To see what books made this week’s segment, click here.
What a fun treat to be with Kristen Miranda on WBTV Monday, Aug. 11. I missed my people aka you! My viewers. Thanks so much for always being a part of my story of loving and promoting books.
For this week’s picks, check out my review by clicking here.
Pop stars come in all shapes and sizes. Some with tons of talent and some with tons of enhancements; vocal, of course. Sweet Cherry Pye… the pop star character in Carl Hiaasen‘s Star Island, well… I hate to be rude. Bless her heart.
Y’all, I know I mentioned in my previous post that I found Star Islanda tad daunting because of Hiassen’s quirky style and fast-paced story.
I completed the book an hour ago and I’m SO THANKFUL for every inch of the daunting, quirky, fast-paced story. The character development was as rich as Donald Trump’s bank account and many of the characters were just as loathsome. But, oh, how I loved to hate them.
The story takes us on a journey with a washed up teen pop star who’s only real talent is her ability to be manipulated by everyone around her without any knowledge of said manipulation. Cherry Pye would rather party than, well, anything else. So much so that the family pays an out-of-work actress $800 a week to pretend to be the star while the Cherry’s “recovering” in rehad.
For a while, I felt like I was watching another Kardashian show and almost stopped reading it. But, like with Kim/Kourtney/Khloe/Kitty/Krazy, I needed to know how it would all unfold.
Boy howdy I’m glad I did!
The double gets kidnapped by an obbbb-ssss-eed paparazzo. The double makes one phone call to a loony toony former Nam vet/state governor who has a penchant for rectifying wrongs with things like sea urchins and pooping in washing machines. The double makes another phone call to her employer.
Only one comes looking for the double and the rest of the story builds into one head-scratching/belly-laughing moment after another.
I honestly had no idea how Star Islandwould end (which is rare) and I’m kinda bummed it did end. Though I’d had enough of the greasy characters, I appreciated the story and the author’s creation of the characters so much that the Epilogue was a tad bitter-sweet.
Hi! I’m Arden Mac, your friendly book reviewer. I read lots. Analyze lots. Convene some. I thought it’d be cool to put all of these actions together to form Arden’s Book Club, the ABC’s of connecting book lovers.
I want you to join the club!
Just so you know I’m legit, I’ll offer a bit about my bookie background. I’m currently on WBTV in Charlotte twice a month to give book recommendations. (Hungry for recommendations now? Click here!) I’ve also written book nook stories for children’s magazines and local blogs.
Like so many of you, I grew up devouring books faster than most of my friends. I still devour books pretty quickly and wish I had the time to drive to a book club, gab over a book for an hour or so, and drive home. I don’t. I started realizing a lot of us don’t have that time.
Yet, we still crave an opportunity to share our thoughts about and experiences with the book we’re reading.
Friends, your girl’s got you covered. I’m creating an online book club. Each month, I’ll offer two book clubs for you to join; a fiction and nonfiction. I’m working on a platform where we can gather online together. Plus, I’m on the hunt for local book vendors who will give you a discount on the book club book you choose.
So, bookmark this page and stay tuned for our launch later this summer! ‘Til then, I’ll give you updates on what I’m reading… Right now, Star Island by Carl Hiaasen and The Circle Makerby Mark Batterson have my attention.
Star Island is my first book venture with Carl Hiaasen. So far, his quirky style and fast paced story are appealing, though a tad daunting. The character switches don’t allow for much restful reading. The Circle Maker is chock full of insights about bold prayers. I’m reading it slowly to practice each area highlighted by Mark Batterson.
So, thanks for beginning a new adventure with me. More to come and I can’t wait to meet each of you soon!
arden's book club 