December 24, 2011

Top 11 Books of 2011


2011 was another great year full of good literature and bestsellers. In fact, it was very hard to narrow it down to just eleven. It is my literary duty to bring those to the forefront and highlight my favorites. Please note that my list is purely my opinion. It is not influenced by authors, other readers, other bloggers, or publishers that may have provided free copies for review. For your convenience, my original reviews are available by clicking the book title.


#11. SKIPPING A BEAT by Sarah Pekkanen

#10. THE FRUGALISTA FILES by Natalie McNeal

#9. CLEANING NABOKOV'S HOUSE by Lesley Daniels

#8. CONCRETELOOP.COM PRESENTS: ANGEL'S LAWS OF BLOGGING by Angel Laws with Carole Moore


#6. GIRL IN TRANSLATION by Jean Kwok

#5. GONE WITH A HANDSOMER MAN by Michael Lee West


#3. STEVE JOBS by Walter Isaacson

#2. TRIANGLES by Ellen Hopkins

#1. SILVER SPARROW by Tayari Jones


♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

 
Happy Holidays, bookhearts. See you in 2012!


December 23, 2011

First Lines Friday

First Lines Friday is a new bookish meme hosted by yours truly, Literary Marie of Precision Reviews. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.
  • Grab your current read(s).
  • Share the first line(s).
  • Include the title and author.
Today I'm going to share the Top 11 First Lines of 2011.



"Whenever I hear of someone else's tragedy, I do not dwell on the accident or diagnosis, or even the initial shock waves or aftermath of grief. Instead, I find myself reconstructing those final ordinary moments. Moments that make up our lives." 
~ Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin

 
"I was born with a talent. Not for dance, or comedy, or anything so delightful."
Girl In Translation by Jean Kwok



"Warmhearted and young, armed and dangerous, I was moving my guns and weapons out of my Brooklyn apartment to one of my most reliable stash spots. As heavy as they were, my thoughts were heavier and even more deadly."
~ Midnight and The Meaning of Life by Sister Souljah


"Beneath the surface of any problem, if you scrabble a bit, you'll find a secret."
~ The Bird House: A Novel by Kelly Simmons


"I knew I could stay in this town when I found the blue enamel pot floating in the lake. The pot led me to the house, the house led me to the book, the book to the lawyer, the lawyer to the whorehouse, the whorehouse to science, and from science I joined the world."
~ Cleaning Nabokov's House: A Novel by Leslie Daniels 


"'No. No. Oh, hell, no.' I'm standing upstairs in my office when I spot someone in an oversize hoodie and low-slung pants paint ORNESTEGA in puffy silver letters on the flat red bricks of the building across the street. Which is a church."
If You Were Here: A Novel by Jen Lancaster 


"The man in the suit was watching me again."
Then Came You: A Novel by Jennifer Weiner


"All I ever wanted in life was true love, a set of copper cookware, and the perfect recipe for red velvet cake. The last thing I wanted was to end up on Charleston's six o'clock news, accused of murder and a slew of other crimes."
Gone with a Handsomer Man by Michael Lee West


 

"Ah, English. We have so many words that sound alike but mean different things or take on meanings that don't make sense that it's hard to keep it all straight."
Grammar Girl's 101 Misused Words You'll Never Confuse Again by Mignon Fogarty 



"When I first met Steve Jobs, I thought he was a loser."
~ Rolling Stone Issue #1142 dated October 27, 2011



"I've never taken well to being stereotyped. It bothers me endlessly when someone tells me who to be or assumes they know who I am." 
~ Ms. Understood: Rebuilding the Feminine Equation by Jen Hatmaker


December 22, 2011

2011 Reading Challenges Report

On January 8, I posted about the reading challenges I was participating in for 2011. This was the first year I actually signed up and committed to a reading challenge. My purpose was to increase my reading numbers and to provide material for blog reviews. Read below for the results. Use the search box at the bottom of the page to look up corresponding reviews.


Goodreads 2011 Reading Challenge
I originally challenged myself to read 50 books this year (an average of four books per month). In July, I raised it to 75 books. I am proud to report that I am closing out 2011 with reading a total of 114 books. Yay!

