boat 5/4/2010

14 Kara Lennox - Downtown Debutante 5/3/2010

Question Of The Week

elfslut — Sat, 22 May 2010 04:13:17 GMT

What was the best book you've read recently and why did you like it?

Book Review: Jen Lancaster - Bright Lights, Big Ass

elfslut — Tue, 11 May 2010 14:36:12 GMT

Book Title: Bright Lights, Big Ass
Author: Jen Lancaster
Release Date: 2007
Review I'm generally not a non-fiction kind of girl when it comes to reading. I like chick-lit, I like romance and some good paranormal books, but for the most part, non-fiction to me would be a cookbook. Then I discovered Jen Lancaster.

I discovered her books a few months back and I really wanted to read ALL of them. She writes snarky humor about her life. I knew instantly that I'd like her, and when I finally got a copy of Bright Lights Big Ass, I knew I was right, for the most part.

Jen is snarky, a little goofy, often mean, which means she should be my new best friend. However, she's a Republican. That kinda made me sigh sadly as right now, I prefer to distance myself from all of that breed of politician. Oh and she admits to reading Ann Coulter. Ewww.

However her attitude and her life in general make for good reading. OK, they make for more than good reading, they make for good laughing. If you don't want people looking at you funny, don't read this book in public, because you will laugh out loud.

Some of her issues will really have you shaking your head and some will have you nodding in agreement, especially her issue with nudity in the spa. You really have to read it appreciate it.

There's too much funny to go into, but some of the things she talks about are Rachael Ray, her temp jobs and her neighbors. Pretty normal stuff, eh? But not with Jen.

This was one of the funniest books I've read in ages and I still wouldn't mind having Jen as a friend, as long as she didn't talk politics

Book Challenge 2010: #7 - Dracula

bqueenbandit — Sun, 02 May 2010 16:34:29 GMT

Book Title: Dracula
Author: Bram Stoker
Release Date: 1897
Review Despite being a huge horror nerd, I never actually sat down and read Dracula. After tackling it, I wish I'd read it sooner. Everyone pretty much knows the plot, at least in general, so I'll spare you a recap. What amazed me is how much gets left out of the adaptations of the book. There are entire characters that don't make the cut, like ex-pat cowboy Quincey Morris (who intrigued me so much that I'm trying to write a spec script adaptation of the story from his point of few). Also, even the grisliest of Dracula movies haven't captured some of the awesome, gory, gothic details that the book gorgeously describes.

My only letdown was the ending. It has a HUGE buildup and then ends it in a page and a half. After spending 200 pages reading about rich white British women being all woeful with the vampire vapors, I would've appreciated, I don't know, a more epic ending. Still, I can see know why Dracula is the Citizen Kane of gothic lit.

bqueenbandit's book challenge tally: 7 out of 20
Like/Dislike: liked

My April Reads

elfslut — Sun, 02 May 2010 14:14:48 GMT

I did pretty good this month. I read twi more books in April than I did in March. Had my father not had some health issues which needed my time and attention, I probably would have read more and worried less. This puts me at 59 books for the year!

These are all the books I read this month going from my most recent read to the book I finished on April 2.

I'm going to bold the books that I liked the best. If you'd like links to any of the reviews, just ask.

1. Kay Clifford - Recipe Of Love

2. Heather MacAllister - His Little Black Book

3. Susan Meier - Married In The Morning

4. Rebbeca Winter/Dominque Burton - A Mother's Wedding Day

5. Julie Kenner - Moonstruck

6. Jen Lancaster - Bright Lights, Big Ass (Highly Recommend for a good laugh)

7. Marta Perry - Promise Forever

8. Katherine Arthur - Loving Deceiver

9. Kimberly Raye/Samantha Hunter - Blazing Bedtime Stories IV

10. Betty Neels - Never The Time And The Place

11. Rhonda Nelson - 1-900-LOVER

12. Judy Kaye - Letters Of Love

13. Jacqueline D'Alessandro/Joanne Rock/Kathleen O'Reilly - A Blazing Little Christmas

14. Catherine George - Consolation Prize

15. Alexandra Scott - An Old Affair

16. Patricia Knoll - Always A Bridesmaid

17. Carly Phillips - Body Heat

18. Kathleen O'Reilly - Midnight Resolutions

19. Almost April - Zoa Sherburne (young adult)

Any Paranormal Fans Out There

elfslut — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 22:21:29 GMT

I've been contemplating books by PC Cast and Marta Acosta? Have any of you guys read any of their books? If so, any recommendations?

