Summer Reading List...Thus Far

One thing that I look forward to do in the summer is to dive into my summer reading. Usually a couple weeks up to the start of summer break I make a list of books I want to read. This summer, I decided to wing it based off the website http://www.chicklitclub.com/. Amazing book finds and authors that I never heard of. I previewed their website several times. What I like about this website is that they have several editors/readers that read "chick lit" books and give their own personal reviews. I was able to compare my taste of my favorite previous reads to their previous favorite reads. They are continuously adding books to their list and updating their website. So, with that being said, I will start with my summer reads thus far

Book Number 1: Certain Girls by Jennifer Weiner
This is the sequel to "Good in Bed" which was hilarious but also heart-wrenching. "Certain Girls" focuses on Cannie and her daughter turning 13. Cannie must find the balance between her writing career, marriage to her doctor, and her daughter's biological father. Joy, the daughter, tries to reconnect with her biological father and grandfather to find out more from her past parent's relationship. The plot stays busy and is a constant story line. In the previous book, Cannie's voice was strong and the main narrator/point of view. In "Certain Girls," Joy expresses her feelings and takes the weight off of Cannie. You feel torn between Joy and Cannie and often times I found myself wanting to shake Cannie and talk to her myself, even though I am not a mother. Jennifer Weiner did a great job at this read--still funny, and sharp wit but focuses on some serious topics.

Book Number 2: Accidental It Girl by Libby Street.
Definitely a different read. This focuses on the life of a young woman who is a top selling paparazzi photographer. We see the pictures in the magazine and if you watch TMZ you get to see some of their photographers. However, this story focuses on the life of Sadie who takes pictures of hunk movie star Ethan that results in an accident with Ethan then giving Sadie a taste of her own medicine. I don't want to say too much about what happens in the book because I don't want to give too much of the events away. An easy read that is funny and really offers a point of view of celebrities verses the paparazzi.

Book Number 3: Stupid and Contagious by Caprice Cane

Ok. You have to admit the title has caught your attention. Any book that says "Stupid and Contagious" makes you wonder what the story is about because oftentimes I think stupidity is contagious. I debated on if I should have downloaded this book to read and if it would be worth my time reading. The dialogue bounces back and forth between Heaven and Brady who have two different life aspirations but end up somehow taking a road trip together, against Brady's desire. Some parts of the book were a little off but the laugh out loud moments and mouth dropping events overcame the awkwardness of the book. A short read that makes you want a cup of coffee after reading.

Book Number 4: Mating Rituals of the North American WASP by Lauren Lipton
So the title is a little off. When Camille asked what I was reading, her first response was, "Seriously? How wasps mate?" A New Yorker and a man who is from the old "English" get drunk one night and get married--uh oh! This leads to an insane plan and plot about the two staying married to please his great aunt and family will. This read was slow at some points and sometimes hard to get through. I felt like I kept being thrown between time changes because her New Yorker life is completely different from his old English style life. I finished it because of course I wanted to see what happens with the marriage in the end. Not really a beach read. It was a read that offered a different lifestyle view. Just goes to show be careful what you do in Vegas!

Book Number 5: Twenty Times a Lady by Karyn Bosnak

If you know me well, you know I'm an avid fan of read the book then watch the movie. While searching on Chick Lit Club, I found that they have a section for books that are becoming movies. This book is in production to become a movie with Anna Feris (I think). What I thought would be trashy ended up being really funny. I tried not to picture Anna Feris as the main character (the last time I did that, I was royally upset with The Last Song and Miley Cyrus). And I must say I was successful. Delilah Darling is on a conquest to reunite with her past 20 lovers and see if any "romance or connection" is still between them. What is hilarious is her past conquests that left Delilah and myself thinking, "What in the world...." It made me think what if I went back to my past loves and tried to reconnect with them to see what would happen between us. At the end, Delilah and myself realize that what we have in front of us is just perfect for us. A must read that I am crossing my fingers that the movie does not disappoint!


That's it so far. I'm currently in the middle of another read but I don't know want to report on it just yet....