My Life Uncovered by Lynn Isenberg (2003)

Where to start? Whew, this is some bad chick lit. Okay, plot: Chick is a screen writer, well, she wrote one screenplay and no one will produce it, so she starts writing adult films and her career takes off. And some other stuff happens, but not much. I read half and skipped to the end. Trust me, nothing happens. What makes this book so bad? First of all, I've seldom read such clunky dialogue. Filled with clumsy exposition and long speeches, this is so remotely not how people talk. Oh, and in case you were wondering what her original, legit screenplay was about?

"My college summers were spent as a podiatric assistant in my dad's, Walt's, officer where I had come to adore Lily. During her ritual footbaths, I came to understand the sacrifices she made in her life, the dreams lost in self-recrimination and the vast love gained in the sweet solitude of surrender. I was deeply touched by her story, steeped in loss and self-renewal."

And the old chick tells writer chick to tell her story. What story? Plot much?

This book is abysmally written. In addition to the clunky dialogue and awkward exposition, she loves her some adverbs and has a knack for turning such a bewildering phrase that I wondered if perhaps English was not her first, or even second, language. She has literally no character development and after reading half the book, I could barely tell the characters apart. Clearly this is why there's a character list in the front of the book. The author also seems to have an odd sense of how things work in the real world. I don't care how great a writer this chick is, if the adult film producer generally pays $500 for a script and he pays her $3500, there's something really wack there. Especially since she's had nothing produced. Plus, allegedly the character had worked at an agency for three years and she's never heard the term "units" (used in a video context)? Weird.

But what's REALLY weird is the content of this book. Chick lit is about chicks, for chicks, written by chicks, right? After reading (half) this book, I think Lynn Isenberg is a man, baby, and an old one at that, who lacks any insight into the female mind. Example A: She refers to the naked women in the posters lining the adult film producer's office as "stacked." I've never heard a woman use that phrase (nor a man, for that matter, after 1964). Example B: Dressing to go to a party, "I sift through my wardrobe trying to compose a hot outfit I can put together in a hurry—I know, the black Tara Jarmon pantsuit with a sheer top, a charcoal leather duster and black leather calf-high boots that Bennett gave me last year." If that's not convincing enough, a few weeks later she dresses for a party in her go-anywhere black cocktail dress and black loafers. Loafers! And it's not like being fashion-challenged is part of her personality. Everyone thinks she's wonderful and beautiful, so clearly that's just some wrong writing. Example C: She writes a film for the adult film industry that centers on two girls who are dating until one decides she wants to be heterosexual and the other hires a guy to date her and dump her so she'll come back to her. Not only was this already a movie (Three of Hearts, I think, and there might be a Baldwin in it), but the vast majority of the movie centers on girl on girl action. Not only that, but when our heroine goes to Victoria's Secret to watch her sister try on lingerie for her wedding (??), the adult film star (female) and her girlfriend get busy in the next stall, while our heroine listens in. Then, she meets a film producer (female) who invites her to dinner and hits on her in a big way. "And then my mind races with competing thoughts, emotions and questions that go something like this: 'Oh my God, a woman is kissing me.' 'Hmmm, I can't believe how nice it feels.' "What am I doing? I'm not gay!' 'This is wrong for me.' 'God, I miss the arms of a man, a man who loves me.' 'What is the meaning of this?'"

It goes on for quite a while in that fashion and women keep coming on to her. Then she goes on blind dates with men and acts sex-crazed and licentious and actually scares them away. She's on a first date with a guy at Cirque du Soleil and can't understand why he drops her off right after the show. After all, "during the entire performance I whispered to him how I couldn't wait to duplicate all those contortions for him in bed." On a first date! Who behaves like this? (A man's fantasy, that's who.) Her second date is with some guy who she goes to see sculptures with "where I couldn't help but see, and express, something sexual in every object we looked at." He runs away, though clearly, this is another's man's (the author!) fantasy.

But anyway, this is supposed to be chick lit and the guy she ends up with isn't even introduced until more than halfway through the book. The author spends no time on him, seemingly only including him at the end because someone reminded the author that this is supposed to be chick lit. Whew! This book sucked. It's amazing that stuff like this gets published. Red Dress Ink should really stick to importing Brit chick lit.

