Okay book lovers here is part 2 of my faves for the year. So fitting that I'm writing and posting this on New Years Eve. The Mob Doctor is boring me, so I figured I'd get started. I'm going to start this post off with my second Consolation Prize and here we go...
First Runner Up: The Wicked Series by Janet Evanovich "You're life isn't out of control, its expanded."
In between my Stephanie Plum binge and waiting to get a copy of Smokin' Seventeen from my local libby. Sidenote: Use your library people! The books are free and most library's operate on a network of local libraries so you will almost always be able to find what you're looking for. Did I mention they're free? As I was scanning the shelves I came across Janet Evanovich's Wicked Appetite. Instantly recognizing Evanovich as my new favorite author (she writes the Stephanie Plum series), I decided to give this a shot. I absolutely loved it from the first page. The series centers on Lizzie a baker who lives in Salem, Mass who just inherited a house and seems to live a normal life. That is until Diesel shows up.
Diesel is a protector of the unbelievable, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, Jack Frost. Yeah I know it sounds weird, but you have to know the background from the Stephanie Plum novellas, well not really, but it wouldn't hurt to get on that train. Diesel is tracking his cousin named Wulf, who is after the first of a series of stones that represent the Seven Deadly Sins, gluttony. There are only certain people who know what the stone is and Lizzie happens to be one of those people. Add in a shop assistant who thinks she's a witch, a monkey named Carl, and Wulf's affection for magic tricks there is sure to be some craziness a coming.
The reason I like this series is because its so ridiculous. The fact that they're hunting stones that represent the seven sins is a little odd, and throw in the "spookiness" of Salem and its definitely a good setting for this type of book. I also love Evanovich's humor and style of writing. Once again like the Plum series these are very easy to read and rather funny. After I got done with Wicked #1 I couldn't wait until Wicked #2 came out. In July when I finally received Wicked Business it was just as funny as the first. This series is definitely worth checking out and I've heard that Evanovich is focusing on a couple of other projects before she gets to the third installment. All I can say is keep them coming girl because I will definitely be first in line for the next!
5. The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz "Somebody is always hiding something"
God I wish I could be a private detective. That's like my dream to just nose around in other people's business. I mean I do it already, but I'd love to have a little license that says I can do it legally. Probably the exact reason why I love reading The Spellman series by Lisa Lutz. The Spellman's are a family of private detectives that run an agency out of San Francisco. It centers mostly on their middle child and eldest daughter Izzy. Izzy loves her job, like she enjoys sitting in cars all day and going through endless computer files on people.
The first of the book introduces us to the cast of characters as well as a new love interest for Izzy Dr. Daniel DDS. I'm sure you can guess that their relationship does not work out. And what makes matters even worse is that her best friend is dating her older brother, she's just about to crack a giant case, and her little sister goes missing. I liked this series because its hilarious, and it has footnotes. Okay fine its not just for its hilarity and footnotes, I just think its a good concept for a book. A whole family of sleuth's that make real police look like the donut eating impressions they do of them on TV. I give this 4 stars which means I really liked it. I can't wait until the next installment comes out!
4. The Lying Game by Sara Shepard "Sutton's dead. Tell no one. Keep playing along...or you're next."
If you haven't guessed already I have a thing for YA novels and books that come in a series. I know it's a pretty bad literary addiction, I just can't help it though! Like Pretty Little Liars I was introduced to this book through the ABC Family TV series based upon it. While the series is okay (it'll never be PLL) the book version is amazing! I love this series, its totally 100% different from the TV show and 100% scarier. That's right I said it, its not just creepy, its terrifying.
The series is about twins separated at birth and is narrated by Sutton. Emma was the twin who got the short end of the stick. She was placed in foster care when their birth mother Becky abandoned her, while her twin Sutton was adopted by wealthy parents. Other than looking identical they couldn't be more different. Sutton is the wild child and Emma is book smart and hardened by the system. When Emma discovers her twin she immediately travels to Phoenix, by invitation from Sutton to join her and get to know her family. There's only one problem, Sutton is dead.
Emma is soon thrown into her life and receives chilling messages about the death of her twin. She enlists the help of shy boy next door Ethan who becomes her only confidant. Originally supposed to be comprised of 4 books Shepard has now expanded the series to 7 books, 4 have been released to date. I really enjoyed the mystery in this book, because I have absolutely no idea who killed Sutton and neither does Sutton herself. She has no memories unless she is thrown into a flashback, so you're really just as blind as everyone else in the novel. I kinda think you have to be a girl to enjoy this series, and if you can get over that its YA fiction you may rather be into it. Short, easy read and it has a TV show that goes with it. I give it 5 stars, because I've been sucked into it that much.