Quirky Brown Reading Challenge
This challenge was hosted by BrownGirl Speaks to discover some of our lesser known contributions to American literature. The requirement was to read books written by black authors depicting an offbeat black experience. I aimed for Level IV: 5+ books. I am happy to report that I completed the challenge by reading 8 quirky brown books:
  • Coffee Will Make You Black by April Sinclair
  • The Broke Diaries by Angela Nissel
  • Orange, Mint and Honey by Carleen Brice
  • A Taste of Honey by Jabari Asim
  • Kinky Gazpacho by Lori Tharps
  • A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith 
  • True You by Janet Jackson
  • Peace from Broken Pieces by Iyanla Vanzant
Colorful Chick Lit Challenge
This challenge was hosted by Reads4Pleasure. Qualifying books have to be written by women of color, about women of color, humorous, snarky, romantic and a happy ending. The four categories includes Indian, Latina, Asian and African-American. Although chick lit is my favorite genre, it was hard to meet all the requirements. I aimed for Queen of Chick Lit Level: 12+ books. Unfortunately, I did not complete the challenge but I read 7 colorful chick lit books:
  • Imaginary Men by Anjali Banerjee
  • Haunting Jasmine by Anjali Banerjee
  • Semisweet by Jill Brock
  • Bumped by Sibylla Nash
  • Whatever You Like by Maureen Smith
  • Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok
  • Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling
Show Me the Free Reading Challenge
This challenge was hosted by the Unread Reader. Now this was the perfect challenge to acquaint me with my NOOKcolor. I am so addicted to eBooks now. The requirements were to have an eReader and to actually read the countless amount of free eBooks I've downloaded. Borrowed books from the library, giveaways, galleys and ARC's are excluded. I aimed for the Coupon Clipper Level: 12+ books. I just made it by reading exactly 12 free eBooks:
  • Long Time Coming by Vanessa Miller
  • Delivered with Love by Sherry Kyle
  • Whatever You Like by Maureen Smith
  • Love Like This by Sylvia Hubbard
  • Bring on the Blessings by Beverly Jenkins
  • Hello Kitty Must Die by Angela Choi
  • Always the Baker, Never the Bride by Sandra Bricker
  • The Rumors Swirling About James Patterson by Stefano Boscutti
  • Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson
  • 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
  • 100 Quotations to Make You Think by Wolfgang Riebe  
  • Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom
Overall, I did pretty darn good. Did you complete your 2011 reading challenges successfully?


December 21, 2011

Lit Tidbits

  • First, let me just say I am loving the NOOKColor 1.4.1 update. There is nothing better than a tablet AND an eReader all in one. Best technology purchase ever!
  • The NOOK Simple Touch was rated #1 in Media Bistro's "5 Best eReaders to Give for Christmas" list. Chickadee absolutely loves hers! It is affordable, light to carry, has a long battery life and simple to use.
  • Canada's government has adopted a new annual reading event. A month long celebration of reading eBooks will begin March 2012.
  • Download a free festive short story from one of my fave authors, Sophie Kinsella: Six Geese a-Laying.
  • If you're wondering what to get the reader in your life for Christmas, I suggest a good book and peace to read it. Happy Holidays!
 

December 20, 2011

All is Bright & Love, Accidentally

Elise and Griffin were a couple for fifteen years, but Elise just couldn't bring herself to marry Griffin. Eight months after the childhood sweethearts broke up, Elise visits her hometown of Chicago for Christmas. She runs into a familiar person in the grocery store: Griffin's mom, Janice. After being invited for an evening of eggnog, carols and food, Elise begins a walk down memory lane. It is filled with warm memories of Griffin, but mostly of Janice's motherly ways. Elise begins to wonder if letting Griffin go was worth losing Janice.

Author: Sarah Pekkanen
Published: December 2010
Pages: 36
Edition: eBook
Rating: ♥♥♥♥

The story continues in the new short story Love, Accidentally. But this story is told from Griffin's new fiance Ilsa's point of view. It begins with Isla and Griffin meeting by chance when his dog is injured. Within months, the couple grow close and are engaged. During a visit home to Chicago, Isla meets Griffin's parents and discover his ex-girlfriend Elise is still close with the family. Now Isla wonders whether she's the rebound girl or whether falling in love was an accident after all.

