Backman has such a talent for creating quirky, endearing, frustrating characters.  When I was first introduced to Britt-Marie in My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry, I didn't like her at all, which I understand was quite intentional.  She was touchy, passive-aggressive and seemed to only exist to make other people uncomfortable.  Of course, there was a reason she became the type of person she was.  Understanding what went into shaping her personality and what factors were driving her behaviors made clear that her quirks were coping mechanisms.  I may not have liked her better, but I didn't judge as harshly.

Jumping into the car and getting out of Dodge, so to speak, was the one of the bravest acts she could have performed.  I wanted to know where she went and what she did.  Thankfully, Backman must have wanted the same!  Britt-Marie Was Here continued her journey and allowed me to get to know her better.  I loved the story, I loved the characters, I loved the "town."  And, at the end of the book, I loved Britt-Marie.  Quite an accomplishment!  I highly recommend this book.  It stands alone, but works so well as a companion to My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry, you should really read them both!

Jill Mansell never disappoints! Love triangles, unrequited crushes, requited crushes... these could all add up to a boring, trite story told a thousand times over. Fortunately, the characters in this book are so fun and endearing, the story sparkles and I was never jarred out of my enjoyment by the feeling I'd read it all before. I know how it sounds, but I literally laughed out loud and found myself sniffling and surreptitiously wiping away tears while reading. Such a great escape from the everyday!  Highly recommended!

It's scary because it's true.  Or could be true..  I found this novel difficult to read.  Not because it was poorly written or uninteresting.  Mainly because I could envision it all to be actually happening in the world.  I would put the book down, but not stop thinking about it.  Watching the news, reading the headlines, talking to friends, the characters and situations in the story would pop into my head. Worth the read, if you can handle the aftermath!

I have never before been so happy that one of my loves has become trendy!  Coloring has always been a favorite past time of mine, and now the options of books has expanded exponentially.  I enjoyed this offering, there are intricate pages that take time and concentration and more simple ones that don't require as much attention.  The choice of material, Alice in Wonderland, was well represented and super fun!