I’ve been a reading machine lately. Yeah, you read that right: A reading machine. I’ve devoured three books this week alone. Who am I? I’m not sure what’s changed or how I’ve found the time. I still yearn for twenty-five, maybe even twenty-six hours in a day. I still have a seemingly insurmountable stack of “to be read” books taller than my 6’2” hubby. And in moments of feeling too overwhelmed to pry open that first page of any novel, I can occasionally be known to prop my feet up and watch The Real Housewives of NYC (or now that it’s on hiatus, Bethenny Getting married) instead of writing or reading.
Maybe it’s the talk I had with myself recently. Maybe I actually got through to myself (and that’s not easy; I’m pretty stubborn) when I said, “You love to read, so find a way to freakin’ read!” And so I did… And I began with three books written by some fabulous debut authors.
First up? I grabbed my advance copy of Georgia’s Kitchen by Jenny Nelson. Ooh La La. I loved it. And without revealing too much right now (I’m planning a review and a Q&A with the talented Jenny Nelson later this summer), I will simply tell you (or rather, order you) to: Pre-order. It. Now. In a nutshell, thirty-three-year-old Georgia Gray is a soon-to-be married head chef until, well, she’s not. The story takes place in New York and Tuscany (got to love any author who chooses Italy as a location for their book) and will capture you instantly and suck you in until the very last page. Trust me, this book is a must-read for any woman who’s ever nursed a broken heart, been kicked when she was down, and needed to look inwards to find the strength to persevere (um, that’s all of us!). Jenny Nelson was part of the founding team of iVillage.com and is senior producer at Vogue.com. Become a fan of Georgia's Kitchen on Facebook (and find out more about Jenny) here.
I also had the pleasure of reading Love in Mid Air by Kim Wright. Where do I begin? Where has this insanely talented author been all my life? I’m not sure if I’m more in love with the way Kim Wright writes (say that three times fast) or with the fabulous story she weaves. Either way, I’ve never read anything quite like it—even though it touches on subject matters that I’ve read many times before: marriage, divorce, infidelity, motherhood. It all starts with a chance encounter with a stranger on an airplane, a stranger Elyse Bearden would’ve never met had she not been asked to give up her seat. It's a chance meeting that sends this married mother of one into an instant nosedive. And as Elyse ventures down a very uncertain, but exhilarating road, she finds herself willing to risk it all. And her best friends begin to question their own lives and marriages. In the end, Elyse takes a leap of faith. But which way will she go: toward the life she’s been living for so many years, or toward something new and different? Want to find out? Better read the book! (What I can tell you is that this is the most honest look at marriage I’ve ever read. And did I mention the novel is sexy as hell?) To learn more about Kim Wright, check her out on Facebook.
Feng Shui Love by Joni Davis and Lisa Hyatt was sent to me after I raved about my love of feng shui and how I feel it changed my life (who knew a fountain and a couple of crystals could find me a man?). I was more than intrigued by the title and concept. It’s a fun and funny novel about Lily Chamberlayne whose life falls apart, but also begins again, after her catastrophic second honeymoon. After discovering her husband has been leading a life worthy of an episode of Jerry Springer, Lily starts over. Her first stop? The doorstep of her childhood friend, who’s also newly single. And as Lily’s “eccentric” mother begins to open Lily’s eyes to the power of feng shui, Lily sees her life changing in more ways than she could’ve ever imagined. And before she knows it, she’s got more “feng shui” love than she knows what to do with. This book is so much fun and I guarantee that you’ll agree! For more info about Joni and Lisa, check out their website.
What debut authors have you discovered?
Lisa Steinke, along with her best friend Liz Fenton, co-authored the chick lit novel I’ll Have Who She’s Having and co-created the popular Chick Lit blog, Chick Lit is Not Dead.
That book looks amazing, and I may just pick it up before I fly this weekend! Hey, Lisa! You certainly got back into the swing of reading, and it sounds like some really worthwhile ones, too. I love reading new authors, and finding them to add to my list of favs. You kicked butt!
I'll add them to my 'list'. Many years ago I found a first time author, and I wrote to her, which was a first for me, and told her how wonderful I thought her novel was. I also told her I thought she would write many more, and someday she would be famous! Well, famous comes in different forms, to different people, just a matter of perspective sometimes, but ten novels, and ten years later, my friend, Dorothea Benton Frank, made it pretty good!
I'm glad you got back to reading, but I know sometimes we all need a break....I just finished a book, day before yesterday, and last night I started Carol Burnett's book. I had to stop for a while and watch Hell's Kitchen! Boy, that guy's going to have a coronary one of these days! But, diversions are sometimes necessary, for me at least, to get me ready for the next read. I don't always want to give up that last book, but watching TV, or doing something else, will clear the brain cells a bit. So, Lisa, don't feel bad that you haven't been reading like you thought you should. Other things (and people) in your life are important, too. 
Later, mater
Kathy
