Favorite Authors!

We thought it'd be fun to do a post on our favorite authors. Since Summer and I like a lot of the same authors, we just did a joint list. But, now we want EVERYONE to comment and list their favorite authors. That way, we can find out some good new authors and other people can get ideas as well.

Stephenie Meyer
Nicholas Sparks
Sophie Kinsella
Pamela Aidan
Dan Jones
Emily Giffin
Shannon Hale
Jane Green
Meg Cabot
Alexandra Potter
Philippa Gregory
Madeleine Brent

Golden Urchin by Madeleine Brent

Overall Rating- 4
Cleanliness Rating- 1.5 (for very mild language)

Synopsis on back of book:

In Golden Urchin, Brent’s storytelling powers are at their keenest as she creates a mesmerizing tale of love and dangerous intrigue in the haunting desolation of Austrailia’s outback. A beautiful young woman of Irish birth, Meg was only two when she was kidnapped from her parents, abandoned in the wilds of the Autstrailian outback, and taken in by a kindly aboriginal tribe. Called Mitji, “white woman,” by the aboriginies, Meg with her fine fair skin was indeed an oddity in this new desert home. Yet, growing up, she learned to survive like the natives, though always regarding herself as a freak among them. Now, a young woman, Meg sets out in search of a strange tribe she has heard of, white-skinned like herself. On her search, she comes across Luke Bowman who was wounded and almost dead. Mitji saves him and in return, he takes her to his farm near Perth, where his invalid wife, Rosemary, welcomes the red-haired half-savage, whom they christen Meg. Unbeknownst to all but an implacable, greedy enemy, she is the heiress to a fortune. When an attempt on her life is followed by Rosemary's death and Luke's heartbroken defection, Meg is deposited at a stuffy Swiss finishing school. Yet danger threatens even there, and in the company of several appealing companions she embarks on a pilgrimage through the polite drawing rooms of Victorian England, across the decks of a well-appointed yacht and along an unbeaten desert trail, in search of safe harbor. But through it all, the mystical teachings of the aborigines course passionately in her blood, giving Meg the courage to face a future of uncertain peril and unexpected love.

The story is told in first person narrative, by our heroine Mitji/Meg. Mitji/Meg's personality is fascinating, she looks at things very differently than expected because of the way she was raised and it is touching to watch her adapt from an Aborigine freak to a proper English woman. You also get the tortured but honorable hero (Luke) in this story. Every character is written extremely well. The love story is also believable and touching. It is poignant, wonderful and romantic. The guilt Luke feels in his attraction to Meg, her bewilderment at his mood swings, their growing love for each other (*sigh*), just fantastic. No graphic sex, just a lovely story well told. This was an excellent novel that was very interesting to read.

Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella

Overall Rating- 3
Cleanliness Rating- 3.5- for language- including the f-word and sexual content

From Publishers Weekly
Shopaholic powerhouse Kinsella delights again with her latest, a winning if unoriginal tale of amnesia striking an ambitious shrew and changing her life for the better. After taking a nasty bump on the head, Lexi Smart awakens in a hospital convinced that it's 2004 and that she's just missed her father's funeral. It's actually three years later, and she no longer has crooked teeth, frizzy hair and a loser boyfriend. Initially wowed by what she's become—a gorgeous, cut-throat businesswoman—Lexi soon finds herself attempting to figure out how it happened. As her personality change and lost memory threaten her job, Lexi tries to dredge up some chemistry with her handsome, albeit priggish husband, Eric, though the effort is unnecessary with Eric's colleague Jon, who tells Lexi that she was about to leave Eric for him. Amnesia tales may be old hat, but Kinsella keeps things fresh and frothy with workplace politicking, romantic intrigue and a vibrant (though sometimes caricatured) cast. Though the happy ending won't come as a surprise, readers will be rooting for Lexi all along.

This book was just released on Feb. 26th. It is a very light, fun book and does not require a lot of thought or analyzing. There are no big surprises, but it is funny and well-crafted and moves with a brisk pace. The premise hooks you in and some parts are laugh out loud funny in others (particularly when Lexi realizes why her husband keeps making the Mount Blanc references). I find Lexi’s husband Eric one of the funniest characters. I think Kinsella develops him well, although, I didn’t feel that way about most of the other characters. In most of Kinsella’s books, I absolutely love the main character and really connect with her, but for some reason, I didn’t as much in this book. I have read all of Sophie Kinsella’s books now, and while I enjoyed this one, I don't think it's as good as her others. If you like her books you'll enjoy this too, but if you're new to her as an author I think her others are better, particularly her Shopaholic Series.

