Stephany Writes

Categories: Books

Book Review: Charlotte Street by Danny Wallace

Charlotte Street
Danny Wallace
3 of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary:

Jason Priestley (not that one) has just seen her. They shared an incredible, brief, fleeting moment of deep possibility, somewhere halfway down Charlotte Street.

And then, just like that, she was gone – accidentally leaving him holding her old-fashioned, disposable camera, chock full of undeveloped photos…

And now Jason – ex-teacher, ex-boyfriend, part-time writer and reluctant hero – faces a dilemma. Should he try and track The Girl down? What if she’s The One? But that would mean using the only clues he has, which lie untouched in this tatty disposable…

It’s funny how things can develop…

My Review:

This was a very interesting read and I mean that in a good way. It was slow in the beginning and I had to adjust to the author’s writing style, plus reading from a male point of view. I wouldn’t say I ever really liked the main character, but the secondary characters – mainly Dev, Abbey, and Matt – stole the show. They felt more real and alive to me than Jason ever did. Jason had this self-pitying air about him that annoyed me. He spent the majority of the novel mooning over his ex-girlfriend who is now engaged and pregnant and I just wanted to shake him! I will say I liked how the author didn’t try to make Jason super likable  As much as he annoyed me, I think that was the point and I think he was authentic in his misery.

The concept of this novel was an intriguing one, especially the theory of how people save the best images of the best moments of their lives for a disposable camera. Unlike digital cameras or phone cameras, you have a select number of shots you can take so you want to make them last and want to make them special. I really loved this desire to piece together the pictures of The Girl’s life and the mystery behind who she is. I think this was very well-written and it piqued my interest because I wanted to know more about who The Girl is and what these pictures meant to her.

The ending was a bit too perfect for me. Too wrapped up and I felt a little let-down at the cheesiness of everything tying together neatly. I just felt the book might have felt more authentic with an ending that left readers guessing and coming up with their own conclusions. But then again, who doesn’t love a happy ending?

I would end up recommending this book, if only because the writing was great and the plot was intriguing and moved at a pretty good pace.

When is the last time you used a disposable camera? I used one during my May cruise to be able to use it in the water in Grand Cayman. It’s very true that you try to save only the best images for your camera, as I found myself being very careful with how many pictures I took and making sure they were as perfect as they could be.

You can learn more about Danny Wallace and his books on his website. You can also become a fan on Facebook and follow him on Twitter. In addition, you can watch this video where the author talks more about the book and the inspiration behind it.

I received this book for free from TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All words and opinions, unless otherwise stated, are my own.

Categories: Books

Book Review: Sad Desk Salad by Jessica Grose

Sad Desk Salad
Author: Jessica Grose
4 of 5 stars 

Goodreads Summary:

Alex Lyons gets paid to be a bitch. As writer for Chick Habit, a website for women and one of the most popular blogs on the Internet, she’s fulfilling her dream of being a professional writer. Maybe she’s not quite championing the women’s rights issues she used to write about in college-but Alex churns out several posts a day, beginning with hard news at 8 am (a meth-addicted former beauty queen, perfect); morning and evening gossip roundups; and especially juicy posts for blog primetime , when women in their offices all over both coasts eat their sad desk salads.

So what if it means burrowing into the couch while her boyfriend is at work, compulsively scouring the Web from 6 am until 6 pm to find the next big celebrity scandal, and only moving for five minutes to grab a sad couch salad of her own…but the last time she left her computer for more than 10 minutes, Farrah Fawcett died, and she missed the scoop. It’s a chick-eat-chick world; and since Chick Habit’s parent company has been cracking down about page views, Alex knows her job is at risk.

So when an anonymous tipster sends Alex the juiciest scoop of the year-a politico’s squeaky-clean Ivy League daughter caught in the act of some very R-rated activity-it’s a no-brainer. As she prepares to ignite the next Internet feeding frenzy, she hesitates: is she ready to ruin the girl’s life? What Alex doesn’t anticipate is how the big scoop will send her own life spiraling out of control.

My Review:

I read this book within 1 day. To be fair, I had just moved into a new apartment and didn’t yet have cable or Internet hooked up so there wasn’t much else I could do, but I’m not the type to voraciously read books like I did this one so it’s definitely a book that sucks you in easily!

There was a lot happening in this book but it all centered around Alex and her trying to make a living as a writer. She has talent and the passion for it, but life hasn’t panned out like she thought and now she writes for a gossip blog where she is terrified of leaving her computer for fear she’ll miss out on a big story. Add in a hate blog, a coworker trying to steal her thunder, and a boyfriend that is getting tired of her job and the way it consumes her life and you have one overwhelmed blogger.

