Review: It's Classified by Nicolle Wallace

It's Classified
Author: Nicolle Wallace
Published: September 20, 2011
Genre: political fiction
Hardcover: 336 pages
Source: borrowed from the library


My Rating: 4 stars


Synopsis (from GoodReads): President Charlotte Kramer, the nation’s first female president, returns for her second term after re-election and Tara Meyers is now Vice President of the United States. For Tara, making the transition from the New York Attorney General’s office to working on the national level by President Kramer’s side creates issues that blur the line between personal and professional. After botching a live television interview that gets everyone in D.C. clamoring for her resignation, she attempts to redeem herself by wading headlong into a sensational terror investigation. Unfortunately, Tara’s leading role in the case puts her in the crosshairs of an edgy public with questions about the White House’s role in the plot—and what the administration did or didn’t do to keep the country clear from danger.


My Thoughts: I usually stay away from politcal or legal fiction/thrillers, mostly because there is enough craziness out there in the real-world of politics that I don't want to read about it as well. However, I read Eighteen Acres (my review) earlier this year and really liked it. Nicolle Wallace draws upon her experience as a White House communications director and politcal contributor for CBS News to craft a story of four women who are all working in the federal government at some level. There is President Charlotte Kramer, Vice President Tara Meyers, communications director for the VP Dale Smith, and Defense secretary Melanie Kingston. Each chapter is told from one of their points of view, so you are able to have a well-rounded opinion on how four women view one situation.


The plot was very interesting and I found myself wondering what would actually happen if this were to happen to our president or vice president (don't worry, no spoilers here). With each chapter being told from a different woman's perspective, you are able to not only understand the situation fully, but see how the president views a situation versus a communications staffer. Wallace knows what she writes about, which is evident as you read this book. Her understanding of how the White House complex is laid out is great, and at times I felt as if I knew where everything was, too (not really, but I had a pretty good idea). My only complaint for this book was that Melanie wasn't featured quite as much as she was in Eighteen Acres, but I'm hoping that Wallace continues with this series and Melanie will be a bit more prominent in her next book.


While I tend to stay away from series, this is one that I will continue to keep up with. And if you haven't read Eighteen Acres and want to read this one, it shouldn't be too difficult for you. Wallace is able to go over the major points of what happened in that book without dragging on (something that I really like!) If you are looking for a good political novel, then you should definitely add this to your TBR list.

Eighteen Acres by Nicolle Wallace

Eighteen Acres
Author: Nicolle Wallace
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: October 19, 2010
Hardcover, 362 pages
My Rating: 3 stars


Synopsis (from amazon.com): Melanie Kingston, White House chief of staff to the nation’s forty-fifth president, Charlotte Kramer, has spent 15 years in the 18 acres that constitute the White House complex. As her boss and dear friend President Kramer considers running for a second term, the two are confronted with political and personal turmoil that threatens their collective and individual careers. Melanie has no social life to speak of as she navigates the politics within and outside the White House. Charlotte’s marriage is falling apart, her husband is having an affair, and her closest adviser and friend makes a judgment that threatens national security and tests the bonds of friendship. Dale Smith, a reporter in love with the president’s husband, fights her conscience and professional ethics as she struggles to climb to the top of television news reporting. Wallace draws on 13 years experience as a political commentator and news reporter, many of those years spent working in the White House, to deliver a portrait of three women caught in the whirlwind of Washington politics.


My Thoughts: I didn't know if I was going to like this book, but I'm really glad that I decided to buy it. This is Nicolle Wallace's first novel and she decided to write about what she knows, White House politics. The novel follows three women, all in different positions but all working in the White House. Each chapter is told from one of the women's points of view, so you were able to see how the president, the chief of staff, and a White House correspondent all live and interact with one another.


I think that Wallace did a great job in portraying how each woman handles the stresses of their jobs. Each woman is relatable and grows throughout the novel. It was a bit of fluff at times, crossing into chick-lit territory, but also kept me guessing at what would happen next. I will say that the ending wasn't very realistic, but it didn't ruin the whole book from me. Another thing that annoyed me was the editing. There were several typos and grammatical errors, which I hope will diminish over time as she builds a rapport with her editor. Neither of these things turned me off from reading the book, but I hope that with her next novel, Wallace will continue to grow as a writer.


While not a great piece of literature, it was an engaging and a quick read. I will definitely be looking forward to more novels from Nicolle Wallace in the future.

It's Monday! What are you reading? (3-21-11)

It's Monday? What are you reading? This is a weekly meme hosted by Shelia over at Book Journey where you say what you read this past week, what you are reading now, and what you plan to read this upcoming week. It's a great way to see your progress and connect with other bloggers!

This past week I headed back to work after two glorious weeks off, so my reading suffered a little bit. I was able to complete what I wanted to, so here's hoping I can continue that trend this week!

Books completed this week (links to my reviews):

These Things Hidden by Heather Gudenkauf

Unbearable Lightness by Portia de Rossi (I have the review nearly done on this one, so look forward to my review sometime this week!)

Currently Reading:

The Swan Thieves by Elizabeth Kostova

What I Plan to Read:

Eighteen Acres by Nicolle Wallace

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

So, what are you reading this week?