Saturday, May 31, 2008

Reading
November-April

I thought I'd go back and fill you in on my favorite books from the winter & spring. I didn't read as much then as usual. Then again, keep in mind, I read A LOT! So I'll try to stick to a faves list! These are in NO order, just faves from those months.

Sophie Kinsella - "Shopoholic takes Manhattan", "Shopoholic Ties the Knot", "Shopoholic and Sister", "Shopoholic and Baby" - I think that I already listed "Confessions of a Shopoholic" in my previous (September or October) reading blog. These books are all hilarious. She is so funny! I never get tired of the Rebecca Bloomwood character and her chaos, I fly through the books and look forward to the next one each time. Her website has some videos of her talking about writing the books, very fun. The first is being made into a movie, it'll come out next year, made by Disney. Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (SP?) that's never done this kind of movie before, but from his interview, he's into it.

Richard Paul Evans - "The Gift" When you see his name, you know it's going to be emotional, short and deep!! I love his books and this one is right on par with his other books. A little boy has the power to heal people, but with each healing he gets sick.

Sophie Kinsella - "Undomestic Goddess", "Can You Keep a Secret" & "Remember Me" are great! They aren't the same characters, but the books are very good. Easy to read, hilarious! I think "Remember Me" is my favorite of these though. Girl is in a wreck, wakes up to realize she's forgotten the past 3 years of her life. She's married and doesn't know the guy, she's become someone she doesn't like, very very very good book!!

Mary Kay Andrews- "Deep Dish" How much do I love her?? I even visit her blog daily, though she doesn't update every day. She is a hoot and her writing sucks me in. She is SERIOUS SOUTHERN chick lit romance. (She lives in Atlanta) Her books make me laugh out loud and feel like I am right there in the story. With this one I see Paula Deene and Matthew McConaughey as I read the characters. Too funny!!!

James Patterson- "Maximum Ride-The Final Warning" How can these books, written mainly for teens, be so great?! I love them. The winged characters are so NOT my typical reading style, but I adore the characters and look forward to these. Quick read, edge of your seat and action!!

Madeline Wickham (Who is also Sophie Kinsella of Shopoholic books) "The Gate Crasher" I've decided that I don't like her books by this name near as much as when she writes under Sophie. For some reason these aren't near as engaging and not quick reads. Just a thought-


THEN..... April arrives. In April I made a trip to the Christian Bookstore and bought a few books from the bargain table, $5 each. These are some of the best bargains I've EVER found!! I found two new FAVORITE authors and was hooked!!! I ran straight (to my couch) to order (used) the rest of the books by these authors!!!!

Ray Blackston - "Flabbergasted", "A Delirious Summer", "Lost in Rooville" that is all one series! Then there was "Par for the Course" .. The first there, "Flabbergasted" is by far my favorite. It is written from a guy's point of view, but it's a chick Christian lit sort of book. Funny to "hear" it from a guy! It's about a guy named Jay Jarvis who is new in town and thinks church is a great place to meet girls, so he finds himself in a singles Sunday School Class. Yikes! You've been in one and know that it might be shocking to someone who has never been in church before! I totally relived my past and "saw" so many of my old friends in the characters. They are headed on a singles retreat to Myrtle Beach and he's off with them, as the new guy. It is so fun! I was in love with the story from the first chapter. It's very entertaining, while offering a few deep moments as well. Great, great, great find with this author!!! I adore him!!!!!!!!! The other two in the series are great, but nothing like first finding a new author you adore. "Par for the Course" is good as well. You meet a new character, called "Hack" who owns a small town driving range. His employee has a souped up golf cart and uses a bull horn to shout at the golfers once a week as they try to hit him driving around. It's a hoot!! There's a mystery thrown in and small romance. Good book!

Kristin Billerbeck - "What a girl wants", "She's Out of Control" and "With this ring, I'm confused" are all one series. (There are others) This was my other lucky bargain find!! This girl is a hoot!! She is hilarious and I found myself "knowing" the characters in this one too!! The main characters name is "Ashley Wilkes Stockingdale", named after Ashley Wilkes from Gone with the Wind. If that isn't funny enough? She's a Christian girl with a great job, she's part of her church singles group and they call themselves "The Reasons". They are SURE there's a reason they're still single. Ashley is secretly in love with one of her long time best friends, Seth. There relationship has been hit and miss for years and they try to finally get it together. But... a new guy comes along as well. He's dreamy and perfect for her!! These books are fantastic, hilarious, you wonder what will happen and they have a few deep moments thrown in too. How lucky am I to have found these great new authors to adore??

*There you have it until I post a summer reading one. I've already read 4 books this past week, so there will be plenty to share!*





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