Red Dress Ink Fans discussion

Hi! So I know we talk about books throughout the whole group message board, but I figured it may be fun to also have one post to ramble on an on about the books we just read and loved :) this would also be good because it could help us get to know new books to read!

Im currently reading "Ten Things We Did (and Probably Shouldn't Have)" by Sarah Mlynowski. I just started it and I love it already. I read "Monkey Business" by her last year and just could not put it down. She has a really good writing voice the just draws me in. I feel like I really know the characters.

What are you guys currently reading/do you love it or hate it?

Both of those are really good books Bianca! Sarah is def one on my favorite authors. I haven't read a book of hers that I didn't like. I can't say 100% off the top of my head, but I'm pretty sure I've read all of hers.

I just started Reconstructing Brigid by Lee Nichols last night. I'm not very far into it, but like it well enough so far. I've read a few other books by her and liked them pretty ok too. ;)

Oh awesome! I think I've heard about that book before and thought it sounded good. I'll go add it to my to-reads :)

I'm currently trying to get through all the random books I bought for $0.99 on my kindle. There are so many books I need to finish reading (like the shopaholic series and the little lady agency series) but since they're each like $10 I'm waiting to get my library card so I can rent them for free! I could find any libraries with me that rent little lady agency (I'm on book 3...little lady agency and the prince?) which is really frustrating. So I may just have to buy it anyway ;)

Right now I am reading Revolution which is a lot different than I was thinking. I just knew that it took place at two different time periods. But other than that nothing. It is turning out a lot better than I was expecting.

Bianca wrote: "Oh awesome! I think I've heard about that book before and thought it sounded good. I'll go add it to my to-reads :)

I'm currently trying to get through all the random books I bought for $0.99 on m..."

I really liked the first Little Lady Agency book, but the second was actually painful to get through. I wanted so much to like it because of the first one. I didn't bother with the third. I had it for a long time, intending to read it, but I finally gave up and got rid of it.

★Meghan★ wrote: "Right now I am reading Revolution which is a lot different than I was thinking. I just knew that it took place at two different time periods. But other than that nothing. It is tu..."

That sounds interesting Meghan, I'll have to check it out.

Stacy wrote: "I really liked the first Little Lady Agency book, but the second was actually painful to get through. I wanted so much to like it because of the first one. I didn't bo..."
Did you try her other book? It was similar, with the straight-laced sexy manners type main character, but set in a girls' school, and it was really great. But I loved the whole Little Lady series, actually. ;)

I just finished the first book in a new-to-me series yesterday, and I'm ready to read all the rest of them:
by Linda Castillo

I would not classify these as chick lit, even though there is a love interest thrown in. But I know some of you like murder mysteries, too, so you might like these. They are set in Amish country, and the main character is the chief of police in a tiny town. If you're looking for something a little different than run-of-the-mill chick lit books,you might enjoy these. I couldn't put the first one down...stayed up way past my bedtime reading!

Jen B wrote: "I just finished the first book in a new-to-me series yesterday, and I'm ready to read all the rest of them:
by Linda Castillo

I would not classify these as ..."

I have been reading some books that are set in an Amish town but not really Amish books. I didn't think I would like them but they end up being really good.

I will have to check this one out. Thanks Jen. :)

Melanie wrote: "Stacy wrote: "I really liked the first Little Lady Agency book, but the second was actually painful to get through. I wanted so much to like it because of the first one. I didn't bo..."
Did you try..."

I did read one of her other books. I can't remember what it's called right now, but I had a hard time getting through it too. I think I've just given up on her. :(

My first book recommendation of this year is by Jenny Nelson. I loved this book. I read it in like four days.

My first book recommendation of the year is by Lisa and Laura Roecker. It's a YA book and really, really good. I want to read more by them.

I am reading Home Front by Kristin Hannah right now and I can barely put it down. I was up at 4:00 this morning reading. I definitely recommend this book. I haven't read to many of her books but that will change after reading this one. :)

Tara wrote: "I am reading Home Front by Kristin Hannah right now and I can barely put it down. I was up at 4:00 this morning reading. I definitely recommend this book. I haven't read to many of her books but th..."

Is it going to make me cry? I am still recovering from Winter Garden and the sob fest I had with that.

Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

Awesome book, very quick read.

I really liked CeeCee! Great book. I have read some fantastic books myself so far this year.



