Emily Giffin fans will be interested to know that filming has begun on SOMETHING BORROWED, the movie based on her bestselling book. The movie stars Kate Hudson (Darcy), Ginnifer Goodwin (Rachel), Colin Egglesfield (Dex), and John Krasinski (Ethan). Something Borrowed is about a nice girl who has always followed the rules until she begins a passionate affair with her best friend’s fiancé.

Something Borrowed is one of my all time favorite chick lit books, and I am so excited about this movie. The casting is just perfect, in my humble opinion. Kate Hudson doesn’t physically resemble Darcy, but I think she will be ideal as the fun party girl. And John Krasinski as nice guy Ethan? Genius! In the books, Ethan has a larger role in Something Blue, the sequel to Something Borrowed, so I’m curious if they’ve augmented his role in the movie.

The cast has been spotted filming all over the Hamptons, which makes sense because in the book the characters all rent a beach house together. It’s one of those books that is just so perfect that I would hate to see anything change, so I’m really hoping the movie stays true to it. Something Borrowed is slated for June 2011.

Emily Giffin also has a new book out, Heart of the Matter, and you can read my review here.

Emily Giffin is known for writing emotional stories about flawed, yet sympathetic, characters and their messy relationships, and she does it again with Heart of the Matter.

The story is about two different women, Tessa Russo and Valerie Anderson, who are connected by their separate relationships with Dr. Nick Russo. Tessa is a stay-at-home mom to two young children and is married to Nick, a successful plastic surgeon in Boston. Valerie, a lawyer and single mom, meets Nick when he treats her injured son. Told from both Tessa and Valerie’s perspectives, Heart of the Matter is seemingly about marriage and what happens when good people are caught in an impossible situation-but that’s not the whole story. Giffin also offers up endless thoughts on motherhood, focusing on the challenges facing a professional woman who gives up her career to stay at home with the children.

At times, Heart of the Matter is reminiscent of an episode of Desperate Housewives, which made me desperately want to fast-forward through the audiobook. This is primarily thanks to Tessa and her group of shallow, rich friends who spend their time lunching, gossiping, and playing tennis. She seems to think that she isn’t like these friends, that she somehow has more depth, but I wasn’t convinced. In contrast, I found Valerie more down to earth and very sympathetic, though slightly boring. Ultimately, the reader can see what is going to happen from a mile away, so it becomes about whether you are interested in the characters’ nonstop self-absorbed thoughts on marriage, love, infidelity, private schools, and motherhood. Personally, I just didn’t find these musings all that interesting.

On a positive note, Cynthia Nixon narrates the audiobook and she is just fantastic. She has the ability to convey a lot of emotion with her voice and I was impressed with her performance.

Unfortunately, I have to say that this is my least favorite of Giffin’s books. Something Borrowed remains my favorite and the best part of Heart of the Matter is an appearance by Dex and Rachel. So die hard Emily Giffin fans might want to get the book from the library just to catch up with Dex and Rachel, but I can’t really recommend the book to anyone else.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5 Stars | Publisher: Macmillan Audio | Length: 10 Hours and 18 Minutes (Unabridged) | Source: Purchased | Buy on Amazon

May is a big month for books! We’ve got the latest in the Sookie Stackhouse series, a new Pendergast novel, and the final book in Stieg Larsson’s Millennium trilogy to look forward to. Check out the upcoming book releases I think you’ll be interested in reading.

Dead in the Family: A Sookie Stackhouse Novel by Charlaine Harris

Available May 4, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:

After enduring torture and the loss of loved ones during the brief but deadly Faery War, Sookie Stackhouse is hurt and she’s angry. Just about the only bright spot in her life is the love she thinks she feels for vampire Eric Northman. But he’s under scrutiny by the new Vampire King because of their relationship. And as the political implications of the Shifters coming out are beginning to be felt, Sookie’s connection to the Shreveport pack draws her into the debate. Worst of all, though the door to Faery has been closed, there are still some Fae on the human side-and one of them is angry at Sookie. Very, very angry…

The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles, Book 1) by Rick Riordan

Available May 4, 2010 (Order on Amazon)
The latest book from the author of the Percy Jackson series will focus on Egyptian gods.

