The Recessionistas by Alexandra Lebenthal (ARC)
Published by Grand Central Publishing
ISBN 978-0-446-56367-3
At the request of The Hachette Book Group, a TPB was sent, at no cost to me, for my honest opinion.
  Synopsis (back of book): It’s the day after Labor Day, 2008, and the elite universe of New York’s Upper East Side is bout to unravel along with the economy. Socialite Grigsby Somerset is barely aware of her changing world and has no idea her investment banker husband, Blake, is about to enter into a devil’s bargain with hedge fund owner John Cutter. As autumn unfolds, Grigsby’s fairytale life starts to unwind. Street-smart Renee Parker has been hired as John’s executive assistant and is convinced that something is amiss with her new boss. Renee enlists her friend that something is amiss with her new boss. Renee enlists her friends Sasha Silver, CEO of Silver Partners, to help her decipher what is happening. They soon discover that John is nearly ruined, except for the assets he is hiding in the Cayman Islands from his wife, Mimi, and has concocted with Blake a scheme to redeem himself, This tale of expulsion from a modern-day Garden of Eden captures what happens when economic decline spells ruin for Manhattan’s pampered elite.
  My Thoughts and Opinion: When I accepted this book, I thought it would be a classic chick lit read. However, it falls under more categories including: socialites, rich people, recessions, etc., and more, including attempted murder. The cast of characters varied widely from socialites to CEOs on Wall Street. Some likeable, some that left me shaking my head. The plot flowed but there was a lot of reference to the recent financial problems with hedge funds, which at times, I felt slowed down the story line. It was neither a fast paced nor profound read, which leaves it right in the middle as far as rating.

From Lori’s site:
  It struck me recently how much time I spend on this computer every day, blogging, chatting or playing games on Facebook, emailing friends and relatives, making cards and calendars, etc. etc. etc.
  We depend on each other for book reviews, giveaways, encouragement, friendship, but how well do we really know each other?
  So that is what this meme is all about, getting to know each other.
WEEK 16 QUESTIONS

1. What is the present you want Santa to bring the most?
     I know this will sound corny but health.  If not….anything and everything to do with books!!!
2. Do you have a big meal on Christmas or just snack all day?
     Both.  Another Italian tradition…eat all day lol
3. Do you read Christmas books this time of year, is there a special one you reread year after year?
     No, I am not a seasonal reader. 

From Lori’s site:
  It struck me recently how much time I spend on this computer every day, blogging, chatting or playing games on Facebook, emailing friends and relatives, making cards and calendars, etc. etc. etc.
  We depend on each other for book reviews, giveaways, encouragement, friendship, but how well do we really know each other?
  So that is what this meme is all about, getting to know each other.
WEEK 16 QUESTIONS

1. What is the present you want Santa to bring the most?
     I know this will sound corny but health.  If not….anything and everything to do with books!!!
2. Do you have a big meal on Christmas or just snack all day?
     Both.  Another Italian tradition…eat all day lol
3. Do you read Christmas books this time of year, is there a special one you reread year after year?
     No, I am not a seasonal reader. 

Bingo said… 18  I try and cut costs by not bringing in food or going out as much anymore. I am doing more of my own cooking and it helps cut costs. Thanks for a chance at this one!

kalea_kane said… 3  One way that I try to cut costs is by making roasts in my crock pot. The crock pot is actually cheaper than the oven, but I also make a point of making at least two more meals from that roast. Many times I can get three meals. Thank you for the chance. This is a book that is right up my alley!

thatlittlehouse said… 17  I cut costs right now by cooking from my pantry and refrigerator, without buying any new groceries other than milk and bread

An email has been sent to the winners and they have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address or another winner will be chosen.

Bingo said… 18  I try and cut costs by not bringing in food or going out as much anymore. I am doing more of my own cooking and it helps cut costs. Thanks for a chance at this one!

kalea_kane said… 3  One way that I try to cut costs is by making roasts in my crock pot. The crock pot is actually cheaper than the oven, but I also make a point of making at least two more meals from that roast. Many times I can get three meals. Thank you for the chance. This is a book that is right up my alley!

thatlittlehouse said… 17  I cut costs right now by cooking from my pantry and refrigerator, without buying any new groceries other than milk and bread

An email has been sent to the winners and they have 48 hours to respond with their mailing address or another winner will be chosen.



*Read books from your own shelves, and then pass the books on to someone else: a friend, relative, the library, used book store, swap them, just as long as the book leaves your house once it has been read.
*Decide on your goal (12 is the minimum – no maximum). Cross over books are allowed.
*Grab the button and do a post about the challenge.
*Keep a running list of the books you’ve read and passed on.
*Leave a comment with a link to your post and you are entered (no Mr. Linky).

The next one is new to me, and ironically yesterday I did a little Christmas shopping for me..6 books for 2011, so I had to sign up.  And am sure that I will be getting GCs for books from family for at least 6 more so am signing up for Level 2.

  This challenge started when I read the depressing statistics that something like half of the adults in the United States wouldn’t read a single book over the course of the year. Nothing plunges me into the depths of despair like that, so I decided to encourage people to read a book. When I also realized that bookstores and the publishing industry was suffering, I decided to add on the buying part.
Start Date: January 1st, 2011
End Date: December 31st, 2011
  There are two levels to this challenge:
1) Buy One Book and Read It.
This level is good for people who don’t read often but think that would like to read more. It’s also good for people who don’t buy books. If you don’t read much or don’t buy many books, this is your level.

2) Level Two–Buy one book and read it every month
You don’t have to buy a book in January and read it in January, but you must buy 12 books that you also go on to read during the year. This level is ideal for book bloggers notorious for the buying part, but not so much the reading part.

Rules
1) The book you read must be for pleasure. It cannot be a book you are reading to your children, for work, for research. This is all about fun.
2) The book(s) can be print or electronic. Unless you are unable to read print, audiobooks don’t count towards this challenge.
3) Make sure to add your links to the Mister Linky that will go up by January 1st.
*Please spread the word! The whole idea of this challenge is to spread the love of reading in manageable bite-sized pieces.
*Prizes: Everyone who completes the challenge at the level they signed up for will be entered into a drawing to win a ten dollar gift certificate from Gift Certificates.

Ok…who is going to join with me so we can root each other on??