Time to read: 1 day
This wasn't really that quick of a read. It was actually a little bit of a tough read. There is a lot of literature in this book! It jumps from character and can become confusing if you are not paying attention. It is basically about two characters, Madeline and Mitchell. It starts off in the present and then will go back in time A LOT. This is how the author tells the story.
It starts off with Madeline and the day of her graduation, then it goes back from there. It enter-twines her story with Mitchell, who is one of her best friends. He, of course, is in love with her. She doesn't see him that way and ends up sending each of their lives down a different path. It's after the first recession and job outlook is horrible (Sound familiar?!) and they don't know what to do. There is a ton of literature throughout this book. Madeline is an English major and loves old literature so it's referred too a lot. She ends up in love with a manic-depressed college classmate and her story becomes one crazy roller coaster.
Mitchell becomes obsessed with religion and all the different religions and their meanings to all the different types of people. So after college he goes to Europe and then India traveling and learning about all different types of religion. So there is A LOT of references to religions and their backgrounds.
In the end, the story has a pretty crappy ending. I do have to say I was hooked into the plot wondering if Madeline and Mitchell would end up together. Instead, it became a bit hard to get through with all the literature and religious references. Besides that the story was a bit troublesome as well. All in all, it was an okay read. I don't think I would be reading any more by this author. I think I really like this authors style.
Book Dreams
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
The Best of Me- Nicholas Sparks
Time to read- 2 days
Well.. due to the super reading I was doing, I definitely had to take a break. I am now back to my habbit! I have read a few more books off my list. The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks was the first off my list.
First, I do have to say I usually try to stray from his books because they are always so sad! Don't get me wrong, they are very good but always so sad. A lot of the time heartbreaking! This book was no exception!
I do enjoy his books but I have to be in a mood..When a friend suggests a book by him, I always say, "Who is going to die?" I always start off his books knowing some kind of death is certain. I did get through the book rather quickly! It only took me two days. I could have finished a lot quicker if I did not have life get in the way- haha!
Anyways, I have mixed feelings about this book. He's had better. It starts off with a teen couple who has to whether being from different classes. He was from the wrong side of the "tracks". He also had a troubled up-bringing. He ends up living with a guy who is seen as "crazy" by the town. Anyways, there's a fork in the road when she has to decide to give up college to be with him or give him up. He ends it for her because he doesn't want to take that away from her. It kind of reminded me a lot of the Notebook type of story. Being split apart and then re-uniting later. Although, in this book it has a much different ending. Anyways, the guy who takes him in, Tuck, ends up dying. He has specific instructions about how they are to arrange things with his death. They both come back to town and end up realizing they still love each other. She has a husband and children though and in the end decides her responsibilites are what matters. She goes home to find out her son and husband have been in a car accident. I then realize what is going to happen. She ends up losing dawson (first love) and he ends up saving her sons life by being a heart donor.
It's a good book but it just seemed a little predictable and I feel like I've read the story before somewhere else. It's a good read just not great... Like I said, mixed feelings!
Well.. due to the super reading I was doing, I definitely had to take a break. I am now back to my habbit! I have read a few more books off my list. The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks was the first off my list.
First, I do have to say I usually try to stray from his books because they are always so sad! Don't get me wrong, they are very good but always so sad. A lot of the time heartbreaking! This book was no exception!
I do enjoy his books but I have to be in a mood..When a friend suggests a book by him, I always say, "Who is going to die?" I always start off his books knowing some kind of death is certain. I did get through the book rather quickly! It only took me two days. I could have finished a lot quicker if I did not have life get in the way- haha!
Anyways, I have mixed feelings about this book. He's had better. It starts off with a teen couple who has to whether being from different classes. He was from the wrong side of the "tracks". He also had a troubled up-bringing. He ends up living with a guy who is seen as "crazy" by the town. Anyways, there's a fork in the road when she has to decide to give up college to be with him or give him up. He ends it for her because he doesn't want to take that away from her. It kind of reminded me a lot of the Notebook type of story. Being split apart and then re-uniting later. Although, in this book it has a much different ending. Anyways, the guy who takes him in, Tuck, ends up dying. He has specific instructions about how they are to arrange things with his death. They both come back to town and end up realizing they still love each other. She has a husband and children though and in the end decides her responsibilites are what matters. She goes home to find out her son and husband have been in a car accident. I then realize what is going to happen. She ends up losing dawson (first love) and he ends up saving her sons life by being a heart donor.
It's a good book but it just seemed a little predictable and I feel like I've read the story before somewhere else. It's a good read just not great... Like I said, mixed feelings!
What the Night Knows- Dean Koontz
Time to read: 3 weeks
When I first started this book, I had no idea it would take this long or what I was in for. I didn't really think I could get through it. I'm not really into paranormal-evil spirit type stuff. This book has all that and is pretty graphic when talking about the murders and intent of the
"evil" spirit.
