The Host- Stephenie Meyer

Damn you Stephenie Meyer for writing such addicting novels! I read this massive book over one weekend; I honestly could not put it down. It was a creative story, with plenty of mini-climaxes, surprise plot twists and character changes. Mrs. Meyer writes stories; things that just fascinate and let your imagination run wild. The only reason that this isn't 5 stars is because I'm too devoted to the Twilight series to put this on the same level. If you are not vehemently opposed to Twilight and/ or the author, you must read this book!

4 1/2 bookworms

Glamorous Disasters- Eliot Schrafer

This book is standard summer fluff fare and part of the "exposing the life of the rich and priviledged through the eyes of the staff" genre that exploded onto the literary scene some years ago. I typically enjoy this genre - I find it amusing and kind of fascinating. Unfortunately, I couldn't truly love this one. I felt that story lines were not fleshed out, and while some of the story lines were fully resolved, others were dropped like an unattractive boyfriend. The characters were typical NYC Upper East Side stereotypes, but that is not through any fault of the author's. Maybe my ambivalence twards this book stems from the super-specific subject matter  - SATs and SAT prep - and there just isn't much innovative material there to sustain a full novel.

2 1/2 bookworms.

Assisted Loving- Bob Morris

Assisted Loving was a charming non-fiction story of a middle-aged son coming to terms with his widower father gamely jumping back into the dating pool. Mr. Morris (senior)steals the book and ambles away on a replaced hip every opportunity he gets, firmly becoming the life of the book with his bridge playing, just-wants-to-be-loved ways. My major complaint with the book is that the author spends too much time addressing his own emotional hangups surrounding his dad and his insecurities about his father dating and not enough time focusing on his father's hilarious dating adventures. The best parts were the moments about the women Mr. Morris (senior) meets, his efforts to play the field and the sincere, quiet moments where the author shows his subject's insecurities and hurt feelings when things just don't work out. And as a bonus, the author of Cancer Vixen (along with her husband and family) make a small cameo!

3 1/2 bookworms.

4% Famous- Deborah Schnoeneman

I have been looking forward to reading this book for quite a while, particularly because it exposed the appalling underbelly of the glamorous NYC high life that I used to covet when I was younger. It makes me sad to say I was thoroughly disappointed. The story felt like it was slapped together, pulling in too many story lines that don't really come to fruition. There were so many characters that I couldn't possibly care about: I couldn't even be bothered to remember their names and who they are. Additionally, they were simply all the bad New Yorker stereotypes with no depth - jaded, prone to complaining, constantly shifting low morals - and I didn't find a redeeming quality in them. Don't bother. There are plenty of other fascinating New York based stories with better story lines, characters and writing.

1 1/2 bookworms.

Personal Days- Ed Park

This was a fantastic read - I was pleasantly surprised and did not expect the final random plot twist. Be warned: you will appreciate this book significantly more if you work in a traditional office in corporate America. I not-so-recently started working in such an office, and this book made me smile in that it highlighted all the ridiculousness of processes and inter-office relationships. All the workers have their own quirks, and the author just nailed what office culture is really about. Yet in addition to all of this lighthearted mockery, the book is about office life in the recession and during a merger. The reader gets a clear sense of the fear and desperation that the characters feel with the loss of job security. I highly suggest reading this book!

4 1/2 bookworms.