Review: Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin

Goodreads: Tessa Russo is the mother of two young children and the wife of a renowned pediatric surgeon. Despite her own mother's warnings, Tessahas recently given up her career to focus on her family and the pursuit of domestic happiness. From the outside, she seems destined to live a charmed life.

Valerie Anderson is an attorney and single mother to six-year-old Charlie--a boy who has never known his father. After too many disappointments, she has given up on romance--and even to some degree, friendships--believing that it is always safer not to expect too much.

Although both women live in the same Boston suburb, the two have relatively little in common aside from a fierce love for their children. But one night, a tragic accident causes their lives to converge in ways no one could have imagined.

Kritters Thoughts: AHHH MAZING! I have liked all of the previous Emily Giffin books I have read, but this one was bar none my favorite. I always read the flap or the back to get a quick synopsis. Well after reading the flap, this book went down a completely opposite road then I thought it would. I do not want to give my idea or the road it actually took away because it was so good that I want everyone to log onto their library pages and request it immediately or head to a bookstore and purchase it.

Told from the point of two different moms, alternating between each of their point of views, it kept the story moving without confusing the reader. These mom's worlds collide in a much different way then I was imagining. You don't know how small your world is, until it crashes down around you. I honestly can't say more or I will ruin this gem of a read. It was a quick and easy read with short chapters.

Too all my ladies of all ages, you will love the interesting turn this book takes. If you are interested in the road I thought it was headed down - leave a comment with your email address!

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Pages: 352

GR July-Sept Challenge: On Location (Boston)

2010 Challenge: New in 2010

Review: House Rules by Jodi Picoult

Goodreads: Jacob Hunt, a teenage boy with Asperger’s Syndrome. He’s hopeless at reading social cues or expressing himself well to others, and like many kids with AS, Jacob has a special focus on one subject – in his case, forensic analysis. He’s always showing up at crime scenes, thanks to the police scanner he keeps in his room, and telling the cops what they need to do…and he’s usually right. But then one day his tutor is found dead, and the police come to question him. All of the hallmark behaviors of Asperger’s – not looking someone in the eye, stimulatory tics and twitches, inappropriate affect – can look a heck of a lot like guilt to law enforcement personnel -- and suddenly, Jacob finds himself accused of murder. HOUSE RULES looks at what it means to be different in our society, how autism affects a family, and how our legal system works well for people who communicate a certain way – but lousy for those who don’t.

Kritters Thoughts: What can I say about Jodi Picoult? Every book she has written that I have read has become one of my favorites. I love her combination of a great story with depth and intelligence added in. All of her books that I have read have included some form of the law and a trial. I love these parts of the stories because they put the characters in different situation than their "normal" lives.

House Rules is a story based on a family with a son who is living with Asperger's Syndrome. I have heard a few things on parents living with autism, but I absolutely enjoyed hearing the real day-to-day struggle of families living with this disorder.

Without absolutely spoiling the basic premise of the novel, the family ends up in the courtroom where a child with autism has a hard time executing the proper social graces.

I loved how Picoult switched from different points of view to keep the story moving along, but to also enable us to understand how each family member is affected by Asperger's and their trips to the courtroom.

The one thing that I always seem to make sure is never to read two of her books in a row. They are so good and deep and though provoking that I can't handle more than one in a row. So I will be taking a short vacation from Jodi Picoult while I continue to digest this most recent read.

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Pages: 532 pages

GR July-Sept Challenge: Keeping up with the Math (Multiplication)

2010 Challenge: New in 2010

Review: Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

Goodreads: Thirty-three-year-old Minerva Dobbs is annoyed when her current boyfriend dumps her three weeks before her sisters' wedding. But she's downright furious a few moments later when she overhears her now "ex" boyfriend bet hunky Calvin Morrisey that he can't take her home and bed her. In fact, she's so angry at them both that she lets Cal take her to dinner and decides to string him along until after her sisters' wedding.

Minerva pegs Cal as a handsome "used car salesman of seducers." Cal thinks Minerva is a "cranky, starving, risk-averse statistician." But Minerva's hormones keep whispering "this one," although she knows the gorgeous Cal isn't the man for her practical, white-cotton-bra, several-pounds-over-thin, self. And Cal is blindsided by the lust he feels for the voluptuous, sensual woman he glimpses behind Min's actuary exterior. While Cal and Min struggle to deal with their mutual distrust and attraction, their friends and families try their best to interfere and direct the progression of the unlikely romantic connection.