3. The Washingtonienne by Jessica Cutler "Without the model-actress population to compete with, my stock shot up when I moved to DC."
You should be happy that its not another series or campy YA novel. Nope, not this time its just a chick lit-esque memoir. Jessica Cutler chronicles her life after she moved to Washington D.C. to start her life over after a breakup. Warning, this book is not for the weak. Its not impowering towards women, its not inspirational its just loveable trash. I loved every single page of this book and I was rather upset when it ended.
The main character based on Cutler named Jackie begins working for a Senator. Out of the office she's into three things sex, drugs, and hardcore partying. After her first night out in Washington she starts getting paid to be some political adviser's mistress, two other men soon follow. Mix that in with having sex with a drug dealer who rides a bicycle, her creepy coworker, and a Professor who taught some boring subject she was doing pretty well. When her friends suggest she start a blog to help keep them up on her beyond bizarre sex life she does, it all comes crumbling down. She gets fired, her rich boyfriends leave her, and she gets evicted. Its very salacious and juicy, 5 stars (totz def!) and EVERYONE should read this. Its pure entertainment.
2. Star Island by Carl Hiaasen "A quick puke, two rails of blow and she was solid."
Star Island's plot is probably one of the most outlandishI've ever read. Cherry Pye is a pop star, shes very similar to Lindsey Lohan. Just a trainwreck that often OD's on various drugs. Cherry's team has been forced to hire a double, that mostly goes in the place of Cherry when she is passed out, in rehab, or partying on a yacht with Prince. Annie, Cherry's double looks just like her, except for her eye color, drug habit, and nose. When Annie gets kidnapped by a crazed photographer Cherry's team must step into action to get her back before Cherry and the public learn the truth.
I've never read a book with a better cast of characters than this one. A money hungry momanger, manager/agent, gay father, one armed bodyguard, and Annie's savior a homeless former Governor named Skink. This book was laugh out loud funny. I couldn't remember the last time I laughed so much at pretty much every part in this book. What brought me the most joy was Cherry's new bodyguard named Chemo who had one arm. He would attach a cattle prod to it and zap her every time she said something he didn't like. His list of words was pretty long and kept growing. That wasn't the only amusing part in the book. The crazed paparazzo who wasn't very good at kidnapping. Poor Annie who was just looking for a way to pay her bills and be a real actress in Hollywood. The botoxed twin publicists and Cherry's father who was having an extramarital affair with a couple from San Diego also added some spice to the meat of this tale.
I mean you couldn't think of more outrageous things to put in this book. I just want to thank Carl Hiaasen for writing this amazing literary adventure. I had a lot of fun, a lot of laughs, and I wish this could go on forever. I wonder if Lohan's life is really like this? I'll have to go get a Star Magazine and find out.
1. Fairytale Interrupted: What JFK Jr. Taught Me About Love, Life, and Loss by RoseMarie Terenzio "The office was quiet when I got in around nine o'clock. Too bad it wouldn't stay that way for long. Once John arrived, it would be nonstop..."
Finally my favorite book of 2012, Fairytale Interrupted, is a memoir by RoseMarie Ternzio the former assistant to JFK Jr. Being from Massachusetts I have a mild fascination with the Kennedy family, just because they're EVERYWHERE here. So when my Nook suggested I try this out I thought what the heck, let's do it. I'm so glad I did, because I loved it! To really know how he was as a person, not just through old People Magazine articles, and paparazzi photos was really nice. The book wasn't just about him though, it also featured her friendship with Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
I felt awful that the two of them as a couple didn't have as many close friends as you'd think they would, because its all in who you can trust. I was also surprised that she included, so much of her personal life. Her feelings about John and Carolyn, feeling alone because she couldn't trust anyone with details of her job, and where she was exactly at the time of their death. I have to admit that I wanted them to still be alive. Even though I knew they weren't, because I remember the news coverage from when I was a kid. I haven't read many memoirs, but this definitely turned me onto reading more of them. I give this book 5 stars plus some. By far my favorite of the 60+ books I've read this year.
Well that's my list. I hope you've all enjoyed it, and I hope that everyone has a safe and Happy New Year! Tomorrow is a whole new year and remember I love gifts :) I mean New Year gifts aren't common, but I mean I'm not going to stop you from getting me one. Happy New Year folks, see you next year.
