Happy Holidays

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Read With Girlfriends

is on a

Holiday Break.

See you all in January!

Spoiler Alert Tuesday/Winner

I've been so excited thinking about Christmas and all that entails that I almost forgot to do our last SAT post for the last stinker novel. I guess it's a good thing we decided to skip December or I would be forgetting every week!

Winner!!

Random.org chose number 2, or Brandy from The Nabors Baby! A nice treat just in time for Christmas is on it's way!

Thank you again Mrs. Montoya for providing this awesome giveaway!!

Spoiler Below!!

Hm. How to spoil this book? Oh! I got it.

NOTHING HAPPENS. THE STORE HE WORKS AT CLOSES.

HE GETS A GIRLFRIEND.

That's all, folks.

I'm sure there is something under all of the layers of the writing that we're supposed to dig up, right? Something worthy. Something to end the book with a bang.

If so, please tell me what it was cuz I completely missed it.

This month Jessica and I are going to do some...ahem...research and get some good picks lined up for next year (whoa, next year?! weird)!!

So.

Stay Tuned!

Hope you all have a wonderful, fantastic, awesome

holiday season!!

Spoiler Alert Tuesday/Giveaway

Hey, I have a confession. Apparently...? There is this section on a book's home page on Amazon that does reviews! I may or may not have paid any attention to the reviews when I picked this book up. Don't blame Jessica. I was shopping at Borders and found it and because I love the author and totally judged the book by it's cover (i know, so wrong) I never, ever checked the reviews. In fact, I never check the reviews on any book.

That's a really long way of saying, "I'm sorry. I'll always check reviews in the future."

What are you thinking so far? Did you guess how his brother died? Do you ever think he'll let go of the guilt, or is what he even feels something that is akin to guilt?

Onto the fabulous

GIVEAWAY!!

Mrs. Montoya from One Food In Front Of The Other is providing our awesome giveaway this week! How sweet is that? GO, go right now, and tell her HI and check her blog out. She can be incredibly funny and so poignant. She's a great writer.

Thank you so much, Mrs. Montoya, for doing the giveaway this week! You are awesome!!

How cute is this stuff? I so wish I could win. Maybe I should change the rules...? Nah. I wouldn't do that.

Hope you all have a great week and a fabulous Thanksgiving!!

Spoiler Alert Tuesday

Okay ladies, please don't kill me for this book choice. I have to apologize because I don't think it's a real engaging story. At least, for me, it isn't. What do you all think so far??

I hope someone likes it.

Here's the thing, if you haven't read this author before and this is the first book of hers that you are reading; don't let it stop you from reading her other novels.
Please read Me and Emma and But Inside I'm Screaming before you decide if you like her or not.

Spoilers Below!!
Do you have any idea what Henry could've done to make him feel so beholden to his parents? What could be bad enough to make him change his entire life and future plans?

***No giveaway this week; stay tuned for next week's giveaway.***

Announcement

We're just going to throw this out there and see what you all think. Leave us your thoughts in the comments.

We're thinking about skipping December for the book club.

December is such a busy month and we really were thinking you all would be too busy to want to get into a book for our blog. We both have busy months in December also.

One of our readers has generously offered to donate some fabulous items for our giveaways and I'm thinking we will start those at the beginning of next year, if that is good with her. Can you believe next year is only about 6 weeks away?

We'll finish this book up for November, but if you all are okay with it, we'll take a break for the holidays and get back to it with a fabulous pick for January!

We would also love to get some more Interview With A Girlfriend posts up next year! If you're willing, just go to one of our interview posts and answer those questions. You can send them to us in an e-mail with a picture of yourself. We'll get them linked up to your blog and posted.

Thank you for sticking with us so far!!

Spoiler Alert Tuesday/Winner

Winner!!

Mrs. Montoya from One Food In Front Of The Other, you were chosen by Random.org!

Send us your address and we'll get it in the mail!

Spoilers Below!!

So ladies, how do you like this book so far? It's sort of slow going in the beginning, no?

Obviously Henry is leading a life that was not at all what he had imagined for himself when he was younger. Are you doing exactly what you had planned? Is your life better or not as good as you expected? What are the differences?

Spoiler Alert Tuesday/Giveaway

Today we just want to do a wrap up on The Help.

What did you all think of the book?

We liked it; it was very poignant, sad, funny and could be lighthearted at the same time. The characters were so real, which is part of what makes a novel something you will remember. This is one of those books that we will always remember and carry the characters around with us for a long time. Don't you love books like that?

Of course, we have to know what you all thought of Minny's pie? Have you ever been that mad, or do you think you could ever do something like that? I'm just wondering how she went about the technical side of it...did she save and scoop or did she do it right into the pan...? Sick.

Reminder!!

It's a new month and we have a new book! Our new book is Everything Must Go by Elizabeth Flock. Click here to read more about it.

There's also an extra credit book over on the left by the same author if you want to read it also.

Giveaway!!

You all know the drill: if you think it's cute and want it, leave a comment; that's it!

Sorry the picture is so dark. Have I mentioned I suck at taking these pictures for giveaways? You could already tell?? I thought so.

Don't forget to vote on our poll on the right side of the page to

let us know what you rank The Help!

Spoiler Alert Tuesday/Winner

Winner!!

Random.org picked number 1 for our winner this week!

