If clothes maketh the man then the character should be well shod too

January 9, 2011February 21, 2011shallowreader 1 Comment

Practice Makes Perfect

by Julie James

a shallow reader review

Always assume there are *spoilers*

Now here is an author who consistently delivers well written, contemporary romance novels which are full of scrummy narkiness, scrummy characters and the obligatory HEA. To add to the well written stories Julie James also delivers in the well dressed, well heeled character stakes. And in Practice Makes Perfect the clothing is described is an important part of the image that the protagonists choose to show to others.

Julie James’s Practice Makes Perfect is about two law associates in the last months before they find out if they make partner at one of Chicago’s top law firms. Both Payton (tha chick) and J.D. (da man) partake in snarky one-upmanship and all-round competition against each other. Their constant bantering makes for fun reading though at times both overstep their boundaries which is where their vulnerability towards each other starts to emerge. Throughout the book they wear corporate clothing that is hand tailored, professional and conforming to the expectations of legal counsel. I felt that their clothes are part of what sets the scene as to the style and tension that is over-riding in this book. The alphamale is capitalised to ALPHA with his Zegna suits, or when going a little casual

“… he wore an open-necked black pin-striped shirt and perfectly tailored charcoal gray pants”.

Yep, I’m one of those women that can sit in the corporate end of town feasting her eyes on those immaculately cut suits. J.D. is hot hot hot.

Julie James slowly builds the tension between the main protagonists until you are on the edge of your seat two-thirds of the way into the book wanting to scream “Will you just get it on!”. I enjoyed the slow weaving of why each protagonist chose their career path and I liked that the majority of the action in the book was in the corporate office setting.

The book did have a few unresolved storylines at the end. But they did not particularly worry me. The unresolved tension between J.D. and his domineering judge father – did not worry me. That Payton never explores J.D’s work motivations – did not worry me. And the sabotaged shoe scene – did not worry me. What did worry me was that throughout the book Payton’s complete outfit is described. Her dresses, shirts, skirts, suits all the way down to the heels of her Jimmy Choos and other stiletto numbers that she wears at work (this goes totally against the grain for me as a librarian who happily dons her flat, stylish yet sensible, Camper shoes). Yet, when J.D. is described, he has hotness trousers, great shirts, growl man ties and suits to die for but his shoes are not mentioned. I reread the book a second time in search for a reference to his shoes and I could not find one. Does he not wear any? Is he shoeless? Where are his Oxfords, Legates, monkstraps or wingtip Bluchers? Where are his John Lobb or Berluti shoes? This omission seems incongruous in light of the meticulously attired J.D.

So please, when you read this fab romance, please, if you catch a mention J.D’s shoes – drop me a line.

VaVeros’s Top Reads of 2010

January 2, 2011February 13, 2011shallowreader 3 Comments

So I’m going to thrill you all with my favourite reads of the year.

My reading 2010: 1o0 adult fiction & 30 non-fiction, 60 picture books, 23 junior (fic & non-fic), And that’s not counting the rereads! Sadly, this year none of my junior fiction, junior non-fiction or literary fiction made me want to run out and buy keepers. There were many lovely stories but nothing that stood out. Perhaps I will discover some keepers in 2011. I went through my notes for the year and I am posting any book that I scored 5/5. For me 5/5 means that I am will go out and buy myself a copy to keep forever and ever and ever so that I can re-read it whenever I feel like it so that I can savour those words (or pictures) over and over again.

Best Romance

Mr Cavendish I Presume by Julia Quinn – My biggest surprise this year was this gorgeous story. It is the 2nd of a two book series. The first book The Lost Duke of Wyndham was a good read but was not a keeper for me. I reluctantly picked up the twin novel and I am so glad I did. There were whispers, sighs, deeply romantic moments and I have reread this book twice since I finished it. Certainly my favourite fiction read for this year.

My 3 other romance keeper reads:

Crazy For Love by Victoria Dahl – yummy safety conscious hero

Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James – I love her use of parenthesis

I’m in No Mood for Love by Rachel Gibson- Scrummy romance

Category Romance

Greek Tycoon, Inexperienced Mistress (Harlequin Presents) by Lynne Graham – this book made me cry – dammit. You have to give top marks to an author who applies every possible romance trope yet has such distinct internal voices for her characters that you tear up at page 150 despite knowing that there will be an HEA by page 180.

Undressed (Harlequin Blaze) by Heather MacAllister was different altogether. Unlike most category reads this book was a series of vignettes about different courting couples. Tied together by a bridal shop and a groom outfitter who run the two shops next door to each other each story is unique. My only regret is that I borrowed this ebook through the library and I cannot find a print copy to own. And I really want a print copy.

Non-fiction

Apartment Therapy Presents: Real Homes, Real People, Hundreds of Design Solutions by Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan

I love the Apartment Therapy blog so I was very excited to see that the library had a copy of their book. And then I was even more excited to read the book. Full of beautiful design ideas, and floor plans, this book has provided me with hours of reading and visual enjoyment.

