Light & Fluffy: Anyone but You by Jennifer Crusie

by Donna Huber

March 2006; HQN Books; 9780373771462
ebook, print (224 pages); romance

After reading many depressing books and feeling a bit depressed myself, I needed something to lift my spirits. I walked into my library and told my librarian I needed a book. She looked at me a bit funny: obviously, I needed a book since I was at the library (though I seem to check out more movies than books). I explained I needed something light and fluffy. She replied you don't read light and fluffy. I love living in small towns where the librarian knows my reading taste. Anyways, she preceded to point out a few books. I picked up one book that was more my normal read - the opening pages mentioned a plane crash in the mountains and a freezing Jack Russell terrier (I have a JR terror), so I decided against it - maybe later I'll pick it up because it did look good. She also pointed me to some "funny" novels about southern society set in Savannah. I might live in the south, but I am not a southerner and southern writing doesn't really appeal to me. Then she handed me a Jennifer Crusie. I recognized the name from someone recommending her to me on Twitter. It mentioned a dog so I inquired about if the dog dies (I typically avoid animal stories because they are almost always sad). She said no so I said yes to the book.


I realized when I got home that it was a Harlequin novel. It's the first one I have ever read. While it was not the trashy bodice-ripping romance I always associated with Harlequin the love scene towards the end ruined an otherwise charming, funny as can be, fluffy novel. 


I laughed so hard through the book and not just at the dog antics. I loved Fred. I have a bit of a soft spot for basset hounds because they always look so morose. And animals can be downright hilarious. But I enjoyed the banter between brothers Alex and Max. I was at Chick-fil-a eating lunch when I read the part where Max is telling Alex that 40-year-old women are insecure about their bodies. Alex asked him how he knows what a 40-year-old woman thinks. Max's reply "I'm a gynecologist." The whole conversation is funny and had me literally laughing out loud (which might have drawn a few looks in my direction).


I was telling everyone how funny and good the book was. I couldn't wait to see how it ended. Did Nina get over the 10 year age difference (I totally understand her dilemma. I live in a town where most single men are 18 -24 and I am 34)? Would Alex screw up everything by trying to meet his family's expectations of adulthood thinking it would impress Nina? Then when it seems that Nina and Alex are finally getting there act together, Jennifer Crusie ruins the book from me by providing a detailed account of their bedroom activities. Why must everything have sex in it? I am not prude enough to think that sex should never be mentioned in a book, but I don't want to be in bed with Nina and Alex. 


Seriously, I think that is one of the reasons I dislike the romance genre so much. If I want a clean novel it seems that I must read a young adult novel or Christian fiction. In YA, I get silly romance that does not touch on the relationship difficulties that I experience as a 30 something and Christian fiction is so ideal that it leaves me disgusted with my own life. Why do authors of adult fiction feel the need to provide descriptive sex? Or maybe the question should be why do readers feel the need to read descriptive sex? Are there any books out there that don't have descriptive sex, but still deals with the real struggles of finding a date in a funny and upbeat manner?


Up to the sex scene, I would have read another book by Jennifer Crusie as I found Anyone but You to be truly humorous. But the ending upset me and if that is what her other books are like then I might just pass.

Buy Anyone but You at Amazon

Another Great Dekker Book: Saint

Saint (Paradise #2) by Ted Dekker
paperback, 347 pages
Published 2007 by Thomas Nelson
Read March 2011

It is no secret that I am a Ted Dekker fan. I really tried not to do another Dekker book review because I don't want my blog to become Dekker all the time, but I finished Saint before the other 2 books I am currently reading. Saint is such a good book that I just had to read it whenever I had a chance, though it had tough competition from the Jennifer Crusie book I am hoping to tell you about later this week.

I didn't realize when I picked up Saint at my church's library a few weeks ago that it was actually the second novel in the series. Thankfully I have read enough Dekker to not be too lost. Also this book ties closely in with the Circle series that I reviewed earlier this year. Actually I think the Paradise series (which Saint is book 2 of) will answer a number of questions I was left with after reading Green.

The beginning of Saint is quite intense. The story revolves around a highly trained assassin. Do you remember the television series Alias that starred Jennifer Garner as Sydney Bristow? If you do, then I can tell you that it has a bit of an Alias feel to the novel. You don't know if Carl is working with a terrorist group or a highly classified off the books government agency. And neither does Carl. To become this highly trained assassin his identity has been stripped from him. His only thought is survival and can only recall information that is needed to insure his survival. Nothing is as it seems. A truth maybe a lie or maybe that is what they want Carl to think.

In some ways this is a very confusing book, but at the same time pretty straight forward. Or as straight forward as you can get with a Dekker novel. I highly recommend this book (though you will probably want to start with book 1 - Showdown). It is a great mystery, suspense, thriller, government corruption and espionage novel that will have you questioning everything you think you know.

Related articles

• Book Review: BoneMan's Daughters by Ted Dekker (jeffersonthought.wordpress.com)
• Books I'm anticipating this year (sarahleighann.wordpress.com)
• Book Review: Saint by Ted Dekker (setwatchman.com)

A Publisher's Contest

The Writer's Coffee Shop is hosting an ebook give away for the month of April for Old Wounds. I reviewed Old Wounds and thought some of my readers might be interested in the contest. You can get the contest details at the Publisher's website: http://www.thewriterscoffeeshop.com/publishinghouse.