Amanda at Family of Shorts, come on down!

Spoiler Alerts Below!!

So do you think that there are still elements of racism in employer/employee relations are concerned where black people work for white people? What about the other way around?

Do you think that the recent election of the first black president had anything to do with atonement? This question is one that I (MiMi, blame me) have been pondering because I've heard it discussed on TV and in the news. Leaving your political stance (if that's possible?) to the side, can you say whether you think it was based on atonement or qualifications alone?

Sunday is the first day to start our new book, so next week's Spoiler Alert will be wrapping up discussion on The Help.

Spoiler Alert Tuesday/Giveaway

Giveaway!!

This week's giveaway is a novel by Ann Brashares.

Click the picture to read what the novel is about.

Spoiler Alerts Below!!

Do you think Minny's distrust of white people is justified?

Is this possibly where "reverse" racism came from?

What do you think of people like Skeeter's mom; she's clearly an antagonist, yet she's also a sympathetic character.

***Everyone who joined in July and has sent us their addresses will be receiving a Read With Girlfriends bookmark this week.***

Announcement

Ladies, I am so sorry that I'm late on posting our choice for November. Can you believe November is only a couple weeks away??

I'm excited about this pick because this is one of my favorite authors! I hope it's a good one, but she's never let me down, so I'm thinking it will be!

Without further ado...

From the author's website:

To those on the outside, the Powells are a happy family, but then a devastating accident destroys their fragile facade. When seven-year-old Henry is blamed for the tragedy, he tries desperately to make his parents happy again.As Henry grows up, he is full of potential—a talented sportsman with an academic mind and a thirst for adventure—but soon he questions if the guilt his parents have burdened him with has left him unable to escape his anguished family or their painful past.With a delicate touch and masterful attention to detail, New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Flock invites us to meet a man both ordinary and extraordinary, and to experience a life that has yet to be lived.On the show Sunday Papers, WGN-Radio's Rick Kogan called the main character "one of the most interesting characters in contemporary fiction."

Click on the image of the book to go to Amazon to check it out.

I thought maybe I'd put another Extra Credit book up since we're reading Elizabeth Flock in November. One of her best books is a book called Me and Emma. I absolutely loved that book. So if you want, have time, etc; pick this one up too and let me know what you think!

Click on the image to go to Amazon.

Come back tomorrow for Spoiler Alert Tuesday and another giveaway!

Spoiler Alert Tuesday/Winner

Whaaaat....? So it's not Tuesday. Fine. Spoiler Alert Wednesday, then.

I have to apologize for not getting this up yesterday. If you read my other blog you know I've been sick, so I've not posted anything.

And Jessica? Well, let me tell ya about Jessica. She is going to school to be a nurse!

We will never see her again, friends. Okay, so that's not exactly true, I'll see her on Friday, (yay!) but do you know how grueling nursing school is?? Do you?? Huh?? Well...me neither.

But I know it's intense. Just imagine the nurses that you deal with when you go to the doctor. Doesn't it seem like they know more then the doctors half the time? So, yay! for the medical community, she's gonna make a great nurse! I'm very excited that I'll have someone who I can call and harass about make believe medical problems that I talk myself into having that will be there for me and my family and friends in the community who might end up at the hospital needing her care.

Let's get to the winner of last weeks awesome giveaway. Remember? How could you forget! It's got some Tootsie Roll chapstick in there, baby!

Okay, Random.org, what number are you going to give me....? 8. Haha! Jessica can't win this! She's number eight and she's disqualified! Okay, let's do it again....1.

Okay, people. We need more comments or something because I'm number one. I can't win either! One more time. 3. Melinda! That's my momma, yo. This cracks me up. I guess she's not disqualified cuz she's related to me. Although, I bet she really wishes she could be disqualified from certain things for being related to me.

Seriously, ladies, you know you're gonna win one of these times. Such great odds with such few entries!

Spoilers Below!!!

What do you think motivates people like Hilly? Are they taught racism and if they are; is it something that is a conscious thing being passed on, or something learned through behavior?

Spoiler Alert Tuesday/Giveaway

Alright, ladies! How do you like the book so far?

I'm loving it, the farther I read the more I get to where I don't want to put it down.

Giveaway!!

Stay organized with a purse sized journal (around 5x7), funky paperclips and of course: doesn't everyone need a little Tootsie Roll chapstick?

Spoilers Below!!

There are so many questions and topics that we could discuss about this book and I want to do it justice. But right now there is only one question that I have burning in my brain that I want to ask you.

If the white ladies think that the help is so dirty and disease ridden that they need to have their own toilets, plates, etc.; then why do they leave the help to raise their kids?

New Month, New Book!

Can you believe it's already October 1st?

That means it's time for the new book you all selected for this month.

Click on the book to go to Amazon if you want to purchase it there.

You can read the post with the synopsis of the book here.

I'm so excited about this book, because I've started reading it and I'm already hooked.

I hope you all will join in this month!

You can scroll down if you want to leave comments with your thoughts on last month's read. Let us know what you thought about it!

Spoiler Alert Tuesday/Winner

Wow! It's already the end of September, which means you are all hopefully finishing up

Splitting Harriet.

Since this is the last Spoiler Alert for Harriet, we're just wanting to know what you thought

of the book?

