Customer Reviews

Life, Libby, and the Pursuit of Happiness

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This was my favorite book by this author. Libby transforms before us. She is looking for her faith, though it was never really lost. She gets stuck in the middle of some fun situations and it's interesting to see how she gets out of them. This by far was the best of the books I have read by Lyda.

There have to be subgenres in Chick-Lit.

If so, Libby would straddle career and dismal love life lit.

Libby is an engaging voice. Angst riddled as are most Chick-Lit heroines. With first person Chick-Lit you get all of it, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Libby is far more likeable than several other characters I've met between the covers of novels. She's sarcastic and has a dry delivery. If you try to avoid snide, she hovers on that edge, so you may not like her. I happen to love sarcasm.

There is tad too much predictibility in Libby's life. But I guess that is somewhat realistic. After all, sometimes I'm the last one to see it because I'm so close to it.

I struggled with a few "yeah right" moments of coincidence. But then again, this is not the mystery genre.

Overall, I can easily recommend this book to those who love clever escapist reads.

As appeared on the NovelReviews blogsite.

Life Libby and the Pursuit of Happiness by Hope Lyda. Libby Hawthorne has been living her life for a long time waiting for that big promotion which will lead to her finding true love, dressing better, making more friends, becoming closer with God, understanding her family, and falling in love with the perfect man. Haven't we all been waiting for that promotion? Instead what Libby gets is a demotion, newly single, and questioning every decision she's made in the last five years. When her former boss Cecelia promises Libby that promotion if she just helps her with one last project, Libby takes the bait turning her whole world upside-down. Libby is one of the most delightful characters I've encountered in chick-lit! She's sarcastic and funny, and while she may get down on herself, it's mostly just because she's floundering through life trying to figure out what she really wants. The conversations between Libby and her friends ring so true; it's almost as if Lyda tape recorded coffee house conversations about people searching for the meaning of life. Libby wants what we all do: a fulfilling job, love, a good relationship with her family, and when God doesn't seem to put obvious choices in front of her for those things, she keeps slugging on hoping someday she's figure it all out. Libby speaks with the voice of Generation X, so when she starts listening to God and paying attention to the opportunities He puts in her path, it's heart-warming. Maybe the ending is a little too neat, but that's just because I fell so thoroughly in love with Libby and her friends, that it seems to soon to see them go. There were a couple of moments that seemed manufactured for plot purposes, but with snappy dialog, great characters, and a strong message of faith, this is a great read!

I love Libby! And I happily pursued her through the fast-turning pages of Hope Lyda's latest book. (Check out "Hip to Be Square" and "Altar Call" if you missed those.) Mr. Diddle is a wonderful character. I want his wisdom and his bookstore in my neck of the woods. (I wonder if he'd consider a second shop in Portland.) And Libby's boyfriend at the beginning of the book -- so very smartly drawn (and quartered!) This book is funny and thoughtful. A gem.

Libby Hawthorn is an intelligent, well-caffeinated advertising account executive hoping for a promotion when her firm begins a reorganization. In addition to adjustments at work, Libby doesn't see eye-to-eye with her mother, she struggles with some spiritual issues, and she is fighting more often with her boyfriend, Angus. Change is definitely in the air. This honest, likeable character travels a road of change that seems really unwelcome at the beginning. Yet she endures as she learns to roll with the punches through thick and thin with the help of her friends, a far away Aunt and a handsome new boss. Even though I personally would've come clean from her deceptions a lot sooner than she did (and ruined the entire story), Libby served as a wonderful encouragement to me because she reminded me that I'm not the only person on the planet who experiences disappointment or feels left out. Everyone has something in their life that isn't going exactly the way they planned. But I am also reminded that God has a handle on all of those things.

I believe that I enjoyed this reading experience even more because a friend gave me everything I needed to really travel with Libby - I had my coffee, Abba-Zaba bar, and a copy of "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence.

As always, Hope Lyda's writing sparkles. She creates wonderfully deep characters that you can imagine in your circle of friends. Her situations range from poignant to laugh-out-loud funny, and her dialogue is so crisp and witty, it's almost like watching a great situation comedy. Hope engages the reader on so many levels that the pages of this book create a light breeze as they turn themselves! This is chick lit's piece de resistance!

I liked this book the first time I read it and loved it the second time I read it. This book is a keeper just like her first two books. This book appealed to me right where I am. Pursuing my purpose and trying to find the right job for me. Hope Lyda's characters pop off the page. The plot includes a twist at the end for a very enjoyable read. I highly recommend this chick lit with a purpose.

I love chick lit. Yes I am the target audience of the genre and I don't mind one bit. This story had everything I wanted. Quirky characters, outrageous plot, 20 something heroine with a great job, celebrities all under the backdrop of Seattle, home of my favorite overpriced coffee. I really enjoyed the storyline. I love the bookstore that Libby frequents, it's prally someplace I would want to visit everyday as well. Her antics at her job were fun to read with the crazy coworkers and her relationship with her new boss. I really loved the book club scene where Libby has to endure the discussions about romance novels because she felt the exact same way I did about them. The scenes involving her former boss making her keep secrets and sneak around with music stars was hilarious. I had a good time reading this book. This book isn't preachy at all which is why I would recommend this to any chick lit fan and believe that they would enjoy it. I felt that it rivals mainstream chick lit and the cover is really cute as well. Hope Lyda is one of the best chick lit writers out there in my opinion, and I'm eagerly awaiting her next books.

Reviewed by Debra Gaynor for Reader Views (3/07)

Libby Hawthorn is "faking life." "She doesn't know her purpose." Every Sunday without meaning to she ends up at the "80 Days Used Bookstore." She searches through books planning trips that she never takes. Libby is logical, but doesn't think she's particularly creative. She has a routine that rarely changes. Those that know her find it easy to anticipate what she will do. She visits the same restaurant and orders the same carry out.

Libby lives in Seattle and works for Reed and Dunson Public Relations. She was eagerly anticipating a promotion, but instead, she is demoted. She is told she can be an assistant to Blaine, a new employee. This event in her life wakes her up to the reality that she is not accomplishing anything. "I thought I was doing pretty well, but then I had this weird feeling as though I was missing something big in my life." "Before this demotion I had really wanted my situation to be fair. I wanted someone to recognize my hard work and honor me for it. And I wanted freedom--to see you, to see the world, to see a paycheck that allowed me to afford my apartment."

Sister Madeleine, Libby's aunt and a former nun, is an encourager. She left her order to live in a small Croatian Village where she finds "sacred in the ordinary." "You Libby have wisdom. The beautiful thing is that you understand you need God's wisdom to get to that place of fulfillment." "The other thing at play is what keeps you from all of it--faith, happiness, a sense of self, and contentment."

"Before he had experienced God's swift help in his affairs, he had attempted to plan every detail, doing the job in his own strength. Now, though, acting with childlike simplicity in God's sight, he did everything for the love of God, thanking Him for His guidance. Everything he did passed calmly, in a way that held him close to the loving presence of God."

Sometimes what we think is a terrible event ends up being an excellent opportunity

"Life, Libby, and the Pursuit of Happiness" by Hope Lyda is a delightful book. The characters are well defined. Libby is like most of us wondering why she's here and where she's going. Mr. Diddle is one of my favorite characters. He's optimistic "with the stature and attitude of a leprechaun." His hound dog, Nomad, follows Libby throughout the store as she explores the "Nooks and crannies of the world of literature." Hudson describes him as belonging in a "fairytale." We all need a Sister Madeleine in our life, someone to encourage us. Libby is searching for faith and happiness, but like all of us, she doesn't always find it by following her own plan. Sometimes the path to happiness takes us where we least expect it. I love this book and couldn't put it down until I'd read every word. Well-done, Ms. Lyda. It is with great honor that I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Received book free of charge.