March Choices for April Book

Hi Everyone! Jessica, Natalie and myself were talking at lunch today and felt that when it becomes your time to choose the book(s), you don't have to put forth choices. If you are positive about the book that you want everyone to read, then you can pick that one book. Or put up choices. It's up to you. Is everyone okay with that? With that said, I'm putting up 3 choices because I couldn't decide.


Book One:






Enzo knows he is different from other dogs: a philosopher with a nearly human soul (and an obsession with opposable thumbs), he has educated himself by watching television extensively, and by listening very closely to the words of his master, Denny Swift, an up-and-coming race car driver. Through Denny, Enzo has gained tremendous insight into the human condition, and he sees that life, like racing, isn't simply about going fast. Using the techniques needed on the race track, one can successfully navigate all of life's ordeals. On the eve of his death, Enzo takes stock of his life, recalling all that he and his family have been through: the sacrifices Denny has made to succeed professionally; the unexpected loss of Eve, Denny's wife; the three-year battle over their daughter, Zoë, whose maternal grandparents pulled every string to gain custody. In the end, despite what he sees as his own limitations, Enzo comes through heroically to preserve the Swift family, holding in his heart the dream that Denny will become a racing champion with Zoë at his side. A heart-wrenching but deeply funny and ultimately uplifting story of family, love, loyalty, and hope, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a beautifully crafted and captivating look at the wonders and absurdities of human life...as only a dog could tell it.

I've heard GREAT things about this book.
Book 2
Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang by Chelsea Handler
The hilarious new book from the star of Chelsea Lately and the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Are You There Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea. Get ready for big laughs as Chelsea Handler lets loose with more comic personal essays, from growing-up stories of discovering "The Feeling" during a third-grade sleepover and getting screwed by her parents during the Cabbage Patch craze, to grown-up tales of dealing with a sister who's off - and by "off" she means Mormon. Chelsea never lets anyone off the hook, even herself, as she delivers page after page of irreverent humor, biting wit, and deliciously off-kilter entertainment.
If you are at all offended by vulgarity, bad language, etc. this is not the book for you. I watch Chelsea's show and I think she is HILARIOUS; but she is ruthless and has no shame. Should be an easy read, I got through her last 2 books within a couple of days.


Book 3

Till We Have Faces: A Myth Retold by C.S. Lewis
This tale of two princesses - one beautiful and one unattractive - and of the struggle between sacred and profane love is Lewis’s reworking of the myth of Cupid and Psyche and one of his most enduring works.
I have always wanted to read C.S. Lewis's books. Have you read this one Rani? I know you've read some of his.
So there you have it girls! Get to voting! Poll closes March 7th.

Hey everyone!

Have any of you guys started Half Broke yet? Any feedback so far? I just finished it and totally loved it, especially since I loved The Glass Castle and it had the same kind of feel..

February Choices

Hi Ladies, I'm very excited about our new book club, and anxious to post February's choices for those ready to start a new book. Anyhow, here are my choices:

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Part of the growing trend toward Urban Fantasy in Young Adult fiction, The Mortal Instruments series is dark, edgy and has more than a few neo-gothic horror overtones. Clary Fray, a seemingly normal teen from Brooklyn, realizes one day (or actually, one evening) at a teen club that she can see things, things that should not be real, that her friends cannot see. In the blink of an eye, Clary is knee deep in a reality that includes demon-hunters (and demons, of course), vampires, warlocks and werewolves - and the truth is that it's the same reality she has lived in all of her life. She just couldn't see it all before because someone or something was preventing her from seeing it. As Clary learns more about the world of the Shadow Hunters (descendants of angels who hunt demons) from an enigmatic boy named Jace, she also discovers the dark secrets of her own family's history and the true nature of her place in the world.

I have not read this, but have heard good things about it from those that have.

Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less by Jeffrey Archer

Jeffrey Archer has woven a thoroughly enjoyable tale of a scoundral - Harvey - who cheats anyone anyway he can. Through an innocent third party, he manages to dupe four men out of a total of $1,000,000. One of these, a university professor, determines to follow his father's motto: don't get angry, get even. The professor puts together a dossier on Harvey and contacts the three other men and convinces them to come up with a way to get the money they lost back. (They had all invested in north sea oil shares that turned out to be worthless.) The schemes they develop and carry out are not only brilliant, but also very humorous reading. The delightful twist at the end had me laughing all through the last chapter.

Jeffrey Archer is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors, I have not read this one, but I hear its the one to read. My favorite was As the Crow Flies, and I highly recommend it. The thing I love about Jeffrey Archer is that he seems to be able to write in all genres, but most of his books seem to be historical epics.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

The epic tale begins when Claire Randall, a young combat nurse in World War II, moves to Scotland with her beloved husband to re-ignite their marriage interrupted by the war. Hiking one day, Claire accidentally passes through the stones of an ancient stone circle and wakes up to find herself in 16th century Scotland. Lost, alone, and confused (yet, determined), Claire's path crosses, and is inextricably linked to, a young Highland warrior, James Fraser. (The kind of man women want, and men want to BE.)The story that ensues would make Shakespeare proud--danger, suspense, passion, betrayal, true love, and tragedy. Gabaldon is a master story teller. She shrouds her fantasy in just enough reality as to completely seduce her readers.

I may have been the only person that hasn't read this book yet, that is why I'm dying to.

The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak

This is a story told by Death. An interesting point of view perhaps, but as it is set in Germany during World War II, perhaps it is entirely appropriate. It is also a story of a young girl, who in spite of having a life that no one would wish on anyone, still manages to have glimpses of pleasure through many small things, including the few books that she manages to acquire (or shall we say, steal).

I actually read this and loved it. Very endearing read, and it makes for a good discussion.

Ok so there you have it girls. I will put the vote on the side and you have one week to place your vote.