One Day by David Nicholls (2001)

British, witty and charming novel about two friends who hook up after university and then have a Harry and Sallyish friendship. The novel checks in on their lives on the same day every day for twenty years. Great characters, insightful, realistic relationships. Really, really well written and lovely. Love this quote: “At the best of times she feels like a character in a Muriel Spark novel -- independent, bookish, sharp-minded, secretly romantic.”

Girl, 15, Charming But Insane by Sue Limb (2004)

Absolutely adorable young adult novel about a young British girl living with her mum and struggling with all the usual teen troubles--boys, friends, etc, but the dialogue (mostly in the voice of the heroine Jess Jordan) is beyond witty. Plus, Mom's a librarian! See awesome quote.

“Unfortunately she met her mum by the gate, and she could tell by her face that Mum had had one of those days. Occasionally people came into the library and peed, pooed, or got drunk and starting shouting abuse. Drunks and vagrants went to sleep in the reference section. Once a very old man who lived on the streets had died on the Oxford English Dictionary. You might think that being a librarian would be a quiet, cushy job, but sometimes it seemed that the library was really a nightmarish extension of the mean streets and that librarians were just cops and paramedics disguised in tweedy cardigans and long dangly parrot earrings from the charity shop.”

Magic or Madness by Justine Larbalestier (2005)

Compelling young adult novel about a young girl in Sydney on the run with her mother. When her mother is committed and she goes to live with her grandmother, she learns some truths about her family, her life, and the reality of magic. Split between Sydney and NYC, it’s filled with Aussie slang (glossary included!) and a refreshingly diverse cast of characters. Followed by two sequels: Magic Lessons and Magic’s Child.

Tuscany for Beginners by Imogen Edwards-Jones (2004)

Enchanting novel (by the author of Hotel Babylon) about a woman who runs a B & B in Tuscany and models herself after Frances Mayes. For those who read Under the Tuscan Sun and found Mayes insufferable, this clueless character is especially hilarious and delightful. Great characterizations all around especially the expat community (Derek and Barbara) in her valley, her long-suffering daughter, and the American who moves in to start a hotel of her own. Plus, hilarious recipes—yes, hilarious recipes! So witty, so British, and such dishy, soapy fun!

Driving Sideways by Jess Riley (2008)

Driving Sideways is about Leigh, who just recovered from a kidney transplant, and is taking a road trip from her native Wisconsin to try to find her mother in California. Riley has a beautiful Midwestern voice, and fabulous humor. There are at least four laugh out loud moments on every other page of this hilarious novel. Plus, it's poignant and touching as well. SO good. So so so good.

How Reading Changed My Life by Anna Quindlen (1998)

This is a lovely volume that includes Quindlen's thoughtful writing on the meaning of books and reading in her life and in society. There's no better argument for the pure pleasure of leisure reading out there.  She also includes some fun reading lists, like "10 Books That Will Help a Teenager Feel More Human," "10 Mystery Novels I'd Most Like To Find in a Summer Rental," and "10 Modern Novels That Made Me Proud To Be a Writer." 

Y: The Last Man series by Brian K. Vaughn and Pia Guerra (2003)

Ten volume graphic novel series about a guy who is the last man on earth, and his monkey and the adventures he has with the agent who protects him and how he tries to get back to his girlfriend in Australia. Yorick Brown is quite a character and awfully cute, with floppy hair and great self-deprecating humor. Incredibly addictive, filled with adventure, and good, good fun.

Fitcher's Brides by Gregory Frost (2002)

From the amazing Fairy Tale series by Terri Windling. This one is a retelling of Bluebeard set in the 1800s among a doomsday cult led by a very charismatic preacher. Although some of the conventions of the original tale don't serve the retelling as well as I'd like, such as the personalities of the three sisters who marry Bluebeard, this book is one of those that just stayed with me. Plus, the story of Bluebeard is always fascinating, and I never remember the name of this book.

