Wifey by Judy Blume

Plot Summary: Sandy Pressman is the wife of Norman, a successful but dull businessman, has two children and after 12 years of marriage, is utterly bored with her 1970's New Jersey suburban housewife role. She idolizes Jackie Kennedy, has fantasies about the guy who drives by on a motorcycle and wonders what ever happened to her exciting high school boyfriend, Shep.

When her kids are away at summer camp she decides to explore the possibilities for an extra-marital affair. She starts by looking up her friend in New York with an open marriage, has an unexpected encounter with her brother-in-law, and eventually reunites with Shep, who is interested in going further than they did in high school. Sandy starts to get confused about what she wants and then discovers evidence that maybe Norman has been having a long term affair.

I first read this book several years ago but recently read it again. When I picked it up off the shelf at Barnes and Noble, I had no idea when this book was written. I had no idea that Judy Blume had been writing adult novels for years. I was instantly intrigued as I loved many of her books from my childhood. But this is no children's book! When I read it, around 2004 I think, the language and subjects were quite shocking! Now imagine reading this in the 70's when it was first published! There are many swear words, sexual fantasies and interludes and other adult themes. If I had discovered this book when I was younger, who knows what I might have learned! So, keep this book out of reach of children and even teens. I wouldn't suggest this book for anyone younger than 18 and only because by then they are legally an adult and can go to war so I guess they could handle it.

I found that the plot was boring, but I think that is the point. Sandy is bored. She's unhappy in her marriage and so she just goes about life while nothing happens to her. There is a plot and a pretty good one at that, but it is slow getting to the point. This book is pretty short read and you could read it in a weekend if you were diligent. I recommended the book for my book club and the others didn't quite agree with my review of it...but hey, what can I say, I like a good dirty book.

Dead Until Dark book review

For those who don't keep up with such things, there is a burgeoning subgenre of fantasy/horror romance fiction out there. Dead Until Dark, the first in a series of the Sookie Stackouse novels, is far from any Anne Rice novel. It is quite different, and that is why I liked it. The main protagonist in Dead Until Dark is a 25-year-old high school-educated Louisiana waitress named Sookie Stackhouse who lives with her grandma and is able to read minds. It is either an ability or a curse, depending on how Sookie looks at it. I think it is a great twist to have a human with a gift.

A Japanese biomedical group has created synthetic blood substitutes that finally allow vampires to live "mainstream" among humans. Sookie is a bit of a spinster because her mindreading complicates relationships. By strange coincidence, she can't read the mind of her small town's newest vampire resident–Bill-and those same powers prevent Bill's "glamour" from working on her. Soon enough, an unlikely romance begins. And then there is also the murder mystery happening all around Sookie and all hell breaks loose. But even the murder mystery wasn't scary; yet another reason I enjoyed this book very much.

Not only that, but this book gives the reader a glimpse into the minds of small town, Southern Americans. I like the characters in that they are just ordinary people...surrounded by vampires. The only thing that I didn't like is that Sookie seems a bit too simple and uneducated. But then again, if she were smart, she wouldn't be dating a vampire now would she?

I give this book a rating of a 4 out of 5. A short, easy read with just the right amount of drama, romance and suspense.

Outlander part 2

The first half of this book is very different from the second half. The violence I described in the earlier post didn't happen again...at least not between Claire and Jamie. There was other forms of violence though. I found the homosexuality very strange. I'm not sure why this was put in the book, unless for pure shock affect. Or perhaps the writer is trying to explain that this stuff happened back then as it does today.

I have some questions that I will discuss in the bookclub. I was confused a bit on a few things. But all in all, it was a page turner. I couldn't stop reading! There was heart break, excitement and of course steamy love scenes. For those of you who aren't in to hearing an intimate description of a love scene, then this book isn't for you because it is filled with it. But it was a great book even without all of that. I think the author uses that to describe the love that Jamie and Claire have for one another and just how deep it goes.

I would read the next book, but I'm in school right now and I fear I would neglect my studies...as I already have for this one! Once I start reading a book that I like, I cannot put it down. If you have the time to read an almost 700 page book, go out and get it. Loved it...can you tell?