Book Endings We Love and Hate At The Same Time (or we just hate…)

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)24 Comments

Does anyone remember the movie City Of Angels with Meg Ryan and Nicholas Cage?  If you do, then no doubt you remember the incredible story line of a love that is so strong it conquers all obstacles.  In the end, all is looking so wonderful and then…

the unspeakable happens.

Shock.  Despair.

This is a movie I own and love, but can not watch it due to the ending.

While biking today my friend Amy and I were talking about this movie and she said she hated that ending.  Well, so did I, but on the flip of it, it was a powerful way to end the movie. 

This made me think of books.  Are there books out there that we have hated the ending?  And by hate – is that a real “throw the book across the room” hate, or do we secretly love to hate them… they make us mad in an infuriating an awesome way.

While thinking of this today, the book that came to mind for me was Jodi Piccoult’s My Sisters Keeper.  If you have not read this, really you must.  Of all of Jodi’s books I think this one impacted me the most.  SO the basic story line is that this Anna’s older sister Kate is very sick with leukemia.  Anna, is a bone marrow match for Kate and so Anna is constantly in the hospital giving of herself under her parents requests to help Kate.  Anna, who loves her sister very much but is tired of being a pin cushion for her sister and seeks out a lawyer to help her win rights to her own body.  The story is brilliant, and I wont give it away but the very end = explosive.  Maddeningly so. 

Note:  If you have seen the movie and not read the book, it is not the same – the move does not even end the same as the book, and that is another rant for another day… 😛

 

My question before you today is this.  What books have made you mad with how they ended?  Was it a serious I am so mad, or was it a “that made me mad but I love it anyways” read?  I am coming up blank for more books that did that to me but I know they are out there and I hope you can help me get the juices flowing. 

Morning Meanderings… Sunday GO TIME!

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)30 Comments

 

Good morning!  I am literally heading out the door here, up at 4:30 am, in full bike gear and off to ST Joseph MN for The Tour Of Saints ride.   My friend Amy and I are doing this one and I am super pumped, it looks like the weather will be close to perfect 😀

Here are the books that arrived in my home this past week:

I am super excited about all of them! 

I will be back early afternoon yo put up a review.  See you all then!  😀  What has arrived in your house this week bookish wise?

The Meryl Streep Movie Club by Mia March

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)18 Comments

One tragic night brings Isabel and June to live with their cousin Kat and aunt Lolly in the family owned Matriatch Inn on the coast of Maine. At that time, Isabel and June could not wait to be old enough to go out and live on their own, and when that time came, they left.

Now, years later, just as Isabel’s marriage is falling apart, and June is in search of a man who disappeared from her life seven years before, the girls are again called to the Matriarch Inn, but this time, because Lolly had been diagnosed with late term cancer.  When the two sisters arrive they find their Aunt Lolly, weak but in good spirits and their cousin Kat newly engaged, but for some reason she doesn’t look like a happy bride to be.

As per tradition, each Friday night is movie night at the Inn, and Lolly has a nice selection of every movie Maryl Streep had ever been in.  At first the girls are distant, all caught up in their own troubles, but as each movie is shown week after week, the movies plot and characters bring out deep conversations within the three cousins and Lolly.  Wrongs are brought to light, fears are revealed, and dreams are shared. 

Over bowls of buttery popcorn and delicious homemade cupcakes, this family learns to trust in one another, and eventually… learn to trust in themselves as well.

Why did I want to read this book?  Title.  I am a movie nut and any title with the word “club” in it draws my attention, “book club”, “cooking club”, Movie club”…. after all isn’t a club a gathering of people who all enjoy the same thing?  How fascinating!

The Meryl Streep Book Club at first glance looked like it would be a quick read.  It turns out it wasn’t and here is why.  While I have seen some of the newer movies that Meryl Streep has been in, many of the older titles I had not.  To get the most out of this book, I went and rented the movies to go along with it and found myself enjoying The Bridges Of Madison County, Kramer Vs. Kramer, and It’s Complicated. 

What impressed me about this book is that each of the Meryl Streep movies, held a lesson for what at least one of the girls was going through. The movies themselves become the back drop of the book, and all in all it turned out to be a pretty sweet read.

The movies in the book:

The Bridges Of Madison County

The Devil Wears Prada

Mamma Mia!

Heartburn

Defending Your Life

Kramer Vs. Kramer

Postcards From The Edge

It’s Complicated

Out Of Africa

Julie and Julia

Do I have any complaints?  Yes, to quote my friend Reagan, the relationship struggles these three girls had was a hot mess.  Isabel, June, and Kat’s stories are all so over the top that for me, it took a bit away from the story – too much and all at the same time made it feel a tad unbelievable. 

