REVIEW for the Man Diet

Thank you to Avon books US for sending me a copy of this book.

TITLE:                 The Man Diet

AUTHOR:            Zoe Strimpel

GENRE:               How To

RATING:             3 Stars

I truly enjoy reading these types of books! as a matter of fact, one of my favorite books is "In Between Boyfriends" which was hilarious and had me laughing on the train in New York City (no easy task let me tell you).  So, when I was offered this book, I jumped on the occasion.

I rated this book a 3 stars because I wasn't quite sure what to make of the book.  This story is not really a book that helps you "find" the "one" but rather it is a book that encourages you to love yourself as much as the guy you are looking for (and ultimately) may find.

It is partly a rah-rah/cheerleader story about hope and never giving up, but it is also a rah-rah book about treating yourself well and never forgetting that you are important in ANY relationship.

While I love the premise of the book and I admire the way the author encourages woman to remember that they are unique and special, I was also a tad put off by some of the "advice" which reminded me a little bit of "the Rules".

I also thought this book was uncomfortably compared to a diet book (hence the title) with a bunch of dos and don't's which, in my opinion, was a tad too generalized - i.e. one size (excuse the pun) fits all.

Not a bad read, but it wasn't what I was hoping for.

IN MY MAILBOX for week ending February 4, 2012

Another week  has slipped by - bringing us that much closer to BEA LOL!

Here is what came in this week and I was extremely happy with all the wonderful items!


For my Kindle:

• White Girl Problems by Babe Walker;  Amazon
• In too Deep by Amanda Grace;   Amazon

From the publisher (for review):

• Bloodman from Robert Pobi 
SimonSchusterCanada

• These Girls by Sarah Pekkanen 
SimonSchusterCanada

• Devine Intervention by Martha Brockenbrough 
ScholasticCanada

• Choke by Diana Lopez 
ScholasticCanada

A huge shut out to my friend Cindy from Cindy's Love of Books for giving me some great magazines (as always!) and thanks for the company!

I have also been asked to review the following product (and I am excited because I love L'Oreal products):

L'Oreal Professionnel Paris Intense repair Shampoo AND masque for dry hair.

REVIEW for George & Hilly

Thank you to the wonderful Simon & Schuster for sending me this book.

TITLE:                   George & Hilly, The Anatomy of a Relationship

AUTHOR:              George Gurley

GENRE:                 Memoir

RATING:                4 Stars

Okay, I have to say that I loved this book for so many reasons.  Firstly, I loved the cover, it made me smile as I thought it was colorful and cute (it reminded me of a chick lit cover).

Secondly, I am a middle aged woman and I know how difficult it is to get into a relationship with someone who also has their own set of baggage (something I did not really have to confront when I was in my 20's).

I also loved the first first chapter of this book where George is on his way to the therapist, although he has no clue how or why he is doing it as he "does not want to get married".  This is just so typical of how guys think that I was hooked.

The entire book is a memoir and takes a closer look at George and Hilly's relationship who spend a lot of time dissecting their wants and needs, with the help of a therapist and we get to ride along for the entire trip.

I felt a bit like a voyeur and I loved it. I can't tell you how many times I thought "yep, that has happened to me" or "yes, I think like that".  Funny, realistic and a tad scary, this book is a must read for anyone who has ever wondered about a relationship and their role in it.

Loved, loved it.

BLOG TOUR for Waitlisted by Laurel Gans

I am not a huge fan of blog tours, however, having said that, I have been working with the wonderful Samantha over at http://chicklitplus.com/ on a few tours for 2012.

First up is the book Waitlisted by Lauren Gans!

 

TITLE:                 Waitlisted

AUTHOR:            Laurel Gans

GENRE:               Chick Lit (!!!!!)

RATING:             4 Stars
I got my Kindle a few months ago and have been roaming through Kindle books.  Interestingly enough, I had seen this one on Amazon.com, but, was hesitant to download it as I am a bit skeptical of  books that are only available as ebooks.  My experience, for the most part, has been that the books are not usually good.

