Another Double Whammy.

By Double Whammy, I am obviously talking about a double book review.

Because it's been that long since I have blogged regularly.

First up: Bright Lights, Big Ass by Jen Lancaster

Here is the synopsis from the back of the book:

Jen Lancaster hates to burst your happy little bubble, but life in the big city isn't all it's cracked up to be. Contrary to what you see on TV and in the movies, most urbanites aren't party-hopping in slinky dresses and strappy stilettos. But lucky for us, Lancaster knows how to make the life of the lower crust mercilessly funny and infinitely entertaining...

Whether she's reporting rude neighbors to homeland security, harboring a crush on her grocery store, or fighting - and losing - the Battle of the StairMaster, Lancaster explores how silly, strange, and not so fabulous real city living can be. And if anyone doesn't like it, they can kiss her big, fat, pink, puffy down parka

This book was HYSTERICAL. It's one of those books that has you laughing out loud at just about every page turn. I think something that made me like it even more is the fact that Jen is a real person. Not a celebrity (except now that she's had so much success writing), not a socialite, just a normal person telling stories about her day to day life.

Out of 5 stars, I would say a 4.75. I can't find anything wrong with it.

Next up: Outside the Lines by Amy Hatvany

This book is the opposite of Bright Lights, Big Ass.

Here's what it's about:

When Eden was ten years old she found her father, David, bleeding out on the bathroom floor. The suicide attempt led to her parents' divorce, and David all but vanished from Eden's life. Since childhood, she has heard from him only rarely, just enough to know he's been living on the streets and struggling with mental illness. But lately, there has been no word at all.

Now in her thirties, Eden decides to go look for her father, so she can forgive him at last, and finally move forward. When her search uncovers other painful truths -  not only the secrets her mother has kept from her, but also the agonizeing question of whether David, after all these years, even wants to be found - Eden is forced to decide just how far she'll go in the name of love.

This is another really good book. It isn't necessarily one that immediately pulls you in, but the more you read, the more invested you are in the story. The way it is written bounces you between Eden's side of the story and David's. It also goes back and forth between Eden's childhood (1989), and the life currently being lived (2010). But have no fear, unlike some stories that make it really hard to follow those kinds of jumps, this one is smooth and makes perfect sense.

It's a great story. The mental illness aspect is something that I don't see in a lot of books, which made it new.

The only thing that I was disappointed by was the ending. It was ALMOST perfect. But it still left me needing a little bit more closure.

Out of 2 stars, this one will get 4.