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.

As the Sparks Fly Upward

I didn't think I would enjoy this book but I did. Once I started to read it, I got real engrossed into the novel with Colin and Adam, mostly Colin.

Its a real straight forward story with Colin being the odd duckling out, and Adam being the son with all the attention and strength, but as both grow up Colin finds his own place by being a Physician and Adam being a Seahawk along side Sir Francis Drake. Then Colin meets Heather and his whole life changes, but Heather's scorn leaves a scar inside his heart and Twyla's love for him cures it.

Christianity played a huge role in this story with being saved and inviting Jesus into Colin's life. I don't mind it at all, but I have been reading books on how being a Christian means you are saved and I'm not against Christianity or anything but it's kind of getting irritating. I'm not religious, but I won't I don't care I do. It's just that this is a little annoying with one theme playing in all the books I have read thus far.

I couldn't possibly begin to say what I like about this book. I read it in two days and every single time I just wanted to know what happened next in Colin's life or know if Colin will see that Twyla loves him. This story really grabs your attention and keeps you glued to the story. The pace is good so that's why the reader never gets bored even though its an ordinary story. Gilbert Morris, the author, does a good job in telling this story. One interesting thing about this story is that Colin and Twyla name their second child Gilbert and says, "...I have a feeling this one will be the best of all the House of Winslow." Interesting humor that is laugh worthy Mr. Gilbert Morris finishes the story with by bringing his text back to a full circle using his name. Great read and recommended for anyone interested in the late 1500s with Queen Elizabeth and Sir Francis Drake.

Just Ask

Kim No. 1 - Just Ask by Melody Carlson is written in a diary format that follows the life of an asian, Korean heritage, girl raised by American parents and daily happenings in her life.

I cried a little bit at the end of this book. Just after everything was going good. The end leaves the reader teary eyed. I won't say what it is since it would ruin the book, but its not anything to hide I just don't want to say what it is because the effect of the surprise would wear off.

I read this book before but didn't get into it then until now. Today I enjoyed this book to the end and loved reading and seeing the world through Kim's eyes. This book really lets us get inside Kim's head and everything that she thinks. I'm sure some of us have questioned the same thing Kim has and have experienced the same thing Kim has. Maybe not in the same sense, but close to it. The reality of the story and getting inside Kim's head is what glued my attention to the story.

I probably wasn't too happy with her telling her readers leave it up to God since not everyone believes in the same thing and same person as she does. I certainly didn't mind her being so Christian and telling people to leave it up to God, but I'm not Christian and I don't know how others would take such advice, but thats just me.

All in all, the experience of seeing the world through Kim Peterson, a columnist, eyes was a positive experience and I respect her for her faith and her devotion to her family and friends. I give this book 5 stars and recommend everyone to read this one because sometimes we don't have to-just ask- to pick up a book that might make a difference in our lives like it did to mine (a little).