I read “My Sister’s Keeper” in the summer and finished it off in about 4 hours. And, although I hate to admit it (I’m a book snob), I really, really enjoyed it. So, when I felt like a read that could really tug at my heartstrings, I knew I should head to the Picoult section of my local bookstore.

Yes, she gets her own section.

“The Pact” revolves around two families: the Hartes and the Golds. They have lived by each other for seventeen years and their children, Emily and Chris, have literally known each other since they were born. Both families live fairly normal, suburban lives until one night they both get a phone call at 3am saying that their child has been brought to the hospital after a shooting incident. When they arrive, they find that Chris Harte is doing alright, but Emily has been shot in the head.

Immediately they assume it was a drive-by, but their whole world is shaken when Chris confesses that Emily was shot because of a suicide pact made between the two. As Chris is charged with Emily’s murder, the two families are ripped apart, although both are grieving the loss of not only Emily, but also their friendship. Marriages and families are tested as Chris waits for nine long months in jail before his trial. Read More »

If it’s one thing we’ve learned here at CC, it’s that all people are fascinating (Yes, even your econ professor). Let’s face it – people love to glimpse into the lives of other people. Disagree? Then please explain why you’re currently looking at your friend’s brother’s girlfriend’s cousin’s photos on Facebook. Or reading about the latest Madonna/Jesus dramz in this week’s tabloids. Yeah we thought so.Fact is we connect to others by learning about them. And everyone has something to share (even if it is a story about that time you stayed in the library for 18 hours straight…)

So to give you yet another reason to procrastinate, we started ‘The Five Questions We Ask Everyone’ (and five just for that one person) because we know whether we’re schmoozing with an A- list celeb or your local bartender, you’ll be equally entertained. 

Let’s be honest here: who hasn’t read at least one Jodi Picoult book? Most of us, in fact, grab ‘em and read ‘em as soon as they hit bookstore shelves. Picoult has a knack for writing that most authors dream about. Her combination of research and talent come together seamlessly in books that are impossible to put down: My Sister’s Keeper, The Pact, Salem Falls… and those are only a few of the 15 books she’s written.

Jodi Picoult is smart (Princeton for undergrad and Harvard for her masters!), she’s talented (Um, have you read her books?!) and we got to talk to her! Read on to get inside our favorite author’s head. Read More »

[Welcome to my Weekly Love List, a list on all things I love. Because if I love them - well then obviously you may (and should) love them too. As the Backstreet Boys song says (and yes I am actually quoting them) “My Love is All I Have To Give.” So with that throwback, here are this week’s list-worthy things…]

I love books. Well, I should say I love books aren’t listed on a class syallabus. For every mood you’re in, there is a good book to go with it. And when you feel like procrastinating but have already read through every article on here, you can feel a bit more productive knowing you’re reading a book/a novel/even a cook book!

So here are 5 books that I thought were worth sharing with you. Share some of your faves at the bottom and spread that bookworm loooove.

1) Kaffir Boy. Mark Mathabane’s authobiography about growing up in South Africa during the Apartheid. This book is riveting, and, more importantly, eye opening. A total page turner. It’s sad, it’s motivational, it’s totally engrossing.

2) The Friday Night Knitting Club by Kate Jacobs. A chic-lit book with a bit more substance to the story. Not to mention it’s going to be a movie with Julia Roberts as the star, so you know you’ll want to read it before then. Another easy read worth loving.

3) Bitter with Baggage Seeks Same: The Life and Times of Some Chickens. Best Coffee Table book EVER. It’s snarky, it’s funny, it’s a must have. There is nothing like having a long, stressful day and flipping through this little picture book of attitude. LOVE. Read More »