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Gail B. (my2sense) - - Reviews

1 to 17 of 17
Belle Weather: Mostly Sunny with a Chance of Scattered Hissy Fits
Belle Weather: Mostly Sunny with a Chance of Scattered Hissy Fits
Book Type: Audio CD
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 12
Review Date: 3/12/2011
Helpful Score: 1


I have given this audio as a gift to at least 6 friends. I may be a Yankee but Celia Rivenbark can make me snort in an unbecoming fashion. I have found myself and a few howling fellow car occupants stopped at our destination unwilling to disembark because we want to hear more.


Drinking : A Love Story
Drinking : A Love Story
Author: Caroline Knapp
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 16
Review Date: 1/6/2011


Powerful, beautifully written and well worth reading.


Honk And Holler Opening Soon
Honk And Holler Opening Soon
Author: Billie Letts
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 78
Review Date: 9/3/2008
Helpful Score: 1


Billie Letts paints her characters so beautifully! I laughed and I cried. I thought of the characters for days after I finished the book. Very satisfying.


Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet
Author: Jamie Ford
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 596
Review Date: 11/10/2010
Helpful Score: 5


PERFECT TITLE. I normally don't read books that revolve around a sad/serious subject (in this case the internment of Japanese-Americans during WWII) but this book grabbed me and wouldn't let go. You quickly care about the main character. A poignant and well-paced book of friendship and devotion that has you wiping your eyes at the satisfying final chapters. I'm sharing my copy with several local friends before I post it here - it's that good.


It's My F---ing Birthday
It's My F---ing Birthday
Author: Merrill Markoe
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.2/5 Stars.
 55
Review Date: 3/15/2010


A single woman in L.A. celebrates seven of her birthdays with annual journal entries (beginning on her 36th) recounting her yearly endurance test a.k.a. her sure to be dreaded birthday "celebrations" with her dysfunctional family. Many singles will relate to the hilarious encounters with her series of "Mr. Wrongs" and some may think it over the top. If you relate to any it you will not only LOL but cringe and thank your lucky stars these things didn't happen to you. I've given this book as a b-day gift for a single friend that enjoys a cynical wit.


Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married
Lucy Sullivan Is Getting Married
Author: Marian Keyes
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 376
Review Date: 3/4/2007
Helpful Score: 1


My first in my Marian Keyes addiction. I'm constantly caught up and can't wait for the next one...


Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English
Mr. Rosenblum Dreams in English
Author: Natasha Solomons
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 14
Review Date: 11/18/2011
Helpful Score: 2


A treasure! I gave this book 5 stars. A poignant, charming look at human nature with several surprises. One man's determination to "fit in" but becomes transformed by the people and forces of nature around him. Beautifully woven to the very last word. I'll have to share this with everyone before I can post my copy. It's that good. This would make a wonderful gift for someone.


Murder on the Astral Plane (Kate Jasper Mystery #10)
Murder on the Astral Plane (Kate Jasper Mystery #10)
Author: Jaqueline Girdner
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.1/5 Stars.
 10
Review Date: 1/31/2012
Helpful Score: 2


I RAREly abandon a book. Like almost never, maybe twice, now three. I fought my way through to more than half of this, giving it my typical hoping it would prove me wrong optimism. Not only did I not care about the characters, I wished I could jump in the book and kill them all off so I could quickly leave with a clear conscience. I have at least 1 more of her titles to read (I collect) but I'm thinking of donating it now. Sorry to leave such a negative.


The PMS Outlaws (Elizabeth MacPherson, Bk 9)
The PMS Outlaws (Elizabeth MacPherson, Bk 9)
Author: Sharyn McCrumb
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 84
Review Date: 3/4/2007


If I could come up with a word that meant quirky and great -- I need to buy a vowel!


