The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
I haven't seen the movie and I really didn't have any desire to, originally. I just had read Dear John (or listened to it on CD) and decided that since I enjoyed that book - I might give this one a try. My commute has gotten longer and listening to things like this are entertaining and make everything go much quicker.
I have to say it wasn't what I expected. I like how Nicholas Sparks explains that there are lots of love stories out there - but very few talk about those in the tail end of their lives. This book made me think of my grandparents and the love they have - even with the death of one of them.
If you want something that will make you feel like love conquers all - this is a story for you. Thing is that life isn't perfect. And even with love winning - it doesn't mean that you won't have heartache and despair. But isn't it all worth it just so that you can be together one more day?
Friday, February 26, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Book Review: Whiteout
Whiteout by Ken Follett
Thoughts: I have a variety of books that I like to listen to on CD. This is one that I tried out. I found that the voice of the woman reading it to be quite interesting and different. And the voice can make or break a book.
In terms of subject this book is quite interesting. Imagine if some sort of virus that had was indestructible had been released to the world. You would do anything to stop it. And that is what this book is all about.
Add to that the dynamic of a woman who loves someone who doesn’t seem to love her back. A family who has a black sheep who doesn’t understand why everything isn’t someone else’s fault.
This wasn’t something where I was sitting on the edge of my seat for the whole book. But it was entertaining enough to keep my attention. It was unlike any other Ken Follett book that I have read – but will continue to try some of his books out.
What genre would you consider this?
Thriller
Overall:
Thoughts: I have a variety of books that I like to listen to on CD. This is one that I tried out. I found that the voice of the woman reading it to be quite interesting and different. And the voice can make or break a book.
In terms of subject this book is quite interesting. Imagine if some sort of virus that had was indestructible had been released to the world. You would do anything to stop it. And that is what this book is all about.
Add to that the dynamic of a woman who loves someone who doesn’t seem to love her back. A family who has a black sheep who doesn’t understand why everything isn’t someone else’s fault.
This wasn’t something where I was sitting on the edge of my seat for the whole book. But it was entertaining enough to keep my attention. It was unlike any other Ken Follett book that I have read – but will continue to try some of his books out.
What genre would you consider this?
Thriller
Overall:
Friday, February 19, 2010
Book Review: Between Sister's
Between Sister’s by Kristin Hannah
Thoughts: My first Kristin Hannah book was a book that I very much enjoyed – so I decided to go back and try out one that is a few years older. I found this one to be very much in the same style or vein. It delves into relationships between two sisters. They had a hard past that wasn’t either of their faults. But when you are forced to be both a mother and a sister things happen. You make hard choices that can affect both of you for the rest of your lives.
And you can either live with that pain – or let it go and let yourselves be part of each other’s lives. And in this case a wedding brings the two sisters together – and just in time. I think this is a great example of don’t let communication come between a relationship that you really cherish. Whether it is a sister/sister, friend/friend, husband/wife, daughter/father etc. They are all relationships that if they really are worth it should be fought for. And if you don’t fight for it now there may not be time to do it later.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes reading about relationships. It shows that everyone can get past the feelings that made them hurt – if they let themselves and that is something that can help them have a more fulfilling life.
What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics
Overall:
Thoughts: My first Kristin Hannah book was a book that I very much enjoyed – so I decided to go back and try out one that is a few years older. I found this one to be very much in the same style or vein. It delves into relationships between two sisters. They had a hard past that wasn’t either of their faults. But when you are forced to be both a mother and a sister things happen. You make hard choices that can affect both of you for the rest of your lives.
And you can either live with that pain – or let it go and let yourselves be part of each other’s lives. And in this case a wedding brings the two sisters together – and just in time. I think this is a great example of don’t let communication come between a relationship that you really cherish. Whether it is a sister/sister, friend/friend, husband/wife, daughter/father etc. They are all relationships that if they really are worth it should be fought for. And if you don’t fight for it now there may not be time to do it later.
I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes reading about relationships. It shows that everyone can get past the feelings that made them hurt – if they let themselves and that is something that can help them have a more fulfilling life.
What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics
Overall:
Monday, February 15, 2010
Book Review: Lords of Misrule
Lords of Misrule by Rachel Caine
Thoughts: Don’t even attempt to start this series with this book. I think you would be so confused you wouldn’t know what to do. This isn’t my favorite book in this series – but I am hooked and want to see where things end up. So I am stuck continuing. Overall the series is an interesting one. A town where it is run by vampires. Which in itself isn’t a good thing but at least they follow the rules. Then bring in an outside vampire who wants to take it all over and the rules go out the window.
The series is interesting but it really requires you to remember a lot of what happened in previous books in order to get into the story and enjoy it.
What genre would you consider this?
Teen Paranormal
Overall:
Thoughts: Don’t even attempt to start this series with this book. I think you would be so confused you wouldn’t know what to do. This isn’t my favorite book in this series – but I am hooked and want to see where things end up. So I am stuck continuing. Overall the series is an interesting one. A town where it is run by vampires. Which in itself isn’t a good thing but at least they follow the rules. Then bring in an outside vampire who wants to take it all over and the rules go out the window.