Me and Mr. Darcy by Alexandra Potter

Overall Rating- 3
Cleanliness Rating- 2.5- for swearing (including a couple f-words)

From Publishers Weekly:
U.K. author Potter makes her U.S. debut with Emily Albright, 29, a New York bookstore manager, who half-seriously blames Jane Austen's Fitzwilliam Darcy for her abysmal dating life: Darcy sets the bar too high. As Christmas approaches, Emily, to avoid a holiday with co-worker Stella, signs up for a tour of Darcy territory, lighting out, amusingly, with a gaggle of gray-haired Darcy maniacs. As the tour group weaves in and out of Darcy locales, Emily butts heads with Spike Hargreaves, a handsome young journalist interviewing the group (for an article on why the fictional Mr. Darcy has earned the title of Man Most Women Would Love to Date). Soon, the jet-lagged, drink-laden Emily finds herself—presto!—time traveling and meeting Mr. Darcy himself, complete with frock coat. As her acquaintance with Darcy deepens, Emily, to her great surprise, finds herself thinking about Spike. Despite the plot's predictability, Potter's chick lit take on Darcy has a refreshing not-trying-to-equal-the-master feel.

This book was cute. It is essentially a knock off of Pride and Prejudice, but set in modern times (not as good as Bridget Jones though). During the Jane Austen Tour, Emily is reading Pride and Prejudice and I like how the author parallels what’s going on in Pride and Prejudice with what’s going on with Emily during her tour. I didn’t care that much for the whole meeting Mr. Darcy bit. It was totally un- believable and didn’t serve much purpose, except to point out that in reality, Mr. Darcy wasn’t all Emily had fantasized about. I guess it taught her a good lesson- that Mr. Darcy is a wonderful fantasy, but he’s not real. I loved the article that Spike wrote about Mr. Darcy. The finished version is in the last chapter of the book and it is very clever and funny!

The Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot

Overall Rating 4
Cleanliness Rating- 2- mild language

From the back cover of the book:

To: Everyone (every.body@theworld.com)
From: Mel Fuller (Melissa.fuller@thenyjournal.com)
Subject: THE BOY NEXT DOOR

Um, hi. Does anybody out there know anything about this guy who’s moved in next door to me? The tall, good-looking one who came to my rescue when I was stuck taking care of my comatose neighbor Mrs. Friedlander’s Great Dane Paco? I’m grateful. I mean, if Mrs. Friedlander’s nephew Max hadn’t finally shown up to take over dog-walking duties, I might have been fired for habitual lateness at my job as gossip columnist of the New York Journal. It’s just that Max Friedlander is supposed to be this womanizing fashion photographer, and since when is a womanizer such a devoted nephew, so determined to prove that his aunt’s accident was the result of foul play? And if his name is really Max, why does he want me to call him John? How do I know he really is Max Friedlander and I don’t give Mrs. F’s keys to the wrong guy? What I do know is that he’s funny and sweet and gorgeous, with those kind of eyes- you know, the knees-weakening, soul-searing, green-hazel kind. And that I think I’m in love. Or in trouble. Or both. Any info anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

This book was so cute. It is written entirely in emails (just like the synopsis above). It is so clever and very unique. I like to get the point of view from all the characters, as you get in this book, through the emails. Mel and John are totally likable characters that you are rooting for from the start. This book has a lot of humor in it also. I was totally laughing out loud at some parts. It’s a very quick read and hard to put down. Some of it is a bit predictable and a few stereotypes abound (brainless models, for instance). But, if you are looking for a light, chick-lit read, this is the perfect candidate. Enjoy.

Magyk (Book 1), Flyte (Book 2), Physik (Book 3), by Angie Sage and Mark Zug

**This review was submitted by Jessica Nilsson. Thanks!

Overall Rating: 4
Cleanliness Rating: 1

Admittedly, when I read, I prefer to read books as an escape. Sad books make me, well, sad. And knowing that, these books were right up my alley! I really enjoyed them! They're Young Adult books, but are totally engrossing and entertaining. An easy read. They are quite clean, with hardly any swearing (that I can remember) and absolutely no sex whatsoever.