Author: Sarah Pekkanen
Published: December 2011
Pages: 30
Edition: eBook
Rating: ♥♥♥♥

Both books were great reads. Women can connect with Elise and Ilsa's points of view on love, loss, family and relationships of the past. Sarah Pekkanen has a knack for writing that draws you into the character's lives. I would love for the author to either continue this short story series or write a full novel with these characters. I'd also like to thank Sarah Pekkanen for doing a giveaway on this eShort Story via Twitter. I was one of the lucky winners! (And this in no way influences my review.) Be sure to follow her @SarahPekkanen.

As a bonus, both eBooks include excerpts from Sarah Pekkanen's other novels. Download for a quick, heartwarming read for the holidays. It will only cost you $.99 each!

December 18, 2011

Series Sunday: A is for Alibi

Series Sunday is a new bookish meme hosted by yours truly, Literary Marie of Precision Reviews. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.
  • Read an installment of a series.
  • Post a review/recommendation on your blog, FB, Twitter, Goodreads, or Shelfari pages.
  • Share your review/recommendation by posting the link in the comments section below.
  • Include the title, author, and name of the series so that other Series Sunday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists.
My Series Sunday pick is A is for Alibi, the first book in the Kinsey Millhone alphabet mystery series by Sue Grafton. Private investigator Kinsey Millhone is located in Santa Teresa, California. She is thirty-two years old, twice divorced, no kids, no pets and no houseplants. She lives an uneventful life...until she met client Nikki Fife. Eight years ago, Nikki Fife was tried and convicted of killing her philandering husband. Now Nikki is out on parole and has hired Kinsey to find out who the real killer is. Even though the murder is eight years old, the investigation leads to more suspects and more dead bodies.


This is my first book read by author Sue Grafton. I figured I would give her mystery series a try for a few reasons. First, I like series. Second, I love a good cozy mystery. Third, my old faithful mystery series are going downhill and I need new material. And last, I had to check out this alphabet series because it's lasted damn near 30 years. So it must be good, right?


Well, the first installment was good as expected. It held my attention, wasn't too predictable (although I figured out the killer early on) and had the right amount of layered twists. I like Sue Grafton's writing style for the most part, but I can do without the wordiness. She's a very, VERY descriptive writer. Don't get me wrong--I love for authors to paint a visual picture for the reader. But some details aren't necessary to the story line. Here is an example: 


     "I parked in an expensive lot adjacent to the Westwood Village Mortuary and went into the entranceway near the Wells Fargo Bank, taking the elevator up. The office itself was just to the right as I got off. I pushed through a solid teak door, lettered in brass. The interior was done with polished uneven red-tile flooring, mirrors floor to ceiling, and panels of raw gray wood, hung here and there with clusters of dried corn."

Really? Why is all that detail important? It doesn't need to be this wordy unless this is where the crime took place or is essential to the main character solving the mystery. **taking off editor hat and putting reviewer hat back on**  Nevertheless, A is for Alibi was good enough for me to read the second book in the Kinsey Millhone alphabet series.

Title: A is for Alibi
Author: Sue Grafton
Published: April 1982
Pages: 212
Edition: eBook
Rating: ♥♥♥

December 16, 2011

First Lines Friday

First Lines Friday is a new bookish meme hosted by yours truly, Literary Marie of Precision Reviews. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.
  • Grab your current read(s).
  • Share the first line(s).
  • Include the title and author. 

"I've never taken well to being stereotyped. It bothers me endlessly when someone tells me who to be or assumes they know who I am." 

~ Ms. Understood: Rebuilding the Feminine Equation by Jen Hatmaker

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

"My name is Kinsey Millhone. I'm a private investigator, licensed by the state of California. I'm thirty-two years old, twice divorced, no kids. The day before yesterday I killed someone and the fact weighs heavily on my mind." 

~ A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton

 

December 15, 2011

The Christmas Wedding

♬♬ On the 10th day of Christmas, Literary Marie gave to me ♬♬
♬♬ A review about The Christmas Weddiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiing. ♬♬


I'm a sucker for James Patterson, despite his recent disappointments with the casting of the Alex Cross movie. I am an even bigger sucker for his romance novels. So reading The Christmas Wedding was guaranteed. When I first started reading it, I grabbed my leopard snuggie, a hot mug of chai tea, warm cookies straight from the oven and my NOOKcolor. Clearly I was ready for a night of reading romance.