Question Of The Week

elfslut — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 16:58:22 GMT

We've been very quiet here again, so I thought I'd toss a question out to you.

Are there any author's that you always pre-order or buy their books when they come out? Who are they? Will you stop reading something to start their new book?

Weekend Reads

elfslut — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 02:03:15 GMT

Thought it might be fun to have a discussion on what books we're reading over the weekend.

This is my current read:

I hope to finish it soon, but for some reason I don't read well on weekends.

So what are you reading?

I'm So Excited

elfslut — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 02:31:43 GMT

There are so many great books coming out in the next few months.

Debbie Macomber's Hannah's List
Janet Evanovich's next Stephanie Plum novel.
Charlaine Harris' next Sookie book.
Nora Robert's Savor The Moment

Not to mention several of my favorite Harlequin authors have new books in the next few months.

What are you guys looking forward too.

Question Of The Week:

elfslut — Fri, 09 Apr 2010 01:28:39 GMT

What's your ideal place to read?

My March Books

elfslut — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 10:19:14 GMT

Going from the most recent reads on back. This is my highest month for book totals! And so many of them keepers too. 17 Books bringing my yearly total to 40. I'm proud of me! I'll bold the books I particularly enjoyed. You can check out full reviews of any of these book at my book blog

Leanne Banks - Secrets Of A Playboy's Bride 3/31 SD

Michelle Willingham - Taming Her Irish Warrior 3/30 HH

Evelyn Vaughn - Burning Times 3/26 Silhouette Shadows

Nina Harrington - Hired: Sassy Assistant 3/25 HR

Maureen Child - Marrying For King's Millions 3/25 SD

Carly Phillips - Brazen 3/24 HT

Lisa Kleypas - When Strangers Marry 3/23

Elise Title - Who Is Deborah 3/21 Silhouette Shadows

Kasey Michaels - The Dangerous Debutante 3/19 HQN

Nick Hornby - Juliet, Naked 3/18

Juliet Leto/Leslie Kelly - More Blazing Bedtime Stories 3/12 HB

Michelle Reid - The Ultimate Betrayal 3/11 HP

Sandra Dubay - Mistress Of The Sun King 3/10

Vicki Lewis Thompson - Pure Temptation 3/8 HT

Winifred Witton - Lady Elmira's Emeralds 3/4 Harlequin Regency

Danielle Steel - Johnny Angel 3/2

Jennifer Crusie - Anyone But You 3/1 HQN

2010 Book challenge: Books 3-5

vivalabeat — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 14:39:42 GMT

I've got so little time and so many books to read that I do need 48 hours per day to be able to accomplish everything and get some sleep and time to post here.

Book 1: Stephen Fry - Paperweight
Like or Dislike: LOVED!
Comments: I do love Stephen Fry, to me he's one of the best writers and journalists ever. The book is the collection of his articles and radio shows from late 80s - early 90s. Even though I was a little girl back then I know the world's history very well and I was surprised (it was a pleasant surprise) that one of the writers I respect the most had and probaly has the same point of view as I do.

Book 1: Bill Bryson - Notes from a Small Island
Like or Dislike: Loved!
Comments: It looks like I'm in the anglophile mood again and I know the reason. Every time I go to the UK I come back with the whole bunch of books on Britain, it's history, traditions and the English. I read Bryson's books about other countries before, so Britain's time has finally come. This book is simply one of the best I've ever read about Britain. And, which is more important, I do see the things Bryson mentiones.

