The Lovely Shoes

Franny's, the protagonist, one leg is longer than the other and she is not happy with the shoes she has to wear. Franny's mother, on the other hand, has a great selection of shoes and an impeccable taste in clothes and that's because she doesn't have the same problem as her daughter. However, Franny starts to pity herself after the dance incident occurs. She locks herself up in her room and mopes. Then her mother finds an ad in the paper about Signor Ferragamo who has the solution to her shoe problem. Franny's trip to Italy changes her life.

I admit I am not too happy with the book. The author, Susan Shreve, does pull some of the incidents from her life, but not all of them. I despised reading the part about her moping about herself in her room. I just wanted to slap her and tell her, 'get a life.' In the whole self-pity period, the story was flat. Come to think of it, most of the story was flat. The story became interesting once Franny went to Italy and had some stylish shoes custom made, but other than that the story was flat.

I think one needs a taste for books like these because I sure don't have the taste. I like reading lots of girly/chick-lit books but this one was just, ehh. So I leave it up to you to decide whether you want to read it or not because I sure am not going to say you should or shouldn't.

Time Travelling Fashionista

I enjoyed this book thoroughly. In fact, I cried at the end of the book with the Titanic reference. I'm actually listening to Celine Dion's Titanic song now. 

First of all, I loved all the Fashion Designers mentioned in here. I loved how we got a chance to spend some time with some of the best designers in here. Second, I loved the character in here, and then there were times when I just wanted to smack the protagonist on the head, but still she's 12 years old. What can you expect. Third, I loved how Titanic is woven into the story here. It was the dress and Titanic that grasped us emotionally. 

Well I certainly won't look at dresses the same way. This book gives its readers a new look at dresses. Not unless, if you already understand Vintage, but to those who don't we certainly will get a new perspective on Vintage clothing. Readers will truly learn to appreciate what history Vintage clothing holds. 

Here is a memorable clip from the story: 

"It takes a special kind of person to realize that when you wear vintage you are carrying a bit of the past on your body, and the possibility that vintage can have an impact on your modern life...Don't forget your history, Louise. If we do, we are destined to repeat the past, as though for the first time, without benefiting from any of the knowledge that can be gained from those who have come before us. In the words of the inimitable French designer Coco Chanel, 'Fashion fades, only style remains the same.'" 

I loved this part towards the end in the story. Truly touching and I hope the author continues to write more.

The Carter House Girls

The Carter House Girls is a series of eight books by Melody Carlson, I think. The last time I checked Melody Carlson's website, it said Last Dance is the last book, and it was sad to hear that because I liked seeing how the characters in the books have changed. Some, if not most of them, have made real progress. They have become real mature. Now I have read only the first six books, but these six have been a joy to read.

At first, I was thinking to myself, 'typical girly books with cat fights, beauty and fashion. It's not going to be interesting. Why waste my time.' Seriously, that's what I thought. Then I still continued to read hoping something good might happen, and I can't say that anything good happened. But the books progressed for the best. I started to like getting to know these characters, seeing the problems they face, and how they solve them. I felt as if I was a part of the Carter House girls and that I was a part of this chaos in some way. I actually am upset to find out these books are coming to end soon.

I should say that its heavily Christian based. Most of the characters in there are Christians and they are praying throughout the books. It did not bother me because I saw God work miracles in some of these girls. Well, okay so maybe God worked miracles through DJ, the protagonist. But the Christianity that plays in here is not annoying. In fact,  it kind of brings the story together. I think the author must really love Jesus Christ.

I would recommend anyone to read these books because guys can find out just how it is like to live with a bunch of girls and girls can learn from DJ. She sets a good example and so do some of her friends.

I'm not quite done, so I'll keep you posted as to how the books turn out.

Carrie Diaries

Carrie Diaries by Candace Bushnell was entertaining and the plot was a little typical. The only thing that made me want to read the books were Carrie Bradshaw. She was a girl with a mind of her own. She wasn't a man's woman, she's a woman (well a girl since she's a teenager). A girl with a mind of her own. A girl who won't succumb to a sleazy guy like Sebastian. Yes, Sebastian was all about making out with different girls. A guy who is not worth any girls time, but Carrie liked him. She liked him a lot. She liked him enough to see him after she found her best friend was making out with him. She liked him enough to tell him she's leaving for New York. Now these were some of the reasons why I kept reading this book.

The story does come across as a little typical. But the different spices of characters in the story makes you want to keep reading. The author did have her readers trapped in her web of character. The plot also wasn't too boring either because the emotional response from us, as readers, was 'Carrie, dump the bastard' but its not like Carrie's going to listen to us. In other words, somewhere inside I was involved in the story too. I think that Candace Bushnell has a well-written story with a whole spice rack of characters with just one bad tasting spice that is kind of ruining every other spice, and somewhere in the spice rack is a spice that has the guts to stick up for herself and say 'hey, I can find a better guy than that sleazy spice.'

I would recommend reading this book because you just don't want to miss what dish this spice rack can whip up.

Blue Moon by Alyson Noel

Some things about certain people just don't change. It doesn't matter no many how many times life might have tried to teach them a lesson, but they don't learn. Ever is one of those people who just never learns and continues to make poor decisions.

But I wonder...

Is this a technique that the author employs to capture her readers attention? I wonder if Ever being so annoying is what keeps us interested? I mean what if Ever did everything we wanted her to do, then what? Would we want to read the books? Probably for some and probably not others.

My opinion is that if Ever did what I expected her to do, then it would have been boring. I think that the way Ever is is what keeps me interested.

The characterization in Blue Moon is quite strong. Ever definitely does have a distinctive voice. She is definitely annoying and a poor decision maker, but it is what drives the story. The plot is also starting to thicken too. With Damen in so much pain, Ever is the left to fight the battle alone.

This book is starting to become interesting. Now that the curse is in place and Ever can't touch Damen. I have to wait and see what happens in the third book whether Damen will find out or not. I mean I'm sure Damen will definitely will find out, but don't know when.

I would recommend this book. It may annoy you and who knows you might like the story. I can't say I don't like the story because I want to know what bad decisions Ever will make that will possibly jeopardize her future and possibly her future with Damen. I won't say I am absolutely crazy about the book because I'm not, but I'm interested in seeing what happens next.

It would be nice to hear what you all have to say about Blue Moon by Alyson Noel, so please leave me any comments you want below.