The books follow Becky through her life beginning as a finance journalist in London. They are just plain fun to read. They are somewhat predictable, but still enjoyable. Sometimes I want to wring Becky’s neck and other times I am cracking up at her antics. The pace of each book begins slow and then builds to a big ending. Once you get into the book it is hard to put down.

My favorite of the 5 is “Shopahlic Takes Manhatten.” That one had me on edge the whole time.

The movie of the same name combines a few stories from different books. The books are so much better! Besides, Luke, Becky’s love interest is way cuter in my head than the one who plays him in the movie. I think the Luke Brandon in the movie is sort of a wimp. The Luke Brandon in my head reminds me of the boss in the British series “The IT Crowd.” Probably because he is British and plays a boss in an office.  So he kind of looks like a younger and wayyy cuter version of this character (don’t judge me ).

If you are looking for something light and fun to read you should definitely read the first book of this series. Then you will be hooked too! I liked to read one in between serious books. It gave me a nice break and breathe of fresh air when I needed one.

So that is my confession. I really enjoyed reading the Shopaholic series. Have you read any of them? Do you have a favorite?

‘Ana’s Story: A Journey of Hope’ by Jenna Bush.

I did like it. It is is written at a pre-teen level, but I didn’t mind. I don’t want to know the details of the horrible things that happen to her. I just want to know what happens and how she got better. I was interested to know how kids end up with Aids, with a child at a young age, and come from abusive homes. I felt like the book answered my questions and I have a better understanding of what it is like to grow up in her circumstances. The book comes to abrupt end, because Ana’s story is still ongoing. I hope Jenna writes a follow-up book in ten years.

‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I enjoyed Hemingway’s sharp and succinct descriptions. It was interesting and I am still mulling over what all happened. I know what happened, but I am still not sure what I think about it. I think that is part of makes this book so interesting. It starts off slow, then something happens and its over, leaving your head spinning. *spoiler warning* My favorite part of the book is when the protagonist sums up Tom and Daisy.“They were careless people, Tom and Daisy – they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness or whatever it is that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made…”

I am currently reading…

‘The Supernatural Power of a Transformed Mind’ by Bill Johnson.

The book was lent to me by my former Pastor’s wife. It is really cool learning how to expect healings and miracles to be apart of everyday lives.

I will be reading…

‘Writing Down to The Bones’ by Natalie Goldberg

It was suggested by my friend, Dawn, on her blog. I really want to learn how to write better and more creatively.

‘Room With a View’ by E.M. Forster

This is going to be my fun book on the trip. I have been wanting to read it for a while. I don’t know much about it, except that it is set in Florence, Italy. I have been to Florence, so I can’t wait to read about it. I have plans to watch the movie that was made from the novel, when I get back. I will be sure to let you know how I like or even dislike the book when I get back.

For my April book of the month I used the Jon D. Schlueter method of book selection: Good cover art. As I walked through the Central Library’s New Book section my eye stuck to a yellow duck with a beak ring. The title also resonated with me because of my state of impending fatherhood.

The question asked by ‘Alternadad’ Neal Pollack is simply: “Does becoming a parent mean you have to stop being cool?”
The book is a memoir that covers Pollack’s journey from hipster bachelor to hipster parent told from a razor wit, liberal, two drink minimum voice. Beginning with living a neo-bohemian existence in a working class Chicago neighborhood followed by meeting his future wife through a personal ad of a woman “seeking single gentleman with penchant for scatological humor”, the author reveals himself as the least likely person to become a parent. The book continues with Neal and Regina’s wedding, early married years, and the progression from the desire for a puppy to the desire for a child. Once the couple does conceive, the focus shifts between humorous revelations of the pregnancy process and the underlying building stress about loosing his rock and roll lifestyle.

Pollack’s writing style had me laughing throughout the reading. His depiction of natural birth control, finding a pediatrician, experiencing The Little Gym, and starting a rock band as a knee-jerk reaction to becoming a father were insightful, funny and real. When his contrarian view of the world collides with typical American parent/baby culture radioactive irony slips from the pages. Although Pollack’s moral and political opinions differ I was able to relate to him in his paternal journey and even root for his victory.

I’d say Pollack’s answer to the book’s question is a resounding “Hell NO!” Rearing his son in Austin, he conducted “daddy time” which consisted of his own version of the School of Rock, where his son Elijah was instructed in the nuances of many kinds of music. He continues to lead a crusade of cool through his blog and being a contributor to Offsprung.com which blatantly states “Your life didn’t end when you became a parent.” That site offers an “Ask Alternadad” section. Although I wouldn’t take any advice from him, the Q&A is quite humorous.

I would suggest Alternadad for a good read, more humor than how-to.

I was unsure if I wanted to read “The Nanny Diaries” until I learned that the book was made into a movie. The movie will open in September and will star Scarlett Johansson. One of my most favorite things is to read a book and then watch the movie made of it. I just love to compare the differences and try to figure out why some plot lines or scenes work in the book, but not on the big screen, etc. I also read the book, because I was in the mood for some candy reading and had heard all the hype about this book.

Unfortunately, I felt all the hype let me down. It’s very much like “The Devil Wears Prada,” in that the main character is a young girl with a high moral core in New York City, working for a demanding, cold, high-society boss. I had a hard time sympathizing with the main character, Nanny, who had a difficult time sticking up for herself. Nanny’s character seemed under developed and all the supporting cast was grossly under developed. I did not get to know the main character well enough to sympathize with her pain or even root for her cause.
The writing itself was a breeze to get through and kept your attention most of the time. The story sort of dragged on toward the end. The ending is what I had the most trouble with. I believe as Americans, we like endings wrapped up in a pretty neat bow. This book did not have that pretty neat bow. I did not agree with how the conflict was resolved and any sub-plots were not resolved at all.

Overall, the book was mostly enjoyable. Would I recommend it? Probably yes. I wouldn’t believe all the hype, but just enjoy it for what it is – a nice candy book, in between your classic and non-fiction books.

I continue on my annual goal of reading a book a month (minimum) and this month felt like some candy. Not that 420+ pages is candy, but for me fiction always reads easier than non-fiction. My book for March was “Next” by Michael Crichton.

I’ve read several of Crichton’s novels so I felt I knew what to expect – several plot lines progressing simultaneously in an almost whiplash fashion, interesting page turning content, and references to current or near technology. For “Next” Crichton spotlights genetic engineering. The characters are involved in research, investment, government and even litigation concerned with genetic engineering. I believe the book plays off the public’s lack of understanding of a complicated subject to warn and inform. The question of ownership of the genetic codes that comprise our physical makeup underlines the entire book. Does a corporation own your blondeness? How about your knack for creativity? Has someone patented the gene that will one day cause your demise? As often is the case science, or pseudo science is both devil and savior. The characters often butt up against individuals and organizations that operate in a way incompatable with new discoveries with humerous or frightening results.

Crichton does not leave the reader with a lack of understanding of his position on the subject. The story is followed by the author’s “conclusions” based on his research.

Overall the book was interesting as a techno-thriller, but was lacking in interesting characters that didn’t seem to be guided by the author’s hand through each of their decisions. Likewise as a reader I felt herded in a direction not of my choosing by a “because I told you so” sentiment that disregarded my ability to choose for myself. I also found myself taking an “I really don’t care” attitude toward their often self inflicted tribulations. Although surely to be made into a screenplay, I find the book was a disappointment.