A Homemade Life by Molly Wizenberg

Molly has a unique take and relationship with food. Both her mother and her father have different perspectives and that has shaped her from early childhood. The recipes in this book vary from the simple to a little on the difficult side. Yet I am intrigued to try most of them. The writing style is straight forward. I also felt like I got to know the writer personally through her stories and recipes.

Ms. Wizenberg blew me away. I wasn't sure what to expect at all and I found myself captivated! She puts her whole self in her writing. I never felt like she held back anything though I am sure there had to be something.

I fell in love with this book. Whether you are a foodie or not, since I am becoming one, this book is for you. It is a wonderful journey and I can't wait to try some of these recipes. I can't wait to see what Ms. Wizenberg writes next and will be patiently waiting for it to come out.

Molly Wizenberg/ New author/ Non-Fiction/ Food/ Family/ 352 pages/ 5 out of 5
I don't want to give it all away but I highly recommend this book! Off to start another one while still reading Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult.

The School Run by Sophie King

Five families all make the same run to school. Whether its the school teacher taking the bus, a mom who isn't sure about her marriage, another mom with a disappearing husband, a dad who is coping with the loss of his dead wife, or an au pair who thinks the children she is watching are horrible. Yet something will happen that will connect them all together.

Ms. King is a fantastic writer. She keeps things paced very well. The names when the character's stories changed helped a lot. I was impressed at how much depth you get into each character. That is not always easy to do.

Of all of them I really liked Pippa. She had the most she was dealing with in my opinion even more so than Harriet who wasn't sure about her marriage. Health issues make people think. All of them had their faults but getting the perspective really helped.

This is a good debut. I had parts where I would get upset. Other times not so much. I am curious to see what else she has written. She knows how to write all different kinds of characters and that makes her one well rounded author.

Sophie King/ New Author/ Family/ School/352 pages/ 4 out of 5

Off to reading some more. Just started another a Daniel Silva book.

Really Something by Shirley Jump

Allie Dean is going back home and it is the last place she wants to go in all honesty. But scouting out a spot for the newest movie might just be the thing that will jump start her career. Though the first person she runs into when she gets into town is also the last person she wants to see. Duncan Henry broke her heart back in high school. He is not used to being stood up and has not had anyone to talk to since his best friend Allison left town. Allie is just after finding the place to shoot and Duncan wants her in his bed. Who will get what they want first?

Ms. Jump does a fantastic job at the whole coming home story line. I loved how Allie just wanted to prove herself and possibly get a little revenge. The characters were all over the board, which made this book come more alive. Even the minor characters were fantastic.

Allie had horrible memories but she knew this would be the perfect spot to film the B horror movie. It was not going to be anything flashy but Allie knew this was the stepping-stone to getting where she wanted. Duncan just wants someone to talk to but Allie seems to be a beautiful woman as well. He just keeps thinking he knows her from somewhere.

This book had me flipping pages fast. I could not get enough. The tension between Allie and Duncan was really great. There was going to be a lot to deal with if Allie would only come forth, but things might go better. She is just nervous. Duncan just enjoys someone to talk to and wishes for more. I just hoped the outcome would be one that would seem real no matter what it was.

Shirley Jump/New Author/Romance/ Family/Relationships/ 352 pages/ 5 out of 5

Off to go do some more writing!

Tarnished Beauty by Cecilia Samartin

Jamilet is a beautiful girl who has a huge birthmark that shows up on most of her body. She takes it all in stride. It has cost her a lot of pain but she lives her life day by day. She finally decides to leave her family and go out on her own. Her grandmother is all that is left since her aunt Carmen left months ago. This one journey will put her in the path with a man who has a story to tell. One she could only understand.


Ms. Samartin has a way with words that will wring emotions from your heart. There is joy; pain, love and loss weaved through these pages. I found it most difficult to put it down. The descriptions alone grabbed my attention but the heart that is described made me turn the pages even more so.

Jamilet just wants to be loved. She knows her mother does love her but after she dies, there is little left in the world for her. Even life with her aunt Tia is just more work. She wants to be rid of her birthmark and decides it is time to find a job. I really truly felt for Jamilet. She was a girl who wanted more from her life than she could get on her own. Yet can she find it is what I kept wondering? Senor Peregrino is a man full of life. He has seen so much and yet has to be kept alone in a room at a Sanitarium. Jamilet just might be the only one to hear what he has to say.

This is one book that kept me curious to know if the story that was told through the Senor’s eyes was true. I had to find out the ending along with Jamilet. There is much heartbreak in this story but there was so much going on. This is one author who has peaked my curiosity and I would love to read more by her.

Cecilia Samartin/ New Author/ Fiction/ 352 pages/ Stories/ Coming of Age/ 5 out of 5