Bookopolis: early birds blog tour

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Friday, June 12, 2009

Early Birds Blog Tour: Secrets to Happiness by Sarah Dunn

Secrets to Happiness by Sarah Dunn [click HERE to browse inside]

Published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group

Publisher's description of the book:

Holly Frick has just endured the worst kind of breakup: the kind where you're still in love with the person leaving you. While her wounds are still dangerously close to the surface, her happily married best friend confesses over a bottle of wine that she is this close to having an affair. And another woman comes to Holly for advice about her love life--with Holly's ex!

Holly decides that if everyone around her can take pleasure wherever they find it, so will she. As any self-respecting 30ish New York woman would do, she brings two males into her life: a flawed but endearing dog, and a good natured, much younger lover. She's soon entangled in a web of emails, chance meetings, and misguided good intentions and must forge an entirely new path to Nirvana.

My review:

Secrets to Happiness is an interesting book that fluctuates between the discussion of superficial subject matters and deeper issues. The inclusion of more profound topics such as religion and fidelity is what really kept my interest and enhanced the overall reading experience. Although I didn't find any of the main characters particularly likeable, I still had to know what would happen to them next (despite being frustrated by their poor choices!).

This book provides an interesting look at relationships and explores them through the eyes of very different characters who ultimately just want to be happy. It was interesting to see how the plot unfolds and to read about how the characters respond when provoked and challenged.

Although the storyline didn't follow the progression that I had expected or even wanted it to, I felt satisfied in knowing that even the most shallow of characters gained some insight in the end. This book may not be for everyone, however for me, its concluding message makes it a really worthwhile read.

Author Bio:

Sarah Dunn has moved from Los Angeles to New York five times, and from New York back to Los Angeles four times, which means, at the moment, she is happily residing in New York. Her first novel, The Big Love, has been translated into 23 languages.

Check out Sarah Dunn's Books for Bed Rest and Rainy Afternoons !

BIG THANKS to Miriam for organizing this fun tour and for sending along my review copy.

Here are the wonderful blogs who are also participating in this tour:

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Early Birds Blog Tour: Mating Rituals of the North American WASP by Lauren Lipton

Mating Rituals of the North American WASP by Lauren Lipton

Published by 5-SPOT, a division of Hachette Book Group

Publisher's description of the book:

After arguing with her live-in boyfriend about his inability to commit, Peggy Adams flies to a friend's bachelorette party in Las Vegas, and wakes up next to a man she can't remember. Hung-over and miserable, she sneaks out of the sleeping man's hotel room and returns home to New York, where her boyfriend apologizes for the fight and gives her a Tiffany box containing a pre-engagement ring. Not what she expected, but close enough! The next day she receives a phone call from the Las Vegas one-night stand, Luke, claiming she's already married to him¬-and he faxes her the license for proof! Both are ready for an annulment, until Peggy arrives in quaint New Nineveh, CT, where Luke cares for his Great Aunt, and the old woman makes Peggy an offer she can't refuse.

My review:

This book satisfies all the criteria for a great beach read: light, funny and a satisfying ending despite its predictability. I really liked reading about the world of "WASPs" and the challenges Peggy faces when trying to fit in with them. It was almost like reading about a completely different culture, with the specific clothing, behavior and "mating rituals".

Eventually Peggy's New York City life during the week starts to collide with her Conneticut weekend life and of course things get complicated. Life never turns out as we expect it to and in this book a chance enounter proves to be a life-altering experience. Though the plot is pretty unrealistic, it's still fun to read about what's going to happen next.

About the author:

Lauren Lipton is a journalist who specializes in lifestyle, business, fashion, and trend stories. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Conde Nast Portfolio, In Style Weddings, Martha Stewart Weddings, Forbes Woman, Glamour, Marie Claire, and on National Public Radio's All Things Considered. She lives in New York City and in Litchfield County, Connecticut.

Check out the Lauren Lipton Fans facebook group

BIG THANKS to Miriam for arranging this wonderful tour and Hachette for my review copy.