Kritters Thoughts: What a great book. A cute story showing how two completely different people can get swept up in the beginnings of a relationship - and fight it the whole way.

I loved the storyline where couple meets in the bar based on a bet. I don't want to over share because I want everyone to go check out this book, such a great summer read. It is light and cute.

The one issue I found was - my copy that I have been moving with me for awhile was a mass market paperback. I had not read a mass market paperback in awhile and now I know why - I hated it. It was impossible to read on the treadmill. I had to use two hands to read it. I officially will avoid mass market in the future, the price does not entice me anymore.

Back to the book review - I really don't want to share much for fear of ruining such a cute little book. But I would absolutely pass this book onto all the ladies in my life.

Rating:definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Total pages: 391

2010 Challenge: TBR

GR Jul-Sept Challenge: Keeping up with the Math (Subtraction)

Chick Lit Challenge

Review: Gossip Girl Series (Part 1) by Cecily von Ziegesar

Goodreads: Welcome to New York City's Upper East Side, where my friends and I live, go to school, play, and sleep - sometimes with each other.

S is back from boarding school, and if we aren't careful, she's going to win over our teachers, wear that dress we couldn't fit into, steal our boyfriends' hearts, and basically ruin our lives in a major way. I'll be watching closely . . .

You know you love me,

gossip girl

Kritters Thoughts: WARNING: I am reading this series for a few reasons: a. I have watched the show and thought it was some good entertainment, b. I always wanted to know how different the books were from the tv show, c. It's YA, it has to be entertaining, d. I had to find a series that had an 8th book in it for the Goodreads Challenge. (details on this challenge can be found on the separate page at the top of the blog)

SO, I am reading at least the first 8 books of the series.

I am going to combine my reviews and thoughts into just a few blog posts. So if for some reason there is a little more lag between reviews, you know why that is.

OK to review: I am very glad I have chosen to read this series. It is different enough from the tv series to enjoy it as a stand alone, but it is nice to have a mental image of how the characters could look like in "real life."

I have started with the Prequel and the first 2 books of the series. The Prequel was great - it definitely set the tone for the series of books and again was close to the tv show, but different enough to enjoy it alone.

One of the frustrations I have with the first and second book lie in the repetition. Let me explain - If you read them in order, the first book retells background stories that were in the prequel and the second retells background stories from the first book. Its kinda irritating when you reread a story that you just read in the previous book. I don't need it repeated because I just read it. This may have allowed these books to stand on their own and not be a series, but reading them as a series - this point has annoyed me.

I would recommend this series to girls my age who want some semi-mindless pool reading where you are already familiar with the characters. As far as the younger crowd - just as in the tv show, there is a little more sex, love and rock and roll then I would recommend to my teen crowd. Maybe kids are reading and seeing more than I did growing up, but I just couldn't pass this series onto my niece when she comes to the recommended age.

Books included in this post - It Had to Be You, Gossip Girl, You Know You Love Me, All I Want Is Everything by Cecily von Ziegesar

Rating: perfect beach read

Total pages: 1,029

2010 Challenge: YA

Review: Nightmare on Sunset Lake by Melody Maher

Goodreads: Chelsea Wilson is a typical college student on summer vacation. She's going to spend the 4th of July camping in northern New Hampshire with herfriends, but she's a little nervous about going. She's excited to spend some time with her friends, but for some reason, she has a bad feeling about the trip. Her friends keep trying to convince her that they're going to have a great time swimming and fishing, but she can't seem to shake the persistent bad feeling in her gut. Bad omens suddenly start to appear, and Chelsea is the only one that takes any notice.

Kritters Thoughts: A great debut novel by an up and coming author! I am definitely beyond the target audience, but it was such a cute little read.

I read it one sitting, but the suspense definitely kept me reading. I couldn't believe that a YA book kept me glued until the last page - pleasantly surprised.

My few little criticisms of the book lie in the reviewing and editing. I thought that there were some points in the book that could have used some extra editing, whether it be spelling or sentence structure.

I was disappointed when it ended. I think the story could have used a little more of a conclusion. I guess I was so hooked on the story, I wasn't ready for it to end!

I would pass this book along to any of my young readers who love a little suspense.