What did you think of Harriet and her relationship with God? She read the Bible every day, but she didn't accept the forgiveness of God.

Is this something you struggle with also?

Splitting Harriet is categorized as Christian Fiction. Would you be interested in reading more Christian Fiction?

Winner!!

Melissa @ Nunnally Family Fun, come on down!

Random.org provided us with the number 3.

Keep coming back for your chance to win, the odds are pretty good, we never get even 10 comments! Ha!

Announcement

The votes are in for the October Read With Girlfriends book!

You all chose:

Publisher's Weekly Starred Review

What perfect timing for this optimistic, uplifting debut novel (and maiden publication of Amy Einhorn's new imprint) set during the nascent civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia Skeeter Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing about what disturbs you. The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies and mistrusts enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams. Assured and layered, full of heart and history, this one has bestseller written all over it.

This book is only available in hard cover right now.

Our suggestion would be to borrow it from the Library if they have it in or buy it used from your local used bookstore or Amazon.com.

Click on the book to go directly to Amazon's 'The Help' page.

Thank you to everyone who voted!

Spoiler Alert Tuesday/Giveaway

Alright ladies, you'll have to forgive me for being late on this.

As you can see, if you've been watching this blog, when left to my own devices I

tend to get "off task."

So, after getting my stuff together, without further ado, here is your Giveaway and Spoiler Alert!

Giveaway!!

Cute, funky note cards with matching ribbon and 2 matching sticky notepads.

You can tuck it all into the little blue tote that you'll also get!

Spoilers Below!!

At the height of Harriet's rebellion, her brother suffers "fall out" from her behavior. Have you ever been held accountable for something that your friend or relative may have done?

Have you been stereotyped or do you stereotype people?

Would you have immediately discounted Maddox as a "bad boy" because of his appearance?

Check back tomorrow to see what book you all chose for next month!!

Interview With A Girlfriend

Today's Interview is with Mag from Sitting On The Moodswing At The Playground.

Mag is awesome; she has the cutest little boy who she refers to as Bug on her blog, she's a great writer and is very funny!

Tell us what is your favorite genre of books:

I mostly read fiction, mysteries and short story collections. Sometimes I'll pick up a memoir but only read non-fiction every few years (sometimes nonfiction seems too much like homework). And if I'm feeling really brave I'll read something scary...but only in the summer when the days are longer. (I know, I'm a big baby.)
Who is your favorite author:Not one favorite, but I'll race to the bookstore (or amazon) when these writers have a new book out: Alice Hoffman, Ann Patchett, Anne Tyler, Elizabeth McCracken, Laura Moriarty, Jhumpa Lahiri, Leif Enger and Brady Udall.

What do you think of the movies that are based on books:
I often think that movies from books are disappointing because they can't cover the depth of characters the way a book does. Or the ending is changed in the movie--ACK! I once heard an author say that the movie made from her book was a nice movie...but it wasn't the book she had written.

I like creating the look and feel of the characters in my head as I'm reading. Often when I hear who's playing a character in the movie I think "NO, NO, NO--she should have curly hair or he should be taller (or younger, or [insert anything here])!" because those are the physical features of the characters that I created when I read the story.

What book have you read that has stuck with you the most:
I loved Ella Minnow Pea because it was so clever and original. The characters communicate via letters and notes. As letters of the alphabet drop from a famous statue in town, the people quit using the dropped letters in their correspondence so after awhile you're reading phonetically. (That description doesn't do the book justice--trust me--it's a great, creative book and a fun read.)

One of my favorite books (and one of my favorite movies--so there--I've contradicted everything I said in the previous question) is A Room with a View. I read it 20 years ago and immediately knew that if I ever had a daughter I would name her Lucy after Lucy Honeychurch.
Now, tell us about your blog. What do you think might set it apart from others and why should we love you:
My blog doesn't have a point (is that a bad thing?). I write whatever pops into my head and sometimes that includes my husband and our two-year-old, our French bulldog, books, Bruce Springsteen, food (and by that I mean chocolate and/or wine) and grumblings about the never-ending construction on my street. Uh oh, that sounds really boring. How about this...I never know what's going to be on my blog so stop by and say hi and maybe you can come up with a reason to love me.

Thank you so much, Mag! Great Interview; I know I'll be putting these authors on my "must read" list!

Go visit Mag at Sitting On The Moodswing At The Playground!

Spoiler Alert Tuesday/Winner/Announcement!!

Did anyone notice that we didn't post last week?

Well, I guess it's good, because 1)we didn't disappoint anyone, BUT 2)maybe nobody cares?!

Moving on: we'd like to get an idea of how many of you are reading this month's selection. Please leave us a comment so we know. We just want to get a feel for how many people are

reading with us.

If you don't know where to get the books we choose or if your library doesn't have it, you can always click on our picture of the book, it links to Amazon where you can usually buy it for cheap. Did you notice on the left side of the page that we linked up places where you can trade books for free? These websites are pretty cool; feel free to check them out!

Winner!!!

The stamp set goes to #5, courtesy of Random.org.

Ali, I hope you're back from Denmark, so we can get these out to you!

Announcement!!!

You are going to decide what we'll read in October!

On the right sidebar you'll see our 2 book picks; go vote on which one you want to read and we'll announce the winner in one week!

Spoilers Below!!!
This book brings up a lot of questions regarding worship.

