13) Jemima J. by Jane Green

This is the first book I've ever re-read by choice.  I read it first when I was in high school and devoured it in a day.  The way Green describes the life of an overweight woman was shockingly accurate.  I felt that at times, Jemima was living my life.  I loved the story and that she succeeded in losing weight.

After reading it for a second time, I was must more critical.  It's still a good story, but it's very unrealistic.  First of all, Jemima lost all of her excess weight and then some in as little as 6 weeks.  She met her dream guy, Brad, but turns out he's secretly attracted to seriously obese girls.  What are the odds?  Plus, her true love Ben, never notices that she's losing weight and I hate the fact that as soon as he sees her thin, it's as simple as, "Oh my gosh, I love her!"  I just think that it ruins the depth of their previous relationship.

It's still a good novel that I always finish in a few days, but now that I'm older it doesn't hold the same magic for me it once did.  However, I might read it again someday, as it really motivated me to get my butt moving and try to lose my own excess weight.

9) The Little Giant of Aberdeen County by Tiffany Baker

This book has been on my reading list since I first saw it advertised in Bookpage.  I've waited oh-so patiently for it to come out on paperback and finally got around to reading it.  There's no other way to describe this book than disappointing.  It really has such potential, but the author falls short of creating anything memorable. 

Her characters are larger than life (Truly is literally so), but they have the depth of a puddle.  As a reader, you never really get to see any real emotion from the characters.  I expect Truly, the so-called giant, to show a little more sadness at the loss of her beloved sister.  And when things go wrong with Amelia, a friend who's more to Truly than her real sister ever was, it's almost like she feels nothing at all.  A few paragraphs tell us that Truly is heartbroken by this tragedy, but we never see it. 

That's one thing I couldn't get over about this book.  I really wanted to like it, but I just couldn't.  My writing teachers have always said that you need to SHOW the readers what's going on, instead of simply TELLING them.  Although the difference is subtle, I think it makes all the difference, especially in a book like this.

2) Land of a Hundred Wonders by Lesley Kagen

This is a catch-up post.  It was the second book I finished this year, but I'm just now getting around to posting it.

I first discovered Lesley Kagen when I read her first novel, Whistling in the Dark, and fell in love with it.  This time around, she's written another amazingly unique and enjoyable read.  She is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors.  The characters in this book are quirkly and lovable.  Her work more than anyone else's inspires me to get to work on writing my own book.

My favorite quote: SHERIFF: And for what purpose would you be wantin' to know that information?  GIBBY: For the article I will be writin' about him once he turns up dead, ya big asshole.