Book 1: Bill Bryson - Icons of England
Like or Dislike: Liked
Comments: Another book on England, now it's more like an encyclopedia but still it's very nice and it was good to read it.

Book Review; Nick Hornby - Juliet, Naked

elfslut — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:39:02 GMT

Book Title: Juliet, Naked
Author: Nick Hornby
Review I loved and was annoyed by this book all at the same time. I loved it because anyone that's ever really been into a band knows people like Duncan, the kind of artist obsessed fans that make you almost hate an artist because they like them too.

I totally felt like I knew Duncan within a few pages and in those few pages I wanted to shove every Tucker Crowe CD up his butt and rotate them counter-clockwise. He was a prat, a wanker and possibly a few other things that all result in him being obnoxious. It made me wonder how Annie managed to stay with him for 15 years and even more than that, how she managed to still like the music of Tucker Crowe after all that time.

I loved when Annie received her first email from Tucker after she posted her review of Juliet, Naked. It seems fitting that she should be the one talking to Tucker and not Duncan.

I also loved getting to know Tucker, and not the persona that the psycho fans created online. He's a typical, washed up, musician, complete with a string of ex-wives and children that he barely knows or cares about, well, except for one, Jackson from his current, falling apart situation.

The ending is where it really went wrong for me. I wanted more for all the characters and that just didn't happen. I guess the problem was the book was just too real for me. It was good, but it was just too darn real.

An Introduction!

sexxualnapalm — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 18:46:01 GMT

1. Name/username: J/sexxualnapalm
2. Age: 34
4. Favorite type of book: chick lit, paranormal romance, historical romance, erotica, horror, thrillers, fantasy
5. Favorite author: at the moment, Larrisa Ione
6. Favorite book at the moment: I have to pick just one? I tend to fall in love with a whole series. Not just one book. Larrisa Ione's Demonica series is some of the best paranormal romance I've ever read. It's got some of the steamiest sex and a fantastic plot with a marvelous world and characters all created by her. I also like the Dark Series, or Carpathian Series, by Christine Feehan. My BFF got me into this series as we both have an unhealthy love of all things vampire. I highly recomend both.

I will be reviewing both series (eventually), and many, many more on my new blog, which if your interested can be found here.

Book Challenge 2010: book 6

bqueenbandit — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 14:21:33 GMT

Book Title: Boomsday
Author: Christopher Buckley
Release Date: 2007
Review:

I got this book for Christmas and was pretty pumped. It was written by Christopher Buckley, who wrote Thank You for Smoking; I haven't read the book yet, but I loved the movie. It seemed like a clever and funny book... at the time.

The premise is actually a pretty awesome one. Cassandra Devine is a PR agent by day and DC blogger/ Red Bull addict by night. As the economy crashes, she poses a theoretical solution to funding Social Security: have Baby Boomers voluntarily kill themselves by age 65. Cass means for it to be a talking point like Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal. Instead, a political shitstorm develops, pitting Cass against a Evangelical mother-killer, the President, her billionaire dad, and the entire Baby Boomer generation.

The book starts out really well. Sometimes it's too clever for it's own good and falls into a trap of "ahhhh....see what I did there!?" wordplay. But I really liked the character development, especially with Cass and her Kennedy-esque senator partner-in-crime. Action started building, the book got interesting, and I got wrapped up waiting for the big conclusion....

....and then it just stopped. Just. Fucking. Stopped. I'm actually a fan of sudden endings, or mysterious endings, or endings that leave you guessing. But this was just lazy. There's was this big build up, and the last chapter is a "two months later" epilogue like a damn Made for TV Movie. I was going to give the book a decent take-it-or-leave-it review until the end pissed me off. So leave it.

It didn't totally sour me on the author. I'm actually eager to check out some of his other books. I'll give him another shot and let you guys know.

bqueenbandit's book challenge tally:6 out of 20
Like/Dislike: disliked

Book Challenge: Books 12-23 12 Books

elfslut — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:47:15 GMT

I'm up by one book from January, however I didn't read any brain books this month. I have however started reading Juliet Naked, so that's a plus. I'm just going to list the books I read with a like/dislike next to the title, because its easier. Also most were Harlequins or young adult books I've found in my house.

