December 9, 2013

Facets

Author: Barbara Delinsky
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, 1990
Pages: 544
Rating: Do Not Recommend


Synopsis: Writer Hillary Cox and jewelry magnate John St. George are engaged in a fiery and passionate romance--until he announces on national television that he is marrying another woman. Determined to destroy him, Hillary must compete with John's half-sister Pam, who wants to ruin him by seizing control of Facets, their family's gem business. Set against the glittering backdrop of the jewelry industry, the two women face a cunning and unscrupulous adversary--with shocking results.

Review: Barbara Delinsky is a go-to writer for me, but this book was an epic failure. In fact, I'm not even sure how or why I kept reading it, except that I chose the audio book and it was all I really had in my car for entertainment. 


Perhaps because I got sucked into the reader's inconsequential lives, and had to see just how bad this trainwreck would be. I also read this waiting to see just how bad John's fall would be.


"Do not recommend" is too kind a rating for this book. It was awful, and probably one of the worst books I've forced myself to read. Maybe this novel just didn't translate well into an audio-book. 


I really liked Delinsky as a writer, but it will be awhile before I want to read another, and even then I'll probably stick to her newer works.

December 8, 2013

Awkward Family Photos

Author: Mike Bender amd Doug Chernack
Genre: Humor
Publisher: Crown Publishing Group
Pages: 192
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis: Based on the hit website, AwkwardFamilyPhotos.com (“painful, regrettable, horrifyingly awesome snaps of family bonding, you will laugh so hard that people in adjoining offices will ask what’s wrong with you”—Esquire), this full color book features never-before-seen photos and hilarious personal stories covering everything from uncomfortable moments with relatives, teen angst, sibling rivalry, and family vacations from hell. Cringe at the forced poses, bad hair, and matching outfits—all prompting us to look at our own families and celebrate the fact that we're not alone. Nothing says awkward better than an uncomfortable family photograph!

Review: My husband and I read this together during our escape to a bed and breakfast this weekend. We had a good laugh, or rather, many good laughs.