Faking It by Jennifer Crusie

It's based on popular belief that opposites attract. By our own experiences I'm sure we have concluded this to be true-or at least we hoped it to be and then painfully realize it doesn't always apply.

In the case of Matilda Goodnight and Davy Dempsey they both take a chance on a supposed opposition to their norms. Initially, there is a belief that they are the quintessential opposites slowly being dragged to one another for reasons neither of them are sure of or can even understand. And who would have thought that a chance encounter in a stranger's closet would be the start of an unexpected and life changing ride? Hmmm, I might have had a clue...

While both appear to be who they seem, there is a mutual recognition that something or someone different lies beneath the surface. Am I talking multiple personalities? No, there's certianly no mental disorders among this novel of characters. But different expressions of who they are? Yes, most definitely. The journey of revealing their true selves is surrounded with intriguing and equally complicated characters, theft, hit men, the FBI, a funky Chinese jacket... and several forged paintings by a mysterious and unknown artist named Scarlet.

To uncover the mystery of who Scarlet truly is involves delving into the city of Columbus, Ohio and following the lives of the Goodnight women, their paintings, and the ever continued debate on whether a doughnut or a muffin is the preferred choice in a man.

And no, I'm not talking about food...

Happy reading,
Lauren

Better the Second Time Around...

Ever put down a book and knew IMMEDIATELY you would read it again? Perhaps it wouldn't be that day but maybe a week, a month, or a year down the road?!

I'm sure many of you who consider yourselves to be avid readers have experienced this a time or two. And like yourselves, I too have muttered those words as the last page is turned. With it being heartbreaking enough that a great book has finally come to its end, the only logical solution to this moment of saddness is to promise one self that it will be read again.

However, I confess, I am guilty of saying this practically 8 times out of 10. Hey, I can't help it! I become involved with the story and to lose its characters can be akin to experiencing a small breakup-the best thing is to transition slowly. But there are those books where it goes beyond just coping mechanisms and becomes reality when you scan your book shelf, forgoing all the newly purchased books, and find yourself reaching for that old friend.

Sure, you know what's going to happen and you know the characters but there are new areas of focus and new moments to discover you may have overlooked before. As you slowly dive back in you begin to realize how much you may have missed, how much was left unread, and how much of a great idea it was to read it again!

By the way, if you haven't already picked up on this, I just finished reading Jennifer Crusie's Bet Me for the second time. If you want to hear my initial thoughts about the book its under June or July of 2009 and you'll find out why I adored it so much!

In sum: I think it's true when they say some things are better the second time around...

Happy reading,

Lauren