12. Sarah Morgan - The Sheikh's Virgin Princess: Loved
13. Carrie Alexander: A Taste Of Temptation: Loved
14. Sarah Morgan - The Vasquez Baby: Disliked
15. Vicki Lewis Thompson - Notorious: Liked
16. Neil R. Selden - The Great Lakeside High Experiment: So/So
17. Maureen Child - Wedding At Kings Convenience: Loved
18. Nancy Warren - Under The Influence: Loved
19. India Grey - Mistress: Hired For The Billionaire's Pleasure: Liked
20. Stephanie Bond - Her Sexy Valentine: Loved
21. Mary Tate Engel - Hard To Resist: Liked
22. Samantha Hunter - Caught In The Act: Liked
23. Leanne Banks - From Playboy To Papa!: Liked

Book Challenge 2010: Books 4 & 5

bqueenbandit — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:56:26 GMT

Book 4: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling
Liked/Disliked: Loved!
Comments: Although I've been a huge fan of the movies, I haven't read the books until now. And I absolutely fell in love. I think one thing that gets left out of the movies is how just how British it is. The books have a dry sense of humor and some dreary kiddie gothic-light moments (much like Roald Dahl or Edward Gorey) that get sanitized in the movies. All around good book, and it makes me eager to read the others

Book 5: Me: by Jimmy (Big Boy) Valente, as Told to Garrison Keillor: A Political Satire
Liked/Disliked Eh
Comments: This is a Satirical fake autobiography of a Jesse Ventura-like pro-wrestler turned governor of Minnesota. The humor is very NPR, which is what makes it readable sometimes and unbearable the other half. My favorite joke was that the wrestling league was called the IWW, which is pretty indicative of the sort of humor in the book.I love Garrison Keillor and A Prairie Home Companion when I'm in that sort of mood, but having him be my constant book companion for over a week was overkill.

Question For You Guys

elfslut — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 03:58:30 GMT

Since the movie is out, have any of you read those Percy Jackson books? Until the movie came out I'm sad to say that I hadn't heard of them, and yet there are quite a few. Harry Potter and the evil that is Twilight were buzzed about ages before the movies.

So what's the deal? And have any of you seen the movie?

Book Review: The Portable Henry Rollins

bqueenbandit — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:47:24 GMT

Book Title: The Portable Henry Rollins
Author: Henry Rollins
Release Date: 1998
Review

I don't like Black Flag one iota, but I dig Henry Rollins. He seems like a smart dude. His show on IFC was pretty rad, so I though I'd check out his writings.

This book is a "best of" compilation of his first eight books through his own publishing company. He started 2.13.61 INC in his Black Flag days as a way of coping with the stress of the road and his own personal issues. His writing is part poetry, part therapy, and therein lies the problem.

When he writes poetry and first-person narratives, it's good. My favorite parts of the book were his recollections, like working in a pet store with Ian McKaye of Fugazi or his tour diaries. While I hate Black Flag, I really like his tour diaries from that era (collected in a book called Get in the Van which I want to read soon). It's punk rock history written from someone who was there, however young and reluctant to be a part of it. As for his poetry, it's similar to the style of beat poetry, only more harsh and graphic.

It's his prose that really bothered me. I know, a lot of his writing is working out issues, and maybe some people can find the art in that. But personally? I can only read so many pages of ex-girlfriends and his mom being mutilated before I get disgusted. Or bored. Mostly bored. It seems like his writing and ventilation of his anger is a lot more refined and aimed at better targets now... but that doesn't make some of this book any easier to stomach.