Here is the plot in a nutshell: At birth, Septimus Heap is carried away for dead, and his father, Silas Heap, is entrusted with a baby girl. When the villainous Supreme Custodian tries to assassinate the now 10-year-old Jenna, who, it turns out, is the daughter of the murdered queen, the girl flees to the Marram Marshes along with some family members, the ExtraOrdinary Wizard, and a young army guard known only as "Boy 412." Pursued by the servants of the Necromancer DomDaniel, and aided by an engaging array of magical beings, they finally prevail in a satisfying and fairly exciting conclusion. The next two books take the Septimus Heap on a journey to rediscover "flyte" and then "physik".

Here's what one reviewer said on Amazon, ”After several picture books, Angie Sage makes a splash with her first novel. 'Septimus Heap Book One: Magyk' treads familiar territory for fantasy fans, but it has enough humor and interesting magic to keep the story moving at a steady clip. As first-of-a-series books go, this is a keeper.Sage's writing is solid enough, with enough details to keep the spare narrative from seeming colorless. Lots of goofy clothes, offhand humor, splashy magic and interesting characters are sprinkled throughout the book.”

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

Overall Rating- 4
Cleanliness Rating- 3.8 – for some descriptive sexual content and adult themes (i.e. adultery)

I really loved this book. I just wish the cleanliness factor was a little better. I really enjoy reading historical fiction- you can learn so much about the time period. This book takes place in the 1500’s during the reign of Henry VIII, which was quite an exciting time in Europe. Most people know the story of Ann Boleyn, who was a mistress of Henry VIII and later ended up becoming Queen of England. This book has that story in it, but it is all told from the point of view of Mary, Anne’s younger sister. Before Anne, Mary had caught his eye of King Henry VIII and became his mistress. Mary, unlike Anne, became his mistress because she was in love with him, not just for the gain of power and money. The king’s interest begins to wane and Mary is forced to step aside for her best friend and rival: her sister, Anne. Then, Anne takes over and you read all about her rise to power and her eventual downfall. Mary realizes what a pawn she is in her family’s ambitions and knows that she must defy her family and her king and take her fate into her own hands by marrying for love rather than money and leaving her glamorous life at court and her family behind.

By now, everyone probably knows that I’m a total sap and always love a good love story- well this book is filled with them. Mary, the main character has three different love stories herself. But this book is more than just mistresses and love stories; it deals a lot with the sisterly relationship between Anne and Mary. They are best friends and love each other, yet they are bitter rivals at the same time. This is a compelling novel and the author really makes the characters come alive, especially Mary. It made me understand how difficult it must have been to be a woman in the 1500’s. It is a pretty long book (661 pages) but is a definite page turner.

Rebecca by Dauphne Du Maurier

Overall Rating- 3
Cleanliness Rating- 1

This tale of fear, suspicion, and love opens as the unnamed narrator reminisces about her former home, the grand English estate, Manderley. She had been young and shy, a lady's companion, when she met the wealthy recent widow, Maxim de Winter, fell in love with him, and married him in a matter of weeks. They return to his great home, Manderly, which she loves, but it can not hide her from Rebecca's (Maxim's first wife) overwhelming presence. To her it seems Maxim is always thinking about Rebecca, whom everyone loved, who died in a boating accident just a year before. She feels herself being constantly compared to Rebecca; this is not what Rebecca would have done, Rebecca must have done it like this, Rebecca was taller, Rebecca was a social butterfly, Rebecca was very beautiful, Rebecca Rebecca Rebecca. She is 'nothing like Rebecca.' Her new husband was strangely distant to her, until a horrible secret was revealed that would change their lives and the very existence of Manderley.

What follows is a love story and a ghost story of a woman haunted by the powerful presence of the former mistress of Manderley. We never learn the name of the heroine as she marries Maxim, moves into the rigid but elegant life at Manderley and tangles with Mrs. Danvers, Manderley's sinister housekeeper. What unfolds is not only a mystery but a story of obsessions and evil. The end is a shock.

