Thursday, October 21, 2010

The Bookanistas: CONFESSIONS OF THE SULLIVAN SISTERS

The second I saw the cover for CONFESSIONS OF THE SULLIVAN SISTERS I knew without a doubt that I had to get my hands on this book. It didn't hurt that Natalie Standiford also wrote HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT, which was unlike anything I'd ever read before (in the best way possible - if you haven't read it yet, you should). I was kind of dying to see what this extremely talented writer would do with a book about spoiled little rich girls who are forced to confess all of their sins to their crazy grandmother to avoid getting disinherited. 

I was not disappointed.

Here's what the back cover has to say:
The Sullivan sisters have a big problem. On Christmas Day their rich and imperious grandmother gathers the family and announces that she will soon die . . .and has cut the entire family out of her will. Since she is the source of almost all their income, this means they will soon be penniless. 

Someone in the family has offended her deeply. If that person comes forward with a confession of her (or his) crime, submitted in writing to her lawyer by New Year's Day, she will reinstate the family in her will. Or at least consider it. 

And so the confessions begin.... 

Lila's take:
CONFESSIONS OF THE SULLIVAN SISTERS is a highly entertaining peek into a family with blood so blue it might as well have a nail polish named after it. Some might write this book off as "bitch lit" based on the cover copy, but Standiford's quirky style and unique cast of characters make this novel stand out. Norrie, Jane and Sassy don't fall into any of the typical Gossip Girl-esque rich girl stereotypes and as a result, the Sullivans practically jump off the page. Each sister has a distinct voice and personality, and their grandmother, The Almighty, is fascinating. I'd love to read a book about her exploits as a young debutant. In fact, I think I'd love to read a book devoted to any of the characters introduced in this book. I want more Sullivans, dammit! But don't take my word for it. Check out Jane Sullivan's blog, myevilfamily.com, to get a taste of Standiford's genius. You can thank me later.

A big thank you to Kelsey who sent us this ARC. You guys have to check out her blog. She reviews all of the best YA books AND she's (ahem) an actual YA. My 16-year-old self is insanely jealous of her. Ok, fine, my 32-year-old self is pretty jealous too.

Here's what the other Bookanistas are up to this week:

19 comments:

Martina Boone said...

Girls, no one describes things quite like you :) I've seen this book around the blogosphere. With your stamp of approval, I need to try and get my hands on it!

Thanks!
Marissa

Matthew MacNish said...

Hmm. That cover does look pretty awesome, or it would if it wasn't so blurry. It might be blown up a little too much ...

If you open it as a link in a new tab it looks much sharper.

Anyway it does sound like an awesome premise, and Kelsey sounds amazing too, probably someone Kylie would love. I'm headed over now to find out for sure.

Renae said...

I'll have to check this one out. Great review girls!

Christine Fonseca said...

Awesome...yu had me at each character had a distinct voice!

Unknown said...

I'm so mad at myself!!! I had a pile of novels, this one wasn't on my list but I was intrigued by the cover, I wanted to buy it but I was on a budget. I put it back and picked up one that was actually on my TBR list, talk about being a huge disappointment now!

I am making a vow to myself here and now. I will finish writing my current novel, once finished I'll be buying this novel and reading it the minute it's in my possession! Great review thank you!

Claire Dawn said...

Want. To. Read.

Creepy Query Girl said...

This sounds awesome! Right up my ally. Have ya'll thought about putting up a 'bookanistas' blog where we can find all back-dated book posts in one place? I've read so many great reviews but then forget which one of you wrote them when I go to look again and have to flip through a few sites. Just a thought...not that you all don't have enough going on in the blogosphere already with writoncon! lol.

Elana Johnson said...

I've heard great things about How to Say Goodbye in Robot and I still haven't read it! And now she's got another one?? Okay, that's it. I'm dedicating some of next month's mad money to getting these books!

Jill Hathaway said...

Love the premise! I've never heard of anything like that before!

Carolyn V. said...

The cover IS awesome!
The book sounds great. I'll add it to the list!

Lori W. said...

Agree w/the cover lovers. Sounds like an interesting book, and now you've got me wanting to read How to Say Goodbye in Robot just as much as this one!

Shannon Messenger said...

Okay, you've hooked me. Adding this to my TBR list now. :)

Sara B. Larson said...

It sounds great! I will have to add it to my list.

Jemi Fraser said...

Wow - what a great concept! Sounds like a fun book :)

Lydia Kang said...

I hadn't heart of the term "bitch-lit" before, but it kinda makes sense...
Thanks for the great review!

Kelsey said...

Yay! So glad you enjoyed this :)

Jessica Love said...

I bought this book the other day because you told me to. :-)

JESSJORDAN said...

I'm in cover love ...

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

Such a brilliant cover, and your review pretty much sealed my fate. Must read it! I normally don't get into the bitch lit. Oh, fine, I do sometimes, but I don't try to read it. FINE. I don't not try to not read it.

What I'm saying is...great review ;)

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