Once Wicked, Always Dead: A Novel by T. Marie Benchley (2010)

I read a lot of books. I pick up and discard even more, because life is too short to read bad books. But every once in a while, a book comes along that is so awful that it's almost a sport to read it. This is one of those books. From the first incoherent paragraph to the last ridiculous page, this is bewilderingly bad. (I should note that it's published by M.M.W.E. Publishing House in Tampa, FL in case you'd like to check out more of their fine selections. I can't find them online, but maybe you can.)

Quick summary, then we can get to the bad writing. Two storylines: One is about a beautiful woman who is killing pedophiles and other sexually criminal men (her motto is the book's title). The other concerns Molly Madison, socialite who is married to Philip, a lawyer with political aspirations and a secret gay life. When Molly's parents die unexpectedly, she takes over the ranch and fends off potential buyers who will use any means to get to the ranch. She splits up with Philip and takes up with Clayton Leatherbe, head foreman of the ranch. Also, she has a half sister in town who (spoiler alert) is Molly's best friend and responsible for killing or trying to kill most of the people Molly knows.

I give you the first lines of the novel:

"The dimly lit room was specifically designed to create a soothing atmosphere for his patients. An illusion of safety and warmth was his mastermind. He was a Picasso when it came to the details of decorating his office."

Picasso? What? On to Chapter Two, as Philip goes to the gay bar:

"The city lights cast shadows that stretched along the brick walls upon the back of the buildings that lined the dingy alleyway. It reached up like bony fingers providing shade to mask the faces of those who wished to keep their dirty secrets from others."

Just think about it logistically . . . It's at this point that I couldn't help thinking of Inigo Montoya--I just don't think those words mean what she thinks they mean. At least not in the order that she uses them. Let's join Philip at the gay bar!

"The electric voice of Donna Summer swirled in his head. He took great pleasure watching the sweat glisten from the men who simultaneously grinded their bodies together upon the dance floor and felt shivers of excitement run from the back of his neck all the way down to his groin."

Is it just me, or did that shiver of excitement take a u-turn? Even emotions take twisty turns within a single sentence, as when Molly finds out about her parent's accident:

"She expected to hear the comfort of her father's voice calling to inform her that they would be arriving that night, only to be emotionally overthrown by the voice of a compassionate state trooper informing her of her parent's deadly accident."

Molly flies to Montana, "pained with guilt over the fact that she and Philip were being pampered in first class along with her mother and father's charred remains that had been stuffed into body bags and placed in the cargo hold of the large airliner." She drinks Bloody Marys, cries and sleeps on the flight. But "as she stepped off the plane, the mountain air slapped the inebriated woman square in the face and awoke her dulled senses." Just in time for her to meet Clayton Leatherbe:

"Molly noticed the tall, brawny cowboy calling her name. She could not help but admire the thick blond hair that lay beneath his black cowboy hat or the way his tight fitting Wrangler jeans complimented his perfect ass. As Clayton approached them, Molly's swollen eyes spotted the silver rodeo belt buckle that rode just above the large bulge that filled out the front of his pants.

Remember, she just lost her parents. Man, that mountain air really does work wonders. Plus, was he spinning around in circles? At this point, I'm starting to think this is some elaborate publishing joke. On every single page is an example of genuinely weird writing. The descriptions make no sense at all, as in this bit about Molly's father's study:

"As he looked around, his nostrils were filled with the aromatic scent of cherry tobacco that still lingered thick in the air. He spied Gavin's expansive collection of assorted pipes sitting on the large hand carved desk as if anticipating his arrival to be puffed upon once more. A massive fireplace made out of Ancient River rocks, which had once been painstaking hand selected and gathered specifically for their color, emerged from the floor to fill the corner of the room."

I'd love to see an old-school grammarian parse the descriptive sentences in that scene. And what's with the random capitalization? Believe me, I could go on and on. But let's close out with one final scene--a love scene to end all love scenes.

