STOP EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING RIGHT NOW AND GET THE BOOK The Fault in Our Stars by John Green AND READ IT IMMEDIATELY. If you haven't already of course.
I believe it was last summer I started hearing just about everyone on the internet talking about
this book. Saying it was beautiful and brought them to tears. Saying it was a must read. I was totally on board with that but didn't rush to the book store to pick it up... yet. The second I found out they were making a movie of it I snatched it up and boy, oh boy, you want to do the same. I am sure they will do a great job with the movie, but this book WAS so beautiful I think you want to experience it personally through reading first (plus, we all know traditionally movies sometimes don't quite live up to the book). Just as others said, I did cry. A fair amount. Second book I've ever cried in (the other being Still Alice). It's amazing to have such a connection to a book.
The basic idea is that the book follows a young girl named Hazel, who has been battling cancer for years. In an attempt to get her to liven up and get out of the house, her parents make her go to a support group. It's in this group she has a friend named Issac, and through him, meets Augustus. From there the book follows Hazel and Augustus and they bond, and connect in a deep and loving way. They help each other and they bring joy to each others lives. There's not much more I can say that wouldn't be giving things away. Even thinking about it I can't help but smile!
It is a book that I believe sits in the Young Adult section of the book store (like Hunger Games) but even though the main characters are teens, you would never know it belonged there. It's so real and the emotion of it feels very mature. I should also mention that I think it's pretty darn funny! Hazel and Augustus have a dry and at times sarcastic sense of humour that I related to immediately. I think actually the review from Jodi Picoult on the cover is pretty darn accurate: "Electric... filled with staccato bursts of humor and tragedy".
Anyway, please do see for yourself, and enjoy!
So, it feels like it took a million years but I finally finished reading the book Under the Dome by Stephen King. Just like when it took me a long time to read the Steve Jobs biography, I want to say right away that taking a long time to read it was a matter of finding time and is not a reflection of how I felt about the book.
To start, I will say this was the very first Stephen King book I have ever read. Like most people I
have seen a few of his movies (like The Shining, and The Mist) but never a book, so I didn't really know what to expect of his writing. As you may know, Under the Dome was actually turned into a mini-series on TV (it ran over the summer I believe?) but I wanted to be sure to read before checking that out because I actually knew many people who LOVED the book. Those people are also not necessarily Stephen King readers which is why I was intrigued. While on the topic of the mini series, I should say that I haven't really heard anything good about it. Especially from those who have read the book.
Back to the book: I thought it was really good and really interesting. The concept is a small town that one sunny day has an invisible dome fall over it keeping the townspeople trapped and any outsiders from entering. The way it happens (in the first few pages so this isn't a huge spoiler alert) is so quickly and unexpectedly that a plane flying in the air crashes into the dome; any cars traveling in or out at that moment also crash into the invisible wall; a woman gardening in her backyard which is just at the official town border has her arm severed. And that's just how it begins. The rest is actually more about the survival instincts of those trapped inside and how they react and behave when this happens to them. I thought it was amazing how Stephen King was able to (in my opinion) accurately depict how the minds of people work - almost like trapped wild animals - and how they would handle this whole situation.
The details in his writing were impressive. There were so many characters in this book, and their sub-plots so detailed I got really sucked in and was fascinated. At times you get caught up in the events taking place you forget that the dome is the catalyst to everything that's happening. The only thing, is that it had a VERY Stephen King type ending. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, but it's for sure a thing. Being a massive book over a thousand pages I would not let the ending prevent you from reading this incredibly interesting and unique story. I thought it was SO good and would also be open to reading another of his books based on his fantastic writing alone!
Have you read this book, or any Stephen King books? As always too, I'm open for fave book recommendations - especially with the holidays approaching!
Next up: I have already begun reading the book The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. I have heard nothing but amazing things about it and I know they're making a movie of it, so I wanted to jump on it. So far, really good!
