Chick-lit Book Recs
I don’t really know what you would call these books. Chick-lit, beach reads, just fun happy, romantic books. Anyways here is a list of the books I’ve been reading lately. I’ve supplied my usual crappy summary, opinion and some of the clichés used because basically those are the crux of most of these novels.
Just Finished
The Smart One and the Pretty One by Claire LaZebnik
Summary: The older sister Ava is the smart introverted lawyer with bad fashion sense. The younger, Lauren, is a carefree fashion expert with bad personal finance skills. The novel is more about sisters reconnecting than romance but of course there are relationships in there.
Opinion: (Rating 3/5) I expected this book to be a bit lighter and fluffier than it turned out to be. But that’s okay. The sisterly aspect was well developed and I did end up liking the romance between Ava and Russell.
Clichés: the color pink on the cover, fashion, ugly duckling/beautiful swan, some others I don’t remember.
Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella
Summary: Same author as the super cute Confessions of a Shopaholic. In this one Emma is a British PR girl for a successful soda company with hopes for a promotion. She also has the supposedly perfect boyfriend. But of course that all goes to hell after a disastrous meeting with a sponsor and a near death experience on an airplane. And on said airplane, thinking she was surely going to die, she told the stranger sitting next to her all of her dirty little secrets. And of course the stranger turns out to be the American CEO of the company she works for. Awkward office moments and romance ensue.
Opinion: (Rating 4/5) I really enjoyed this one. It’s cute and funny fluff. Not a perfect novel by any means but definitely a book you want to read.
Clichés: girl who works in publicity, misunderstandings, office romance, rich guy, etc.
Mr. Maybe by Jane Green
Summary: Libby Mason has always equated Mr. Right as being Mr. Rich. But now she seems to be going in opposite directions. Her heart is attracted to the very sexy but very poor Nick and her head seems to want all that Ed’s money can buy. Which is a lot. So who does Libby choose?
Opinion: (Rating 3/5) This is my second time reading this book and I think I enjoyed it better the first time. I was reminded by how much it focused on dreary Ed rather than the much more fun Nick. And I’m sure everyone does this but I pick actors to fill the roles in my little head movies. I was going through a huge Colin Farrell phase when I first read this so he is definitely my Nick. Overall I liked it. Jane Green’s books are always pretty funny. It is a little dated however because the internet still seems to be a curiosity.
Clichés: girl who works in publicity, fashion, rich guy, great sex with sexy guy, bad sex with ugly guy, pink on the cover (back is completely pink too)
Jemima J by Jane Green
Summary: Jemima Jones has always been fat. And she’s in love with her fellow coworker Ben who doesn’t see her as anything more than a friend. But when Ben leaves for a better job as a tv presenter Jemima decides to lose the weight. At the same time she’s being wooed by a gorgeous LA gym owner over the internet.
Opinion: (Rating 2.5/5) This was another book I’ve read before and liked the first time. But now I can definitely see the faults. It sends a very mixed message about weight and love. It was only until Jemima was thin and pretty that everyone seemed to like her. Even her romance with Ben didn’t begin until she was thin. Oh and that’s another qualm I have with Jane Green’s novels. For being a romance the actual romantic bits or developing of actual relationships occurs in like 2 pages at the end. In Mr. Maybe the entire book was about her horrid relationship with boring Ed instead of maybe balancing it out with her romance with Nick. I still liked it but not as much as the others on this list.
Clichés: girl who works in journalism, ugly duckling/beautiful swan, guy who doesn’t fall in love with the girl until she sees her new makeover,
Off the Record by Jennifer O’Connell
Summary: Jane Marlow is a true-blue good girl: plain, predictable, and perfectly responsible. But when her brother catches an episode of Music One's "Off the Record," he discovers that former pop sensation Teddy Rock is actually their childhood neighbor Theodore Brockford, and that his one-hit wonder twelve years earlier wasn't just a catchy tune that took the charts by storm-it was a song about Jane Marlow! Now Jane has a chance to live life off the record, but is she ready for the changes it brings? And even if she's willing to take the risk, is she willing to face the music? (yup, I stole that from amazon)
Opinion: (Rating 5/5) I LOVED this book. I honestly didn’t want it to end. The characters are very likeable, except Teddy which I think was kind of the point. I like the whole twist on the traditional makeover cliché. She branches out and finds out who she really is. Without a whole lot of new clothes and makeup. Oh and it’s set in Chicago. Which I love because it’s not New York or Los Angeles.
Clichés: tiny bit of fashion and makeover, lawyers
The Shopaholic Series: Confessions of a Shopaholic, Shopaholic Takes Manhattan, Shopaholic Ties the Knot, Shopaholic & Sister, Shopaholic & Baby by Sophie Kinsella
Summary: The books center around Becky Bloomwood who professes to be a financial expert and makes her living as a journalist at Successful Savings. Instead of listening to the sound advice she writes and promotes she maxes out her credit cards and is the very definition of an impulsive buyer.
