(Don't read this post any further if you haven't read the novel: spoilers ahead for discussion.)
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Showing posts with label Book Club. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Club. Show all posts
3/16/14
CONTINUE READING
9/12/13
Hey Lovelies! It's a new season, and that means it is time to move on to some new books. But wait, not so fast. We still have to recap which books were a great summer read. Here are a few more mentionable titles I read over the summer:
1. ASTOR PLACE VINTAGE By STEPHANIE LEHMANN
As stylish and sophisticated as its cover, this novel will wow and surprise those who are interested in both New York City's: history, architecture, and design. I learned so much from this novel about our great and enchanting city, as well as fell in love with the books characters.
Buy it here.
2. THE WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING By BETH KENDRICK
Funny enough, I read this novel the week before a wedding I was attending. Even more peculiar the main characters had some of the same names as people in the wedding party! This novel was a fun, easy read that really understands the dynamics of family, the distress of having too much family all in one place, and what true love really is. (Plus, you're going to fall for the hunk...and you're not going to want to!)
Buy it here.
3. THERE'S CAKE IN MY FUTURE By KIM GRUENENFELDER
Amazing how the entire lives of three women end up revolving around a cake pull. What's a cake pull you ask? Well, a cake pull is the tradition where you attach small charms to ribbon, and place them inside a cake. This cake is usually served at bridal showers, and each woman attending has the chance to pull on a ribbon and find a charm. These charms are supposed to be telling of your future! Dangerous, and possibly life-threatening? Yes. Completely hilarious to watch unfold? That would be a yes too!
You can buy it here.
4. MR. MAYBE By JANE GREEN
Now, I usually discourage people from judging a book by its cover, but if you were, now would be the time to start. Jane Green is a fantastic British writer who knows how to navigate her readers through the real people in real relationships that she creates on every page. I think a lot of women would feel they shared a common bond with her main character Libby Mason; I know I did!
Buy it here.
5. JEMIMA J By JANE GREEN
Another novel written by the talented Jane Green is about a woman who goes through a major evolution in her life. If you're a fan of those makeover segments on any day time show, or magazine. This transformation is going to rock your world! You'll be saying, "And I thought Anne Hathaway's Devil Wears Prada transformation was amazing". We can all learn a lot about self-love, body image, and self respect through Jemima J, and she'll make you laugh out loud along the way.
Buy it here.
So that sadly ends my Summer Book Club chapter, and I do have a few overdue library dues to pay. But with a new season, comes a new handbag, new boots, and some new hot reads!
Have a hot read you're just dying to discuss? E-mail us or message us on facebook, and we'll start up the conversation!
Stay Lovely,
D.R
Editor and Curator of
Dusk & Rubies
CONTINUE READING
6/11/13
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| Twelve Books |
"Elementary", there was never such a more provoking word. A term that in its five tight dribbling of precise syllables told you that you were, and still are terribly mistaken, that in your solution, which you had probably thought was rather fetching, and ingenious was actually a world compromised of acute... misgivings.
You are correct. I am being too obtuse in my condescenion and Holmes would not approve. Elementary is a famed term, made more famous by the fictitious (I hear the Sherlockians gasp in horror at my jargon) man who spoke the word than truly the word itself. Maybe it was his canter- the way he knew everything about a person by the "cut of his shirt", or the band missing from their left digit, or maybe it was his uncanny but completely reliable arrogance for being just one step ahead of even the most brilliant minds. Maybe we were captivated by the mold of a beautiful bromance sculpted for us to have characters emulate for the rest of time (Lethal Weapon: Martin Riggs and Roger Murtaugh, Miami Vice Crockett and Tubbs...dare I say Tom Sawyer needed Huck Finn?).
If you are interested in mystery, a double mystery to be precise with a side of historical fiction then you will have a feast with this novel The Sherlockian. I am a huge fan of Sherlock Holmes and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, partially because I am related to the Doyle's, whether or not I am related to Sir Arthur is still to be determined, but because of this I had a very strong interest in reading the Sherlock Holmes stories as a young kid. This novel is no exception.