What do you think about the environment?

Environmental Ethics: An Anthology
Paperback, 568 pages
Published August 2002 by Blackwell Publishing Limited
ISBN13: 9780631222941
Read January 2007

I was assigned to read this book by my economics professor for my comprehensive exams. My dissertation research was on the economics, ecology, and ethics of recovery the Florida panther. I found this to me a very interesting read. I had about 10 or 12 books to read for my exams and only about a month to prepare so I could not savor it as much as I would have liked and have often thought of picking it up again. My eyes were open to a number of environmental issues that I hadn't thought much about.

I was particularly intrigued by the Eco-feminism chapter. I had read many articles that argued to be environmentally minded one must be a vegetarian. I had also read some text that argued that it was morally right to be a vegetarian. However, probably because I am not a vegetarian or really that well read on diets,  there is evidence that for woman a vegetarian diet is not optimal for health. The chapter talked about how most diet plans are for the average male and that woman have different dietary needs. In addition, the mineral supplements that must be consumed to have a balance diet can often cause more environmental harm that an omnivore diet.

But it was probably that last selection of readings in this anthology that most interested me. My research focus, and general interest in the subject, was the intersection between social values and environmental issues. As with all the other sections, there is a nice balance of view points and a breadth of topics discussed.

You do not need to be pursuing a Ph.D. to enjoy this book or to be able to take something from it. If you are interested in environmental and social issues I recommend you pick up a copy of Environmental Ethics: An Anothology as it will serve as a good primer to a wealth of information and viewpoints on this subject.

Related articles

• On the Ethics of Vegetarianism (hommez.wordpress.com)
• Veganism and the Environment Infographic Shows the Environmental Impact of Raising Animals for Food (inhabitat.com)
• Taiwan readies for APEC meeting on environment (eco-business.com)
• Environmental Literacy Series Part 1, Definition (withywindlenature.com)

A Good Love Story

The Changeling's Champion by Miya Kressin
Paperback, 315 pages
Published October, 2010 by The Writer's Coffee Shop
Read March 2011

I think I finally figured out why some fantasy/supernatural books I can really get into and others I struggle with. When the main character is the person learning of the new world it is much easier and far more enjoyable for me to learn the rules of this new world because I don't feel like the outsider looking in (or the only person that doesn't understand how it works). Though The Changeling's Champion has a character that knows nothing of the Fey realm outside of fairytales, the reader learns mostly from Ari a fey prince, an insider. Therefore, it feels like I am being told about this new place, but don't really experience it. For me, it is kind of like listening to someone talk about their vacation trip to someplace I have never been. I think this and the jumping back and forth between time periods kept me from truly losing myself in the story.

I did lose myself in the story when the alternating time periods stopped and the story focused on the blossoming relationship between Ari and Holly. I was awed at the beautiful language of the text, almost like poetry in prose. Seriously, not many have the talent to choose the perfect words that makes one think "wow, that was beautiful" in modern times and Miya did an exceptional job.

I feel I should give my readers warning that The Changeling's Champion is very adult. I found myself skimming several passionate scenes. Also, the story contains non-traditional views of sex and fidelity.

Miya creates characters that the reader can build emotional ties to. I mean, who wouldn't want a guy who makes withered leaves blossom beautiful blooms in the middle of winter or creates a private bubble, literally, so that passers-by can't interrupt the bonding between soul mates. But equally, you are led to immediately distrust Justin and empathize with Holly as her heart and head struggle to come to terms with actions of her step-dad.

Outside of a few personal preference problems, I enjoyed The Changeling's Champion and thought it was a great book; one of the best love stories I have read (I didn't feel depressed about my own lack of love when I finished it). I think Miya Kressin has a promising writing future ahead of her.

Not Recommended for the Depressed

In Search of Lucy by Lia Fairchild
eBook
Published February 2011
Read March 2011

I have struggled with what I would say in this review. I feel like I give my readers a glimpse of who I am with each post and book read. Well In Search of Lucy may have hit a bit too close to home and not a piece of me I want to share with the world. So how to tell you about the book without telling you about me. It's kind of impossible.

Lia Fairchild has potential as a writer. However, with this novel she has not quite met the mark. The numerous grammatical and word choice errors interrupted the flow of the story as I had to remind myself that this was not a manuscript I was editing. Lia does a great job of capturing the isolation, loneliness, and desperation of main character Lucy. I often found myself on the verge of tears and even cried as a read the last few pages of the book. It was a good emotional release. But Lia falls short of elevating the emotions of the reader as Lucy discovers her need for change in her life. I don't mind reading depressing novels (sometimes the darker the better is my motto), but I want a life affirming happily ever after in the end. I felt the ending was rushed and, after almost 200 pages of exploring dark emotions, did not provide sufficient evidence that Lucy would be okay.

Like I said Lia Fairchild and In Search of Lucy shows promise, but I think the ending could be reworked (or elaborated on) to give the reader more closure and definitely needs to be looked over by an editor. When I am looking for a good cry I will consider reading it again as it did feel good to release some of my own emotions.