"GONE GIRL": THE DARK SIDE OF MARRIAGE

"What are you thinking Amy? The question I've asked most often during our marriage, if not out loud, if not to the person who could answer. I suppose these questions stormcloud over every marriage: What are you thinking? How are you feeling? Who are you? What have we done to eachother? What will we do?"      -  EXCERPT "GONE GIRL" By  Gillian Flynn

I just finished reading "Gone Girl" a psychological thriller by best selling author Gillian Flynn (more on the book in a minute.)

Every night before I go to bed, I cuddle up to a book either on my Iphone or my Ipad. The electronic device is not as soft or pliable as a paper book but the convenience of reading on my Iphone is too tempting to pass up.

I used to read paperbacks and I had a little book light that I would have to clip onto the sleeve of the book, but the flaps were flimsy and usually I would have to move the light with my hands like a flashlight so it could light up the next paragraph I was reading.

The upside of reading on my electronic device: my Iphone has a built-in light eliminating the need for a book light, I store all the books I've purchased on my device so I can always choose to read two or three books at a time without lugging them around or having my nightstand look like a makeshift library, and finally if I happen to finish a book quickly I can buy another one instantly using my Ibooks app and read the reviews right then and there.

The downside: I can't let my sister or friends borrow the books I've purchased because its impossible to download the book on your computer, transfer it to a zip-drive and then let someone else read it. (I'm sure there is a way to do it but it also just doesn't feel right in this era of out-of-control DVD pirating.) Plus handing over a zip-drive doesn't feel as organic as does handing over an actual physical book and saying ,"hey sis, check out out this novel, it's a page turner."

Gone Girl, was a real page turner. I read it relatively fast because I couldn't put it down. There are lots of plot twists and turns and I really enjoyed the fact that Amy the main character is a strong woman. Well, strong in certain ways... if you read the book you'll know what I mean. My sister recently celebrated a birthday and I loved Gone Girl so much I actually went to a brick and mortar store, bought a hardcover copy and gave it to her as a gift.

I highly recommend Gone Girl, although I was a little disappointed in the ending, the smart writing and original plot still made it worthwhile. The book was acquired by 20th Century Fox and is expected to be turned into a Hollywood Movie by Reese Witherspoon's company, Pacific Standard. This is one movie ticket I will certainly purchase, but Im glad I read the book first.

Here is a link to Amazon for "Gone Girl"

Yes... I'm a guilty wife, can you blame me for this guilty pleasure?

"There are people in here who want me dead, some for retribution but most to establish their own notoriety.  It would be a sure path to celebrity to kill me or one of my friends, known collectively as the Monte Carlo Mistresses. That was the moniker that stuck in the international media."
- EXCERPT from the book "Guilty Wives" by  James Patterson & David Ellis

MY "GUILTY WIVES"BOOK REVIEW.

I've never been into James Patterson novels. Mainly because I would much rather read biographies and memoirs because most of them are about successful people and how they handled adversity. I love reading about real people, real situations, real outcomes.

But... once in a while I indulge in the 'guilty' pleasure of reading fiction. I was first attracted to this book because of it's title. The words guilty wives conjures so many different emotions. Ohhhh the shame of being a guilty wife. But guilty of what? Perhaps guilty of not being the "perfect" wife? Not being as crafty as Martha Stewart? As good of a cook as Paula Dean? As good looking as Gisele Bundchen? As smart as Condoleezza Rice? As politically savvy as Hilary Clinton? As alluring as Jacqueline Kennedy Onasis? As sweet looking as Katie Holmes? The list goes on.... Wow I'm GUILTY on all counts!

Well, hold on..  this book is about another type of guilt. Murder. Adultery. I would describe it as "Sex and the City" meets "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" meets "Beverly Hills Housewives."

"Guilty Wives" centers on four extremely wealthy women who are all married, and decide to take a girls weekend trip to Monte Carlo. Its like the rich people's version of Las Vegas. The book takes you directly into their world, and gives you a taste of what its like when you can do what you want when you want when money is not an issue. The girls party like rock stars in an exotic Hotel and end up spending an "interesting" night on a rich man's yacht. When they wake up, the President of France (who was partying with them) is found shot dead and the murder is linked to the four women.

Its a whodunit novel with a feminine twist. Once I started reading it, it was hard to put down. The books extravagant setting in Monte Carlo and Paris made the mystery even sweeter.

Yes... im Guilty... of loving this book.

TO GET "GUILTY WIVES" CLICK HERE

A REAL HOUSEWIVES' REAL STRUGGLE

"For the next nearly six years, I always assumed I was being recorded in the car and at home. In fact, one of our housekeepers later told me that she had seen a small tape recorder under a side table in our bedroom. Of course, I was always careful to make sure the content of my conversations was very clear."
-EXCERPT from Book "Hiding from Reality"- By Taylor Armstrong.

I love reading memoirs and biographies. Although the whole hype of the Reality Show craze can be annoying sometimes, I have to admit some of my guilty pleasures include watching those shows. I guess its fun to see how women with limitless budgets spend their time and money. Hey, its not my time or my money so spend away!! After a few episodes you realize a lot of these women don 't necessarily lead happy or less complicated lives. But they are fun to watch!  They also cry and get angry, only they're in Louboutin heels and private jets. I guess some problems in life can be solved with money, and as my mother says "los problemas con pan son menos."In other words, the hard blows of life are softened with a hefty bank account. However, something like suicide, divorce and abuse will never be soft blows, no matter how much money you have.

When the news hit last year that Real Housewife of Beverly Hills Housewife Taylor Armstrong's husband Russell committed suicide, it reminded us all that these are real women, who are not immune to tragedy, death, and even a sudden change in their financial safety nest.

Taylor Armstrong and Me (Naibe) during an Interview 

Armstrong eventually started to openly talk about the abuse she received by her husband, both emotionally and physically. Coming from a background of abuse myself, I was interested in her memoir, and reading about the details of what she went through, why she stayed, and how she is coping now as a single mother.

I was pleasantly surprised by her candidness and how well written the book was. Of course I know celebrities who write memories have ghost writers and editors that help guide them so each sentence sounds polished and perfect. But I have read other memories that appeared to be written by a Junior High School version of themselves (I love ya Kyle Richards but your memoir needs help.)

I actually got to meet Taylor in person during one of my assignments. I was covering a swanky gifting lounge at the London Hotel and she was looking at hats. She even helped me pick one out and placed it on my head with a slight angle so it wouldn't look so dorky.

I wish her and her daughter well, and I hope her book makes other women in abusive relationships realize that they need to, have to, and must get out- before tragedy strikes them or a loved one around them.

check it out:
Hiding from Reality