I'm slacking on follow-through

So...there are books that require some serious reviewing...this week I will definitely make it a priority to re-visit some past reads and make note of the new reads that are on my list for the winter holidays.

~ La Linda Lector

Two reviews on the way

So...my life has been a giant blur...but during that blur time I have managed to read some books...two to be specific...so coming soon my reviews for Caprice Crane's latest "Just My Luck" and Teresa Medeiros' "Goodnight Tweetheart".

~La Linda Lector

The Lover's Dictionary by. David Levithan

This book was an awesome gateway into one couple's romantic escapades. It also opened the door a a slew of new vocabulary words. I don't know what I expected going into TLD, but I was definitely whelmed by the contents of this book.

The layout is literally just as you would see a dictionary entry. Word, part of speech. And where one might find a definition, you instead find a small anecdote from the relationship of guy and girl. Each entry in essence defines the word by a different event in the couple's romantic life and it tells the story of them. Levithan writes from A to Z and no letter is left unturned (even X).

I will say that this was a hard book to take in because it doesn't really have a plot of strong story line, so by the end of the story there's no need for resolution technically, but then again I felt like I needed something because I didn't know how to feel when I closed the book. I definitely feel like this David made up for the ending of the other David's (Nicholls) ending...but did he change my mind about male chick lit authors....the jury is still out on this one. But definitely go check it out. It's a really quick read, it's got some really great entries, and it can really enhance your vocabulary.

Rating: 3.5/5

~La Linda Lector

Save as Draft by. Cavanaugh Lee

So I definitely just got this book two days ago (Tuesday) and I finished it yesterday (Wednesday)...so that should be pretty telling about the contents...It could say that it was so good that I couldn't put it down or it could say it was mad short and even non-readers could quickly finish this book. Well...I'm here to say it was a bit of both.

Save as Draft is 317 pages of dating, romance, love, frustration, anger, and heart break all conveyed via text message, tweet, facebook, and email message. It was a really interesting way to construct a story which I think is what intrigued me to begin reading in the first place.

The protagonist of the story is Izabell Chin (aka Iz or Izzy). She's a hopeless romantic who up to this point has been quasi-lucky in love. She's quirky, intelligent and endearing...a perfect recipe for someone to fall in love with. Story starts with Iz joining eHarmony and having a bit of luck with Marty (Martin). They work. They click. They share the same loves....of words and music and movies and art...and life. -enter Peter- New guy on the scene, Iz's best guy friend from an internship.

That's where I'll stop with my synopsis as not to give away too much information, but essentially things get a little complicated and our dear friend Iz chooses her "right" path as best she knows how. SaD does a great job holding reader's attention. I thought it'd be easy to get distracted with all the different types of social media being used...and not to mention all the different characters being introduced, but Lee does a really good job of keeping the story intact. She's no Meg Cabot with it, but it works. SaD is a little autobiographical in nature so unfortunately, if you've read Lee's bio, you kinda know how the story is going to end, which was a bit unfortunate to me. I wanted something different. All in all I think it was well written, comical, and if it's worth anything I'd read it again and I might even purchase it for my personal collection.

Rating: 3.5/5

~ La Linda Lector

Some new reads...

Ok so I have a couple new books in the queue.

Yesterday after the most horriblest day at work I went to Half-Price Books and I scavenged the aisles and found Caprice Crane's newest book, "With a Little Luck". According to the chick lit blogosphere it's supposed to be something definitely worth reading. I've read 'Stupid and Contagious' as well as 'Forget About It'...both pretty much recommendable reads, so I think it looks good for WALL...not to mention, I'm pretty sure it was just released like today and I got my hands on a copy ayer para $7...pretty sweet. 

The other book I picked up at HPB is 'See Jane Date' by Melissa Senate. I've not read any of Melissa's other books (so it's kinda strange that I sprung and spent money on an author I've not read...we shall see if that was a wise decision)....but she's been on my list of authors I need to read...so that we shall do (see, that is).

On hold at the library, I have 3 other books that seem to be along the same vein of subject matter. I think my impending monthly lady visitor might have something to do with my desire to read these books...but I feel like that conversation is for a different blog. 'Save As Draft' by Cavanaugh Lee,  'The Lover's Dictionary' by David Levithan, and 'Goodnight Tweetheart' by Teresa Medeiros. Um...as one can see I totally have another read by a MAN...we will hope this David can redeem the last David with a quality book from start to finish...I dunno. Anyway...I'm signing out because I have a lot of reading to do. Wish me luck.

~ La Linda Lector

Love, or Something Like It

So...I've been reading this new book...and I've been reading if for like 3 renewals worth of time...so that's definitely like at least 6 weeks...so I suppose that doesn't speak terribly highly of this book.

Really...I can't say it does or it doesn't...I haven't really gotten excited by the text...but I haven't gotten supremely turned off by it. So, it's a bit slow to develop...I haven't really figured out the purpose of the book...I'm about a third of the way through the book and the "problem" hasn't even become slightly apparent yet. This book is reminding me of "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button"...where it wasn't necessarily a bad movie...I wouldn't have called it a stellar/must-see...it just was...and at some point, when I thought it should've been clear, I had to ask myself and the other person who came with me, to remind me what the point of the movie was...that's definitely this read.