So if it wasn't for my AMAZING husband, I would have failed my challenge! This is the second time he has come to my rescue. He decided we should read it together. So that's what we have been doing. We have been reading together on certain nights (when we have free time together) out loud. This helped me get through this story.
Now, to talk about how I liked this book... I REALLY disliked it! Not only was it not my taste but the descriptions of the "evil" spirits way to kill people was really groutesque. Another thing I really disliked about this book was the authors use of big words. I mean some words WE had no idea what he meant, so had to look them up. My husband is SUPER smart so if it stumps him, it's pretty out there.
Now with the use of the big words, I mean this story had 3 kids in the book.. All 14 and under and they were the ones using these big words. I mean really, an 8 year old and 11 year old will not know these words, and then use them correctly!! He makes it conflicting because these kids are supposed to be really intelligent but then at the same time, he makes the 11 year old really stupid and dense when it comes to the plot. I don't know... It just didn't flow character wise. The 14 year old boy was another matter. Just about every sentence he used "dumbass" "stupid" "freakin" and any other way he could use "ass." I mean he just sounded pretty lame. It was very annoying!
So I really didn't like this book! Or... It's just not my cup of tea!
When I first started this book, I had no idea it would take this long or what I was in for. I didn't really think I could get through it. I'm not really into paranormal-evil spirit type stuff. This book has all that and is pretty graphic when talking about the murders and intent of the
"evil" spirit.
So if it wasn't for my AMAZING husband, I would have failed my challenge! This is the second time he has come to my rescue. He decided we should read it together. So that's what we have been doing. We have been reading together on certain nights (when we have free time together) out loud. This helped me get through this story.
Now, to talk about how I liked this book... I REALLY disliked it! Not only was it not my taste but the descriptions of the "evil" spirits way to kill people was really groutesque. Another thing I really disliked about this book was the authors use of big words. I mean some words WE had no idea what he meant, so had to look them up. My husband is SUPER smart so if it stumps him, it's pretty out there.
Now with the use of the big words, I mean this story had 3 kids in the book.. All 14 and under and they were the ones using these big words. I mean really, an 8 year old and 11 year old will not know these words, and then use them correctly!! He makes it conflicting because these kids are supposed to be really intelligent but then at the same time, he makes the 11 year old really stupid and dense when it comes to the plot. I don't know... It just didn't flow character wise. The 14 year old boy was another matter. Just about every sentence he used "dumbass" "stupid" "freakin" and any other way he could use "ass." I mean he just sounded pretty lame. It was very annoying!
So I really didn't like this book! Or... It's just not my cup of tea!
V is for Vengeance- Sue Grafton
Time to read: 4 1/2 hours
I have to say, I'm almost to the end of this challenge, which has made me antsy. I can't wait to be finished so I can read the hundreds of books on my to be read list! Books I want to read and not HAVE to read. So I was pleasantly surprised when I turned out to like this book.
It was definitely a very fast read. I'm pretty sure I read most of this during the car rides to and from Columbus and our parents house this weekend. The book is based on a series about a Private Investigator and all her cases. Then it will switch to a different character every so many chapters and back the the PI. Although, there's a web of characters and they all have different stories and then in the end they all end up being a part of the big case in the end. It's actually pretty cool the way they all end up coming together. It makes for a very interesting read and the fun of trying to figure out the mystery of it all.
So if you are looking for a good mystery, this is one series to read. I will not be reading the rest in the series any time soon just because I have SO many other books I can't wait to read right now. But in the future, I will be adding these to my to be read list.
I have to say, I'm almost to the end of this challenge, which has made me antsy. I can't wait to be finished so I can read the hundreds of books on my to be read list! Books I want to read and not HAVE to read. So I was pleasantly surprised when I turned out to like this book.
It was definitely a very fast read. I'm pretty sure I read most of this during the car rides to and from Columbus and our parents house this weekend. The book is based on a series about a Private Investigator and all her cases. Then it will switch to a different character every so many chapters and back the the PI. Although, there's a web of characters and they all have different stories and then in the end they all end up being a part of the big case in the end. It's actually pretty cool the way they all end up coming together. It makes for a very interesting read and the fun of trying to figure out the mystery of it all.
So if you are looking for a good mystery, this is one series to read. I will not be reading the rest in the series any time soon just because I have SO many other books I can't wait to read right now. But in the future, I will be adding these to my to be read list.
Inheritance- Christopher Paolini
Time to read: 6 days
I wasn't expecting this book to be so large! I really had a hard time getting into the story. I think mostly it's because I was reading a book that was 4th in the series without reading any of the others. I had seen the Eragon movie but you know how that goes.. the movies are never true to the books.