Harriet is struggling to let go of the "old school" worship practices and the more contemporary that her church is moving to. What do you think?

Do you have a preference for old school versus contemporary?

Is Harriet hanging on to the old school ways because she feels guilty for her wild ways as a teenager?

Interview With A Girlfriend

This week our Interview is with Vivienne from The V Spot. She is hilarious and is never afraid to offer good grammar or spelling tips! Just kidding...well, not really, she really will give you tips if you need em. She offers a lot of different things on her blog, though. Crafting, decorating, money saving tips, and funny stories about her 4 (four!) boys and her Handsome Hubby. Her family is a riot, and her littlest one, Grant, usually provides the best blog fodder for his momma!

Tell us what is your favorite genre of books:
Hmm. I think it may be easier to tell you the genres that I don't like.

Definitely not a fan of the romance novel. I'm not talking about chick lit where the quirky, lovable heroine gets the guy. I'm talking about the bodice-ripping schmaltz where the heroine is always in some sort of danger and needs to be rescued. I hate that whole "Penelope Pitstop, tied to the railroad tracks, is rescued by shirtless hunk and she thanks him with her creamy thighs and heaving breast." Bleh.

I also have a really hard time with science fiction. Science and math. No thanks for that. (Although The Chronicles Of Narnia were some of my favorites as a kid {OK, even now} and I loved The Hobbit. I guess those would qualify more as Fantasy, maybe?)

While I have read books with heavier subject matter, I usually lean towards something on the lighter, more humorous side. For example, I read The Lovely Bones and The Kite Runner. Both were great stories and were well written, but I felt I had to slog my way through them because of the subject matter. Books provide an escape for me. I would like to escape to somewhere nice.

What do you think of the movies that are based on books:
For the most part, I wind up a little disappointed. I can think of only two books where the movie was as good as or better than the book, and both were written by Stephen King: The Green Mile and The Shawshank Redemption (based on the short story Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption.) For the most part, movies based on Stephen King's books come off as pretty cheesy. He is such a gifted writer that he could make you afraid of a box of Cheerios in your pantry, should he decide to do that. A scary box of Cheerios just doesn't translate well onto the big screen.

Do I still go and see the movies based on books I've read? Of course I do. Then I bitch and complain that it wasn't true to the book. It's tradition.

What book have you read that has stuck with you the most:
There have been several that I read over and over again (almost everything by Stephen King, the Little House series, The Chronicles of Narnia...) but there are two books that have stayed with me the most:

The Egg And I by Betty MacDonald is a funny memoir and I developed some of my writing style and some of the phrasing I use in conversation as a result of reading that book as a child. I re-read it at least once a year. It is my go-to comfort book.

The other book is A Tree Grows In Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I can't remember when I first read it and am not sure why it sticks with me the way that it does. It may have something to do with the idea that relationships and growing up are difficult no matter the circumstances or the era. It is a must read.

Now, tell us about your blog.What do you think might set it apart from others and why should we love you:
My blog is a little bit of everything, I think, because I'm a little bit of everything. I do crafty things, I decorate my house, I yell at my kids, I cook, funny things happen, my kids do dorky things, I love my husband, I have a great family and great friends.... all of these things serve as fodder for my posts.

I have always liked to write and even enjoyed the writing process in school. (Sick, huh?)My blog provides me with an outlet for writing but also serves to chronicle the wacky things these kids do, since I am a Non-Scrapbooking Mom.

Why should you love me?

Because you'll often have opportunities to say, "Damn! I'm glad that didn't happen to me!" or "I'm glad I'm not her." etc.

That was a great Interview, thank you Viv! Go visit The V Spot and let her know you stopped by!

***Alright Girlfriends, we really, really need people to keep sending us interviews, please! Just copy and answer the questions off of any of our Interviews, the questions are all the same. Send them to readwithgirlfriends@yahoo.com.***

Spoiler Alert Tuesday/Giveaway

Since it's the 1st of the month we didn't think a Spoiler Alert on the new book would be a good idea. We haven't even started it yet, so we figure you haven't either! Plus, with school starting here in Oregon this week, we are very busy!

Instead we are just going to do an overall review of last months pick, Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella.


Get your commenting on!


Don't forget, new month, new book! Our book pick for this month is:

We have put links up to places you can get the book on the internet. Or click on the picture and it will take you to Amazon.

Giveaway!!!

Here is today's giveaway! Two wooden backed rubber stamps and a black inkpad for all of you card makers, scrapbookers, or just anyone crafty; this one's for you!

Movie Review: The Time Traveler's Wife

I know you've all been waiting with baited breath for our first movie review, right?


I think we all went in with pretty low expectations because when a movie is based on a book it can be really good or really bad. You never know if they're gonna follow the plot or totally change it up.

A group of 6 of us went. 4 of us had read the book and 2 hadn't. We were curious to see what the 2 would think, since they hadn't read the book.

***Spoilers Below!!***

For me, MiMi, I was thinking that if I hadn't read the book first I would never have caught on to the movie. Just like in the book, there are a lot of twists, turns and jumping around in time. The 2 people who didn't read the book (Jessica's mom and my aunt) said they had no problem following the plot and the jumping around in time.

We all liked the movie, and for those of us who read it beforehand, we thought that they actually did a really good job of following the story line.