Rating: perfect beach read (for the older audiences)

Total pages: 135

2010 Challenge: Win! Win! (I took this literally - I won the book from goodreads!)

**This book was provided free of any obligation by Goodreads. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

Review: Billy Graham: His Life and Influence by David Aikman

Goodreads: Having known more American presidents, foreign leaders, and famous people than any other American living or dead, he has been uniquely able to speak to the heart of the average person and bring peace and clarity to a nation in trying times. Graham's ministry flourished during a challenging period in the American experience, when the nation was coming to terms with its unexpected new strength in the world and grappling with the most serious racial and social upheavals since the Civil War.

Kritters Thoughts: First, let me tell you how excited I was to get this book from BookSneeze to review, more than excited!!

I chose to receive and review this book because first my "hometown" for four years was Charlotte, NC, and it is a city that I will always wish to return to. Second reason I chose this book is because in college I was a religious studies major, I was always interested in how religion affected society and how society affected the progression of religion.

SO for my review. This was not your typical biography. It was more of a biography that was torn apart in chapters that organized his life into themes, not exactly in chronological order. I enjoyed this different take on reading about someone's life. As well, the book set up allowed for other people's accounts of the encounters they had with Billy Graham.

I think my favorite chapters were involving the presidents. I was absolutely unaware as to the impact that Billy Graham had on each presidency. After reading this book, I am completely aware that our America would be a different place if Billy Graham hadn't interceded in critical moments in history. What an amazing thought - that one person had that much impact over a long length of our American history.

Finally, I loved reading the last part about his family. Although his wife, Ruth, was mentioned throughout the book, I enjoyed reading more about her and the children they raised. After reading about the many trips and crusades he was a part of, you didn't realize until the end that his wife kept their home and raised their children basically on their own - a sacrifice to allow her husband to preach to the world.

I would recommend this book to people who have an interest in history and religion. It was definitely a thought provoking read and was hard to read laying by the pool!!

Rating: enjoyable, but didn't leave me wanting more

Total pages: 301

2010 Challenge: Non-fiction (pick your own)

**This book was provided free of any obligation by BookSneeze. No monetary or any other form of compensation was received.

Review: Revenge of the Kudzu Debutantes by Cathy Holton

Goodreads: Eadie Boone is no shrinking violet. An artist and former beauty queen who married into one of the first families of Ithaca, Georgia, she tackles everything with gusto and flair. Nita Broadwell, a good southern girl from a good Southern family, is jolted out of complacency when she discovers condoms in her husband's shirt pocket. Lavonne Zibolsky - a transplanted Yankee, bless her heart - is saddled with planning the annual Broadwell & Boone law firm party. That and her lackluster marriage have her seeking solace in the contents of her refrigerator.

Kritters Thoughts: Definitely an interesting read. I spoke with the mom about 100 pages in and said "not again, another book that I am not a fan of." I was upset that I have not been reading the "jaw dropping I want to read this again" books that I am used to since I started blogging. BUT alas this book picked up!

I am used to the novels where at least one of the characters is closer to my age group. Sometimes it is hard to get into a book when you can't physically relate to a marriage falling apart or dealings with children. Although, once the revenge part of the novel kicks in, I was hooked.

Each character was unique but you could imagine these three women as close friends. Without spoiling the major plot of the novel, they have the opportunity to band together and teach their men a lesson. I believe that is when I got really hooked - waiting for their plans to unravel.

One of the great things that I loved about the book was the setting. In Ithaca, GA, a great southern town close to Atlanta. Being a transplanted southerner in a northern spot without sweet tea has been more than an adjustment. I love to read books that are filled with the southern charm.

I would recommend this book to the older set of ladies, who have friends or themselves seen marriages fall apart or know of the pressures of raising children and the strain it takes on someone's life. A light read that any female could enjoy, but definitely wouldn't pass this off to the boys!

Definitely a cute read, but not one to hold on to for another read.

Rating: perfect beach read

Total pages: 288

2010 Challenge: Who Are You Again?

Chick Lit Challenge

Review: The Meaning of Matthew by Judy Shepard

Goodreads: The mother of Matthew Shepard shares her story about her son's death and the choice she made to become an international gay rights activist.

Kritters Thoughts: What an amazing read! Most everyone has probably heard the horrific story of the occurrence that changed Matthew Shepard's family and Laramie, Wyoming, but there is way more to this story then I ever imagined.

