One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern

(Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!)

about book:

Internationally bestselling author Cecelia Ahern delivers her biggest and most compelling book yet—a tale of secrets, second chances, and the hidden connections that unite our lives.

Scandal has derailed journalist Kitty Logan’s career, a setback that is soon compounded by an even more devastating loss. Constance, the woman who taught Kitty everything she knew, is dying. At her mentor’s bedside, Kitty asks her, “What is the one story you always wanted to write?”

The answer lies in a single sheet of paper buried in Constance’s office—a list of one hundred names—with no notes or explanation. But before Kitty can ask her friend, it is too late.

Determined to unlock the mystery and rebuild her own shaky confidence, Kitty throws herself into the investigation, tracking down each of the names on the list and uncovering their connection. Meeting these ordinary people and learning their stories, Kitty begins to piece together an unexpected portrait of Constance’s life . . . and starts to understand her own.

my thoughts:

I love summer beach reads - you know, the kind of books that are quick and easy to get through.  Books that are fun and engaging, but totally forgettable.  Chick lit books are my usual go-to for a light, fluff read and Cecelia Ahern has made the cut on several occasions.  I've read P.S. I Love You, Love, Rosie, and If You Could See Me Now - all were delightful, heartwarming reads.  So, of course I jumped at the chance to read her latest, One Hundred Names.  

Kitty Logan is a journalist.  Her last assignment ruined her reputation - she falsely accused a teacher of having affairs with his female students (and possibly fathering a child with one of those students!).  It all hit the fan when the female students came clean and admitted to making up the whole story.  A man's life was ruined and Kitty was out on her ear. 

Life was not looking so great for Kitty Logan, especially with her mentor in hospital.  She had no one to look to for help anymore.  Her best friend was mad at her for becoming so completely self-absorbed lately.  Her landlord was threatening to evict her.  And her love life was non-existent.   She was floundering - even her job at her mentor's magazine was in jeopardy.  The only thing Kitty could do was to prove them all wrong.  So, using her mentor's last words to her for inspiration, Kitty decides to throw herself into a new writing assignment - one that will show everyone just what a great journalist she really is.  Armed with a list of one hundred names written down by her late mentor, Kitty is determined to figure out who these people are and what they have in common.

A wild goose chase ensues, with bits of personal drama thrown in for good measure to make a feel good read about the human spirit.  Kitty tracks down some of the people listed and winds up discovering the purpose of the list of one hundred names.  She also manages to find herself along the way.  Predictable and a bit over the top at times, One Hundred Names turned out to be a typical chick lit read - light, fluffy, and heartwarming. 

I would recommend Cecelia Ahern's, One Hundred Names, to fans of Ahern's works and fans of chick lit. 

Here's the TLC Book Tour schedule for: One Hundred Names

Thank you to the publisher and TLC Book Tours for providing me with a copy of this book!

Thanks for the Memories - Cecelia Ahern

I just finished this book today and I must say that my opinion is a bit mixed. The premise of the story is: Justin donates blood and begins to run into a woman with whom he has an intense connection and suddenly he begins to receive gifts on his doorstep (basket of muffins, his dry cleaning, etc). Joyce has tragic accident and receives blood transfusion and wakes up to find herself capable of recalling memories that do not belong to her, along with a fluency in Latin, Italian and architectural history. Will Joyce ever meet the previous owner of her new memories and does Justin ever get to know the sender of his gifts? That is the what the book is about and well, let's just say that there were some moments where I was happy to be reading the book, but the rest of the time I couldn't wait for the story to end. The writing was a bit flat this time round and the characters were not really all that likeable (well, except for Joyce's dad). Overall, it was mediocre and I don't really have anything to say about it. Oh well.

As for my day, it has been a long one. Work was work (which means that it was boring and I was secretly checking my email, facebook, goodreads and grad schools online). Oh, but I did get an advance copy of Monica Ali's latest book, In The Kitchen. I am excited about this book, as I really did enjoy Brick Lane. Although I have not read Alentejo Blue yet, so I might read that one first and then In The Kitchen. Hmmm. Either way, they are both now on my TBR list. However, before I dive into any of Ali's books, I will be starting The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery. I've read such great reviews of this book that I am going to skip reading Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult (was next on my TBR list) and start this one now!

Ta for now!