Summer Affair

Sheila Crispin Cook, mother of four young children and a nationally renowned glassblower, bites off more than she can chew when she agrees to co-chair a huge benefit concert on Nantucket. Sheila is asked to chair the Nantucket Children Summer Gala, at least in part, because she is the former high school sweetheart of world famous rock star, Max West. Max agrees to play the benefit and it looks like smooth sailing for Sheila - until she agrees to create a "museum-quality" piece of glass for the auction, peremptorily offers her best friend the catering job, goes nose-to-nose with her Manhattan socialite co-chair, and begins a "good-hearted" affair with the charity's Executive Director, Lockhart Dixon.

Out of all the books by Elin Hilderbrand I have read this was my least favorite.  At first I though it was because of the subject matter but really I think it was because there wasn't any character in the book that I really liked. I tried to like Claire and I even identified with her, however, I found her frustrating and frankly spineless.

This definitely isn't the book I would spend a lot of time or money on and with all the other books this author has written I would go to those.

Out of 5 stars I would give this book 1 1/2 stars

Happy reading and Enjoy a glass of iced tea!

Bossy Pants

I have to say that listening to this book is why it was as  funny as it was. I think I would have laughed if I had read it myself, but her voice inflections and impersonations were what made this book funny.Her stories of her early days with the comedy team and of course the chapter about her father were what made me hold my stomach laughing hysterically.

There were parts that I of course wanted to skip over and that's what you get when you read or listen to a memoir, however, I would strongly suggest this as an audio. Tina Fey is smart, funny and of course always entertaining. Her book gives an insight into the Sarah Palin parodies as well as SNL and although I enjoyed it it didn't keep my glued to the book.  It is what it is -- a book written to entertain and for the most part it did that.

Out of 5 stars I give this book a 3 1/2 stars.

Happy Reading and Enjoy a cup of tea!
Kara

Hope in a Jar

Twenty years ago, Allie Denty was the pretty one and her best friend Olivia Pelham was the smart one. Throughout high school, they were inseparable…until a vicious rumor about Olivia - a rumor too close to the truth - ended their friendship. Now, on the eve of their twentieth high school reunion, Allie, a temp worker, finds herself suddenly single, a little chubby, and feeling old. Olivia, a cool and successful magazine beauty editor in New York, realizes she’s lonely, and is finally ready to face her demons. 

I thought this book was fun and I loved the references to all the beauty ads from the past. From Tickle deodorant to Enjoli perfume to Loves Baby soft, I enjoyed remembering the trip down memory lane. The first line of the book: "The only thing worse than finding out your boyfriend is cheating on you with a beautiful woman is finding out he's cheating with an average woman." Now that is why I had to keep reading. I found the characters interesting and what I would expect. They made me laugh and the villain made me boo. 

The chapters of the book went from present day to junior high and high school in the relationship of Allie and Olivia and that was how the story was presented. This friendship went through some tough times and yet after all the years they ended up finding their way back to each other which most true friendship will do.

I liked this book I read it on the plane in one setting and it kept me interested. On the Chick lit scale I give it a 3 1/2 stars out of 5.

Happy Reading and enjoy a glass of iced tea!

Still Alice

Alice Howland is a Harvard professor, gifted researcher and lecturer, and the mother of three grown children. At fifty years old she is proud of the life she has built and as she becomes increasingly disoriented and forgetful, a diagnosis of early onset  Alzheimer's Disease changes her life, her work and her family forever.

I wasn't sure what to think of this book when I began and although I liked Alice, as a reader I could tell she was a perfectionist and expected her family to do what was "best."   As the story progressed Alice's vulnerability became what endured me to her.  Heart wrenching in parts to the point of  being in tears and realizing this isn't made up, there are families everyday going through this turmoil and heartache due to this horrible disease.

I loved the author's ability to take a terrible situation and give all perspectives to the daughter who is trying to have a baby to the son who distances himself to the husband who almost seems angry with Alice for having the disease, and yet his love for her is truly amazing as he learns to accept her for the Alice she is now. Lisa Genova takes us there in each stage of the disease with Alice and with her family.

There is a quote in the book where Alice has a moment of clarity with John her husband and she says..
"I miss myself."
" I miss you too, Ali very much."
" I never planned to get like this."
" I know."
I think that is what defines how a couple gets through as they continue to love but miss what was there very much.

Her relationship with her youngest daughter is another part of the book that simply touched my heart. At one point, Lydia and Alice are talking and Alice reaches out to Lydia and tells her how proud she is of her and then tells her "in case I forget, know that I love you."  I felt like that was so much of what the book was about and defines a woman who had her life in control and within a year had virtually lost her ability to be on her own, work and even read a book or watch a movie.

I loved this book - I read it in less than a day simply because I couldn't stop thinking about Alice.  I recommend this book to everyone. I give this book 5 out 5 stars !!!!!

Happy Reading and enjoy a cup of Tea!
Kara