The Summerhills haven't celebrated Christmas together in three years. The 54-year-old mother, Gaby, announces she is getting remarried on Christmas Day to a groom who will remain secret until the wedding day. The three suitors are Tom Hayden (a 54-year-old farmer and former pro hockey player), Jacob Coleman (a 52-year-old rabbi) and Martin Summerhill (Gaby's 55-year-old brother-in-law). Gaby also has a surprise gift for her four children that could forever change their lives. Surely this will bring the family home for the holidays, right?

Does this sound a bit dramatic and unrealistic? I understood Gaby's intentions to bring the family home together for Christmas, but staging a wedding to a secret groom is a bit much. I didn't think it was fair to her children or three suitors to leave everyone guessing until the day of the wedding. It also seemed like an unrealistic situation for three men to be willingly strung along.

The Christmas Wedding is meant to be a heartwarming story of family, love and holiday cheer. Check out the video below of James Patterson answering questions about his latest romance novel.


Author: James Patterson and Richard DiLallo
Published: October 2011
Pages: 216
Edition: eBook
Rating: ♥♥♥


December 14, 2011

Tupac's Intense Pen Pal


How many of your conversations with friends started off with "I bet you won't..."? How many dares/bets involved a celebrity? In 1995, Angela Ardis accepted a bet to try and reach rapper, poet and actor Tupac Shakur even though he was incarcerated in Rikers Island, New York City's primary jail complex. She sent a brief letter with her contact information and a photograph. A few days later there was a message waiting on her answering machine: "Hi, Angela. This is Tupac."

And so an intense pen pal relationship develops over the next several months. Inside a Thug's Heart includes original poems and letters by Tupac Shakur and Angela Ardis. The letters reflect their growing unorthodox bond and feelings on life, sex and personal matters. If you've ever read Tupac's poetry or did more than just skim through his lyrics, you would recognize his words and appreciate the access this book provides. However, don't assume that Angela Ardis was the girlfriend we never heard about. Tupac made it clear there was a "Queen" in his life and his relationship with Angela was special, yet separate. 

Although the book didn't divulge super secrets, Tupac stressed in his letters that they should not be shared. It made me wonder if he would approve of this book being published. Even though the acknowledgements begin with thanking Afeni Shakur, Tupac's mother, for allowing the book "to see the light of day." Hmmm... 

It's not the usual fan perspective (unless you include the unnecessary breaks in correspondence that were filled with the author's fantasies and dialogue with her roommate). It is more personalized, intimate and offers a little closer look into the man behind the "Thug Life" tattoo.

Author: Angela Ardis
Published: 2004
Pages: 241
Edition: Hardcover
Rating: ♥♥♥


December 13, 2011

US vs. UK

Everyone knows I'm completely obsessed with the UK. "US vs. UK" was created by Jenny from Wondrous Reads and it compares covers from books released in the two countries. Today is a merry holiday theme. 

US
UK
Today's comparison is The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson and Richard Dilallo. The covers are alike, which is rare. Both display a woman in a flowing wedding dress holding a flower bouquet, walking down the aisle. Subtle differences include the placement of the authors names (at the bottom on the US cover, at the top on the UK cover) and the title font. The US cover has a red block with the title, while the UK cover has gold and red script for the title. Because the covers are so similar, it is a tough choice but I pick the UK cover. It looks more holiday festive.

Total: US 9, UK 9

Which cover do you favour? 

December 11, 2011

Series Sunday: Explosive Eighteen

Series Sunday is a new bookish meme hosted by yours truly, Literary Marie of Precision Reviews. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.
  • Read an installment of a series.
  • Post a review/recommendation on your blog, FB, Twitter, Goodreads, or Shelfari pages.
  • Share your review/recommendation by posting the link in the comments section below.
  • Include the title, author, and name of the series so that other Series Sunday participants can add the book to their TBR Lists.
My Series Sunday pick is Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich. It is the 18th book in the Stephanie Plum series. Our one and only New Jersey bounty hunter has finally taken a vacation. Of course the vacation didn't go as planned and Stephanie was forced to leave Hawaii ahead of time. But what really happened while there? Stephanie comes back to Trenton, New Jersey without a ring and the man who sat next to her on the plane didn't board after the layover. Why not? Because he was found dead in a garbage can. A slew of people are searching for his killer and a missing photograph that only Stephanie saw.