Waitlisted is the exception to this rule.  I loved, loved this book.  As soon as I started reading it, I found myself completely entertained by the storyline. Kacey, the main character is a brain - in fact, she has gotten early placement in the coveted dentistry program!  now, all she has to do is coast along - except that things backfire when she learns that her average is no longer good enough to get her into school.  She can't tell her parents and it takes a few twists and turns before she can even admit it to her best friend, but eventually, she let's the cat out of the bag.

What follows is a hugely entertaining, hilarious and, at times, touching story about Kacey and self-discovery (or, should I say, everyone else figures their lives out, while Kacey still goes around, for the most part, clueless about who she is and where she fits in, although, for the most part, she is too clueless to even figure this out!). 

At times, I found myself hating Kacey - I mean if she was my BFF, I would have strangled her.  I haver never seem someone so self-centered.  But, at the same time, she was not mean or cruel, she simply has absolutely no self-awareness and this, of course, made for some completely comic situations.

I also loved the relationship between Kacey and her roommate, who arguably, is the exact opposite of Kacey in absolutely every way and turned out to be a very interesting character of her own.

One of the things I liked about Gans is that she fleshed out some of the secondary characters very well - which is not something you normally see in Chick lit.

Sure, some of the situations where a tad too "perfect" and, at times, I really did wonder how Kacey could remotely live on this planet and be so clueless, but I found this book so darn entertaining and fun, fun, fun that these were very, very minor glitches in an otherwise wonderful storyline.

I hope that Gans writes a second book in this series as I am dying to see how Kacey does in "dentistry" school.

IN MY MAILBOX for week ending January 28, 2012

Wow, the weeks are just going by so quickly!

This is what came to my house.


I did not get one book this week - but I got some wonderful freebies -


I received this great freebie from l'Occitane En Provence - its a 1 oz size and retails for $11.50 - totally free! - love, love free :)

I also purchased one box of Timothy's Coffee and received 2 boxes FREE - and I did not even have to pay for shipping.


I also received a purse size format of lip balm/care from Aveeno.  

REVIEW for Bittersweet

Thank you, thank you Simon & Schuster Canada for sending me a copy of this book.

TITLE:        Bittersweet

AUTHOR:   Sarah Ockler

GENRE:      YA

RATING:    4 Stars

Okay, I usually like my YA to be either gut wrenching, i.e. social issues such as addiction OR light and airy, chick litty stuff.  Bittersweet falls somewhere in between these two types, which is interesting.

Having said that, I loved Bittersweet, in part because it focuses on figure skating, which I have always loved and followed quite alot about 15 years ago.

Our main character Hudson is a figure skater and she has potential.  However, she feels responsible for her parent's separation and ultimitely their divorce and through a series of self destructive moves, she pretty well gives up her skating dreams. 

This backstory (which occurs in real time) is actually quite well told by the author - which I am thankful for, considering how corny the whole dialogue could have been (its NOT!).  From the very second Hud's mon finds the mysterious bra to the moment where Hudson's dad leaves the family, you feel for the entire family!

As the story progresses, we see each member of the family desperately trying to rebuild their lives, one piece at a time and for Hud, this means, among other things, making cupcakes.  In fact this storyline is loaded with food references and made me want to eat cupcakes and more cupcakes - a nice touch!

As Hudson struggles to find her footing (both on and off the ice), we are treated to a touching and realistic story of what life can be for a family that is hit with betrayal.

Nicely told, the author gives us glimpses of what life can be if you have believe in hope and in love, even if you find them in the oddest places!

IN MY MAILBOX for week ending January 21, 2012

Another week is over. Here is what came into my house this week. There was a bunch of really great stuff!



From the publisher (for review):

• White Horse by Alex Adams Visit Simon&SchusterCanada!