From the publisher:

Since their mother’s death, Carter and Sadie have become near strangers. While Sadie has lived with her grandparents in London, her brother has traveled the world with their father, the brilliant Egyptologist, Dr. Julius Kane.

One night, Dr. Kane brings the siblings together for a “research experiment” at the British Museum, where he hopes to set things right for his family. Instead, he unleashes the Egyptian god Set, who banishes him to oblivion and forces the children to flee for their lives.

Soon, Sadie and Carter discover that the gods of Egypt are waking, and the worst of them–Set–has his sights on the Kanes. To stop him, the siblings embark on a dangerous journey across the globe–a quest that brings them ever closer to the truth about their family, and their links to a secret order that has existed since the time of the pharaohs.

Tell-All by Chuck Palahniuk

Available May 4, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:

The hyperactive love child of Page Six and Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? caught in a tawdry love triangle with The Fan. Even Kitty Kelly will blush.

Soaked, nay, marinated in the world of vintage Hollywood, Tell-All is a Sunset Boulevard-inflected homage to Old Hollywood when Bette Davis and Joan Crawford ruled the roost; a veritable Tourette’s syndrome of rat-tat-tat name-dropping, from the A-list to the Z-list; and a merciless send-up of Lillian Hellman’s habit of butchering the truth that will have Mary McCarthy cheering from the beyond.

Our Thelma Ritter-ish narrator is Hazie Coogan, who for decades has tended to the outsized needs of Katherine “Miss Kathie” Kenton-veteran of multiple marriages, career comebacks, and cosmetic surgeries. But danger arrives with gentleman caller Webster Carlton Westward III, who worms his way into Miss Kathie’s heart (and boudoir). Hazie discovers that this bounder has already written a celebrity tell-all memoir foretelling Miss Kathie’s death in a forthcoming Lillian Hellman-penned musical extravaganza; as the body count mounts, Hazie must execute a plan to save Katherine Kenton for her fans-and for posterity.

Tell-All is funny, subversive, and fascinatingly clever. It’s wild, it’s wicked, it’s bold-faced-it’s vintage Chuck.

Innocent by Scott Turow

Available May 4, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:

The sequel to the genre-defining, landmark bestseller Presumed Innocent, INNOCENT continues the story of Rusty Sabich and Tommy Molto who are, once again, twenty years later, pitted against each other in a riveting psychological match after the mysterious death of Rusty’s wife.

The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ by Philip Pullman

Available May 4, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:

The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ is the remarkable new piece of fiction from best-selling and famously atheistic author Philip Pullman. By challenging the events of the gospels, Pullman puts forward his own compelling and plausible version of the life of Jesus, and in so doing, does what all great books do: makes the reader ask questions.
In Pullman’s own words, “The story I tell comes out of the tension within the dual nature of Jesus Christ, but what I do with it is my responsibility alone. Parts of it read like a novel, parts like history, and parts like a fairy tale; I wanted it to be like that because it is, among other things, a story about how stories become stories.”
Written with unstinting authority, The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ is a pithy, erudite, subtle, and powerful book by a controversial and beloved author. It is a text to be read and reread, studied and unpacked, much like the Good Book itself.

Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin

Available May 11, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:

Tessa Russo is the mother of two young children and the wife of a renowned pediatric surgeon. Despite her own mother’s warnings, Tessa has recently given up her career to focus on her family and the pursuit of domestic happiness. From the outside, she seems destined to live a charmed life.

Valerie Anderson is an attorney and single mother to six-year-old Charlie–a boy who has never known his father. After too many disappointments, she has given up on romance–and even to some degree, friendships–believing that it is always safer not to expect too much.

Although both women live in the same Boston suburb, the two have relatively little in common aside from a fierce love for their children. But one night, a tragic accident causes their lives to converge in ways no one could have imagined.

In alternating, pitch-perfect points of view, Emily Giffin creates a moving, luminous story of good people caught in untenable circumstances. Each being tested in ways they never thought possible. Each questioning everything they once believed. And each ultimately discovering what truly matters most.

Fever Dream by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child

Available May 11, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:

Yesterday, Special Agent Pendergast still mourned the loss of his beloved wife, Helen, who died in a tragic accident in Africa twelve years ago.

Today, he discovers she was murdered.

Tomorrow, he will learn her most guarded secrets, leaving him to wonder: Who was the woman I married? Why was she murdered? And, above all . . . Who murdered her?

