Book Review: White Girl Problems

Title: White Girl Problems

Author: Babe Walker

Publisher: Hyperion

Release Date:  January 31, 2012

Genre: Chick Lit

Format read in: Paperback

What Goodreads says: Babe Walker, center of the universe, is a painstakingly manicured white girl with an expensive smoothie habit, a proclivity for Louboutins, a mysterious mother she's never met, and approximately 50 bajillion Twitter followers. But her "problems" have landed her in shopping rehab--that's what happens when you spend $246,893.50 in one afternoon at Barneys. Now she's decided to write her memoir, revealing the gut-wrenching hurdles she's had to overcome in order to be perfect in every way, every day. Hurdles such as: - I hate my horse. 
- Every job I've ever had is the worst job I've ever had. 
- He's not a doctor, a lawyer, or a prince. 
- I'll eat anything, as long as it's gluten-free, dairy-free, low-carb, low-fat, low-calorie, sugar-free, and organic. 
In an Adderall-induced flash of inspiration, Babe Walker has managed to create one of the most enjoyable, unforgettable memoirs in years.


What I say: I thought this book was ok, though I admit that I'm not a huge fan of chick lit. I usually get sucked into one because the plot seems interesting but then I'm only disappointed at the lack of humor, plot and character development. I originally picked this book up because I thought it sounded like my sister would like. My sister, who isn't a reader, and I didn't exchange Christmas gifts this year, but I wanted to get it for her. So I read it first so I could give it to her. I read on the flight back east for the holidays and was happy to give it away to her. I'm sure she'll like it more than I did.

Book Review: The Shack

Title: The Shack

Author: Wm. Paul Young

Publisher: Windblown Media

Release Date:  June 1, 2011

Genre: Christian Fiction

Format read in: Paperback

What Goodreads says: Mackenzie Allen Philips' youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation, and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his "Great Sadness," Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend. Against his better judgment he arrives at the shack on a wintry afternoon and walks back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack's world forever. 


What I say: I admit that I avoided reading this book. It was recommended to me several times and ever time I promptly avoided it and went on to something else. I'm not quite sure why I was so afraid of it. Maybe it was the cover. Or maybe it was the murder and bloody clothes. Once my mother-in-law handed me the book I opened it and read it. I was not impressed. The hype was definitely overrated. I skimmed many parts. It is hard for me swallow authors - whether they are writing fiction or non-fiction - telling me what God wants and how I should live my life according to God. If I could read this and keep reminding myself that it's fiction, I may have had a better experience but I just couldn't get over the preachiness of it.