Thursday, April 3, 2008
Meh... It was okay
This is hilarious! I was seriously trying to remember why this book showed up on hold for me at the library! Well, now I know. I did read it. Honestly, not my favorite. I did like the author's writing style, but I agree that she took too long explaining/dwelling on non-important ideas. I thought both Dr. Henry & Norah had some serious issues that reflected onto Paul. I really feel sorry for the kid. Makes me want to be a good parent (although David really thought he was being good) so that my kids don't have to deal with all of my baggage.
The Memory Keeper's Daughter
I'll have to admit that I didn't finish the book, although, I have read it before not too long ago so I still remember the story. That being said, here's what I thought:
The people in this book were seriously emotionally bogged down. Dr. Henry couldn't even come to terms with his past (granted not always an easy thing), and so he destroyed his marriage and his family. His way of "protecting" Nora destroyed everything he had worked so hard to achieve. I really didn't like Dr. Henry in this book. His idea that tossing his daughter aside and then lying to his wife that she died would save everything really made me upset.
Nora suffered a terrible grief. When I first read this book, I was appalled at her behavior. But now, since I've had a child, I can't imagine how she made it through the day. Still though, she was pretty selfish and took some serious risks to feel better, ie driving drunk with her son in the car.
Overall, this is a very thought provoking book. I always wonder what I would do if my child were born with Down Syndrome or another mental handicap. I agree with Jen that Phoebe was better off with Caroline. I think Caroline took care of her in a way that the Henry's wouldn't have been able to. She had the most stable mind to deal with child that needed so much attention.
I like this book, but it is a little depressing. My favorite part is at the end when Paul and Phoebe are at David's grave. I think that seen really shows how one decision can affect the lives of all the people you love.
The people in this book were seriously emotionally bogged down. Dr. Henry couldn't even come to terms with his past (granted not always an easy thing), and so he destroyed his marriage and his family. His way of "protecting" Nora destroyed everything he had worked so hard to achieve. I really didn't like Dr. Henry in this book. His idea that tossing his daughter aside and then lying to his wife that she died would save everything really made me upset.
Nora suffered a terrible grief. When I first read this book, I was appalled at her behavior. But now, since I've had a child, I can't imagine how she made it through the day. Still though, she was pretty selfish and took some serious risks to feel better, ie driving drunk with her son in the car.
Overall, this is a very thought provoking book. I always wonder what I would do if my child were born with Down Syndrome or another mental handicap. I agree with Jen that Phoebe was better off with Caroline. I think Caroline took care of her in a way that the Henry's wouldn't have been able to. She had the most stable mind to deal with child that needed so much attention.
I like this book, but it is a little depressing. My favorite part is at the end when Paul and Phoebe are at David's grave. I think that seen really shows how one decision can affect the lives of all the people you love.
The Memory Keeper's Daughter
Any thoughts on The Memory Keeper's Daughter?
I thought it was a pretty good read. It seemed a little long at times. I enjoyed her writing, but I kind of got sick of how descriptive she was, such as taking a whole page to describe a leaf or something. Moving on, about the story: I thought it was interesting how David gave Phoebe away to avoid having his wife feel the grief of having a child who could possibly die young and yet she still felt grief. I think as a woman, whether your child dies at birth or ten years later, it still hurts and will always be a part of you. Something the good doctor just didn't understand. To be honest, I think Phoebe was better off with Caroline anyway. I think she was a good mom, a little overbearing, but who wouldn't be? The Henry's had too much baggage even before the babies came, they wouldn't have put the time into Phoebe's schooling as Caroline did (if they even kept her). What do you think?
Any requests for next month?
I thought it was a pretty good read. It seemed a little long at times. I enjoyed her writing, but I kind of got sick of how descriptive she was, such as taking a whole page to describe a leaf or something. Moving on, about the story: I thought it was interesting how David gave Phoebe away to avoid having his wife feel the grief of having a child who could possibly die young and yet she still felt grief. I think as a woman, whether your child dies at birth or ten years later, it still hurts and will always be a part of you. Something the good doctor just didn't understand. To be honest, I think Phoebe was better off with Caroline anyway. I think she was a good mom, a little overbearing, but who wouldn't be? The Henry's had too much baggage even before the babies came, they wouldn't have put the time into Phoebe's schooling as Caroline did (if they even kept her). What do you think?
Any requests for next month?