Review Date: 3/12/2011


This was my first Jen Lancaster book so I was not disappointed with comparisons of earlier work. You don't have to be the same age to have your own wardrobe parallels. Her memory lane of fashion is a hilarious ride from childhood, through teenage angst, to welcome-to-the-real-world-rent-paying-working woman. You don't have to be an ex-girl scout or sorority sister to enjoy this. If you've ever been imprisoned in the back seat of your parent's car, formal dress shopping with your Mom, or felt stupid at your first job you'll laugh as much as I did. Yo, Jen! Call me. We could SO be friends!


Size 12 Is Not Fat (Heather Wells, Bk 1)
Size 12 Is Not Fat (Heather Wells, Bk 1)
Author: Meg Cabot
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 666
Review Date: 10/2/2009


Fun-entertaining. Author gives you a satisfying "dessert" at the end that made me LOL.


Snobs (Audio CD) (Unabridged)
Snobs (Audio CD) (Unabridged)
Author: Julian Fellowes, Richard Morant (Narrator)
Book Type: Audio CD
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 5
Review Date: 3/15/2010


This was fabulous - I listened to it twice. I've shared it with two friends who were equally impressed. The story so reminds me of "Brideshead Revisited" that I had to keep reminding myself that it really took place in the 1990's. Great story and VIVID characters. The author's rich English accent could awaken me from a coma. His pitch and "voices" for different characters is perfect. I will probably get a book copy to savor in the future - this is one I'd like to own. I'm so glad I experienced the audio version first so I can have Julian Fellowes voice in my head.


Survival of the Sickest: The Surprising Connections Between Disease and Longevity
Review Date: 8/7/2008
Helpful Score: 1


Content came across like a great guest on Oprah. Truly fascinating. I couldn't put it down. I found myself calling friends and reading them passages.


The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Flavia de Luce, Bk 1)
The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie (Flavia de Luce, Bk 1)
Author: Alan Bradley
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 256
Review Date: 8/14/2010


I LOVED it. Flavia's adversarial interaction with her older sisters is worth the purchase price alone. Many delightful moments had me laughing and thumping the book wishing I'd written that gem.

I've read an interview with the author where he stated that he found this character impatiently waking him in the morning to "get on with it." I can believe it. She's an incredibly brilliant imp that can usually out think the adults around her. If she gets it wrong, she works it out until she gets it right.

I enjoyed the inventive point of view, the mystery, the setting and especially this special feisty protagonist. Definitely a book I could read again. Well done Flavia!


What Remains : A Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love
What Remains : A Memoir of Fate, Friendship, and Love
Author: Carole Radziwill
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 71
Review Date: 3/15/2010
Helpful Score: 4


I saw the author on Oprah and was so impressed with her eloquence that I read this book before it was out in paperback, something I rarely do. It was interesting to read the background of a story we all knew too well the outcome (JFK Jr.'s plane crash). It was moving and honest, not a "cash-in" celebrity memoir. It had to be therapeutic for the author to write it. I thought she did an excellent job sharing her point of view of the tragedy, an account of her husband's illness and the true character of her loyal friend Carolyn. A dignified glimpse of a husband, his cousin and wife, all of whom just happened to belong to a famous family.


What's French For 'Ew'? (Emily, Bk 3)
What's French For 'Ew'? (Emily, Bk 3)
Author: Katie Maxwell
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 3.5/5 Stars.
 21
Review Date: 2/4/2010


A hoot! Great for teens and ex-teens that remember and anyone that suffered in French class. My first Katie Maxwell book but not the last.


The Year My Life Went Down the Loo (Emily, Bk 1)
The Year My Life Went Down the Loo (Emily, Bk 1)
Author: Katie Maxwell
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 20
Review Date: 2/4/2010


Addictive! You don't have to be 16 to enjoy this book. It transports you back to hilarious teenage angst (boys, makeup, parents, wardrobe, boys, school, celebrity hearthrobs, embarassing situations/outcomes, boys, boys, BOYS). Many laugh out loud moments. Written in email correspondence style between Emily (trapped in UK) to her best friend in Seattle. You find yourself thinking "I'll just read until the next chapter" but there aren't any so you resolve to read "just one more" email or page but can't stop.


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