Books, Beach, & BBQ

Books, Beach, & BBQ on deck. 

Have a safe, fun Fourth of July weekend! 

Bitch is the New Black

Bitch is the New Black (BITNB) by Helena Andrews is a memoir that chronicles the young life of a single, smart-mouthed, sassy black chick from her early childhood to present time. Each essay tells a straight from the hip, funny, and sometimes sad memory. For instance, there was the time when she was kidnapped away from her lesbian mother. She talks about escaping reality every Thursday night via The Cosby Show. Walking her racist pug is a hoot! She also shares the events surrounding the loss of a sorority sister.

I literally started LMBO at page one when she’s instant messaging the “Nigerian e-mail scam of ex-sorta boyfriends.” I totally related to her equation: x + y = gtfohwtbs (if “x” ≥ 28 years old and "y" = socially retarded men). Heck, I don’t feel 28 years old or like an adult either, just adult-ish. At times, I also feel like the little old lady living in a shoe that nobody comes to visit because I’m too far from the city. I could relate to almost every essay, as I’m sure other chicks can too.

Helena is a journalist so I wasn’t surprised with how well written her debut is. This book is the talk of the town. It’s been a long time since I read a book that’s the new must-read. Actually, this is the first book that created a big buzz since Steve Harvey’s Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Man. I recommend picking up a copy and joining the online book club. Follow @bitchclub on Twitter, search #BITNB, or comment here.

I seldom read books more than once, and hardly ever back-to-back. But I will definitely read BITNB all over again. Its that good! All ages, races, and even males enjoy this hilar memoir. It is something within its 241 pages for us all.

Also, if you enjoyed BITNB, I highly recommend Jen Lancaster's first memoir titled Bitter is the New Black. Another guaranteed LIRL read.

Rating: ♥♥♥

Teaser Tuesdays

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (Make sure that what you share doesn't give too much away! You don't want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Literary Marie's Tuesday Teaser:

"Kissing didn't sound the same with vampires as it did with humans. No soft, fleshy, liquid-filled cells to squish against each other. Just stone lips, no give." 

~ p. 71, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella (Twilight Saga) by Stephenie Meyer

Quote of the Week

"There are a lot of books out there. I'm under 30, but don't have time to waste with poorly written ones." -- Literary Marie

Expected Endings & Secrets

Victoria Smalls is a Daddy’s girl that did exactly what everyone else wanted her to do. Instead of following her dream, she worked in Corporate America after graduating from the college of her father’s choice. The she was involved in a toxic relationship with, dare I say his name, Neil. After their break-up, she took a much-needed break.

Now a year and a prayer later, Victoria finds herself getting more than she prayed for: two entirely different good men. Ted Thornton is the CEO of the company Victoria works for. He’s been interested in V, the nickname he affectionately calls her, since the day they met. He inconspicuously plans projects and late evening meetings so he can spend time with her. Parker Brightwood is a successful young surgeon that met Victoria while he was on a date with another woman. They meet again, and are inseparable from that point on.

When Ted finally confesses his feelings, V finds herself torn between a powerful white man and a gorgeous black man. Whom she chooses is merely at the expense of the other. Classic copout!

I read this book with my book club as our May BOTM. We all chose it because the description seemed very interesting. The story starts off really slow. It literally took me half an hour (30 minutes) to read the first chapter. I struggled through the remaining chapters. In my opinion, the pace never picked up.

I did not like the author’s writing style. The scenes were too long and redundant. There was unnecessary dialogue and the settings were too descriptive. It took the imagination out because I didn’t have to wonder how the characters looked or the ability to draw my own conclusions.

If the irrelevant parts were removed, the book would be 100 pages instead of 280 pages.

I will admit that it sparked a good discussion. Our book club debated about interracial relationships, whether a white man can raise a black boy, the stereotype of light- and dark-skinned African-Americans, getting along with in-laws, and leaving Corporate America to become an entrepreneur.

I’m conflicted on how to rate Unexpected Interruptions. The book was not all that great and I’m baffled at the 60+ good reviews on Amazon. If a good book means it sparked good conversation, then yes it qualifies. There are underlying issues that led to a debate. After research, we discovered there is a sequel titled Keeping Secrets & Telling Lies. Out of curiosity, I speed-read it with another book club member. It was worse and even more predictable. The story had a big build-up only to be let down. The secret was easy to figure out and revealed early on. It’ll have you saying, “That’s it? Really?”  and throw the book across the room.

In conclusion, it depends on what you consider a good book.

Rating: ♥♥

Private Preview

In honor of Father's Day, enjoy this free preview of a brand new series by the Father of Mystery and Suspense: James Patterson. Enjoy the first 24 chapters of Private!

Pre-order your copy now by clicking the image on the left. This book will be released on June 28, 2010.

Namaste

Zoe Fishman focuses her debut novel, Balancing Acts, on four college friends reunited after 10 years. They meet every Saturday morning for a six-week yoga class. I usually don't care for stories told through different points of view, but it was a recommendation from a fellow reader and blogger. Thanks for recommending, Kim!

Charlie left a high-paying Wall Street job to pursue yoga. She sees Boston University's alumni night as the prime opportunity to pass out fliers and drum up businesses for her new studio in Brooklyn. Sabine started a career in book publishing with the sole intention of becoming a novelist. Now she can't seem to focus on writing because she's editing romance manuscripts. She doesn't have much time for love either; unless you count the minutes she spends crushing on Subway Guy. Naomi is a single mother who hasn't picked up a camera in years. She dumped photography for web design after a bad breakup. Now Naomi is ready to enter the non-Mommy world. Bess dreams of writing for substance, but instead she's stuck in a rut writing snarky captions for a tabloid. She has an idea for an article that just may help her. She attends the reunion and signs up for the yoga class with an ulterior motive. 

The four friends have three things in common: a past, a dream for their future, and looking for love. In reuniting, they take new chances and face realities. 


I finished this book in one sitting on a sunny Saturday. It was easy to relate to these Brooklyn/Manhattan women. They were so unlike Carrie Bradshaw. These are realistic women dealing with issues and faced with making the same decisions as us. I found a little piece of me in each character. Zoe Fishman has a writing style that flows. It's a great summer read, especially for women who are also finding balance in their lives. 

Yoga anyone?


Rating: ♥♥♥♥