"Clayton gazed down into the depths of Molly's blue eyes with such intensity that he was able to reach in and pluck out her soul. [Literally?] All of her desires were mounting and taking over and she knew that she had lost control of the lust that was building inside her. Neither one of them had any control over the passion they felt for each other. As her body quivered under his touch, Molly reached up for Clayton's lips, parting them ever so gently with her moist tongue. [Just picture that. Try it yourself for fun!] From the first moment that Clayton pressed his lips to her, Molly knew that they were destined for each other and she would never let him go. She loved this man, and for the first time in her life, she felt whole and complete. As Molly inhaled heavily, the aroma of spice and leather swirled off from Clayton's masculine skin and filled her nostrils with delight. [Mmm, swirly AND masculine.] He enthralled her. He had heightened her senses to a level beyond her wildest dreams. Clayton could not contain the burning passion he felt for Molly. He slowly unzipped her coat and reached under her denim shirt, longing to feel her swollen breast. [Just the one?] Even though Molly was in her forties her breasts were firm and ample and seemed to reach out with anticipation for his touch, as if they were aware of the great pleasure that awaited them. [Sentient breasts? Sure, why not?] As he gently caressed her peaks he looked again into her spectacular eyes, blue as the glacier lakes that lay amongst the surrounding mountains. [You'll note the peak theme. Pay attention, it pops up again.] [the watching horses snort with approval, no other love existed before this, blah blah blah and back to the sweet lovemaking] She grabbed hold of her muscular cowboy's tight rear and tugged at his zipper in feverish desperation to free his manhood from its tight confinement. [At the same time? Is he Flat Stanley?] Clayton felt the heat rising from between Molly's legs. He moved forward almost touching the warm, wet invite. [Almost? Hot.] The full moon moved out from behind the clouds where it had been hiding in order to take a peak [SEE??] and shine its bright beam down as a spotlight upon the two lovers."

I tell you what, it's hard to type this. I keep inadvertently fixing the punctuation and correcting the word choice. It would be one thing if it was just the writing--writing like this can be fun to read and critique, but there is a genuinely hateful undertone in this book concerning the gay characters.

Sloan, who is Philip's boyfriend, outs Philip to Molly (or as Benchley refers to it, "ousted") and as a result the mystery vigilante woman pricks him with a syringe filled with HIV and two kinds of hepatitus. He, of course, instantly develops full-blown AIDS. But wait: He goes out to Montana and is killed by two of Molly's enemy's henchmen. They break his neck and set him on fire in his car. And no one, not Philip, not Philip's new more manly lover Jack, even blinks an eye. Remember, all he did was have a consensual relationship with Philip. Just . . . wow.

But wait, there's more! After Molly's friend/half sister/murderer falls off the side of a cliff into the cold, dark water, and Molly and Clayton are joined in holy matrimony, an epilogue informs us that the mystery vigilante is still at her work. After all, they never found Molly's friend's body. BAH BAH BAH! Sigh. Perhaps a sequel in the works? But how could the author top this one?

Boy Heaven by Laura Kasischke (2006)

A story of three girls at a cheerleading camp and the events that take place involving two townie boys who followed them one day as they played hooky from camp and went into town. Unfolds wonderfully and keeps an amazing level of suspense throughout.

As Seen On TV by Sarah Mlynowski (2003)

In this chick lit, a twenty-something girl moves to New York finds herself starring on a reality television show. Refreshingly, it focuses on the character's family and work life as much as (if not more than) it does on her romantic relationship. The author has a nice ear for dialogue and has created a very likable and fairly self-effacing narrator.  See also Milkrun.  Better than average chick lit, the charm of this book is in the frenzied and hilarious inner monologue of Jackie, romance novel editor and recent dumpee.

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause (1997)

Well done modern werewolf story. Complex relationships and characters, and unusual look at werewolf mythology. Very good film version, as well. Interesting to see the changes they made between the book and film.  Although the film has flaws, one of them is not the casting of Olivier Martinez as the head werewolf, who is amaaaazingly hot.

Cupid by Julius Lester (2007)

This tale of Cupid and Psyche is told with the voice of a Southern black storyteller, and brings in elements of Roman and Greek mythology. Has lots of interesting insights about love, and is a fascinating, fun discourse on the telling of a story.  Julius Lester is amazing. S See also his great retellings of the Uncle Remus stories.  You'll want to read them aloud to anyone nearby.