There were a few change-ups that we noticed. There were some tangents in the book that they never brought up in the movie. And there were characters, both small and bigger, that were left out completely.

We were all surprised at the person who played Gomez. The guy was supposed to be tall and blond and good looking. But instead, they went with a shorter, dark haired, sorta hairy lookin' guy. I guess it was a small thing, but couldn't they find a tall blond to play the part?

Also, the affair that happens once between Claire and Gomez never takes place in the movie. You don't get to know Claire's family as deeply as they are profiled in the book.

Some of the things that happened in the book still happened in the movie but were changed up a bit. Locations, circumstances and such.

All in all, nothing they left out or changed up really affected the movie in a negative way, in our humble opinions.

Of course the ending was a little different, maybe not as ambiguous as the book. In the book it was sort of left open to interpretation and when Henry dies he never sees Claire again; at least in this life.

The movie ended with a more positive spin on his death. They are able to continue to see each other after his death, which differs from the book. Although they leave out that part at the end of the book where they join up and are together forever after Claire passes away at an old age.

We thought the movie was really good and the way it ends actually leaves it open, we think, to make another movie. The book ended that way as well, with Claire and Henry's daughter being a Time Traveler also, it seems there should be a way for her to go back and develop a cure or something to save her father.

Of course, if you want to see the movie, you should read the book first, because the book is always better!

If you saw the movie also, what did you think?

Spoiler Alert Tuesday/Winner

First things first. I totally lied to you all last week. I said we'd be doing our Girfriend's review on The Time Traveler's Wife movie.

Due to some unforeseen circumstances we were unable to do the review. (ha! jessica, did that sound good? do you think they'll figure out that we just totally slacked and didn't get it done?? i bet not. wink wink.)

Okay, so we promise that we will get it up soon. We're thinking some of you may not have been able to see the movie yet and we didn't want to ruin it for ya. Uh...yeah, that sounds good right?

Winner!!

The lucky person who won last week's giveaway is: number 5! Chosen by Random.org.

Jane Anne at Gravity of Motion, you win!

Please let us know your info so we can get it to you!

Where's the Giveaway??!!

Okay, we're not doin' one this week, but check back next Tuesday to see what we've got!

We're going to the beach today, so you never know what we'll dig up for ya!

Spoilers Below!!

As we get closer to the end of the book, we realize that Lexi isn't happy at all in her new life.

What do you think about Eric being so obsessive about keeping things in their place?

What would you do regarding the situation with Jon?

Would you play it like Lexi or would you go for it?

Giveaway at the playground!

Maggie at Sitting on the moodswing at the playground recently received 2 new copies of While I'm Falling by Laura Moriarty. Guess where she got em? The actual publisher!

Click the book and it will take you over to Maggie's blog, where you can read about her meeting with the actual author and what the book is about.

We will be featuring this book in the coming months and if you leave a comment here or at Sitting on the moodswing at the playground you will have a chance to win one of the 2 hardcover editions that Maggie has!

And...the coolest thing! The publisher told Maggie that if this book is a selection by the book club that she would either have the author call in or answer questions submitted by us!

We think that's pretty dang neat.

Interview With A Girlfriend

This week our intverview is with Lisa from One Girlie Girl.

She is a riot, her blog is one of my favorite "funny girl" blogs!

Tell us what is your favorite genre of books:
I'm not sure I have a favorite. I like a lot of different genre's. But, if I had to rank them it would probably be:
1. Chick Lit...girls gotta have a quick and funny read!
2. Mystery/Suspense {Please don't confuse this with horror...I'm having a nightmare just thinking about it}
3. Romance {Usually paired in with one of the above}
4. Series/Epic - I love a good series. Or any book that takes you through a lifetime with a character. I just feel like I made a new friend when I read these types of books.
Who is your favorite author: Oh, my! I have a few that I'm in love with right now. Jen Lancaster, whom I've recently discovered! Sophie Kinsella. Barbara Taylor Bradford. Mary Higgins Clark.

What do you think of the movies that are based on books:

Usually I find them a dissapointment. I think your own imagination is so much better than one person's vision of how they see the story. Even how you picture a character can be completely different, ya know?! One exception to this was "Lonesome Dove" by Larry McMurtry. Yes, it's a western and I read it when I was a kid. But, I remember thinking the whole time what a great movie I thought it would be. Then lo' and behold they made it into a miniseries for TV. It totally did the book justice!! Check it out!!
Also, I am looking forward to seeing "The Time Traveler's Wife" I think that could be very, very good. Don't tell me if you saw it...I'm waiting for a girlfriend get together next month to see it...hopefully it will still be in the theaters;)

What book have you read that has stuck with you the most:

Well, the most memorable ones?! There are a few. The Shell Seekers by Rosamonde Pilcher; The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough; A Woman Of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford and as mentioned above, Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry.

Now, tell us about your blog.What do you think might set it apart from others and why should we love you:

Easy...because I am me. No, no, really. I started blogging for a personal reason. I lost a baby a year and a half ago and was hoping to help others that had been through it, just by relaying my personal experience. Then it evolved into just tidbits from my life. I hate to say it, but I think I'm just a mom who puts some stuff out there and hopes to meet some like minded people along the way. I must say that the blogging community out there is so wonderful that I have more fun reading blogs than I do writing :) So come by and get to know me a little better, 'cause I really would love to get to know you!!

