I chose this book from the library because it was written by Candace Bushnell, who wrote Sex and the City. I have never read that book, but I used to love the TV show. After reading this rambling drivel known as One Fifth Avenue, I have no desire to see what Candace’s version of Sex and the City is all about.

The entire time I listened to this audio book, I kept waiting for the plot. It sort of materialized, but it was so lackluster that it left me saying aloud, “Is that it?”

Basically all of these random characters live in the upscale apartment building of One Fifth Avenue. They’re all incredibly stuck up and filled with self entitlement. I didn’t care about any of the characters, and I couldn’t wait for the book to end. Basically this book is full of gossip, unnecessary drama, and rich people with far too much money. Definitely better left on the shelf.

I’ve been reading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon and I can’t put it down. All day today I’ve sat poolside pouring over the pages, not caring if I get burned. This book is written in a way that you get sucked into the story.
Centered around an English war nurse named Claire, a woman from 1945, who accidentally travels back in time in Scotland, to the year 1743. She should have bought some travel health insurance because she’s set back in archaic times, where whiskey is medicinal, and doctors can be mistaken for witches.

It seems far fetched, maybe hokey, but the way it is written is dead serious. She leaves behind her husband, Frank Randall, whose ancestor, Captain Randall, is one of the most evil and twisted English soldiers who ever lived.
In the mist of getting kidnapped, almost rapped, and nearly burned at the stake for being a “witch” she falls into an all consuming love with Jamie Fraser, a Scottish Warrior.

I won’t say more, other than this book is incredible. It’s got enough romantic to please the women, but enough blood, guts and action to entice most men as well. The best part about this book is Claire’s story doesn’t end with Outlander. There are five books in the series, and I can’t wait to start reading the second, Dragonfly in Amber. I highly recommend these books, you will not be disappointed.

Love the One You’re With by Emily Giffin is a book about a newlywed in her early 30s who is confronted by a man from her past. She has unfinished feelings for this man, even though she’s happily married. I read this book because I enjoyed Emily Giffin’s book, Something Blue, and Baby Proof. Her writing style makes the reader feel a part of the story, and the books are generally fun and easy reads. This book made me so angry! I couldn’t identify with the main character, and at one point I flat out hated her. The author basically wrote a book that takes the worst qualities of some women, and puts them on a pedestal. 

She glorified the idea of an affair, and made it seem like cheating was ok, especially if one had unfinished business with their ex boyfriend. What?? Also, she portrayed the cheating, lying wife, as a victim. The husband was a sweet, loving man who was always honest with her. The wife settled, marrying the man because he was safe, and easy, the exact opposite of her head game playing ex. To me, if you’re not over someone, don’t date someone new, much less marry them, and then make it seem like it’s his fault you’re cheating. 

There was also drama between the protagonist and her best friend to round out the character’s development as an overall bitch. Giffin essentially wrote a book about every woman I’ve ever disliked, and portrayed her as the hero. I wouldn’t be surprised if Giffin wrote about how it’s ok to take weight loss pills and they’re actually good for you. That’s the kind of standpoint this author seemed to take throughout the book.
I thought this book was going to be able avoiding temptations, tying up loose ends, and making the right choices, but it wasnt’. I was disappointed, and don’t plan on reading any new novels by Giffin in the future.

Austenland was such a cute book, and it left me smiling at the end. I love a good romance, especially when it’s not too sappy. There were parts in this book that I wanted to swoon. Jane Hayes is a seemingly normal 30 something New York woman who has a secret obsession with Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. It’s gotten in the way of her being able to have a normal relationship, because she’s always looking for that ideal, romanticized, perfect man.

Jane is trying to figure out how to conquer this obsession and just live in the real world, when her Great Aunt leaves Jane a mysterious trip in her will. It’s a paid trip to England, to a resort which let’s her live out her fantasy, complete with Regency clothing and full on role playing for all who travel there. So Jane trades a view of steel buildings for old brick ones, like something straight  from Jane Austen’s books, determined to kick this habit once and for all, calling it, “emersion therapy”.

I love that Jane is so human, and so relatable. She’s insecure, she is way too inside her own head. She meets a man, and immediately starts planning their future together. I can completely relate to that feeling, and her inner dialogue kept me cracking up throughout the book. I highly recommend this book.

I’ve been guilty of browsing the young adults section of the Library, better known as the teen section. I know I’m no longer a teen, but I think a lot of the young adult books are great reads. They’re usually fun, and quick, and a lot of them actually deal with deep emotions. I mean, weren’t our teen years probably the most angst ridden of our lives?

I found the book, Millicent’s Gift, by Ann Rinaldi and I thought it might be fun. The book starts out slow, like having to read through term life insurance quotes,  but then it really picks up in the final chapters. It’s written as a 14 year old girl would narrate, so you have to get used to that style, but it also helps you fall into the story a bit more.

It’s the story of a young girl who has grown up in a family of magic. They’re sort of modern day Wicken, and what’s cool about the story is it doesn’t make the magic far fetched, it’s almost believable. Everyone in the family has “the power” to some degree, but the women more than the men. Millicent is a twin, and her brother really wants the power, but he doesn’t have it the way Millicent does. Her aunts teach her how to do small spells, and they’re only to be used for good, never to get far ahead in life, or to harm anyone.
When Millicent turns 14, she is to receive “the gift” which is that she can make one wish, again used only for good.
The problem is, this is a huge burden on a 14 year old girl. Instead of the kids in school thinking she’s a freak, they each come to her with heavy problems of their own, asking that she make a wish to help them. One of the kids has a sister who is autistic, and so on. Everyone needs a little help, and it’s all resting on Millicent’s shoulders. I won’t give away any more of the story, because that was the excitement of reading it. I almost wish the story had been longer, but overall it was a great read, and really makes you think about your own small “powers” and what you can do to help those around you.