I can not indulge too much because it is definitely not worth spoiling, but wow - what a read. I think cried a total of 4 times - and trust me I am not one to blubber on. The details of his life before, the incident and the trial after were heartbreaking and real.

I remember missing an opportunity in college to hear Mrs. Shepard speak and I am kicking myself even more after reading her book filled with her thoughts and accounts of the actions of the two men that impacted and changed her life forever.

I had not read many non-fiction books recently, no reason, just hadn't. So when I found the 2010 Challenge I decided to commit myself to at least 2 non-fiction by renaming the pick your own to non-fiction. I am beyond ecstatic with myself for picking this as my reintroduction into non-fiction literature.

I would recommend this to young, old, men and women - an amazing read.

Rating: (definitely good read, but can't read two in a row)

Total pages: 288

2010 Challenge: Non-fiction (pick your own)

Review: I See You Everywhere by Julia Glass

Goodreads: A tale of two sisters, together and apart, told in their alternating voices over twenty-five years.

Louisa Jardine is the older one, the conscientious student, precise and careful: the one who yearns for a good marriage, an artistic career, a family. Clem, the archetypal youngest, is the rebel: uncontainable, iconoclastic, committed to her work but not to the men who fall for her daring nature.

In this vivid, heartrending story of what we can and cannot do for those we love, the sisters grow closer as they move farther apart.

Kritters Thoughts: ***Warning - spoilers ahead*** I didn't want to ever ruin a book - I believe the spoilers contained in the below review will not inhibit anyone from enjoying the book.

What a book! A powerful and insight book into the struggles between sisters. Being a half of a sister pair, I am the older one, but our lives and roles have changed throughout the years - even by the week. We have each had to take a back burner to the other in our parents eyes when our lives have been up or down. We have shared in the joy and the pain of each other's life circumstances. I believe that sisters challenge each other more than any other relationship out there - you fight to be on top, but you praise each other when they get there.

To get a little personal - My sister (J) and I have both had times of great joy and times of great struggle. Some of the scenarios in the book completely mimic our lives - without giving too much away - J has spent some time in a few hospitals for many reasons, just as the younger sister in this book. Sometimes our parents were by her side and sometimes I was right there. A major story line for the older sister was almost a predicament that I found myself in - the character ended up being a pink ribbon holder; I only had a scare. I know that my mom had to put me first during this time of my life which left my sister on the sidelines.

These sisters that Julia created are human in that they grow apart, but still have each other to fall back on. They have real life experiences and I felt they were people that I could relate to.

I absolutely enjoyed reading a story that felt true and honest portraying sisters as they are - at times enemies while in the same moment the closest of friends.

Rating: absolutely loved it and want a sequel

Total pages: 288

2010 Challenge: Charity - goodwill

Review: The Washingtonienne by Jessica Cutler

Goodreads: When Jacqueline Turner's fiancee gives her two days to move out of his apartment, she has no choice but to leave New York City and crash with her best friend in Washington, D.C. (She can't be expected to keep herself in cute clothes while paying New York City rent, after all.) She needs a new, exciting life-not to mention real employment. Where better to get a fresh start than the nation's capital?

Kritter's Thoughts: I told myself in the beginning I would not beat up a book or an author, so I will have to keep this review short.

I am fine with an occasional sex scene or obscenity cast around - but this book was over the top and too much. Filled with sex, drugs and some work life, this book was not the "Washington Sex and the City" it was advertised to be. I felt that this book completely beat up Washington, DC and its residents. Being a new resident of the surrounding parts of DC, I didn't enjoy the negative connotation the city and its dwellers received.

I only finished because I could use it for two challenges and I am that girl who must give a book a fair shot. After 100 pages, I only had 150 some odd more to finish and couldn't walk away. Thankfully being stuck in a car helped finish it off. Unfortunately, living near DC, I was so excited to read this book and be able to know where the character was running around. I was let down.

I would not pass this book off to anyone.

Rating:

Total pages: 304

Source: Barnes and Noble

2010 Challenge: Shiny and New

Chick Lit Challenge

Review: Shelter Me by Juliette Fay

Goodreads: In the tradition of Marisa de los Santos and Anne Tyler comes a moving debut about a young mother's year of heartbreak, loss and forgiveness . . . and help that arrives from unexpected sources.