• Paris, My Sweet by Amy Thomas Amazon

From Abebooks:

• It's Not about the Poms-Poms by Laura Vikmanis with Amy Sohn Amazon

• Capitol Murder by Phillip Margolin Amazon

• Gilded Lives, Fatal Voyage by Hugh Brewster (I will be reading lots of Titanic books this year!)Amazon

For my Kindle:

• Head over Heels by Rain Mitchell    Amazon
• Post it Note Diaries by Arthur Jones Visit site
• Albatross by Josie Bloss
Amazon

Also I received Another Piece of my Heart by Jane Green (win from Goodreads) Amazon


I also received this beautiful yoga mat from Kellogg's as a promotion related to their excellent cereal and health.  Beautiful!
http://www.facebook.com/Kelloggs




I also received a full size free sample mascara from the wonderful people at Rimmel.  http://www.rimmellondon.com/ca/en/landingpage/

REVIEW for Love & Leftovers

Once again, a big thank you goes out to Harper Collins Canada for sending me a copy of this book.

TITLE:              Love & Leftovers

AUTHOR:        Sarah Tregay

GENRE:           YA

RATING:          3 Stars


http://www.harpercollins.ca/books/Love-and-Leftovers-Sarah-Tregay?isbn=9780062023582&HCHP=TB_Love+and+Leftovers 

I have to start his review off by admitting that I am not a fan of free verse and this book is entirely free verse.

Having said that and in the spirit of challenging myself with versatility in my reading, I tried, once again, to enjoy this type of writing.

What I did love about this book:  Marcie - the main character is someone I enjoyed.  She is a YA, but is quite aware of who she is and what she needs and what she is looking for, although, of course, with her limited years of experience, she may not have chosen the best methods to get it!

This book is also honest - about sexuality and how it affects women as well as men. So, if you are someone who offends easily, don`t read this one - while it is not explicit, there is a focus on the subject matter.

I also liked the diversity between the main characters two love interests and how she works her way through it.

However, I still can`t quite get pass the free verse method which, to me, is toooooo slow.  I keep wanting to say 'oh, just say what you want to say and stop waxing poetic'. 

So, I have to rate this book a 3 star because I am just not the right target audience, but I bet that someone who enjoys this format would rate this storyline much higher.

REVIEW for Kiss, Crush, Collide

A huge Merci to Harper Collins Canada for sending me this book.

TITLE:                Kiss, Crush, Collide

AUTHOR:          Christina Meredith

GENRE:              YA

RATING:            3 Stars

http://www.harpercollins.ca/books/Kiss-Crush-Collide-Christina-Meredith?isbn=9780062062246&HCHP=TB_Kiss+Crush+Collide

First off, I have to say that I loved this cover.  It felt sexy and romantic to me at the same time. I was really looking forward to reading the storyline.

Basically, this book is about Leah and her family.  On some level, I felt as though I was reading an updated version of Cinderella.  With Leah being the youngest and the one always somehow trailing behind her sisters.  She meets her 'prince' or does she?

I liked the basic premise, but to be perfectly honest, I found the storyline a little slow paced.  I wanted it to move ahead, to give me some drama, but it somehow felt as though it never really got off the ground.  

I have to admit that I like my stories to move way faster than this, which means that I lost interest in the story and the characters fairly quickly.

This was not horrible, it just wans`t grabbing me at all.

IN MY MAILBOX - for week ending January 14, 2012

I am extremely excited by all of these books!  What a great way to ring in 2012.  For those who have asked if I could link to the books, I am currently working on this.  However, since I am a techno dumb dumb, its taking longer than it should, please bear with me :)


From the publisher:

• Dollars & Uncommon Sense by Steve Repak, CFP 
•  Lovertorn by Kavita Daswani
• The Pregnancy Project by Gaby Rodriguez

• From the bookstore (used and new):

• Faking Faith by Josie Bloss
•  Infected by Scott Seigler