Other notable non-fiction:

Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern

Teen Fiction

I lurrrrrrrrrve Steven Herrick. His lovely lyrical stories are heartfelt and funny. My 2 top teen novels for this year were both his.

Slice by Steven Herrick
Lonesome Howl by Steven Herrick

Picture Books

Lots of them – lots lots lots!

Language:

The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith – This is uber cool. The music is great and I have yet to meet a kid that does not join in the Wonky Donkey funkness!
Fancy Nancy by Jane O’Connor – I was never a girly girl yet this book has made me go out and buy numerous copies for nieces and little girl friends. Tiara time!

I Don’t Want a Cool Cat! by Emma Dodd

Illustration:

Miss Llewellyn-Jones Goes to Town by Elaine Forrestal

Flame stands waiting by Corinne Fenton, Sebastian Ciaffaglione

Hunting for Dragons by Bruce Whatley

************

Tears:

Waiting for Mummy by Tae-Jun Lee & Dong-Sung Kim
Old Hu-Hu by Kyle Mewburn

Comedy:

Fifteen Animals! by Sandra Boynton – 1 word “Bob”

Sir Laughalot by Tony Mitton and Sarh Warburton

Dog Loves Books by Louise Yates

A Picture Book on Handselling/Readers Advisory

December 29, 2010February 13, 2011shallowreader Leave a comment

Dog Loves Books

by Louise Yates

A Shallow Reader review

This book is beyond cute. A gorgeous little doggie opens a bookshop yet he has no customers. So he reads. And then when customers come in he revels in suggesting books for them. There is loneliness, escapism & readers advisory. A story that book lovers can easily relate to and with illustrations that are delightful. This book is a storytime must for librarians and for the budding bibliophile.

Books of Christmas Past

December 27, 2010February 13, 2011shallowreader 2 Comments

Despite being a book fiend, I am more than happy to not receive books for Christmas. I prefer that most people keep far far away from choosing a book for me. See, I’m funny in my reading tastes – as are most people – and what may resonate with many and hit the bestseller lists rarely interests me.

Let me give you some examples:

Christmas books from previous years that did not hit the mark:

How Late it was, How late – James Kelman

Welcome to the Monkey House – Kurt Vonnegut

The Snapper – Roddy Doyle

Captain Corelli’s Mandolin by Louis de Berniere

Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne Harris

Full series by Janet Evanovich (this one should have been full of win because she’s a fave author yet 4 years later they still have a ribbon wrapped around them)

A Little Bush Maid by Mary Grant Bruce (I mean, seriously! I couldn’t get past the title page)

and many many more.

I’m a Libra – let’s aim for some balance in this blog post!

Christmas books from previous years that did hit the mark:

Lake Woebegone Days by Garrison Keillor

Perfect English by Ros Byam Shaw

Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Crusie

Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris

Twitterature by Aciman and Resin

Neither of these lists are exhaustive as I have received many more books than I can be bothered to remember. The books on the first list must have many wonderful qualities for them to have inspired many a reader to buy and many a bookseller/librarian to recommend them but sadly they were not able to interest me at all. I cannot pinpoint why some books grab me from the first page yet others with similar elements just leave me cold. And certainly, if I can’t put my finger on this elusive quality it would be near impossible for someone else to guarantee I will like their selection. This year, I have been especially lucky. I only received two books and both books were hits. I received Things Bogans Like and a 4-novels-in-one Mills and Boon Summer Special collection.

Reading choices are very personal and subjective. There are so many aspects to selecting a book starting from aesthetically pleasing elements such as great cover art, beautiful paper stock, well designed layout and a well chosen font. Once we overcome the form over function aspect of book selection we start looking at the content. From well written prose, dialogue intense, character driven, settings, genres, time periods, sex, no sex, gruesome murder, cozy mysteries, steampunk, graphic novels, romances, tragic love stories, epic poetry, adventure, pirate books, fantasy, unicorns, faeries, trolls, travel, war, monarchies, geishas, revolutions, classic literature and the list does go on and on and on and on….. Enter the quagmire of book selection for other at your risk!

I appreciate the sentiment behind the book as a gift but unless it is a surefire win (ie, I have told you that I want a specific title) and you really insist on buying me books, opt for the gift that doubles in giving by purchasing me a bookshop gift card instead. I don’t think that this is impersonal – it is highly practical and more likely to not end up at my kids’ school fete’s book stall next year.

I do wonder though, for all the lovely book gifts, how many givers of books didn’t really stay up all night wrapping gifts (it did come in a gift box, after all) but were up furiously reading, making sure they didn’t break the spine and finishing that wonderful book that they would have loved for someone to have bought them instead.

Love and the Dead Scientist

December 21, 2010December 27, 2010shallowreader 2 Comments

“Do you know why you’re afraid when you’re alone? I do. I do.” Vincent Gray

I have recently read 2 novels, both of which had romantic elements and both of which had the female protagonist conducting an imaginary relationship with a dead scientist.