There are many other wonderful blogs featuring reviews today of this book as part of the Early Birds Blog Tours:

http://thereviewfromhere.wordpress.com/

http://librarygirlreads.blogspot.com/

http://hiddenplace.wordpress.com/

http://kylees2009.blogspot.com/

http://www.devourerofbooks.com/

http://burtonreview.blogspot.com/

http://carolsnotebook.wordpress.com/

http://www.foreigncircuslibrary.blogspot.com/

http://www.xanga.com/bravehsgirl

http://books-movieschinesefood.blogspot.com/

http://inbedwithbooks.blogspot.com/

http://www.bookconfessions.com/

http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/

http://www.readingwithmonie.com/

http://www.sheistoofondofbooks.com/

http://2kidsandtiredbooks.blogspot.com/

http://www.squidoo.com/bookbin

http://www.acircleofbooks.com/

http://www.myspace.com/darbyscloset

http://www.thisbookforfree.com/

http://dreyslibrary.blogspot.com/

http://cindysloveofbooks.blogspot.com/

http://lastexilewords.blogspot.com/

http://unmainstreammomreads.blogspot.com/

http://martasmeanderings.blogspot.com/

http://www.bermudaonion.wordpress.com/

http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/

http://abookbloggersdiary.blogspot.com/

http://bookingmama.blogspot.com/

http://bookslovejessicmarie.blogspot.com/

http://www.thenovelbookworm.com/

http://proudbookworm.blogspot.com/

http://kayespenguinposts.blogspot.com/

http://booksiesblog.blogspot.com/

http://epicrat.blogspot.com/

http://cafeofdreams.blogspot.com/

http://purplg8r-somanybooks.blogspot.com/

http://luanne-abookwormsworld.blogspot.com/

http://www.thebookzombie.com/

http://thetometraveller.blogspot.com/

http://www.myfriendamysblog.com/

http://www.linussblanket.com/

http://donnasbookreviews.blogspot.com/

http://www.skrishnasbooks.com/

http://www.morbid-romantic.net/

http://www.writeforareader.blogspot.com/

http://www.brimfulcuriosities.com/

http://mindingspot.blogspot.com/

http://diaryofaneccentric.blogspot.com/

http://savvyverseandwit.blogspot.com/

http://danys-san.blogspot.com/

http://www.iheartmonster.com/

http://debbiesworld.wordpress.com/

http://www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com/

http://ebogie.blogspot.com/

Monday, April 27, 2009

Early Birds Blog Tour: Follow Me by Joanna Scott

Follow Me by Joanna Scott [browse inside]

Published by Little, Brown and Company , a division of Hachette Book Group

Publisher's description of the book:

On a summer day in 1946 Sally Werner, the precocious young daughter of hardscrabble Pennsylvania farmers, secretly accepts her cousin's invitation to ride his new motorcycle. Like so much of what follows in Sally's life, it's an impulsive decision with dramatic and far-reaching consequences. Soon she abandons her home to begin a daring journey of self-creation, the truth of which she entrusts only with her granddaughter and namesake, six decades later. But when young Sally's father--a man she has never known--enters her life and offers another story altogether, she must uncover the truth of her grandmother's secret history.

My review: To be posted

Unfortunately due to a postal service mix-up this book was sent back to the publishers. Because of this, I still haven't received the book and therefore could not write a review in time for the blog tour. However, as soon as I receive the book and read it, my review will definitely be posted!

Here is a great review of Follow Me from the Los Angeles Times to read in the meantime

About

the author:

Joanna Scott is the author of nine books, including The Manikin, which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize; Various Antidotes and Arrogance, which were both finalists for the PEN/Faulkner Award; and the critically acclaimed Make Believe, Tourmaline, and Liberation. A recipient of a MacArthur Fellowship, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and a Lannan Award, she lives with her family in upstate New York.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Month-Long Book Tour: My Little Red Book by Rachel Kauder Nalebuff

"My Little Red Book" by Rachel Kauder Nalebuff

Published by Twelve, a division of Hachette Book Group

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher's description:

"MY LITTLE RED BOOK is an anthology of stories about first periods, collected from women of all ages from around the world. The accounts range from light-hearted (the editor got hers while water skiing in a yellow bathing suit) to heart-stopping (a first period discovered just as one girl was about to be strip-searched by the Nazis). The contributors include well-known women writers (Meg Cabot, Erica Jong, Gloria Steinem, Cecily von Ziegesar), alongside today's teens. And while the authors differ in race, faith, or cultural background, their stories share a common bond: they are all accessible, deeply honest, and highly informative. Whatever a girl experiences or expects, she'll find stories that speak to her thoughts and feelings.

