Great Read - Where'd You Go, Bernadette

Sometimes there is a book that really engages you with superb writing, unique story, and quirky characters.  Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple is just that kind of story.

I've never read Semple before, but have now ordered her previous book.  And as I went to her website and read her bio, it wasn't surprising that I loved this book.  Semple used to write the sitcoms Ellen and Mad About You, two shows I loved because of the great stories and characters.  Semple's father wrote for the TV series Batman, another show I loved for its campy writing and characters.

The book Where'd You Go, Bernadette, I loved how the story flowed through emails, dialogue, back story, and point of view.  Semple mastered this story that delivered.  Left in the hands of a lesser writer, this story could have bombed.

I love quirky stories and characters.  I think my reading is much like my television watching. I loved Gilmore Girls - a quirky, fast pace of dialogue that just zinged.  Much like Mad About You and Ellen, the writing made the shows awesome.

So, what quirky stories do you like?

That's it according to Maddy~

Tootles,
Madelyn

Fifty Shades of Grey - Complete

I'm done.  I've finished the series, the books are now circulating the neighborhood (I've warned all of the husbands their wives may have new ideas in the boudoir).  What did I think? I think the writing became better with each book. The characters a little fuller, more sympathetic.  I guess there is still the fact that Ana's love for Christian caused her so much emotional pain that I didn't understand why she continued to remain with Christian (who definitely showed character growth).  It reminded me of Catherine and Heathcliff of Wuthering Heights-obsession to the result of demise.

And truly-the sex scenes were so ridiculously unrealistic that I started skipping them.  I kept wondering if they are having sex this often, how the hell are they walking? And he touches her and she almost instantly climaxes - REALLY??? While yelling his name and he yelling her name - REALLY??? 

Truly 50 Shades did delve into the obsession-so deeply it was disturbing. However, and this is a big however, I'm glad I've read them.  I was able to see what has captured so many readers and learn of a different type of relationship.  I hadn't really spoken to anyone about the entire series, and I so thought it was going to end badly.  I envisioned broken hearts cinched in handcuffs strewn all over Seattle-yes, that badly.

What did you think? I'd love to know.

That's it according to Maddy~

Tootles~
Madelyn

Fifty Shades - The phenomenon

Okay, so I started reading Fifty Shades of Grey several months ago and put it aside.  I don't know, maybe I wasn't in the mood and maybe the press jaded my reading experience.  And now the Fifty Shade Phenomenon has swept the world. Women all over are creating book clubs to discuss the books and Christian Grey has become some sort of romantic hero.   

The other day I had coffee with a friend who had read the books and liked them.  We swap books all the time and have similar taste.  I said that I thought it was overrated. She said I should give them another chance that she was engaged not in the erotic element but the psychology of Christian Grey and how his character attracted her to the story.

So, have you read any of the Fifty Shade books?  What did you think? I'd love to hear what you have to say.  I've started at page one and I'm trying to keep an open mind, but I'm still not convinced it's a great story--but I'll finish it and keep you posted.

That's it according to Maddy~

Tootles,
Madelyn

Inspiring Inspirations

Just finished 2 books by Ruth Logan Herne. She's a local writer and friend and extraordinary prolific.  Currently she's published 8 books with Harlequin Love Inspired and she writes a great blog.

What I love about Ruth's books is that they are gritty inspirationals. Real people, real problems.  Tough problems that take a lot of hard work and faith to resolve.  I love her characters and the way she writes them as if they were my neighbors.  To top it off, she writes about local places and I love that.


Another thing I like is that she's changed my view on Inspriational novels. They are much more contemporary than I thought, more involved, and character driven.

That's it according to Maddy~

Madelyn

Reading & Re-Reading

I've just finished a great Scottish Historical that I loved. It is the first book in a series by Maya Banks. I've already read the series, but it's in my Nook app on my iPad and it's super convenient to read when I'm on the treadmill.  Plus I've exceeded my book purchase budget this month, so I'm stuck re-reading.

There are very few books that I re-read. I'm always in for a Jane Austen reread. I make it a point to read Jane Eyre at least once a year. And Shakespeare, I read him as much as possible. But there are also a ton of variations on these classics and I enjoy the creativity to make the story new and fresh.

So what do you re-read? Is there that book you must read every so often or else you feel as if you are missing out? Do you hate to re-read and just wait for new releases?

I'm patiently waiting for the next Scottish Historical by Maya Banks, but it looks as if that is months away - heavy sigh.

That's it According to Maddy~

Tootles,
Madelyn

New Blog Design

Hello,
There has been some chatter on writer blogs these days about writer's websites. With Facebook and blogs is it really necessary to have a website? At first I thought yes. But as I thought about things, really why do you need a website if you are visible on facebook and have a blog (which feeds to Facebook)?

I can add book excerpts, writing updates, add pages for contests and contact info. So really a website isn't truly necessary.

What is necessary is a way for writers to find you. See what you are currently doing and look at our backlist. Readers need to be able to email us or post a comment on Facebook. Just a way to communicate and share. And a website is static where as Facebook and blogs are asynchronous communication avenues that work great for writers and readers.

So my website address will now filter to my blog which will allow for readers and writers to access as well as feed to Facebook. All and all a great solution.

That's it according to Maddy~

Tootles,
Madelyn

Pass the Kleenex

I just finished a book in which the last quarter I was crying. Tears sloshed down my face and my nose ran. This has happened maybe twice that I can recall. Why did this book touch me so? The characters were drawn so well that I truly cared for them, felt empathetic to their plight and plain just wanted a "Happily Ever After" ending.

The book, The Friday Night Knitting Club does not sound like a book that would elicit tears. But the emotion and actions of the characters were so real that I had no problem buying into the story. To me, these people were real, my neighbors, friends, and relatives. In fact, I read the book slowly, which is unusual for me, but I wanted to savor every word and prolong the ending.

It seems as if this book is quite the phenomenon. There are several websites for the book such as Walker and Daughter in which a community of readers is created and there are many aspects of the book such as Dakota's Bakery that will remind you of parts of the story that were endearing and fun. The story is a work of fiction, however the way that each nuance is described, it is as if you could through the upper west side of NYC and pop in for a visit.

What is so fun for me is that this is a book that I wouldn't ordinarily choose to read. My time is precious, so much of my reading is done on a research basis, or saved for established authors that I know and trust. To me, stepping outside the box brought me a special present that will encourage me to search for that next extraordinary reading encounter with a little more patience and open-mindedness.

What have you read lately that has made you take a second look or think about for days? Have you stepped out of the box and into an imaginary world that has you so transfixed that you just don't want to leave?

That's it according to Maddy~

Tootles,
Madelyn