Size 12 Is Not Fat by Meg Cabot

Valerie's comments: 

Heather Wells was once a teen pop sensation.  That was until she lost her music career, her money, her boyfriend, and her perfect size 2 pant size.  Now she’s the assistant director of a residence Hall at New York College, living in an apartment owned by her ex-boyfriend’s brother, and insisting that her size 12 is not fat.  (It’s the size of the average American woman!)

Life gets even more interesting for Heather when freshman girls start dying at her residence hall.  The police say the deaths were accidents - the result of naïve freshmen elevator surfing.  But girls don’t elevator surf, right?  Especially, shy quiet ones!  Heather begins some investigating on her own to get to the bottom of what really happened.  As she starts uncovering some clues, she finds that her own life may be at risk.

This is a fun read.  It has a touch of romance and lots of laughs, along with enough mystery and suspense to keep you turning the pages quickly wanting to know how everything ends.  I’m eager to start reading Cabot’s sequel, Size 14 Is Not Fat Either, to see what other adventures Heather Wells may encounter.  I would recommend this book not only to fans of chick lit and Cabot’s other books, but also to fans of light-hearted mysteries. 

Adult Romance Fiction, CAB

Goodnight Tweetheart by Teresa Medeiros

Kendra's comments:

An author who fears her one hit was just that, a one-time occurrence, is given a last shot from her agent to reinvent herself and is given a Twitter account (already set up and ready to go). The first time Abigail logs onto the site, she is approached by a fellow tweeter, Mark, who recognizes her as a newbie to the social networking website. The two find that they both have a similar sense of humor. This light hearted romance novel explores the chemistry of online love affairs and of course the pitfalls of them as well. The short chapters and quick pace allow for a nice escape into the Abigail-Mark saga.

New Fiction, MED

Vision in White by Nora Roberts (Bride Quartet #1)

Taryn's comments:


Mackensie "Mac" Elliott is a wedding photographer for Vows, a wedding planning business that she and her three best friends run together. Mac loves capturing the perfect moment on camera, and she is passionate about her work. She is part of a wedding business, but she doesn't really believe in commitment. After all, she's never had a serious relationship, and she's quite scarred from her parents' divorce and her mother's flighty behavior when it comes to men. But when Mac bumps into Carter, a bride-to-be's brother who she remembers from high school, she is thrown for a loop. Carter, a sweet, attractive English teacher, is definitely not Mac's usual type, yet she can't help being drawn to him. Carter, on the other hand, has always admired Mac - he even admits to having a crush on her when they were younger. While Mac tries to keep her relationship with Carter casual, it soon becomes clear that they are both falling for one another - hard and fast. Mac's instinct is to run, but Carter isn't ready to let her go so easily.

This was an emotionally satisfying read, and it reminded me of the experience of watching a romantic comedy movie. Mac believes that movies about love and romance should have happy endings "...because life, too often, didn't. Love faded, or flipped over into loathing. Or settled somewhere in between into a kind of grinding detachment. It could snap like a dry twig, with one careless step." (p. 85) Mac's thoughts explain why romantic comedies appeal to me, and I believe this is a big appeal of romance novels as well. We as readers want to experience that satisfying resolution at the end, even if we have to suffer through difficult circumstances or big misunderstandings between the characters along the way. The characters in Vision in White definitely drive the story, and it is satisfying to see Mac and Carter grow both individually and in their relationship over the course of the novel.

Another reason this book appealed to me is the non-typical love interest. Carter is exactly the type of guy I would fall for, which made it easy to identify with Mac. Carter is not rugged, distant, or dangerous. He is clumsy, awkward, and adorable - and definitely safe. Yet for Mac, giving her heart to anyone at all terrifies her, no matter how safe he may seem. Instead of the heroine bringing the man to his senses, Carter must help Mac learn to trust him and to trust her own feelings.

This romance novel is a sweet and satisfying read. The remaining books in the Bride Quartet follow Mac's three best friends as they find their own happy endings. 

Check status at GPL / Place book on hold. 

Sleep No More by Susan Crandall

Kendra's comments:

The fear of hurting others while she sleepwalked has haunted Abby her entire life. She has kept others at a distance because she never wanted to inflict the pain she once caused her sister due to her nighttime habits when they were children. Now Abby is all grown up and she fears her sleepwalking habits have inflicted not just pain, but now death.

Susan Crandall has created a suspenseful read with just the right amount of romance to keep things a little on the spicy side. Greenwood Public Library is lucky enough to host Susan Crandall on November 18, 2010 at 6 p.m. as part of our creative writing NaNoWriMo series. Mark your calendars to meet this very talented author, but don't forget to check out Sleep No More.

Check status at GPL or place book on hold.

Brava Valentine by Adriana Trigiani

Kendra's Comments: I love reading because sometimes a story can captivate your mind and take you to a different place entirely. Brava Valentine by Adriana Trigiani did just that for me this past week. I know nothing about high end fashion, shoemaking, Italy, Buenos Aires, or cannoli, but with the wonderful descriptions in this book I was able to visualize a little bit about each of these exotic topics without any problem whatsoever, and I had so much fun doing it!

This is a soft romance novel. The tale is predictable, but it didn't matter. There are no language issues or sex scenes that will make you blush, but the subject matter is adult and not dumbed down in the least. This is a sequel to Very Valentine, and while not necessary, I would suggest you read that one first to get the most out of this follow-up.

