It surprised me, but after watching Gone Girl I can honestly say, the movie was better than the book. If you haven't purchased this page turner by Gillian Flynn, I would say buy your ticket to the movie instead. What I saw on the big screen was so close to what I read on the pages of this suspenseful novel. Now, I have to admit, it has been a while since I read the book, so a few things caught be by surprise. When I got home I stayed up late, searching the internet for comparison articles about he end of the book and the end of the movie. So many people said the movie was dead on. I thought the same, but there were some parts I could not remember. Then I realized, that's what movies are for. They bring books to life. The parts I glazed over while reading the book, were the parts that shocked me in the movie. It's funny how that works.
Really a great move on those who made the movie. Going in I was confident I knew what I was getting, only to find out I was getting much more then I bargained for. That play deserves a big smile from those leaving the Gone Girl movie theatre. And I was grinning ear to ear.
Another thing that is great about this movie, it will satisfy those who read and those who didn't read the book. It's a win win situation. You have read it and you are so excited to see it, but you have to take some guy or girl who hasn't even heard of Gone Girl or read any of Gillian Flynn's awesome books. In the end you are expecting to come out thinking all kinds of thoughts you can't share because the other person didn't read it, only to find out it really doesn't matter.
One thing you won't be able to discuss is actor casting versus mind casting. Is Ben Affleck really the guy your mind saw as Nick when you read the book? I don't know if my mind did, but after seeing the movie, I was fine with Affleck. He played the part well, and I am a fan, so it worked for me. As for the actress who played Amy. She was casted perfectly. I thought it was great how she went from being all prim and proper and looking beautiful, to eating bags of chips and Kit Kats, putting on weight and looking like a hot mess.
And we can't forget Barney Stinson, oh I mean Neil Patrick Harris. He plays an old obsessed boyfriend of Amy's who serves a very big purpose in this movie. I loved Harris' character and it was good to see him as something other then the How I Met Your Mother actor full hysterical one liners. There is nothing funny about Neil Patrick Harris in this movie. It is all scary weirdo drama.
It's a must see film, and don't let the fact that it is a novel scare you. You don't have to know what's on the pages to enjoy what is on the big screen. I really did enjoy it, and when it was over I felt very satisfied, which I have to say was not the way I felt after reading the book. I did go on to read others reviews and hearing different points of view made it a little easier for my to stomach. Dark people, dark places and in the end a dark perfect harmony. I suppose the way it was always intended.
Tuesday, October 7, 2014
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Before I go to Sleep is reading at its best
Before I go to Sleep is a novel by SJ Watson, a novel I would suggest you make a minute to read. Now I know you are saying, I don't have time to read. The response to that would be: good news, there is a movie coming out in about a month. Before you walk away, and decide to see the film, let's go back to the first thing I said. You should really read this book.
The story is simple really. A woman, who lost her memories in an accident, begins to get pieces of them back. It starts when she awakes, and she gets more as the day goes on, but unfortunately when she goes to sleep everything is gone. So everyday it starts over. (now if you are thinking Groundhog day- please don't). It's written in such a way where you don't have to relive everyday over with her, because she starts to keep a journal of the memories so she can get caught up quickly. This way she moves closer to more memories and the truth about what really caused her to forget everything in the first place.
Before I go to Sleep reminded me why I love reading. It had been a while since I held a page turner such as this. I really sped right through it. Even when my eyes wanted to close, and the clock said 1:00am, I continued to read, because I just couldn't go to sleep without knowing what happened. As I approached the end, I got this sad feeling inside. I knew very soon the story would be over. This is not one of those very common trilogies. This is just one novel, published in 2011, and I knew that very soon I would have to find something else to read. I thought it probably would't be as good as this. So I slowed down and made several minutes, to enjoy the pages that were left. When I recommend this book, I make sure I tell everyone to do the same.
Even with the recommendation to take it slow, I had one friend who read the entire book in a day. Yes, one day. Depending on the type of reader you are, you can do the same.
It's a book full of suspense, quick twists and turns. You must buckle your seat belt because you are in for a wild ride. I will say one thing you need to prepare yourself for is the end. I won't spoil it, but like any ride, it's always enjoyable while you are in the middle of it. This book reads the same way. It is very captivating while you read it, and the end is not the most satisfying part.