FEVER DREAM

Revenge is not sweet: It is essential.

61 Hours by Lee Child

Available May 18, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:

Jack Reacher is back.

The countdown has begun. Get ready for the most exciting 61 hours of your life. #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child’s latest thriller is a ticking time bomb of suspense that builds electric tension on every page.

Sixty-one hours. Not a minute to spare.

A tour bus crashes in a savage snowstorm and lands Jack Reacher in the middle of a deadly confrontation. In nearby Bolton, South Dakota, one brave woman is standing up for justice in a small town threatened by sinister forces. If she’s going to live long enough to testify, she’ll need help. Because a killer is coming to Bolton, a coldly proficient assassin who never misses.

Reacher’s original plan was to keep on moving. But the next 61 hours will change everything. The secrets are deadlier and his enemies are stronger than he could have guessed-but so is the woman whose life he’ll risk his own to save.

In 61 Hours, Lee Child has written a showdown thriller with an explosive ending that readers will talk about for a long time to come.

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson

Available May 25, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:

The stunning third and final novel in Stieg Larsson’s internationally best-selling trilogy

Lisbeth Salander-the heart of Larsson’s two previous novels-lies in critical condition, a bullet wound to her head, in the intensive care unit of a Swedish city hospital. She’s fighting for her life in more ways than one: if and when she recovers, she’ll be taken back to Stockholm to stand trial for three murders. With the help of her friend, journalist Mikael Blomkvist, she will not only have to prove her innocence, but also identify and denounce those in authority who have allowed the vulnerable, like herself, to suffer abuse and violence. And, on her own, she will plot revenge-against the man who tried to kill her, and the corrupt government institutions that very nearly destroyed her life.

Once upon a time, she was a victim. Now Salander is fighting back.

Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer by John Grisham

Available May 25, 2010 (Order on Amazon)

From the publisher:

A perfect murder
A faceless witness
A lone courtroom champion knows the whole truth . . . and he’s only thirteen years old
Meet Theodore Boone

In the small city of Strattenburg, there are many lawyers, and though he’s only thirteen years old, Theo Boone thinks he’s one of them. Theo knows every judge, policeman, court clerk-and a lot about the law. He dreams of being a great trial lawyer, of a life in the courtroom.

But Theo finds himself in court much sooner than expected. Because he knows so much-maybe too much-he is suddenly dragged into the middle of a sensational murder trial. A cold-blooded killer is about to go free, and only Theo knows the truth.

The stakes are high, but Theo won’t stop until justice is served.

Brimming with the intrigue and suspense that made John Grisham a #1 international bestseller and the undisputed master of the legal thriller, Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer will keep readers guessing and pages turning.

Love the One You’re With by Emily Giffin
Newlywed Ellen runs into her bad-boy ex-boyfriend and begins to wonder if she made the right decision by marrying the sweet, if somewhat boring, Andy. As she contemplates rekindling things with her ex, her relationship with her husband suffers. At times Ellen doesn’t seem to appreciate that she has a life some people only dream about, but, overall, she is likable and has problems with her husband and his family that most people can relate to. Love the One You’re With is a light read and it’s fun to see Ellen try to sort out her life.

The Bride Will Keep Her Name: A Novel by Jan Goldstein
Madison is engaged to be married to Colin, a reporter, when she finds out he might be hiding a big secret. She receives an anonymous tip that he’s behind the recent murder of a prostitute and begins investigating for herself.

Cemetery Dance by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Special Agent Pendergast of the FBI partners with New York cop Vincent D’Agosta to solve the murder of their friend. The case involves voodoo, zombies, and a bizarre cult that practices animal sacrifices. Pendergast is a modern day Sherlock Holmes and southern gentleman who uses his powers of deduction catch the bad guys. (Read my review here)

Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris
Telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse gets involved in lots of supernatural drama involving werewolves and fairies in her ninth book. This book has some fun moments, but is much darker than previous books. It’s good for the beach, though, because the non-stop action makes it hard to put down. (Read my review here)

Queen Takes King: A Novel by Gigi Levangie Grazer
This is the latest book by the author of “The Starter Wife,” which was turned into a TV show starring Debra Messing. This one is about a New York society couple going through a scandalous divorce.

