Welcome to the latest edition of Style and Savings Reads. Here are the books I read during the last month:
The View Was Exhausting by Mikaella Clements & Onjuli Datta
If The Shoe Fits by Julie Murphy
By The Book by Jasmine Guillory
Title and Author: The View Was Exhausting by Mikaella Clements & Onjuli Datta
Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Short Synopsis: As an Indian British actress in Hollywood, Whitman Tagore has to work harder to get cast in roles and faces more scrutiny in her personal life. Whenever an unflattering story is in the news, her friend Leo – the handsome son of a wealthy hotel owner and former super-model steps in to change the narrative. Fans can’t get enough of paparazzi pictures capturing their romantic outings. Little do they know, each date and photo is carefully planned to benefit Whitman’s career and the relationship is just pretend… or is it?
Discussion Question: Do you prefer candid celebrity photos or posed and polished images?
This book is a cute, modern, and creative adaptation of the classic Cinderella story. Cindy, an up and coming shoe designer competes with a group of women including her stepsisters for the affection of Henry, the suitor on a reality dating show created by her loving and career driven stepmother.
Discussion Question: What update of a classic fairytale would you want to read?
Title and Author: By The Book by Jasmine Guillory
Star Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Short Synopsis: In this adaptation of Beauty and the Beast, Isabelle (Izzy) is an under-appreciated publishing assistant. In hopes of gaining a promotion, she volunteers to coach Beau Towers, a gruff, unresponsive and difficult author, to write his memoir. During her stay at his Santa Barbara mansion, their tense working relationship unexpectedly shifts into something more. 🥀 🫖 🕯 📚
Discussion Question: When was a time when you learned that your first impression of someone was incorrect?
What have you been reading lately?
Follow@styleandsavings on Instagram for details about the clothing featured in each photo Visit more book bloggers at the Show Us Your Books Link-up
Welcome to the latest edition of Style and Savings Reads. Here are the books I read during the last month:
Whisper Network by Chandler Baker
Going There by Katie Couric
Happy and You Know It by Laura Hankin
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Savvy Sheldon Feels Good As Hell by Taj McCoy
Title and Author: Whisper Network by Chandler Baker
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Short Synopsis: Three women – Sloane, Grace and Ardie navigate challenging gender dynamics as corporate lawyers for Truviv, a male-dominated Dallas based sports apparel brand. A BAD men list is circulating the city to warn business women of predatory men to avoid. When the list reaches Truviv, secrets about the candidate for next CEO are revealed.
Discussion Question: What advice would you give a young woman starting her career?
My Thoughts: I felt that the privilege, success and ambition of main characters was unrelatable. I appreciated that the he characters were multi-dimensional and the lines between who was “good” or “bad” were blurred.
Title and Author: Going There by Katie Couric
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Short Synopsis: In 99 short chapters, Katie Couric’s memoir covers her exciting career journey working for several major networks including her time co-hosting the Today Show and anchoring CBS Evening News. It is filled with anecdotes about interviewing celebrities, presidents and political candidates. There are also many stories about her personal life with her family.
Discussion Question: Would you (or have you) ever left a job you were very successful at to take a chance on something new?
My Thoughts: I originally picked up this book after watching a few episodes of Apple TV’s The Morning Show because it reminded me of Matt Lauer’s Today Show scandal. There were a few references to this towards the end of the book, but not many pages were dedicated to it. Being on television for over 4 decades, there were so many stories to tell. Some of the most interesting stories were related to meeting famous people including politicians (The Bushes, The Obamas, Sarah Palin) and celebrities (Princess Diana, Michael Jackson). In addition to the exciting career related stories, she shared a lot about her family and personal life (her parents, her close friend Wendy, her two marriages, and her two daughters). I recommend this book to any fans of Katie Couric or of morning television news shows.
Title and Author: Happy & You Know It by Laura Hankin
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Short Synopsis: After being kicked out of her band right before their big break, Claire takes a job as a musician singing to a playgroup of babies and wealthy mothers. The playgroup gains Instagram fame but begins to unravel – the mother’s lives are not as perfect as the pictures portray.
Discussion Question: What has social media inspired you to do or purchase?
