Mommywood: Tori Spelling

Picking up around where sTori Telling ends. This book talks about the challenge that Tori faces trying to be a normal mother and raise her children in Hollywood and the expectations that are set up for her. How to be a working mother in the industry she works in and to raise her children without letting that effect them.

Again, I could relate to Tori in the voice used in this book. But, I do have to say that I didn't enjoy it as much as  sTori Telling, though I will still read her next one. In this plot it felt a bit like she expected her readers to already know about her and her life. That they were already following her television show, and didn't give some details that might be nice to ones who weren't watching the TV show or following all of her works.

I feel like this book just skimmed the surface, there was more underneath that you could almost feel like wanted to be shared but, Tori was censoring herself more in this one and that came across to me. I would get it 2 and a half stars probably, so will round it up to three right now. Defiantly, not the strongest piece she has written or shared stories in writing.

In my bag 02/20-03/03

Two weeks since I am headed on vacation and won't have internet access.

Reading:
Write from the Heart: Heather Hummel
Favorable Conditions: Kathleen Kole
Recession Proof: Kimberly Lim (after review I should have a guest post)
MommyWood: Tori Spelling

Mini Shopaholic: Sophie Kinsella

Becky Brandon (Bloomwood) is back. With her daughter Minnie now a toddler growing as a partner in shopping. But, Minnie may be picking up some habits from Becky. Her favorite word is "Mine", she is banned from multiple paces, and that is just outside the house. Combine that with Becky and Luke still living with her parents, (the houses just keep falling through) and Luke now has extra stress at work with a nationwide financial crisis int he works.
So, what does Becky do. She plans a surprise party for Luke for his birthday, even though he has made her promise not to spend money and she has to wear everything in her clothes at least three times before she can buy anything new. Becky tries to plan the party without help, but may have to remember who she can turn to in the end.

I am not sure why I read these books sometimes. Yes, I enjoy them and fly right through them. But, the shopaholic books usually stress me out too. Becky just keeps spending that it stress me out to buy anything or spend money while reading them. I know that is silly, but I get so wrapped up in what the character is doing I take it personally I guess.

Kinsella has built this character well over the course of the books. But, there is no where for her to go and she doesn't seem to learn anything in the plot or through the books. This is another one that she accomplished her goal, but didn't learning anything.

I happened across this book in at the library, so I grabbed it. But, I don't think I would go out of my way to read more of the Shopaholic series. I am hoping to read Kinsella's other books soon and hope those keep growing like her past ones have been better than the Shopaholic series.

sTORI Telling: Tori Spelling

I have always been interested in Tori Spelling, since I saw Tori and Dean: Inn Love. I will admit that I see Home Sweet Hollywood on TV I am ready to settle in and not change the station.  But, I had never read her books for some reason. So, after seeing a review of them on a blog recently I decided to head over the library site and put a hold on her first book. I know that a ghost writer probably primarily wrote this book, but I can't help but in reading it and seeing what is shown on TV about Tori and how approachable and down to earth she seems that she was involved in the writing and the voice overall.

For a celebrity biography I have to say that this is one of my favorites and most relate able I have read. The voice it felt like a friend was just sitting there talking to me telling me about their life. At times the timeline got a bit convoluted and wasn't linear. But, that worked for me. It was kind of in a way of here is my story, oh yeah this was happening to but I left it out till now since I forgot or it really related to this other story I need to tell you that I am going to go into now. Maybe, that is how my mind works and I follow, or maybe it made it seem more like a conversation you might have with a friend. Either way I found it relatable and enjoyed it.

The book follows Tori's childhood and her early fame, all the way through to her first marriage, falling in love with Dean and the birth of her first child Liam. Concentrating just on Tori and how she saw situations, was effected by situations, and what she knew about situations. She commented that there might be more information or different ways to interpret things, but this is how she saw it was and was effected and I could really respected that in the context of this book. I would suggest this book for someone who is looking for a light fun read, it isn't great literature, but isn't meant to be either. Again, I would say one of the best celebrity bios I have read. And I have already ordered the next one from the library. 

In my bag 02/12-02/18

Reading:

Write from the Heart: Heather Hummel

The Plot Whisperer:Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master: Martha Alderson

sTori Telling: Tori Spelling

One for the Money: a novel introducing Stephanie Plum: Janet Evanovich

Stephanie is out of work, out of money, and just about out of appliances to sell for money. Her parents tell her that her Cousin Vinnie may be looking for someone, but when that job is filled Stephanie blackmails him into letting her be an apprehension agent. Stephanie may be now to the job, but she knows that if she brings in Joe Morelli her money problems will be over, for awhile at least. What she forgets to factor in is her past history with Morelli and how dangerous this job can actually be.

Part of the reason I wanted to read this book is a few people have suggested it to me and of course the movie coming out.  When I started the book the narrative I heard in my head was Katherine Heigle (sp) since she plays Stephanie in the movie.  By the end of the book the character had come in to her own and was her own voice, which was what I had hopped for.

I thought that this was a great book for the start of a series.  Though the mystery/tracking portion seems a little simple and connive toy falling into places the character building was what I felt was important in this plot and that part was well done through out the plot.  I am excited to read more in the series and see how the characters continue to develop and see how the mysteries change and improve.

I would suggest this book to others and give it three stars.

In my bag 2/2-2/11

Reading:

Write from the Heart: Heather Hummel

The Plot Whisperer:Secrets of Story Structure Any Writer Can Master: Martha Alderson

Up for review soon:

One for the Money: Janet Evanovich

Princess of Park Avenue: Daniella Brodsky

Lorraine Machuchi has a talent for hair dying, but works for uncle and though she challenges him, she doesn't challenge the quo. She still hangs out in the same places as she has since basically high school. With mostly the same people and is still waiting for Tommy the boy she has been on and off with for ears, who continues to play games with her. But, she tells herself that she is happy with her Brooklyn life.

After a day in Manhattan with opportunities opening up around her. She is training at a Park Avenue salon, has an apartment rent free with a dog to take care of, and the Princess of Park Avenue have adapted her into their group. Add a possible new Mr Right, that she is being thrown together with. And Tommy still playing his games Lorraine has some choices and decisions to make.

I personally found the start of this book a little slow. But, as I got farther into the plot and I guess a little more invested in the character of Lorraine then I didn't want to put the book down. The ebook version I did have had was peppered with some very distracting at times. At the end of the book, I am glad that I read the book and there were aspects that appealed to me. But, overall it was a little young for me, maybe if I had been in my early twenties still it might have appealed to me more. Also, I really hope that the ebook has some of the typos updated. So, you don't have to read sentences multiple times to make sure you got the meaning.

I would give it 2.5 stars, but am going to round up to 3. Read it is you find the summary interesting though and would love to hear more thoughts from others.

This review is part of chick lit plus blog tours.

I was provided a copy of the book for review, but the summary and thoughts on the book are mine.