Like spending time with an old friend...



UK Cover



I’ve know Becky Bloomwood since her first overdraft and always look forward to “spending” time with her whether she’s tramping up 5^th Avenue, climbing the side of a mountain, searching for her half-sister or in the latest installment, being a mum to a tantrum throwing toddler.  So begins Sophie Kinsella’s latest in the saga of her popular shopaholic series.

 

The book opens on Christmas Eve at a shopping mall where little Minnie, now two years old, begins to throw a fit when she sees a toy pony that initially Becky doesn’t want to purchase.  In standard Becky fashion, she finds a reason to cave (much the same rationale permeates the entire series - it’s on sale, it’s a one-off, it’s a classic, etc.) and averts disaster, only temporarily.  A hilarious, albeit mortifying, incident ensues at Santa’s Grotto where the whole family is banned for life.

This scene introduces one of the major plotlines of the novel, Minnie’s out of control nature.  Many hilarious toddler problems ensue and Nanny Sue (a TV nanny comes to the rescue, but not before a comical mannequin incident).  With typical Becky flair, she finds her way into a myriad of problems such as planning a surprise party for Luke while trying to utilize the bartering system because of the economic downturn. 

On some level, Becky is still Becky.  Shopping, scheming, lying and keeping secrets, but somehow she manages to endear herself to you because you know she’s harmless and truly means well.  Like all the novels, everything ties up neatly at the end in this installment also and we are left wondering/knowing/hoping that another tale of Becky shopping till she drops is soon to follow.  Minishopaholic is a fun, fast chick-lit read.  If you’ve enjoyed the others in the series you’ll love this one.

So many books, so little time

I love reading, obviously! ;) But I'm finding that with so many responsibilities pulling me in every direction, it's becoming more difficult to fit in all the books I want to read into my schedule.  Oh, the humanity of it all! 

I've made my way through the first quarter of the Mini Shopaholic and am currently debating if I should read Wicked Appetite by Janent Evanovich next or Nick Spark's latest Safe Haven. 

Not to mention the fact that in the beginning of November, Nora Roberts' final book in the wedding quartet is being released as well.  Sigh.  Who would have ever thought the biggest issue on a dreary Monday afternoon would turn out to be an internal debate on what to read next?



Sweet romance...





...or spicy mystery/adventure?



"The person, be it gentleman or lady, who has not pleasure in a good novel, must be intolerably stupid."
~ Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

Seriously looking forward to this purchase...

Being a woman means that I have a wee bit of a shopaholic in me.  We all do on some level.  Whether our obession is shoes, handbags, magazines, books, movies, music or office supplies.  There is something all ladies have a hankering for when we shop. 

Becky Bloomwood of course has this problem to the tenth power, but that's why she's the favorite charcter of a series by Sophie Kinsella (and a movie adaptation).  This past Tuesday, her latest in the series was released,  Mini Shopaholic.  Having not had the opportunity to pick it up just yet, I do hope to begin reading it in the next week or so.  So until then I leave you with the below US commerical from YouTube...

Which Austen Heroine are you?

Being at loose ends this morning before my day got started, I took a quiz about which Jane Austen heroine I am.  Frankly, I was surprised to find out I was Elinor Dashwood from Sense and Sensibility.  Granted, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Elinor.  She's solid, practical and loving (and gets to marry Hugh Grant's character at the end of the movie), but I always thought of myself more of an Elizabeth Bennet kind of girl.  You know, witty, observant and able to laugh at oneself. 

The quiz described me as "practical, circumspect, and discreet. Though you are tremendously sensible and allow your head to rule, you have a deep, emotional side that few people often see."  Makes me sound like someone's trusty matron aunt, no?  So, curiosity got the better of me and I checked to see what the quiz said about Elizabeth Bennet.  Apparently she's described as "intelligent, witty, and tremendously attractive."  Now I feel incredibly miffed!  But it could be worse, I could be Elinor's sister, Marianne, who's described as "impulsive, romantic, impatient, and perhaps a bit too brutally honest".

