Author: Jennifer @ The Relentless Reader

It’s Monday! What are you reading? 12/24/12

~ Jennifer @ The Relentless Reader ~ 30 Comments
Found this cutie patootie graphic @ Once Upon A Twilight

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey.

Happy last Monday of 2012! 

Have I mentioned that I love this meme? It makes me feel all organized. 

Reviewed:

On the Map by Simon Garfield (Fascinating)

Sharp by David Fitzpatrick (Meh)

All the Lonely People by Jess Riley (Hilarious!)

Currently Reading:

The Bookie’s Son by Andrew Goldstein

Upcoming: 


Saturday Night Widows by Becky Aikman

After that I’m going to see where my holiday reading time takes me. Perhaps I’ll get going on the 2013 TBR Pile Challenge and read something from my list.

Other Blog Business:

A Liebster Blog Award for little ol’ me? Thanks Rebecca!

I’ve never really used Goodreads but I plan on changing that for 2013. I’ve cleared all of my info there…deleted all the random books I had saved, etc. I’m hoping to take advantage of it to keep track of my books and to stay a bit more organized. This link should take you to my profile…hook up with me there! I’m also on Twitter and Facebook and I’d love to see you there as well!

I want to wish each and every one of you a wonderful holiday!

Source

All the Lonely People by Jess Riley

~ Jennifer @ The Relentless Reader ~ 10 Comments

All the Lonely People by Jess Riley

I received this book from the author, Jess Riley, in exchange for an honest review. Thanks Jess!

Description:

After losing her beloved mother to cancer, 37-year-old Jaime Collins must confront the ugly fact that she and her siblings don’t actually like one another. At all. Fueled by grief and an epic argument at Thanksgiving dinner, Jaime decides to ‘divorce’ her siblings and posts an ad on Craigslist for a new family for Christmas.

What happens next is a heartwarming, funny, and surprising journey to forgiveness and healing. Is blood really thicker than water? And how far do we have to go to find our way back home again?

Dedicated to anyone who has ever wanted to unfriend a relative on Facebook, All the Lonely People is about family: those you make … and those you make peace with.

My Thoughts:

Oooh I’m gonna be all gushy gush about this book! Prepare yourself.

OK, you know when you’re reading a book and it references something that you’ve JUST been thinking about/reading about/saw on T.V.? You know the feeling? Like, hey this is extraordinarily relevant to what’s been on my mind, how groovy! That constantly kept happening while I read All the Lonely People. Someone hates the word moist? Me too! References to Large Marge from PeeWee’s Big Adventure? Hellloooo, one of my all time favorite movies! (I could go on, trust me)
Many of us have fantasies about replacing our family members with people that we choose.* Jaime takes those fantasies and puts them into action. Her brother is a dink, her sister is an ice queen. Why not find new people to celebrate the holidays with? I admire her moxie. 
My favorite thing about All the Lonely People? It is funny. I love me some good laughs and this book delivered. The characters are believable, the dialogue is authentic and the story is heartwarming without being at all treacly. 
You should read this. Take my word for it. 
*Not me. My family is perfection. Also, I think some of them read this blog.