HOWEVER (and that is a big however), if you do not over analyze the real relationship struggles, the book is extremely enjoyable.  In the beginning I was unsure how I was going to feel about this book, but by the middle I was sold out and fell in love with the story itself. 

This would make for a fun book club read and discussion with a possible hosting of one of the movies mentioned in the book and lots and lots of yummy buttered popcorn!

Amazon Rating

Goodreads Review

Audible.com (listen to a sample on audio here)

I received this book from review from Simon and Schuster

Morning Meanderings… A Dogs Life

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)50 Comments

 

 

Good morning!  It is Saturday!  😀  Tomorrow I have a 50 mile bike ride in St Joseph MN, a beautiful area to ride bike in and going with my friend Amy so this will be a wonderful time.  The weather should be descent, looks like it could hit 90 tomorrow but partly cloudy so that should help.  Last year we biked this ride and it was over 100 degrees and not a cloud in the sky…. it was a HOT ride….LOL

For my Saturday snapshot today I thought I would post a few pics of Sam, the stray dog we adopted in April.  He is soooo fabulous and quirky…

Bailey and Sam laying together on the deck

Sam, after climbing to the top of the chair, now retreats
Sam, after climbing to the top of the chair, now retreats

Chilling

 

 

I am ready for my close up….

 

I have posted this one before, but it is soooo funny.

It has been a long hard day…

 

SO that is Sam.  Stop by and see Alyce at At Home With Books for Saturday Snapshot and see what everyone else has been taking pictures of!  😀 I am off to have my bike checked out for tomorrows ride and then a bike ride to get warmed up for tomorrow.  I will be back later as I am behind on a couple posts I need to write up (the survey one and the April, May, June, recap) as well as three reviews.  These are my goals for today…. oh, and a little reading too 😀

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)52 Comments

Hazel Grace has never been anything but terminal.  At 16, her cancer has taken away her ability to breath for long on her own without oxygen, so much to her delight (NOT), she travels with oxygen wherever she goes.  Her life is a daily repeat of her parents watching and waiting, afraid to look away from her for fear it will be the last time…. this is no way for a teenager to live, or for a teenager to die…

During one of her Cancer Support Group Sessions, there is a new guy.  The easy on the eyes Augustus Walters shows up with a twinkle in his eye, and a limp in his step, having lost a leg to cancer and still struggling with the amputated one.  Augustus is not terminal, he has an 80% survival rate and therefore Hazel knows they have no chance of being together, after all – who wants to date someone like her, a grenade about to blow out of this world at any moment.

Yes, Augustus is like a drug, his quick wit, and great sense of humor are too much for Hazel and she finds herself falling even as she tried to hold back.  In a different life, in a different body, not one riddled with cancer, he would have been her Romeo…

Why did I want to listen to this audio?  For way too long I have heard the raves of this book and of John Green – yet I succumbed to neither.  I don’t know if the cover did not speak to me or if was the more obvious reason… who wants to read a book about teens with cancer?

The Fault In Our Stars is a book that I wish I would have read when it first came out.  After listening to this book on audio I am left a blubbering mass of emotion – and in a good way.  Like in the way when you know you have just experienced something BRILLIANT and you can not believe you are not surrounded by people so you can SQQQUUUUEEEEEE all about it.


“Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book.”

This seven hour audio narrated by the amazing Kate Rudd is a “do not miss”.   Seriously, if I could wrap up a copy of this audio book and had it to each of you reading this review, I would… because audio book lovers, you are in for a listening experience   that is like going to a high-end restaurant, eating a wonderful meal and discovering the bill has already been paid… and non audio book lovers, if you were ever on the edge of trying audio, let me personally recommend you make The Fault It Our Stars your #1 book to try.

“What a slut time is. She screws everybody.”

Where do I began my gushing?  Hazel and Augustus may very well right now be my favorite fictional couple. Hazel is dry and funny, and you can not help but laugh out loud with some of the things she says.  And Augustus, so gets her.  He too is extremely funny and witty.  Now you have heard of the Make A Wish foundation and you hear how many people choose a trip to Disney World?  In this book you will find the great wish to be a trip to see an author of a much beloved book to find out what would have happened next if there had been a sequel. (These… are my people.)

You may think a book about cancer is just too much, but this book is not about cancer.  Cancer is there, sure, but it is merely a back drop on an incredible story of two young people who decide to take a chance despite the odds, and in the end, both are better for it.

