Bound South

Bound South
Susan Rebeca White
****(4)

I was so excited to get started reading this book. I saw it in BN and months ago and ordered it off amazon.com making sure to save it for my husbands and I am beach vacation. I woke up early our first morning there and headed out to t he beach to get started.
I was interested in this book for many reasons, the first of which is that it takes place in my hometown Atlanta. I love books about Atlanta, especially with the homesickness I’ve been feeling lately.
Bound South is the story of three different woman- typical southern belle- Louise, her rebellious daughter Caroline and the family’s maid and her daughter Faye and Missy. The story is told in points of view from Caroline, Louise and Missy and alternates chapter as it takes place over a span of 4 years. The story touches on some, important subjects such as race, socioeconomic level, sexuality, religion and marital issues. It touches on many of these points in some rather subtle ways which do not fail to still get the point across. I loved the books for the richness of experiences that each character brings to the table.
I do have to mention that this book was not what I was expecting, but in the end I was pleasantly surprised and still enjoyed it. The way in which the author handles many of the sensitive issues in the book was well thought-out and executed.
The cast of supporting characters- Louise’s son, husband and mother-in-law, also add a nice element of depth to the story.

The one thing that I was a little disappointed in was that there wasn’t much attention paid to the marital issues between Louise and her Husband, although we saw bits and pieces of where it came from and how it manifested itself. At times, I felt like I was missing something from the story.

Overall, Bound South was a perfect beach read. Not all chic-lit, but the perfect balance of substance, good real life characters, plot and great writing.

Save Karyn

Save Karyn

Karyn Bosnak

I originally read this books about 3 years ago- they way it can be best enjoyed- outside, by the pool, on vacation with some great tropical drink (or and ice cold sweat) by your side. I enjoyed it when I read then, but decided to re-read it this week because I am in between books. The Birth of Venus from paperback swap has yet to arrive and the other book I’m reading- Death Around the Corner, while good, isn’t exactly “summer reading”.

The first thing I noticed about this book is I completely understand how Karny felt before she moved to NYC. That’s exactly how I feel right now. That is one of the best things about re-reading books again. You get a new experience each time.

The gist of this book is Karny Bosnak, 26 and she has the feeling that there is more to life than what she is experiencing now, so she decided to pack up and leave Chi-Town for NYC. She finds a job being a producer for a new Judge Judy Type show and she finds an apartment and Manhattan and so begins her saga. Upon moving to Manhattan, moving expenses set her back a little (lack of planning and emergency fund) and add that to her love of shopping and designer clothes, $800 highlights and hair cuts and things are quickly out of control. She even established a plan to help offset her American Express Balance and to get cash advances (AMEX is a charge and not a credit card so they don’t do traditional advances) and before she knows it she owes almost $25,000 in credit card debt. The book takes place a little over 2 years and is followed by a layoff, being fired, getting a so thought dream position on the Ananda Lewis show, a move to Brooklyn, new roommates and 9-11.

Karyn's writing is honest and it reads like chic-lit- very light hearted and fun. Each main chapter begins with the recreations of the month’s credit card statement(s) that really hits home exactly how she managed to get into that much debt.

After being let go from her job at Ananda Lewis , and bouncing around for a few months Karyn puts her story on Craiglist and jokingly (at first) ask for donations. Craiglist turns into her own website (www.savekaryn.com) and Within a few months it pays off and her debt is paid off, but the in between is a roller coaster ride filled with a new found celebrity status and the pitfalls that come with that. Of course people ridiculed her for what she was doing, but in actually she was a pioneer and figured out a way to use the web for her good. Besides, some other stuff people have solicited for online is much, much worse. I don’t agree with the whole thing, but it worked and I truly believe that she learned her lesson and that is what is most important.

Save Karyn is an open, honest and funny book about being young women, and are kind of the anti-theses for the Sex and the City Generation. It shows the reality of living the in NYC and the reality of life in general. I enjoyed it just as much as the first time (with a few more eye rolls for her naiveté and horrible money skills). Even at 19 (when I first read this) I felt bad for her and her mom. She talks about her view of money, possessions and designer clothes was warped from a young age (mom buys you stuff to help you fit in. With that kind of home money management, it’s no wonder Karyn never learned how budget or that if people like you for designer clothes – than they don’t like you and are not worth it.

In the end though, you know that Karyn learned her lesson and hopefully will pass that on and do a better job teaching her children money management. I just wish there was a little more off that in this. I mean- the Karyn Bosnak guide to Real Money Management. On her website and in her book she includes tidbits and things she has learned, but for the majority of us it’s called reality. For example- she discovers Old Navy and The Dollar store. I grew up in both of those even though I had a little of the designer stuff. A little more information espicially about Credit scores and such would have made this book complete.

This is a great book for a HS or college student as a warning or piece of advice. It’s also great reading for the rest of us.

The Blue Bistro

The Blue Bistro
Elin Hilderbrand

***** ( 5/5)

Aaah- what can me more relaxing then an Elin Hilderbrand novel, sunny skies and a deck chair- not much.

The Blue Bistro introduces us to, Adreinne Dealey, a 28 year old woman who is good a running away. After loosing her boyfriend and live saving in Aspen, she decides to head to Nantucket to get away. She ends up getting a job at the Blue Bistro, the most coveted restaurant in town and immediately get caught up in its part owner- Thatcher. Unfortunately this is the Blue Bistro’s last season and she sets out to find out the reason and to define the “friendship/ relationship" between Thatch and the other owner- recluse chef Fiona. What she finds is a lot more than she bargained for but she soon land you can’t run away from love- it will always find you.

I am a big fan of Hilderbrand; I love the Nantucket locations of all her books and would love to see these beaches for myself. Aside from the great imagery this book will make you hungry. In between the descriptions of the menu at the bistro, the orders called and the food that was described in each “family meal” I was salivating. I probably liked this book because she put three of my favorite things- love, food and the beach together and it came out to be a great story.

This novel was more romance than the previous Hilderbrand titles( The Beach Club, Nantucket Nights, Summer People) I’d read, but I enjoyed it just the same and would definitley recommend this to be in your beach bag this summer.

*I like this cover a lot better than the first one.