Silver Linings Playbook- Matthew Quick

It’s not often that I see and love a movie, look up the book it was based on, and love that equally as much, if not more. Silver Linings Playbook is the only one, come to think of it. Frequently I have the issue that whatever I see or read first is what I like the most. No, that's not quite right... the book is always better, but I usually have some amount of trouble getting into a book when I know what’s going to happen after having seen the movie. It’s the main reason I’ve never been able to get into the lord of the rings books. 

Silver Linings Playbook is, in both of its formats, absolutely phenomenal. The movie was up for multiple Oscars, for good reason, and Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence are fantastic. It’s possible I’m biased about both of them, however if you’ve seen this movie, I’m sure you’ll agree. But I’m pretty sure that this is a website for books, so I’ll get back on point…

The book is different from the movie, yes. Not quite as perfect and clear cut, but compelling in a completely different way. I am utterly impressed with Quick’s storytelling and writing abilities and probably will check out his other books. The premise is the same: Pat is in a mental facility for reasons unknown at the beginning, when he is released into the care of his mother and Philadelphia Eagles crazy father. Tiffany is a widow dealing with her own demons. The two are good for each other, and both end up on the road to recovery despite some bumps along the way.

I can’t give enough compliments for how well the book is written. Told from Pat’s point of view, it’s engrossing and interesting. At one point Pat skips through a period of several months with a movie montage of him getting stronger and better, telling you along the way to imagine his theme song playing over it. And that is only one of Quick’s storytelling devices, multiple more in the same vein are utilized to great effect. Just incredible. It’s not often that I see something so novel that works so well.

Definite 5- one of the best books I have read this short year, and I’ll be purchasing it to read again soon. Love, love, loved it.

Quick Hits for February

Read 2/2/13- The Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan- Exactly what you'd expect if you've read any of these books. Fast read, Greek/Roman heroes, teen romance, danger and magic. Setup for the next book in the series was a little heavy handed but I liked it all the same. 3/5

Read 2/4/13- Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich- Nineteen is like the eighteen books before it... Cute, funny, and entertaining. Mostly unchanging as well, but this series is successful for a reason. It's been another few days well spent with Stephanie, Morelli, Ranger, Lula and Grandma Mazur. As always. 3/5

Girl in Translation- Jean Kwok

 

Our first book club selection of the year! 

Girl in Translation was a cute, semiautobiographical book that follows Kimberly Chang, an immigrant who arrives in New York City with her mother from Hong Kong. It chronicles Kim’s struggles and adversity as a young girl who has a “knack for school,” working alongside her mother in a sweatshop at night and working through classes and schoolwork to get out of that life during the day.

This was a very interesting book. It makes you uncomfortable at several moments, but you keep reading because it’s so gripping. You want nothing more than the best for Kim and her mother, if only because the squalor that they are put through daily is inhumane and unnecessary. It makes me wonder how much of this is true, and whether people are forced to live like this for the freedom that America offers. 

I gave this a 4, mostly because I was unhappy with the way it ended. If it’s what really happened, then ok, but if not, I don’t like it on principle. I don’t feel like I can say anything more than that without explaining myself and spoiling the way the book ends, so I’ll leave it at that, but it was certainly a topic of discussion at book club!

The End of Your Life Book Club- Will Schwalbe

As expected, I cried in a quiet, tears running down your face way through pretty much the last few chapters of this book. With a title like that you have to expect it. I knew what I was getting myself into. But I am happy that I read this book.

Mary Anne Schwalbe has pancreatic cancer. The book is very clear from the beginning that her prognosis is not optimistic. But that is not what this book is about. This book is about a mother and a son, the books they read together, and the way to live a happy and fulfilling life. 

I was pretty afraid to read this, honestly, and especially during January. Trying to read Jonathan Franzen's Freedom and being so depressed I had to stop about 10% in comes to mind. But Schwalbe's book isn't so much about dying as it is about living. I am really impressed with both the writing and the way he told his mother's story. It's clear that she was an incredible woman. 

I don't know what to say. This book was fantastic, despite the tearful ending. 4. 

Quick Hits from November, December, and January

Long time, no blog entries. Mostly, this is because I haven't read anything that I've really loved in the last few months. But that's not entirely true, because I have entries written for a few books that I've had an opinion on, and haven't posted anything because I feel like I can't go out of order, and just ignore the 15 or so books that I've read in between ones that I want to talk about.  Another problem is that I read a LOT of sequels, which I always have problems talking about, because I don't want to spoil anything. 

So in order to fix this, I've decided I'm going to just write down some quick thoughts for books I don't have anything huge to say about. Here goes. 

Read 9/25/12- 11th Hour by James Patterson- Exactly what you'd expect for the 11th book in the Women's Murder Club series. As usual I am disappointed with James Patterson and haven't really loved one of these books in awhile. I read them because I care about the characters, but he's even starting to ruin that. Please see reviews for 10, 9, 8... etc. 3/5

Read 10/28/12- Seabiscuit by Laura Hillenbrand- Good, not great. Interesting but not engrossing. I was hoping for more from this book since I loved Unbroken so much. Read this one for book club in October and really only finished it out of obligation. 3/5

Read 11/4/12- Dances with Dragons by George RR Martin- I actually have a lot of opinions on this one, but feel uncomfortable voicing them, as they're spoilers. Still loving this series and anxiously await book #6! 4/5 (only because I still liked the first three more than this one)

Read 11/24/12- Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor- Really enjoyed this sequel to Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Crazy and an incredible fantasy book, but not as good as the first one. Will re-read for sure though!! 4/5

Listened to 11/26/12- The Rise of Nine by Pittacus Lore- Wanted this to be better because I really enjoyed the first two in the series. But still good. 3/5

Read 12/11/12- The Black Echo by Michael Connelly- Expected more out of this because I'm a big Connelly fan, but it was kind of boring and predictable. I hope they get better. I'll keep reading, but not if they're all like this one. I wonder if back when this was written the ending was more novel and all kinds of thrillers weren't writing "twists" like this one. 3/5

Read 12/16/12- Wicked Business by Janet Evanovich- What can I say? I like Evanovich's writing even if her books are simple, girly, and let's face it, kind of pointless. Liked this one though. Currently, I'm liking this series more than Stephanie Plum books. 3/5

Read 12/21/12- Where We Belong by Emily Giffin- LOVED this chick book. Very cute and very much meets the standard that Emily Giffin's past books have set. The problem is that I just don't have a lot to say about it. It's very similar to her other books. 5/5

Read 12/24/12- A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens- I think I read this back in grade school but I didn't remember much about it. And tis the season right? Dickens is one of the few "classic" authors that I enjoy. May be returning to some of his other books in the future. Really liked A Christmas Carol. 4/5

Read 1/2/13- Graceling by Kristin Cashore- Very much enjoyed this book. Another YA Fantasy series that has been popular recently. Looking forward to reading the other books in the series. 4/5

Read 1/3/13- One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp- Different kind of book for me. Not a novel, but more of a book for reflection and finding happiness in every day life. Her writing is a bit flowery and overly detailed, but I liked this so much. 4/5

Listened to 1/3/13- Redshirts by John Scalzi- Really liked this book, it got me through my driving to and from home over Christmas break. Different and crazy, but once I bought into the completely unrealistic premise, it was interesting and I really enjoyed it.  4/5

Read 1/11/13- Defending Jacob by William Landay- Very well written, but upsetting book. Fairly dark and twisted, but engrossing nonetheless. Highly recommended if you like Grisham, lawyer books, or thrillers. 4/5

WHEW.