Dear John - Nicholas Sparks - 4 Stars

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Tug at your heartstrings kind of books are not my typical cuppa tea. I usually go for fantasy, sci-fi, or even the occasional contemporary fiction.

Give me blood, guts, chilling humanoid or even nonhumanoid creatures that threaten the common good or societies constructs. Give me blood oozing out of crypts, 30 foot poisonous spiders waiting in anticipation around the corner, vile war lords that oppress, plot, and scheme. Anyone that knows me will also attest that I am a sucker for the underdog and the unexpected.

I need an escape. I deal with enough "real world" stuff to fill my day (and even beyond). Needless to say, the drama and heartbrake that I encounter as I help others leaves me drained and desiring to go far far away.

So far I have ranted for 3 paragraphs about why I should not like/typically would not chose to pick up a book like Dear John. The story came into my possession through a book giveaway on one of my fellow book worshipers blogs. Having won an audio version, I figured it wouldn't hurt to pop it into my cd player on my hour and a half trip (each way) to grad school.

I have never listened to a book on tape/cd (elementary school doesn't count). I wasn't sure what to expect, but thought I could at least listen to the first disc and go from there. My initial thought was that they should have gotten a female to portray Savanah. That was my only grip.

I was easily dragged into the story. Wanting to hate it and chalk it up to the evil, despised "chic lit," I was left with wanting to know how it was all going to work out.

While some of the story line was transparent, it was interesting. Like I said, I made it through all 8 cd's not just the first one. And yes, I admit...I cried on multiple occasions towards the end. That is precisely the reason why I tend to avoid these types of situations.

Overall, I was treated with a good story line and found out that I really like books on cd.

Happy Reading!

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One For The Money - Janey Evanovich - 4 Stars

One for the Money by Janet Evanovich


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this book and will definitely pursue the next one later tonight.

But what kept it from a 5 is that while the characters were believable and interesting the plot line was a bit predictable. Within the last 150 pages I knew who did it and how it would all work out. With that being said though, it still held my interest and was really entertaining!

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Gathering Blue - Lois Lowery - 4 Stars

Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Set in the distant future there is a community where the deformed or the sick are taken to "the fields" to await "the beasts" and certain death. The Singer, The Carver, and The Weaver play vital roles in the community's history and future. While surrounded in luxury like nothing she has ever experienced, Kira learns that she is one of the few that can make a difference...

While not a sequel to The Giver, it is set in the same type of distant future that is removed from what we know of civilization. This is a great quick read into a world that is not too much of an impossibility and shows the delicate nature of one's perceived reality.

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