First Runner Up: The Wicked Series by Janet Evanovich "You're life isn't out of control, its expanded."
In between my Stephanie Plum binge and waiting to get a copy of Smokin' Seventeen from my local libby. Sidenote: Use your library people! The books are free and most library's operate on a network of local libraries so you will almost always be able to find what you're looking for. Did I mention they're free? As I was scanning the shelves I came across Janet Evanovich's Wicked Appetite. Instantly recognizing Evanovich as my new favorite author (she writes the Stephanie Plum series), I decided to give this a shot. I absolutely loved it from the first page. The series centers on Lizzie a baker who lives in Salem, Mass who just inherited a house and seems to live a normal life. That is until Diesel shows up.
Diesel is a protector of the unbelievable, Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, Jack Frost. Yeah I know it sounds weird, but you have to know the background from the Stephanie Plum novellas, well not really, but it wouldn't hurt to get on that train. Diesel is tracking his cousin named Wulf, who is after the first of a series of stones that represent the Seven Deadly Sins, gluttony. There are only certain people who know what the stone is and Lizzie happens to be one of those people. Add in a shop assistant who thinks she's a witch, a monkey named Carl, and Wulf's affection for magic tricks there is sure to be some craziness a coming.
The reason I like this series is because its so ridiculous. The fact that they're hunting stones that represent the seven sins is a little odd, and throw in the "spookiness" of Salem and its definitely a good setting for this type of book. I also love Evanovich's humor and style of writing. Once again like the Plum series these are very easy to read and rather funny. After I got done with Wicked #1 I couldn't wait until Wicked #2 came out. In July when I finally received Wicked Business it was just as funny as the first. This series is definitely worth checking out and I've heard that Evanovich is focusing on a couple of other projects before she gets to the third installment. All I can say is keep them coming girl because I will definitely be first in line for the next!
5. The Spellman Files by Lisa Lutz "Somebody is always hiding something"
God I wish I could be a private detective. That's like my dream to just nose around in other people's business. I mean I do it already, but I'd love to have a little license that says I can do it legally. Probably the exact reason why I love reading The Spellman series by Lisa Lutz. The Spellman's are a family of private detectives that run an agency out of San Francisco. It centers mostly on their middle child and eldest daughter Izzy. Izzy loves her job, like she enjoys sitting in cars all day and going through endless computer files on people.
The first of the book introduces us to the cast of characters as well as a new love interest for Izzy Dr. Daniel DDS. I'm sure you can guess that their relationship does not work out. And what makes matters even worse is that her best friend is dating her older brother, she's just about to crack a giant case, and her little sister goes missing. I liked this series because its hilarious, and it has footnotes. Okay fine its not just for its hilarity and footnotes, I just think its a good concept for a book. A whole family of sleuth's that make real police look like the donut eating impressions they do of them on TV. I give this 4 stars which means I really liked it. I can't wait until the next installment comes out!
4. The Lying Game by Sara Shepard "Sutton's dead. Tell no one. Keep playing along...or you're next."
If you haven't guessed already I have a thing for YA novels and books that come in a series. I know it's a pretty bad literary addiction, I just can't help it though! Like Pretty Little Liars I was introduced to this book through the ABC Family TV series based upon it. While the series is okay (it'll never be PLL) the book version is amazing! I love this series, its totally 100% different from the TV show and 100% scarier. That's right I said it, its not just creepy, its terrifying.
The series is about twins separated at birth and is narrated by Sutton. Emma was the twin who got the short end of the stick. She was placed in foster care when their birth mother Becky abandoned her, while her twin Sutton was adopted by wealthy parents. Other than looking identical they couldn't be more different. Sutton is the wild child and Emma is book smart and hardened by the system. When Emma discovers her twin she immediately travels to Phoenix, by invitation from Sutton to join her and get to know her family. There's only one problem, Sutton is dead.
Emma is soon thrown into her life and receives chilling messages about the death of her twin. She enlists the help of shy boy next door Ethan who becomes her only confidant. Originally supposed to be comprised of 4 books Shepard has now expanded the series to 7 books, 4 have been released to date. I really enjoyed the mystery in this book, because I have absolutely no idea who killed Sutton and neither does Sutton herself. She has no memories unless she is thrown into a flashback, so you're really just as blind as everyone else in the novel. I kinda think you have to be a girl to enjoy this series, and if you can get over that its YA fiction you may rather be into it. Short, easy read and it has a TV show that goes with it. I give it 5 stars, because I've been sucked into it that much.
