The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler

 

 

Basic plot

A group of Jane Austen book lovers gather together to discuss her works and in the process find that life is not as straightforward as Miss Austen wrote it to be. If only though, it was. Jocelyn, Sylvia, Prudie, Allegra, Bernadette and Grigg do not really have alot in common with each other other than their taste in books but they find their monthly gatherings a welcome respite from their own complicated lives.

 

Rating: 3.5

My review here.

The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus

Basic plot

"Nanny" is a NYU senior who loves working with children and when she lands a part-time job as nanny to 4 year old Grayer, it seems like a perfect fit. What she didn't count on was that her job description would include basically parenting Grayer and being at the beck and call of his frigid, uptight, snobby and constantly busy-with -doing-nothing mother Mrs X. She soon finds out despite sacrificing her time, patience and sanity to care for their son, she is in fact almost invisible and dispensable to both Mrs X and the often absent Mr X. Even nannies have a tipping point, don't they?

Rating: 3.5/5

My full review here.

How will I know ? by Sheila O'Flanagan

Basic plot

Claire and Bill Hudson have been soulmates since they were 5 years old . They went through life together, loved each other and planned to spend the rest of their lives together. Their daughter Georgia completed the almost fairy-tale picture of perfect happiness. That is until, a tragic accident leaves Claire and Georgia alone without the most important man in their lives. Years later, Claire is still trying to cope, to forget, to live but is at a loss when her now teenage daughter asks her for advice on boys. Her relationship with Bill had been simple and straightforward, she knows nothing about dating and the usual teenage angst. Claire decides to take a radical approach by throwing herself into the strange world of dating, all in the name of research of course, in order to better answer her young daughter's queries. What results is a funny string of events involving blind dates, David Beckham look-alikes and grumpy gardeners. 

 

Rating: 4/5

My full review here.

Swapping lives by Jane Green

Basic plot

Two very different women living on opposite sides of the world find themselves living polar opposite yet picture perfect lives. Vickey Townsley is a single, successful, fashionable editor of Poise! magazine in London. Her 'no strings attached' life takes it toll as she starts pining for a family life in the countryside. Amber Winslow, a suburban housewife married to old money has it all. The gorgeous husband, beautiful kids, nanny, a mansion and dressed in designer labels all set to be Queen of Suburbia. Though at times all the social climbing and subtle backstabbing, leaves her exhausted. Through a unique contest hosted by the magazine, these women decide to swap lives for a month, and learn that the grass may not be greener while walking in each other's Jimmy Choos.

My full review here.

Rating: 3/5

This book was a birthday present from my room-mate Dr Mali.

Alice Hartley's Happiness by Philippa Gregory

 

Basic Plot

Stuck in a mundane, loveless marriage, Alice Hartley is convinced that she is a women in her prime waiting for something amazing just around the corner. In an epic meltdown she abandons all conformity and escapes into the countryside, young lover in tow. Faced with an ancient old aunt who refuses to die, nosy village neighbours and a stuffy professor husband out for vengeance, she rises above all adversity to establish a most unconventional healing centre. With frazzled housewives, nervous co-eds, enthusiastic boy scouts, friendly dolphins and even "aliens" thrown into the mix, surely the path to Alice Hartley's happiness is colourful to say the least.

 

Rating: 3.5/5

My full review here.

Thanks for the memories by Cecilia Ahern

Basic plot

After a devastating tragedy, Joyce Conway struggles to make sense of her life. Especially since strange things start happening. She can speak Italian and Latin and suddenly becomes an expert on architecture. She also dreams about a life that is definitely not her own. Justin Hitchcock only donated blood to get a date with a cute doctor. What's the point of saving some-one's life anonymously anyway? Somehow their paths manage to cross as weirder and weirder circumstances develop.

My review here.

Rating: 4.5/5

Destinations by Sheila O'Flanagan

Basic book description

This book is a collection of short stories that revolves around the lives of regular commuters on the Dart (Dublin Area Rapid Transport) system. Destinations reveals the inside track on the lives of ordinary commuters and uncovers the hidden links that lie beneath the surface of 'anonymous' city lives.

Two evesdropping passengers learn more than they bargained for; an office-party fling has unforseen consequences; a suburban housewife is forced to face her estranged mother- and her thorny past; an office worker finds her commute to work livened by the daily daily sightings of a handsome stranger; a hot date with the office stud gets off to a disastrous start... is there light at the end of the tunnel? (from book jacket).

My review here. 

Rating: 4/5

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Basic Plot

John was the classic 'rebel without a cause', with his life in a downward spiral and no "future" he decided to enlist in the army, for lack of anything better to do. Stationed in Germany, he found army life non-remarkable. Everything changed when he was back in the States for his annual leave and he saw Savannah for the first time. Thus began an incredible story of love, separation and sacrifice. 

Read my review here.

Rating: 4/5

Trading up by Candace Bushnell

Passion by Louise Bagshawe

The Truth About Melody Browne by Lisa Jewell

Julie & Julia by Julie Powell