Bad Guys

Bad Guys by Linwood Barclay

I liked this book better than the first installment, "Bad Move."  I'm starting to enjoy the characters and this series reminds me of the Janet Evanovich series, but with a male lead. I definitely think Barclay is a talented writer. I look forward to reading the next one on my list!

The 12 Secrets of Highly Successful Women

The 12 Secrets of Highly Successful Women: A Portable Life Coach for Creative Women by Gail McMeekin

I consider myself both creative and successful. To that end, this book provides solid, inspiring information. I wouldn't use the term "secrets," because they are basic guidelines. Aside from that, I enjoyed the portraits of other women and how success is defined by different individuals. My definition of success is my own, it really has to be personal.

One part of the book really applied to me. Having too many ideas! I spend more time sorting through my ideas and trying to make them all perfect, instead of picking the idea I'm most passionate about and running with it.

McMeekin is a skilled coach, and her book helps guide the reader through her own journey to success.

A good read!

MWF Seeking BFF

MWF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search for a New Best Friend by Rachel Bertsche

This book is not worth the time it takes to read. I was bored from chapter 1. It was a challenge to even finish. 

Bertsche writes of her search to find a new best friend in a new city. She portrays herself as extremely shallow and quite needy. I had a hard time imagining Bertsche as a married adult, as her writing reminded me of middle school drama. Juvenile thinking with a lack of personal insight, I could not relate to this book.

I was not surprised, in the least (spoiler alert) when she does not find a BFF at all. Shocking!

The Next Best Thing

The Next Best Thing by Kristan Higgins

I really enjoy Kristan Higgins. Her writing style is light and the stories are always engaging. I did not love the plot of this particular book, however. The main character lost her husband and she falls in love with his brother. I felt sorry for Ethan, as he is compared to his brother throughout the book, and not positively. Overall, it was a sweet story, I guess. But something about it really disturbed me. I felt like Ethan deserved better!

Seduction In Death

Seduction in Death by JD Robb

I am still very engaged in this series. I highly recommend it!

J Edger Hoover

J. Edger Hoover: The Man and the Secrets by Curt Gentry

For the political history reader--a detailed account of the life of J Edger Hoover. It is shocking how much power and influence one man had.

Gentry gives a comprehensive view of Hoover, as well as, a look at the shady side of politics.

This book is quite lengthy, but a definite recommend.

The Fault In Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

“The fault, dear Brutus is not in our stars, but in ourselves...” Shakespear’s Julius Caesar.

Amazing...I absolutely loved this book. When I initially read the description I thought this would be a sad story about a teenager with cancer with the bonus (typical) cliche of falling in love. I thought it would be soft, fuzzy and ultimately sub average. However, it came highly recommended and I am so glad I gave it a chance. This is a true character based story that few authors can produce. The fact that this is a YA novel should not deter the serious adult reader; it is filled, to the brim, with substance.

Hazel, the 16-year old main character is living with terminal cancer. In a cancer support group she meets Augustus Waters who is recovering from his bout with cancer. They “get” each other and start to build a relationship. It only took me a few pages to fall in love with these characters. I was emotionally attached and found it hard to stop reading. Green’s characters made me laugh, nod in agreement and cry. I loved the wittiness and the depth.

Green encourages the reader to evaluate their own outlook on life and on death. What a truly talented author--I am eager to read more by him. I highly recommend this one!

The Newlyweds

The Newlyweds by Nell Freudenberger

I finished this book...but it was a struggle. Hope led me to believe it would get better, but it never did. George's character was skeletal and Amina was not particularly engaging. The plot was sketchy and new kinks were constantly being thrown in with little explanation. And the ending...seriously?

Overall, I would not recommend this book.

Fight Back and Win

Fight Back and Win: My Thirty Year Fight Against Injustice--And How You Can Win Your Own Battles by Gloria Allred

The world needs more people like Gloria Allred! I enjoyed her memoir. She is a ferocious lawyer, willing to take a strong stance and not back down. She advocates for women and children, which are groups close to my heart! Her memoir reiterates the importance of standing for what is right.

I have, at times, thought that Allred is over the top, but overall I think she is on the side of justice.

Taken

Taken by Barbara Freethy

The plot sounds promising: A woman marries a man only to have him disappear on their wedding night. She finds out he isn't who he claimed to be. He had stolen another man's identity and that man is determined to find him. The two of them pair up in a quest to bring him to justice.

While the plot seemed interesting, after the first few chapters it was clearly a dud. The characters are shallow and weak. New characters are introduced, only to disappear in a few chapters. The main character, Kayla, is just awful. She is about to die and just says "Oh, my." The emotion is completely lacking. The plot turns into too many coincidences that don't add up.

This is just a really bad book. Not well written and not interesting, at all. I recommend skipping it!