Book Chat: Eightysixed

Our latest book chat is especially fun because this time, we dove in together and read "Eightysixed" by a fellow Chicago girl boss, Emily Belden. Typically, we tend to seek out intense dramas and mysteries so it was a nice change of pace to enjoy a fun read full of 20-something humor and emotions. Self-described as a story about the "hellish purgatory that is somewhere between “wanting it all” and “having no clue how to get it," we could immediately relate to this feeling and all of the concerns we experience as we get older and try to navigate that divide. 

Much like real life, broken hearts and bottles of wine go hand in hand in this story. It's the modern day Carrie Bradshaw whose looking for love (and an equally important relationship, a career) in a big city. Whether you're single or not, these tragedies and triumphs speak to all young ladies who  undoubtedly have a few of their own experiences that would make others shake their head and laugh...because when it comes to being young, sometimes that's all you can do. This is the perfect weekend (or beach) read that you'll devour in a matter of hours.

Not only did we enjoy the book we were so pleased to spend some time getting to know the author. 

Behind the scenes with Emily...

When/why did you decide to write a book?

I began writing several “entries” about things going on in my life. Some I published to my blog and some I did not. Eventually I reached a critical mass where I found myself saying...this could be a movie. Or this could be a book. Since they were all chronological, it wasn’t hard to turn them into chapters and eventually compile a full-length manuscript.

Do you write full-time or are you pursuing other talents as well?

Writing and re-writing (edits) used to take up the majority of my time. But now that Eightysixed has been optioned for film, I’m spending about half my time working on the episodic development of the show. Additionally, I’ve become known as a foul-mouthed keynote speaker and do about an event a month. In fact, I just came back from The Lady Project Summit in Providence, which was a blast. 

Which actor/actress would you like to see playing the lead character from Eightysixed?

I’ll go with who I always thought prior to actually optioning the book for film: Emmy Rossum and David Beckham as Emily and Floris. Nick Jonas/Zac Efron as Trent. Something like that. Will be interesting to see who is finally cast! 

Any tips on how to get through the dreaded writer’s block? 

As bloggers, it can be hard to curate fresh content all the time!

Food. can’t write unless I have something to mindlessly nosh on. My preference is a sandwich, but I’m also prone to cookies and wine. After that, my fingers just take off. I don’t “storyboard” anything out. When I sit down throw down some words, I truly have no clue where the story will go in that hour or two. It’s always a great surprise to me.

What book(s) have you read recently that you would recommend? 

I Take You by Eliza Kennedy. It was a recommendation by my agent because I’m working on a novel where the lead character is less moral, but still likeable. She thought ITY was a good example and it was! 

Being a local Chicago gal, what are your favorite spots to eat, drink & play in the city? 

Lou Malnati’s for pizza. Portillo’s for their chopped salad. Acadia for their Pimm’s Cup. Gold Coast to live. Lincoln Park to play. Other than that, I love rollerblading on the lake path, shopping at Macy’s, and discovering a hole in the wall place for a latte.

Interested in reading Eightysixed? We've got your book hookup! 

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What are you currently reading? It's time to move on to our next book!

Book Chat: A Dark Dark Wood

“I hate being driven - driving is like karaoke...your own is epic, other people’s is just embarrassing or alarming.” 

― Ruth Ware, In a Dark, Dark Wood

Beingthe latest pick for my book club, I decided to dive right into this one because not only is the genre right up my alley (mystery/thriller) but the plot sounded intriguing: The story takes place at a remote English country house where a group of 20-somethings have gathered for a "hen" (AKA a British Bachelorette party). Nora, a reclusive write, receives an invitation to a the party which is in honor of her best friend from high school, who she hasn’t seen in 10 years...By the way, can you imagine? That's pretty awkward! To make things even more stiff, there's really nothing fun about this party because not to far in, Nora wakes up in a hospital, bloodied and unconscious...After waking up she wonders,“What have I done?” so as readers, we spend the rest of the book reliving the party as she tries to remember what happened.

The book reminded me a bit of the show Pretty Little Liars... I only watched a few episodes when it started (RIP #abcfamily) but the whodunit theme revolving around young, (albeit, semi-spoiled) beautiful girls (and guys) at the heart of it is very similar to the book. The characters seemed a bit immature and one dimensional and if I'm not invested in the characters backgrounds from the get go, it's hard for me to stay connected. However, the story overall was entertaining, I just would have preferred it to feel a little less PG-13, a little more R...Perhaps the movie will be? Looks like Reese is going to be the lead lady in another book to movie debut! 