Without experiencing great pain, you can never experience great joy.

I don’t think I can rave enough to do this book justice.  If I had a “John Green Rocks!” banner I would wave it. It made me laugh, it made me cry.  It made me think.  John Green has a way with words that sent me full speed hurdling towards another of his books.  I wanted more… I needed more…I may be an addict.

If you have already read this book, I highly HIGHLY recommend you go through it again on audio.  Treat yourself to something spectacular.

Amazon RAVING

Goodreads Review

Audible.com (listen to a sample here)

A few other reviews of this book by awesome bloggers:

Alisons Book Marks

Rhapsody In Books

S. Krishna’s Books

Cares On Line Book Club

Morning Meanderings… SCHOLASTIC!!!!

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)14 Comments

Good morning and HAPPY FRIDAY!  Rainy and wet here today and that is putting a damper on my garage sale plans… but waiting for a call from my friend to see if we are a go or a pass…. in the meantime, I am here, minus the coffee cup (day 10 of the cleanse), but hanging in there.  😀

So…. a few days ago when Kathy at Bermuda Onion posted about receiving her books from Scholastic I was all “YAY!!!!  They are coming!!!”  But secretly I was also like “Where are mine?  Are they coming?”  LOL 😛  Then my hubby brought up my box from the shop (sometimes UPS delivers there…. annoying) and I was so excited!

Why the excitement… I can not put justice to what an experience it was to be at the Scholastic event while in New York!  (Thank you Alison for connecting me!).  Not only were the authors wonderful and friendly , but when they all read from each others books and acted out chapters, seriously… it was one of the highlights of my New York experience this year. 

We were given a sheet of paper to check off the books that we would like sent to us from the authors who were there that evening and they all were so fantastic that it was hard to choose, but I did pick James Dashner new book (he is so funny how could I pass?), Eliot Schrefer (can not wait to read this one!), Raina Telegemeier ( they acted this one out – funny), Donna Cooner (this looks so good!) and Maggie Stiefvater (I want to read everything she writes!)

And if you know me, you know I am not a big fan of book trailers…. I really am not, but Maggie Stiefvater is a big exception.  This woman is so talented…. check out her book trailer for The Raven Boys… seriously do not pass this up, she makes her trailers herself. 

Just got the word, garage sales are on…. got to run!  Have a great day, I will be back later with a review that I am SOOOOO EXCITED about!

The Prophecy Sisters by Michelle Zinks

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)16 Comments

In 1890, sixteen year old twin sisters Lia and Alice Milthorpe’s mom died when they were very young, and now with their father’s recent passing, Lia notices a strange mark show up her wrist – one much like her sister Alice has had since she was born…

When a mysterious book shows up in their father’s library, Lia learns that she and Alice are part of an ancient prophesy that involves one being a gate-keeper and one being a guardian… the power of one sister being able to return satan to earth, and the other sister to try to put an end to the prophesy..

but which sister is the good one, and which is evil?  Lia does not even know for sure herself….

As the prophesy unfolds Lia discovers the secrets behind her parents deaths, the meaning of the mark on her wrist, and the length Alice will go to put a stop to Lia’s prying.

Why did I choose this audio book?  Honestly?  Cover pic and title.  The cover is phenomenal… it makes me want to know more, and the title speaks of a spooky mystery….

The Prophesy On The Sisters was what I hoped it would be, a mysterious YA book that made me want to know what the prophesy was…. and it was also what I hoped it wouldn’t be, at times pieced together, making me wonder how two twin sisters could be so far apart, a couple of friends of Lia’s tossed in the mix that I either missed how they connected to everything and their role in the prophesy (keys, I believe) or they just sort of dropped into the book…

I think narrator Eliza Dushku saved this 8 hour audio for me, with her mysterious voice which was perfect for a book on prophesy, she connected me to the story wanting to know more.  I think if I would have read this one I probably would have given up on it.

In the end, while interesting, you will not find the answers they seek in this book, this is the beginning of a trilogy…. however, before you groan and tell me how much you hate waiting for the next book – know that you do not have to.  Guardian Of The Gate (book 2) and Circle of Fire (book 3) are available!  I didn’t love love this story, but it was an interesting listen non the less.  

 

Morning Meanderings…. July 5 and a Sugar Rush!

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)15 Comments

Happy July 5 y’all!  😀

Did everyone survive the fourth?  Our temps here reached over 100 degrees.  We went motor cycling with friends all day which was a lot of fun and stopped for a late lunch at a nice restaurant where I ate fruit and my stir fry (day 9 today of the cleanse).  It actually – was really a wonderful day. 