Opinion: (Rating 5/5) These books were so cute and fun. I literally read them back to back. Becky is definitely flighty and self centered but in a way that you can’t help but love her. And I unfortunately recognize myself in her. I don’t need to buy every prada bag I come across but books are my total weakness. I’ve stopped going into Borders and Barnes and Noble because I know that I will buy something. And seeing as my credit card is already at the limit I don’t need to be doing any more spending.
The movie is quite cute too but almost has nothing to do with the books. The names are the same and a few of the scenes are similar but that’s about it. I think the books are better but since I love Isla Fisher I have to say that you should see the movie too.
Clichés: fashion, London, New York, PR,
Currently Reading
Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella
Summary: After taking a nasty bump on the head, Lexi Smart awakens in a hospital convinced that it's 2004 and that she's just missed her father's funeral. It's actually three years later, and she no longer has crooked teeth, frizzy hair and a loser boyfriend. Initially wowed by what she's become-a gorgeous, cut-throat businesswoman-Lexi soon finds herself attempting to figure out how it happened. As her personality change and lost memory threaten her job, Lexi tries to dredge up some chemistry with her handsome albeit priggish husband, Eric, though the effort is unnecessary with Eric's colleague Jon, who tells Lexi that she was about to leave Eric for him. Amnesia tales may be old hat, but Kinsella keeps things fresh and frothy with workplace politicking, romantic intrigue and a vibrant (though sometimes caricatured) cast. Though the happy ending won't come as a surprise, readers will be rooting for Lexi all along. (again stolen from amazon)
Opinion: N/A sort of haven't started yet. But will in about 20 min.
Clichés: amnesia, makeovers
Next Book
Breaking Her Fall by Stephen Goodwin
I mentioned this one in my last books post
Fault Lines by Nancy Huston
Summary (from amazon): Winner of France's Prix Femina and shortlisted for the Orange Prize, Huston's 12th novel captures four generations of a family and examines the decades-long fallout of a dark family secret. The novel proceeds in reverse chronological order from 2004 to 1944 and begins with six-year-old Sol, who is sheltered and coddled by his mother as he immerses himself in all the perversities the Internet can offer. After surgery to remove Sol's congenital birthmark turns out poorly, the extended family takes a trip to great-grandmother Erra's childhood home in Munich. A turbulent history underlies the visit, and after Sol witnesses a tussle between his great-grandmother and great-aunt, the novel skips backwards in time through the childhood of Sol's father, Randall; grandmother Sadie; and finally Erra. Huston's brilliance is in how she gradually lets the reader in on the secret and draws out the revelation so carefully that by the time the reader arrives at the heart of the matter in Munich 1944, the discovery hits with blunt force. Huston masterfully links the 20th century's misery to 21st-century discomfort in razor-sharp portraits of children as they lose their innocence
Please feel free to comment with your favorite books. I need more to read. I get easily bored.
Just Finished
The Smart One and the Pretty One by Claire LaZebnik
Summary: The older sister Ava is the smart introverted lawyer with bad fashion sense. The younger, Lauren, is a carefree fashion expert with bad personal finance skills. The novel is more about sisters reconnecting than romance but of course there are relationships in there.
Opinion: (Rating 3/5) I expected this book to be a bit lighter and fluffier than it turned out to be. But that’s okay. The sisterly aspect was well developed and I did end up liking the romance between Ava and Russell.
Clichés: the color pink on the cover, fashion, ugly duckling/beautiful swan, some others I don’t remember.
Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella
Summary: Same author as the super cute Confessions of a Shopaholic. In this one Emma is a British PR girl for a successful soda company with hopes for a promotion. She also has the supposedly perfect boyfriend. But of course that all goes to hell after a disastrous meeting with a sponsor and a near death experience on an airplane. And on said airplane, thinking she was surely going to die, she told the stranger sitting next to her all of her dirty little secrets. And of course the stranger turns out to be the American CEO of the company she works for. Awkward office moments and romance ensue.
Opinion: (Rating 4/5) I really enjoyed this one. It’s cute and funny fluff. Not a perfect novel by any means but definitely a book you want to read.
Clichés: girl who works in publicity, misunderstandings, office romance, rich guy, etc.
Mr. Maybe by Jane Green
Summary: Libby Mason has always equated Mr. Right as being Mr. Rich. But now she seems to be going in opposite directions. Her heart is attracted to the very sexy but very poor Nick and her head seems to want all that Ed’s money can buy. Which is a lot. So who does Libby choose?
Opinion: (Rating 3/5) This is my second time reading this book and I think I enjoyed it better the first time. I was reminded by how much it focused on dreary Ed rather than the much more fun Nick. And I’m sure everyone does this but I pick actors to fill the roles in my little head movies. I was going through a huge Colin Farrell phase when I first read this so he is definitely my Nick. Overall I liked it. Jane Green’s books are always pretty funny. It is a little dated however because the internet still seems to be a curiosity.
Clichés: girl who works in publicity, fashion, rich guy, great sex with sexy guy, bad sex with ugly guy, pink on the cover (back is completely pink too)
Jemima J by Jane Green
Summary: Jemima Jones has always been fat. And she’s in love with her fellow coworker Ben who doesn’t see her as anything more than a friend. But when Ben leaves for a better job as a tv presenter Jemima decides to lose the weight. At the same time she’s being wooed by a gorgeous LA gym owner over the internet.