3. The Washingtonienne by Jessica Cutler "Without the model-actress population to compete with, my stock shot up when I moved to DC."
You should be happy that its not another series or campy YA novel. Nope, not this time its just a chick lit-esque memoir. Jessica Cutler chronicles her life after she moved to Washington D.C. to start her life over after a breakup. Warning, this book is not for the weak. Its not impowering towards women, its not inspirational its just loveable trash. I loved every single page of this book and I was rather upset when it ended.
The main character based on Cutler named Jackie begins working for a Senator. Out of the office she's into three things sex, drugs, and hardcore partying. After her first night out in Washington she starts getting paid to be some political adviser's mistress, two other men soon follow. Mix that in with having sex with a drug dealer who rides a bicycle, her creepy coworker, and a Professor who taught some boring subject she was doing pretty well. When her friends suggest she start a blog to help keep them up on her beyond bizarre sex life she does, it all comes crumbling down. She gets fired, her rich boyfriends leave her, and she gets evicted. Its very salacious and juicy, 5 stars (totz def!) and EVERYONE should read this. Its pure entertainment.
2. Star Island by Carl Hiaasen "A quick puke, two rails of blow and she was solid."
Star Island's plot is probably one of the most outlandishI've ever read. Cherry Pye is a pop star, shes very similar to Lindsey Lohan. Just a trainwreck that often OD's on various drugs. Cherry's team has been forced to hire a double, that mostly goes in the place of Cherry when she is passed out, in rehab, or partying on a yacht with Prince. Annie, Cherry's double looks just like her, except for her eye color, drug habit, and nose. When Annie gets kidnapped by a crazed photographer Cherry's team must step into action to get her back before Cherry and the public learn the truth.
I've never read a book with a better cast of characters than this one. A money hungry momanger, manager/agent, gay father, one armed bodyguard, and Annie's savior a homeless former Governor named Skink. This book was laugh out loud funny. I couldn't remember the last time I laughed so much at pretty much every part in this book. What brought me the most joy was Cherry's new bodyguard named Chemo who had one arm. He would attach a cattle prod to it and zap her every time she said something he didn't like. His list of words was pretty long and kept growing. That wasn't the only amusing part in the book. The crazed paparazzo who wasn't very good at kidnapping. Poor Annie who was just looking for a way to pay her bills and be a real actress in Hollywood. The botoxed twin publicists and Cherry's father who was having an extramarital affair with a couple from San Diego also added some spice to the meat of this tale.
I mean you couldn't think of more outrageous things to put in this book. I just want to thank Carl Hiaasen for writing this amazing literary adventure. I had a lot of fun, a lot of laughs, and I wish this could go on forever. I wonder if Lohan's life is really like this? I'll have to go get a Star Magazine and find out.
1. Fairytale Interrupted: What JFK Jr. Taught Me About Love, Life, and Loss by RoseMarie Terenzio "The office was quiet when I got in around nine o'clock. Too bad it wouldn't stay that way for long. Once John arrived, it would be nonstop..."
Finally my favorite book of 2012, Fairytale Interrupted, is a memoir by RoseMarie Ternzio the former assistant to JFK Jr. Being from Massachusetts I have a mild fascination with the Kennedy family, just because they're EVERYWHERE here. So when my Nook suggested I try this out I thought what the heck, let's do it. I'm so glad I did, because I loved it! To really know how he was as a person, not just through old People Magazine articles, and paparazzi photos was really nice. The book wasn't just about him though, it also featured her friendship with Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy.
I felt awful that the two of them as a couple didn't have as many close friends as you'd think they would, because its all in who you can trust. I was also surprised that she included, so much of her personal life. Her feelings about John and Carolyn, feeling alone because she couldn't trust anyone with details of her job, and where she was exactly at the time of their death. I have to admit that I wanted them to still be alive. Even though I knew they weren't, because I remember the news coverage from when I was a kid. I haven't read many memoirs, but this definitely turned me onto reading more of them. I give this book 5 stars plus some. By far my favorite of the 60+ books I've read this year.
Well that's my list. I hope you've all enjoyed it, and I hope that everyone has a safe and Happy New Year! Tomorrow is a whole new year and remember I love gifts :) I mean New Year gifts aren't common, but I mean I'm not going to stop you from getting me one. Happy New Year folks, see you next year.
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