She gets a chance at the biggest scoop of the year and, knowing this may very well make her the apple of her boss’s eye, she publishes it and the media has a field day. Chick lit doesn’t often delve into important social justice issues like this one did. How far is too far in Internet privacy? Is getting the big scoop more important than heeding your moral compass? The book also delved into the world of blog commenting and the way people lash out at writers and/or other commenters. Anyone who has read through comments on a popular blog or news website knows that the comments can make one ill and lose faith in humanity so it was interesting to get a take (albeit a fictional one, although I’m sure the author’s experience with this played a part) on how the writer deals with comments on the posts they write. They are only doing their job, after all.

All in all, a fantastic book that was an easy read but also dealt with interesting issues that would make for a great book club discussion. Fans of chick lit, check this one out!

What would you have done if you were Alex? Posted the story to keep your job and your boss’s favor, or decided not to because of your own moral compass and possibly lose your job? 

I received this book for free from TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All words and opinions, unless otherwise stated, are my own.

Categories: Books

Book Review: Lord of Temptation by Lorraine Heath

Lord of Temptation
Author: Lorraine Heath
5 of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary:

“Three young heirs, imprisoned by an unscrupulous uncle, escaped–to the sea, to the streets, to faraway battle–awaiting the day when they would return to reclaim their birthright.”

Once upon a time, he was Lord Tristan Easton–now he is Crimson Jack, a notorious privateer beholden to none, whose only mistress is the sea. But all that will change when exquisite Lady Anne Hayworth hires his protection on a trip into danger and seduction. . .

Desperation brought Anne to the bronzed, blue-eyed buccaneer. But after the Captain demands a kiss as his payment, desire will keep her at his side. She has never known temptation like this–but to protect her heart, she knows she must leave him behind. Yet Tristan cannot easily forget the beauty–and when they meet again in a London ballroom, he vows he won’t lose her a second time, as fiery passion reignited takes them into uncharted waters that could lead the second lost lord home.

My review:

Oh, my heavens.

You know when you read a book that you just can’t wait to finish, yet you don’t want to because you’ll miss having the characters as part of your daily life? This book is one of those kinds of books. Tristan and Anne are two completely different characters who have had two completely different lives but when their lives converge for this mysterious trip, you feel the chemistry between them oozing off the page. The romance was so well-built and felt completely honest and real. I am very critical of female characters sometimes because authors tend to overwrite them (especially in historical novels) but I felt like Anne was written so perfectly. She was someone I could immediately relate to and while she had her moments of wild abandon, she also knew how to act like a proper lady and what her place in life was.

It’s quite interesting to read books that are in the middle of a series. Sometimes, the story intrigues you enough and the writing is written well enough that you feel the need to read more of the series and get to know the secondary characters in their stories. And sometimes, the writing is just okay. The story is meh. And you feel no need to obtain any other books in the series and read up on the secondary characters. This book is the former. I fully intend on reading the other books in this series because I am so intrigued and so in love with the way this writer pens a story.

I have read many a historical romance novel and this book had everything I want to see in a book like this and then some. It’s an almost 400-page book that I read in 2 days because the story pulled me in that much.

You can find more about Lorraine Heath on her website. She also has a Facebook fan page and is on Twitter.

I received this book for free from TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All words and opinions, unless otherwise stated, are my own.

Categories: Books

Book Confessions

When Amy did a post on her book confessions last week, I knew immediately that I had to do this on my own. This may be the most fun I’ve ever had with a post.

1. My earliest reading memory is of me reading “Are You My Mother?” to one of my uncles.

2. I can’t remember a time when I was without a library card.

3. I currently have my library card number memorized, which makes for easy online requesting.

4. One of our libraries in town has a drive-thru, which means I could request books online and then go through the drive-thru to drop off books and pick up my requests – all without having to leave my car!

5. Like most 90’s girls, I was obsessed with The Baby-Sitters Club, the Sweet Valley series (I read everything from Kids to High), The Boxcar Children, and Nancy Drew.

6. In third grade, I once wrote a spelling test using all the different handwriting of The Baby-Sitter’s Club members. My teacher wasn’t very happy, but I thought it was clever.

7. When I was in late elementary and middle school, I would always check out 12 books from the Children’s section (the max you were allowed) and read them all within a week.

8. Growing up, Saturday mornings were for the library. One of my most favorite places.

9. In middle school, I created an inventory for all my books after seeing a reading teacher do so with her classroom books. I organized them all alphabetically and then created a Word document with each book title and author listed in the correct order.

10. My favorite Christian kid’s fiction series were the Christy Miller series and the Mandie series.

11. I took my time buying into the e-book fever. It wasn’t something I didn’t like because I treasured the feel and smell of books, but it was just something I didn’t think much about until they grew in popularity. In April 2011, I bought my first Kindle and haven’t looked back since! I absolutely love reading on my e-reader and honestly, do not miss regular books anymore. It makes reading so much more convenient and easier!

12. Being a regular blogger for TLC Book Tours is one of my favorite opportunities this blog has brought me. I love reviewing books and have yet to read a book I absolutely hate.

13. I used to have a different book for everyday reading, bathroom reading, and in-the-car reading.

14. I still read in all three places mentioned above. Thankfully, reading in the car has never made me dizzy or nauseous. (I would never survive long road trips without reading!)