So I was thrown into this story not knowing who all the characters where and what they meant. So it was pretty hard to get into. I think it took half way through the book to finally get into the story. I do have to say it snuck up on me and I became pretty interested in the actual plot of the book. It took a while to stop taking me back into all the past books but when the book finally started with it's own plot, it was pretty good. I do have to say the end wasn't as predictable as I thought it was going to be, which is good. I will not be reading any other of the books in the series. Although, I enjoyed a small portion of this book, I just didn't really care for the writing style from the author. I'm pretty sure I would have a hard time getting into all the other books as well.
I wasn't expecting this book to be so large! I really had a hard time getting into the story. I think mostly it's because I was reading a book that was 4th in the series without reading any of the others. I had seen the Eragon movie but you know how that goes.. the movies are never true to the books.
So I was thrown into this story not knowing who all the characters where and what they meant. So it was pretty hard to get into. I think it took half way through the book to finally get into the story. I do have to say it snuck up on me and I became pretty interested in the actual plot of the book. It took a while to stop taking me back into all the past books but when the book finally started with it's own plot, it was pretty good. I do have to say the end wasn't as predictable as I thought it was going to be, which is good. I will not be reading any other of the books in the series. Although, I enjoyed a small portion of this book, I just didn't really care for the writing style from the author. I'm pretty sure I would have a hard time getting into all the other books as well.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
The Art of Racing in the Rain- Garth Stein
Time to read: 2 days
I would have to say this book was definitely interesting. A book about the point of view of a dog? I was skeptical as well. I wasn't sure how I was going to like this book or what exactly it would be about. I'm surprised to say there was an actual plot about the dog and his family.
Most of this book is about him telling his life from the beginning to the present. He's about to die and starts to remember about the beginning of his life and then tells the story about how his owner and the family that comes later. I will say a lot of this book is sad quite a lot. Pretty much a struggle for this family through the book.
I'm still unsure how I really feel about this book. It was interesting and boring at some parts. This particular dog was obsessed with race car racing and there was a lot of info about different racers and races, which became boring at some parts. It did make me wonder though, if animals can really understand everything and just aren't able to talk.. They say if walls could talk, but what about if animals could talk? LOL.
I would have to say this book was definitely interesting. A book about the point of view of a dog? I was skeptical as well. I wasn't sure how I was going to like this book or what exactly it would be about. I'm surprised to say there was an actual plot about the dog and his family.
Most of this book is about him telling his life from the beginning to the present. He's about to die and starts to remember about the beginning of his life and then tells the story about how his owner and the family that comes later. I will say a lot of this book is sad quite a lot. Pretty much a struggle for this family through the book.
I'm still unsure how I really feel about this book. It was interesting and boring at some parts. This particular dog was obsessed with race car racing and there was a lot of info about different racers and races, which became boring at some parts. It did make me wonder though, if animals can really understand everything and just aren't able to talk.. They say if walls could talk, but what about if animals could talk? LOL.
Monday, October 1, 2012
Death Comes to Pemberley- P.D. James
Time to read: 4 days
I haven't really read any of the descriptions for the books on my list. So when I borrowed this book from the library, I was kind of excited that it took place as a sequel to Pride & Prejudice. I LOVE Pride and Prejudice. Then I read the book and I have to say, I was pretty disappointed!
This book takes place 5 years after Pride & Prejudice. So the beginning was nice because it had a re-cap of the weddings and the kids they all had and where everyone was in life now. Then it quickly changed into the plot of the book. This book was a murder mystery that took place at Pemberley. This is the home of Elizabeth and Darcy. It quickly became pretty boring. Even though, I was a surprised with the ending, I just found myself wishing it was over. I was kind of confused with some aspects and I feel the author added too many different stories and plot points that really had no business. I get that the author was trying to keep the ending a surprise and who really did the killing, it was a little over-kill on all the "evidence." Then the ending wrapped up really quickly that made it pretty cliche. I didn't care for this book!
I haven't really read any of the descriptions for the books on my list. So when I borrowed this book from the library, I was kind of excited that it took place as a sequel to Pride & Prejudice. I LOVE Pride and Prejudice. Then I read the book and I have to say, I was pretty disappointed!
This book takes place 5 years after Pride & Prejudice. So the beginning was nice because it had a re-cap of the weddings and the kids they all had and where everyone was in life now. Then it quickly changed into the plot of the book. This book was a murder mystery that took place at Pemberley. This is the home of Elizabeth and Darcy. It quickly became pretty boring. Even though, I was a surprised with the ending, I just found myself wishing it was over. I was kind of confused with some aspects and I feel the author added too many different stories and plot points that really had no business. I get that the author was trying to keep the ending a surprise and who really did the killing, it was a little over-kill on all the "evidence." Then the ending wrapped up really quickly that made it pretty cliche. I didn't care for this book!
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