Mercury in Retrograde

by Paula Froelich

** [2/5]

Sometimes I pick books from book lists and I get burned. This is a fast read even for a fifth grader and it won't teach you any new words. It has a pleasant story following the life of three women in New York who happen to live in the same apartment building and it ties directly with the upper crust "society" of the city. Not amazing writing and the story is a bit expected.

Bossy pants

by Tina Fey

**** [4/5]

I thought this book was great. I appreciated Fey's comprehensive and sensible thoughts on women's weight, aging, etc that were delivered in the funny way expected. I was a bit surprised how much of a biography this book really is, but I think we may need a second addition to capture her life-lessons from the next 30 years. This book is what you would expect, if you like Fey's work you will probably find it hilarious.

The German Woman

by Paul Griner

*** [3/5]

This work follows the life of Kate, a British woman who married a German doctor prior to WWI. She survives the war and the embargo of Berlin and then finds herself back in England during WWII. Much of the book is based on the intelligence efforts of the government(s) and how she perceives both countries and the decisions they have made. An extensive thesis on how all parties in war are guilt of horrible in-humanity. Not a cheerful read but interesting.

Rise and Shine

by Anna Quindlen

**** [4/5]

This is an interesting story about the relationship of two sisters with very different career paths. One sister is the host of a popular morning news show and the story follows her life as it takes an abrupt series of turns. The main theme of the book stays on the relationship of the two sisters as they deal with the tumultuous changes in life. Good story, nice characters, but I did feel like the story was strangely based on real people.

Naked

by David Sedaris

*** [3/5]

This is a funny book as you might expect, but it did not have as much new material as I might have hoped. Many of the NPR pieces are included in this book, but some are in more detail. I like his writing style and find it funny, but it can be a bit off-beat and disconcerting as well. Humorous but not a must-read.