Book Review: Spin by Catherine McKenzie

Book: Spin - Catherine McKenzie


Publishing Date: February 7, 2012


Read from January 17 to February 1, 2012


Genre: Adult Fiction, Chick-Lit, Contemporary


Goodreads Summary: 


Katie Sandford has just gotten an interview at her favourite music magazine, The Line. It's the chance of a lifetime. So what does she do? Goes out to celebrate - and shows up still drunk at the interview. No surprise, she doesn't get the job, but the folks at The Line think she might be perfect for another assignment for their sister gossip rag. All Katie has to do is follow It Girl Amber Sheppard into rehab. If she can get the inside scoop (and complete the 30-day program without getting kicked out), they'll reconsider her for the job at The Line.

Katie takes the job. But things get complicated when real friendships develop, a cute celebrity handler named Henry gets involved, and Katie begins to realize she may be in rehab for a reason. Katie has to make a decision -- is publishing the article worth everything she has to lose?

My View: 

Spin is about Kate. Or Katie. Whichever. She is a thirty something slacker who suffers from a drinking problem, not that she aware of it. All she want is her dream job at the music magazine, The Line but she gets hammered the night before her interview and losses her chance. The next few weeks goes in a blur with sulking, wine and television. 

Next thing she knows, she gets a call back from The Line and they want her for a special assignment. She has to go undercover and spy on "the" Hollywood scarlet, Amber Shepard in rehab. Katie is ready to do anything for her dream job or so she thinks. 

I was highly surprised by the book. The book was witty, fresh and had some incredible characters. The book could have gone all serious on us but it doesn't. It's a lighthearted, fast paced and a very funny read. 

The character of Katie is hilarious. She is smart, funny and hopeless. If you're looking for a flawed character look no further, Katie is a epitome of it. Even with the lying, scheming and drinking; she is still a very likable character.

The Good:

• The book is incredibily funny. I laughed out loud on many occasions. 
• I really liked Katie. She is convinced she doesn't have a drinking problem and so her interactions and reactions with people in rehab are entertaining and funny.
• I loved Katie interactions with Saundra, the therapist.
• Music! I loved the music aspect of the book. The references of artists and songs. It actually made me fell is love with "Black Horse and The Cherry Tree" all over again. 
• The book has a array of very interesting characters. I liked Amber, Henry, Saundra, Greer, Joanna and Rory,

The Bad:

• I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first half. I don't know exactly why but I think the writing is way better in the second half.
• This is not an issue book and it doesn't take itself very seriously. If anyone is looking for a issue book this might not be your cup of tea or better your glass a wine.
• The realistic factor of the book is pretty low but who cares it's just a fun book.

Overall: 4 and a thumbs up!

Writing: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
LoL Moments: 4/5
Cover: 4/5

Favorite Quote: "Like U2 says. I'm stuck in a moment I can't get out of.
You said it, Bono. And a nice guitar riff, The Edge. You work that shit."

Favorite Character: Katie, Amber and Greer.

Thanks HarperCollins via Netgallery for the arc!  

Book Review: Dairy Queen (Dairy Queen #1) by Catherine Gilbert Murdock

Book: Dairy Queen (Dairy Queen #1) - Catherine Gilbert Murdock


Publishing Date: April 30th 2006


Read from January 24 to 26, 2012


Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Sports, Chick-Lit


Goodreads Summary:


When you don't talk, there's a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said. Harsh words indeed, from Brian Nelson of all people. But, D.J. can't help admitting, maybe he's right. When you don't talk, there's a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said. Stuff like why her best friend, Amber, isn't so friendly anymore. Or why her little brother, Curtis, never opens his mouth. Why her mom has two jobs and a big secret. Why her college-football-star brothers won't even call home. Why her dad would go ballistic if she tried out for the high school football team herself. And why Brian is so, so out of her league. When you don't talk, there's a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said. Welcome to the summer that fifteen-year-old D.J. Schwenk of Red Bend, Wisconsin, learns to talk, and ends up having an awful lot of stuff to say.

My View:

Another one of those books that was sitting on my TBR pile for sometime now. 

Dairy Queen is about 15 year old D.J Schwenk, she is big, tall, hardworking, strong and much to her dismay runs the family farm. She is stuck doing all the chores because of her father's injury. She lives with her parents and a little brother, who doesn't like to talk. The Schwenk love their farm and their football. Both of her older brothers and star football players are away at college and she hasn't talked to them for the past seven months because of a family feud. D.J is overwhelmed with school work and farm work and when Brian Nelson, a rival team quarter back come to offer a helping hand she is not so pleased at first. The summer D.J thought would surely suck turned out to be a summer that teaches her lot. She form unlikely friendships and learn to talk and express her feelings.

If I have to hold a conversation regarding American football I can assure you I will be utterly lost. But, even though the book is filled with football I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it. D.J is an amazing character and the premise of the story is very fresh and interesting.

I can't wait to read the rest of the series. 