Daphne Du Maurier has created a wonderfully spooky story with remarkably little action. The first half is a bit slow, but it picks up in the second half. Rebecca is never seen, and yet she is the main character, dominating the story with her passions and cruelty. Another main "character" is the great house itself, which is described in such captivating detail that you almost feel you are there in person. The narrator is purposely kept anonymous to contrast her with the larger-than-life Rebecca, and Maxim is a seriously flawed but lovable man. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was a little slower paced than I’m used to, but it was a good read.

Boy Meets Girl by Meg Cabot

Overall Rating- 3.5
Cleanliness Rating- 3- for some language (including a few f-words)

From Publisher’s Weekly
This latest adult novel by the prolific Cabot (she's responsible for the ever-popular Princess Diaries franchise) unfolds, like 2002's The Boy Next Door, enfolds entirely through e-mails, journals, instant messages, phone mail, deposition transcripts, notes scribbled on menus, to-do lists and other hallmarks of a modern girl's life. Kate Mackenzie, an idealistic HR representative at the New York Journal, has just been forced by her evil boss, Amy Jenkins, to fire Ida Lopez, the wildly popular dessert cart lady at the company cafeteria. Ida bakes delectable goodies, but she won't serve them to priggish Stuart Hertzog, the paper's legal counsel, who happens to be engaged to Amy, known as the T.O.D. (tyrannical office despot) to Kate and her best friend and co-worker Jen. Sweet Ida sues for wrongful termination, and Stuart charges his younger brother, Mitch, with handling this delicate matter. But Mitch actually cares about justice more than his brother's witchy fiancee (he's only working at the family firm at his sick father's request), and he quickly confounds Kate's expectations with his Rocky and Bullwinkle tie and "tie-him-to-the-bed" good looks. When the T.O.D. tries to lay the blame for her HR blunder on Kate, Mitch goes to the furthest reaches of lawyerly chivalry to save his ladylove.

My review
This book was really cute. I was a little skeptical of how it was written (through emails, journals, instant messages, voicemail messages, etc). I was afraid that it wouldn’t flow very well or that you wouldn’t get enough details. But, I was pleasantly surprised. You actually really get to know the characters very well. I found myself really loving Kate and Mitch and really hating Amy and Stuart. I did wish there was a bit more description in some of the scenes and with the writing style, it seemed to kind of just give the main points but not all the descriptive details. Overall, though, I found it a uniquely wonderful idea as it breaks the monotony of a novel and is a fresh new way of telling a story. This book is a fast read and very enjoyable

Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer

This review was done by Jessica Nilsson from North Carolina. She is a friend of Leah's who is Jennie's sister. Thanks Jessica! I have to agree with your review. I absolutely loved all these books!

Overall rating: 5
Cleanliness rating: 2- for some mild language

I adored these three books! The author is a BYU grad, so I had a certain amount of expectation going in. And does Meyer deliver! I was a little wary, because I usually don't go for vampire books, but I took a chance and was pleasantly surprised! The books are well-written and impossible to put down.

Here is the review from Amazon.com about the first book Twilight.

"Softly he brushed my cheek, then held my face between his marble hands. 'Be very still,' he whispered, as if I wasn't already frozen. Slowly, never moving his eyes from mine, he leaned toward me. Then abruptly, but very gently, he rested his cold cheek against the hollow at the base of my throat." As Shakespeare knew, love burns high when thwarted by obstacles. In Twilight, an exquisite fantasy by Stephenie Meyer, readers discover a pair of lovers who are supremely star-crossed. Bella adores beautiful Edward, and he returns her love. But Edward is having a hard time controlling the blood lust she arouses in him, because--he's a vampire. At any moment, the intensity of their passion could drive him to kill her, and he agonizes over the danger. But, Bella would rather be dead than part from Edward, so she risks her life to stay near him, and the novel burns with the erotic tension of their dangerous and necessarily chaste relationship.Meyer has achieved quite a feat by making this scenario completely human and believable. She begins with a familiar YA premise (the new kid in school), and lulls us into thinking this will be just another realistic young adult novel. Bella has come to the small town of Forks on the gloomy Olympic Peninsula to be with her father. At school, she wonders about a group of five remarkably beautiful teens, who sit together in the cafeteria but never eat. As she grows to know, and then love, Edward, she learns their secret. They are all rescued vampires, part of a family headed by saintly Carlisle, who has inspired them to renounce human prey. For Edward's sake they welcome Bella, but when a roving group of tracker vampires fixates on her, the family is drawn into a desperate pursuit to protect the fragile human in their midst. The precision and delicacy of Meyer's writing lifts this wonderful novel beyond the limitations of the horror genre to a place among the best of YA fiction. -- Patty Campbell

