Murder on the Gravy Train, Phyllis Richman: 1 Star

I know, I know. I suffered through another one of her dull books. You knew the outcome from page 12 if not before. Same as before - enough about food that my appetite was sufficiently killed for the next week, and I have in no way been tempted by any of the descriptions within the pages. I already had it checked out of the library, and I feel bad for bringing back books that I never read because I wasted my time and possibly someone else's by even checking it out in the first place. I boared my way through it, but it was not pleasurable. Sometimes, reading can be so demanding on me. *Sigh* Please don't bother suffering through book 2.

I heard there was a book 3 ... not even going there.

The Butler Did It, Phyllis Richman: 1 Star

Good grief. Maybe it takes a special person to suffer through loads and loads of descriptions of food, and I just might not be that person, but I probably should have skipped through half the book instead of suffering though (and I'm a fast reader). You get bogged down in tedious self-indulging chapters where nothing is progressing except food induced comas (and i wasn't even eating at the time). I was just so bored by the effort spent on some of the restaurant "knowitall" non-advice that I almost couldn't finish the book.

Snore.

Since You're Leaving Anyway, Take Out the Trash, Dixie Cash: 1 Star

Cute book. I actually laughed out loud at one part, but this is no Stephanie Plum. Mystery, Romance, and Hair Styling. This seems to be the backbone of almost every chick lit book I've read this summer. Seriously! Is that all we seem to like? Where's the grit, truth, and reality -- it's hard shizput being a girl, not this fruify stuff they seem to make it. I'm sure we all seem like we're these strong, tough women. It's the false image most men seem to get stuck in their heads. I was a strong woman - a woman that shows weakness is out. Good Grief!! We all have weaknesses -- just love us for those and love us for our strengths.

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Barefoot, Elin Hildebrand: 1 Star

Neat little package wrap up. Honestly, it wasn't even that great for chick lit. It was just a practical book about things that happen in life -- one thing being cancer -- that were all wrapped up fairly nicely by the end of the book. Characters weren't that engaging; plot lines were basically boring. Overall, not really an enthralling piece of fiction.

Cancer patient becomes a "survivor". Yeah, my dad had lung cancer too lady - it's the hardest one to survive so I'm a little skeptical.

Cheating husband is taken back after wife gets a backbone. Hmm, that happens often, but not because the wife gets a backbone.

Professor fired from university for affair with a "student" who is older than she is. The way she became a professor is even slightly sketchy. I'm not buying it.

All over the beach. Can I just call someone to solve my problems like this and hand deliver them wrapped up in a little bow at the end?

Thanks, but no thanks.

Lucy Gets Her Life Back, Stef Ann Holm: 1 Star

Disappointing chick lit. Usually, most of the stories are fairly hum-drum, cutesy stories that you can get through. This one didn't even have a good cat fight in it -- even on the inside!! Even as a single mom and divorcee, I couldn't get into that side of things. Instead, I thought the author probably hasn't really experienced much of what she's talking about since it feels like she's writing this from the sidelines.

Yes, I understand that fiction is not real for the most part, even the "inspired by a true story" versions. But I do need something that my brain can wrap itself around and identify. I love finding a book where I click with the characters. Then, I don't care how unrealistic the story gets, I'm right there with it, cheering along.This one was hard to even keep turning the pages. I fell asleep once while holding it, I believe.

It was a fast read - two plane rides from Salt Lake to San Fran and from San Fran back to Salt Lake. No movies were offered.