Revenge Wears Prada

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!

Room

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?

Gone Girl

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...?

Still Alice

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.

Steve Jobs

Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson. I am so glad this is the first book I'm sharing since rediscovering my inner Book Worm. Why? Because I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book. I'm not going to lie, it took me a LONG time to get through, but that should not be reflective of how I felt about it. 

We all know who Steve Jobs is. I mean, he changed our world for goodness sake! He actually changed it. Love him or hate him, I learned so much about him in the book I didn't know and I'm sure never would have known otherwise. You can love him because he was so creative, artistic, innovative, and determined. You can hate him because he was emotionally immature, harsh, insensitive, and controlling. It was when he became ill that Steve Jobs actually asked Walter Isaacson to write this book about him and gave Walter full access to him and the people in his life (past and present). Steve figured that once he passed away someone would write a book about him, so why not endorse it, and make it one of truth, where people can know the real him. 

I am my father's daughter and am constantly interested in and intrigued by technology and innovation. This book also told that story. I thought learning about how it all (Apple and the Steve Jobs legend) began was interesting, but even more so how the technologies of late have come to be. The Mac, iPod, iPhone, iPad, iTunes... all of it! Each and every single one of those products changed the norm, shook up industries, and had people NEEDING something they previously didn't even know they wanted. 

Some people say, "Give the customers what they want." But that's not my approach. Our job is to figure out what they're going to want before they do. I think Henry Ford once said "If I'd asked customers what they wanted, they would have told me 'A faster horse!'" People don't know what they want until you show it to them. That's why I never rely on market research. Our task is to read things that are not yet on the page. - Steve Jobs

If you like biographies, this is a great one. If you love technology you'll love this one! I am definitely an Apple girl and I've always appreciated how they upped the ante for anyone in their lines of business, and it was taken there by Steve Jobs. The fact that this book is so well written and honest just makes you get lost in the story. Steve Jobs also had such a unique perspective of the world, that some of the quotes in the book are quite profound. I'm very much in awe of him.

One more quote from the book I'd like to share is something Steve said after he got diagnosed with cancer, and although it is a touch morbid, it is also very real: 

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choice in life. Because almost everything - all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.  
 

Book Worm

As I kid I was the biggest book worm ever! I consumed books like my life depended on it. I would always carry one around with me and would read just one page, or even just a paragraph whenever I could squeeze it in. I always enjoyed evenings hanging around with my parents, each just reading quietly. That's not all we did - it's not as nerdy as it sounds, haha! I've openly admitted time and time again that I am a definitely a TV baby. But reading is of course more intellectual, and was (is) a big part of my life. I am also someone who really enjoys and appreciates her alone time, and one of my most favourite ways to spend that time is reading. I absolutely love the feeling of being lost in a good book.

Every now and again in the last handful of years I find myself without a book on the go, and after some time passes, I find myself longing for one. That happened to me recently but I'm happy to announce I'm back on the reading wagon and it feels SO good! I never want to lose my desire to read, or not make time to read. It is so important.

Typical young me, lost in a book.

I think we all know that reading is good for you, but just in case you weren't sure exactly how, here are 7 major benefits of reading:

1. Enhanced smarts
2. Reduces stress
3. Greater tranquility 
4. Improved analytical thinking
5. Increased vocabulary
6. Improved memory
7. Improved writing skills     

Who wouldn't want to reap those benefits?! Are you a reader? Read any good books lately?