Books on Tap: Fun Fiction

Everyone reads for a reason. For instance, some people read to learn. I am not "some people."

While I have nothing against learning, reading for me has always been more about escape (and yes, I fully admit that). It's a way to be someone else and to live other, exciting lives, and experience things I will likely never experience in my real life. For better or worse, that's why I read. I like a good story and good characters who become like friends.

But lately, I actually have been doing a lot of reading to learn; lots of books under the heading of "Inspiration" have passed through my hot little hands lately. And I needed a break. Enter the fun fiction.

These are not necessarily books to learn from (although theoretically you can learn from anything you read). They are not dark, twisted, dramatic novels. They're not suspenseful or scary. They're just...well...fun. And since I enjoyed them, I thought I'd share so you could perhaps enjoy them, too.

What are you reading this winter? Have you read any of these books? Do you want to? Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo,
E

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Kitchens of the Great Midwest, by J. Ryan Stradal. So I lied - this book is a little heavy. I heard about it on The Skimm's Friday Skimm Reads. It intrigued me because it was about a chef, and I like books/movies about chefs. This is no exception. Kitchens tells the story of a girl named Eva as she becomes a sought-after chef, but each chapter is told from the point of view of someone different who is in some way connected to her. We see the rise of Eva, but only one chapter is told from her point of view. It's a fascinating literary device. Even though it's not about her, it is. We still see her character and her talent evolve. If you don't find yourself rooting for Eva during this book, then you're probably part of the problem. And no taste in literature.

After You, by Jojo Moyes. This book is the much-anticipated sequel to Moyes' Me Before You, which I read last year. After You details the life of Louisa after her caretaking job is over. Unfortunately, I can't tell you much else about this book without giving away secrets of both. Just know that it takes place in England, it's well-written, the characters are incredibly lovely and that if you don't cry at the end, I'm going to take you to the Wizard of Oz because you have no heart. Moyes is a gifted writer that makes crying over a novel seem like a supreme privilege. If you're character-driven like I am, you'll love these books. Just be sure to read Me Before You before After You. This isn't confusing at all.

The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortise, by Julia Stuart. While the characters in this book are as quirky as in her others, this story falls a little bit flat. Centering on a "Beefeater" and his wife who live in the London Tower, the book is about their marital issues following a tragedy as well as a lot of exotic animals falling under the Beefeater's responsibility. It's funny at times, and the book is whimsical like her other two, the plot develops so. slowly. Halfway through, I kept wondering when it was going to actually get going. It took a while longer, and while the ending was fairly satisfactory, it wasn't quite to my tastes - I would have preferred a little more resolution. If you want a Julia Stuart book, stick to "The Pigeon Pie Mystery" - much better.

The Knockoff, by Lucy Sykes and Jo Piazza. So I was going for lighthearted reads, and it sort of worked with this book. If you've ever had a condescending, manipulative, sociopathic boss (or coworker - and I have!) from hell, then you'll identify all too well with The Knockoff. There were times when I got so angry and frustrated with the evil bitch in this book that I had to set it aside and go do something else for a while. The story takes place in the magazine world in NYC (which I'm now grateful I'm not part of) and is fairly predictable, but the authors did a great job with the characters - they're a little too real. If you don't hate Eve from the very beginning, then I'm pretty sure you're part of the problem and we can't be friends. Read this - with blood pressure meds handy.

The Rosie Effect, by Graeme Simsion. Like After You, above, this is the sequel to a book I read last year. Also like After You, I can't give you too much information without ruining both books. But I will say that if you're at all familiar with the TV show, The Big Bang Theory, the narrator of this book, Don Tillman, is identical to Sheldon Cooper. Fantastic scientist, not so great people person. His misadventures are laugh-out-loud funny and you'll find yourself cringing for him because he really is that awkward. I loved both books, but I devoured The Rosie Effect. All five of the books in this post were great, but this was my favorite of the bunch. For a great, light, hysterical Christmas read, definitely check this one out. You're welcome.