Bridget Jones's Diary Series by Helen Fielding

Overall Rating- 4
Cleanliness Rating- 3.5- for language (including the F- word and crude language) and sexual content (but no details). The first one is cleaner than the second.

These books were awesome. Bridget Jones’s Diary and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason are totally laugh out loud funny. These books are written as a diary (hence the title). Everyday, Bridget records her weight, calories, alcohol intake, and cigarettes for the day, among others. It took a little getting used to the format as some of the shorter entries are written in fragments (ex: “Right, am going to be positive about this. Am going to be marvelous: elegant, vivacious, beautifully dressed. Oh, though. Do not have long dress.”) But, the longer entries, where the main stuff is happening is written like a normal book with details and dialogue, etc. Bridget is a totally likable and relatable character that you can’t help but fall in love with and root for. She gets herself into some hilarious, always embarrassing situations. I couldn’t help while reading these books to pictures the characters as the actors who play them in the movie (because they really are cast perfectly- Renee Zellweger as Bridget, Hugh Grant as Daniel and Colin Firth as Mark Darcy). The plot of Bridget Jones Diary loosely parallels the plot of Pride and Prejudice, but obviously very modernized! The second book explores what happens after the happily every after. If you are looking for a fun, hilarious read definitely pick these up!

Princess Academy by: Shannon Hale

Sharlyn (our cousin) wrote the following review for this book (Thanks Sharlyn!):
Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
Overall Rating: 4.5
Cleanliness: 1.5 (I would read this book to a 6 or 7 year old)

From School Library Journal: The thought of being a princess never occurred to the girls living on Mount Eskel. Most plan to work in the quarry like the generations before them. When it is announced that the prince will choose a bride from their village, 14-year-old Miri, who thinks she is being kept from working in the quarry because of her small stature, believes that this is her opportunity to prove her worth to her father. All eligible females are sent off to attend a special academy where they face many challenges and hardships as they are forced to adapt to the cultured life of a lowlander. First, strict Tutor Olana denies a visit home. Then, they are cut off from their village by heavy winter snowstorms. As their isolation increases, competition builds among them. The story is much like the mountains, with plenty of suspenseful moments that peak and fall, building into the next intense event. Miri discovers much about herself, including a special talent called quarry speak, a silent way to communicate. She uses this ability in many ways, most importantly to save herself and the other girls from harm. Each girl's story is brought to a satisfying conclusion, but this is not a fluffy, predictable fairy tale, even though it has wonderful moments of humor. Instead, Hale weaves an intricate, multilayered story about families, relationships, education, and the place we call home

My Review: Just because the title is 'Princess Academy' don't think it's a frilly, Disney Princess type book. It is about a group of 'mountain girls' learning to become a princess. The main character Miri is easy to fall in love with from the begining. It was a very good book that I couldn't put down (I finished the book in one day).

Eat, Pray, Love by: Elizabeth Gilbert

Overall Rating: 4
Cleanliness Rating: 3.8 due to some language (f-bomb) and about a page worth of sexual content

From The New Yorker
At the age of thirty-one, Gilbert moved with her husband to the suburbs of New York and began trying to get pregnant, only to realize that she wanted neither a child nor a husband. Three years later, after a protracted divorce, she embarked on a yearlong trip of recovery, with three main stops: Rome, for pleasure (mostly gustatory, with a special emphasis on gelato); an ashram outside of Mumbai, for spiritual searching; and Bali, for "balancing." These destinations are all on the beaten track, but Gilbert's exuberance and her self-deprecating humor enliven the proceedings: recalling the first time she attempted to speak directly to God, she says, "It was all I could do to stop myself from saying, 'I've always been a big fan of your work.'"
Copyright © 2006 The New Yorker

My Review:

I’m sure that most of you have read this book. I was watching Oprah and the author, Elizabeth Gilbert was on talking about her book. The way they were talking about it really made me want to read this book. So I did. A little slow in the beginning and a bit in the middle, but overall a really great book. You get to read about a women’s journey through Rome, India and Bali. You get to know a bit about the culture and about a spiritual search. Pretty good read.

