Review: Cowboys and Catalans: A Texan Rambles Through Europe

Cowboys and Catalans: A Texan Rambles Through Europe by Charles L. Sizemore
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This memoir of a fellow Texan’s travel through Europe during his year studying in London will probably only appeal to those of us who have studied abroad and/or traveled though Europe as a student. Sizemore’s writing style isn’t anything to write home about – it’s very factual. He did that, ate this, met up with those friends. I give it 2 stars because I totally related to some of his travel experiences, especially through Spain, and I did enjoy learning a little more about the history of areas I had not visited but in the end, his story was rather bland and he made no effort to connect with the reader. He simply & quite literally wrote down exactly what happened to him. He did share a few opinions and when he did, it really lifted his writing. Maybe a little better editing woudl have raised this another star.

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Review: Running With Scissors

Running With Scissors by Augusten Burroughs My rating: 3 of 5 stars Hmmm. This book left me conflicted. First all – be aware that this is auto-biographical. Which makes it even more disturbing. And also why I am conflicted. On one hand I liked the writing – it was funny and irreverent. On the other […]

Review: The Help

The Help by Kathryn Stockett My rating: 5 of 5 stars Wonderful read… never slow but the pace did pick up at about the halfway mark. Characters well written – I like how she wrote in three different character’s voices throughout the novel. A tricky subject that I think was handled respectfully. I have not […]

Review: The Night Circus

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern My rating: 5 of 5 stars Wow. It’s been a while since I’ve read a book that had me staying up past my bedtime because I could not put it down! This is a love story like no other… it’s not a plot line I’ve read before either. It […]

Review: Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero

Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust at Ground Zero by Michael Hingson My rating: 4 of 5 stars Good compelling read on a blind 9-11 survivor who was in the one of the towers when the 1st plane hit. Since you know he survives, […]

Review: Talk to the Snail: Ten Commandments for Understanding the French

Talk to the Snail: Ten Commandments for Understanding the French by Stephen Clarke My rating: 3 of 5 stars I’ve read Clarke’s other fiction comedy series centered around Paul West, a British ex-pat living in France. I enjoy his style of writing and having studied French for 4 years in high school and having visited […]

Review: Bossypants

Bossypants by Tina Fey My rating: 4 of 5 stars Quick funny read for any Tina Fey lovers as well as lovers of SNL, 30 Rock or improv comedy. Nothing too ground breaking or revealing in here but still a nice read on Tina’s comedy background, her hard-working values and her passion for getting women […]

Review: I Shall Wear Midnight

I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett My rating: 5 of 5 stars My husband is a huge Terry Pratchett fan and I when he upgraded his Kindle, I inherited his old Kindle 2G with this book still on it. I am glad I read it! It’s different from his other Discworld books and is […]

Review: Shit My Dad Says

Shit My Dad Says by Justin Halpern My rating: 4 of 5 stars Fun, super quick read. Heartwarming story of his relationship with his Dad and not what I expected. Some great advice in there too, all while laughing out loud. View all my reviews