1. Commencement by J Courtney Sullivan
Rating: C+
Friend Loan
Technically a C+ means above average right? Following a group of friends who met their freshmen year at Smith College - it was a nice story about friendship. But the characters were predictable and one dimensional. Was it really necessary to hit all the women's college stereotypes? An overenthusiastic hippie/activist, a girl who realized she was a lesbian, a southern belle who sleeps with her professor and a lapsed Catholic/party girl...It was an easy read, but I wasn't invested. The only thing that I actually enjoyed while reading this was that it made me appreciate all the great friends I've accumulated throughout the years.
2. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Rating: A+
Friend Loan/NYPL Loan
After commencement, this book was a treat. While I couldn't keep the four girls straight in the last book, every character in this book stood out and carved a place into my heart. As much as I wanted to slow down and prolong finishing this book, I couldn't put it down for more than a minute - it was that good. I will even go as far as to say that it is now one of my favorites. I don't even know what to say about it without diminishing how great it is...why is it that it's always harder to write about books I love? Why do negative thoughts form so concisely while positive reviews get caught in my brain?
I loved it, that's all you need to know. You'll love it too - give it a try!
3. and 4. The Beach House by Jane Green; Rating: A
Dune Road by Jane Green; Rating: B
NYPL Loans
I shouldn't have read them one right after the other. I really enjoyed reading The Beach House. It was inspiring and fun. A light read full of surprises. Unfortunately, when I read Dune Road it felt entirely too similar. As if, Jane Green couldn't come up with any other characters so she recycled them in this book and just changed some of the details around. However, if I had spaced a few books in between them, I think I would have liked both equally.
5. How to Knit a Love Story by Rachael Herron
Rating: A+
NYPL Loan
Well, like my mom observed: Once the leaves start changing, I exchange my beach reads for cozy fall/winter reads. And I am glad I chose this knitting/Darcy-Lizzie-esque love story. Each character brought a different rich layer to the table. It also didn't hurt that every few pages there seemed to be a passionate encounter to keep you warm against the newly crisp autumn air ;)
6. The Wedding Girl by Madeleine Wickham
Rating:B -
NYPL Loan
I find it a bit odd that I like Sophie Kinsella more than I like Madeleine Wickham considering that they are the same person. Nothing too great, but nothing too terrible either.
7. The Sleeping Beauty Proposal by Sarah Strohmeyer
Rating: B -
NYPL Loan
One of the books that I was planning to read (on my Shelfari) and it was good. But again, nothing too special. Just a normal read.
8. Love Walked In by Marisa de los Santos
Rating: A
Personal Library
It started off a bit slow, but I wanted to power through it because it is a book that I own, so I really wanted to love it. Well, I'm glad I did because it was amazing. Another book that I wished was longer. I don't care that some of the things that happened were a teeny bit far fetched - I still love it and recommend it.
9. A Match Made on Madison by Dee Davis
Rating: B -
NYPL Loan
It was enjoyable enough. Fun storyline and interesting characters. But I didn't like the style of writing and I felt like the author kind of assumed that you were a dumbass. She continually explained jokes or comments - which I did not like. I am indifferent to it, I would neither recommend it nor disapprove if someone were to read it.