I have discussed this book with many people, and there may even be an interpretation factor. Some people will read and say one thing, while others will read and think something different. It's interesting how the mind works. This is one of the things I think is great about a non-fiction book. Some of the end is left up to you. You decide what's next for the characters. There is nothing more satisfying then that.
As I mentioned a movie is coming out close to Halloween. It stars Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth. I just watched the trailer and I am excited about the movie. I can't wait to see if it follows the book, or takes its own spin. Either way I think I will enjoy the story. Decide for yourself:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtSzAEvBIK0
It might not be the newest book on the best sellers list, but it is one worth putting on your list the next time you make a minute.
#makeaminute #readbeforeIgotosleep #seebeforeIgotosleep #thengotosleep
The story is simple really. A woman, who lost her memories in an accident, begins to get pieces of them back. It starts when she awakes, and she gets more as the day goes on, but unfortunately when she goes to sleep everything is gone. So everyday it starts over. (now if you are thinking Groundhog day- please don't). It's written in such a way where you don't have to relive everyday over with her, because she starts to keep a journal of the memories so she can get caught up quickly. This way she moves closer to more memories and the truth about what really caused her to forget everything in the first place.
Before I go to Sleep reminded me why I love reading. It had been a while since I held a page turner such as this. I really sped right through it. Even when my eyes wanted to close, and the clock said 1:00am, I continued to read, because I just couldn't go to sleep without knowing what happened. As I approached the end, I got this sad feeling inside. I knew very soon the story would be over. This is not one of those very common trilogies. This is just one novel, published in 2011, and I knew that very soon I would have to find something else to read. I thought it probably would't be as good as this. So I slowed down and made several minutes, to enjoy the pages that were left. When I recommend this book, I make sure I tell everyone to do the same.
Even with the recommendation to take it slow, I had one friend who read the entire book in a day. Yes, one day. Depending on the type of reader you are, you can do the same.
It's a book full of suspense, quick twists and turns. You must buckle your seat belt because you are in for a wild ride. I will say one thing you need to prepare yourself for is the end. I won't spoil it, but like any ride, it's always enjoyable while you are in the middle of it. This book reads the same way. It is very captivating while you read it, and the end is not the most satisfying part.
I have discussed this book with many people, and there may even be an interpretation factor. Some people will read and say one thing, while others will read and think something different. It's interesting how the mind works. This is one of the things I think is great about a non-fiction book. Some of the end is left up to you. You decide what's next for the characters. There is nothing more satisfying then that.
As I mentioned a movie is coming out close to Halloween. It stars Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth. I just watched the trailer and I am excited about the movie. I can't wait to see if it follows the book, or takes its own spin. Either way I think I will enjoy the story. Decide for yourself:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OtSzAEvBIK0
It might not be the newest book on the best sellers list, but it is one worth putting on your list the next time you make a minute.
#makeaminute #readbeforeIgotosleep #seebeforeIgotosleep #thengotosleep
Thursday, March 6, 2014
This is Where I Leave You
If you are looking for something that will make you laugh, while making you a little sad, while making you feel very lucky you should read Jonathan Tropper's This is Where I Leave You. It is a great combination of all of those feelings. A movie is set to be released starting Tina Fey and Jason Bateman. I didn't know the cast while I was reading the book, but I did keep thinking to myself, with the right people this movie will be hysterical. Now I see the list, and it's going to be funny. If only Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller could make a guest appearance.
Until I can get to the theater, I will just take the time and enjoy the book and it's story. A man who is going through hard times, first his wife cheats on him (with his boss) and then his father dies and he is forced so sit shiva with his family that he really isn't that close to. Now I don't know much about shiva but I learn from the story that it is a week long mourning period in the Jewish religion. In this case, no one in the family wants to do it, but they want to fulfill the father's dying wish. No I know you are saying how can this situation be funny. As you read this story you will not only smile, but at times laugh at loud. It teaches us an important message that there is humor in even the most dire situations.
What I liked about this story is that you start with the main character and as the story progresses you get to know his family. The details to describe each character are great. You really feel that you know them all, when it's said and done, and you care for different one at separate times of the book. You want Judd to be the victor, because it seems like his life sucks, but then you meet the rest of his family and you find out why Judd is the way he is, and then you start hoping better things for some of the other characters. It's reminded me of what might happen over a whole series of a television show, but it took place in one novel. It's the characters changing roles, and you rooting for one, then another and in the end, everyone. There isn't a person you doing want to see be happy.