Cures for Heartbreak by Margo Rabb (2007)

A very sweet and bittersweetly funny story about a girl whose mother dies and the effect on her, her sister and their father. Based on the author's own experiences, it has a deeper thread which explores her mother's experiences with her Holocaust-surviving parents.  See also the Missing Persons series, written as M.E. Rabb.

Would I Lie To You by Sheila Norton (2003)

Brit chick lit about a young woman who is cleaning houses in order to provide for her young daughter and herself. While cleaning one client's house that doesn’t need cleaning, she starts using his computer to write a tv script. But the real story here is with her friendships, her romancesm and her funny, lightly snarky interior monologues.

I Did (But I Wouldn't Now) by Cara Lockwood (2006)

Chick lit about a woman who married a musician (who turned into a rock star) and as she gets a divorce, hides out with her good friend in London. Let's see: Good, handsome, funny, smart, blah blah friend. Hmm. Predictable, but still fun thanks to the delightfully bitter heroine.

My Life: The Musical by Maryrose Wood (2008)

Emily Pearl is obsessed with a Broadway show and devoted to trying to find the mysterious author. Wood was a member of the original cast of Merrily We Roll Along, and vividly depicts theater life and Broadway fans.

Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen by Dyan Sheldon (1999)

Drama queen Mary Elizabeth moves from Manhattan to New Jersey with her mother and two bratty sisters, renames herself Lola, and sets about shaking up her suburban high school. Lola is a hilarious character and the story, as told through her melodramatic perspective, is equally hilarious.  Terrible cover art, however.

Bras and Broomsticks by Sarah Mylnowski (2005)

Rachel is a normal Jewish girl growing up in New York City, who wants nothing more than to be popular, have a boyfriend, grow breasts and stop her father from marrying her evil Soon-To-Be-Stepmonster (STB for short). When she comes home one day to discover that her younger sister Miri is a witch, as is her mother, she begins to make all sorts of plans to make her dreams come true. Very cute YA chick lit.

The Other Side of the Island by Allegra Goodman (2008)

Set in a post-apocalyptic, future society run by The Corporation, Honor is willing to get along by obeying the rules at her school, but her parents are rebellious and eventually disappear. Would provide good discussion for a teen book club.  I do love a good post-apocalypse story.

Girl's Guide to Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky (2006)

Very cute chick lit about a librarian who discovers a hidden store of witchcraft books in her basement and begins to explore her witchcraft skills.  Fun, dishy blend of fantasy and romance.

Absolutely, Positively Not by David LaRochelle (2005)

Funny and charming novel about a teenage boy coming to terms with his homosexuality. Yay for light and funny gay teen lit! Better than those scarring books where the poor gay kid is victimized, terrorized and humiliated (for example, Annie on My Mind - an acclaimed gay teen novel).  See also David Levithan's Boy Meets Boy for fun gay YA lit.

Rhymes with Witches by Lauren Myracle (2005)

Our heroine gets tapped to join the group of the most popular girls in school, known as the Bitches. However, she finds out that popularity is not all it's cracked up to be, and that popularity has a price. All pretty clichéd, but interesting characterizations and a supernatural element keeps this fresh and fun.

Elinor Lipman - Adored Author

Elinor Lipman writes witty novels filled with vivid, memorable characters. Often my favorite is whatever novel she's most recently published.  Some of my favorites are: Ladies’ Man - A tale of three sisters, all spinsters and living together in Boston; Isabel’s Bed – A writer takes a ghost writing position for scandal queen; and When She Found Me - A shy teacher is sought out by her gregarious birth mother.  My Latest Grievance feels like a revisiting of some themes from her first novel: Then She Found Me. Namely, girl raised by conservative, quiet parents runs into a mother figure who is outrageous (in a Lipman way) and shakes up her life. And I'll always love The Inn at Lake Devine about a young girl who witnesses anti-Semitism from the Inn of the title who grows up and finds her life inextricably linked with that of the owners. Funny, romantic, meaningful.  Plus, I love the inside look at the great Jewish resorts of the Catskills.