My Thoughts: This book was fun and had a mysterious element to the plot that I wasn’t expecting. Amara was my favorite character and I was happy with how the story ended for Claire.
Title and Author: Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Short Synopsis: Chiamaka and Devon are the only two Black students in their class at Niveus Academy. In their senior year, text messages sent by the mysterious “Aces” circulate the school revealing their secrets and spreading rumors.
Discussion Question: What would you do if you discovered you were the subject of gossip?
My Thoughts: This book had been on my Want to Read List for a while, but I was feeling skeptical about reading it since it had some similarities to Cherish Farrah (my only 2 – star read year-to-date). Luckily this book did not disappoint. The chapters alternated between the two main characters who were not friends at first, but were able to work together to confront what was happening at their school. This book solidly fits into the social horror genre and I appreciated that I was not able to predict what was happening.
Title and Author: Savvy Sheldon Feels Good As Hell by Taj McCoy
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5
Short Synopsis: After a brutal breakup, Savvy (with the help of her two best friends) starts a self-care plan to get in shape and find work-life balance. A handsome contractor working on renovations in the neighborhood wanders into her life.
Discussion Question: What is a hobby or sport you did when you were younger that you would like to do again now?
My Thoughts: This was a fun rom-com that reminded me of Jasmine Guillory ‘s The Wedding Date series and Jayne Allen’s Black Girls Must Die Exhausted series. I liked that Savvy is a hard worker and also cares about her family and friends. I enjoyed the scenes where she was excelling at cooking and getting back into tennis. The chemistry between Savvy and the contractor was also great!
What have you been reading lately?
Visit more book bloggers at the Show Us Your Books Link-up
Welcome to the latest edition of Style and Savings Reads. Here are the books I read during the last month:
Miss Me With That: Hot Takes, Helpful Tidbits, and A Few Hard Truths by Rachel Lindsay
The Idea of You by Robinne Lee
A Spy in the Struggle by Ava de Leon
Cherish Farrah by Bethany C. Morrow
In Every Mirror She’s Black by Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström
Title and Author: Miss Me With That: Hot Takes, Helpful Tidbits, and A Few Hard Truths by Rachel Lindsay
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Short Synopsis: In this memoir, Rachel Lindsay (an attorney who rose 🌹 to fame as ABC’s first Black Bachelorette) shares stories of growing up in Dallas, her trials ⚖️ 👩🏽⚖️ and tribulations while dating, and her true feelings during her time as a contestant on The Bachelor and the lead on The Bachelorette
Discussion Question: What is your favorite reality TV show and why?
My Comments: I generally don’t have an interest in The Bachelor/The Bachelorette franchise, but I became interested when Rachel Lindsay became the first Black Bachelorette. I enjoyed seeing a beautiful and professional Black woman being the recipient of desire and affection. I appreciated Rachel’s honesty in sharing her difficult dating experiences, how her upbringing in the church shaped her approach to relationships, and the challenges of being the first Black lead of a show that caters to White audiences.
Title and Author: The Idea of You by Robinne Lee
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Short Synopsis: Solène Marchand takes her daughter and friends to a meet & greet with a famous boy band and unexpectedly begins a whirlwind romance with one of the considerably younger boy band members.
Discussion Question: Who is your celebrity crush?
My Comments: I believe I first saw this book on Tia Williams’ Instagram (author of Seven Days in June and The Perfect Find). As a fan of boy bands, I knew this would be a fun fantasy read and I was not disappointed! Hayes Campbell was a well-written leading man (rumored to be inspired by Harry Styles). I liked that the band’s sold-out shows and Hayes and Solène’s romantic rendezvous took them to cities all over the world.
Title and Author: A Spy in the Struggle by Aya de Leòn
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5
Short Synopsis: After Yolanda Vance blows the whistle on fraudulent activity at her employer, the FBI recruits her as an undercover agent to spy on a group of young, diverse environmental activists.
Discussion Question: What do you do to take care of the environment?
My Comments: I liked this book, but I felt that it had more to offer. The story mainly focused on Yolanda and her assignment. I appreciated her character’s growth and change in perspective. I wish there had been more detail into what was going on at Randall Corp. and that there had been a positive, loving interaction between Yolanda and her mom.