**Note from MiMi** Thank you so much, Lisa! Is anyone else loving these interviews as much as I am? I love getting to know people better by talking about my favorite thing: books!

And it's a great way to find new authors that we may not have read before!

Please go visit Lisa at One Girlie Girl!

Spoiler Alert Tuesday/Winner/Giveaway!!

Just a couple things first that I want to touch on.

1. The Time Traveler's Wife, our extra credit book, came out in the theaters last Friday!

We were so excited to go see it and this Thursday we'll do a review of the movie and let you know our take on it.

2. Giveaway Winner!!

Courtesy of Random.org.

Our giveaway winner this week, who will win the lovely owl stamp, note cards and memo pad is:

Number 11; Robin_Titan! (not her real name by the way. ; ) )

Please send your address to readwithgirlfriends@yahoo.com, as soon as you can,

so we can get your prize in the mail!

3. Next week's giveaway!

A notebook, pen and funky oversized paperclips.

The notebook is perfect size for your purse and it's ready for you to write down any notes you may want to keep handy. The pen is a blueberry scented Jelly Belly pen.

I ask you, who doesn't want to be sniffing their pens?

Spoiler Alerts Below!!

This book doesn't have any real heavy issues to deal with on the surface.

But when you think about it, it sorta makes you wonder.

What if you had this happen and you woke up one day not remembering

the past 3 years of your life.

Assuming you could choose, is there a part of your life

that you wish you didn't remember?

September Book Pick

The Read With Girlfriends choice for September is:



Here's what's on the back of the book:

Once upon a time, I was a rebel. And I have the tattoo to prove it.Then there was the spiked hair–the shade of which changed monthly–“colorful” language that can’t be found in your everyday sixteen-count crayon box, a pack-a-day habit, less-than-modest wardrobe, and an obsession with guitar-trashing, drum-bashing music.

Did I mention I’m also a preacher’s kid? That’s right. And like the prodigal son after whom I modeled myself, I finally saw the error of my ways and returned to the fold.

Today my life is all about “lead me not into temptation.” When I’m not serving as Women’s Ministry Director at my father’s church, I’m working at Gloria’s Morning Café. I even have worthy goals, like saving enough money to buy the café, keep my Jelly Belly habit under control, and to never again hurt the people I love.

No more parties. No more unsavory activities. And no more motorcycles! You’d think I was finally on the right track.But since my dad’s replacement hired a hotshot church consultant to revive our “dying” church, things aren’t working out as planned. And now this “consultant” says I’m in need of a little reviving myself. Just who does this Maddox McCray think he is anyway?

With his curly hair that could use a good clipping, tattoo that he makes no attempt to hide, and black leather pants, the man is downright dangerous. In fact, all that’s missing is a motorcycle. Or so I thought… But if he thinks he’s going to take me for a ride on that 1298cc machine of his, he can think again.

Harriet Bisset is a reformed woman, and she’s going to stay that way. Even if it kills me!


Neither Jess or I have ever read this author, but we got a couple of great recommendations and we wanted to give it a try.

***Again, we're posting this now so you have time to get the book.***

Here are some places to get it:

Click on the picture above and it will take you to Amazon.com.

Library

Local Bookstore

Borders

Barnes and Noble

Used Book Stores

Please join us in September for this read!

Am I the only one shocked that it's almost September?!

Interview With A Girlfriend

Today's interview is with Melissa from Nunnally Family Fun.

Tell us what is your favorite genre of books:
I don't really have a favorite. I am not a fan of harlequin romance novels and don't really do any sci-fi either, but I will read just about anything else and even if I really don't like the book I keep reading thinking that either it will get better or I just need to know how it ends. I read a ton of nonfiction anything that is going on in my life I am sure I have at least 2 books about it

Who is your favorite author:

I don't have a favorite author at all. This sounds terrible, but I usually just buy a book because either the cover looks like a good book or the inside flap story over view makes the book seem interesting. I have read several Sophie Kinsella books and Nicholas Sparks too along with things by the Dr. Sears family, & Beth Moore, but really I can't say there is a favorite or one I like over the other depends what I am reading about.

What do you think of the movies that are based on books:
Not too sure about this one. I get so attached to books...when I am reading a fiction book it is all I can think about until the book is done which is why I usually read a book in 2-3 days. So I read books and make pictures in my head of how things played out or what the person looks like, I am the person you see reading a book and laughing out loud or totally sobbing depending on the book. That being said movies never really seem as good as the book was in my head. But I still enjoy watching them mostly to just compare what I thought it should be to what the movie people made it .

What book have you read that has stuck with you the most:
Oh my gosh...I have a ton, but then I also have this problem that a lot of times I will read a book and really love what I read, but I can never remember what book it was from or even who the author was. I think for this week I will have to say Healthy Child Healthy World...only because every time I do something that was talked about in the book (like letting my child play with plastic toys) I wonder if I am poisoning my child. Of course it isn't really true, but because I just finished the book I am looking for more and more ways to be "green" and it is on my mind.

