Les Liaisons Dangereuses

I picked up an old paperback copy of Les Liaisons Dangereuses at a library sale in college. Since the title was in French, I assumed the whole book was in French. I bought it when I was still taking French classes, naively thinking I'd read it in its native language. Well, since I stopped taking French and would find it hard to read even Le Petit Prince nowadays, I had relegated it to decorative status. Until the day I showed it to my friend, a French literature scholar, who actually opened the book and we discovered it was in English.

So, I put it on my list. Instead of my old, decorative paperback, though, I read it on my brand spanking new Nook! I really like my Nook--it's much sleeker than the first generation Kindle I borrowed from work and much easier on the eyes than the iPad. But, back to the book. I was originally interested in reading Laclos' novel back when the movie Cruel Intentions, the modern day teenage version of the story, came out. Reading an eighteenth-century epistolary novel reminded me of my favorite literature class, but really I think I prefer the movie version of the story. It was sleeker and just a little bit crueler on screen. I kept picturing Selma Blair and Ryan Phillippe as I read.

I'm glad I read it and had the chance to give my new Nook a spin. I'm really looking forward to loading it up with new stuff and taking it on vacation!

The Bitch Switch

This is not the type of book I usually read. Let me try to explain. I was at a bookseller’s dinner where Omarosa was signing her new book, The Bitch Switch. I met her as she was passing by the exhibitors on her way to the signing table. I didn’t watch The Apprentice, but knew her, of course, by reputation. She turned out to be quite charming! She explained how, on the show, she was really just playing a part and many of her antics were suggested by the producers. So, when I looked over and saw that she had no line, I decided to go get a book. (At bookseller’s dinners and trade shows, the books are free!)

This is sort of a self-help book and sort of a business book. It’s based on a communication course Omarosa used to teach, and it’s basically about how many women can be more assertive. Sadly, as so often happens with women, assertiveness becomes equivalent to bitchiness. The advice really isn’t anything new . . . learn to say no, don’t be a pushover . . . I think the most interesting thing is learning all the different jobs she’s had—from Clinton White House staffer to beauty pageant consultant, from CNN freelancer to soap opera actress, and of course, her many reality television show gigs. And I think she had a brief stint in the ministry shortly after I met her! She’s everything to everyone!

The writing is interspersed with various quizzes/exercises and letters from readers. To be honest, I skipped over those. I skimmed this book during two sessions on the elliptical. It is peppered with pithy quotes from famous people, and there are some side bars of famous “Switches”, including Janice Dickinson and Hillary Clinton. What a pair!

Falling in Love with Natassia

My latest gym book was Falling in Love with Natassia by Anna Monardo, and to be honest, I almost abandoned it about 100 pages in. The jacket copy mentioned a character that was a New York City book editor, so I kept going, hoping that part would catch my interest. The character's role was small, but I was eventually sucked into the story.



Natassia was born to Mary and Ross when they were studying abroad in Italy. No longer together, they leave Natassia to be raised by Ross's parents (his father is the aforementioned book editor). Natassia is devastated after her much older boyfriend dumps her and tries to commit suicide. Mary's friends rush to her side to help, but during all the drama we learn that one of her friends committed some abusive behavior against Natassia when she was an infant. Mary takes her daughter to live with her on campus at the upstate prep school where she teaches dance, and the final scenes include a confrontation where the past abuse is brought out into the open.



This is a very melodramatic book. It's not quite as bad as a Jodi Picoult novel--where we're shown so many sides of each character we can't possibly blame anyone--but it would still be a good candidate for a Lifetime movie. Or maybe an episode of Law & Order SVU. All of these people have problems--personal problems, marital problems, problems from their childhoods. And with more than one therapist, you know you're in for a ride.



I didn't necessarily dislike this book, but I wouldn't really recommend it either. Unless you're needing a little melodrama in your life. But, really, who wants that?