Kimchi and Calamari by Rose Kent (2007)

Novel about an engaging eighth-grade boy protagonist who was adopted by his Italian parents from Korea, and who is coming to terms with his heritage. Great characters all around, and funny, likable hero.  Plus, how cute is the cover art?

Undead and Unwed by Mary Janice Davidson (2004)

Young, single girl who loves shopping gets hit by a car and wakes up in the morgue as a vampire. Oh, not just a vampire, but the vampire queen.  Very funny chick lit, very untraditional vampire story. An enjoyable, fun read and set in Minnesota, no less!  Continued for many, many volumes, but as I don't really like long-running series, I can't attest to more recent volumes.

Missing Persons series by M.E. Rabb (2004)

Comprised of The Rose Queen, The Chocolate Lover, The Venetian Policeman and The Unsuspecting Gourmet, the Missing Persons series is about two sisters who go on the lam after their father dies to avoid being sent away to boarding school by their evil stepmother. They end up with new identities in a quirky small town, and mystery and adventures ensue. Filled with eccentric, endearing characters and featuring a realistic relationship between the sisters, plus decent little mysteries, these books are great fun.

Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway (2008)

Adorable novel about a girl who inadvertently becomes a celebrity after her ex-boyfriend writes a song about her that hits the charts. Audrey has a similar snarky (but not annoying) feel as the title character in the film Juno. Great supporting characters fill out a engaging story.

Patrick Dennis - Adored Author

Of course, I completely adore Patrick Dennis's Auntie Mame.  It's witty and gay (no other word fits so well) tale featuring one of the most memorable and endearing characters of all time.  Of course, an amazing film starring Rosalind Russell.  But I think if I had to pick a desert island book out of his work, I might pick The Joyous Season.  In this novel, Dennis tells a vivid, comic tale of precocious children, wacky families, Christmas and divorce.  Why did no one make this into a movie yet?   So many beautifully cinematic, and completely hilarious scenes. I also love Tony, but at this point, Dennis's sharpness gets a little tough to take at times.  Still, there are so many scenes that stay with me for always.  Also, he's a fascinating character himself--check out Uncle Mame by Eric Myers for the full, weird story.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (2003)

Christopher is fifteen and autistic. This story is told through his unique viewpoint as he tries to solve the mystery of who killed his neighbor's dog, pass his A-levels and deal with everyday life. Compulsively readable and completely original, Haddon sucks the reader right into Christopher's world.

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson (2008)

Jenna Fox has recently woken up from a year-long coma after a serious accident, but things are a little mysterious. Why doesn't her grandmother like her? Why did they move cross-country while she was in a coma? Why are there so many locked doors in their new house? Semi-poetically written and suspenseful.

The Boy Next Door by Meg Cabot (2002)

Sometimes I love Meg Cabot, but she writes a lot of books and sometimes she's just phoning it in.  This novel, however, is adorable.  Columnist chick has romantic troubles and hilarity ensues. Told completely through emails sent by and to gossip columnist Mel Fuller, this laugh-out-loud funny novel is an absolutely delightful read.  The follow-up novel, Every Boy's Got One has more emails and notes from characters tangentially related to those in The Boy Next Door. Girl cartoonist travels to Italy for her friend's wedding. Romantic troubles and hilarity ensue.  Also cute.

Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer (2006)

Gripping post-apocalyptic tale of what happens when an asteroid hits the moon (long story short: nothing good). Narrated in a diary format by the teenage girl who survives with her family after the world falls after.  Followed by an interesting sequel called The Dead and the Gone, which follows a teenage boy living through the same disaster in New York City.  However, skip the final book of the trilogy (The World We Live In) which awkwardly ties both stories together with a convoluted romance.  Really badly done.

So Yesterday by Scott Westerfield (2004)

Hunter is a 'cool hunter' who meets Jen while admiring her innovatively tied shoelaces and soon they become involved in a kidnapping and a complicated consumerist scheme. It's an excellent look at coolness and trends and consumerism and features likeable, endearing characters. Great for pop culture addicts of all ages.