The quiz results made me think though, did I always assume that I was like Elizabeth Bennet, because she is my favorite Austen heroine?  Or is the quiz faulty?  So, I took the quiz again (no offense Elinor!), because on some of the questions, more than one of the choices fit me, and this time I'll pick the alternate choice.  And now for the results...drum roll please...I'm Elinor Dashwood again!  Cripes! 

Interestingly enough, Sense and Sensibility is my favorite Austen novel by far. Maybe that has something to do with the fact that I keep turning out to be Elinor in that blasted quiz ;-)  The only thing I do know is I encourage other Austen fans to take the quiz and let me know if they are satisfied - unsatisfied - indifferent - surprised by the results of the quiz.

http://www.strangegirl.com/emma/quiz.php

Paperback Parade

Title - Hounding the Pavement (Ellie Engleman, Dog Walker Mysteries, No. 1)
Genre - Cozy Mystery

Available – Paperback/Kindle

This first in a new series of romantic mysteries with a paranormal twist was a real treat.  Divorced, Ellie has shed her old life completely and instead of being the perfect Stepford wife, she’s now a dog walker to NYC’s elite.  What makes this plot even more original than the dog walking concept is the paranormal twist.  No fear, no werewolves or vampires, Ellie has a special gift, she can hear the voices of her four-legged friends.

Unique, quirky are just a few words to describe the gift.  Initially, I was concerned the Dr. Dolittle routine would either be too odd to enjoy or get old fast, but neither happened.  I was surprised at how well the author, Judi McCoy was able balance the different voices of various pooches. 

The murder that Ellie stumbles onto by virtue of her profession was unique in method and the road to solve it by literally pounding the streets of NYC was enjoyable.  The smoldering romance that simmers courtesy of a hot NYPD detective is a great diversion to all the murder and dog-nappings.  The writing is light and even a little fluffy at times, but the book makes for a fun light read for commuting or travel.

 

  

Sizzling Sixteen – More fizzle than sizzle

Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich

Genre - Mystery

Available – Hardcover/Kindle

Having read the vast majority of the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, I was more than a little excited about the latest installment in the series. I pre-ordered it for my Kindle and began reading it on the subway ride the morning it was released. That alone should tell you how eager about the release of this book. Unfortunately, not only did it fall short of my expectations (I also found a downside to Kindle, you can’t chuck it across the room when you’re ticked-off like a regular book), but left me incredibly frustrated.


While I’m used to the madcap adventures of Stephanie, Lula, and Grandma Mazur I was more than a little put off with the pure insanity of this book. First off there was this lucky bottle, which is made out of glass that Stephanie carries around in her handbag throughout most of the story. I’m still trying to figure out how it never broke, especially considering she was chased by an alligator at one point (don’t ask!) and ran off a collapsing fire escape.


Also not to mention the fact that Ranger willing gave her two cars (one of which of course ends up destroyed). I’m certain he likes her a whole lot, but I don’t think anyone could like someone so much so that they would let them destroy a vehicle and not make her pay for it. Odd. What was also odd was how she was saved when she was in a terrible pickle, Hobbits anyone?


My other biggest issue was the sheer amount of Lula I had to endure. Don’t get me wrong Lula is a fun character, but in moderation. I felt like she was in every scene, spewing bad grammar at every turn. At some point it grated on my nerves and I almost wished the alligator would’ve eaten her! Mean I know, but there’s only so much tight pink spandex and Cluck-in-a-Bucket a girl can take.


The most glaring problem is the continuous flip-flopping Stephanie does when it comes to her love life. Nothing developed on this front at all. No choice has been made. She moons for Ranger when she sees him and then longs for Joe when she’s in his presence. I don’t know how either man tolerates her inability to commit to one of them for more than a week. It’s getting a bit played out.


Janet, it’s time Stephanie grew up. She grumbles constantly about how much she hates bounty hunting, well get another job and/or settle down! She can’t bring herself to decide who she wants as a permanent fixture in her life. She needs to stop stringing two guys along like a sixteen year old who can’t decide if she wants to take the motorcycle dude or the start quarterback to the prom. I understand that if she does one or both of these things the series is over, but maybe it’s for the best. It’s been a fun, wacky ride and I’ve enjoyed every minute until this installment. The next book should be called Sayonara Seventeen.