The Poet X

Brilliantly narrated by the author. This novel in verse tells the story of a fifteen yer old girl trying to navigate New York City, her poetry, religion, her parents, her twin brother, and her feelings toward men. As a curvaceous Afro-Latona, Xiomara is used to the catcalls and ugly things people say to her; but she channels that energy into her notebook. When a new teacher debuts a slam poetry club she is compelled to it, but will anyone relate to her words, will she have the strength to speak them out loud when she can't even stand up to her mother? Heartbreaking, riveting, EMPOWERING; this audiobook was masterful. A brilliant coming of age story!!

Park Avenue Summer

Initially I wasn't jazzed to read this, I don't know if it was the cover or the description "Devil Wears Prada meets Mad Men," but I went into this book completely meh. Three and a half hours later I had a completely different reaction, I was head over heels. I started by reading a chapter and then... I couldn't stop. I literally bailed on plans so I could sit and read this book in one setting. I simply adored the main character Alice Weiss and her vulnerability and indecision; her tenacity won me over. Alice moves from the country into the big bad city of New York. It's the sixties and she is convinced that she will be able to make it as a photographer. She calls up one of her mother's friends who doesn't give her any hope on the photography front but does set her up with a secretarial job to one of the most controversial and revered women in the country, Helen Gurley Brown, the editor of Cosmopolitan magazine and author of the book, Sex and the Single Girl. Alice is swept away in helping Helen tackle the fools at Hearst convinced that no woman can run a magazine and who are determined for the whole venture to fail. Alice gets so wrapped up in the magazine, her boss, and her new "Don Juan" that she slowly starts to lose her aspirations for photography and her vision for the future. A wonderful read and journey into 1960s New York publishing scene.

Someday, Someday, Maybe

I definitely think that listening to the audiobook is the way to go on this because not only does Lauren Graham read her story but she breathes life into that may not have been found when physically reading the novel. Set in 1995, Someday, Someday, Maybe, tells the story of a twenty something single white female trying to become an actress in New York City. Faced with her own self imposed deadline, Franny has only six months left to get herself a real acting or theater job. Juggling acting class, work at the comedy club, and romantic feelings towards a fellow actor, Franny keeps the readers hilariously entertained with her clutzy, naive antics, and charming wit. Laugh out loud funny, cringingly embarrassing, and completely eye opening, this novel is a must read for any Gilmore Girl's fan or anyone interested in making it as an actress. My only real complaint is that the book ended a little too abruptly for my taste.

The Biology of Luck

I began this book with high hopes after discovering that Jacob M. Appel is a Kurt Vonnegut Prize winner, that's a good sign right there! Thankfully, I was not let down in my expectations. I thoroughly enjoyed this romance of sorts.

Larry Bloom is a New York City tour guide, a normal, unattractive humdrum individual, but deep at heart, he is a hopeless romantic. For years he has had the hots for Starshine, a gorgeous twenty-something that has always been precariously out of reach. Today though, Larry's luck will change. It HAS to change, he has spent years imagining this day and writing a novel for her, so everything must go right.

The narrative alternates between Larry's day and what Larry imagines/writes/believes Starshine's day is. It's a unique and exciting way that illustrates the story beautifully. It keeps you guessing as characters begin to weave seamlessly between the two narratives. What is real? What is Larry imagining?

As you can guess, Larry's day is anything but droll, and New York City has never been so full of surprises. Laugh out loud funny, and great for all fiction lovers. A great read.

I received this book for free in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.