Ultimately, MY LITTLE RED BOOK is more than a collection of stories. It is a call for a change in attitude, for a new way of seeing periods. In a time when the taboo around menstruation seems to be one of the few left standing, it makes a difficult subject easier to talk about, and helps girls feel proud instead of embarrassed or ashamed. By revealing what it feels like to undergo this experience first hand, and giving women the chance to explain their feelings in their own words, it aims to provide support, entertainment, and a starting point for discussion for mothers and daughters everywhere. It is a book every girl should have. Period."

My opinion:

I think the idea for this book is so ingenious. It is the kind of book that women of all ages, cultures, religions and backgrounds can relate to and from its pages reap wisdom and guidance. More importantly though, My Little Red Book unites women in its message that no matter how different each and every one of us is, we share a common bond. It tells girls that what they're going through is normal and literally happens to all women and that having your period is nothing to be ashamed of but rather should be embraced and celebrated. That is why there is no better book to celebrate Women's History Month!

The stories represent women of all backgrounds and even reveal customs about menstruation from different cultures and eras that I hadn't even heard of until reading about them in the book. Many of them are funny, others are sad, and some are thought-provoking. No matter what emotion they elicit, they are all powerful representations of girls and women all over who have all had that memorable first period. This is the type of book that can be re-read over and over again for generations to come.

As if putting this book together wasn't impressive enough, Rachel Kauder Nalebuff has also decided to donate the proceeds of My Little Red Book to women’s health charities to ensure that the book can help other girls in need, beyond those who read its contents! This truly is the perfect gift , especially for a girl who has just gotten her first period!

About the author:

Rachel Kauder Nalebuff was initially embarrassed by her first period, but the power of these recollections has rubbed off. She has come to embrace her own story (and has even used it as a conversation starter). Because she talked about periods...let’s just say more than once a month, it was inevitable that she would go down in her high school's history as "the period girl." She is absolutely cool with that.

Rachel is on a gap year before heading to Yale. In her free time, she plays guitar, rides/falls off her unicycle, and indulges in late-night pie baking with friends. My Little Red Book is her first published work.

Have questions? Send Rachel an email

Here are the other blogs participating in this month-long My Little Red Book Tour:

She Reads and Reads
Marta's Meanderings
Confessions of a Romance Book Addict
Write for a Reader
Reading With Monie
Marjolein Reviews
Worducopia
The Review From Here
Zensanity
Scribe Vibe
Cafe of Dreams
Carol's Notebook
Ms. Bookish
B & b ex libris
Brimful Curiosities
Cindy's Love of Books
Books in Every Room
Seaside Book Worm Blogger
Books Ahoy!
At Home With Books
The Reading Room
Book Bargains and Previews
Wendy's Minding Spot
The Epic Rat

BIG THANKS to Hachette Book Group for my review copy and Anna for organizing this great tour!

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Love and Other Natural Disasters by Holly Shumas

BIG THANKS to Miriam of Hachette Book Group for sending me this book to review and for organizing this great book tour!

"Love and Other Natural Disasters" by Holly Shumas

Published by 5-Spot, a division of Hachette Book Group

Book description from publisher's website:

Eve is eight months pregnant and in the middle of a Thanksgiving celebration when she discovers that her husband Jonathan has developed an intimate relationship with a woman over the past year. Jonathon asserts his innocence (an affair involves physical intimacy, and he didn't have any), while Eve feels deeply betrayed by the emotional connection he shared with someone else. What Jon has done seems so terrifyingly out of character that Eve finds herself questioning her entire reality. Did she ever really know Jon at all? Was their happiness together a lie? Is emotional intimacy more forgivable than sexual intimacy? And can their marriage survive?

