Dina in suburbia

I decided I’m going to keep a running list of books I’ve read along with a thought or two on each one.  Most recent book read at top of the list- in case you care about order (I do).

Dead Until Dark- A Sookie Sackhouse Novel by Charlaine Harris.  I admit- I got totally hooked on the HBO series True Blood.  So when I saw Dead Until Dark at my local target for $5, I threw it in my cart.  Harris writes the PERFECT summer-time read: steamy and fast. 

Gloria by Keith Maillard.  Phew.  This was a long one.  I had to get an extension at the library in order to finish reading it.  It wasn’t a hard read, just long.  I really do appreciate a coming of age story, especially one that involved a young woman that isn’t only beautiful, but smart AND witty!  Maillard writes with such detail and care- you can tell he took the extra steps to research both the time and places he was writing about. 

American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld.  This book is loosely based on Laura Bush.  It seems the arc of the former first lady’s life is fodder for the book, but the day-to-day accounts are fictionalized.  I enjoyed the first 3/4’s of the book- but once Bush got into the White House, I lost steam.  Even so, the book is interesting- and the first two sections that mention “Laura’s” upbringing and her introduction to “GW” were the most juicy.

One Fifth Avenue by Candace Bushnell (author of Sex and the City and Lipstick Jungle).  Although I’m not finished, yet, I think One Fifth Avenue is more interesting that both Sex and the City and Lipstick Jungle.  I wouldn’t be suprised if Bushnell wrote with television/movie in mind- the characters seem perfect for the big (or little) screen.  Not high literature, this is a perfect beach/vacation read.  Better if you are in-the-know about NYC… as many of the scenes play out in the West and East Village.