Austenland: A Novel by: Shannon Hale

Overall Rating: 4.5

Cleanliness Rating: 2 (not a 1 b/c I consider G-rated books, books I read to my kids!)

From Publishers Weekly
In 32-year-old singleton Jane Hayes's mind, no man in the world can measure up to Fitzwilliam Darcy—specifically the Fitzwilliam played by Colin Firth in the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Jane is forced to confront her Austen obsession when her wealthy great-aunt Carolyn dies and leaves her an all-expenses-paid vacation to Pembrook Park, a British resort where guests live like the characters in Jane's beloved Austen novels. Jane sees the trip as an opportunity for one last indulgence of her obsession before she puts it "all behind her—Austen, men, fantasies, period," but the lines between reality and fiction become pleasantly blurred as Jane acclimates to the world of Spencer jackets and stringent etiquette rules, and finds herself torn between the Darcyesque Mr. Nobley and a forbidden tryst with Pembrook Park's gardener. Though the narrative is endlessly charming, Jane is convincing neither as a sarcastic single girl nor as a romantic idealist, and the supporting cast is underdeveloped. Nods to Austen are abundant in contemporary women's fiction, and an intriguing setup and abundant wit are not enough to make this one stand out. (June)

My Review:

If you love Pride and Prejudice, you will love, love, love this book. It was a fun and witty novel and had all the romance you could want. I only wish that Austenland existed so I could have my own story (of course my hubby would play Mr. Darcy J). It had a great ending, not too predictable, and lots of funny moments as well. Hope you enjoy

Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella

Overall Rating- 4
Cleanliness Rating- 3- mostly for language (including the F- word)

These books are awesome. Summer actually is the one that recommended I read these. I think Melanie actually recommended them to her. There are five books in the series- Confessions of a Shopaholic, Shopaholic takes Manhattan, SHopaholic ties the Knot, Shopaholic and Sister, and Shopaholic and Baby. These books are fun reading. I was actually laughing out loud in some parts (particularly in the 2nd book in a mishap involving “waxing”). These books are about Becky Bloomwood who lives in London and is a shopaholic (hence the name of the books). In all the books, Becky gets herself into some sort of trouble (usually financial- because of her habit) and then she resolves it in some creative, kind of far fetched, but funny ways. But, this book isn’t all about shopping. It has a great storyline where Becky meets Luke, who she falls in love with, marries and eventually has a baby with. I totally love Luke. He is smart, sexy and very rich (all very nice traits). He’s also perfect for Becky. He puts her in her place, but he’s also incredibly sweet. But, he makes some of his own huge mistakes that challenge their relationship. My favorite book of the series is probably Shopaholic and Baby. My least favorite is either Shopaholic takes Manhattan or Shopaholic and Sister. But, I really did love them all!

The Last Summer (of you and me) by Ann Brashares

Overall Rating- 4
Cleanliness Rating- 3 - for very mild language- (but does include the F-word, but only 2 times, I think ) and sexual content.

For as long as she can remember, 21-year-old Alice has spent summers on Fire Island with her parents and older sister, Riley. Riley, 24, is a beach lifeguard, more boyish in both looks and spirit than sweet, feminine Alice. An island neighbor and Riley's best friend, Paul, returns to the island after two years away. He and Alice finally act on an attraction they've felt for years, but they keep their frequent nuzzling quiet so as not to hurt Riley. The first part of the novel focuses largely on their romance; a giddy first love for them both that they try to keep secret because it threatens established loyalties. Immersed in their pleasures, Alice and Paul don't spend much time considering Riley. However, when Riley becomes suddenly and seriously ill, Alice's latent guilt emerges all at once. Riley then asks Alice to keep a secret that drives a major wedge between her and Paul. Alice agrees to this with surprising swiftness. By the end, the characters have suffered losses, and their links to their childhoods have disappeared or been discarded; they can no longer inhabit the Fire Island they knew, except in memory. Despite its serious themes, The Last Summer (of You and Me) is full of optimism and has a hopefull ending.