If you have read it, let me know what you thought...Also, I'm always looking for new book suggestions so if you have a recent favorite, please share! Our next book chat will be a particularly cool one as the author is a local Chicago gal. In addition to sharing our review, we'll also be featuring an interview with Emily...Stay tuned!

Book Chat: 10 Quotes by Mindy Kaling

As a huge fan of The Office (Jim & Pam: #RelationshipGoals), I spent 9 seasons watching Kelly, the character, crack timely one-liners and annoy the hell out of Ryan but I didn’t know much about Mindy, the person. I’ve seen a few commercials for The Mindy Project and always thought she looked well-dressed at award shows but it wasn’t until I read an interview with her in Glamour and ended up saving it because I liked so many of the quotes. 

At that point in time, it was necessary to get more Mindy in my life so I started with her first book, “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns)." In a book of short essays with titles like, "Why Do Men Put on Their Shoes So Slowly?" and "In Defense of Chest Hair," it's hard to read without a smile on your face. Not only is she unfailingly funny but I also love the fact that she is completely honest about all her misgivings and actually even embraces them. 

The book was exactly what I was hoping for. Instead of it being a thriller or sob story, it felt very comforting, like sitting at a coffee house with a new friend who you've just deemed your BFF. Mindy is definitely a girl boss...here's 10 quotes that will help you understand why:

1.     “Sometimes you just have to put on lip gloss and pretend to be psyched.” 

2.     “Even in my revenge fantasy where all I do is exercise, I can still do only twenty-five pull-ups. Pull-ups are tough, no joke.” 

3.     “Maybe the point is that any marriage is work, but you may as well pick work that you like.”

4.     “I will leave you with one last piece of advice, which is: If you’ve got it, flaunt it. And if you don’t got it? Flaunt it. ’Cause what are we even doing here if we’re not flaunting it?” 

5.     "I’m thirty-two and I fully feel like an adult. Sure, sometimes I miss wearing Hello Kitty jewelry or ironic T-shirts from Urban Outfitters on occasion. Who doesn’t? I don’t, because I think it would seem kind of pitiful. But a guy at thirty-two – he can act and dress like a grown man or a thirteen-year-old boy, and both are totally acceptable. Not to me, but to most people."

6.     “I’m only marginally qualified to be giving advice at all. My body mass index is certainly not ideal, I frequently use my debit card to buy things that cost less than three dollars because I never have cash on me, and my bedroom is so untidy it looks like vandals ransacked the Anthropologie Sale section. I’m kind of a mess.” 

7.     “One friend with whom you have a lot in common is better than three with whom you struggle to find things to talk about.” 

8.     “It makes me cry because it means that fewer and fewer people are believing it's cool to want what I want, which is to be married and have kids and love each other in a monogamous, long-lasting relationship.” 

9.     “If I’m at a party where I’m not enjoying myself, I will put some cookies in my jacket pocket and leave without saying good-bye.” 

10. “You might also see that some of my playlists are simply two songs on repeat fifteen times, like I’m a psycho getting pumped up to murder the president.” 

What are you currently reading? 
We would love suggestions for our next books!

Book Chat: Eight Hundred Grapes

"You have to grow, mold, squish about eight hundred grapes to get just one bottle of wine. If that isn't an argument to finish the bottle, I don't know what is"...
Did you guys know that? It's pretty amazing and makes me appreciate my Pinot Noir a "bunch" more ;) I learned this tidbit from 800 Grapes by Laura Dave. The story is just as the title sounds...light and refreshing, perfect for a crisp fall day. I actually finished this back in August (in under a day!) but I'm still thinking about it because we're embarking on harvest season (which has sadly been an uphill battle in northern Cali this year). But on a happier note, the book is going to be a feature film...I was so sad when the book ended because I enjoyed spending time with the characters so I tweeted the author, "I wish this was going to be a movie!"...and wish granted :)

 Now, a bit about the story...it follows a woman named Georgia Ford, who is just two weeks away from her dream wedding when she sees her fiance walking down the street with another woman and a daughter he never told her about. Georgia runs off to her family’s vineyard in Sonoma California only to learn that life at home all isn't exactly in the best shape either...