While on the back of the motorcycle I have discovered that audio on my IPOD is the way to go.  I finished listening to The Fault n Our Stars (If you have not listened to this on audio I INSIST you drop everything and do so…. NOW. But more on that in my review tomorrow 😀 )  And I started Will Grayson Will Grayson, also by John Green which I am enjoying…

Today I work, hopefully get my prom dress fixed… yup you read that right… next Tuesday is out book clubs annual Queen event and I have a dress I picked up at a Good Will store but it needs a new zipper, I am taking it to a friend today.

And my final through for today is I just seen the book trailer for Size 12 and Ready To Rock by Meg Cabot which is a little funny… a little cheesy, and I am not a big fan of book trailers but the 80’s vibe made me smile…. interested in reading this one soon…

 

Goal for the next few days?  I am 5 reviews behind on writing them up and I want tog et caught up so badly.  I hope to do that over the next few evenings. 

Have a great July 5!!!

Morning Meanderings….The Best Books Of July

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)46 Comments

 

Good morning and Happy 4th of July!  😀  Day 8 of the cleanse and I am holding strong.  Last night my son from the Navy (WOO HOO!) was over with three of us his good friends.  Two of them are his best friends from High School and I love that they all stay close.  All three of them are in the Navy.  A 4th friend, Adam, lives in ST Cloud now but is also in the reserves and will be here this weekend to hang out.  While I have no pictures from last night (I know, I know I should have!) here is that high school grad picture that still graces my refrigerator to this day.

 

I can’t even tell you how cool I think it is that they all still hang out together.   I love my friendships and its cool to see strong lasting friendships in my sons as well.

 

Anyway, on to books.  Amazon posted recently what they say are the best books of July.  Normally when I post a list like this I can usually point out 4 or 5 that I have read…. not this time.  I have read none of the books below, and in some cases have not even heard of them.  😀 

My question to you is, have you read any of these books?  Would you recommend any?

Best Books of the Month
Shine Shine Shine by Lydia Netzer
Hardcover  |  Kindle book
The Long Walk: A Story of War and the Life That Follows by Brian Castner
Hardcover  |  Kindle book
Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness
Hardcover  |  Kindle book
The Absolutist by John Boyne
Paperback  |  Kindle book
The Last Policeman by Ben Winters
Paperback  |  Kindle book
Office Girl by Joe Meno
Hardcover  |  Kindle book
The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Hardcover  |  Kindle book
Gold by Chris Cleave
Hardcover  |  Kindle book
Broken Harbor by Tana French
Hardcover  |  Kindle book
The Violinist’s Thumb by Sam Kean
Hardcover  |  Kindle book

 

The Truth About Forever by Sarah Dessen

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)16 Comments

 

After reading Camryn’s review below… now I want to go to Summer Brain Camp!  Looks to me like Sarah Dessen has done it again!

~Sheila

The Truth About Forever

Macy Queen is looking forward to a quiet, do-nothing summer. Her boyfriend, the perfect Jason Talbot, is away for the summer at Brain Camp, and she’s taking over his boring library-counter job. She plans on studying all summer, and hanging out with her mom. Macy carries a heavy burden in her heart. She feels responsible for her dad’s death. That is, until she meets the Wish Catering crew and gets a taste of the chaos that is catering. Macy, right away, gets a job at Wish for the summer. She meets new friends, and loves her summer job. But the best part of Wish, is not the food, or the chaos, but Wes. Artistic, perfect Wes. Wes and Macy grow closer over the summer, but before they can really be together, she has a hurdle to jump. That hurdle, is accepting that her dad’s death wasn’t her fault. But can she forgive herself? Or will she miss out on Wes because of her denial?

 

The Truth About Forever is a novel by Sarah Dessen. The majority of Sarah Dessen’s novels are great, light and easy summer reads. This is one of them. Recommended for a young adult audience, The Truth About Forever isn’t one you want to miss!

 

Camryn is 13 years old, and enjoys reading YA books of the fantasy and romance genre. A few of her favorite books are “Hourglass” by Myra McEntire, “The Other Countess” by Eve Edwards, “Hush, Hush” by Becca Fitzpatrick, “The Immortals” series, the “Marked” series and the “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” series.  When she’s not reading she enjoys watching Gilmore Girls or going to book sales for more books to add to her ever-growing collection.

 

 

Please check out Camryn’s other YA reviews here!