I ended up really liking this book. I had a hard time putting it down. This is the first adult novel for Ann Brashares, who wrote the “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” series. The story hooked me from the start and has many poignant moments and wise observations about life. I loved the romance between Alice and Paul (because, like I’ve already said, I’m a sucker for romances). I really liked how the book was told mainly through Alice and Paul. I can always relate with the female character, but I like getting the male perspective also. It just makes Paul more likeable. You don’t get to know Riley that well, though. When Riley gets sick, Alice's guilt and unhesitating sacrifice are difficult to believe. Likewise, because Riley's character isn't fully explored – her actions in response to her failing heart are puzzling. Overall, it's a very rich story. It captures the wistfulness of summer and of being young but on the brink of adulthood. I definitely recommend it!

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

Overall Rating- 4
Cleanliness Rating- 2 (for very mild language and mention of sexual content- but clean enough for my mom to read!)


Travis Parker has everything a man could want: a good job, loyal friends, even a waterfront home in small-town North Carolina. In full pursuit of the good life - boating, swimming, and regular barbecues with his good-natured buddies -- he holds the vague conviction that a serious relationship with a woman would only cramp his style. That is, until Gabby Holland moves in next door. After an inauspicious first meeting where Gabby accuses Travis's boxer of impregnating her purebred collie, the two fall hard for each other. Already dating someone else seriously, Gabby is faced with a dilemma: whether to stick with longtime boyfriend Kevin, or get involved with Travis. The first part of the tale paints a vivid picture of her decision-making process and its effects on Travis and Gabby's lives. That sets up Part II, which takes place 11 years later when Travis faces a life and death decision following a car accident.

This it is a beautiful love story with several emotional ups and downs. This book draws the reader into an emotional connection with the characters, evoking powerful and passionate feelings of intense love and sadness. It also illustrates the importance of choices and the effect that our choices have on our life. It is a bit slow in the first part, but it’s worth it in the end.

Do You Come Here Often? by Alexandra Potter

Overall Rating- 3
Cleanliness Rating- 3.5- for language (F-word included and some crude terminology) and some sexual content (nothing graphic or detailed)

Grace Fairley and Jimi Malik hated each other in high school until they spent a day together after graduation and ended up sleeping together. Thirteen years later, both Grace and Jimi are engaged to other people. Grace and Spencer, a divorce lawyer, have been engaged for two years and still haven't set a date, while Jimi has fallen hard for a pretty model, Kylie, and, to his friends' surprise, has decided to take the plunge. Grace runs into Jimi on the night of her thirty-first birthday and his bachelor party, and he gives her a lift home after she has a fight with Spencer. Then, after Grace gives Spencer an ultimatum about the wedding and Jimi is jilted by his young bride to be, Grace and Jimi begin to question their present relationships--and their feelings for each other.

I definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes their chick lit with more of a focus on romance. It has a great romantic payoff not only at the end, but throughout the story. It was a fun, fast- paced, easy reading book (just my type). It not only focuses on Grace and Jimi’s relationship, but there are 2 other supporting couples and we delve into their relationships as well. I didn’t care too much about the other supporting storylines, especially the one about Maggie. To be honest, I’m not sure why Maggie is even in the book. The storyline with Grace’s best friend, Rhiann and how she meets and ends up with her “soulmate” is a bit far fetched, but still sweet, none the less. Also, throughout the book, it keeps coming back to this radio talk show called “Do you Come Here Often” (hence the name of the book) and I just thought all of that was a bit cheesy. But, I really liked Grace and Jimi as the main characters. You get to know them and really end up rooting for them. Also, this book has lots of funny parts that had me laughing out loud. Overall, I really enjoyed reading it and will probably pick up a few more by this same author.