Title and Author: Cherish Farrah by Bethany C. Morrow
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️/5
Short Synopsis: Being the only Black girls in their wealthy neighborhood’s school, Farrah Turner and Cherish Whitman have grown up as the closest of friends. When Farrah’s parents decide to move out of state, Farrah believes she can control the situation by moving in with Cherish and her rich, white adoptive parents. Strange things start to happen at the Whitman home and Farrah may not be as in control as she thought.
Discussion Question: What books have you read in the Social Horror genre?
My Comments: I originally saw this book on Instagram and was interested in a thriller involving well-off Black girls. Fairly early into the book I was very irritated by Farrah’s attitude and delusion that she could manipulate and control the her parents and the Whitmans. I suffered through Farrah’s narration to find out what the mysterious goings on were about, only to learn that they had basically been revealed earlier in the book than I realized. The social horror genre still interests me, but I don’t recommend this book.
Title and Author: In Every Mirror She’s Black by Lolá Ákínmádé Åkerström
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ /5
Short Synopsis: Three black women start new lives in Stockholm, Sweden. The women initially do not know each other but they each are connected through a wealthy white male CEO.
Discussion Question: Would you consider moving to another country for work?
My Comments: I generally enjoyed this book although it was sometimes hard to understand why the characters made certain choices. The women faced challenges of being different in homogenous settings and being targets of racism, ostracism, and fetishism in various situations. This was sometimes sad to read, but also good for readers to be aware that this happens.
What have you been reading lately?
Visit more book bloggers at the Show Us Your Books Link-up
Welcome to another edition of Style and Savings Reads.
This February, I chose books to celebrate both Black History Month and Valentine’s Day:
Wahala by Nikki May
Paris in Love by Eloisa James
We Could be Beautiful by Swan Huntly
We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza
Black Girls Must Be Magic by Jayne Allen
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
True Love by Jennifer Lopez
Title and Author: Wahala by Nikki May
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Short Synopsis: Ronke, Boo and Semi are Anglo-Nigerian women and best friends living in London. When Semi’s grade school classmate, the fun and glamorous Isobel comes to town, she charms her way into their friend group, and causes wahala (trouble) for each of them.
Discussion Question: Who was your favorite character and why?
My Comments: I was attracted to this book for its colorful cover. I think the comparison to Sex and the City was unnecessary and doesn’t apply to every group of adult female friends. The fact that some of the characters were so easily influenced by Isobel was frustrating. I was surprised by the thriller ending and generally enjoyed this book.
Title and Author: Paris in Love by Eloisa James
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Short Synopsis: The author along with her husband and school-age son and daughter leave New Jersey to spend a year living in Paris, France. This memoir describes their experiences in the form of short anecdotes.
Discussion Question: If you could live in another country for a year, where would you go?
My Comments: This book had been on my Want to Read list since after my study abroad visit to Paris. I enjoyed reading about the author’s and her family’s experience. Reading short anecdotes felt relatable, like talking to a friend.
Title and Author: We Could Be Beautiful by Swan Huntley
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Short Synopsis: Beautiful, wealthy Catherine has everything she could wish for – except a husband. When she meets William, she thinks he’s the one. He’s handsome, successful and their parents were friends before William’s family moved overseas. Catherine’s mother, plagued by Alzheimer’s, has vague bad memories about William. Does William have something to hide?
Discussion Question: What red flags have you ignored? 🚩
My Comments: This book had been on my Want to Read for a few years. At first, I was kind of annoyed by Catherine’s wealth and privilege, but I appreciated her self-awareness and honesty. This story read like a mystery and I kept reading to find out William’s secret, which was a crazy twist!
Title and Author: We Are Not Like Them by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Short Synopsis: Riley and Jen have been best friends since childhood. When Jen’s police officer husband shoots an unarmed Black boy, Riley and Jen find themselves on opposite sides of a major issue and are forced to have difficult conversations about race and privilege.
Discussion Question: What was a difficult conversation you’ve had with a friend?
My Comments: I read this book for the Tanya Time Book Club. The subject matter was heavy and emotional, making it hard to get through. I liked how the chapters alternated between each friend’s viewpoint and I was interested to learn that the authors wrote both characters together. I recommend this book as a way to consider a viewpoint that may be different than your own.
