A few years ago when I first started this whole writing novels gig, I was lucky enough to stumble across a Facebook group of like-minded, mostly struggling, but incredibly fun authors of the *gasp* Chick-Lit genre. I say *gasp* because it seems to me that Chick-lit or Rom Com novels can be some of the most underrated and stigmatized books out there. Many people don't see them as "literature" or "real" novels, simply because they are lighthearted and often portraying predictable tropes. Myself included. Well...Past Me anyway. Full Disclosure: I wasn't always a fan of Chick-lit. In fact, I might have even considered myself one of the nay-sayers, claiming it wasn't real art. I thought it was mindless fluff with no real value to a reader. Okay, I was a bit of a book snob.... But after I started writing in this genre, I realized how much fun I could…
How NOT to Review Books
For all of you who need a guideline to reviewing books... https://youtu.be/QPZLXdB15Gs
Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows
*****4.5 stars for this unexpected delight of a story. I don't read erotic books. I don't read stories with pictures of half-naked men on the cover. I steer clear of anything that seems to be mainly about sex. It's not that I'm a prude, it's the fact that a certain ridiculously popular book for middle aged women featuring an abusive man that everyone swooned over because he was rich kind of ruined my view of any erotic books. Still, this was a Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick and I love most of what the book club picks. I was hesitant that the book would be all erotic stories, but I was pleasantly surprised. There was not too many and for the most part, they were tastefully done. (There was one or two that I completely skimmed over...mostly because I was on the beach and the kids were trying to read…
Books to Read in April 2019
Yes! It's April! (Or it will be next week, anyway...) I'm so excited to share my books to read in April list with you guys! April means flowers are blooming and spring is straggling to its feet. It means warmer days and longer nights. And spring cleaning! Is there anything better than spring cleaning? Okay, maybe spring cleaning isn't the best (unless you're Marie Kondo), but spring is a great time to start anew...new wardrobe, clean environment, and a better you. Last Year, I Did a "Better Me" Project on My Blog in April I set precepts every day to follow on my quest to be a "better me". April seemed like the perfect time to be reborn, so to speak. So in keeping with that idea.... My Theme for Books to Read in April is...Self-Help Books I hear you groaning from over there. Believe me, I get it. Until…
The Best Books of Winter 2019
It happened! The other day it was so beautiful and warm out that I got to wear OPEN-TOE SHOES! I can't tell you how happy I was about that. But alas, the joy was short-lived. A thunderstorm erupted, causing the temperatures to plummet the next day. Oh well. At least it won't be too long till winter is over, right? As far as I'm concerned, the only good thing about winter is reading, so that's why I'd like to share the best books of Winter 2019 with you guys. In actuality, I haven't had much time to read at all this winter, much to my dismay. And what's more, I haven't given any of the books I read 5 stars at all. Sure, a couple of them came close, like The Rosie Project and The Perfect Mother, but none of them felt completely deserving of those elusive 5 stars. I'm…
Books to Read in March
March is here! Which means spring is around the corner and this dreary winter is behind us...almost. Except for this darn storm that's coming tonight. Speaking of storms, my list of books to read in March came about in a bit of an odd way... I was in the grocery store during our only Snow Day from school. The place was practically empty, so I was able to finally browse the table of discounted books that's usually right in the middle of everyone's way. (I hate blocking up cart traffic in the store, so I don't usually stop to look.) The books are mostly unknown authors (with an occasional bestseller thrown in), so I really was hoping to find a book by an unknown in hopes to discover a new author I like... Well, I Was in Luck...(It Must Be That Irish Luck) I found not one, not two, not three, but…
Books to Read in February
I managed to actually complete my Books To Read in January list before the end of the month and then some! The winter months are great for curling up with a book and a cup of tea (or wine...or whatever floats your boat). That's about all the winter months are good for as far as this warm weather lover is concerned. Some people are skiing and snowboarding and enjoying the fact that the cold hurts their face---my dog is the prime example of this. No, he doesn't ski, but to get him to come inside during the winter months requires begging and lots of treats. He LOVES the frozen air. Meanwhile, I'm dreaming of sandy beaches and margaritas on the back porch as I compile my list of the books to read in February. My challenge of books to read in February: Historical fiction A suspenseful thriller A non-fiction book A chick-lit/rom-com…
Books to Read in January
Next week we're kicking 2018 to the curb and welcoming 2019 with open arms. This weekend, most of us are hoping that next year will be better than the last, making resolutions (and giving them up by January 3rd), and planning New Year's Eve appetizers. But for the book lovers like me, we are focused on our TBR pile for 2019. Or at least, books to read in January. We've read a lot of great books in 2018 and we are looking forward to 2019 being even better. My TBR Pile is Actually Taller Than Me But that doesn't stop me from adding to it (via a tiny step stool). I have ADHD only when it comes to my books to be read list. I completely ignore the fact that I have more than enough books to read---I see a new one and gasp. Too bad I can't get a job where all…
The 6 Best Books of 2018
The year is rapidly coming to a close. It's hard to believe that in a little over two weeks we will be ushering in 2019. I have always loved New Year's Eve as a time to reflect on the past year---put aside mistakes and regrets and vow to be a better person the next year. But I also love to look back on what's happened during the year like notable events and books that I've read. This year, I'd love to share what I thought were the 6 Best Books of 2018. And my goodness, what a year for books. It was definitely difficult to narrow it down to only 6 best books of 2018. *In compiling the list of the 6 Best Books of 2018, I did not include any of the books I wrote about in The 5 Best Books of Summer 2018. If you'd like to check them…