Miracle and other Christmas Stories by Connie Willis (1999)

If you love Miracle on 34th Street and hate It's a Wonderful Life, this is the Christmas story collection for you.  Willis, a fantasy author, writes lovely, touching, romantic and funny Christmas stories.  She also includes annotated lists of 12 favorite Christmas movies and 12 favorite Christmas books.  Lovely collection that I read about every year at Christmas.

Introducing Vivien Leigh Reid by Yvonne Collins & Sandy Rideout (2005)

Teen chick lit about a teen girl who goes to Ireland to spend time with her estranged mother who is filming a movie. Silly and fun read.  Followed by two very cute sequels: Now Starring Vivian Leigh Reid Diva in Training, the second in the series about the title character who this time around stays with her actress mother in L.A., takes an acting class, and gets a part in an evening soap. Dishy and fun.  And
The New and Improved Vivien Leigh Reid Diva in Control, third in the series, this one follows her adventures on an evening action/adventure drama. Adorable, with great characters and some good villains (in her soon-to-be stepsisters). Great fun.

Dixieland Sushi by Cara Lockwood (2005)

The heroine is a TV producer who is heading back to her Southern hometown to attend the wedding of her childhood crush, who is marrying her cousin. Her attractive coworker joins her for the trip. Romance ensues. Very much of the 80s childhood is evoked, which always pleases me.

I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith (1948)

Coming of age tale narrated by the 17-year-old daughter of an eccentric family living in a castle in England. Almost unbearably charming.  Dodie Smith was also the author of One Hundred and One Dalmatians, another very charming novel.

Lois Duncan - Adored Author

Lois Duncan is the mistress of horror for young adults. Even though her novels were written decades ago, they are barely dated at all and are still very chilling.  One of Duncan's great gifts is her skill in evoking the horror inherent in the helplessness of being a child/teen and being dependent on others for your safety.  Some of her outstanding novels include Gallows Hill, about a girl who moves from California to a small Indiana town and gets embroiled in doings that resemble the Salem witch trials.  To say any more would spoil the suspense that Duncan so wonderfully creates.  My all-time favorite of her novels is probably Stranger With My Face.   This is a great story of a teenage girl who lives on an isolated island with her family who starts getting mysterious visits from her long-lost (and far distant) sister. Amazing exploration of astral projection.  Well written, amazingly suspensefuly, not even a bit dated, and really should have been made into a equally chilling film.

Stephen King - Adored Author

Well, of course.  It's Stephen King.  One of the first authors of grownup books I remember reading, I can remember precisely on which shelf of my childhood library Carrie was located.  And I remember the cover perfectly and how I felt reading it.  If I had to pick an all-time favorite, it would probably be The Stand.   Incredibly long, but incredibly absorbing tale of a virus wiping out most of the world. I think of The Stand every time I'm in close quarters with a stranger with a hacking cough.  I also love his short stories collections like Night Shift, which contains the fabulously weird "The Mangler" and the never-leave-your-closet-door-even-slightly-ajar tale of "The Boogeyman."  Also love Skeleton Crew, which includes the wonderful novella "The Mist," as well as standout stories such as "The Monkey," "The Jaunt" and "Mrs. Todd's Shortcut."  And of course, there's It.  Still super scary, although I'm not exactly sure what happens at the end.  But eek.  Particularly if you have a deep and abiding fear of clowns. And who doesn't?  And then the more serious King, such as The Green Mile.  Not so much spooky as his other books, but genuinely good. Incredibly suspenseful, absorbing and touching.  And I adored On Writing , which is half autobiography, half writing guide. The only writing book I've ever actually finished. Great insight into the life and writing style of a popular author.

Tales from the Brothers Grimm and the Sisters Weird by Vivian Vande Velde (1995)

Presents thirteen twisted versions of such familiar fairy tales as Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Hansel and Gretel, and The Three Billy Goats Gruff.  There's nothing I love better than a little fairy tale retelling and Vande Velde is a master of writing humorous fantasy and  has wonderful insight into fairy tells and how to twist them perfectly.

