August Reader Spotlight: Jen Cannon

We're doing a new series at the blog for readers to do either guest posts or interviews. One reader will be featured each month, and if it's a theme month, that will be the focus. 

Melissa A connected with this month's featured reader a while back after seeing her participate in a lot of giveaways. Since then, she's enjoyed sharing book recommendations with this reader. 

Jen Cannon is a thirty-something mother of two girls and is a most-of-the-time SAHM, but part time server/bartender in the town she lives (hey, she needs some adult conversation outside of FB sometimes, even if it is while serving brie and martinis). She is book lover of epic proportions, always with a book in her hand. While some people have Netflix, shoe obsessions and Starbucks, Jen has her reads. She is a soccer mom, a PTO mom, a wine lover, a wife and a skimmbassador to keep her hip. She reads her books, still watches Gilmore Girls and FRIENDS, and continues the fight against getting a minivan. Visit Jen on Goodreads. She writes and posts about funny mom stuff at Real Honest Mom over at Facebook and Twitter.

What does the term ‘chic lit’ mean to you?
To me, ‘chic lit’ is books written for women, by women, with [usually] a female protagonist. This lead has or had a tough time of it and powers through. I think this genre is evolving more and more every year into historical fiction, suspense, beach reads and more. Don’t underestimate the power of ‘chic lit’.

What book were you hesitant to pick up but then loved once you read it?
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo comes to mind. Both my in-laws insisted I read it, but I think I started it five different times. I just couldn’t get into it. But I kept on truckin' through the beginning of the first book and then couldn’t stop until the series was done.

What are the next three books in your TBR pile?
In no particular order…
Karma Brown’s The Choices We Make
Kristin Harmel’s When We Meet Again
Celeste McHale’s The Secret to Hummingbird Cake

What is the strangest movie you've ever cried from?
I can’t think of a specific movie because I swear the only things I get to watch anymore are kid’s movies. But hey, I truly enjoyed Zootopia! (Inside Out may have teared me up a smidge as well.) The thing that comes to mind is that Super Bowl commercial where the kid is dressed like Darth Vader. Remember that? He was trying so hard to use “the force” and then dad beeps his little key fob and the kid thinks he started the car? Yea, I got choked up. The things we do for our littles.

What is your favorite month and why?
I’m going to go with…September. Originally from Cleveland, now in Western PA, fall is just GORGEOUS up here. But it’s still early fall, where the days are still warm enough to have the windows open and the nights are just cold enough for a hoodie. And driving through the foothills when the leaves change? Heaven.

What is your biggest addiction or obsession at the moment, aside from books?
Mead, a wine that predates cider/beer and made solely from honey. Mm-mm-good.