Recommended for: people into punk history, fans of Rollins/ Black Flag, people with a more cynical outlook on life, modern poetry aficionados.

bqueenbandit's book challenge tally: 3 out of 20
Like/Dislike: 50/50

Book review: A User's Manual for the Human Experience

bqueenbandit — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:26:36 GMT

Book Title: A User's Manual for the Human Experience
Author: Michael W. Dean
Release Date: 2009
Review Off the bat I have to say that Dean's book $30 Film School changed my life, so I've been following his blog and new releases ever since. Even though the self-help subject of this book wasn't a field I was interested in, I bought it anyway. I ended up enjoying it a lot more than I figured I would.

The book is basically a two-parter. The first and biggest section focuses on how to recover from co-dependency of toxic people and dependency of alcohol and drugs. I can't say much on the latter subject, but I do know that on the topic of toxic people, I wish I had a time machine, this boot, and a heavy set of boots. That way I travel a few years back, hand my past self this boot, and give myself a swift kick in the ass. Reading it now I've mostly just nodded and winced in hindsight, though a few of his techniques I've put into place recently with great success.

The second part is how to make the best use of your time after all the toxic people are gone. It's a smaller section than the first but has lots of helpful tidbits about time management and how to work toward making a living though your own creations. It's one part tech book, one part cheerleader, and one part drill sargent.

Now here's the caveat. There's a hearty dose of politics injected into the book and lots of sprinklings of spirituality. If you're hardline into your concept of God, either that he has a very set biblical definition or that he's an Invisible Sky Wizard, you might get turned off. And also there's a lot of talk about self-defense and guns, which I know can be a touchy subject for people for a variety of reasons. Growing up in West Virginia, I have a healthy respect for guns that coupled with my other ideals gets me dicked over by both major political parties (that's a whole nother subject), but I can understand that other people might get wary of all the gun talk. There were a few ideas he went into that I didn't necessarily agree with, but I find that it's always good to things you don't agree with to keep yourself in check and - gasp - maybe change your mind or get exposed to a new idea.

What I liked best about the book was its conversational tone. Dean isn't afraid to get heavy and dark sometimes, but also has a sense of humor. The book doesn't read like a textbook at any point, which is definitely a kudos. A lot of the self-help bs gurus haven't really lived the sort of life they're trying to correct in others, but Dean's talked about some of his struggles in previous books, so you know he's legit.

To be honest, my biggest pain point was that it sometimes gets into jargony territory, and that's something I'm willing to overlook. If you're trying to get out of a bad relationship of any type, I will literally mail you a copy of this book. I've already lent it out to some of my friends I thought needed it.

bqueenbandit's book challenge tally: 2 out of 20
Like/Dislike: Liked most of it, reconsidered the few parts I didn't

2010 Book Challenge Book 4

elfslut — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 15:04:44 GMT

Actually this is book 6 but I wanted this review to stand alone, so I'm posting it now and then the other 2 later.

Author: Stephen Baxter
Title: Emperor (Book 1 Time's Tapestry)
Like/Dislike: It was so/so
Comments: This was one of the hardest books to finish, but I'm glad I did. The first 3 times I tried to read it I got stuck around page 50, but this last time I made it through. This is an epic without the length. The story is about one families survival through the time of Rome's occupation of Britain. It starts with Agrippina and Cunella and their ill-fated love and it goes on through their two families through the next 400 or so years.

The story is told in parts which makes it easier to read once you get past the initial 60 pages which seem to drag. After that the story picks ups.

Its supposed to be an alternate history but I believe anything like that is coming in the future books. What the story does deal with is the Prophecy that started at Nectovalin's birth and how its affected the two families involved. By the end of the book, the prophecy is renewed with a new baby in the family.

I have to admit the writing while good got to be a bit much. I'm not sure its over descriptive as some others that have read the book have said, I just found that you didn't really get involved much with any of the characters long enough to become attached to them. It just jumped from one set of events to another.

The hardest part of reading this book for me was trying to figure out how each name of either characters or places were pronounced. I think that was part of the reason why I spent such a long time reading the first 60 pages. When I finally was able to get past that I could read on.

Its not a great book, but it is compelling enough to make me want to find the next 4 books in the series when I have more time to read.