Sammy's Hill: A Novel

Rating:
Summary: Delightful, Funny, Breezy Read
Review: I found myself laughing out loud several times in reading this book. This is a thougtful book and quite funny. Kristen Gore manages to write a novel for an intelligent reader without being snobby.

My only criticism is that the protaganist, Samantha Joyce, has far too many neuroses; she is clearly a sitcom caricature. But even at that, the neuroses turn out to be essential for some plot and other elements of the book.

Kristen Gore should be complemented for a delicious, funny, and happy read. She's talented as a humor writer, and given that this is only her first novel, she has a bright future. I look forward to more intelligent books from Gore.

Rating:
Summary: Funny and fun!
Review: I thought this book was funny! We read it for my book club (which is predominately made up of conservative women). Some thought that this book was definitely taking a "shot" at conservatives, however, if you don't take it too seriously it is just a humorous, fun book, irregardless of your political views.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent read!
Review: I was so impressed with this book. Kristin Gore is a fabulous writer. You can't help but love Sammy and all her adventures. She is a fun character and you definitely root for her. Gore's writing is fun and clever. I sincerely hope she is working on another book- I will definitely buy another one by her. She has proven herself a worthy member of the "chick lit" category- Sammy's Hill ranks right up there with Bridget Jones and the Shopaholic series. Excellent read!

Rating:
Summary: BUY THIS BOOK!
Review: Kristin Gore was fabulous! I didn't want this book to end because I was going to miss reading about Sammy Joyce. It was so easy to relate to Sammy because she reminds me of myself and my female friends.

Even though the story is about a young woman and Capitol Hill, you do not have to follow politics to enjoy this book. It's a hilariously quick read; I actually caught myself laughing out loud SEVERAL times.

If you've ever had pet fish, horrible ex-boyfriends, strange parents, a demanding job, or if bad things always seem to happen to you then this book is for you.

I can't wait to see the movie and read Ms. Gore's next books!!!

Rating:
Summary: A Pleasant Read
Review: Not a bad book, especially for a first try. It was easy to read and mildly amusing. I think I actually chuckled out loud a couple of times, which is always a good sign. Got a little long past the middle and just a tad predictable. Pretty good all-in-all. I enjoyed it.

Rating:
Summary: Hapless, Idealistic Samantha Joyce Will Win you Over
Review: Samantha Joyce is a 26-year old health care analyst in the Capitol office of the junior senator from Ohio. She is smart, witty, totally devoted to her work, and somewhat of a klutz, physically and emotionally. The book begins with the start of a new day in which she wakes up late, fears that she has killed another in a long-line of tropical fish, inadvertently wears two mismatched shoes to work, and climbs out a window in the Capitol building with an elderly gentleman who was supposed to appear in front of a committee hearing on prescription drug issues (but arrives too strung out on marijuana to make a good impression). She then proceeds to stumble over a camera cable at the hearing and tumble into a row of seated journalists, causing at least one of them physical harm. This is just a typical day in the life of Sammy.

Sammy's escapades both on the Hill and off are fueled by her maniacal focus on the health care issues she cares so deeply about, as well as her insecurities and quirky personality. She seems to constantly wear the wrong thing, or get something spilled on her, or bump into things. She, like almost everyone else on the Hill, has an obsession with staying totally connected with e-mail, cell phones and PDA's. Everyone seems to have a BlackBerry and to use it constantly. Sammy accidentally hits the Reply-All button on her BlackBerry and sends a humorous and sexually suggestive reply that had been intended only for her boyfriend to hundreds of politicians and colleagues. Another BlackBerry incident at the end of the novel will have you roaring with laughter.

The glimpse of Washington politics is fascinating, and takes us through the legislative process, including rewriting a health care bill, breaking a filibuster in the Senate, power-plays between senators and their staffs, and ultimately the presidential campaign trail.

I charged through the book in just over a day, thoroughly enjoying every minute of it. I couldn't wait to find out what would happen to Sammy next. Would she fall in love with Aaron? Would her senator pass the bill she had worked on so diligently? Would yet another of her pet fish die mysteriously? Would Senator Gary be selected as the VP candidate? You'll fall in love with this charming, heart-warming character and root for her to succeed every step of the way. Maybe we'll meet her in a sequel. I can't wait.





Rating:
Summary: Sammy's Hill - Not worth the climb!
Review: Sammy is an obsessive-compulsive, neurotic basket case. I am always willing to suspend belief while reading an entertaining novel, but this one just went too far. The humor is so forced, I found it painful, not funny at all.

For example, Sammy imagines impressing people with her agility using only one limb, just in case she should somehow lose one of her arms. So in the odd chance of this happening, she ties one arm in a sling while dressing for work, so she can practice. For some odd reason, she is unable to turn the closet light on without using her right arm (what in the world was she doing with the left arm?), so our supposedly intelligent heroine, dresses with one brown sandal and one red sneaker.

She doesn't even notice this until strangers snicker at her as she goes to work. What I want to know is how did she buckle the sandal with only one hand? How did she tie that sneaker? Where was the editor for this book?

Sammy also seems to have had an odd childhood. She relates how, as a child, she practiced responses to wild animal attacks (maybe this is how she imagines she will lose that arm?), by lining up her stuffed animals around her home. Then as she, for example, passes by the panda, she will drop to the floor and roll up into a ball. She states her parents find her in this position and think she has Tourette syndrome. Call me picky, but rolling one's body into a ball on the floor is not a symptom of Tourettes. Nor should one roll into a ball when facing a bear attack. Again, editor, please!!

In between all this hilarity are ceaseless lectures about our country's health care system. You can't let your guard down; just when you think it's safe to relax, you are bombarded with statistics about prescription drugs, Medicare and so on and on and on! If I want to read about that, I'll pick up the Congressional Record, not a novel.

I have to admit I did not finish reading this book. My life is much to short to waste on such a poorly written work. I am not quite sure why this was published; there are certainly far more entertaining works in this genre.

Just say NO to Sammy's Hill.

Rating:
Summary: Good stuff
Review: Sammy's Hill is extremely funny, intelligent, and as a protagonist Samantha Joyce is amusing and relatable. The book can be slow at times but the book is funny and charming enough to make up for any minor flaws.

Rating:
Summary: A Smart Chick Lit
Review: The book follows the life of Sammy Joyce, a well educated women who works very hard, and truly cares about her job.

This book is not your typical "women lit" book, for while the heroine does hold a high profile title in Capital Hill it is not because of dumb luck, but rather education and passion.

Throughout the book Sammy makes mistakes, makes great choices, puts her foot, and her Blackberry in her mouth; no matter what the suitation that comes before her always comes back swinging.

The only part of the book that I found was a little forced, and took a little of getting used to was the beginning because: 1) We really don't know Sammy yet, but she has very strange actions, and mannerism that takes awhile to get used to. 2) There a lot of political context in the beginning, but once you get into the book you don't noticed, and it doesn't how much (or little) you know about politics it's self-explantory.

All-in-all I found the book to be a great read, both encouraging to women, but also filled with good humor. The book is a real wake up call for women, it shows that we can make in a man's world, have friends, have love lives, and still be true to ourselves. A great moral booster for women.



Rating:
Summary: Incredibly intelligent and hysterical
Review: This has to be one of the most intelligent fiction novels that I have read. I was extrmemly impressed with how minor details were tied together throughout the book. And also enjoyed learning a little about the behind the scenes of Capitol Hill. I could not this book down until I was finished.