Book Review: I've Got Your Number

I’ve Got your Number by Sophie Kinsella

During a fire drill at a hotel, Poppy Wyatt loses her engagement ring which has been in her (seemingly perfect) fiancé’s family for generations.  And, on top of that, her phone gets stolen. So when she finds a perfectly good phone discarded in a nearby trashcan, she figures no one will mind if she takes it to use to help track down her engagement ring. Until she meet’s the phone’s owner, handsome, and somewhat uptight, businessman Sam Roxton.

This book is cute, fun, and lighthearted. In other words, a perfect beach read! Nothing I had to think too much about, but it kept me thoroughly entertained.

This book gets a B-

If you liked this one, check out Can You Keep a Secret, also by Sophie Kinsella.

Book Review: Wild: From Lost to Found of the Pacific Crest Trail

Wild: From Lost to Found of the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed

After her mother’s death, Cheryl Strayed goes into a downward spiral, which destroys her marriage, and sets her on a dangerous path. Feeling the need to find herself again, she embarks on a 3 month journey, with zero experience, to hike over a thousand miles from the Mojave Desert in California to Washington State on the Pacific Crest Trail.

After hearing rave reviews about this one, I was surprised at how hard it was for me to get into. I LOVED hearing about her experiences on the PCT, but the flashbacks to her multiple incidents of cheating on her husband and her flippant drug use almost made me put the book down. They were just hard to get through, at least for me. I am glad I stuck it out though, as there was a happy ending.

I give it a C+.

If you enjoy this style of book, check out Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. 

Also, check out the movie, starring Reese Witherspoon (who is nominated for an academy award for her portrayal of Cheryl Strayed), in theaters now. 

Book Review: Landline

Landline by Rainbow Rowell

When T.V. writer Georgie tells her husband Neal she won’t be able to make it to Christmas at his parents’ house in Oklahoma because she has to work, she didn’t expect him to pack up their daughters and fly off without her. Thinking she has ruined her marriage for good, she can’t face going home. While staying with her own parents, she finds a way to communicate with Neal. But it’s Neal from over a decade ago she’s talking to…

I really liked this book, for the most part. It’s a cute, quick read, great for when you want a little escape. And even if some of the ideas are a little farfetched, even for this time travel loving girl, there are parts of the story that are so relatable that I couldn't put it down.

I give it a B-.

Also try Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell.

Movie Review: Gone Girl

Holy. Moly.

David Fincher's film version of Gone Girl hit theaters this weekend, and since my book club read this book a few months ago (click here to see my review), we decided to go see it as a group.

And oh boy, did Fincher capture the book pretty much perfectly on film or what? There were some aspects that were even darker than the book (Desi's "offing" especially), and only a few differences and characters left out or downsized, probably because of time restraints (the movie is already over two and a half hours), but he pretty much got the twists and turn of the plot down pat. And, contrary to rumors that had been going around prior to release, the ending is pretty much the same as the book. I know many had their hearts set on a new conclusion... sorry guys.

The film stars Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne, and Rosamund Pike as his wife Amy, who move from New York to Nick's home town in Missouri after losing their jobs during the recession, and when Nick's mother becomes ill. On their fifth wedding anniversary, Amy goes missing, and Nick is blamed for her disappearance and suspected murder.

Affleck was perfect as the sometimes (or more-than-sometimes) unlikeable Nick, and Pike's "Amazing Amy" was just that. Spot on. Oscar worthy even. And Trent Reznor's score was perfectly haunting.

This film is rightly rated R for very strong violence, language, adult and sexual situations, and nudity. I would definitely recommend it only for VERY mature high schoolers (we're talking the oldest of the senior class here), possibly even college-age and up.

I give this one an A-.

Book Review: Palisades Park

 

Palisades Park by Alan Brennert

The 1930's are a time of great dreams for the Stopka family, who own a French fry concession stand at the fabulous Palisades Park in New Jersey. After seven year old Toni Stopka sees a high dive act perform for the first time, she knows that is what she wants to do, even while The Great Depression, WWII, and even the Korean War threaten to tear her family apart.

This book was magical for me! I don't know if it's just this era (Mainly the 1930's through the 1950's), which I absolutely love, or the idea of having such a grand amusement park at your every whim (I could practically smell the fresh French fries and candy floss, and hear the sounds of the rides and their riders!), or even the fact that there's mention of Doc Carver's High Diving Horse and Diver act, which is what my favorite childhood movie, Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken, was about, but I loved this book, and I've been recommending it left and right since even before I finished it.

