queen of babble

"by the time you read this" - Lola Jaye - 2008, 2009

I came by this one through a friend, it’s not necessarily a book I would pick up on my own, if only because it’s plot reminded me too much of other things. Possibly that would be unfair of me, but I immediately called to mind the films, “My Life” and “"Lucky 7"– a small ABC Family movie starring Kimberly Williams and Patrick Dempsey just before his Grey’s Anatomy comeback. In “Lucky 7” the heroine lives her life according to a map her mom made before dying, taking each item literally even if it’s not what she would have chosen. As you can imagine, Dempsey isn’t on the list and love and trouble follow. It’s quite well done actually, but I’m a sucker for made for TV (Hallmark started it all….)

“by the time you read this” doesn’t cover any new territory, but it is set in an interesting time and location; South London, before technology made communication instantaneous, through the rise of the internet and cell phones. A father leaves “The Manual” for life ages 12 – 30, because he knew he wouldn’t make it past that milestone. His entries are sweet and funny – Kevin seems perfect on the page, so perfect in fact, the heroine Lois will spend her life comparing her mother, stepfather, and every man to enter her life to him. No one holds a candle, and she grows into a rather anti-social workaholic, and frankly she’s not that likeable. At the same time however the portrait author Lola Jaye paints of someone who loses a parent very young (age 5) and stops herself from feeling anything out of fear of abandonment is very believable. It’s not all gloom and doom and ultimately Lois figures out what matters, work that is fulfilling and lets love in and gives it back without fear.

While I was not reduced to tears, I did find it a quick enjoyable read, plus who doesn't like to make fun of backward pants and tight-rolling jeans?

"Shut Up and Kiss Me" - Christie Craig - 2010

Why do they insist on book titles which are also song titles to get stuck in a never-ending loop in my head? Although I must admit I prefer Mary Chapin-Carpenter over ABBA (“Take a Chance on Me” Susan Donovan) this one was in there for at least the first three chapters, and popped back again when the title appeared in the dialogue. I’m not blaming the song for my overall impression of the book, but it didn’t help.

This book is supposed to be wacky and funny and charming. And while it’s certainly wacky and occasionally funny it isn’t charming. And I like Christie Craig, especially the first novel I read by her, “Gotcha” – she seems to write cop stories through cabin romances and has a nice sense of humor. But that might be her “thing” now, and it’s getting old.

My issues boil down to a indifference bordering on dislike for the lead characters, an over-the-top supporting cast, and a good bit of violence without which the plot would never have moved forward. I just did not ever warm up to the hero or heroine. They were both so insecure and bad at relationships their whole courtship was an exercise in frustration. One of the things I (and most romance readers, I’d say) love is the male perspective, knowing what the hero is thinking, however in this case, I didn’t want to know, cause he was a scared, possessive jerk most of the time. As for the heroine, she just kind of annoyed me out the gate, demanding and snooping, I don’t know, they just didn’t do anything for me. In fact I probably wouldn’t have cared if they didn’t have a HEA – but the ending they got was strangely abrupt, and left a weird taste in my mouth.

It seemed as if Craig just kept piling shit on, in the hopes that more of everything would be funnier, but it just became more farcical and less believable. Also there’s a lot happening in the story – a love triangle, an older couple, death threats, shoot outs, crazy townies and pow-wows. I love a great supporting cast, and I love crazy townies (Gilmore Girls, Northern Exposure, Scooby-Doo) The problem with all that extra stuff in this particular story is that it seems to be put in to make up for a lack of story and connection for the hero/heroine. This book needed some backup for sure, Craig just went too far for my tastes. It seems as though there’s a sequel on the way involving the hero’s reclusive and complicated friend – and despite my issues with “Shut Up and Kiss Me” I will probably read his novel as he was the best part of this one.

Oh, and one more interesting tidbit - this book is marketed as a "guaranteed read" - everything you want from a contemporary romance - or your money back. Well, I didn't buy this book, and didn't read it buy the refund deadline - but if I had I would be sending this entry as a letter to the publisher stating how it wasn't everything I wanted from a humorous contemporary romance.

Sassy seventeen! ❤

I'm a child of the 90's and five days ago I officially left sweet sixteen behind.

Somehow, seventeen sounds lightyears older to me than 16!! It sounds... serious. Mature. Independent. 3 things I am SO not!

It also sounds like... DRIVER'S LICENSE!!! :D:D

I'm amazed at how fast the years have flown by, and how much I've changed and grown up, on the inside and out. I sat back and thought about it... then realized how truly happy and content I am right now. So far, this has been one of the best years... of my whole life!

It was also an amazing birthday, and I felt so so SO loved by so many people that I love ♥ The little notebook full of heartfelt messages from friends that Munibah gave me made me laugh and cry :')

I must be out of my mind to open up this can of worms, but it's all in the name of ~~entertainment~~ nostalgia! Dug deep into my Pictures folder and here I present to you, a photo timeline of myself starting from when I was 10!

Ready...
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Set...
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GO!!!

July 2004.

Dataran Helang in Langkawi! God I was a STICK back then! And those HIDEOUS rollershoes were the "in" thing. GAH!!!

12 years old:

March 2006.

With the weirdest, greasiest looking hair ever and tiny eyes + massive nose T____T

2006 was a big camwhoring year for me (apparently, cause these pics were all over my Friendster LOL), and somewhere around the middle, I grew out my hair and started looking less like a retard (in my opinion :P).