The Rumpelstiltskin Problem by Vivian Vande Velde (2000)

Vande Velde starts by deconstructing the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale and points out what a weird and sort of stupid tale it is. Then she proceeds to write six new versions of the tale that twist the story in some new and interesting way. Very well told.  Vande Velde is also an Adored Author.

Vivian Vande Velde - Adored Author

Vivian Vande Velde writes funny and spooky stories and novels for children and teens.  Some of her best collections include Being Dead: Seven stories that are all wonderful and range from gently creepy to out-and-out horror. One story made me gasp aloud. The stories are definitely dark, but very good.  All Hallow's Eve, wonderfully weird Halloween short stories by the mistress of horror and humor for young adults. Some of the stories are genuinely chilling, some are lighter and funny, but all are delightful.  Two of her best YA novels include Heir Apparent, where a girl gets trapped in a virtual reality game and has to replay the game until she can win and escape, and Now You See It.  Wendy finds a pair of sunglasses on her front lawn and finds that she can see things beyond the normal world, including a doorway to another world, where she meets a variety of interesting characters including one of her own ancestors.  See also The Rumpelstiltskin Problem and Tales from the Brothers Grimm and the Sisters Weird under Fairy Tales Retold.

Why is My Mother Getting a Tattoo? by Jancee Dunn (2009)

Subtitled And Other Questions I Wish I Never Had to Ask, this is a collection of essays on family and friends that are laugh out loud funny, and poignant. I suspect that Jancee and I might be the same person, which of course, just makes me love her more.  See also her hilarious memoir But Enough About Me.

Family Acts by Louise Shaffer (2007)

Story of an opera house and the family that manages the theater from the mid-1800s to the present day, when two women, unknown to each other, inherit the opera house. An interesting look at theatrical life, and backstage life, as well.

Windfallen by Jojo Moyes (2003)

Although the cover and title seem very pedestrian, this novel is surprisingly delightful.  A sprawling family history centers around an unusual house and its inhabitants on the British coast. Amazing characters and complex relationships. Very Maeve Binchy-like, and that's high praise.

Briar Rose by Jane Yolen (1988)

Retelling of Sleeping Beauty set partially in Germany during the Holocaust. Almost unbearably poignant.  Part of the amazing fairy tale retelling series put out by Tor books and created by Terri Windling.

The Little Lady Agency by Hester Browne (2005)

British novel about a slightly posh, unemployable girl who sets up her own temp agency for the purpose of providing fake girlfriends, help for men who need help (hair, clothing, etc.), sort of a "posh Mary Poppins in silk stockings."  Delightful and funny.  Followed by a couple of sequels.

Places in the Dark by Thomas H. Cook (2000)

Thomas H. Cook writes spooky, haunting mysteries mostly involving a secret in the past.  This one is a an excellent mystery about a man searching for a woman involved in the death of his brother. Beautifully told, poetically described and almost cinematic in its dreamy, Sixth Sensian tone.  See also Breakheart Hill, another excellent mystery by Cook, this one about a country doctor haunted by the death of his childhood crush. Very evocative, unfolds slowly, but quite compelling.

A Wolf At the Door: and other Retold Fairy Tales by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling (2000)

Science fiction and fantasy authors including Jane Yolen, Kathe Koja, and Gregory Maguire retell thirteen fairy tales and add their own particular spin.  Irreverent and a bit darker than you'd think--especially since it's a collection shelved in the children's collection.  Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling are the masters (mistresses?) of fairy tale retellings.

A Room With a View by E. M. Forster (1908)

How can you not love a book with a chapter titled "The Reverend Arthur Beebe, the Reverend Cuthbert Eager, Mr. Emerson, Miss Eleanor Lavish, Miss Charlotte Bartlett, and Miss Lucy Honeychurch Drive Out in Carriages to See a View; Italians Drive Them."  In this 1908 novel, a young British woman is transformed by Italy. Lovely and witty and romantic.  Sigh. Made into a perfectly marvelous Merchant-Ivory movie, which I completely credit with introducing me to opera.