Eight Hundred Grapes

Synchronize (verb) "to occur at the same time or coincide or agree in time" (Online Etymology Dictionary).

Much of our lives are left to chance, in spite of perfect planning one cannot prepare for the weather, the actions of another, and as I learned while reading this book, the making of wine. We cannot control the rain or the weather, just as we cannot control the actions of others.

In Eight Hundred Grapes Georgia is one week away from her wedding that is set to take place at her parents' vineyard.  She finds her fiancee is keeping the knowledge of a daughter from her as well as meetings with his ex-wife.  She realizes this as she is trying on her wedding dress and flees the city, heading home.

Upon returning home she finds her family is also struggling in their relationships and realizes the importance of home and family.  Weeks have passed since I read this book and I'm still thinking about it, still wanting to try putting chocolate in lasagna and to enjoy (just one more) glass of wine.

In short, read this book, especially if you have a love of wine, it will probably help increase that love.


synchronize. (n.d.). Online Etymology Dictionary. Retrieved December 22, 2015 from Dictionary.com website http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/synchronize

Me Before You & After You

You know those books that truly piss you off when you finish it? Me Before You was one that truly made me angry.  When I heard there was a sequel coming out (After You), I had decided there was no way I would read it, as I was still too upset about the ending from the first. For some reason I decided to put it on hold, despite not wanting to read it (perhaps it was because I enjoyed the first so much) and read it over the last two days. Once again my heart was broken, filled with hope, and longing.

The series follows the life of Louisa Clark, a quirky late twenties who lives with her parents. She gets a job as a helper to Will Traynor, a quadriplegic who used to do everything and now he can’t even get dressed or feed himself. Will gave up on living and Lou took it upon herself to determine how best to change his mind. Even though it has been over a year since I read the first novel I couldn’t help but miss these wonderful characters.  Despite Will’s constant complaining about his inability to do anything and his want to end his life and Lou’s constant need to take care of everyone else I couldn’t help but love these characters.  

For fear of ruining the story I won’t share anymore details but I do highly encourage everyone to read this book.  If you talk to Meg (or Paige Turner, whatever it is she is going by these days) don’t listen to what she has to say about it.  She had a difficult time getting into it, though I would imagine if she was in the right mood she would love it too.

Fox and O'Hare

I (Nicole), have a confession to make.  I’m not actually a librarian yet.  I still have the rest of this semester and one more before I’ll be done with my degree.  That being said most of my reading until I finish is fluff.  I read enough books that make me have to think for my classes, I don’t really care to think when I’m reading for fun.  Besides, in all reality I probably shouldn’t be reading too much for fun either.

All this to say I have really enjoyed the Fox and O’Hare series by Janet Evanovich with Lee Goldberg.  Evanovich is the same author who has brought us the Stephanie Plum series, but this one seems to have a little more variance in each story.

The Heist begins with FBI agent Kate O’Hare who is searching for Nicholas Fox, a professional con artist.  She ends up catching him after years of searching, only for him to get out due to another agent’s failure to follow all rules.  At this point the rules change and they become teammates and work to take down other con artists, using the FBI’s resources and Fox’s expertise.  

As with Stephanie Plum these books are page turners, filled with humor and a lot of drama.  The stories aren’t complex and never once was I trying to figure out what was happening, unless of course, that was the author’s intent.  The sexual tension between Kate and Nick is so thick you could cut it with a knife, but thus far nothing has happened, just enough romance to keep me wanting more.  I laughed a lot and read them despite having a house to clean and piles of homework to do, please don’t tell my husband.  I’m pretty sure he thought I was being a responsible grown-up at the moment.  All in all, I recommend this series to anyone wanting a quick, funny read with a little mystery thrown in.

**Views expressed are my own and don’t necessarily coincide with my employer**