Big Girl Panties By Stephanie Evanovich

Has it really been over a year since I reviewed a book? Wow, so many books I've read over the last year I don't even know where I could possibly fully begin, but I'll try. There won't be a set schedule like before, just once I'm finished I'll review. I think this will give me more time to reflect on each book properly.

The latest book I finished is Big Girl Panties By Stephanie Evanovich. This book has a little bit of everything; humor, romance, drama, family, etc.

I found myself yearning to know the story behind Holly's witty comebacks and tenacious personality as she climbed her way out of a dark hole of depression with the help of Logan. Logan is Holly's complete opposite in both physical and mental. Logan is strong, handsome and the catch of all guy crazy girls. He's the popular guy in high school.

In a coincidental change of plans both Holly and Logan meet on an airplane ride home. Holly was disheveled and overweight finds herself sitting next to New Jersey's version of a GQ model. Both make a first impression on the other that is soon rocked by the hard work and dedication that Holly puts into moving forward with her life after heartbreak and loss.

Logan finds himself questioning every relationship he's had in the past as he get's to know Holly. His image and ideals of what is expected of him begin to unravel as he finds that not only is he falling for Holly's new body, but for her mind as well.

This book goes from funny to steamy in the turn of a page. It's one that I actually asked my friends to read just so I can talk about it because it feels like a fairytale in a plus size girls world. If Disney made rated R movies I could totally be princess Holly from New Jersey.

While many people have given this book a poor rating because of Logan's first impression of Holly I find it's true and accurate to the way men and the world work. Our image, unfortunately, is seen first and there are stereotypes that we either have to break or make. Holly and Logan both do that in their own storylines throughout this book.

I recommend this book with the advice of keeping an open mind and letting your stereotypes go. By far one of my new all-time favorites.

Ruby's Diary By Ruby Gettinger

I was formally a fat girl. I admit it, heck I have the pictures to prove it. So when I started watching Ruby on the Style Network years ago I instantly connected with her. No I wasn't 400 lbs, heck I didn't even realize I was close to 300 lbs.

She understood my journey and gave me courage to hit the gym. I owe many of my first completed workouts to her, I watched her TV show over and over again on my Ipod will sweating it out. I didn't feel alone or like the only fat girl in the room.

So obviously I was excited when she released her book Ruby's Diary.

The book lets you go past the TV screen and dive into her thoughts about her life. The memories and tone of the book will keep you in stitches for hours while reading it. Even after putting the book down I was still laughing.

But laughter is not the only thing you can pull away from Ruby's story. There is so much more to the reasoning behind Ruby's journey. Gaining a glimpse into Ruby's life through her Diary allows the reader to understand that weight isn't always about the food we put into our mouths. We all have a past, one that can either push us or hinder us, towards the future. In Ruby's case she can't remember a certain period of her life, on that is full of trauma. Her mind is protecting her from reliving the pain over again. But Ruby understands that these missing pieces to the puzzle are ones that are also holding the weight left on her body.

While comical in a southern sweet voice, Ruby expresses her desires of needing to know what happened to her so she can move forward with her life. With the help of her two best friends, Jeff and Georgia, she explores the journey of natural weight loss, the emotional roller coaster of finding out the missing pieces and loving life to the fullest.

Ruby's journey is inspirational even to those who only need to lose 10 lbs or those with a traumatic past. Her struggles are real and happening everyday throughout the world. Obesity is not just about too much food and Ruby does a great job of allowing the reader and watcher into the life of someone struggling with the psychological aspect of obesity.

I recommend this book for not only the laughs, but to gain an insight into the struggle of so many American's (particularly) dealing with the scars that have caused their obesity. It's a roller coaster ride and I'm "hacky" (Rubyisms as it's called) to share this with my followers as one of the best non-fiction books I've read.

Bearded Lady by Mara Altman (Kindle Single)

I don't normally talk about the books I read, especially to my co-workers. However, this book I found hilarious and something that a lot of woman could totally relate too.

Bearded Lady by Mara Altman is exactly that kind of book. This is a short available on Amazon for the Kindle but can be read on a PC.

When I found this single I was looking for something quick and easy, what I got was the realization that I'm not alone. As a white female aging brings the dreaded hair, that dark hair just on the corner of your mouth or on your chin that you swear wasn't there yesterday.

I have had many "water cooler" conversations finding out what works best for who. From plucking, shaving, waxing, bleaching and the crazy ideas many women have stated, everyone has their own remedy. I didn't feel alone in this ugly battle, however society depicts women as being hairless in which many of us feel we should conform.

In Altman's single she too divulges the depths women go through to hide this plague. She talks about her adventures of finding the perfect remedy to her hair, the fear that her man would learn of the unwanted hair and the path to accepting that it's all just a part of life. The single is truly a letter to her future husband, which I found a little odd, but acceptable.

I laughed through the majority of the book, shaking my head with every new step in her adventure in understanding. I laughed so much I had to pass it on.