15. I have never listened to a book on audiobook.

16. Whenever I finish a book, I almost always have another one lined up to read.

17. My favorite genre is romance, followed by chick lit. While the books can be predictable and all of them seem to follow a formula, I still love the escapism I can get from them.

18. My least favorite genre is anything fantasy or sci-fi. Not my thing!

19. I read the Harry Potter books during the summer of 2011 and while I enjoyed them immensely, I don’t see myself reading the books ever again.

20. I rarely read books more than once. There are very few exceptions to this, but generally, one time is enough for me!

21. I used to secretly read my mom’s smutty novels when I was younger. Shh!

22. When I was younger, and reading 12 books a week, after my Saturday trip to the library, I would sit in the recliner and read the first chapter of every book. Then I would organize the books in alphabetical order and read them that way.

23. In July, I donated nearly all of my books to the library (part of my minimalizing efforts). I now own about 3-4 actual books that I’ll probably end up donating as well. My Kindle and the library are enough for me!

24. I hid my love of reading growing up, so I never participated in any reading challenges or summer reading contests. I wish I had embraced my love for reading more as a kid, but it is what it is.

25. As avid a reader I am, I still don’t consider myself very well-read because I’m not a huge fan of the classics or popular literature.

26. I love smutty novels and a part of me is scared to read 50 Shades of Gray because I think I might enjoy it and everyone would think less of me. (BIGGEST CONFESSION TO DATE!)

27. I prefer libraries to bookstores.

28. I honestly do not understand people who don’t love to read. I never have, and I don’t think I ever will.

29. My favorite authors include Sarah Dessen, Suzanne Brockmann, and Sophie Kinsella.

30. My biggest life dream is to be a successful, published novelist. It’s the one dream that is still alive and kicking in me and I have no doubt, as long as I put in the time and effort, I will accomplish this.

Any book confessions you’d like to make?

Categories: Books

Book Review: Bond Girl by Erin Duffy

Bond Girl
Author: Erin Duffy
Rating: 4 of 5 stars

Goodreads Summary: 

When other little girls were dreaming about becoming doctors or lawyers, Alex Garrett set her sights on conquering the high-powered world of Wall Street. And though she’s prepared to fight her way into an elitist boys’ club, or duck the occasional errant football, she quickly realizes she’s in over her head when she’s relegated to a kiddie-size folding chair with her new moniker—Girlie—inscribed in Wite-Out across the back.

No matter. She’s determined to make it in bond sales at Cromwell Pierce, one of the Street’s most esteemed brokerage firms. Keeping her eyes on the prize, the low Girlie on the totem pole will endure whatever comes her way—whether trekking to the Bronx for a $1,000 wheel of Parmesan cheese; discovering a secretary’s secret Friday night slumber/dance party in the conference room; fielding a constant barrage of “friendly” practical jokes; learning the ropes from Chick, her unpredictable, slightly scary, loyalty-demanding boss; babysitting a colleague while he consumes the contents of a vending machine on a $28,000 bet; or eluding the advances of a corporate stalker who’s also one of the firm’s biggest clients.

Ignoring her friends’ pleas to quit, Alex excels (while learning how to roll with the punches and laugh at herself) and soon advances from lowly analyst to slightly-less-lowly associate. Suddenly, she’s addressed by her real name, and the impenetrable boys’ club has transformed into forty older brothers and one possible boyfriend. Then the apocalypse hits, and Alex is forced to choose between sticking with Cromwell Pierce as it teeters on the brink of disaster or kicking off her Jimmy Choos and running for higher ground.

Fast-paced, funny, and thoroughly addictive, Bond Girl will leave you cheering for Alex: a feisty, ambitious woman with the spirit to stand up to the best (and worst) of the boys on the Street—and ultimately rise above them all.

My Review:

I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed this novel. I am a huge lover of the chick-lit genre and this one sucked me in from the very beginning. The characters were dynamic and interesting and the plot was so different than what I’m used to seeing from chick-lit, especially with the emphasis on Alex’s career. Chick-lit authors tend to make their main characters flighty and silly, getting involved in the stupidest situations but Alex was not like that. Sure, she got involved with a guy who treated her like crap and didn’t seem to have the self-esteem to ask for better but I think this plot line made her so much more real, believable, and someone I could identify with. (Plus, the pinata scene definitely made up for all the times I said, “Alex! Come on!”) She was smart and sassy. She could hold her own with the boys and yet was still vulnerable, still prone to mistakes, still just a girl on a journey to figure out herself and her path.

There wasn’t much I disliked about this story. The characters stole the show and the plot flowed along perfectly. It was the type of book where I was still thinking about and missing the characters days after I finished the story. For me, that is the mark of a fabulous story.

If you enjoy a good chick-lit story, I highly recommend you pick up this book and give it a try. It’s fabulously written and an easy, fun, light read.

I received this book for free from TLC Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. All words and opinions, unless otherwise stated, are my own.