It's Monday, What Are You Reading (6)

It's Monday, What are you Reading is hosted by The Book Journey.

Last week: I finished reading Promises in Death, Natural Born Hustler, and Big Girls Don't Die (I didn't review that one because it was a short story--only about 45 pages--and it was mostly all smut. I didn't like it much at all.)

This week: I'm currently reading Confessions by Sasha Campbell which started off slow, but is now really good. Should be finished within the next day or so.

Review-Natural Born Hustler

Natural Born Hustler by Nikki Turner

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Natural Born Hustler is the story of 18-year-old Desember, who is, as the title says, a Natural Born Hustler. She will sell anything-aside from her body-legal or illegal, to make some money. After leaving her mother's house because she can't stand her stepfather, Desember goes to live with her boyfriend Fame, who is a hustler in his own right. The book begins with him getting shot and ending up in the hospital, seemingly as payback for him having hustled the wrong guy.
The story started off kinda slow, and I didn't really like any of the characters, but once Nikki Turner got into the back story on how Desember and Fame ended up where they were at the beginning, it quickly picked up and got interesting. This was a short read (only 114 pages) and I would've liked to get more into Desember's head to find out a bit more about her. I liked the whole Bonnie and Clyde vibe she and Fame had and I would've liked to see that explored more.
The book ended with a To Be Continued so I will definitely be picking up the next one to see what happens next.



View all my reviews

Source: Library
Challenges: 100 Books in a Year

Mini-Review: Promises in Death

Promises in Death by J.D. Robb

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Loved it! Definitely one of my favorite Eve Dallas books.



View all my reviews

Source: Library
Challenges: 100 Books in 2011, Mystery and Suspense Challenge

It's Monday, What Are You Reading (5)

It's time for It's Monday, What are You Reading? hosted by Sheila at The Book Journey.

Currently Reading: I'm still finishing up Promises in Death by JD Robb, should be done with it tonight.

Next Up: Confessions by Sasha Campbell and Natural Born Hustler by Nikki Turner

In My Mailbox (2)

In My Mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren.

I didn't buy, borrow, or receive any books this week. I did, however, download these freebies from B&N for Strawberry (that's my Nook Color):

Big Girls Don't Die by Crystal Jordan

Catch of a Lifetime by Judi Fennell

Summer at Willow Lake by Susan Wigg

What did you receive this week?

Review-Work What You Got

Work What You Got by Stephanie Perry Moore

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This book is about a college sophomore named Hayden who is excited about starting her sophomore year at Western Smith College with her 3 best friends, Myra, Bridget, and Chandra.



The one thing Hayden wants most of all is to join the sorority Beta Gamma Pi and all of her friends had decided to join, too, until they finally get on campus and all of a sudden, none of her friends want to join BGP anymore.



This book was ok. There was a lot going on, some of which just seemed like too much. First there was all the hazing when Hayden was on line. I've never joined a sorority or wanted to, so maybe I just didn't understand, but why would she and all the girls want to put up with all of that? And then I think the character of Big Keisha Mean Machine was just way over the top, especially with the whole choking incident and then the peanut butter.



I thought some things were kinda unbelieveable, like how after making the sorority and the current sorority girls becoming suspended, Hayden automatically becomes the chapter president. Again, I don't really know how sororities work, but I don't think a new sophomore could just automatically be thrust into that kind of leadership role. I guess I'm too assume this is just a small-town based sorority. Then the whole thing with Trisha stealing the money and Bea was another over the top character.



As for Hayden and her crush, Creed, I really didn't feel any connection between them either. At the beginning of the story we're told they met each other last year and already liked each other. I would've liked to see their friendship/courtship progress a but before they were suddenly all bf/gf.



All in all, I give this a generous three stars as it did keep me mildly entertained and I do kinda want to read the next book in the series, which is about a character not even mentioned in this book, but that's a good thing because I didn't really like many of the characters. It was just a bit too all over the place with characters that didn't really seem true to life.



View all my reviews

Source: Library
Challenges: 100 Books in 2011, 2011 YA Reading Challenge

It's Monday, What Are You Reading (4)

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? is a weekly meme hosted by The Book Journey.

Finished: Be Careful What You Pray For and Married on Mondays

Abandoned: Danger in the Shadows

Currently reading:

From Goodreads:
Between moving off campus, gearing up to pledge a sorority, and trying to keep her faith first, Hayden Grant is about to become one very busy Beta.
College sophomore Hayden Grant and her three roommates can't wait to join Beta Gamma Pi sorority. At least that's the plan-until Myra, Bridget, and Chandra announce they're each pledging a different sorority. Can Hayden and her girls hold onto their friendship as they pursue different organizations? And speaking of pursuit, Hayden's caught the eye of Creed, a hottie she met her first year. There's just one complication: Hayden's ex-boyfriend heads the fraternity Creed's pledging. It looks like it's going to be one crazy year of trials, tribulations, and unexpected lessons-in leadership and love.

Next Up: Promises in Death by JD Robb

What are you reading this week?