Easy by Tammara Webber

I love this cover. It fits the book so perfectly and even (maybe ridiculously) brings to mind the old chicken riddle. Which came first: the chicken or the egg? Or in this case, the book or the cover? Now I know which came first (at least, I think I do), but in that tiny, beat-down part of my brain that was once wistful and romantic, I could look at this cover and almost imagine someone else being so enchanted by it that they felt a need to write their story. "Their" being two people so internally lovely and strong you can't help but fall in love yourself. Oh, sure, there was plenty of conflict, but not the overly-complicated pull-your-hair-out kind of drama that makes you want to put your head through a wall. I loved Lucas and Jacqueline... and not just as a couple, but as individuals as well. I just plain loved all over this book. There couldn't possibly have been a better one to read after the neurotic shit-storm that was Thoughtless. (Yes, I'm still talking about it.) I am hoping with every fiber of my being that Ms. Webber sees fit to continue this story. (My wistful parts are sighing with longing.)

Beautiful Disaster. Of a book cover.

I admit it. I read Fifty Shades of Grey recently. (Who hasn't?) And I was totally sucked in. But, after book two, I decided that the only thing I actually liked about it was the sexy dominant who wasn't really a dominant at all, but a guy who liked to beat the shit out of women that looked like his crack whore of a mother. Yes, really.

I never made it to the third book and wish I'd refrained from the second. (The only reason I even read it in the first place was because it had originated as Twilight fan fiction. Can you really blame me for being intrigued?) And because I don't learn from my mistakes, I then read Bared to You. Because it was supposed to be a "better written" Fifty Shades.

What this means is that everyone is copying everyone else and I just want to reread Twilight. But clearly there's something about these books that entertains me because here I am reading another book found on the "hot men with control issues and obsessive compulsive disorders" list. (No, not really.)

Except, for me, books are like food. I eat with my eyes first and book covers are important. This one (of the book I'm about to start) was all dark and angsty and I totally dug it.



And then I saw an alternative:



And I was all grossed out because at first glance it looks like a really filthy tongue. But then, horror of all horrors, I noticed that the J in the authors name is cut off and now I'm just not sure I can read this book after all.

Happiness

I told you 2011 was the year of the library.


(No cracks about the young adult novels. They were free.)

I found Paradise on a shelf in the used bookstore for all of a dollar. It is, without a doubt, my favorite book ever. Even more than Twilight. (Gasp!) I had given up on the idea of reading it (again). My copy is packed away in storage and I draw the line at purchasing something I already own. When my sister asked me to take her to the library, I checked online. None of the local branches had it available. Of course, I never leave the library without checking the bookstore. (You can't beat books for fifty cents.) I couldn't believe I found Paradise... just sitting there. As if expecting me. I am so going to spend a few happy hours falling in love with Matt Farrell all over again.

Sometimes I read.

So, I read some books last year.



Did I mention I like to read?

Although, let's be serious. That second to last book? I didn't read so much as stare at the cover.

Of all the books I read last year, I only gave five of 'em five stars. Three of those included the Hunger Games trilogy. Peeps, if you're only going to read one book this year, please read The Hunger Games. (Which means you'll have to read three books this year, 'cause you won't be able to not continue after the first one, but it's totally worth it. They are all so, so good.)

Now, I find myself in between books and without a clear sense of where to go next. Sure, I have a "to be read" pile, but I'm just not feeling any of them right now. Suggestions?

It's like I'm in high school again except way better because it's nothigh school at all.

2009 was a big (HUGE!) year for me reading-wise.



And I'm thinking this year will be even bigger because I went and joined a club. A book club. Or I created one. Or I helped create one. Whatever.

The point is this: 2010 isn’t just about the tiger anymore. It’s about the book club. And the Edward doll (or "action figure" if you prefer) (The Husband hates it when I call it a "doll"), but I'm not ready to go into too much detail about that yet, so...



I'm in a book club now. With ten other women. We started reading our first book on the first, naturally, and started with The Lucky One. So far I've only discovered one minor drawback. Well, one in addition to our argument over how to pronounce Thibault's name. (Is it Tih-boh? Or Tee-boh?)

We all love to read and, since several of us work together, we talk about books constantly. We were so excited to start a book club, but now there's almost too much excitement. We're finally reading the same book! At the same time! And I can't wait to hear what you think! And see what page you're on! And hear what you think will happen next! And exchange exclamation points! Hooray!

It makes it a bit hard to focus. Once I'm at home, alone, with the TV off, I'm finally able to relax and let myself get into the flow of the story and stop thinking about what everyone else is doing/thinking/feeling and I find I'm very much enjoying the book.



But the real problem is this: I'm next to choose a book. And I have to announce our next book on the 15th which means I'm quickly running out of time and this is just the sort of decision that makes me freak out. There are too many options!

Do I choose a book I’ve already read and loved? What if everyone hates it?

Do I choose something totally new? What if I hate it?

I’d choose a book I have yet to read by one of my favorite authors, except, with the last few SEP books I read I've done run out. That's it. So now it's either find someone new to love or… wait. (Judith McNaught, I’m looking at you. Tick tock, woman.) And I’d love to find someone new, but… who???



So, peeps? I’m turning to you. Any advice? Thoughts? Book or author recommendations?

Now remember who you’re dealing with here. I'd really love to be one of those people who’s all I'LL READ ANYTHING, but I’m not that person at all. So, while I’m totally open to all of your recommendations, let’s face facts and accept that I need at least a little romance action. Wait. I don't mean action action, I just meant action as in romance. You know, a love story. I certainly wasn't suggesting... oh, never mind...

That's all. The end. And thank you.

Because I have the time for random thoughts like these… now that I’m nolonger reading Twilight.

Months and months ago (maybe years by this point) I was browsing a book store. It was a Barnes & Noble. I was with my sister. It may have been winter.

I had nearly given up my search for something entertaining and walked out empty handed when this cover caught my eye:



I mean, really... "chow's on?" How can you not laugh? I couldn't resist picking it up. I'm a sucker for clever cover art. And despite my then complete lack of interest in all things vampires, I was intrigued. So, I bought it. And for the next few weeks, I worked my way through the eight books that made up the series.

(Sadly, somewhere along the way, the cover art went from cute and clever to... to... this:



... Ugh.)

Still... they were funny and romantic and cleverly written. Up until that point, my image of vampires consisted of what I'd learned from watching Interview with the Vampire, which was really very good, but vampires? Ew. Thanks, but no thanks. They just never did it for me.

But I loved the Argeneau series. I more than appreciated the way the author explained Vampires and how they came to be. It was smart and fun. And not creepy.

Now, I wonder. Had that series of books not softened my feelings towards vampires, would I have still read Twilight? And if I'd never read Twilight, would I have been at all intrigued by the HBO series True Blood?

No, I've never seen True Blood. The Husband and I only order HBO for three months during the Summer to catch Entourage, so I only saw the previews and heard the rave reviews after it had started it's second season. But it's based off a series of books by Charlaine Harris. So, I have in my possession book one. Dead Until Dark. And the cover art?



Would be kinda hot if not for the creepy tongue.

Although, let's face it. None of these are quite as bad as...



So, in conclusion, Lynsay Sands is completely responsible for my downfall.

And some cover art really sucks.

And vampires... some vampires... aren't so bad.

The end.