Saturday, March 1, 2008
Dear John II
I got the book yesterday and was able to read it today. I know it is already March 1st , but close enough right? Are all of Sparks books the same? I've only read this one and "The Notebook", but both seemed similar. It wasn't a terrible book, but I agree that I won't be adding it to my list of favorites.
My favorite character was probably Tim. He was sincere, mature and understanding. I don't have any idea why he married Savannah when he knew she was so desperately in love with John. I think that what John did for Tim was noble, but it made me sad that he sold all of his dad's precious coins.
What should have happened is that Tim should have died, John should have left the army in 2007 only to come back and find out that Alan has also suddenly died as well. Then John and Savannah get married and make passionate love for the rest of their lives. The end.
My favorite character was probably Tim. He was sincere, mature and understanding. I don't have any idea why he married Savannah when he knew she was so desperately in love with John. I think that what John did for Tim was noble, but it made me sad that he sold all of his dad's precious coins.
What should have happened is that Tim should have died, John should have left the army in 2007 only to come back and find out that Alan has also suddenly died as well. Then John and Savannah get married and make passionate love for the rest of their lives. The end.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Next Month
I haven't read the book. I am still waiting for my copy, hopefully I will get it read by the 29th. Sounds like it is an easy cheesy read. I think next month we should read "Memory Keepers Daughter". What do you think? Let me know if this book is too hard to find and we will read another one.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Dear John
So, I read the book. I'm not sure that I liked it. Of course, I was mostly mad that first John reupped his enlistment, but I understood it. Then I was really mad that Savannah didn't wait for him. I wanted it to work out so badly, so I was disappointed with the end.
The major thing that bothered me was that Savannah couldn't just be happy with her decision. She made her choice to marry Tim, but then as soon as she saw John, it was like oh? I'm married? I forgot. I was a little perturbed that she couldn't let it go. I was impressed by John's willingness to let her go, it was very impressive. And Tim was so nice about everything. It was almost as if he expected Savannah to cheat on him with John if John ever came back (even though nothing happened really)...I really couldn't understand that character. The ending was really sad, I was so heart broken for John because he lost the two most important people to him in the space of two weeks. His dad was a really interesting character. He was probably my favorite character in the book because he was just so good and constant.
Overall, it was a good fast read, but it won't make it onto my favorite book list. What did you think?
The major thing that bothered me was that Savannah couldn't just be happy with her decision. She made her choice to marry Tim, but then as soon as she saw John, it was like oh? I'm married? I forgot. I was a little perturbed that she couldn't let it go. I was impressed by John's willingness to let her go, it was very impressive. And Tim was so nice about everything. It was almost as if he expected Savannah to cheat on him with John if John ever came back (even though nothing happened really)...I really couldn't understand that character. The ending was really sad, I was so heart broken for John because he lost the two most important people to him in the space of two weeks. His dad was a really interesting character. He was probably my favorite character in the book because he was just so good and constant.
Overall, it was a good fast read, but it won't make it onto my favorite book list. What did you think?
Sunday, February 3, 2008
February
I hope you are well on your way to reading Dear John by Nicholas Sparks.
I really enjoyed Kite Runner and hope you all read it. If you haven't, then you should!
I liked the first part of the book because it seemed very believable. I was very mad, of course, about the attack and his reaction to it, but I understood that he was young and scared. I started feeling like the book was a little bit cheesy when he went back to Afghanistan. All of the events that transpired from that point until the end of the book seemed a little over the top. The irony was too much, especially the part with the sling shot. The fact that there really wasn't American parents waiting to adopt and how it just so happened that his wife couldn't conceive, etc. It just fit together a little too well. I just need to remember that it is fiction, just a story for entertainment purposes. All in all I really loved the book and I am excited to read A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Did you read? What did you think?
I really enjoyed Kite Runner and hope you all read it. If you haven't, then you should!
I liked the first part of the book because it seemed very believable. I was very mad, of course, about the attack and his reaction to it, but I understood that he was young and scared. I started feeling like the book was a little bit cheesy when he went back to Afghanistan. All of the events that transpired from that point until the end of the book seemed a little over the top. The irony was too much, especially the part with the sling shot. The fact that there really wasn't American parents waiting to adopt and how it just so happened that his wife couldn't conceive, etc. It just fit together a little too well. I just need to remember that it is fiction, just a story for entertainment purposes. All in all I really loved the book and I am excited to read A Thousand Splendid Suns.
Did you read? What did you think?
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