Monday, July 30, 2012

Summer and the City

Summer and the City  By Candace Bushnell     Sequel to The Carrie Diaries and Prequel to Sex and The City, another adorable, light funny read starring our beloved Carrie Bradshaw living out her dream summer in NYC. The story illustrates how she meets Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte and grows her passion and desire to become a successful writer living in New York. It is hard to read without picturing Sarah Jessica as a teenager bumbling around NY in her vintage clothes and bouncy curls. This is a perfect beach read, light funny and enjoyable. I don't know if I just like pretending its 1984 or I truly just miss my all time favorite series but this one is a must for my fellow SATC fans!! (If you haven't read The Carrie Diaries, read that one first!) BTW, the CW channel is currently working on The Carrie Diaries series for tv. Hmmmm not sure about that one ....

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs  By Walter Isaacson    Biography of Steve Jobs and Apple Inc. Steve Jobs was adopted at a very young age to a kind, hardworking, honest couple who desperately wanted a child. They were wonderful parents and Steve had an idyllic childhood, but the idea of abandonment stuck with Jobs and became his life long thorn in his side, either by choice, by excuse or a biological connection that cannot be severed. His journey was a search for purity, artistry, control, enlightenment and invention but never really happiness. He desperately wanted to contribute to and change the world with computers. Jobs was known to be cruel and incredibly difficult to work with and for but he continued to get products made that ultimately did change the entire industry. He was more artist and inventor than scientist or engineer but highly regarded both fields. Jobs expected nothing less than perfection from everyone in his life, both at work and at home. This biography was well organized, easy to read and filled with interesting characters and in depth explanations of the entire field. For anyone interested in business, technology and our recent history of both, its a must read. There are many lessons to be learned.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Veil of Roses

Veil of Roses By Laura Fitzgerald    Tami has always dreamed of freedom. She is 27 and living in Tehran with her parents teaching at a religious girls school. As the restrictions feel tighter and tighter and marriage is imminent, Tami falls into a depression. Her parents last hope is a 3 month visa they have miraculously obtained for Tami to visit her married sister in the U.S. Tami has 3 months to find a suitable husband which would allow her to remain in America. This story brings to life the very issues displayed daily on the nightly news. The younger educated generation is desperately seeking freedom, equality and democracy in their homelands. The characters are likeable and this is an easy summer read that should not be missed. Something as simple as reading a book, is a freedom some humans do not have.

Friday, July 13, 2012

The Kitchen House

The Kitchen House By Kathleen Grissom   One of the best historical fiction novels I have read in a long time. Lavinia is a young Irish girl on a ship in the late 1700's on her way to America. Her parents do not survive the journey and she finds herself as an indentured servant to the very kind captain of the ship. Back at his plantation she is torn between her caregivers, the slaves whom she works besides, and her easy acceptance to the big house, because her skin is white. "Abinia" as they pronounce her name, is later taken to a relative of the captain in Williamsburg where she is educated and grows into a refined young woman but she dreams of going back to her family that raised her.  When she finally makes it back she cannot tolerate the slavery she now understands and fights to change these sad circumstances and be with her family. This story is filled with love, friendship, family, loyalty and history. A great summer read. Well written, easy and finally, a book I could not put down!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Definitely Not Mr. Darcy

Definitely Not Mr. Darcy  By Karen Doornebos  Modern twist on a Jane Austen romance. A modern day girl from Chicago named Chloe is chosen to be in a tv production she believes will be a documentary where the characters live for three weeks in 1812. The winner walks away with $100,000. Chloe is a huge Jane Austen fanatic but when arriving at the set in Englands glorious countryside she learns this is a love match reality show. Chloe puts her best foot forward for the money and the man in perfect 1812 style. Adorable, funny, romantic, easy read. Perfect for a sparkling summer day!

Sunday, July 1, 2012

The Unexpected Son

The Unexpected Son  By Shobhan Bantwal    Vinita is an extremely intelligent polite behaved girl attending college in her home town in India. For the very first time in her life she breaks the rules and changes her life and her families destiny forever. Thirty years later Vinita receives a letter at her quiet home in New Jersey and all of her secrets and misgivings come back to turn her life upside down. Vinita is a strong, independent woman and a most likeable character. The novel takes place in a colorful town where the sights and sounds and smells come to life as the authors beautiful descriptions take us on a faraway journey. Highly recommend this excellent read.