The Good:

• D.J: She is so ordinary and yet so different. She is unlike any other heroins out there. She has a very distinctive voice. I love the fact, that is so reflective about her surrounding, thoughts and feelings.
• The story, background and the whole family dynamics are a breath of fresh air. 
• I love the fact that Brain is not a conventional love interest. He is flawed and that's what makes him so real.  
• Every character in the book is someone you know and can relate to.  
• The story is about normal and real people in normal and real situations. 
• The sports/football aspect of the book. I love sports movies and this book is just like that. An under dog story.
• The book is full of humor, which is always a good thing.

The Bad:

• The first person narrative could be annoying for some. I loved it though. 

Overall: 4.5 and double thumbs up!

Writing: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
LoL Moments: 5/5
Cover: 3/5

Favorite Quote: “When you don't talk, there's a lot of stuff that ends up not getting said.”

Favorite Character: D.J, Brian & Carter

Book Review: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Book: Anna and the French Kiss - Stephanie Perkins


Publication Date: December 2nd 2010

Read from January 04 to 06, 2012

Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris - until she meets Etienne St. Clair: perfect, Parisian (and English and American, which makes for a swoon-worthy accent), and utterly irresistible. The only problem is that he's taken, and Anna might be, too, if anything comes of her almost-relationship back home.

As winter melts into spring, will a year of romantic near - misses end with the French kiss Anna - and readers - have long awaited?

My View:

I am loving 2012 and it's just been 7 days! and one reason for that is amazing books like Anna and the French Kiss. This is a perfect Chick-Lit for a rainy day. It was fun, hilarious, romantic and it made me so giddy. I am still blushing. The characters and the setting both are perfect and I just fell in love with the whole book. 

The story is about Anna, who against her wishes is sent to Paris for her senior year of high school. She doesn't know french and all her family and friends are back home in Atlanta. Things starts looking up for Anna when she meets the handsome French American British guy, St. Clair. The whole book then follows the friendship between Anna and St. Clair. They are funny, ignorant and so in love.

I should tell you, the story is not unique but the writing is brilliant. Stephanie Perkins debut novel is a hit for me. The book is filled with cliches and the biggest one can be the setting, PARIS DUH! But it's just so romantic and awww worthy that I just love every bit of it.

If you are looking for reasons to pick up this book. Chuck everything I said up till now just pick up the book for ST. CLAIR! I have never been so in love with a fictions character in my life. 

This is how I imagine him to look like. (Isn't he a cutie?)

The Good: 

• Anna and St. Clair may be the star of the book but every character in the book is brilliant.
• The setting: Oh Paris how i love you!
• The love story is amazing and awww-some full.
• The Writing is wonderful and fresh. There were times I couldn't keep the book down.
• And St. Clairrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr! I Love HIM! 

The Bad: 

• The cover! It was the only reason that I didnt pick this book any sooner.

Overall: 5 and double thumbs up!

Writing: 5/5
Plot: 3/5
Characters: 5/5
Romance: 5/5
LoL Moments: 4/5
Cover: 3/5

Favorite Quote: “I wish friends held hands more often, like the children I see on the streets sometimes. I'm not sure why we have to grow up and get embarrassed about it.”

Favorite Character: Étienne St. Clair

Book Review: Then Came You by Jennifer Weiner

Book: Then Came You - Jennifer Weiner

Publication Date: July 12th 2011

Read from November 06 to 13, 2011

Genre: Adult Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit

The lives of four very different women intertwine in unexpected ways in this new novel by bestselling author Jennifer Weiner (In Her Shoes; Best Friends Forever). Each woman has a problem: Princeton senior Jules Wildgren needs money to help her dad cure his addiction; Pennsylvania housewife Annie Barrow is gasping to stay financially afloat; India Bishop yearns to have a child, an urge that her stepdaughter Bettina can only regard with deeply skepticism until she finds herself in a most unexpected situation. Interlocking dramas designed to ensnare; bound to be a bestseller.

My Review: 

I won't lie, I picked this book with a lot of expectations. This would be my second book of Jennifer Weiner after In Her Shoes, which i really liked. The story seemed interesting and loved the books or movies where there are multiple stories, which come together at the end. 

But.

This was a disappointing read all the way through. The story consist of four women: An egg donor, A surrogate, the intended mother and her mother step-daughter. The book starts okay with each chapter dedicated to one woman but soon you realize that there is actually nothing new or interesting in the book. I found myself bored and skipping paragraphs and it took a long time to finish this book then it normally takes me. 

I was mildly interested in the stories of Annie: The surrogate and Jules: The egg donor but the other stories of India: The mother and Bettina: The step-daughter was not interesting and was borderline annoying. 

The Good:

• The writing was readable and that is the sole reason why I finished the book.

The Bad: 

• The story moves too slowly.
• The characters are not relatable and I never got their motivation. 
• Nothing new in the book and the story seems very stale.

Overall: 2 and a thumbs down!

Writing: 3/5
Plot: 2/5
Characters: 2/5
Romance: 2/5
LoL Moments: 2/5
Cover: 3/5

Favorite Character: Jules and Annie