Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin

It was hard to put this one down, as it usually is with this author's work. I finished it in -- three days? I'm not sure.

The mark of a great author is when you can hate a character, or a story, but be so desperate to find out what happens anyone. When you become so vested in the writing that you read in spite of yourself - that's when you know it's really good.

I could not identify with the characters, as I have not shared their experience. I cannot pretend to understand the complexities of the situations they were in - but I became emotionally attached regardless.

Specifically the wife in the book - I do not understand her world, where she was coming from, or anything. I have no friends like her and I do not expect to ever become intimate with anyone closely resembling her. I disliked who she was, how whiney, how she knew she was the cause of the problems in their marriage, but turned the blame elsewhere; was almost glad when there was a reason to cast fault to someone else.

She was weak, to me. Both women were.

But, I guess, (sadly), they were real. And that's why I couldn't stop.

Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok

Excellent read! I'm not sure if I would liken it to A Tree Grows... as I read someone else did, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The ending was also special - poignant yet strong. This is the ultimate book of (stereotypes, yes) Girl Power! A definite read for any pre-teen/teen unsure of herself and needing a strong, female, values-driven hero.

I picked this up because it came across me at the library - someone else had checked it out. Not my usual read (for the past few months) - definitely not your straightforward definition of chic lit - (how I wish it was!). Smartly written, the main character is believable, genuine. Very well written as well. Possibly predictable, but not so much that it detracts from the story in any way.

Thank you, Ms. Kwok! Loved it - especially the way it ends :) (no, we don't need men to be successful and overall happy and well-rounded!)

Forgiven by Karen Kingsbury

I must be getting desensitized (?) to the bad writing. This one was a little better, and as I've said before - I am a complete sucker for series. I actually enjoyed this story a bit more than the last one - the situations, characters, plot, etc were all still weak - but I am interested in what happens to the characters (even if it is already blatantly obvious). Yes, it is. But that's alright -- for now.

I don't have to defend my opinions, I guess. Maybe just my taste in books. I still would not recommend this author to most people. But it's something to pass the time, and comes from a place I used to know.

The Next Queen of Heaven

It started out with potential. The plot summary sounded fascinating. I read a few chapters in and realized -- there are some authors whose writing I simply cannot stand. It has nothing to do with the language (there was quite a bit) - and I was wholeheartedly disappointed, because I really did want to read the story itself. I realized a short time later, this is the author of Wicked. Another book that, for whatever reason, I simply could not get through - not because of the story or the words, but simply the way it was written. I know this sounds silly, but I have a feeling I would loathe Gregory Maguire, should I ever meet him.

Perhaps the word I'm looking for is pretentious, but I know this is harsh. Whatever the case, I had to give up (and I really, really hate that - as I'm looking for contemporary Christian fiction that defies the rules of what makes it Christian. I was sure I had found a good example of what I am looking for in this novel.

It was - busy and flat, simultaneously. As a man's eyes die when he is trying too hard to prove he hasn't lost his will to live, completely.

These Things Hidden

Whoa.

This book did not pull me in at all. I kept reading (I'm not sure why). You'll have to excuse me - apparently my typing is too loud for my mother, so she insists on turning the volume up on the television, so sequentially, I can't hear myself think.

Anyway.

I'm not sure why I kept reading this book - I really wanted to get to the end, to see what the point was. It was kind of like a snowball rolling downhill. The story kept getting bigger and bigger and rolling faster and faster until the very end where you're wondering what just happened.

I probably shouldn't have finished reading this book right before I wanted to go to bed, but oh well. It had a ... sort-of happy ending. (Still amazingly creepy in many, many ways).

Kind of glad it's over. People are so messed up.

I'd say more, but as I said, I can't really hear myself think.

Fame by Karen Kingsbury

I checked this out at the recommendation of a friend - I can usually spot a hokey Christian book from a mile away. It did not disappoint. The characters were basically 2D and the writing was flat - if one wishes to write in a pious manner, one must also write stagnant and boring, apparently. However, it doesn't take much thought to read through, so I will probably continue on with the series (I'm a sucker for series) - it also reminded me of earlier days, when I was young and naive and would most likely been swept away with the story, instead of cynical and unimpressed with the holier-than-though theme found with perfect continuity throughout.

I found it particularly predictable and probably wouldn't recommend it, but it was good for what it was (not awful).

Maybe that's where I'll make my millions; I'll write a Christian novel with depth and an interesting plot.