Part of the reason I started writing this blog was to share what I have read with someone…anyone… Before the Peace Corps I would read and talk books with my best friends Tim and Tiara. Tim and I worked together and during lunch we would walk and talk about the book we were reading. Tiara and I would talk about the books over chat or text. Moving to Mexico put a damper on that. I still chatted with them but I was reading so  much and so fast that they couldn’t keep up.  That and things changed…Tim didn’t have a two hour one way commute anymore and Tiara got married.

Recently I started a new job with a nonprofit that builds schools and libraries in third world countries. I am a complete believer in what we do and I am even more excited that a lot of my coworkers are readers! Finally I have more people to talk books with!! We even have a book club – that I of course took control of  🙂 This month we read Goldfinch which I wasn’t real excited about  but was glad to be “forced” to read.

Other than a few books most of the books I read this month were light romances/chic lit books.  I needed some fun easy reading after dealing with my mom’s death. Next month should be more diverse.

1. The Coming Woman
2. Private Vegas
3. Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake
4. Head Over Heels
5. Beauty Tempts the Beast

Black Diamond Jim by Mary Hughes – (Paranormal Romance) Not one of my favorites this month because it was a little hard to read. It was action packed and sexy though.

Head Over Heels by Lena Matthews – (Urban Fairytale) I was really impressed with this book. It’s based in San Francisco it captured some of it’s essence and flavor. It’s called “urban” because the main character was a black women and I think it represented black women well and didn’t harp on a lot of stereotypes. Fun fast read!

Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake by Sarah McLean – (Romance) Another fun fast read. I don’t read a lot of historical romances like this so I didn’t know what a rake was which is why I decided to read it. This book was not only funny it was inspiring. The main character steps outside of her comfort zone (what was expected from a woman of a certain class) in many ways and ends up with more than she thought.  Another great example of how taking risks can pay off!

Private Vegas by James Patterson – (Mystery) Private #8. I love this series and this one didn’t disappoint. Although this one doesn’t take you to exotic places it certainly takes you on a wild and crazy ride. If you think you have family drama read this book and you will certainly be grateful for what you have!

Beauty Tempts the Beast by Leslie Dicken – (Retelling Fairytales) I loved the story of Beauty and the Beast and this is a good retelling. Vivian is a strong woman running from a real monster and although the Beast tries to scare her off she is more afraid of where she came from. Another fun fast read…

Candy Houses by Shiloh Walker – (Retelling Fairytales) Another good new version of an old favorite. In this version Gretel really kicks ass and finds love along the way. Parts of this story are dark (it is a Grimm story) but it makes the story even more enjoyable.

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt – (Fiction) This book is a good book to use for book clubs since most people are so divided about it.  It’s won several awards and I thought it was interesting in a lot of places but I thought it was TOO long! In general I don’t like over describing things and this books takes it to the limit. Instead of saying, “the room was cluttered and full of stuff” it would talk about the room for 4-5 pages and several times! This is probably the first time I have ever said this…I can’t wait for the movie (because it will take a lot less time to find out what happens).

Twice Tempted by a Rogue by Tessa Dare – (Romance) Another strong woman who does what she needs to do to take care of her family and in this case village. She doesn’t take the easy way out… Fun fast read

The Coming Woman by Karen Hicks – (Nonfiction) WOW! I loved this book! I read a review that said most people haven’t heard of Victoria Woodhull and that’s true but I don’t think it will be for long. This is an amazing story of a woman that fought for women’s rights.  Not just the right to vote but the right to love who they choose, the right to not be abused and the right to earn the same as men! Funny…its almost 150 years later and we are still fighting for the same rights! Although this is nonfiction its a fast and very interesting read. Victoria and her family are “characters” and this book has you turning pages to find out what they will do next.