While the plot line seems a little too rom-com on the surface, Laura Dave offers readers some great insight about human relationships along the way...when to forgive, when to start over, when to change your mind, and when to stand firm.explored that and even how the strongest relationships still need the hard work to keep them at their best. I found the backbone of the story to be inspiring and true to real life.

And I'll leave you with a quote from the book...

"Synchronization. Systems operating with all their parts in synchrony, said to be synchronous, or in sync. The interrelationship of things that might normally exist separately.

In physics: It’s called simultaneity. In music: rhythm.

In your life: epic failure."

What great books have you read lately? 

Book Chat: Zoo

"All over the world, brutal attacks are crippling entire cities"...
I loved this book! My mother-in-law raved about it (and also watches the TV series based on the book) so it was only a matter of time before I jumped on the "Zoo train." My grandma (in-law) recently passed away, and I was given her copy to read...just knowing she read the exact same pages made me very happy. I treated the book like it was made of glass & returned it to Lake House Lyn within 5 days of borrowing...because it was hers and because it was just that good!

A bit about Zoo by James Patterson:
Jackson Oz, a young biologist, watches the escalating brutal attacks with an increasing sense of dread. When he witnesses a coordinated lion ambush in Africa, the enormity of the violence to come becomes terrifyingly clear. With the help of ecologist Chloe, Oz races to warn world leaders before it's too late. The attacks are growing in ferocity, cunning, and planning, and soon there will be no place left for humans to hide.
"With wildly inventive imagination and white-knuckle suspense that rivals Stephen King at his very best, James Patterson's ZOO is an epic, non-stop thrill-ride from one of the best of the best." (TIME)
I thought the book was addictive, interesting, and really scary as it's not too far off from something that can actually happen. I'm serious, the explanation as to why all the animals were attacking was honestly something I can say could possibly happen. OK, scientifically I'm not sure how real it could be, but it sure seemed conceivable given this crazy world and everything we see on the news from day to day ... ;)

I found it very interesting how you followed a few main characters but the book also jumped around and told stories about what was happening all around the world. Each chapter was different so that made me never want to put the book down. The plot also time hopped quite a few times which I found interesting. In the end, the book didn't tie a pretty little bow and finish up with an ending everyone would love....It was more believable this way. 
Side note: I recently started watching the TV series too. I loved the book, but the changes they made for the series is really good. If you liked or loved the book, I'd say watch the series too! 
Let's book chat in the comment section below! 

Book Chat: The Girl on the Train

For those of you who don't know this about me, I am a total binge reader. I love books. I love reading, but when I start a new book or series I get super engrossed in it and can't get back to "normal life" until I'm done. Which is why I don't get a lot of sleep because the only me-time there is in any given day is after the kids go to bed or before they wake up in the morning. If only there were more hours in the day, right?! Ah, the life of a stay-at-home mommy who writes for two blogs!

I made a summer reading list back in May and The Girl on the Train is the third book I get to cross off it. I already read Still Alice & Grey. Both worth reading BTW.

OK, this book was awesome! I flew through it in three days and I would have read it faster if I had more time. Every second I was not reading it, I was thinking about what my theories were and when I could carve out more time to read again. I'll probably read it one more time to see if I missed anything, but I totally called the ending so I think I was on it. Does anyone else ever read and reread books that they love? I actually do that quite often. Repeat offender for sure. 

This book is different from anything I've read in the past. It is a story told from three different women's perspectives who's lives are all intertwined in a murder mystery. It was so interesting the way it was written to jump from inside one person's head, then the next chapter we are reading as another person. The voice of the book is mainly from Rachel, but we get to read as Anna and Megan too. I seriously loved it once I figured out to look at the header (to see who I'm reading as) at the start of each chapter. In all honesty that did trip me up at first because I wasn't expecting it. 

I found it to be well written, suspenseful, and I can see why everyone who I told I was reading it had the same reaction: "I love that book! You have to tell me what you think when you are done." I don't want to spoil the book for anyone, so we can book chat in the comments section below. All I can say, is that I would recommend this book to anyone looking to add a great book to their summer reading list. This book really gets you thinking about both the harms of addiction and how you never really know someone. Even the people you think you dislike/hate, you may have more in common with them then you think. 

Have you read the Girl on the Train? Let's chat below and really get into the book!