Danielle's Picks

One Day

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onedayby David Nicholls

 

Be prepared to become emotionally attached to these characters, because
after following them for 20 years through the brief window of a single
day a year, I feel as though they are flesh and blood acquaintances.
While it is a love story, it's not one in the traditional sense. It is a
very intimate glance into two people's history that is forever changed
that day that they meet.
Get ready for a relationship set in the real world of literature.
Be prepared to become emotionally attached to these characters, because after following them for twenty years through the brief window of a single day each year, I feel as though they are flesh and blood acquaintances. While it is a love story, it's not one in the traditional sense. It is a very intimate glance into the history of two people that is forever changed the day that they meet. Get ready for a relationship set in the real world of literature.

 

 

Theater Geek

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_Theater Geek_, by Mickey Rapkin
Being a self-proclaimed theater geek myself, I was instantly drawn to
this tale of a theater camp for young adults nestled up in the Catskills.
Following 3 kids in their last year at camp, the book takes you through
the history of the camp, the audition process, hell week (the rigorous
rehearsal process the week before opening the show), even the curveballs
thrown at these kids on performance days.
A great read for any theater geek (whether or not you'd care to admit it).
The only downside was that I wished that I had known about it when I
could still have attended.

theatergeekby Mickey Rapkin

Being a self-proclaimed theater geek myself, I was instantly drawn to this tale of a theater camp for young adults nestled up in the Catskills. Following three kids in their last year at camp, the book takes you through the history of the camp, the audition process, hell week (the rigorous rehearsal process the week before opening the show), even the curveballs thrown at these kids on performance days. A great read for any theater geek (whether or not you'd care to admit it). The only downside was that I wished that I had known about it when I could still have attended.

   

The Carrie Diaries

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by Candace Bushnell
For any _Sex & the City_ fan, this is a must read! Carrie Bradshaw and
the 80s just seem to go so well together.
This book was such a run romp through Carrie's high school years, that
you really get more of a sense of why she is the way she is.
From friend fights, to boy troubles, to just down right shenanigans,
this book is a great read for anyone over the age or 16 (even though
it's classified as a young adult book, it still deals with some issues
that I don't think are entirely appropriate for anyone under that age).

carriediariesby Candace Bushnell

For any Sex & the City fan, this is a must read! Carrie Bradshaw and the 80s just seem to go so well together. This book was such a run romp through Carrie's high school years, that you really get more of a sense of why she is the way she is. From friend fights, to boy troubles, to just down right shenanigans, this book is a great read for anyone over the age or 16 (even though it's classified as a young adult book, it still deals with some issues that I don't think are entirely appropriate for anyone under that age).

   

The Best of Times

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by Penny Vincenzi
A coworker or mine has been after me to read one of these novels for
years, and I'm very glad that I finally did.
This book was great on every level of interwoven plotlines. The
different characters' worlds all collide when a serious accident occurs
on a major freeway and they are left to help each other pick up the pieces.
Love blossoms, lies are exposed, and you discover whether it was really
"the best of times" after all.

bestoftimesby Penny Vincenzi

A coworker or mine has been after me to read one of these novels for years, and I'm very glad that I finally did.This book was great on every level of interwoven plotlines. The different characters' worlds all collide when a serious accident occurs on a major freeway and they are left to help each other pick up the pieces. Love blossoms, lies are exposed, and you discover whether it was really "the best of times" after all.

   

The Girl Who Played With Fire

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by Steig Larsson
This book sells itself so I'll be brief- I actually preferred this
sequel to it's predecessor. Gripping and difficult to get your nose out
of it, I would recommend finding someplace cozy to curl up with this
book because you're not going to want to come up for air until it's
finished (and be sure to have the 3rd book _The Girl Who Kicked the
Hornet's Nest_ handy, because you're going to want to start reading that
one immediately afterwards).

girlwhoplayedwfireby Steig Larsson

This book sells itself so I'll be brief - I actually preferred this sequel to it's predecessor. Gripping and difficult to get your nose out of it, I would recommend finding someplace cozy to curl up with this book because you're not going to want to come up for air until it's finished (and be sure to have the 3rd book, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, handy because you're going to want to start reading that one immediately afterwards).

   

The Prince of Mist

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princeofmistby Carlos Ruiz Zafon

 

When  I found out that one of my favorite authors had a young adult
novel coming out (and on my birthday, no less!), I was immediately
intrigued.
I must say, I  was not disappointed. The book centers around Max, whose
family has just moved to a small beach town that has a secret as dark as
the ship that is buried in the harbor.
Throw in a menancing circus, and a cursed family legacy, and you have a
novel that is just as gripping as any of his other adult works. A truly
fabulous read for anyone ages 11 and up (even Ruiz's adult fans would
love this gem).
When I found out that one of my favorite authors had a young adult novel coming out (and on my birthday, no less!), I was immediately intrigued. I must say, I was not disappointed. The book centers around Max, whose family has just moved to a small beach town that has a secret as dark as the ship that is buried in the harbor. Throw in a menancing circus, and a cursed family legacy, and you have a novel that is just as gripping as any of his other adult works. A truly fabulous read for anyone ages 11 and up (even Ruiz's adult fans would love this gem).

 

   

Marry Him: A Case for Settling for Mr. Good Enough

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Marry Him: A Case for Settling for Mr. Good Enough_, by Lori Gottlieb
I suggest that any woman who is over the age of 20, and not married
should read this book. Gottlieb makes a great argument for not being
overly picky or critical when looking for a partner.
What makes this book so great though, is that she backs it up with real
examples from her own life, or from her friends.
A witty, quick, and occasionally shockingly true read!
We're having an event with her this Thursday night, so I thought I'd get
the review out by then :)by Lori Gottlieb

marryhimby Lori Gottlieb

I suggest that any woman who is over the age of 20, and not married should read this book. Gottlieb makes a great argument for not being overly picky or critical when looking for a partner.What makes this book so great though, is that she backs it up with real examples from her own life, or from her friends.A witty, quick, and occasionally shockingly true read! Village Books is hosting Ms. Gottlieb on Thursday night, April 8 so come see what you think!

   

The Postmistress

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postmistressby Sarah Blake

 

Sarah Blake
(which has a raving review from Kathryn Stockett on the cover).
If you like World War II historical fiction, then you'll flip for this
book. A tragically romantic tale revolving around 3 very different
women, with twists and turns that fill this story and help to make it
one of the best books that I've read in a while. Also a great book for
bookclubs!
A rave review from Kathryn Stockett (author of The Help) on the cover entices. If you like World War II historical fiction, then you'll flip for this book. A tragically romantic tale revolving around 3 very different women, with twists and turns that fill this story and help to make it one of the best books that I've read in a while. Also a great book for bookclubs!

 

   

The Help

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thehelp.lgby Kathryn Stockett

 

So I finally got around to reading _The Help_, by Kathryn Stockett, and
I must say that I enjoyed it very much.
It read like a Southern Soap Opera, with characters so alive in their
descriptions and emotions that I felt as though I knew these people as
flesh and blood, rather than paper and ink.
The entire story is an enjoyable one, and if you're looking for
something that is a light read while still being rich enough in plot and
wording that it feels like you're not just reading fluff. :)
So I finally got around to reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett, and I must say that I enjoyed it very much. It read like a southern Soap Opera, with characters so alive in their descriptions and emotions that I felt as though I knew these people as flesh and blood, rather than paper and ink. The entire story is an enjoyable one, and if you're looking for something that is a light read while still being rich enough in plot and wording that it feels like you're not just reading fluff, this is it!

 

   

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