The story follows Valentine as she takes over the family business, and in the process finds love. She is a thirty-five year old custom shoemaker living in Manhattan. She has a crazy and involved family, and the story follows this dynamic entrepreneur as she tries to carve out a life for herself. The story is funny and light. In my opinion, Trigiani is a great author to read if you are waiting for the next book by Debbie Macomber. Check status at GPL

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Emily's Comments: Patch was definitely not Nora’s first choice as a Biology lab partner. He was arrogant, overly confident, and seemed to know exactly how to get under her skin. As much as she hated him, she found herself strangely drawn to his mysterious black eyes and bad boy attitude. Nora’s life was normal until she met Patch. After that fateful day in Biology when they were teamed up, Nora’s life has gotten weird, very weird. She’s convinced someone’s following her, her memories are being tampered with, and the new school psychologist gives off a scary vibe. The only person she can really trust is the one person she can’t stand.

Hush, Hush is the latest supernatural thriller to reach the book shelf. Angels, demons, mysterious powers, ancient vendettas, it is filled with everything teens have come to adore about the genre. If you’re a Twilight fan, or just looking for a fun, quick, romantic supernatural read, pick up Becca Fitzpatrick’s Hush, Hush (check status at GPL). (I read it in one evening, but I still can’t figure out the title…if you have any thoughts, please let me know!)

Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani

Kendra's Comments: I love passionate people that grab life by the horns and dig in. I also love these types of characters in books – which is why I am crazy about the latest book I just finished, Very Valentine by Adriana Trigiani (check status at GPL).

Valentine is a custom shoe maker fighting it out to have the chance in her family’s business. This is her second career, so she is self taught and older than she would like to be. She is also a little unlucky in love. This book follows Valentine through a year of her life as she struggles to find herself. The setting is a mix of Manhattan and Italy, two magical places I hope to someday visit. It also has a back story of fashion and food. I don't know much about these topics, but love to daydream about them.

This is a great read for someone wanting a good, sweet story with a mild romance as a backdrop. It made me happy when I read it, like most of her novels do for me.

Fast Track by Fern Michaels

Peggy's Comments: In the latest of the Revenge of the Sisterhood series, the lady vigilantes take on the corruption in the World Bank. Millions of dollars have disappeared that was designated for poverty in third world countries and the ladies intend to find it. Its been many years since these women banded together to exact their form of justice and this dangerous new assignment could land them all in prison.
If you've read the series, please include this one. Otherwise start with the first one, Weekend Warriors, and learn the background story. Good series. . .
Check Status at GPL

Shadow Music by Julie Garwood

Susan's comments: Julie Garwood has forgone her recent forays into romantic suspense and returned to her historical romance roots with Shadow Music. Princess Gabrielle of the fictional country St. Biel travels to Scotland for an arranged marriage. Her fiance ends up murdered and there ensues great trouble for her with the local lairds...most wanting to marry her and claim her dowry land from King John. Colm MacHugh comes to her rescue as payment for a debt to Gabrielle's cousin.

I found this book to be an enjoyable light historical romance. However, compared to Garwood's previous historical books, this does not measure high on the scale.


Check Status at GPL.

A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg

If you are looking for a simple, sweet story A Redbird Christmas is a nice treat. Fannie Flagg has created some fun, eccentric characters that will make you long for a simpler life. Oswald has been given a year to live, but only if he gets away from the harsh Chicago winters, immediately. He hunts around for the cheapest southern place to move, and finds Lost River, Alabama. The charming small town way of life is just the cure that Oswald needs. If you like small town stories revolving around eccentric characters (like the Jan Karon and Phillip Gulley books) this could be a new favorite. FYI: GPL has 6 paperback copies available in our bagged book program if your book club is interested in reading this title!

Check Status at GPL.

Keturah and Lord Death by Martine Leavitt

Susan's Comments: This National Book Award Finalist is a wonderful historical tale with touches of fantasy and romance. Sixteen-year-old peasant Keturah wanders deep into the forest one day where she encounters death who arrives in the form of a caped man on a dark steed. Keturah, a master storyteller, tells Lord Death a tale of love to ward off his deathly touch. She bargains for another day of life by refusing to finish the story. Lord Death, moved by Keturah's intelligence and beauty, agrees - going so far as to give her back her life if she can find her true love by the next evening.

Keturah had learned from death that the plague was soon to overtake her village. She madly uses her extra day of life to save herself, her grandmother, her friends, and her entire village only to realize that she needs more time, particularly since her true love does not appear in a timely manner. She continues to bargain with Lord Death using her stories. Read this young adult novel to find out if Keturah can save her village and herself from Lord Death's clasp. Check Status

A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber

Kendra's Comments: A Good Yarn is a gentle romance that features strong female role models and intergenerational friendships. Lydia Hoffman owns a yarn shop on Blossom Street in Seattle. She decides to offer a sock knitting class with the hopes of bringing new business to her small, but thriving shop. The three ladies who sign up for this class are very different but find support and friendship in each other. Love and all the ups and downs of romance of the four ladies are explored in this heartwarming and tame tale. A wide array of issues are brought forward ranging from teen drug use to battling cancer. Knitting patterns and techniques are woven into the storyline. This is book 2 of the Blossom Street Books series. Check Status