These are probably two of my favorites this year. I am excited to read more books by both of these authors.

Alicia wrote: "Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

Awesome book, very quick read."

I just bought that one not too long ago! Glad to hear it is a good one.

Alicia wrote: "Saving CeeCee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman

Awesome book, very quick read."

I loved that book and it was a quick read :)

Alicia wrote: "Tara wrote: "I am reading Home Front by Kristin Hannah right now and I can barely put it down. I was up at 4:00 this morning reading. I definitely recommend this book. I haven't read to many of her..."

Yes, it will make you cry. I did and I don't do that very often with books. It was really good though.

Heaven Can Wait by Cally Taylor!

I think this is the best book I've read so far this year! I would LOVE to see it made into a movie, it's a perfect rom-com! I wish there was some kind of website where you could recommend these things. :)

Seriously, this book needs to be at the top of your reading list!

Stacy wrote: "Heaven Can Wait by Cally Taylor!

I think this is the best book I've read so far this year! I would LOVE to see it made into a movie, it's a perfect rom-com! I wish there was some k..."

I tried to find it on Barnes and Noble and nothing comes up. Where did you buy it?

Tara wrote: "Stacy wrote: "Heaven Can Wait by Cally Taylor!

I think this is the best book I've read so far this year! I would LOVE to see it made into a movie, it's a perfect rom-com! I wish th..."

I got it from the library. Go in and request it. I'll probably be taking it back tomorrow. :)

Stacy wrote: "Tara wrote: "Stacy wrote: "Heaven Can Wait by Cally Taylor!

I think this is the best book I've read so far this year! I would LOVE to see it made into a movie, it's a perfect rom-c..."

Awesome! Thanks! It does sounds really good. :)

OMG!!! Everyone should check out the McMaster the Disaster series by Rachel Astor. I've been out of town for spring break this past week, and read each book in one day. Just could not put them down! Yes, there was a beautiful ocean to be looking at, but my nose was instead in a book, unable to stop reading. Has anyone read these? And if you have, got any book suggestions that are similar?! If you haven't read them...do it!

Bianca wrote: "OMG!!! Everyone should check out the McMaster the Disaster series by Rachel Astor. I've been out of town for spring break this past week, and read each book in one day. Just could not put them down..."

I think I have the first one on my Nook. I'll have to read it soon. :)

Bianca wrote: "OMG!!! Everyone should check out the McMaster the Disaster series by Rachel Astor. I've been out of town for spring break this past week, and read each book in one day. Just could not put them down..."

Thanks for the recommendation. Just got it for a 1.00 on my kindle.

Bianca wrote: "OMG!!! Everyone should check out the McMaster the Disaster series by Rachel Astor. I've been out of town for spring break this past week, and read each book in one day. Just could not put them down..."

I bought it for the Nook. Thanks for recommending it. :)

I've Got Your Number: A Novel
If you haven't read it - do it! Loved it! Classic SK!!!
So full of plot twists, every time I thought I had it figured out, I was wrong! :)

Aaaahhh! I'm reading it! I'm reading it!

Bianca wrote: "OMG!!! Everyone should check out the McMaster the Disaster series by Rachel Astor. I've been out of town for spring break this past week, and read each book in one day. Just could not put them down..."

I didn't realize there were more books in the McMaster's disaster series. I read and reviewed the first one and loved it. :)

Kourtney wrote: "Aaaahhh! I'm reading it! I'm reading it!"

Yay! :)

Stacy wrote: "I've Got Your Number: A Novel
If you haven't read it - do it! Loved it! Classic SK!!!
So full of plot twists, every time I thought I had it figured out, I was wrong! :)"

I'm #19 on the library wait list for this one -- almost there! I'm looking forward to this one. I was disappointed by her last book, but the reviews on this one are all good and it looks fun. Hoping it comes up for me soon!

Bianca wrote: "OMG!!! Everyone should check out the McMaster the Disaster series by Rachel Astor. I've been out of town for spring break this past week, and read each book in one day. Just could not put them down..."

I just read Bridesmaid Lotto and it was really cute. I am probably going to read the second book today as well.

Lisa wrote: "Bianca wrote: "OMG!!! Everyone should check out the McMaster the Disaster series by Rachel Astor. I've been out of town for spring break this past week, and read each book in one day. Just could no..."