Jemima J by Jane Green

Overall Rating- 4
Cleanliness Rating- 3- For mild language (including the F- word) and mention of sexual content (nothing descriptive or graphic though)

"Bored, fat and unhappy" Jemima Jones is a hack writer on a small London paper, whose weight precludes both promotion (which she richly deserves, because she's smart) and getting together with the man of her dreams: kind, modest and gorgeous reporter Ben Williams. The Web opens a new world to Jemima, and when she begins an online correspondence with L.A. gym owner Brad, identifying herself as JJ. Her friend Geraldine encourages her to send Brad a doctored photo of what she would look like if she were thin. Jemima joins a gym, goes on a diet and even becomes a blonde, preparing to accept Brad's invitation to come to L.A. Lucky JJ: Brad turns out to be a hunk, and they have some major chemisty... but JJ senses that something is wrong. Meanwhile, Ben has become a celebrity "presenter" on British TV, but while the whole country goes gaga over his looks, he too feels that something is missing. In the end, several coincidences produce a dreams-come-true ending.

Jemima J. is a delightful, witty and fun book to read. People say it's just a fantasy ~~ and that is the reason why I love it. Who cares if the story doesn't happen in real life? That is the stuff of dreams ~~ of which good fiction is made of! This book tugs at your heartstrings. You find yourself rooting for Jemima as she undergo a marvelous reformation as a person ~~ beautiful inside and out. That’s probably what I liked the best. It focuses a lot on not only being beautiful (and thin) on the outside, but also on the inside. It shows how Jemima begins to realize that what she looks like on the outside doesn’t make her who she is. I loved the ending in this book and wished for a sequel!

Second Chance by Jane Green

Overall Rating- 3.75
Cleanliness Rating- 3- For mild language (including the F-word) and mention of sexual content (nothing descriptive or graphic though)

Second Chance explores the way one man's death affects the lives of his friends. Tom Fitzgerald, a Brit living in the States, is only 39 when he kisses his wife and children good-bye and boards a doomed train. After a terrorist attack on an Amtrak train kills Tom, his death serves as the catalyst for changes in the lives of four estranged schoolmates he left behind in England. In the wake of his death, his friends, some of whom haven't seen in each other in nearly two decades, come together to remember him. Despite one night of passion, Holly and Tom remained best friends, and she thinks she is content with her picture-perfect life despite a lack of love for her workaholic husband until she reconnects with Tom's charismatic, introspective younger brother. Olivia takes a chance on a man Tom set her up with shortly before he died. An actress in L.A., Saffron has fallen in love with one of Hollywood's sexiest stars, but she is growing tired of waiting for him to leave his loveless marriage. Paul and Anna couldn't love each other more, but her inability to conceive a child mars their happy marriage. Tom's death reignites their friendship, causes them to reevaluate their lives and sends them marching toward a warm fuzzy conclusion.

I really liked this book. It’s typical chicklit, but with a bit more adult themes to it. Jane Green (Straight Talking, Jemima J, Mr. Maybe, Bookends, Babyville, The Other Woman, and Swapping Lives) is a favorite author of mine. Her writing is fun, fast paced and easy to read. She is a British author, which I love. I like all the fun British terminology in the book and I like imaging the characters with the cute British accents (especially the male characters, because I just think a man with a British accent is totally sexy!) I would have liked more of a love story (because I’m a sucker for love stories). This novel is more about four friends each going through their own kind of mid life crisis and helping each other through them. I liked the mail character, Holly. I could relate to her in some ways and really felt for her and what she goes through. You don’t really get to know the other characters very well. There aren’t too many surprises in this book and it’s pretty predictable, but it concludes nicely. So, overall, I’m glad I read this book and found it entertaining.

Ratings Criteria

We decided that for the overall rating of the book, we'd rate it 1-5, with 1 being we hated the book and 5 being we loved the book. For the cleanliness rating, we will also do a 1-5 rating, with 1 being the cleanest and 5 being the naughtiest. So, you could kind of loosely compare it to movie ratings: 1= G, 2= PG, 3= PG13, 4= R, and 5= NC17. On the cleanliness rating, we will explain why we give it that rating (i.e- 2- has mild language, but no F-word).

Why This Blog?

Jennie and I were talking on the phone today about a few books we are reading and we decided that we were a little bugged. We spend all this time reading a book and discover that there is some crude language and visuals that we don't care to read. So we thought, why not start a blog and let people know:
1. a rating from 1-5 on how we liked the book and why
2. a rating from 1-5 on cleanliness of the book and why
3. a short synopsis of the book
4. a picture of the book

This way you will know whether or not you are wasting your time and money on a book. We hope you will find it useful. Please, if you have a book you would like to include, email us and we will absolutely include it!
summerandjennie@gmail.com