2016 Carefree Colourful Women Beach Reads

Summer is just around the corner. I know the calendar says it doesn't start until June 20, but if you're like me, it starts somewhere around Memorial Day and doesn't end until Labor Day. While some people prefer mysteries, thrillers or biographies for their beach reading, I like to keep it light. I'm sharing some of my favorite reads that pair nicely with a refreshing pina colada or Bahama Mama. Or maybe you're not planning to hit the beach this summer, but you need a palate cleanser after some of the heavier books you've been reading.  I've got you!

Some of my favorite books are about women of colour just having fun. Too often we get saddled down with other people's problems and take on the burden of the world. All you'll find in these selections are carefree, colourful women who sometimes get caught up in quirky situations, bad romances and silly schemes. All of the books are about women of colour from around the globe and were written by women of colour from around the globe. Happy reading!

The Broke Diaries: The Completely True and Hilarious Misadventures of a Good Girl Gone Broke by Angela Nissel
The Awesome Girl's Guide to Dating Extraordinary Men by Ernessa T. Carter
Imaginary Men by Anjali Banerjee
Life in Spades by Frances Frost
Waking Up in the Land of Glitter by Kathy Cano-Murillo
Confessions of a Call Center Gal by Lisa Lim
It Ain't Easy Being Jazzy by Quanie Miller
A Pinch of Ooh La La by Renee Swindle
Chore Whore: Adventures of a Celebrity Personal Assistant by Heather H. Howard
Sexual Healing/Let's Get It On by Jill Nelson
Losing To Win by Michele Grant
Fairy Tale Fail by Mina V. Esguerra
Year of the Chick by Romi Moondi
The Bollywood Bride by Sonali Dev
One Flight Up by Susan Fales-Hill

#BookReview: Life in Spades by Frances Frost

I'm usually hesitant to read books by authors that approach me through email or social media.  It's not that I don't think they can write, it's that most of the time, they disregard my review request guidelines and try to pitch books that don't appeal to me in the least.  Then along came Frances Frost with her novel Life in Spades.

When she first approached me about it back in March, my schedule was full.  She sent it anyway, well she tried to.  My post office shut down with no advance warning and it was returned to her, but she was determined to get it to me and I'm so glad she did.  I absolutely loved the women of Life in Spades.

One of the first things I noticed and appreciated about the women was their careers.  It seems that in most books about groups of women, there's an attorney, a doctor, your typical high-powered career. This group included a baker, an event planner, a realtor and an escort; not at all your typical careers.  Frost also makes them as likable as they are realistic.

While Gina deals with how her opinionated mother views her interracial relationship, Cookie is working to move from the past into the present with the new man in her life.  Sherry has done the marriage thing, but not the parenthood thing, and isn't really sure that she wants to.  As she accompanies some of the most accomplished men to events, Laura maintains a professional distance from her clients, which leads to a lot of lonely days and nights.

The women meet regularly over a few hands of spades, but their friendship extends far beyond that.  I enjoyed reading about their interactions with each other.  They seemed real and didn't sugarcoat anything to avoid hurting feelings, much like real friends do in real life.  If you enjoyed Terry McMillan's Waiting to Exhale, you're going to love Life in Spades.

368pp
Published: April 2013
Disclaimer: Copy of book received from author, opinions are my own.

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