I haven't started yet but I have it on my challenge. I can't wait to read it now.

Bianca wrote: "OMG!!! Everyone should check out the McMaster the Disaster series by Rachel Astor. I've been out of town for spring break this past week, and read each book in one day. Just could not put them down..."

This one has definitely been added to my wishlist. Thanks for the recommendation Bianca!

I've read three books so far this year that I would classify as five-star reads. They aren't Chick Lit, but all of them were excellent!

I'm glad so many of you read and loved the McMaster the Disaster series! Let me know what the rest of you think who are planning on reading it soon :)

I also read (the same spring break week that I read the McMaster the Disaster series) a book called Planning to Live by Heather Wardell. SO GOOD!!!!! This author is one of my favorites of all time. She writes books that really warm the heart and actually have a meaning behind them. Or at least I think so. All of her books are like $3 max on the Kindle, and I'm sure the Nook too.

I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN!!! You guys who love chick lit will (hopefully) love this one as well. It really touched me, and I'm almost done reading all of her books (she has two more coming out this year!). Read it and let me know what you think :) I strongly recommend it!

Here is my review on Planning to Live that I just wrote. May persuade some of you to read it :)

All of her books really touch my heart. I can't say enough good things about them!!!! Read Planning to Read - you won't regret it!! I seriously could not put it down!

This book caught my attention immediately. After all, how many of us women don't suffer from feeling like we aren't skinny enough? However, Rhiannon, the main character, has spent so much of her life worried about her image and planning out every single day of her life, that at the end of the day never feels good enough. She is obsessed with her weight and obsessed with having everything planned out that all of it makes her hate herself. One night she finds herself crashed into a tree, bleeding and trapped inside her car. She begins to look back through her life, discovering what really matters and what doesn't.

This book brought me laughter, tears, heart ache, and smiles. It affected me in a way I never thought a book would. Every woman should read it ASAP.

Bianca wrote: "I also read (the same spring break week that I read the McMaster the Disaster series) a book called Planning to Live by Heather Wardell. SO GOOD!!!!! This author is one of my favorites of all time...."

I read Planning To Live a while back--gave it four stars

The Christmas Cookie Club was such a nice, heartwarming read. Women's Fiction more than Chick Lit I would say. A good story about 12 women that meet every year in December for a cookie exchange. Friends, love, drama--great read!

I actually read this book based on Kristin's five-star rating of it. Thanks Kristin!

Julie wrote: "The Christmas Cookie Club was such a nice, heartwarming read. Women's Fiction more than Chick Lit I would say. A good story about 12 women that meet every year in December for a cookie exchange. ..."

I have had that book since it came out a couple of years ago and haven't read it yet. I may have to very soon now :)

Bianca wrote: "Here is my review on Planning to Live that I just wrote. May persuade some of you to read it :)

All of her books really touch my heart. I can't say enough good things about them!!!! Read Planning ..."

It sounds really good. Thanks for the recommendation :)

Bianca wrote: "I also read (the same spring break week that I read the McMaster the Disaster series) a book called Planning to Live by Heather Wardell. SO GOOD!!!!! This author is one of my favorites of all time...."

Planning to Live is only $.99 for the Nook and Kindle. I bought it for the Kindle. I can't wait to read it!

Loved The Beginner's Goodbye by Anne Tyler! A short book (only 198 pages) that I read in less than 24 hours. Sweet and poignant.....great characters.

Tara wrote: "Bianca wrote: "I also read (the same spring break week that I read the McMaster the Disaster series) a book called Planning to Live by Heather Wardell. SO GOOD!!!!! This author is one of my favorit..."

Cool! I was going to go to B&N and look for it, glad to hear it's only 99 cents!

Julie wrote: "Loved The Beginner's Goodbye by Anne Tyler! A short book (only 198 pages) that I read in less than 24 hours. Sweet and poignant.....great characters."

That one's on my list, it looks good. She's a great writer.

Just started the new Jen Lancaster (Jeneration-X) and am already laughing my butt off. So far it is funnier than My Fair Lazy.

I am in the middle of Wither by Lauren DeStefano and it is really good!

Alicia wrote: "Just started the new Jen Lancaster (Jeneration-X) and am already laughing my butt off. So far it is funnier than My Fair Lazy."

I am so excited!!! I can't wait until Monday!!! :)