The series is interesting but it really requires you to remember a lot of what happened in previous books in order to get into the story and enjoy it.
What genre would you consider this?
Teen Paranormal
Overall:
Friday, February 12, 2010
Book Review: Evermore
Evermore by Alyson Noel
Thoughts:
Ever since she was in an accident that left all of her family dead Ever Bloom has been able to see dead people and know what has been going on in people’s lives. And that leads to an interesting book. You find out about Damen this new kid at her school who she doesn’t really know what is going on with.
I really liked this book and plan on following this series for a while. I thought it was a great book in another Teen Vampire Series (that has seemed to become all the rage). It is different. It deals with soul mates (which I think teens really enjoy – knowing that someone is out there for you and only you). And the power that Ever has but doesn’t know it is spectacular. I can’t wait to see where this one leads us.
What genre would you consider this?
Teen Paranormal
Overall:
Thoughts:
Ever since she was in an accident that left all of her family dead Ever Bloom has been able to see dead people and know what has been going on in people’s lives. And that leads to an interesting book. You find out about Damen this new kid at her school who she doesn’t really know what is going on with.
I really liked this book and plan on following this series for a while. I thought it was a great book in another Teen Vampire Series (that has seemed to become all the rage). It is different. It deals with soul mates (which I think teens really enjoy – knowing that someone is out there for you and only you). And the power that Ever has but doesn’t know it is spectacular. I can’t wait to see where this one leads us.
What genre would you consider this?
Teen Paranormal
Overall:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Book Review: No Time to Wave Goodbye
No Time to Wave Goodbye by Jacquely Mitchard
Thoughts: While I really liked this book – I don’t know that I would recommend it as reading to someone like me (as in a soon to be or new mother). It is a lot to take when there are already a lot of hormones going through your body. I hadn’t read (or watched) The Deep End of the Ocean which is the prequel to this book so I had no idea what it was going to be about when I got started. And despite not knowing the family (from the other book) I was quickly able to get connected and associate with them.
In fact I have now gone out and got The Deep End of the Ocean so I can see how it all started (even though I know it is probably not that great of an emotional decision!)
What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics
Overall:
Thoughts: While I really liked this book – I don’t know that I would recommend it as reading to someone like me (as in a soon to be or new mother). It is a lot to take when there are already a lot of hormones going through your body. I hadn’t read (or watched) The Deep End of the Ocean which is the prequel to this book so I had no idea what it was going to be about when I got started. And despite not knowing the family (from the other book) I was quickly able to get connected and associate with them.
In fact I have now gone out and got The Deep End of the Ocean so I can see how it all started (even though I know it is probably not that great of an emotional decision!)
What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics
Overall:
Friday, February 5, 2010
Book Review: Wed Him Before You Bed Him
Wed Him Before You Bed Him by Sabrina Jeffries
Thoughts: It is really a story of miscommunication. Seeing something that isn’t true and coming to your own conclusions. It shows that it is a bad idea to let that happen as many people do in their own lives. Add to that a romance story based back in a time when women weren’t reallyl allowed to have careers.
It was nice to finally see Charlotte Harris the owner of the school getting her own story. I think these books are very similar in style to her other books in the series. If you want a good romance this will definitely hit the spot.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Thoughts: It is really a story of miscommunication. Seeing something that isn’t true and coming to your own conclusions. It shows that it is a bad idea to let that happen as many people do in their own lives. Add to that a romance story based back in a time when women weren’t reallyl allowed to have careers.
It was nice to finally see Charlotte Harris the owner of the school getting her own story. I think these books are very similar in style to her other books in the series. If you want a good romance this will definitely hit the spot.
What genre would you consider this?
Historical Romance
Overall:
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Book Review: Summer House
Summer House by Nancy Thayer
Thoughts: Stories about family dynamics can be something that you associate with or identify with – or they can be so out there that you just don’t see how that can happen. This book to me isn’t something that I personally identify with but I see this in the families of so many others. Everyone has something that they are ashamed of and want to make themselves better for. In this case you have Charlotte.
You have the family dynamic where the children are each trying to get along but everyone feels like they are entitled to from the parents. The thing is that you don’t have that entitlement. What your parents have is not yours just because they are your children.
Lastly you have the child who finds themselves reverting back to their “role” in the family. But the thing is they aren’t that person anymore but they can’t help but fall back in to the troublemaker role.
I found this book to be entertaining and something that I have seen in families all over the place. Definitely a good summer read.
What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics
Overall:
Thoughts: Stories about family dynamics can be something that you associate with or identify with – or they can be so out there that you just don’t see how that can happen. This book to me isn’t something that I personally identify with but I see this in the families of so many others. Everyone has something that they are ashamed of and want to make themselves better for. In this case you have Charlotte.
You have the family dynamic where the children are each trying to get along but everyone feels like they are entitled to from the parents. The thing is that you don’t have that entitlement. What your parents have is not yours just because they are your children.
Lastly you have the child who finds themselves reverting back to their “role” in the family. But the thing is they aren’t that person anymore but they can’t help but fall back in to the troublemaker role.
I found this book to be entertaining and something that I have seen in families all over the place. Definitely a good summer read.
What genre would you consider this?
Family Dynamics
Overall:
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