Four months after her husband's death, Janie LaMarche remains undone by grief and anger. Her mourning is disrupted, however, by the unexpected arrival of a builder with a contract to add a porch onto her house. Stunned, Janie realizes the porch was meant to be a surprise from her husband - now his last gift to her.

As she reluctantly allows construction to begin, Janie clings to the familiar outposts of her sorrow - mothering her two small children with fierce protectiveness, avoiding friends and family, and stewing in a rage she can't release. Yet Janie's self-imposed isolation is breached by a cast of unlikely interventionists: her chattering, ipecac-toting aunt; her bossy, over-manicured neighbor; her muffin-bearing cousin; and even Tug, the contractor with a private grief all his own.

As the porch takes shape, Janie discovers that the unknowable terrain of the future is best navigated with the help of others - even those we least expect to call on, much less learn to love.

Kritters Thoughts: An amazing read! I absolutely enjoyed and believed in each character. I feel as though each character could be walking the streets of our hometowns today.

I have lost some people in my life to the world beyond - and to hear from one woman's perspective her battle with grief was both heartbreaking and eye opening. I loved how her story felt real. I felt her ups and downs and believed that each moment could be happening to a widow at anytime.

Without revealing the whole plot line, I appreciated her internal judgement and fear of how others would perceive her taking steps towards moving on from this tragedy.

A deep and thought provoking read that I would absolutely recommend.

Rating:

Total pages: 448

Source: thrift store

2010 Challenge: Charity

Review: The Bay at Midnight by Diane Chamberlain

Goodreads: Her family's cottage on the New Jersey shore was a place of freedom and innocence for Julie Bauer - until her seventeen-year-old sister, Isabel, was murdered.

It's been more than forty years since that August night, but Julie's memories of her sister's death still shape her world. Now someone from her past is raising questions about what really happened that night. About Julie's own complicity. About a devastating secret her mother kept from them all. About the person who went to prison for Izzy's murder - and the person who didn't.

Faced with questions and armed with few answers, Julie must gather the courage to revisit her past and untangle the complex emotions that led to one unspeakable act of violence on the bay at midnight.

Kritters Thoughts: The Bay at Midnight was a longer book than I usually read, although it kept me interested and completely entertained from cover to cover. This book is much deeper than your normal chick lit or beach read, but not too intellectual.

A story filled with family secrets that eek out slowly enough not to ruin the plausible twist ending. With all mysteries, my fear lies in discovering the ending too soon. Not so with this book. I enjoyed every chapter that bounced between different points of view and different moments in time.

The main character Julie has been living with a large burden of guilt thinking that she helped cause the murder of her older sister, more than forty years earlier. Her younger sister Lucy, her mother Maria, and Julie have been completely affected by their loss and never pulled together as a family unit to complete the grief circle.

I enjoyed the slowly unfolding of events through both a glance back in time and the revealing of struggles that these ladies are facing in their current lives.

A definite must read that I would recommend to ladies of all ages.

Rating: definitely a good read, but can't read two in a row

Total pages: 377

2010 Challenge: T.B.R.

I Can Take the Challenge

SO, I know I am joining late in the game, but I am going to join a challenge and see how it goes.


The outline for the challenge is as follows:

The aim is to read a total of 20 books, over ten categories in 2010. Each book can only qualify for one category.

The categories:

1. Young Adult - Any book classified as young adult or featuring a teenage protagonist counts for this category.

2. T.B.R. - Intended to help reduce the old TBR pile. Books for this category must be already residents of your bookshelf as of 1/11/09.

3. Shiny & New - Books bought NEW during 2010 from a bookstore or online. Second-hand books do not count for this one.

4. Bad Blogger's - Books in this category, should be ones you've picked up purely on the recommendatoin of another blogger count for this category (any reviews you post should also link to the post that convinced you give the book a go).

5. Charity - Support your local charity shops with this category, by picking up books from one of their shops.

6. New in 2010 - This category is for those books newly published in 2010.

7. Older Than You - Read two books that were published before you were born, whether that be the day before or 100 years prior!

8. Win! Win! - Have a couple of books you need to read for another challenge? Then this is the category to use, as long as that you don't break the rules of the other challenge by doing so!

9. Who Are You Again? - This one isn't just for authors you've never read before, this is for those authors you have never even heard of before!

10. Up to You! - The requirements for this category are up to you! The only requirement is that you state it in your sign-up post.

If you have any recommendations for any category, comment away!