I will definitely see how far I can get in the book before I have to return it to the library this afternoon/tonight...this may be one of those reads that never gets read...kinda like Anna Maxted...it just wasn't in the stars...

Rating: Inconclusive on account of I didn't finish (maybe one day I'll go back to it)

Lost & Confused. Lies & Deceit. Love & Redemption. - The Undomestic Goddess by. Sophie Kinsella

So I finished "The Undomestic Goddess" two days ago...and I must say that it was just as, if not more refreshing this time around than it was the first time. The book is seriously a great read.

We have Samantha Sweeting. Great person. She's hardworking, determined, super smart, a hidden beauty, a bit uptight, a worrier, a perfectionist, a people-pleaser, out of touch with her self...and a lawyer.

Readers of course are introduced to her uptight side when she's at a massage clinic and stressing out about filling out the pre-evaluation thing and having to be without her cell phone and blackberry....this is the story of her life. She has no real identity...she is her law firm. Point blank. Period. Fast forward a bit...she's on the partner track, they have the partner making meeting where they'll name her the youngest partner and simultaneously Samantha uncovers kind of a big deal...a set of contract papers that haven't been filed yet...her brain starts working and while she can't remember receiving the papers, she has definitely gotten to the point where she realizes this is no laughing matter and without the papers being filed one of the companies stands to lose a ton of money. Random loser colleague "Guy" comes in and she re-hashes her ordeal...having it repeated by someone else Samantha does what any normal adult would do....she runs....like literally

She leaves her building and gets on a train going anywhere but there. On the train she's essentially having the world's worst panic attack and after de-boarding she finds herself lost in a new town. She wanders quite a bit to the humble abode of Trish and Eddie Geiger...this unsuspecting posh, upper echelon couple welcomes her into their home as their...housekeeper...Samantha of course is the opposite of well-versed in the domestic world of cleaning and such...but once she realizes that she has unknowingly walked into this role she adopts it at an attempt to find a new her.

As the new haut monde housekeeper she also runs into the rather delicious grounds keeper Nathaniel. He instantly uncovers her secret, but liaises with her to help convert some of those lies to truths and Samantha truly commits to her life as the new help.

I'll say for now that life happens...Sam continues to learn about the Geigers. She and Nathaniel get close and she also begins to learn important household skills (e.g. cooking, cleaning, ironing, washing) from Nathaniel's mom.

At some point the Geiger's open their home to Trish's niece and that coupled with the increased seriousness of her and Nathaniel's relationship seems to inadvertently set Samantha on a path toward rectifying and confronting (wait, scratch that; reverse it) her past so that she can successfully move on with her future. This involves uncovering the scandal of all scandals...covert operations in London...and more than enough reclamation.

I shan't spoil the rest of the story...but I will say Sophie Kinsella does a very good job of helping the reader feel and live as Samantha does. The plot is follow-able and though one might be able to presuppose how this novel will close the ride getting to that ending is well worth the read and clearly (from my second read) worth additional rides. The book is truly lovely and Samantha though foibles are embedded in her character she is lovely and joy to learn and follow through her journey.

Rating: 5/5

~La Linda Lector

One Day by. David Nicholls

So...let's just start out by saying...though I did not know it...and I probably couldn't have articulated it very well...there was a reason that I didn't feel the need to read a novel contained in the genre of Romantic Fiction slash Chick Lit that was written by a man....
...one legit reason is One (friggin) Day! That's my parenthetical edit, if you haven't noticed.I will say I just finished it yesterday last night so my feelings my be a bit raw slash unjustifiably antagonistic...but nevertheless...I'm gonna let loose.

This book is set between the years of 1988 and 2007...it chronicles the relationship, trials and tribulations of Dexter Mayhew - British playboy, and Emma Morely - (also British) educator, activist, feminist, literary connoisseur.

They met one another on July 15th...it was a memorable yet unmemorable supposed to be a one time round the way drunken deal...but it struck the relationship of a lifetime...The book looks at each of their lives and where they are on that day. There are a slew of ups and downs...successes and failures...affairs and one night stands...drunkenness and vows of sobriety. Important family members are lost and some harsh (but true) words are spoken amongst friends and of course between Dex and Em...Em and Dex.

It's very Love and Basketball-esque...where they challenge each other...love to love each other...but in the thick of it they have this intense disdain and borderline resentment for one another. They are always cosmically connected and they know it and it seems as though even their significant others know it. But in all of this they live their lives as individuals. Dex finishes school, travels, becomes a media icon on the television...he lusts...he beds girls (often)...and he behaves pretty much like a giant schmuck. Emma finishes her schooling and teaches for a while, and writes plays...her ultimate dream to write adult fiction...I don't want to give too much away...but they definitely go separate ways...

This goes on for most of the book, then suddenly in true chicklit form, things take a turn and our beloved Dex and Em see what everyone has always seen and they are a legitimate "THEM"....

