Catching up on reviews...3 recent books

I have been reading and reviewing but not posting here, time to catch you up if you haven't seen my reviews elsewhere.

The Girls Club


..."For the record, times are changing. Sooner or later people are going to wake up and being a lesbian won't be a big deal." My favorite line from this book by Sally Bellerose, local author from Northampton, MA.  If you lived in Chicopee in the 70's, you will recognize many locations in the book, as I did.

With the angst of relationships that sometimes work and sometimes don't, throw in the mix of trying to understand your own sexuality as a teen....yep, think she's got a winner here! Some parts of the story cross the timeline and can be imagined today...young people pushed together by unplanned pregnancy, struggling to make ends meet in a difficult economy. I've seen Cora Rose in so many women in my lifetime, her struggle for happiness, to be a good mother. The conflict of trying to understand her sexuality and her Catholic upbringing make this story memorable. Her relationship with her sisters makes her crazy at times and also keeps her grounded....wow, same as most of us with sisters! The characters in this story are so well written, I felt like I was in the room watching the scenes unfold. Kudos!!

Reading this fictional story gives me reason to reflect on how difficult it is to live in a world that judges so easily. Makes me very happy to be living in Massachusetts.

And lightening up things a bit....

I'm Not the Biggest Bitch....


This book by Wade Rouse is a compilation of stories about DOGS! I know, you're surprised I read a book about dogs, right? The stories in this book are written by many of my favorite authors-Beth Harbison, Allie Larkin, Sarah Pekkenan, Bruce Cameron and, of course, Wade. The intro was written by Chelsea Handler's dog Chuck. Well, it was probably written by Chelsea but it's in Chuck's perspective. It's so funny that I was reading excerpts to my co-workers...when the intro is laugh out loud funny, you know it's going to be a good book.

The stories were written about the dogs in the lives of these folks. True stories, most times with a comedic twist. Maybe that was mostly because we've lived through most of these scenarios. And it was great to read an entry that made it clear that some people are crazier than we are about their dogs!
Some of the proceeds are being donated to the Humane Society. I know there are some special dog people in my life who will be getting a copy for Christmas.

Classic chick-lit

Then Came You


Chick-lit is sometimes a guilty pleasure. Conflict is usually resolved and there's some kind of happy ending. I was not disappointed here. But it would diminish the writing to just say it's chick-lit. The story evolves to showcase 4 women of different ages and backgrounds. How they all come to be connected gets you hooked. The story takes some unexpected turns and it really ends up highlighting women and their relationships with each other.
A new twist for Weiner, including a lesbian relationship. I think she touched on some prominent issues but then dropped the opportunity to really delve into the development of that character.
This was a 3 or 4 star...nothing bad about it but nothing earth shattering either, in my opinion.

Ok, now I feel better, all caught up! And now that I can borrow Kindle books from the library? Full speed ahead!!!
Happy reading,
Pauline