A short synopsis? This novel follows Arthur and his close companion Bram (The author of Dracula) on a real case involving the death of a young woman who was a part of the woman's suffragist movement in the late 1800s. The novel also follows a present day mystery, through the eyes of Harold one of the youngest members of The Sherlockians (A real group of real people who spend their real time devoted to everything Sherlock Holmes. They consist of published writers on the various aspects of the literary body of work. The reader follows Harold as he tries to solve the mystery over a missing Arthur Conan Doyle artifact, which was found, but then lost again after its founder was presumably murdered. I don't want to give too much away, but if you're a true Sherlockian you would have seen that coming from page one so, no worries.
"The game's afoot!", so join in and read this undeniably accurate, yet also fictional dual mystery. Let me know if this novel kept you guessing, like it did me, all the way to the last page. If you want to check out more about the author, or the unique publishing company Twelve Books click the link below the picture of the novel.
This novel was a 10/10 for me, and I would suggest it to anyone who loves to read, loves Sherlock Holmes, and loves knowing the reason why.
Stay Lovely...
And Read!
D.R
Editor and Curator of
Dusk & Rubies
CONTINUE READING
6/6/13
Synopsis:
I really enjoyed the plot and the clever idea behind this novel! I had never read a novel where the main character was called a "nose". A nose is someone who has the ability to smell a scent and break it down into all of its components. The beautiful, up-front, and fantastically witty Daphne Sweeten is a woman with immense taste, and a special talent. She is a nose, and works in fragrance in Paris, France. Well, she did until she gave up her perfect occupation for the perfect man. Howwww sweet right? Wrong, Daphne soon finds out that the groom whom she left said perfect job for, then leaves her stranded, alone, at her own wedding. His side of the family didn't even bother to show up!
You know what's worse? Yes, it gets worse! Her top notch ability, the one she went to a prestigious school for, and studied beneath one of the most famous noses in the entire world, no longer works. That is right ladies and gentleman Daphne loses her job (by her own doing), loses her man (she couldn't help that), and now she loses her sense of smell!
All of this wouldn't be too terrible (Although it most definitely would be), except for she already took another job as a professional nose for another company in...Dayton, Ohio. We can agree Ohio is not Paris. Can we also agree it would be hard to create scents without her sense of smell? We sure can!
See how Daphne overcomes her battles with flair, fun, and a few new friends...Jesse Lightner. This novel reminds me of The Devil Wears Prada except in the world of fragrance!
Scale 1-10: I give this novel a 7. I would recommend this to a friend, although I felt the ending was a little abrupt. I wanted more!
About The Author: Christy Award Finalist and two-time winner of the ACFW Book of the Year award, Kristin Billerbeck has appeared on The Today Show and has been featured in the New York Times. Other books by this author are: A Billion Reasons Why, and What A Girl Wants.
Here is what others had to say:
“Witty and upbeat” —Library Journal
Enjoy this light and easy read, and as always...
Stay Lovely,
D.R
Editor and Curator of
Dusk & Rubies
CONTINUE READING
6/2/13
Hope in a Jar by Beth Harbison is the second novel to be reviewed in our summer book club series. I have to say that I enjoyed this book, but found it on the slower paced side, as well as predictable. But that's not to say that it was poorly written or lacking in entertainment. The novel was craftily written in two different perspectives, and switches in narration between it's two main characters: Allie Denty, and Olivia Pelham. Both characters used to be best friends in High School, but have a falling out that is not revealed completely until near the end of the novel. They both live drastically different lives except for their mutual friend Noah, and that each woman is missing something from her life, but can't seem to figure out exactly what it is. Through their High School reunion, which both are dreading, but also bring up memories of happier times they are pushed towards reconciliation for a friend's sake. The novel is about empowering women and how each women can feel empowered in different ways. Sometimes all it takes is a little makeup.
