The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weiner

Okay, if you love television and a good story, I highly recommend The Next Best Thing by Jennifer Weiner. Ruth Saunders is a 23-year-old woman who was injured (and disfigured) as a child in a car accident that killed her parents. She was raised by her grandmother and when Ruth decides to move to California to try her hand at writing for television, the two of them begin new lives. 

The story is believable and a fun read. I really enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood that we are privy to. I liked how realistic the story seemed, no big sugar coating here.


Book Read:  The Next Best Thing
Author:  Jennifer Weiner

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion

I finished reading The Year of Magical Thinking and have to say that this was a hard book to get through. Didion's writing was hard to read, hard to understand, and easy and relatable, in turns.

Joan Didion's husband of 40 years died and then she tried to wish and think him back alive. This book is her journey through grief and mourning (the differences of which she explains briefly but very well).

I think anyone who has lost someone close to them can relate to her writing:  the memories that come from a trigger of seeing or hearing something you shared, the pain that is ever present. 



Book Read:  The Year of Magical Thinking
Author:  Joan Didion

Breaking Point by C.J. Box

I used to read every one of C.J. Box's book featuring Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett, but over the past few years, I sort of lost track of these novels. I picked up his 2013 novel Breaking Point recently and know that I need to go back and read the ones I've missed. These books just keep getting better and better!

In this thriller, Joe Pickett is conflicted because of a man who he has hunted with and who is the father of his daughter's best friend has been accused of murdering two EPA agents. The twisted plot reveals itself after several more deaths atop a mountain. The suspense and writing are good making Breaking Point a book I'd whole-heartedly recommend.

Have you read any of C.J. Box's novels?

Book Read:  Breaking Point
Author:  C.J. Box

Dedication by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

I was so happy with the ending of this book! I enjoyed reading it but toward the end, I have to say, I had my doubts. Not one to give away spoilers, I won't say a word but if you like good chick lit, you'll like this one.

One of my favorite parts (well, it's minor but it made me smile and say, "Yes, I did that!) is when one of the characters borrows her mother's black cashmere sweater but it has a tiny hole in it. She gets a Sharpie and writes on herself where the hole is so it won't show. We used to do this before having holes in our jeans was cool. 

I'd only other novel of theirs I'd read was The Nanny Diaries, which was great. This one was just as good. And I found out that they have several other novels just waiting for me to read. Yay! 


Book Read:  Dedication
Author:  Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus