Buffalo Lockjaw and It's About Your Husband

Buffalo Lockjaw by Greg AmesI picked this book up to read because it’s a first novel. The story takes place in Buffalo, New York. It is a REAL- like REAL man- story.

A young man named James Fitzroy is struggling with his life. An author of greeting cards, he is conflicted and focused on the gradual demise of his mother who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease. On a trip home for Thanksgiving, he vacillates between wanting to rekindle former relationships and behave like a teenager or take the role of a man and do everything he can think of to help his mother, including contemplating matricide.

Greg Ames hits the nail on the head in this contemporary novel. Throughout this book the reader will find it easy to identify with Fitzroy’s feelings of helplessness as his mother is taken over by this insidious disease, his competitive attitude toward his sister, his relationship with his father, and his struggle to find the best place in his life. In addition to the story, we are treated to a myriad of trivia facts about the illustrious city of Buffalo which, incidentally, is where the author grew up.

Not a bad story for the first time out---not a new story but well written and engaging.


It’s About Your Husband by Lauren LiptonAnother first- time-out–of- the- gate novel. The author has gone on to write a second.

If you’ve read Emily Giffin of Love the One You’re With fame and Sophie Kinsella of the Shopaholic series, then you are in a prime state to read this book. It’s light, funny and you might learn something along the way like, spraying your bare feet with antiperspirant before putting on those to die for shoes and walking the pavement. It will spare you the unsightly and painful experience of blisters. There are a few more tips at the back of the book.

It’s About Your Husband is a story about Iris Hedge who left her husband, her job and the sunny state of California in search of more. Unfortunately “more” turns out to be less as she quickly becomes unemployed due to a restructuring of the firm she works for. Looking for some additional income, she quickly volunteers to shadow a friend’s husband in search of signs of infidelity.

The shadowing turns into a tale of twists and turns, funny and serious moments where Iris takes stock of who she is and what she knows and how to put it to the best use.

A light look at a serious topic that is very hip right now—unemployment- this book will give you a few laughs and perhaps some insight.

Ladybookbug!