Scale 1-10: I give the novel a fair 6. It is not a novel I would say to a girlfriend oh my gosh you have to read this! But if you're looking for an easy beach read I would recommend this book. Allie's character is humorous, and Olivia's character brings the melodrama. I also like how they used make-up and its advertising as quotes to begin each chapter with.
About the author: Beth Harbison is the New York Times bestselling author of Shoe Addicts Anonymous and Secrets of a Shoe Addict, so I hope to eventually read some of her other work.
Here is what other's have to say about her novel Hope In A Jar:
"Harbison continues to wow readers with charm and genuine characters."
--Booklist
"...fun nostalgia for those of us who loved Bonne Bell Lip Smackers and Sun-In."
--Fort-Worth Star Telegram
"Harbison creates vivid, convincing characters and handles them well.
--Publishers Weekly
"...as slick and enjoyable as a brand-new tube of lip gloss."
--People
I'm already reading my next novel, and I'll give you the inside scoop...it is awesome! I can not put it down. So keep reading, and don't forget to leave comments and we'll discuss!
Stay Lovely,
D.R
Editor and Curator of
Dusk & Rubies
CONTINUE READING
5/28/13
The Scandelous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc by Loraine Despres
Synopsis: Sissy a bored house-wife, who is anything but boring, finds herself stuck. Stuck in the deep-south; stuck with a husband who finds her sexually irrelevant; stuck in a community that is extremely religious- something she is not, and stuck in the type of heat that makes it ironically impossible to move. The reader is introduced to Sissy as she sits out on her porch, that faces the town's church, as she tries to find a cool place of recluse. Wearing barely nothing she begins to fantasize about the one who got away, and the life that she never lived. She notices the man who is repairing the telephone pole across the street, and notices how his pants have that "shrink to fit" look- he reminds of her lost high school sweetheart, Parker Davidson....until she realises it is Parker Davidson, and he looks good.
With a quick witted heroine who states one-liners like: A smart girl makes a man sweat, and A man will believe anything as long as it's convenient for him, and a setting of a small, southern town where everyone knows everything about everyone you can imagine the trouble Sissy encounters.
This book is for: the woman who is looking for: sizzle, sparks, scandal, and a strong female lead in their beach read this book will be perfect for you.
Pace: fast paced, and never drags. The book is broken into chapters and three parts. Each part seems to up the ante!
1-10 Recommendation: 8, I would highly recommend this book, because there were parts that I didn't see coming! (And that happens rarely)
I hope you enjoy this read. Remember to leave a comment below, and tell us what you think!
D.R
Editor and Curator of
Dusk & Rubies
Synopsis: Sissy a bored house-wife, who is anything but boring, finds herself stuck. Stuck in the deep-south; stuck with a husband who finds her sexually irrelevant; stuck in a community that is extremely religious- something she is not, and stuck in the type of heat that makes it ironically impossible to move. The reader is introduced to Sissy as she sits out on her porch, that faces the town's church, as she tries to find a cool place of recluse. Wearing barely nothing she begins to fantasize about the one who got away, and the life that she never lived. She notices the man who is repairing the telephone pole across the street, and notices how his pants have that "shrink to fit" look- he reminds of her lost high school sweetheart, Parker Davidson....until she realises it is Parker Davidson, and he looks good.
With a quick witted heroine who states one-liners like: A smart girl makes a man sweat, and A man will believe anything as long as it's convenient for him, and a setting of a small, southern town where everyone knows everything about everyone you can imagine the trouble Sissy encounters.
This book is for: the woman who is looking for: sizzle, sparks, scandal, and a strong female lead in their beach read this book will be perfect for you.
Pace: fast paced, and never drags. The book is broken into chapters and three parts. Each part seems to up the ante!
1-10 Recommendation: 8, I would highly recommend this book, because there were parts that I didn't see coming! (And that happens rarely)
I hope you enjoy this read. Remember to leave a comment below, and tell us what you think!
D.R
Editor and Curator of
Dusk & Rubies
CONTINUE READING
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