Catching up

Over the past few months, I haven't found much in the new books section worthy of my time, so I've been going back and reading the early books of my favorite authors.

In Her Shoes by Jennifer Weiner: Great book, better than the movie (of course), but I couldn't stand the part where Rose runs into characters from Weiner's first book Good In Bed. Surely that wasn't necessary?

Jemima J by Jane Green: Before now, I hadn't even read what this book was about. I was pleasantly surprised to find a book about transformation and finding your true love, even with a little mystery thrown in. Excellent first novel--and now I understand why she was given a publishing deal.

Mr. Maybe by Jane Green: Like many sophomore novels, this one was a bit rougher than the first and Green's subsequent books. I didn't understand why the main character wasted so much of her time on someone who was so obviously wrong for her. I suppose we have all been there, of course, willing to compromise because we want something so badly. But I'm glad that she wised up in the end.

Now reading: My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. Nothing like a depressing novel for the holidays.

K

Babyville

I first read this Jane Green novel at least three years ago, when I was unmarried and without kids. At the time, I wrote a review of the book for my library's website. Having just finished it for my book group, I realize how my perspective has changed since the first read. Reading my old review made me laugh out loud at how I thought I knew what I was talking about when I said that having a baby changes your life. At the time, I had no idea about the scope of that statement. Oh, the folly of youth...

The book follows three British women--one who wants to get pregnant but can't, one who doesn't want to get pregnant but does, and one who is married and has a baby, only to become infatuated with a married male friend. On this second read, I was more sympathetic toward the woman who couldn't get pregnant, because I now know the true joy of having a baby. I could hardly get through the last third of the book which follows the infatuation storyline. I was very frustrated with that character's desire to leave her husband and start a new relationship--I just don't understand how she could get that annoyed and mad at her husband to want to leave him and her child for someone new. I just don't understand it now that I'm married; I'm sure it seemed much more plausible before when I was not involved with anyone.

I usually enjoy rereading books, and have a couple that I try to read every year, but this reread just wasn't the same.

K

Life on the Refridgerator Door: A Novel in Notes

On Lissa's suggestion (but now I can't find her review on her blog) and after reading a review in a library publication, I read this book during my lunch break a couple of weeks ago. I admit, I knew how it ended just because at my library, the reference librarians have to check the cataloging of every adult book purchased--so seeing the subject heading Breast--Cancer--Fiction basically runied the ending for me. Knowing this, I read it anyway, interested in a book composed entirely of notes between a mother and daughter. (There have been books consisting of only emails or text messages, but I think this is the first in notes.) I admit, I tried very hard to hold back the tears so that my two male coworkers wouldn't see me crying at my desk during my lunch. The book was short and sweet, and made me grateful for the days I have had so far with Addison, and I prayed that I might be with her until we are both old and gray.

K

10-18-07 update: found Lissa's review: http://papercuts.tscpl.org/2007/09/60_second_video_book_review_li.html#comments

Mommy Tracked

Just finished this mom lit offering by Whitney Gaskell. Amusing account of four women, some married, all with kids. I appreciated the rotating point of view among the four moms. Each had their own issues which they (of course) solved by the last page. Breezy, easy and entertaining.

K

Falling Out of Fashion

I had to read this book by Karen Yampolsky for my book group. On the cover it said, "If you liked Devil Wears Prada, you'll love this book!" That was a big of a stretch. About the only thing the two books have in common is having the fashion industry as the backdrop. Otherwise, the two books couldn't be more different. Falling Out of Fashion featured a likeable magazine editor who was trying to save her magazine from the media conglomerate that bought it. Nothing really interesting happened in this book, and there was absolutely nothing to discuss.

K