Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Book Whore

I’ve been a Book Whore lately. Or a Book Pimp. I'm not sure. And I don't want to make Manic Mom's Mental Myriads into Manic Mom's Book Reviews, but when one comes up that I need to share, well, it's my blog, so I'll do the sharing 'round here (Just made me think of Counting Crows)...

Anywhooo...

I bring you, The Bright Side of Disaster by debut author Katherine Center...

OK, we’ve figured it out that I love books, right? Well, here’s one I just drowned myself in, and finished it in a 24-hour timeframe, while still doing the other daily crap a SAHM of three kids does – taking kids to the movies, to the park, out to lunch, doing laundry, dishes, freelancing, blogging, and yes, I read this book and slammed myself into the world of the characters!

The Bright Side of Disaster is classified as Chick Lit and it is, but without the goofy I-Need-A-New-Pair-Of-Shoes context (no offense to you Manallanno-Ding-Dong-Choo-wearing gals out there!)

Dean and Jenny are engaged and living together but then Dean kind of freaks out and deserts Jenny and her nine-month pregnant self THE DAY BEFORE SHE HAS THE BABY!

Jenny is a Goddess! She figures out that life without a man is better than life with a bad man, and she rises to the challenge of single motherhood, all baby-in-one-hand-a-handful-of-grapes-in-the-other! (Sidenote: I wish I knew about THAT diet when I had my kids!)

Along the way of her journey, because when you think about it, isn’t every book about the main character’s journey, Jenny discovers she’s more amazing than she ever thought possible. She’s given life to another human being, she’s “made eye lashes!” She offers care, and comfort, and love to another person who wholly depends on her 24/7, 365. I look at the character of Jenny and wished I could have been a mother like that!

Enter cute pajama-clad neighbor. And ooh, in my book, Gardner is a HOTTIE! He’s hot, he’s handy, he’s handsome, he’s a helluva neighbor, great with babies and single mothers! Fortunately he’s got his eye on one single mother in particular: Jenny.

Of course, the jerk comes back (for those of you not paying attention here, it’s Dean), and for some unknown freaky reason Jenny starts having sex with him again!

(I think because as writers we are supposed to give our characters grief, and what better way to give Jenny grief than to make her sleep with Dean again!) But can you really blame her? She’s lonely, she wants to be comforted, he sneaks into her bed and kisses her neck… how can you NOT want sex? OK, so I don’t blame Jenny. And the two of them having sex did cause the anxiety a reader WANTS in a book.

So, Dean is back. Gardner has disappeared because he has discovered the bad boyfriend has returned. But then Jenny smartens up and kicks the jerko out, because come on, he can’t even manage a ten-minute walk around the block with his adorable little girl WHO HE HASN’T EVEN MET TILL SHE’S SEVEN MONTHS OLD!

The Bastard!

Can you tell I’m a little connected to these characters?

Anyway, of course, I can’t tell you the ending, even though I’d really, really, really like to. Just put it this way, when I finished the book, I thought to myself, “Awwwww!”

19 comments:

cubmommy said...

I really liked this book!

Cecily R said...

Man...now I need to add "Go to B&N" to my ever increasing list of stuff to do this week...yay!

Anonymous said...

Cool. Thanks, I needed a new book to add to the list. Especially one that sounds happy fun and fast!

Patti said...

i like when i find a new dealer for my habit. thanks ho!

Monnik said...

oooh, sounds good!

MaNiC MoMMy™ said...

Patti--love that you called me your ho!

Drewpy Drew said...

The term 'Ho' is so negative. I prefer 'Purveyor of Pleasure'.

A book, TV show, or movie is only great if you love and care about the characters. It's all about empathy.

I hope people love my characters.

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

hey, did ya know? You're a Wonder Woman? stop by my blog for details.....

KATE said...

I'm excited to go find it. Now finding the time to read it...a whole other story.
I'm looking forward to it, thanks for the recommendation!!
Book whore, right on...I've whored around myself at times. ha ha
- Kate

MaNiC MoMMy™ said...

You guys will love this book, and you'll find the time because you just want to tear through it! Great writing!!!

And wow, not only am I a manic mommy, a book whore, now I am also a wonder woman!!!

I guess it means I'm wondering who the hell's gonna clean up this house, do the laundry, make dinner.... oh boy...

Jenster said...

I have my fingers in my ears and I'm going, "na na na na na" so I can't hear you. Figuratively speaking, of course, 'cause I couldn't actually be typing if my fingers were really in my ears.

Sounds like a good book and since I only have about 100 that I haven't read yet I may as well get one more!

Jess Riley said...

I LOOOOOOVVVEED this book. Loved it. Wanted to marry it, apply for a home loan with it.

Hey, in other news: did you decide anything about the upcoming book workshops in Madtown? Let me know!!

Anonymous said...

Wonder Woman eh? Pants on over you tights and everything I suppose!

MaNiC MoMMy™ said...

AManda--heh heh--who said anything about wearing pants!?!?!??!

la bellina mammina said...

Great review !!! I'm also reading loads of books at the same time, at the moment..

Steph said...

I'm in need of a good book right now... Thanks for the recommendation!

stewbie2 said...

Sounds like a great book...can't wait to purchase it....

Anonymous said...

Your book suggestions are always winners!

xxxx said...

I think that makes you a PIMP since you are PIMPING out the book!I like to consider myself an expert on pimps and hos. HA.