When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris
A hilarious collection of twenty-two essays about David Sedaris’ life and everyday experiences, such as traveling to Japan to quit smoking. If you are planning a summer road trip, the audio book would be great for making the time go faster. Sedaris narrates the audio book himself and conveys his sarcasm and wit perfectly.

Killer Summer by Ridley Pearson
In this new thriller, a gang of criminals plots to steal bottles of wine once belonging to Thomas Jefferson from a wine convention being held in Sun Valley, Idaho. It’s up to town sheriff Walt Fleming to uncover the plot and stop the thieves.

The Doomsday Key by James Rollins
Sigma Force returns for another action adventure novel, this time involving genetically modified corn, Celtic symbols, and the Catholic Church. The action takes place across Europe, including a crazy, and completely unbelievable, car chase through the Coliseum in Rome. (Read my review here)

Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks
Adrienne and Paul meet at a bed and breakfast on the coast of North Carolina and share a brief, but intense, love affair. This one has been out for a while and was made into a movie starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane, but, to me, it is still the ultimate beach read. It’s a tearjerker, but it’s also very romantic and touching.

The Other Side of the Story by Marian Keyes
I’m a huge fan of Marian Keyes and this is the book that got me hooked on her amazing storytelling. She weaves together the three separate stories of women who, we ultimately learn, are connected to one another. JoJo is a former New York cop turned literary agent in London, where she represents up-and-coming author Lily. Gemma is a party planner, and ex-friend of Lily’s, who must move back home to Ireland to take care of her depressed mother. Narrated it turns by each woman, this novel shows that there are always two sides to every story.

Something Blue by Emily Giffin picks up right where Something Borrowed (read our review here) left off, only this time we hear Darcy’s point of view. We were introduced to selfish, spoiled, beautiful Darcy in Something Borrowed when her fiancé cheated on her with her best friend. She is stunned because she never viewed her so-called “mousy” best friend as a threat. Now we gain more insight into her character and why she is so self-absorbed and shallow. I don’t want to give too much away for those who haven’t read Something Borrowed yet, so I’ll just say that we find out how she handles the betrayal of her best friend and fiancé and what she does next.

The sequel is good, but not quite as good as the wonderful Something Borrowed. The problem is that Darcy is just so unlikable, and it’s hard to read an entire book narrated by someone so unsympathetic. I will say though, as the book goes on she begins to grow and becomes much more tolerable. My favorite part of Something Blue is when it refers back to events that happened in the first book and we find out more information about things that happened with Rachel and Dex. My other complaint about this book is that the ending is so obvious and predictable that you can see it coming a mile away. Despite that, it’s light and entertaining, the perfect summer beach read. If you are interested in this book, I would say that you must read Something Borrowed first in order to fully appreciate Something Blue.

Buy Something Blue by Emily Griffin on Amazon by clicking here.

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin starts with the familiar premise of fabulous, single ladies living in New York and looking for love, but it quickly sets itself apart and becomes more about friendship, love, and the choices we make in life. Rachel and Darcy have been best friends since elementary school, but it’s a somewhat one-sided friendship with Rachel playing second fiddle to the more beautiful, outgoing Darcy. The night of her thirtieth birthday party a drunken Rachel ends up in bed with Darcy’s fiancé, Dex. Horrified at what she has done, Rachel tries to stay away from Dex, but they have undeniable feelings for one another. With Dex and Darcy’s wedding approaching, Rachel, who is the maid of honor, is forced to choose between her best friend and a man who she might truly love.

Something Borrowed is really interesting because although Rachel and Dex are doing something wrong, they are not bad people and it makes you wonder what you would do in that same situation. Plus, since Darcy is shallow and immature, I found myself rooting for bookish, nice girl Rachel. The book had me right off the bat with lots of eighties references (who could forget feathered hair and Guess jeans with ankle zippers?). Something Borrowed definitely falls into the chick-lit category, but the thing about chick-lit is that, like any other genre, it contains both good and bad books. This book is one of the good ones because it is thought provoking and has actual depth.

If you don’t normally like chick-lit, give Something Borrowed a chance. If you like it, there is a sequel titled Something Blue, which tells the story and what happens next from Darcy’s perspective. Both books are worth checking out.

Buy Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin on Amazon by clicking here.