Shoot me already!

Writing Jane Austen: A Novel by Elizabeth Aston


My rating: 1 of 5 stars
Ok so the premise of this book was a good idea. Georgiana has been selected by her publisher to finish writing a novel recently found that was started by Jane Austen. She is so overwhelmed and thinks she isn't up to the challenge.

I did not finish this book, because I read half of it and she was still fighting her publisher and friends about even starting this book. That part of the plot was so drawn out that it killed it for me. At this point I don't care if she writes it or not! The whole idea of how she went about writing in Austen's voice and how the plot of the fictional novel is developed, is what attracted me to this book. But it was so hard to get through because Georgiana spent the whole time avoiding everybody and not writing the book!!

So if you read it, let me know if she does end up writing it, because she became so unlikeable in her avoidance of responsibility that I could not take any longer.

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Author Talk

Yesterday, the author of "Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict" spoke at a local library. I hated that book. She ruined the whole concept of what a Jane Austen addict would act in her world. I planned on showing up and telling so. After going over my exact notes and getting approval from my conscience (Kristen), I was set to go.

I missed it. I totally forgot about it!! When will I ever get this chance again? A missed opportunity is the worst. Ugh.

Appaloosa

Appaloosa by Robert B. Parker


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
This was a traditional western. Lawlessness + rogue + showdown= appaloosa.

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Time Traveler's Wife

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the love story of Henry and Claire and their overcoming his handicap of time travel. The many obstacles they must surpass of their age difference, drinking problem, other relationships and their knowledge of their short time together encourages them to make the most their shared time. Claire deals with this issue by being thankful for the little snippets of his life and not concentrate on the time he is away even when he dies she lives the rest of her life waiting for him to rerun to him.

The story is a bit confusing when you first start reading it but once different areas of their lives come together the puzzle becomes whole and as the reader you are anxious to find out what one visit means to the other. Having the story told from both Claire's point of view and Henry's ensures a full experience.

I enjoyed this book and recommend it to everyone who enjoys a tragic love story. Can't wait for the movie to come out.

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Breathers

Breathers: A Zombie's Lament by S.G. Browne


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This story follows Andy and his experience being a zombie, being alienated by his friends and family. Zombies have no rights, are attacked, persecuted, tortured and shunned by society in general. Andy with his support group "Undead Anonymous", tries to survive and get the government to reinstate their rights.

When you first start this book it seems a bit humorous. But the story becomes dark when "breathers" mistreat zombies walking down the street and frat guys using them for their pledging while society condones it. You will be drawn into their existence and their will to survive.

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Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict

3 out of 5 Stars
Fellow Jane Austen addicts have spoke of this as a must read. But the title is totally misleading. I expected a journal type reading from Courtney's life and how being a Jane Austen addict has affected her in a day to day basis. But this is nothing like that. Courtney Stone wakes up one morning in the 1800's of Jane Austen and living the life of a single girl waiting to get married, named Jane Mansfield.

She spends most of her time trying to decipher the bits and pieces of Jane's lif...more Fellow Jane Austen addicts have spoke of this as a must read. But the title is totally misleading. I expected a journal type reading from Courtney's life and how being a Jane Austen addict has affected her in a day to day basis. But this is nothing like that. Courtney Stone wakes up one morning in the 1800's of Jane Austen and living the life of a single girl waiting to get married, named Jane Mansfield.

She spends most of her time trying to decipher the bits and pieces of Jane's life and trying to figure out how to get back to her own time period in the 21st century. Meanwhile she is actively being pursued by the local eligible bachelor and toying with the affections of the stable boy while trying to escape her mother's tyranny. The idea
of the book was very promising until I read it. Jane /Courtney should
have just enjoy being in that world instead making every one else's
life miserable including Mary, her best BFF and go with the flow. That's what a true Austenite would have done and tried to find her Mr. Darcy.I understand she had to describe her surroundings to get an idea of her totally different environment but I felt it was a bit belabored.
It's distracting having Courtney correcting herself whenever she
referred to herself as Jane. She isn't really Jane, but Courtney. Yea. We get it. Let's move on.The book overall was entertaining mostly for the Jane Austen references.


The highlight of the book, which I sort of expected was when she met
Jane Austen. I thought for sure this will be interesting. But the
writer totally messed it up by making her into a babbling idiot. She went on and on about how the future would love her writing. Why
would she mention the movie renditions of her book? That part was totally lame.

So don't believe the hype and read other fun things instead like "Austenland" and sequels to "Pride and Prejudice" like, "Mr. Darcy's Diary".

Best Friends by Jennifer Weiner

Best Friends Forever: A Novel by Jennifer Weiner


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was different than Jennifer Weiner's past books. Though the story was interesting, it was missing her dry humor. I missed her little comments and observations that are present in her other lead characters.

The two best friends, are not very likable. One is self centered and bossy while the other is a doormat. I really didn't feel much for either character. The "hero" of the story iffy as well. But I still had to give her four stars because I'll read anything she writes.

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