And one would think that the last 20 pages (or so) would mean nothing but bliss and babies and new homes and finality....but David Nicholls is a guy who I think may not understand why girls, women, ladies (or whomever else finds themselves drawn to this type of literature) actually read what they read...it's about hearts, stars, flowers, marriages, happily ever afters and what-not...but Mr. Nicholls...my fail...FAILED!

If you're a classic ChickLit reader you may share some of my sentiments...I dunno...How did you feel about the film "The Break-up"? Did it bother you that they actually broke up...and the movie ended with them in that state? How about "My Best Friend's Wedding"? Was it a bit jarring that our leading lady not only didn't get the guy (though that was ok b/c we didn't want her to be a man-stealer)...but she didn't get ANY guy...if trends such as these are a bit bothersome to you...be prepared to be a bit anger-filled when you finish this book.

I will say aside from the abrupt and ghastly turn the story makes, it is written very well. The way Nicholls develops both Emma and Dex make it very easy to love them, hate them and sympathize with them throughout. You learn with them and grown with them and want nothing but what's best for them. While the ending is bittersweet, One Day is a book I would recommend reading...please just know a little about your needs as a reader and be prepared for a very unexpected irreversible event.

Rating: 3.5/5

~La Linda Lector

Reading will always be a joy...

so...I've been slackin' on my pimpin', this I know. I'm still deeply entrenched in "The Undomestic Goddess" though I was supposed to be finished with that ages ago. I have found that I am taking it much slower than the first time around. It was funny, my little sister asked me if I'd read the book already because the binding is worn and the bottom corners of the front and back covers are slightly bent...so of course I told her, yes I've read it, and she quickly retorted..."why are you reading it again?" She was baffled, befuddled, borderline aghast at the notion that I would voluntarily re-read a book. I didn't really explain it to her at the time b/c she was being a bit of a nuisance...and as I said, I was in the process of reading...but if I had taken the time to speak with her, I would've told her that I was reading it again because 1) it was such a joy the first time...2) because I feel like every time I read a book I see it through a different lens. It could vary depending upon whatever my situation is when I'm reading it. I could be deeply in love, or lust or like...I could be in deep longing...pining away for my Mr...or in this case, my 'Nathaniel'...I could be on the man-hater side, so I could read into other areas within the text...there's so much...and 3) because it keeps my brain spry...I'm all about brain health.

I don't think I've ever thought about really how much I would love to be able to read all the time. It's great finding a good read and be so completely engrossed in it that it feels like a movie that you have the privilege of being in (in that weird invisible omniscient, omnipresent way)...I some times even love those worlds much more than the one I live in. I love my life - true story - but it's something about knowing...essentially...how things are going to go...or really just being able to see how the story is going to end that is incredibly appealing...and since I'm living my life...the star of my own sitcom/drama/documentary...I have to wait it out to see what my tragic flaw is...see how I will resolve my quandaries...sit through the waiting and the pining for a companion and seriously live on faith that that person that I dream of really will manifest...hope that being the underdog (which ultimately is how I see myself) really will triumph...this is me hoping that Cinderella, the Ugly Duckling, Jemima J, that girl you didn't know existed but you saw on facebook that she got married to this fantastically amazing looking guy that even you might have had a crush on and you're like wtfrick?!?...I want that to be me...I want to be able to say later on down the road that my fairy tale came true...

In the meantime, I suppose it is back to the life and times of Samantha Sweeting....

La Linda Lector

Dos Libros Nuevos

So...I got two new books today from the library. I have 2009's "Love or Something Like It" by Deirdre Shaw...and a soon to be movie, "One Day" by David Nicholls. So...technically I was supposed to have been finished with an old and wonderful read "The Undomestic Goddess"...well..you know, life happens...and a whole lot of reading hasn't...but we must never fear...now that I have an actual timeline for reading the other two...the fire has been lit, and I will undoubtedly get the reading done...I've never read anything by a male author...so I feel like "One Day" may be the first out of the gate...we shall see...

La Linda Lector

The Undomestic Goddess by. Sophie Kinsella

So...this is a re-read for me. I've done this one before. I've loved it, and my hope is to fall in love with it all over again.

Lawyer Samantha "messes up" at work, has a meltdown, runs away (a woman after my own heart, lol), ends up in a job that makes no sense for her, falls deliciously in love...the end...right, if only things worked out that well. Of course her real life will come back to smack her in the face and what we learn in the story is how she makes sense of it all...

Today I will begin...I'll report back in about 2 days with all the goodies I have regarding this Sophie Kinsella hit.

La Linda Lector

Leyendo es divertido.

I'm pretty sure reading is one of my most beloved pastimes. I think I only make sense with a book...whether I'm reading it, or just carrying it with me...or more recently writing one...those wonderful works of generally 300 pages bring me joy for weeks on end. As I've spent a good portion of my day compiling a list of titles I want to read as well as titles I plan on purchasing in the near future, I thought, it might be nice to keep a running list of the different things I'm reading...I can chronicle the lessons I've learned, the beauty of the stories I've read, maybe some of the duds, and hopefully this may incite others to join in the art of leyendo.


La Linda Lector