Both books had a great plot, were well written and were engaging but I had trouble dealing with the dead scientist conversation. It was odd. It didn’t sit right with me. I phoned my scientist sister and asked her if she knew any of her male/female scientist counterparts who talk to their imaginary hero/mentor/role model. She told me she was busy and not to bother her with ridiculous concepts. I took this to mean “No”.

The language in Addition by Toni Jordan captured me. The heroine has OCD and is constantly counting. This agitated me but rightfully so as it was able to make me, the reader, understand how the protagonist feels. The protagonist also spends a lot of her time relating her actions back to Nikola Tesla. The dead scientist dialogue is as odd as the rest of the book but it all makes sense as you near the end. The romantic lead totally enamoured me. I liked that he is fashion-challenged, seriously – he wears boaters, and I liked his patience and steadfastness!

In Loving Richard Feynman by Penny Tangey the letter writing to a dead scientist seemed out of place for me. The various storylines worked well and I would recommend this book but I struggled with the concept of a teen finding solace in an imaginary relationship with Richard Feynman. This would ring alarm bells as to my child’s sanity. Nonetheless, the relationships in this book are wonderful and I adored the beautiful ending.

Having come across two Australian publications with a similar premise I hope that this is not going to become a favourite storyline. To me, it made no sense and it detracted from two books that would have otherwise been great. I understand that I am supposed to suspend disbelief and somehow relate to different peoples’ experiences but does anybody know anyone that has enriching and enabling conversations with dead scientists, teachers, Kennedys…..anyone other than the kid from The Sixth Sense?

Picture Book Historical Romantic Comedy

December 19, 2010February 13, 2011shallowreader Leave a comment

Sir Laughalot

Written by Tony Mitton

Illustrated by Sarah Warburton

a shallow review

I snorted in the library when I was reading this book. Sarah Warburton’s illustrations are brilliant. They are quirky & childlike yet with a nod to illuminated manuscripts and heraldy. This suited the medieval setting of the book. Tony Mitton, once again, delights with narrrative that is rhythmic and funny and with absurd concepts such as twirly nose hair, that will have you laughing out aloud alongside Laughalot himself. The challenge he must face is whether he can save the cheerful damsel in distress….which of course brings us to a picture book historical romantic comedy.

Sir Laughalot has so many wonderful qualities. It’s funny, it’s romantic, it’s heroic and it’s lots of fun 🙂

If clothes maketh the man then they maketh the book character too

December 16, 2010July 22, 2012shallowreader 2 Comments

Maybe This Time

by Jennifer Crusie

a shallow review

Jennifer Crusie’s latest book Maybe This Time edges into the paranormal activities of ghosts (thank you Jennifer for not bringing vampires into the equation) whilst rekindling a romance that had soured many years earlier. The book is set in 1992 which I found a bit perturbing. It was not long ago enough to be classed as a historical romance but it certainly is not a contemporary romance. It did have a retro feel but must we have another sub sub genre? It did make me wonder if it was the author’s way of not wanting to deal with modern technology such as SMS and the internet for her book (which is fine).

However, the clothes that Andie, the female protagonist, wears through most of this book created a phenomenal mind block for me. On the first page she is wearing an ill-fitting tailored jacket. Why? What would possess any intelligent woman, and Andie IS intelligent, to dress like a bag lady when facing a hot former beau/husband? I didn’t get it, though I know I should get it as her rebellion against the “hero’s” conservatism. Couldn’t she just flip the proverbial bird to the establishment by dyeing her hair pink?

Further on in the book she is described as wearing peasant skirts and tank tops. I cannot shake from my mind a cross between Stevie Nicks and Patrick Swayze. This is not a good thing.

I found it unbelievable that ex-hubby North who is a conservative, button down suit kinda Beta hero could stand the sparkly, sequin Tree of Life woman that was being described. So I improvised. Where the book describes her misshapen jacket, I replaced it with a shapely jacket (no woman would choose to look like shit when they are seeing an ex for the first time in a decade). When her peasant skirt is being described I change it in my mind to a flowing, long skirt.

I realise that this is a stupid thing to be bothered about. Other reviewers have found Andie’s lack of care for her young male charge, Carter & and her ignorance as to how men’s needs, both Carter and North, as an oversight in the writing. I don’t agree. I just thought she was an unfeeling towards male characters. Unlikeable character trait – yes. Writing fault – No.

But when Andie finally dons a t-shirt and jeans just before she does the deed with North I let out a breath of relief.

Unfortunately, despite her reverting to wearing jeans I remain unconvinced that maybe this time the loving couple make it. Because after all that fab sex poor North still has to look at a woman channelling the Nickster.

P.S. Despite what sounds like an anti-Maybe This Time diatribe, apart from the disturbing fashion sense, this book works for me. The creepy ghosts, the faulty relationships and the lack of maturity in the female protagonists which is angering and frustrating all make for a good read. That it takes her 10 years to have a decent relationship and that it takes 2 neglected children for her to finally understand that a person needs to stick around even when they are not the centre of the universe is a revelation. Crusie rocks.

P. P.S I also get that the book being retro you probably think that peasant skirts were hip in the early 90s. But they weren’t. Even then they were ugly.

Shallowreader

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