Alan Brennert is also the author of the books Moloka'i and Honolulu.

I give this book an A.

Book Review: Me Talk Pretty One Day

Me Talk Pretty One Day  by Davis Sedaris

This collection of short stories and essays by David Sedaris, is, for the most part, hilarious. He's one of those authors that seems to remember every part of  his life perfectly, and can convey it to the reader with so much humor, that you think "How did all this happen to this poor guy?!" My favorite of his stories in this book are the ones about his sister, actress and author Amy Sedaris, wanting a fat suit, and not being able to afford the whole thing, and the one where his father wants all of his kids to play instruments and form a family band, like "The Partridge Family". As an added bonus, this book makes one of the best audio books, because the author reads it himself.

I give this one a B+.

If you liked this book, I suggest Naked, also by David Sedaris. You also might want to check out some of his readings on YouTube.

Book review: Gone Girl

 

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

I’d heard so much about this book, that when my book club decided to read it, I was pretty excited.

Gone Girl is the story of Nick and Amy Dunne, a seemingly happy couple that moves from Amy’s native N.Y.C. to Nick’s hometown of North Carthay, Missouri after they both lose their jobs in journalism. But when Amy goes missing on their 5th anniversary, Nick, of course, is the main suspect.

Being a fan of murder mysteries/true crime stories, I enjoyed the psychology of what could possibly have been “the perfect crime”. The length which the characters go to prove both guilt and innocence is fascinating, and keeps the story flowing well. However, although the characters are developed well, it was hard to find any character that was actually likable.

I recommend this one if you’re a fan of the mystery/suspense genre, and enjoy a good plot twist!
I give Gone Girl a B-.

The movie version, starring Ben Affleck, is supposed to be in theaters this October.

Book Review: Divergent

 

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Beatrice “Tris” Prior lives in dystopian Chicago, where, at the age of 16, children have to choose which of the five factions, or societies based on specific virtues,  they will remain a part of for the rest of their lives. Tris shocks her family by leaving her home in Abnegation, known for selflessness, for the brave and sometimes reckless ways of life in Dauntless. There she is pushed to her limits, finds a possible romance, and discovers a secret that could put her and many others in danger.

Being a huge fan of The Hunger Games, this book was right up my alley! I really enjoyed the story, even if it was a bit predictable. With Spring Break right around the corner, I recommend Divergent if you’re looking for something adventurous, yet quick to read.

I give this a B+.

If you liked this book, I suggest the sequel, Insurgent. The third book, Allegiant, is also out now, but I can honestly say it ticked me off like you wouldn't believe! My husband even said he wished Veronica Roth had never even written it. Not that it wasn't good, just not the direction I would have gone with the story.

Also the movie version of Divergent comes out in theaters next week (3/21). I'll be reviewing at after I see it with my book club, so stay tuned for THAT one, since we ALL know the movie is never as good as the book, and they'll probably completely botch this one...

Book Review: The Kitchen House

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

After a 7 year old Irish girl, Lavinia, is orphaned while at sea in 1790, the ship's captain brings her home to be raised by his illegitimate daughter, Belle, a slave who runs the kitchen house on his plantation. As she grows up, Lavinia sees the slaves who are raising her as her family, but when she becomes more accepted in the main home of the ship's captain and his dysfunctional family, she quickly realizes that can never be so because she is white.

This is one of those books that stays with you for a long time. The character development is fantastic, and the storyline is so well put together, that even though it may not always be the happiest book, it is still among my favorites.

I give it an A.

If you liked this book, try The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton.

Book Review: Under the Dome

Under the Dome by Stephen King

The people in the town of Chester's Mill, Maine suddenly find themselves trapped under an invisible dome, unable to get out, and not knowing if it will ever go away.

There's no doubt Stephen King is a fantastic storyteller, and this book is no exception. Unlike his usual horror books, this is really the story of how the people of a small town interact with each other when their ways of life are threatened. This was a pretty good read, even though getting through over a thousand pages (my Nook version was actually a little over 1300 pages!!) took a while, the "bad guys" really had no redeeming qualities at all, and the end was a little lacking, and somewhat predictable.

I give this one a B-.

If you're a fan if Stephen King's less scary works, I also recommend 11/22/63. Also, I have not seen the show, but I have it on good authority that the book is completely different. What are your thoughts?