who says you have to be crowded into the living room, kitchen, and/or dining room to hold a book club? we are ladies of the 21st century. we don’t need no stinkin’ couches. so pull up a blog and join in the conversation.
the members of the BOOK HUNGRY are (alphabetically): patty blount, kelly breakey, karla nellenbach, vanessa noble, alyson peterson, cynthia reese, elizabeth ryann, and myself. here’s the deal. we pick a book to read. we discuss via email. we post a review on our individual blogs on the same day (3rd thursday of the month). we link to each other. done. i know, genius. click on each one of their names (above) and it’ll take you to their review. browse. enjoy.
this month’s BOOK HUNGRY selection is:
NATURAL BORN CHARMER by susan elizabeth phillips
the title is accurate as this book IS a natural born charmer. i read it in one sitting, or rather, one laying down. i woke up early one weekend (someone tell me why that always happens? the one day i can sleep in and i pop awake at 7am. not ok.) and had nothing on the agenda and ended up devouring this book. i am so grateful for mornings like that.
i hadn’t read anything by susan elizabeth phillips before (or at least from what i remember), but it appears i’ve been missing out. this book was chock full of characters, but each one was individualistic, unique, funny, memorable, and all around awesome. this was the exact book i needed to be reading because all i wanted to do was escape from reality.
i mean, watching blue bailey and dean robillard try to resist falling in love was as charming as their personalities were, which is to say, a lot.
in addition to everything else genius inside (the pacing, the characters, the romance!), this book made me laugh out loud. case in point: “But, even so, he blasted enough heterosexual mega-wattage to light up the entire female population. Which he’d undoubtedly been doing since he shot out of the birth canal, glimpsed his reflection in the obstetrician’s eyeglasses, and gave the world a high five.” (pg. 21)
don’t bother trying to resist, just pick it up and read it!
p.s. sister J, this book reminded me of childhood when you’d check out stacks of romance novels from the library and i’d sneak them out of your room. thanks again for sharing! i was always too embarrassed to check them out…..but now, i proudly proclaim, viva la romance novel!
p.p.s. join us next month as we tackle my choice: THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by jandy nelson.
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Abigail Mumford 
Welcome to the wonderful world of SEP. I love her books — she always draws me in and makes me laugh. I appreciate that in a book. :)
i am very happy i’ve been introduced to her world. she is fabulous. and yes, any writer that can make me laugh? i’m sold.
THis was my first SEP novel too and I’m hooked. You’re right; that line about giving the world a high five was HYSTERICAL!
i still giggle every time i read it. it’s such a funny (and yet, semi feasible) image. i will definitely be checking out some of SEP’s other novels.
This was my first SEP book as well, and while I can’t quite say that I’m hooked, NBC charmed me enough that I just ordered another one of her books…I’ll let you know how I like that one ;)
i’d think that her easy, breezy writing style would suit your lightning fast reading style. you barely have to put aside any time for these books. :)
but yes, i am interested to check out another of her books to see how it compares. i also wonder what book this is for her? her first? third? i’m curious as to whether or not her writing/plotting changes over the course of her career…?
what can i say? i guess i just enjoy a challenge…
sidenote: i’m currently reading VIOLENCE 101 by Denis Wright. Talk about challenging…the subject matter is kind of dark but also kind of humorous. I find myself snickering about some of the things the MC says and then cringing as I realize the ramifications of his thought process. definitely a thought provoking read
the book i’m currently listening to — NAKED IN DEATH by j.d. robb — has some really dark undertones. i’m not sure i like it. i like my books light with a side of fluffy.
but a dark one is necessary once in awhile. maybe i’ll try VIOLENCE 101 after i bulk up on some happy books. :)
LT Eve Dallas kicks serious butt! But, yeah, the first three or four in that serious are very dark cuz you’re not only trying to catch a killer but you’re learning about both Eve’s and Roarke’s respective pasts and Eve’s is one straight out of a horror novel IMO
wait, how many are in the series!?!?
eve’s history IS straight out of a horror novel. i’m kind of glad i’ve only been listening to it on the way TO work, i.e. when it’s light out. have i mentioned i’m a scaredy cat?? but, yeah, i can’t wait to find out more about roarke…
oh…and i dont know which number book this is of hers writing-wise, but according to amazon this is like book 6 or 7 that has to do with the players of that football team Dean belongs to. so…
OH REALLY??? i love when books are semi-related, but not full sequels. i will definitely have to check out dean’s other teammates’ stories.
publishing world, are you taking note? people like books about team members, specifically HOCKEY teams. *cough* jeannie moon *cough* hint, hint, nudge, nudge.
wait! is jeannie working on something involving hockey players?!?! I LOVE hockey!!!
I think I love you two. You both made my day. Yes- on the hockey romance. Actually sat down with all the criticisms from editors and made a few changes. Still tweaking. Women love athlete stories. I just wish the publishers would see that!
p.s. i’m still around if you need some fresh eyes on it. :)
oh! oh! me, too! i like to beta read…especially if you’re gonna combine my two favorite contact sports: reading and hockey :)
OMG. reading as a contact sport!
HA HA HA
this will come as a shocker, but i’m so excited about your next book selection! :))
HA HA. i know. i’m excited too. perhaps i’ll read the paperback edition this time. :)
Now a real comment. I love SEP. Her voice is unique, funny and her heroes are to die for. I remember this book and liked it a lot, but my favorite of hers is “This Heart of Mine.” Ahhh…love it. I suggest this book be read with chocolate, a box of tissues and some wine nearby.
see, everyone knows SEP. i knew i was missing out. i’m glad to finally be in the loop! and perhaps i’ll start with THIS HEART OF MINE next.
although, i’m kind of addicted to JD Robb’s IN DEATH series right now… decisions, decisions.
there’s actually 30plus in the IN DEATH series…they come out every six months, without fail (end of November and end of February) The most recent was TREACHERY IN DEATH…
I discovered them two summers ago when Karla was really poor so the library saw me basically everyday…the librarian suggested the Eve Dallas books and I have to admit I tore through them all (what ones were out at the time) within a matter of weeks…but then again, im super speed reader when i find a series i really like.
the one that really made me choke up was CONSPIRACY IN DEATH…it was book 8 or 9
*gulp* 30 plus??? every six months? is she a machine or a human? and by she, i mean nora roberts, not LT eve dallas.
Well you know I love SEP…the first one I read was First Lady. Man it rocked. I knew from that first book I would read anything with her name on it.
i am so glad i have SEP on my radar now. she’s going to be a go to whenever i need a pick me up.