Book Review: Friday Mornings at Nine by Marilyn Brant

Friday Mornings at Nine by Marilyn Brant

I needed a light read for the summer so I suggested this book as a possible title for book group. It had been sitting on my bookshelf unread for so long that it was about time. I received this book a couple years ago through the Early Readers program at Library Thing. Was really excited to get it back then, having just read Brant's debut novel, According to Jane and really enjoying it. I blame the new babe for making me so late in reading and reviewing it. :)

Anyway, I was glad my book group decided to go with this book despite their inability to find it at the library. Anyone know how to go about requesting copies not in a library's collection?

This may be the fastest I have finished a book for book group so far. I was really intrigued by these three ladies contemplating cheating on their husbands. Each one had a different reason, different problems at home that contributed to their thoughts of infidelity. I found it interesting how the choices they made early on in their relationships affected their behaviors twenty years later. I couldn't help trying to figure out who of the three or if any would go through with it while reading.

The ladies and their familial dilemmas were very interesting and entertaining but their friendship left something to be desired. Their relationships with each other lacked intimacy, candor and believable friendship. They felt more like acquaintances, which made it hard for me to understand why the three of them, with very little in common besides troubled marriages, would get together every week for coffee.  It seemed more a chore and something they dreaded rather than something they looked forward to. 

Thankfully, this issue seemed to resolve itself before the end of the book. As their problems at home were rectified, so to was their friendship. They seemed to become closer once they were able to open up and share and get each others support.

Good book. Would recommend to any other book group looking for a light read but with some good topics to discuss with friends and good wine.

Source: Library Thing Early Reviewers


_________________________________________

FTC Disclosure: Clicking on book title and/or image links will lead you to my Amazon Affiliate page.

Pantone® Colors

Pantone Colors
I got the little girl this cool book since she is beginning to learn the names of colors. Since she has started using crayons and markers more lately, she has also started matching items by their colors and naming some of them. 

This book is great! It has beautiful, bright colors and big pictures and large letters, easy to trace with a finger. I absolutely love the page with all the different shades of the color featured and the different names they have given them.  She loves the very last page that has some of those names drawn: ice pop orange, monster purple, caterpillar green, etc.
It's a board book, which will handle some hard use. This is great for toddlers and older kids.
Source: purchased


_________________________________________

Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes

Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes

Cathy Bailey is a prisoner in her own home and to her own fear. She is unable to leave her home without going through numerous obsessive compulsive checks to make sure her place is secure and to help make her feel safe. She is always in complete terror that her ex boyfriend will find her.

Is her fear real? Would her new friends and therapists believe her this time?None of her old friends believed that Lee, the handsome, charming, lucky-to-have boyfriend, was capable of the things she accused him of.

This book had me checking my doors more than once. There are no vampires or werewolves in this story but this was much scarier than any other book I have read in awhile. Nothing is more scary than something that can truly happen. And this obsessive, manipulative and abusive man is the scariest.

There have been a lot of great reviews of Into the Darkest Corner and has been on many lists for good beach reads. Not sure I would consider this a beach read, but it definitely deserves to be on your must-read book list.

Source: Publisher for review

You will find more information on the book and Elizabeth Haynes here:
Website
Twitter
Facebook

Check out more reviews from the Book Tour here.

________________________________________

The Standalong: Halfway through

I have finally made it to the halfway point. Wow! What a book. Even when I am not reading I get reminded of it: When someone sneezes, when we were driving through the Lincoln Tunnel leaving NYC,when I start coughing! Ack!
So here's how it is going so far:
1. How does The Stand compare to your initial thoughts on the book?I knew what to expect going in having seen the tv movie and also being a fan of Stephen King and his style of writing. This is much better than the movie.

2. Characters you love so far? Characters you want to kick in the shins? Nick (I keep picturing Rob Lowe) and Frannie (she's the only strong female character so far) are my favorites so far. Can't stand Harold. What an annoying and creepy guy.

3. Most cringe worthy moment?The Lincoln tunnel especially realizing how long it was after driving through myself. Also, Rita dead in the tent. Actually, Larry wearing the clothes he pulls out and them smelling of death. Ick.

4. Any predictions for the second half? (no spoilers if you're past there!)More of the same. I have seen the movie. I know what happens._________________________________________

Book Review: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Two aging magicians (or illusionists) use the Night Circus as a venue to pit their young students against each other. During their quest to show off their magical skills and up the other, Celia and Marco fall in love and try to find a way to end their duel amiably and without it hurting the Circus and the people within it. 

I fell in love with this book from the very beginning. The first description of the Night Circus made me want to jump right into the book so I could walk in through the magically lit gates and wander the tents. This is going to be made into a movie, right? I can't wait to see these places brought to life. This is a magical love story that dragged me in and I really didn't want to leave it. I am so glad I finally got to read it.

This was a great book for discussion during our Book Group. Most of us loved it, but some had issues with the love story- feeling it wasn't believable. 

Source: purchased

_________________________________________