Title and Author: Black Girls Must Be Magic by Jayne Allen
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Short Synopsis: In the sequel to Black Girls Must Die Exhausted, Tabitha begins her journey to motherhood and also decides to report on an important cultural issue for her next big story.
Discussion Question: What situation didn’t go as you planned, but left you happily surprised?
My Comments: I really liked Black Girls Must Die Exhausted, but rated it 4-stars because I was irritated by some of the decisions the characters made. The sequel is better and I love the cover art on both books!
Title and Author: Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Short Synopsis: When estranged twins Byron and Benedetta’s mother dies, she leaves them her homemade Black Cake (a traditional recipe from the islands) to share only after they’ve learned the truth about their parents’ past.
Discussion Question: What are the qualities or interests you use to identify yourself?
My Comments: I added this to my Want to Read when I read a synopsis on a Most Anticipated Books list on Goodreads. I really enjoyed the way the story took place in both Byron and Benedetta’s present and their parents past (comparable to Malibu Rising). It made me think about what stories we choose to share with or keep from others and the reasons why.
Title and Author: True Love by Jennifer Lopez
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Short Synopsis: In words and pictures, Jennifer Lopez gives fans a peek into her family life, feelings and planning process during the creation of her Dance Again World Tour
Discussion Question: What is something you will never give up on?
My Comments: In the beginning of the book, readers are told that this isn’t a tell-all about Jennifer Lopez’s many romances. Fans of Jennifer Lopez and specifically her music career will really appreciate seeing the full color photos from the tour and and learning more about her personal life in her own words. I have been a fan of J.Lo since I was a preteen watching The Wedding Planner for the first time. I love watching her rom-coms and was so excited to watch her latest movie Marry Me!
What have you been reading lately?
Visit more book bloggers at the Show Us Your Books Link-up
One-Sentence Synopsis: In response to her mother’s passing and her impending divorce, Anna seeks more information about her powerful African father
Discussion Questions: Does reminiscing about the past prevent progress? What would younger you think about your present day self?
I generally enjoyed this book and would recommend it to others!
Title and Author: Mango, Mambo, and Murder (A Carribbean Kitchen Mystery, #1) by Raquel V. Reyes
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Short Synopsis: When her family moves to her husband’s hometown of Coral Shores, Miriam Quinoñes-Smith takes a job hosting a Caribbean cooking segment on a news show. She also becomes an amateur sleuth when two women are mysteriously murdered.
Discussion Questions: What cultural or family traditions or recipes do you want to pass down to younger family members?
This was a cozy mystery and I enjoyed the culture, food references and recipes that were sprinkled throughout the book. I would definitely read the next book in the series.
Title and Author: Black Buck by Mateo Askaripour
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
Short Synopsis: Darren, a high school valedictorian and Starbucks manager takes a life-changing opportunity to become a Sales Development Representative at a rapidly growing startup.
Discussion Questions: What were Darren’s/Buck’s smartest decisions? What were his biggest mistakes?
This book was wild! Thankfully I was reminded that it was a satire, but I wonder what the author wanted readers to take away from Darren’s experience.
Title and Author: Survival of the Thickest by Michelle Buteau
Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Short Synopsis: Memoir of comedian Michelle Buteau (of Netflix’s The Circle, Always Be My Maybe, Welcome to Buteaupia) in the form of laugh out loud stories and life lessons
Discussion Question: What advice would you give in your memoir?
I enjoyed watching Michelle Buteau host The Circle and star in her own Netflix stand-up special. I like reading memoirs and learning about the and ups and downs and unique experiences that shape people. This book was a quick read and had some funny moments.
What have you been reading lately?
Visit more book bloggers at the Show Us Your Books Link-up
Welcome to Style and Savings 2020 Reading Review! It’s time to link back to this year’s book posts and highlight some of my favorites:
Reading really helped me to pass the time this year. We didn’t visit our local libraries for a couple months at the beginning of the year (due to the pandemic!). Once the library opened for drive-through pick up, my reading really increased. I read more than double the amount of books I planned to read this year!
Here are my favorite books of the year!
Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid (read my review here)
Friends and Strangers by J. Courtney Sullivan (read my review here)
His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie (read my review here)
Favorite Book – Runner Ups
Pretty Things by Janelle Brown (read my review here)
Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maika and Maritza Moulite (read my review here)
One of the positives of this year is the increase in virtual events. I have been fortunate to attend virtual events featuring Britt Bennett (author of The Mothers and The Vanishing Half) and Megan Giddings (author of Lakewood). I have also really enjoyed being part of the Tanya Time Book Club, hosted by Tanya Sam. The first Tanya Time book discussion I participated in was The Perfect Find by Tia Williams, which I read in 2016 when I won an autographed copy in a Goodreads giveaway!
Tanya Time Book Club introduced me to the world of Jasmine Guillory when we read Party of Two. Since then, I have read all but one of Jasmine Guillory’s books and am looking forward to her upcoming book, While We Were Dating to be published in 2021. One of my 3 favorite books of the year – His Only Wifeby Peace Adzo Medie was the December Tanya Time Book Club pick. This virtual book club has brought together over a hundred women from around the world and I have really enjoyed the interactive community of readers and authors.
What were your favorite books this year? If you’ve read any of the books mentioned above – tell me what you think about them! Are you part of any virtual book clubs?
Welcome to another edition of Style and Savings Reads! Here’s what I read in December 2020
Photo Credit: Goodreads
Intimations by Zadie Smith, Penguin Books, 2020 Short Synopsis: A collection of short essays written in mid 2020 to capture the mood of living during a Global Pandemic and social unrest caused by racial injustice in America.
I’m sure the unusual nature of this period of time will inspire many works of nonfiction and fiction, but I appreciate that this book was written as things were happening and reflected on common feelings and reactions that people experienced. The passage of time distances us from the way we felt in the moment and smooths the rough edges of our memories like an Instagram filter. One of the essays discussed suffering – It’s clear that the effects of the pandemic have caused economic hardships, but we should also look out for those who are suffering mentally and emotionally. People who have their physical needs met, even to the point of being privileged can still be suffering on the inside. Another essay discussed the need to fill time. The urge (or pressure?) to feel productive led many of us to start new hobbies, exercise routines, or try baking homemade bread. Did we need to do any of those things? Maybe the pandemic is the strongest signal that we should sit back and take a much needed rest. This has really been a time to reflect on why we do the activities we do and whether or not they add happiness and value to our lives.
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Photo Credit: Goodreads
Royal Holidayby Jasmine Guillory, Berkley Books 2019 Short Synopsis: Vivian’s daughter Maddie, a stylist, gains the opportunity to travel to London to dress the Duchess for Christmas events and invites Vivian to join her. Vivian enjoys the beauty of the holiday season at Sandringham House and finds herself in the company of a handsome man.
This is my favorite Jasmine Guillory book so far! I have read every Jasmine Guillory book (reviews here: Party of Two, The Wedding Date, The Proposal) except The Wedding Party, but I remembered Maddie being Alexa’s friend in The Wedding Date. I loved picturing how beautiful the Sandringham House was and how cozy Vivian felt with fireplaces, scones, and tea. Being in a royal setting and from the perspective of a couple who are older than Jasmine Guillory’s other characters gave the story a slightly more grownup and proper tone. This book was magical and I also love the glitter of Vivian’s dress on the front cover.
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Del Ray, 2020 Short Synopsis: Noemi and her father receive a concerning letter from her cousin Catalina, who recently and quickly wed Virgil Doyle, a handsome man the family doesn’t know well. Noemi is sent to visit Catalina at the Doyle family’s estate, The High Place to evaluate Catalina’s safety and to determine whether she needs to return to her hometown. During her visit, Noemi uncovers the mystery of her cousins in-laws and their eerie home.
I really wanted to read this book during scary season, but the timing of library waitlist didn’t work out and The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires has a lot of pages! Mexican Gothic took me a while to get into, but I kept reading because it is popular and I have read a lot of positive comments from book blogs and bookstagram. The story felt slow at times, maybe because I’m not used to reading historical fiction. This book was set in the 1950’s and often referenced previous generations of the Doyle family. There were scary supernatural elements, and horrors haunting The High Place. Once I got far enough into the book I had to keep reading to find out what would happen to Catalina and Noemi. I was generally entertained while also disgusted by the Doyle’s. I would have enjoyed this more during Halloween.
⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
Photo Credit: Goodreads
His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie, Algonquin Books, 2020 Short Synopsis: Afi, a poor village girl enters an arranged marriage to the wealthy Elikem Ganyo – a scheme created by Eli’s mother to end his relationship with his girlfriend and mother of his daughter, a woman she disapproves of. Will Afi be able to fulfill her mother’s and the Ganyo’s wish by winning Eli’s affection?
I read this book as part of the Tanya Time Book Club and it’s been fun to chat about it on the discussion boards and on Instagram Live. I have seen comparisons of this book to Crazy Rich Asians, and I agree that it has similarities. If you are a fan of relationship dramas in reality TV and soap operas, you will really like this book! I read that it has been optioned for movie or television series. I’m looking forward to seeing the wealth and opulence of Accra, Ghana. I’m also excited to see the clothing, since fashion is a big part of Afi’s life. This is one of my favorite books that I have read this year!
Welcome to another edition of Style and Savings Reads! In this post, I’m reviewing 3 books:
The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert
The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory
Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham
The Coincidence of Coconut Cake by Amy E. Reichert, Gallery Books, 2015 Short Synopsis: Lou is passionate about cooking and her restaurant named for her grandmother, Louella. Her fiancé, Devlin, a successful and prominent lawyer has never understood her passion for the restaurant business and wants her to settle in to a housewife role. After a dramatic and messy breakup with Devlin and a terrible review from a local food critic, Lou feels like things are falling apart. Then, she meets a handsome man named Al, who has recently moved to Milwaukee from England and wants her to show him the best of the city. Is Al, the man Lou thinks he is?
Generally, this book was what I expected – a light and predictable romance. I wish there had been more backstory or flashbacks to earlier in Devlin and Lou’s relationship. His character was written as the cliched self-centered, arrogant, wealthy businessman and there was no indication of what made his relationship with Lou last as long as it did. There was also a bittersweet storyline involving secondary characters that I felt had an unnecessary sadness. I enjoyed the many food descriptions, especially fried Wisconsin cheese and the scent of vanilla in Lou’s coconut cake. Similar to Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop, this book was a vicarious vacation. I have never been to Milwaukee and the description of the summer cultural food festivals, local restaurants, and art museum made it seem like a fun place to visit.
Photo Credit: Goodreads
The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory, Jove, 2018 Short Synopsis: When Nik receives a very public and unwanted marriage proposal during a baseball game, Carlos and his sister Angela come to her rescue by helping her dodge the cameras. Carlos and Nik become friends (and more), but is either of them ready for a real relationship?
This is the third of Jasmine Guillory’s books I have read. I like it much more than I liked The Wedding Date (see my review here). The Proposal followed the formula I expected from a Jasmine Guillory book. I like that Nik, Carlos, and their friends were from diverse backgrounds. Similar to Party of Two, I also enjoyed the excessive amount of food they ate, including an extra-large pizza and a taco taste test.
Photo Credit: Goodreads
Someday, Someday, Maybe by Lauren Graham, Ballantine Books, 2013 Short Synopsis: In New York City in the mid-90’s, Franny Banks is chasing her dream of becoming an actress. As the three year deadline she set for herself draws nearer, she feels pressure to make significant progress towards success. Her roommates Jane and Dan are supportive friends and she becomes enchanted by James Franklin, an experienced actor from her acting class.
Lauren Graham is the author of this book and I am a big fan of Gilmore Girls (Gilmore Girls posts here and here). I wonder how much of Franny’s story is inspired by Lauren Graham’s journey. I like that this story shows how hard it can be to break into show business and that most actors go through hardships before they become a glamourous star. Franny is happy when she gets considered for detergent commercials or cast as “laughing girl” and often works as a waitress at a comedy club or takes catering jobs to pay her bills. I admired her for wanting something so much that she would face rejection over and over again in hopes of getting one important “yes”. Franny’s story also taught readers that what feels like a rejection, is really a redirection towards something better.
Have you read any good books lately? If you’ve read any of these books – tell me what you think!
Welcome to another edition of Style and Savings Reads!
