Category: book club

book club

BOOK HUNGRY: tempting the billionaire

abby mumford

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, and myself. we pick a book to read. we discuss via email/phone. we post a review on our individual blogs the 3rd thursday of the month OR, well, we used to all post reviews. now, i think, it’s just patty and me. but anyways, go for it. click on their names above and if they have a review up, it’ll take you to there. enjoy.

this month’s BOOK HUNGRY selection is: 

TEMPTING THE BILLIONAIRE by jessica lemmon

what it’s about from amazon: 

Crickitt Day needs a job . . . any job. After her husband walks out on her, she’s determined to re-build her life and establish a new career. When swoon-worthy billionaire Shane August hires her as his assistant, she jumps at the chance to prove herself. Despite her growing attraction to her boss, she vows to keep things strictly professional. No flirting. No kissing. Definitely no falling in love…

Shane August is all business, all the time. He’s a self-made man who’s poured his heart and soul into his company, and he’d never allow himself to get involved with an employee. Then he hires sweet, sexy Crickitt-and he can’t keep his mind or his hands off her. But no matter how much he wants Crickitt, Shane fears that painful secrets from his past will always come between them. With fate working against them, can these two lonely hearts learn that sometimes mixing business with pleasure is the perfect merger?

my opinion:

this was a very special edition of BOOK HUNGRY because (1) i know the author (well, loosely. i know her from twitter), (2) i read the book in one day, the day after i got back from india and was supremely jet lagged, (3) jessica joined our conference call and gave us insider tips (on where the idea came from, the characters’ names, and which scenes got cut and which elaborated) and she was generally as lovable as her characters, and (4) i got a super-dee-duper secret copy.

basically, it was all mission impossible and once i read it, my device blew up. well, loosely. not blow up in the KABOOM kind of way, but definitely in the bow-chicka-wow-wow kind of way.

you guys, i admit it, i was nervous about this book. i REALLY wanted to like it because i REALLY enjoy jessica on twitter, but i had to read it in one day and when i could barely see straight from all that jet lag? yup. me. nerves.

but, as with most things, i was worrying for no reason at all.

the awesome cover opened to even more awesome things inside. it was realistic! funny! charming! sweet! and the ending (specifically the very last line) was spot on. i’ve been on the lookout for really good endings lately because it seems most books end quietly and normally, but TEMPTING THE BILLIONAIRE (and GONE GIRL for that matter) nailed it. they both contained genius endings that left me inordinately pleased.

this book did not disappoint and in fact, even turned a bit of the romance genre on its head. it’s absolutely worth a read.

jessica’s had a wild ride from the selling of her book to the rapid release of it (we all know publishing’s not known for its quick turnarounds) and folks, let me tell you, this is one ride you want to get on. it comes out on january 8th (a FANTASTIC DAY if i do say so myself), so make sure to get thyself a copy.

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book club

BOOK HUNGRY: the last testament

abby mumford

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, and myself. we pick a book to read. we discuss via email/phone. we post a review on our individual blogs the 3rd thursday of the month OR, well, we used to all post reviews. now, i think, it’s just patty and me. but anyways, go for it. click on their names above and if they have a review up, it’ll take you to there. enjoy.

this month’s BOOK HUNGRY selection is: 

THE LAST TESTAMENT: A MEMOIR BY GOD with david javerbaum

what it’s about from amazon: 

Over the course of his long and distinguished career, God has literally seen it all. And not just seen. In fact, the multi-talented deity has played a pivotal role in many major events, including the Creation of the universe, the entirety of world history, the life of every human being who has ever lived, and the successful transitioning of American Idol into the post-Simon Cowell era.

Now, as the earth he has godded so magnificently draws to a Mayan-induced close, God breaks his 1,400-year literary silence with his final masterpiece, The Last Testament.

As dictated to his mortal amanuensis, 11-time Emmy Award-winning comedy writer David Javerbaum, God looks back with unprecedented candor on his time in the public sector. He takes us behind the scenes of Genesis, setting the record (un)straight on the real first couple, Adam and Steve, and challenging long-held notions about the viability of containing a phylogenetically complete double bestiary within a 450,000-cubic-cubit watercraft.

For the first time, he breaks his silence on Jesus Christ, shedding light on a father-son relationship as heartwarming as Will and Jaden Smith’s. And he reveals his true feelings about his third great faith, Islam, WHICH ARE NOTHING BUT POSITIVE AND RESPECTFUL.

But The Last Testament doesn’t just look back. It also offers God’s perspectives on the perennial quagmires of love, marriage, and smiting. And he takes an 27.99 unfiltered look at contemporary society, addressing such hot-button topics as:

    • Why he loves America
    • What he listens for in a good prayer
    • Which sports teams he really roots for
    • Which celebrities are totally gay

Sometimes preachy, sometimes holier-than-thou, but always lively, The Last Testament is a tale of courage, adversity, and triumph. It’s the ultimate celebrity autobiography, sure to appeal to not only hardcore God fans and “worshipers”, but to anyone.

my opinion:

this book is not for those with delicate sensitivities. this book is tongue in cheek. this book is not serious. this book is a riot, plain and simple.

take what you know about the daily show with john stewart and apply it to this book because david javerbaum is the former head writer / executive producer. that show and this book? they’re similar, they’re hilarious, they’re awesome. we’re in good hands with david javerbaum and God.