All of the characters are back: loud Lula, good cop Morelli, mysterious Ranger, gun toting funeral attending Grandma Mazur, alcoholic mother, quiet hungry father, FTA's, exploding black car, etc. The jokes are still there but either flat or just wrong. For example, Grandma Mazur says, "You could have the vitiligo, like Michael Jackson. Remember when he turned white?" SKERT! Too soon, Evanovich. Too soon.

If you are hoping this is FINALLY the book where Stephanie makes a choice between Morelli or Ranger, then you will be thoroughly disappointed again. If you are interested in a book where Stephanie is not so predictable, then you will be rolling your eyes again. But if you are interested in keeping up with this series, sit back with this same-story-different-title. The characters have not grown (unless you count growing on the annoyance factor). In fact, the characters actions are so predictable, you can write the ending yourself. 

I had hope about Explosive 18. Because it was released so soon after Smokin' 17, I assumed something big would happen in the series. I was expecting some big change that would merit Evanovich releasing another book of the series sooner than expected. I thought I might actually get into this mystery more than the last few Plum books. But now? After reading in its entirety? I am ready to chuck the deuces to the entire series and stop reading the Stephanie Plum series altogether. (Or at least give Evanovich until the 20th book to stop this train on its tracks.)

Check out the book trailer below.


Author: Janet Evanovich
Published: November 2011
Pages: 146
Edition:  eBook
Rating: ♥♥

 

December 9, 2011

First Lines Friday

First Lines Friday is a new bookish meme hosted by yours truly, Literary Marie of Precision Reviews. I encourage all of my fellow book bloggers and bookhearts to play along.
  • Grab your current read(s).
  • Share the first line(s).
  • Include the title and author.  

 
"Only twenty-four days until Christmas, and this Christmas is going to be one you won't forget." 

~ The Christmas Wedding by James Patterson and Richard DiLallo



December 7, 2011

Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?


Have you ever wondered if everyone was hanging out without you? No? Oh, okay.

There's nothing like reading a memoir type book and being able to relate to the author. Mindy and I have a lot in common. We both would like to be friends with Beyonce. We both put on the freshman thirty-five and have big appetites. And I realized I'm not the only person to memorize my credit card numbers to shop online with quick ease. The fact that Mindy Kaling is also the writer, actress and producer of The Office show (which is a chapter in the book) added more to her interesting life story. It is obvious why she is a comedy writer.

Mindy Kaling writes about romance, dating, friendships, childhood, Hollywood and unfair funny situations. On page 13, Mindy predicts it will take two days to read this book. "If you're reading this book every night for months, something is not right." Her prediction is true. It only took two days to start and finish. I enjoyed every minute spent reading it. I think you will too.

Author: Mindy Kaling
Published: November 2011
Pages: 201
Edition: eBook
Rating: ♥♥♥♡
 

December 6, 2011

US vs. UK

Everyone knows I'm completely obsessed with the UK. "US vs. UK" was created by Jenny from Wondrous Reads and it compares covers from books released in the two countries. Today is a mystery series theme.


 
US
UK
The first comparison is The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz. The US cover has gold script with a silky navy blue background. Very bland. The UK cover has white script with a black and red background. It's more striking and mysterious. It's no question about which cover I like better: UK wins this round.



Total: US 8, UK 7
US
UK
The second comparison is A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton. The US cover is simple with a green background and large A. The UK cover is dark with a large A and a burnt orange object I can't figure out. Sometimes less is better. The US wins this round.

Total: US 9, UK 7

US
UK
The third comparison is The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. The US cover has black letters with a yellow background. If you look closely, you can make out a dragon tattoo. The UK cover shows a bare back woman with a clear dragon tattoo. It is obvious and true to the book title. If I were browsing the bookstore shelves, the UK version would grab my attention first. (FYI: The other two covers of the Millenium Trilogy are the same style in both countries.)

Total: US 9, UK 8

Which covers do you favour?