Photo Credit: Goodreads
Vanessa Yu’s Magical Paris Tea Shop by Roselle Lim, 2020, Penguin Random House Short Synopsis: Vanessa Yu is a reluctant clairvoyant – throughout her life she has struggled to control her unique ability. Blurting out her visions of the future has quickly ended any chance she’s had at romantic relationship. Vanessa moves in with her aunt, also a clairvoyant, to receive lessons in mastering her ability while helping to open her aunt’s Parisian tea shop.
Not being able to travel, this year, books and shows set it desirable locations are more than welcome! When Vanessa meets a handsome stranger who guides her through the city’s sites, it felt like I was on a tour too. I googled at least a few of the sites that I wasn’t familiar with. I loved the detailed descriptions of pastries and the scents of vanilla, sugar, and coffee. The magical elements were enjoyable and reminded me of how much I enjoyed Roselle Lim’s previous book Natalie Tan’s Book of Luck and Fortune. I was glad to see Vanessa take charge of her life by shedding the obligation of working in her family’s accounting firm and taking a chance to help her aunt in Paris where her true talent reveals itself in a magical way.
Photo Credit: Goodreads
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix, 2020, Quirk Books Short Synopsis: Set in the 1990’s housewives start a true-crime book club. Their friendships and beliefs are tested when a mysterious man moves to their peaceful neighborhood.
On the surface level, this is a horror story about a vampire inserting himself into the community and preying on children. There is also social commentary about the dynamics between women and their husbands and the disparities between the wealthy suburban neighborhood and the poor area of town. Sometimes it was hard to believe the book was set in the 1990’s instead of the 1950’s. Unfortunately, the story shed a light on how money can blind people and allow them to overlook any red flags in someone’s character. It also addressed the uncomfortable truth that there are people who are willing to ignore people who are in danger as long as their own families and properties are safe.
Photo Credit: Goodreads
Friends and Strangers by J. Courtney Sullivan, 2020, Knopf Publishing Group Short Synopsis: Elizabeth reluctantly moves from Brooklyn to a small college town so her husband can pursue a new venture. As a new mother, Elizabeth relies heavily on Sam, the college senior she hires to care for her son.
Friends and Strangers has similarities to Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid, which I also gave a 5-star rating. Both stories explore the dynamic between in-home childcare providers and their employers and how lines become blurred when either party loses sight of the transactional nature of the relationship. Elizabeth leans on Sam far too much for friendship and emotional support. Instead of racial tension, the social commentary in Friends and Strangers focuses on economic status. Sam comes from a middle-class family and is well-aware of the differences between herself, her well-off classmates, and the women she befriends while working in the dining hall kitchen. Elizabeth despises the way her father uses money to manipulate everyone in his life. She also witnesses her in-laws’ financial collapse when her father-in-law’s car service business becomes obsolete with the rise of ride-sharing apps and as a result he becomes obsessed with the demise of small businesses. I really loved that the book was set in a college town and generally enjoy the way it captured certain aspects of the college experience: the fun of being surrounded by people of the same age, but also occasionally missing being in the comfort of a home with your parents or other “real adults”. Sam’s character embodied the anxious feelings of a college student who doesn’t have her future plans set and who jumps to the false conclusion that adults who are settled into careers and families have it all figured out. She learns that Elizabeth’s life is not as perfect as it appears.
Photo Credit: Goodreads
Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay, 2014, Harper Collins Short Synopsis: A collection of essays critiquing society and pop-culture
This book was on my To-Read list for a while (probably since 2014) and I finally decided to read it. I was interested because I knew it would have references to pop-culture and the conflict the author felt in enjoying content that she knew was problematic (i.e. pop and rap hits, reality TV). I appreciated some of the chapters more than others based on whether or not I was familiar with the movie, book, or event she was discussing. Also, reading the book six years after it was published gave me a different perspective due to the many cultural movements that have happened since then including the #metoo and the downfall of Bill Cosby, the 2012 U.S. Presidential election, #oscarssowhite, and the year 2020 in general. Basically I wish that instead of reading the entire book in 2020 that I had read some of the essays in the form of magazine or online articles back in 2014 when they were more timely.
Have you read any good books lately? If you’ve read any of these books – tell me what you think!
Style and Savings 