Opinion: (Rating 2.5/5) This was another book I’ve read before and liked the first time. But now I can definitely see the faults. It sends a very mixed message about weight and love. It was only until Jemima was thin and pretty that everyone seemed to like her. Even her romance with Ben didn’t begin until she was thin. Oh and that’s another qualm I have with Jane Green’s novels. For being a romance the actual romantic bits or developing of actual relationships occurs in like 2 pages at the end. In Mr. Maybe the entire book was about her horrid relationship with boring Ed instead of maybe balancing it out with her romance with Nick. I still liked it but not as much as the others on this list.
Clichés: girl who works in journalism, ugly duckling/beautiful swan, guy who doesn’t fall in love with the girl until she sees her new makeover,
Off the Record by Jennifer O’Connell
Summary: Jane Marlow is a true-blue good girl: plain, predictable, and perfectly responsible. But when her brother catches an episode of Music One's "Off the Record," he discovers that former pop sensation Teddy Rock is actually their childhood neighbor Theodore Brockford, and that his one-hit wonder twelve years earlier wasn't just a catchy tune that took the charts by storm-it was a song about Jane Marlow! Now Jane has a chance to live life off the record, but is she ready for the changes it brings? And even if she's willing to take the risk, is she willing to face the music? (yup, I stole that from amazon)
Opinion: (Rating 5/5) I LOVED this book. I honestly didn’t want it to end. The characters are very likeable, except Teddy which I think was kind of the point. I like the whole twist on the traditional makeover cliché. She branches out and finds out who she really is. Without a whole lot of new clothes and makeup. Oh and it’s set in Chicago. Which I love because it’s not New York or Los Angeles.
Clichés: tiny bit of fashion and makeover, lawyers
The Shopaholic Series: Confessions of a Shopaholic, Shopaholic Takes Manhattan, Shopaholic Ties the Knot, Shopaholic & Sister, Shopaholic & Baby by Sophie Kinsella
Summary: The books center around Becky Bloomwood who professes to be a financial expert and makes her living as a journalist at Successful Savings. Instead of listening to the sound advice she writes and promotes she maxes out her credit cards and is the very definition of an impulsive buyer.
Opinion: (Rating 5/5) These books were so cute and fun. I literally read them back to back. Becky is definitely flighty and self centered but in a way that you can’t help but love her. And I unfortunately recognize myself in her. I don’t need to buy every prada bag I come across but books are my total weakness. I’ve stopped going into Borders and Barnes and Noble because I know that I will buy something. And seeing as my credit card is already at the limit I don’t need to be doing any more spending.
The movie is quite cute too but almost has nothing to do with the books. The names are the same and a few of the scenes are similar but that’s about it. I think the books are better but since I love Isla Fisher I have to say that you should see the movie too.
Clichés: fashion, London, New York, PR,
Currently Reading
Remember Me by Sophie Kinsella
Summary: After taking a nasty bump on the head, Lexi Smart awakens in a hospital convinced that it's 2004 and that she's just missed her father's funeral. It's actually three years later, and she no longer has crooked teeth, frizzy hair and a loser boyfriend. Initially wowed by what she's become-a gorgeous, cut-throat businesswoman-Lexi soon finds herself attempting to figure out how it happened. As her personality change and lost memory threaten her job, Lexi tries to dredge up some chemistry with her handsome albeit priggish husband, Eric, though the effort is unnecessary with Eric's colleague Jon, who tells Lexi that she was about to leave Eric for him. Amnesia tales may be old hat, but Kinsella keeps things fresh and frothy with workplace politicking, romantic intrigue and a vibrant (though sometimes caricatured) cast. Though the happy ending won't come as a surprise, readers will be rooting for Lexi all along. (again stolen from amazon)
Opinion: N/A sort of haven't started yet. But will in about 20 min.
Clichés: amnesia, makeovers
Next Book
Breaking Her Fall by Stephen Goodwin
I mentioned this one in my last books post
Fault Lines by Nancy Huston
Summary (from amazon): Winner of France's Prix Femina and shortlisted for the Orange Prize, Huston's 12th novel captures four generations of a family and examines the decades-long fallout of a dark family secret. The novel proceeds in reverse chronological order from 2004 to 1944 and begins with six-year-old Sol, who is sheltered and coddled by his mother as he immerses himself in all the perversities the Internet can offer. After surgery to remove Sol's congenital birthmark turns out poorly, the extended family takes a trip to great-grandmother Erra's childhood home in Munich. A turbulent history underlies the visit, and after Sol witnesses a tussle between his great-grandmother and great-aunt, the novel skips backwards in time through the childhood of Sol's father, Randall; grandmother Sadie; and finally Erra. Huston's brilliance is in how she gradually lets the reader in on the secret and draws out the revelation so carefully that by the time the reader arrives at the heart of the matter in Munich 1944, the discovery hits with blunt force. Huston masterfully links the 20th century's misery to 21st-century discomfort in razor-sharp portraits of children as they lose their innocence
Please feel free to comment with your favorite books. I need more to read. I get easily bored.