One Thing Led to Another

Read August 2010 * * *

"Tess Jarvis has always been one to wing it, but she's fast realizing that her bank of blag is running out of funds. At 28, is it time to grow up? Maybe having a baby with your best friend isn't the best way to start."

Brianna's Review: I was walking through the book store one day and went to the bargain section, buying this book for $4.99, thinking that when I have no other books to read, I couldn't beat the price. But it was exactly what it was called, a Bargain book, a really good book for a really good price. It is a very quick and simple read, nothing that is going to win any awards or be on the 'top 100 books to read before you die' list, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The main character is cute, and her best friend (father of her child) is the sweetest thing ever. If you get a chance to read this book, or see it on sale somewhere, its worth it!

The Forgotten Garden

Read August * * * * *

"A foundling, an old book of dark fairy tales, a secret garden, an aristocratic family, a love denied, and a mystery. The Forgotten Garden is a captivating, atmospheric and compulsively readable story of the past, secrets, family and memory from the international best-selling author Kate Morton.

Cassandra is lost, alone and grieving. Her much loved grandmother, Nell, has just died and Cassandra, her life already shaken by a tragic accident ten years ago, feels like she has lost everything dear to her. But an unexpected and mysterious bequest from Nell turns Cassandra's life upside down and ends up challenging everything she thought she knew about herself and her family.

Inheriting a book of dark and intriguing fairytales written by Eliza Makepeace - the Victorian authoress who disappeared mysteriously in the early twentieth century - Cassandra takes her courage in both hands to follow in the footsteps of Nell on a quest to find out the truth about their history, their family and their past; little knowing that in the process, she will also discover a new life for herself."

Brianna's Review: This book took me a long time to read, but not because it wasn't good! This book was beautifully written. It is a mystery about a family, starting in the 1900's and ending in 2005. The mystery is good, and as she tells the story in different characters views throughout those years, you get lots of clues, but never know whats going to happen until the very end! I thought for sure I knew how it was going to end, but was quite surprised. It's a story about mystery, love, family, relationships, and how much someone wants to remember the past. The way that the author makes her characters out to be is also really well done. For instance, there is one character in the book (if you read it you will know pretty quickly to whom I am speaking about) who is in all ways like a witch in a fairytale, and the way she writes it makes your imagination grow wild. Another thing I loved about this book is how she incorporates fairy-tales. One of the characters writes fairy tales, and she puts a couple of stories in with the book, and after you read them you can see how they relate to the characters. At the end of the novel when everything comes together, you will be surprised, but happy at the same time that the family mystery is finally solved. This is a book that I would definatley recommend, and if anyone is looking for a book club book, I think this book gives a large amount of topics to discuss.

I'm being pokey!

I am still reading the Forgotten Garden, don't take me wrong, its a very good book, but I have been working crazy hours and had 3 wedding this summer! Can't believe its taking me so long, so hopefully after this weekend I will have a review and will get back in my groove!

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

As someone who reads a lot, I hate not finishing a book. I usually make myself read it no matter how much I dislike it, but this time I can't. Its taken me I don't know how many days to read only 100 pages, its like homework - I had to force myself to read. I got to 100 pages, and decided I could not force myself to read another 230 pages, it would have taken me forever. The writing style is dreadful, and boring, the story is not near as interesting as one would think for it being a book of travelling, and I hate the main character and the story that got her where she was. I have only not finished one book, EVER. This book has just made my second, and I feel guilty doing it. I can't believe people actually recommend this book.

Secret Daughter

Read June 2010 * * * * *

"On the eve of the monsoons, in a remote Indian village, Kavita gives birth to a baby girl. But in a culture that favors sons, the only way for Kavita to save her newborn daughter’s life is to give her away. It is a decision that will haunt her and her husband for the rest of their lives, even after the arrival of their cherished son.

Halfway around the globe, Somer, an American doctor, decides to adopt a child after making the wrenching discovery that she will never have one of her own. When she and her husband, Krishnan, see a photo of the baby with the gold-flecked eyes from a Mumbai orphanage, they are overwhelmed with emotion. Somer knows life will change with the adoption but is convinced that the love they already feel will overcome all obstacles.

Interweaving the stories of Kavita, Somer, and the child that binds both of their destinies, “Secret Daughter” poignantly explores the emotional terrain of motherhood, loss, identity, and love, as witnessed through the lives of two families – one Indian, one American – and the child that indelibly connects them. "

Brianna's Review: This book was amazing in soo many ways. I haven't read very many books involving culture, and Shilpi Somaya Gowda made this novel, based in India, and California a good and easy read. With her descriptions, I was able to imagine India, and she did it without making the story boring. This book is really about family, and how the two families live within the 20 years with the choices they have made. This book made me want to erase the rest of the world, and just sit and read. The ending cleared everything up beautifully. This being her first novel, I can't wait for her next, truly a moving book and I would recommend it to anyone.

'Eat, Pray, Love' Trailer HD

I have been meaning to read this book for quite some time, as I have heard it is good and is on many 'must read' lists. Now that it is becoming a motion picture, I think it's time to take it off my book shelf. As soon as I am done my current book I will be starting it! Hopefully I enjoy the book and eventually get to see the movie!

Summer People

Read June 2010 * * * * *

``Every summer the Newton family retreats to their beloved home on Nantucket for three months of sunshine, cookouts, and bonfires on the beach. But this summer will not be like any other. When Arch Newton, a prominent New York attorney, dies in a plane crash on his way home from a business trip, his beautiful widow, Beth, can barely keep things together. Above all, though, she decides that she must continue the family tradition of going to Nantucket, and at the same time fulfill a promise that Arch made before he died. Beth invites Marcus, the son of Arch`s final and most challenging client, to spend the summer with her and her teenage twins, Winnie and Garrett, who have mixed reactions to sharing their special summer place with this stranger. Always a place of peace before, Nantucket becomes the scene of roiling emotions and turbulent passions as Marcus, Winnie, and Garrett learn about loss, first love, and betrayal. And when they stumble upon a shocking secret from Beth`s past, they must keep it from destroying the family they`ve been trying so hard to heal.``

Brianna's Review: I enjoyed this book even more than I enjoyed the last one. Another quick good read for the summer, and another one making me longing for the days without school and work, where I could just relax at my cottage. At the beginning of this novel, I found myself angry with Beth, the widow, but by the end I got over my anger and just loved the whole book. The nice thing about her endings, is that though they end with everything summarized, and in a good way, but the ending is not always what you may have expected. I loved the characters in this novel, and how close they grow together, it was hard to set down once I really got into it.