Bossypants by Tina Fey

Bossypants is hilarious!  I listened to the audiobook, which was read by Tina Fey and had lots of little asides, including the audio from some SNL skits.  I especially loved her thoughts on beauty, work and motherhood.  

On crying at work:  “Some people say, “Never let them see you cry.” I say, if you’re so mad you could just cry, then cry. It terrifies everyone.” 

On beauty: “If you retain nothing else, always remember the most important rule of beauty, which is: who cares?” 

Pretty funny stuff.  Also, now I want to watch 30 Rock and old SNL skits.  A funny read if you don't mind a little language.  I wouldn't mind reading it again someday.

Read: June 2012 (via CD from the library)

My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares

Ann Brashares wrote Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, which I loved, and Summer of You and Me, which was also good.  So I had I high hopes for My Name is Memory.  Unfortunately, it just didn't deliver.  The plot sounded good (from Amazon):

Daniel has spent centuries falling in love with the same girl. Life after life, crossing continents and dynasties, he and Sophia (despite her changing name and form) have been drawn together-and he remembers it all. For all the times that he and Sophia have been connected throughout history, they have also been torn painfully, fatally, apart. 

But just when Sophia (now "Lucy" in the present) finally awakens to the secret of their shared past, the mysterious force that has always separated them reappears. Ultimately, they must come to understand what stands in the way of their love if they are ever to spend a lifetime together.

You have to accept the premise that reincarnation is real, but most people don't remember their past lives.  Except Daniel.  It sounded like a nice Time Travelers Wife romance, but it just wasn't.  The past lives weren't developed well enough, the bad guy's motives were non-existent and the ending was the worst one I've read in a while. It was like the author got lazy, didn't want to try to figure out how to describe her complex storyline and just stopped writing (unless there is a sequel, which I doubt).  Don't bother.

Read: June 2012 (via CD from the library)

i've got your number by Sophie Kinsella

I love Sophie Kinsella novels.  They have the perfect mix of being light, funny, entertaining and a little thought provoking, too.  I looked forward to this fun read on my lunch breaks.  Definitely worth picking up if you like Sophie K books - or just a good girly beach read. Here's the summary from Amazon.com:

Poppy Wyatt has never felt luckier. She is about to marry her ideal man, Magnus Tavish, but in one afternoon her “happily ever after” begins to fall apart. Not only has she lost her engagement ring in a hotel fire drill but in the panic that follows, her phone is stolen. As she paces shakily around the lobby, she spots an abandoned phone in a trash can. Finders keepers! Now she can leave a number for the hotel to contact her when they find her ring. Perfect!
 
Well, perfect except that the phone’s owner, businessman Sam Roxton, doesn’t agree. He wants his phone back and doesn’t appreciate Poppy reading his messages and wading into his personal life.
 
What ensues is a hilarious and unpredictable turn of events as Poppy and Sam increasingly upend each other’s lives through emails and text messages. As Poppy juggles wedding preparations, mysterious phone calls, and hiding her left hand from Magnus and his parents . . . she soon realizes that she is in for the biggest surprise of her life.


Read: May-June 2012 (from Half Price Books)

Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory

If you've been reading my book blog for a while, you know that I love historical fiction and that I am especially interested in the British monarchy.  For those reasons, I really like Philippa Gregory's books. They are historically accurate, told from a woman's perspective and usually lead me to spend time googling more information about the characters.  The Lady of the Rivers is about King Henry VI and the start of the War of the Roses, which I knew very little about.  Here is the Amazon summary:

Jacquetta is married to the Duke of Bedford, English regent of France, and he introduces her to a mysterious world of learning and alchemy. Her only friend in the great household is the duke’s squire Richard Woodville, who is at her side when the duke’s death leaves her a wealthy young widow. The two become lovers and marry in secret, returning to England to serve at the court of the young King Henry VI, where Jacquetta becomes a close and loyal friend to his new queen.

The Woodvilles soon achieve a place at the very heart of the Lancaster court, though Jacquetta can sense the growing threat from the people of England and the danger of royal rivals. Not even their courage and loyalty can keep the House of Lancaster on the throne. Henry the king slides into a mysterious sleep; Margaret the queen turns to untrustworthy favorites for help; and Richard, Duke of York, threatens to overturn the whole kingdom for his rival dynasty.

Jacquetta fights for her king, her queen, and for her daughter Elizabeth for whom Jacquetta can sense an extraordinary and unexpected future: a change of fortune, the throne of England, and the white rose of York.

Review: A good read if you like historical fiction
Related Books: chronologically prior to The White Queen and The Red Queen
Read: May 2012 (via CD from the library)