Thursday, June 24, 2010

Summer is the time for chick lit!

I haven't been blogging, but I have been reading! Chick lit has been one of my favorite reading genres for quite some time now, but my favorite season to read chick lit is by far the summer! Wouldn't you agree? I do not think it is any coincidence that many modern literature authors for women release their new titles in the summer! ;)

Despite my busy June I have somehow fit in some reading time. In June I finished Laura Bush's memoir, Spoken from the Heart; Emily Giffin's newest, Heart of the Matter and What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty.

I absolutely loved them all!

By now I'm sure you're familiar with my fascination with Laura Bush (if not, you must be new -- so welcome to ALPITC!) so when I found out she was doing a book signing in Kansas City there was no doubt in my mind I would be there!

It was fantastic and my only complaint is that we did not get a very good chance to take pictures or actually meet her. I really wish she would have done some sort of receiving line like they do at regular book signings, but I understand that she's a little different.... Maybe someday! It was interesting to see the Secret Service there and try to make them laugh. They're so serious!

I didn't learn very much about Laura that I didn't already know, but it was nice to read it from her and hear her elaborate a bit more on the stories I already knew. I'm really glad she wrote this memoir and truly hope she writes another one someday. She's definitely an important role model in my life and someone I hope I can be more like!


There isn't a book by Emily Giffin that I don't love so I've been waiting for what seems like forever for Heart of the Matter to come out. I was green with envy when my good friend Lesli got an advance reader copy! :)
This book did not disappoint. It was typical Emily Giffin fashion in that it was chick lit with a very controversial plot and characters that make it hard to choose sides. Throughout the entire book I kept flip flopping between who's side I was on and how I wanted it to end. When I did get to the end I felt very satisfied and knew that the ending was right.
Another thing that came as a big (and lovely) surprise was that Rachel and Dex from Something Borrowed and Something Blue made a cameo! It was nice to hear a little about those characters and even a tid bit about Darcy! Something Borrowed has been a favorite of mine for a years now and one of the only books I have ever re-read!



I first read about What Alice Forgot by Liane Moriarty on Chick Lit Reviews and News, which btw is one of my favorite book blogs! The blog features many books that aren't available in the US and this book was no different... After reading the review I knew I had to read it as soon as possible, but it wasn't available in the US... so I headed over to The Book Depository where they have FREE shipping anywhere in the world and ordered it right away. It was the first time I used this website and was very pleased! I will definitely be ordering from them again. It didn't cost anymore than ordering on Amazon (probably less, actually) and only took about a week and a half to arrive.
This book is about a 39 year old woman who loses 10 years of her memory and thinks she is 29 again. She wakes up and thinks it's 1998 and she's pregnant with her first child and happily married. Actually, it is 2008 and she has three children and is going through an ugly divorce. I don't want to spoil the book, so I won't go into too many details but it really highlights how much people change in as little as a few years. It really shows how we can lose sight of what is really important in life.
It really made me think about what happens in TEN YEARS. This was a good read for me because it reminded me that I do not have to be in a hurry. Just because I am now in my late 20s (and pushing 30 as my dad likes to say) does not mean my life is anywhere near over. There is so much more to look forward to and many memories to be made!
If you're a fan of Sophie Kinsella or Jane Green I think you will love this book! I'm definitely going to check out more of Liane Moriarty's work! Her writing is right up my alley and definitely great for summer reading.

Now, I am getting ready to start Jane Green's Promise's to Keep. I have already heard wonderful things about this book and get the feeling I will be done with it very, very soon!

Have you read any good books lately? What are you reading now?

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm enjoying Laura Bush's book! I don't have a ton of time to read right now, so I'm only on page 45, but I love it!

Lisa from Lisa's Yarns said...

I have been reading some light books by the author Richard Paul Evans this month. His books are light, easy reading which is perfect for a hot summer day!

Rich Life Revival said...

I haven't read any of these, but I think I may buy the second one you mentioned!

The last book I read was The 5 Love Languages...I may re-read that one - You're not only thinking of everyone else, but yourself as well - trying to figure out what your love language is. I liked it! I'm working through some relationships right now - so I think it's been helpful!

Kara said...

The last book I read what Heart of the Matter and I looooved it :) I just bought "Hope in a Jar" by Beth Harbison and I'm just waiting for the perfect evening to sit outside and start reading it. (It's too freaking hot outside in the afternoon!)

Jamie said...

I loved how Emily Giffin tied Dex and Darcy into her last book too :) She seems to have done that in a few of her books!

P said...

Oooh, "What Alice Forgot" just arrived through my letterbox today - very excited to read it. I love the Chick Lit Reviews website too, I'm active on a review site that one of the writers of it, Chloe, is also active on, which is how I first heard of it, and so now their site and also Trashionista, are my two favourite places for finding books.

Best books I've read recently have been "The Truth about Melody Browne" by Lisa Jewell (amazing author!, "Beautiful People" by Wendy Holden, and "Me and Miss M" by Jemma Forte.

Are you on Goodreads by the way?

Leigh Hutchens Burch said...

That book WHAT ALICE FORGOT reminds me of Sophie Kinsella's REMEMBER ME. A woman wakes up and has forgotten everything since her father died, three or four years prior. She finds that she is now wealthy, rich, married, and all Chanel-ed up!

It was a fun read, but not one of my ab-faves... though I did like the premise.

I think I'll check out ALICE!

Heather said...

I didnt know Emily Giffin came out with another book. In good time too! Im almost done with my book

Crazy Shenanigans-JMO said...

It sounds like you're getting some great summer reading done!

Shoshanah said...

What Alive Forgot sounds really interesting. It's too bad its not available in the US though

hiyaluv said...

Amber! Great book ideas! I have been looking for some reading materials and I will be sure to add these to my list!
smiles,
gina
ps-I {finally} added your blog to my blogroll. I could have sworn I already had! sorry about that luv. i did now so you will hear from me more often i promise:)

dawn said...

I love your website! I love to read too, maybe not as avidly as you, but I do!

Thanks for the great links!
Dawn