I recently finished the book "Revenge Wears Prada" by Lauren Weisberger. In case you've not heard of it and can't tell by the title, it's the sequel to the best selling "The Devil Wears Prada" - which was of course adapted into a 2006 (2006? that long ago???) film of the same name. I read The Devil Wears Prada before the film came out and I loved it. When I saw the film, although small (but expected) changes were made, I loved it too and really felt it did the book justice! Since then Lauren Weisberger has written several books (Everyone Worth Knowing, Chasing Harry Winston, Last Night at Chateau Marmont) which I've all really enjoyed a lot! She's probably my current fave chick-lit author of the moment. That's why I am more than a little disappointed with this latest book. I did not really like it. Any of it.
Aside from the book itself, there are a few reasons that could further explain why I didn't like it. First, I've read SO many really intelligent, FANTASTIC books lately that perhaps shifting gears to a fluffy chick-lit was easier said than done. Next, perhaps when I read the original book (7 years ago? Really???) I enjoyed it but have since outgrown the story. I will admit I saw the movie not that long ago and enjoyed it so very much... still. One of my issues also was that the history of Andy (the main character aka Anne Hathaway in the movie) was not as I remembered it - maybe again, because of the movie.
Although I think those are good reasons, I think they're more like excuses and I think plain and simple, the book just wasn't that good (but you can keep those reasons/excuses in mind while reading my review). I did not find Andy to be likeable and I can't think of a bigger flaw a book can have than having a main character that isn't likeable! I found her very immature, dramatic, non-sensible, selfish, and for a "smart girl", not all that smart. I found myself getting frustrated with her a fair amount. I also thought the plot in general was a bit weak. I'm not really sure how to summarize it even. The summary on the book is essentially that 10 years have gone by since the first story, and Andy and (old Miranda assistant) Emily have started their own magazine: a wedding magazine called the Plunge. Also that Andy is engaged to marry a handsome, successful man. But on the day of her wedding she finds a letter that has "crushing implications" and "Andy realizes that nothing—not her husband, nor her beloved career—is as it seems." Prior to reading that book that all sounded so exciting, but now I recognize that it sounds too dramatic. It took so long for any story to develop, grow, and be resolved. The ending was also strange and abrupt. Everything seemed to happen in the last 2 chapters.
So in conclusion (if you didn't guess), I would NOT recommend this read unfortunately. I was ready to love it and I really didn't. Sadly I was most happy when I finished reading it because it was over...oh well, you can't win 'em all!
On to the next! I picked up the rather large read of Stephen King's "Under the Dome". I don't think I've ever read any of his books before (just seen the movies) but I've heard nothing but good and interesting things about this one so I'm pretty excited!
As much as I enjoyed really jumping back into reading this summer, I've slipped out of my groove just a bit, but I have full intention of jumping back in! After reading two excellent books (Still Alice and Gone Girl) I moved on to another great read: Room.
I'm not gonna lie, this book is difficult subject matter and might not be for everyone. I only say that because I've told a few people what it's about and they shake their head and cringe a bit. I personally think that sometimes it's unique or difficult stories that can really make us grow, learn, and think. The entire book is told from the perspective of a 5 year old boy. He takes you through his daily life with him mom as they live in Room - Room being the place where he was born and is being held with his mother after she was abducted many years previously (although he is not privy to that information as his mother has tried to shelter him from their circumstances). Room is the only place he knows. I don't want to be vague with the description but that's kind of all you need to know about the book before reading it - I'm glad that's all I knew. From that you can decide if it's for you or not! Although difficult subject matter it's very well balanced by being told from this innocent 5-year-old angle. It gives the story a softer spin. This book is so incredibly well written I just couldn't believe it. And the story itself is so intriguing all the way through. Again, maybe not for everyone (but that's a very general disclaimer because I think most would enjoy it), it is an excellent and interesting read and I highly recommend.
Up next on my list I've a much more fluffy chick-lit book "Revenge Wears Prada" the sequel to The Devil Wears Prada. I also want to check out the Steven King book "Under the Dome" which I've heard nothing but good things about and has recently been turned into a mini-series! Have you discovered any perfect summer reads?
I am so glad I got around to reading the book Gone Girl! It came highly recommended from friends, family and even responses to my "Book Worm" blog post awhile back. Now that I've read it I can definitely see why.
If you have not read it: I won't give anything away, but you should probably add it to your summer reading list.