Now, tell us about your blog.What do you think might set it apart from others and why should we love you:
My blog isn't nearly as greatly written or funny as some of the others I have read. When my husband & I were struggling with fertility issues I had a website to keep our out of town family in the loop and then when I got pregnant we kept the website. But soon I was reading tons of blogs and wanted to join this community of people so I made the switch. My blog is really about my son with some bits of my husband & I thrown in the mix, but really just to keep my family involved in all that is going on down here with us. Right now my blog seems to be about looking for advice on potty training and discipline because that is the stage we are in with my son. And you should love me because...is this really a question? Hmm...just because I am nice, I really don't know what to say here.

MiMi's note: I think we must be "reading" twins. Is that possible?? I feel the same way, if a book is boring, I feel like I have to stick with it just to see how it ends if nothing else!

You can tell by reading Melissa's blog that her son is the absolute love of her life. She's dealing with the same issues that all moms of small children are dealing with, you're bound to find a kindred spirit while reading her posts on the issues that go with raising a little one.

You need to go visit her....she is so nice and has a beautiful son!

Thank you Melissa!

Spoiler Alert Tuesday & a Giveaway!

Hi Girlfriends, Jessica here!
It's the second Tuesday of the month and around here that means,
Spoiler Alert Tuesday!
This is the day that we post a discussion question or two, and you all can comment with your responses. There might be some spoilers in the comments, so read at your own risk. Oh, please only talk about the selected chapters or the chapters from the prior weeks. Jumping ahead could ruin it for someone else.

First, let's look at the Giveaways and then the spoilers will be posted below those.
Let's announce last weeks winner!
I went to random.org and it picked number
4! That means that Missy from Life In Left Field won!
Congrats! We will be contacting you for mailing info soon!

Now, don't be depressed, here is......

This week's giveaway!

Make sure to comment on this post by next Monday night
to be entered in this giveaway!
(You don't have to be reading yet but you have to be a follower to enter)




SPOILER ALERT
Chapters 2-5



Lexi is still in the hospital trying to piece together her life.
She looks so different but her mom is just as annoying as ever.
Chapter 5 introduces us to Lexi's husband Eric.
He's handsome, perfect and out of old Lexi's league.

Question: How would you feel finding out you had a husband that you don't even remember meeting? Would you have asked different questions than Lexi?

Okay, that was quick.
I was wondering what it would be like to meet my husband that way.
Or my kids.

Interview With A Girlfriend

This week's interview is with Dawn from Must Love Tots.

Dawn was my swap partner for the Red, White and Blue Swap last month.

I am so thankful that we got partnered because she is hilarious and now I have someone I would have not known otherwise that I can call a friend!

Tell us what is your favorite genre of books:

I just love to read. I read anything from juvenile fiction to women's studies. I just finished the Gemma Doyle trilogy by Libba Bray that I found in the young adult fiction section at the library. It was great and I loved it.
Who is your favorite author:

John Sandford & Sandra Dallas are the two that I'm always guaranteed to love. And I just discovered Anita Shreve.
What do you think of the movies that are based on books:

It depends on what the director makes of it. I think the Harry Potter movies are phenomenal, especially considering there are so many little details to put in. I don't think the director needs to get every detail right, I think the main thing is getting the feel of the book.
What book have you read that has stuck with you the most:

"Desert Flower" by Waris Dirie. It's Dirie's true story of growing up in Somalia and a victim of female genital mutilation and later becoming a world-famous model. I bought it to read on a plane ride and I had the whole thing read before I got to the airport. You can actually hear Dirie's voice through the book, the language is hers. It was uplifting to read about someone who has been through so much and ultimately makes the most of her life.
Now, tell us about your blog. What do you think might set it apart from others and why should we love you:

You should love me because I'm me. ;) No, in all honesty, I'm not sure you should love me! I try to keep my blog completely honest, even if I am sometimes brutal on myself. I blog about everything from battle with depression to my son's obsession with putting half-eaten hot dogs in my purse. I also have a second blog that I use to keep my mom's friends and family updated on her battle with cancer. Both blogs are completely me. I don't sugar coat. I don't worry about what I should and I should not write. I write it all. Writing is therapeutic for me and my release.


Note from MiMi - Dawn is so real it is almost scary!

She's funny and has a beautiful family, just check out her handsome hubby in the picture!

She also has a mom who is battling cancer and she's dedicated a separate blog to that.

Go check her out, she's a little bit of everything and more!

P.S. Please, please, please forgive me for the photo, Dawn. I don't have the cool tools to make it look awesome, like Jess, so I tried to make it look right, but I'm not sure. Wednesday snuck up on me and I forgot to get it all ready yesterday when I could've bribed Jess to do it!

Spoiler Alert Tuesday/Winner/Giveaway!!

It's a new month with a new book and it's Tuesday! You know what that means, Spoiler Alert Tuesday, again!

So, since we just started this book, well, I just started the book, cuz I'm a slacker, I am only going to do the Prologue and Chapter One. I don't want to spoil it for myself!

Spoilers Below!!

What would you do if you woke up in a strange environment and didn't know exactly how you got there?

What would you do if you realized that the hospital staff mistook you for someone else?

(keep in mind you may score a really nice Louis Vuitton bag from the mistake...wink wink.)

And a question that is purely for my sanity:

There's a character called Fi.
How do you pronounce that? Is it Fye or Fee? Help me with this!

Winner, Winner!!

We used RandomKid.org again to choose the number of our winner last week.

And the lucky winner is number 1, Brandy from The Royal Family!!!