My opinion:

What really intrigued me about this book was the subject matter itself. We see and read so much about affairs in books, movies and the media but they are always the physical and sexual kind. Holly Shumas, being a practicing family and marriage therapist, has the perfect amount of insight in order to write about an emotional affair. It is an often overlooked topic and I think she handled it in a very respectful and thoughtful way, being careful not to assign too much blame to either spouse.

This book is not a light read but it was an enjoyable one in the sense that it made me think a lot and question the characters' decisions, while simultaneously contemplating what I would have done instead. At times I felt frustrated by the roller coaster of emotions Eve endured but ultimately I think she learned a lot about herself as a person. One of the important messages I will take away with me from this story is that we need to first know and love ourselves before we can commit to someone else, which Jon and Eve struggled with at first.

I like Holly Shumas' down to earth writing style, as well as the comic relief infused throughout the novel to lessen the load of such an emotionally charged topic. I look forward to reading her first book, "Five Things I Can't Live Without"!

Friday, December 5, 2008

Flirting with Forty by Jane Porter

BIG THANKS to Miriam and Hachette Book Group for sending me this book to review!

Flirting with Forty by Jane Porter

Published by 5 Spot, a division of Hachette Book Group

About the book: He got the second home and the Porsche. She got the kids and a broken heart. Now Jackie, post-divorce and heading toward the big four-oh, is on vacation in sunny Hawaii and staring down her upcoming birthday-alone. But not for long. She's soon falling for Kai, her gorgeous, much younger surf instructor, and the wild passionate fling they have becomes the biggest surprise of Jackie's life.Back home in Seattle, Jackie has to struggle with single parenthood...and memories of Kai. He hasn't forgotten her. Yet thousands of miles of ocean-not to mention an age difference that feels even wider-separate them. And, of course, her friends disapprove. When a choice must be made, can she, will she risk everything for her chance at happiness?

What I think: This book was an incredibly fast read for me. I would describe it as the ideal beach read because it is light and fun, plus half of the book does take place in Hawaii! As I was reading the book, I could easily envision Jackie and her irrational and yet powerful feelings for Kai. Jane’s writing style made Jackie’s character seem incredibly real and I found myself rooting for her until the very end.

My only real issue with this book is the ending itself. I don’t want to give anything away but I just didn’t find the book’s conclusion sufficiently realistic.

Nonetheless, I found Flirting with Forty is a fun and breezy read. I look forward to delving into the other books by Jane Porter in the future!

Flirting with Forty has been made into a Lifetime movie that will air December 6th at 9 PM/8c starring Heather Locklear and Robert Buckley. This seems like perfect casting to me and I really can’t wait to see the movie. This is the type of book that I anticipate will translate very well into film! The trailer also makes it look really good...........check it out!

Be sure to visit the other stops on The Early Birds Blog Tour of Flirting with Forty:

At Home With Books, My Friend Amy, Bermudaonion's Weblog, Book Critiques, Sharon Loves Books and Cats, The Tome Traveller's Weblog, The Printed Page, A Bookworm's World, Books, Movies, and Chinese Food, Allison's Attic, S. Krishna's Books, Literarily, Booking Mama, Cheryl's Book Nook, Cindy's Love of Books, Books By TJ Baff, B&b Ex Libris, Marjolein Book Blog, A Novel Menagerie, Wendi's Book Corner, The Book Czar, The Book Girl, A Circle of Books, Books In Every Room, A Blog of Books for You, Book Ahoy!, Enroute to Life

Bookopolis

Friday, June 12, 2009

Early Birds Blog Tour: Secrets to Happiness by Sarah Dunn

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Early Birds Blog Tour: Mating Rituals of the North American WASP by Lauren Lipton

Monday, April 27, 2009

Early Birds Blog Tour: Follow Me by Joanna Scott

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Month-Long Book Tour: My Little Red Book by Rachel Kauder Nalebuff

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Love and Other Natural Disasters by Holly Shumas

Friday, December 5, 2008

Flirting with Forty by Jane Porter

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