If you have read it: OMG, right?!
I love books that are a unique story and that are written in a unique format - this book is both. A super quick and light summary of Gone Girl is that it is a story about a husband and wife that have a troubled marriage. The book starts with the wife missing, and the husband as the suspect. There are so many subtle twists and turns in this book that it is both exciting and intriguing. The unique aspect of the writing is that each chapter alternates between his perspective and hers. It keeps you very excited and is neat in that it is almost like reading two stories but they are actually one. The ONLY thing I did not love was the end unfortunately. I am not a writer but I feel like I could have thought up something a little more satisfying. Before reading the book my mom had actually said she didn't think the end was as great, but she also said that it didn't ruin the story for her, and I agree. I look back on that book as a whole and know it was excellent.
Apparently the movie rights to the book have been purchased and the author is now hard at work on a screenplay. Although a riveting story, I'm not sure how it will play out on the big screen so if you haven't already, I would recommend you read this book sooner than later! Perhaps the movie (kind of like My Sister's Keeper) will have a different ending than the book...?
As I mentioned in Tuesday's post, this past weekend was a long weekend in Canada. Lots of fun to be had poolside, out with friends, etc. - but the best thing I did this weekend, was read the book Still Alice. I started it Monday morning and finished it Monday evening around dinnertime. I had not intended to zip through it in a day. In fact, I can't remember the last time I did that. Two or three days maybe, but one? I could not put it down. I was moved. I was riveted. I was utterly and completely invested. Obviously.
I was late to the party with reading this one so by now I would assume most have heard of it, if not read it. If not, this is the brief Google Books description: "Still Alice" is a compelling debut novel about a 50-year-old woman's
sudden descent into early onset Alzheimer's disease, written by
first-time author Lisa Genova, who holds a Ph.D in neuroscience from
Harvard University.
First of all, I can't believe this is a first novel by Lisa Genova. It is so beautifully and intelligently written. She manages to touch every emotion in you and make you feel strongly about Alice, as if you know her. Next, this book is an education. Before this book I was aware of Alzheimer's disease, but not necessarily early onset Alzheimer's, or that there was a difference between it and that which is commonly diagnosed in the elderly. I appreciated learning more, and I appreciated not just observing what Alice was going through, but those around her as well. Before I go on I should disclose I am ABSOLUTELY a crier (happy, sad, basically any emotion aside from neutral - my mom calls me her Kristin Bell if you know that reference). Although touched I didn't expect to cry in this book. The 60 or so pages didn't have me crying, they had me sobbing. Seriously sobbing. And I'm not giving anything way - it wasn't necessarily sad tears. I definitely got overwhelmed by the beauty in the story.
If you have not read this book, I really think you should. I think it could be read and enjoyed by everyone in the sense that it is that kind of writing. I think it should be read by everyone in the sense that it is that kind of story.
The second book I've finished since rediscovering myself as a Book Worm is Drinking and Tweeting by Brandi Glanville.
If you like the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, you will most likely like this book. If you love Brandi Glanville, then you will mostly likely love this book. If neither are true, well, I don't know how you'll feel about this book actually! I am a fan of both the BH Housewives AND Brandi, as is my mom, and we both agree that you might have to know her to enjoy this book or for it to make sense. Brandi is so crass, outspoken, blunt, but in my opinion, also hilarious. One of the things I liked about the book was that as I read each page and each word, I could almost hear her saying it all! Hence where the disconnect might come in if you are not familiar.
But moving on, she is of course the scorned ex-wife of actor Eddie Cibrian, who famously had an affair and left her for country singer LeAnn Rimes. There you go! You have the foundation of the book. The affair happened before she became a Housewife and although you hear snippets of her talking about it on the show, I was mostly aware of what had gone down from the media frenzy that surrounded the whole situation. That being said, it was a very interesting read because she is very real, and took you through her experiences. Don't get me wrong, this is a VERY fluffy book, but it was a quick read and I also found it a lot of fun.
I've said it before and I will say it again, I can't guarantee you'll love it if you don't know her (but who knows, you might!) but if you do, I recommend you put this on your summer reading list!