Congrats Brandy, you get to spoil your feet with our mini pedicure kit!

Don't be disappointed if you didn't win, because here is our next giveaway!
Make sure you comment by next Monday, the 10th at noon PST, on this post, for your chance to win!!

Our Giveaway this week is:

This Kitchen Set will be perfect at your end of summer/Labor Day barbecue!

Or, if your like me, in your kitchen all year round, cuz who can't use more dish towels and hot pads?!

This set includes 2 hot pads, an apron and the lovely, patriotic American Flag dish towel.

Get ready....get set....comment!!

***NOTE*** Ladies -Please start sending your addresses to our new e-mail so we can start getting your RWG bookmarks in the mail!!

readwithgirlfriends@yahoo.com

New Month, New Book!

Hey Girlfriends!

We hope that you have finished July's book
(look below to participate in the group discussion).

It's August 1st and time to start
Who said "don't judge a book by it's cover"?
Look how pretty it is!

Do you still need the book? Here are some ideas on where to find it:

• www.amazon.com (they sell it used too)
  
• your local book store
• your local used book store
• the library
• borrow from a friend
• Target (has a good book section)
  
• maybe Wal-Mart

Don't forget to enter in the Spoiler Alert Tuesday Giveaway!! We will be having these most weeks. Also, please email one of us your address so we can send out your bookmark.

***I just made up a new email address for the bookclub:

readwithgirlfriends@yahoo.com

We hope you'll participate this month!
(If you never got around to reading last month, no worries! Time to start fresh for August!)

Interview With A Girlfriend Wednesday

It's MiMi's turn!

Tell us what is your favorite genre of books: I guess it depends on the mood I’m in. If I’m really happy, I might want to read a sad book. If I’m feeling down, the last thing I need is a book that’s gonna bring me down more.

I think I can safely say that I love most books. The only ones I don’t like are ones that are romance only. I mean, if you’re gonna give me a romance, it’s gotta have something else going on. Like a thriller, or a historical type thing.

Who is your favorite author:

Ya know? This is sort of a dorky question, huh? I mean, I probably came up with it, so I’m the dork, but really, if you like to read, it’s hard to pin down one favorite author.

I have 3 or 4 authors who I love and always buy their books.
If I wanna good Thriller or Suspense? Karin Slaughter. She’s not afraid to pull the rug out from under you. Usually you can tell where a book is going, but you never can with hers. I mean, she’ll kill off a main character, even if it’s someone you are sure can’t die. And it works!
If I want good Chick Lit? Definitely Sophie Kinsella and Jennifer Weiner. (and it’s pronounced whine-er, so ya know. Every time I see it I actually pronounce it weeeener/whine-er, just so I have all the bases covered.)
If I want something totally fluffy, that will make me laugh? Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum series, hands down.
I also like John Irving and I have fallen head over heals for Elizabeth Flock, who wrote a book called Me and Emma. If you have the time, definitely pick that one up. It blew me away.

What do you think of the movies that are based on books:

I love when they make movies outta books. Most of the time they chop it up and it ends up being a mess, but they’re still enjoyable. I never have high expectations.

What gets me is when they make films like Twilight. It matched the book pretty well, but what comes across on the page, looked really cheesy on film. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I still LOVED the dang movie and it makes me laugh whenever I watch it, even though it’s not supposed to be funny, and for that alone, I will keep it forever in my collection. And, I can’t wait for New Moon. I’m a Twilight Junkie.
What really bugged me was Shopaholic. That was SO different then the book. I mean, for instance, a huge part of the book? She’s English. Lives in Britain. Not New York. Sheesh. But it was still funny and I liked it a lot.

What book have you read that has stuck with you the most:

Me and Emma by Elizabeth Flock. It’s about a girl and her sister and the pain they go through growing up. I’m not gonna tell you more, cuz I think you should go pick it up and read it. It’s fantastic. Although, if you pick it up and you don’t end up liking it? I never mentioned it.

I also read a thriller by Jack Ketchum once, called The Lost. I don’t remember a lot about that book, but I remember it scared the crap outta me and I still think about it.

Now, tell us about your blog.What do you think might set it apart from others and why should we love you:

You should love me because I’m shameless and will do anything to get you to.

Uh, I don’t know. I’m funny (sometimes), I don’t get embarrassed, I will, at times, tell way too much information about myself, which it’s always fun to hear about other peoples’ weirdness, right?
I don’t know! It’s hard to brag yourself up, you try! Oh wait, you will, cuz we’re coming after all of our Girlfriends to do this same thing!

Oh! I thought of another. I also LOVE The Bell Jar. Sylvia Plath was messed up but a great writer. Her character’s transition from normal to crazy was seamless. I didn’t even catch it. How crazy does that make me?? Don't.answer.that.

---------------------------

Jessica says: MiMi's blog has caused me to: crack up so hard that my husband runs over to the computer to see what's up, gasp so hard the hubs does the same thing, squeal with gross delight about the weird things she reveals about herself, and even some sentimental crying. I count MiMi a friend and I hope you will too! Now go visit her blog--Living In France!!! (I wonder, does she actually live in France? Hmm)....

*** We need new Girlfriend Interviews! Please email them to either MiMi or me.
*** Also, we need you all to start sending us your addresses so we can send your bookmarks out in August!