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book club

BOOK HUNGRY: all these lives

abby mumford

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, and myself. we pick a book to read. we discuss via email/phone. 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.

(editor’s note: we’ve gotten a bit off track lately and so just discussed this book last week. this book was so unusual and so awesome (per my opinion), i figured i’d still post my review, even though the others aren’t. if you have read this or will read this, let me know what you think!)

this month’s BOOK HUNGRY selection is: 

ALL THESE LIVES by sarah wylie

what it’s about from amazon: 

Sixteen-year-old Dani is convinced she has nine lives. As a child she twice walked away from situations where she should have died. But Dani’s twin, Jena, isn’t so lucky.  She has cancer and might not even be able to keep her one life. Dani’s father is in denial. Her mother is trying to hold it together and prove everything’s normal.  And Jena is wasting away.  To cope, Dani sets out to rid herself of all her extra lives.  Maybe they’ll be released into the universe and someone who wants to live more than she does will get one.  Someone like Jena.  But just when Dani finds herself at the breaking point, she’s faced with a startling realization.  Maybe she doesn’t have nine lives after all.  Maybe she really only ever had one.

my opinion: hmm. we asked karla to pick a light read and this is what she comes up with?!? this is NOT LIGHT.

this is also not a favorite of mine. in fact, it’s not even one i liked that much. sorry, book! the writing and the whole nine lives bit were fine, but dani? she was selfish and mean and ugh, i have to keep reading this?

i did keep reading it. all the way to the end. it never got better (for me). i understood the motivation behind dani’s actions (she wanted to give her “extra lives” to her sick sister) but in reality, any stable 16 year old should know she’s wasting her life instead of making good use of the life she’s been given. some people (aka HER SISTER) don’t have long, so for her to throw it all away? grrrrr.

basically, throughout the book, dani continued to push everyone (parents, friends, sister) away. i get that it was a means of self-preservation, but she also pushed me, the reader, away. all of us book hungry gals felt this way, BUT, don’t take our word for it — go on and read it yourself.

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book club

IN A FIX arc tour

abby mumford

i first “met” linda on twitter. i quickly became enamored with her humor, but it was her generosity that impressed me the most. she consistently makes the blog rounds and comments on my (little) blog, even though she’s got bigger things to do and more important blogs to read. she knows how to make a girl feel special. and that’s all without ever having met me offline!

so when the call went out for participants for an ARC (advanced reader copy) tour,  i jumped up and down and waved my arms and flailed in what i hope was a flattering manner because, man, did i want to be a part of that. not only did i want to do whatever i could to support linda’s debut book, but selfishly, i really really really want to read that story.

she picked me! and when the book came my way, i took a deep breath and dove right on in.

you guys. you’re going to adore this book. it’s everything i hoped it’d be. it’s full of fascinating people, crazy situations, and even more hilarious solutions to get out of those situations.  but the best part of all is that despite her unusual abilities, ciel is completely relatable.

she’s just a girl who’s trying to get the job done while looking cute, remaining independent, and nursing a crush on an unattainable guy. she may not always look like herself, but her personality shines through and draws the guys (and the readers) in like any good magnet would.

don’t even try to resist.

the story is fast paced, complete, and yet leaves the door (and the readers’ hearts) open for more.

the only tragedy here? that we have to wait so long to see what awaits ciel next!

thanks for letting me be a part of the tour and thanks for acknowledging my status as a winner with the debutante ball’s own ARC contest.

oh, sheesh, i almost forgot the BEST PART OF THIS POST. you can buy linda’s book at the bookstore nearest you! TODAY. yup. it’s available right this very minute. what are you waiting for? go. Go. GO BUY IT. you won’t regret it.

 

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book club

BOOK HUNGRY: paradise

abby mumford

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, and myself. 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: 

PARADISE by judith mcnaught

what it’s about from amazon: Ruthless corporate raider Matthew Farrell was poised to move in on the legendary department store empire owned by Chicago’s renowned Bancroft family. In the glare of the media spotlight, it was a stunning takeover that overshadowed the electric chemistry between Matt, once a scruffy kid from steel town Indiana, and cool, sophisticated Meredith Bancroft. Their brief, ill-fated marriage sparked with thrilling sensuality — he was the outsider who dared to rock her country club world — and ended with a bitter betrayal. Now, locked in a battle that should be all business, dangerous temptations and bittersweet memories are stirring their hearts. Will they risk everything on a passion too bold to be denied?

my opinion: this book covers many many years and includes many many characters and as such, i felt it was slow to start, but once the engine was revved up, i couldn’t stop reading it.

but first, the bad. one thing that drove me crazy about this book was the lengthy descriptions of everyone’s clothes and surroundings and such. the beginning was crowded with them and i suspect they were there to give a sense of the differences in class levels, but i found myself skimming over them whenever they came up because they didn’t add much to the story and (for me) slowed down the pace of the entire book.

and now, the good. the history between the two main characters (matt and meredith) was fierce, but so was their love. i was rooting for them the entire way through the story and man, they had some obstacles to overcome. the first obstacle was their pride and once they got past that, i figured they were home free, but oh no. mcnaught was just getting started!

but honestly, the best (and worst) part of the book was meredith’s father. he is ruthless and conniving and basically has a heart three sizes too small. it’s amazing he produced a daughter as wonderful and sophisticated and lovely as meredith. i don’t want to say too much more because this gargantuan novel is definitely worth the read, so stop reading this review and get thyself a copy!

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