When I started reading the book I put it on Facebook. I love seeing what people say about it, and I read a comment said that I loved it until the end. Oh my I thought, what a terrible comment to leave on someone's page. The whole time I read I am going to be thinking about the end. Not a very good way to read a book. I will say the person who put that comment on my page was a friend of a friend, so there wasn't much I could say at the time. I will say now that I am done reading, that person was so WRONG. It's amazing how people can read the same book and feel so differently about the end.
When you read this you will enjoy the story. You will enjoy the characters as you are forced to sit shiva with them. You can only imagine what it would be like to sit in a room for 7 days with your family talking about everything that ever happened, remembering some good, but mostly the not so good, the things that force you to go your separate ways. Then you get through some of the hurt, say things you should have said, but never had the time or the guts, but now all you have is time, and you are so out of things to say, the right words come much easier.
Family at it's finest. That's how I sum this one up. The story of this family is probably closer to normal then you would think. Being able to laugh at this fictional story, reminds you that you probably should laugh at some of the real things more often. Taking things too seriously is overrated.
#ThisisWhereILeaveYou#FamilyatitsFinest
Until I can get to the theater, I will just take the time and enjoy the book and it's story. A man who is going through hard times, first his wife cheats on him (with his boss) and then his father dies and he is forced so sit shiva with his family that he really isn't that close to. Now I don't know much about shiva but I learn from the story that it is a week long mourning period in the Jewish religion. In this case, no one in the family wants to do it, but they want to fulfill the father's dying wish. No I know you are saying how can this situation be funny. As you read this story you will not only smile, but at times laugh at loud. It teaches us an important message that there is humor in even the most dire situations.
What I liked about this story is that you start with the main character and as the story progresses you get to know his family. The details to describe each character are great. You really feel that you know them all, when it's said and done, and you care for different one at separate times of the book. You want Judd to be the victor, because it seems like his life sucks, but then you meet the rest of his family and you find out why Judd is the way he is, and then you start hoping better things for some of the other characters. It's reminded me of what might happen over a whole series of a television show, but it took place in one novel. It's the characters changing roles, and you rooting for one, then another and in the end, everyone. There isn't a person you doing want to see be happy.
When I started reading the book I put it on Facebook. I love seeing what people say about it, and I read a comment said that I loved it until the end. Oh my I thought, what a terrible comment to leave on someone's page. The whole time I read I am going to be thinking about the end. Not a very good way to read a book. I will say the person who put that comment on my page was a friend of a friend, so there wasn't much I could say at the time. I will say now that I am done reading, that person was so WRONG. It's amazing how people can read the same book and feel so differently about the end.
When you read this you will enjoy the story. You will enjoy the characters as you are forced to sit shiva with them. You can only imagine what it would be like to sit in a room for 7 days with your family talking about everything that ever happened, remembering some good, but mostly the not so good, the things that force you to go your separate ways. Then you get through some of the hurt, say things you should have said, but never had the time or the guts, but now all you have is time, and you are so out of things to say, the right words come much easier.
Family at it's finest. That's how I sum this one up. The story of this family is probably closer to normal then you would think. Being able to laugh at this fictional story, reminds you that you probably should laugh at some of the real things more often. Taking things too seriously is overrated.
#ThisisWhereILeaveYou#FamilyatitsFinest
Thursday, February 6, 2014
Unbroken: A great non-fiction book, very hard to put down
I just finished a great non-fiction book. It was so good, it inspired me to start this blog, and tell the rest of you how good it is. Now I am realistic, there is probably only 5 of you reading this, but if you 5 tell 5 more and so on and so forth, then the 5 minute it takes to write this, was worth it.
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. I put a hold on it from my public library, after I read an article on books that will soon be movies. I thought if there was a movie in the works, then it's got to be a good book. Right? There were others on the list that I had read and they were good. Anyway I needed something to read. So I got on my computer and put it on hold, along with several others books on the list. It said I was number 85 on the waiting list, so look at that, 84 others wanted to read it too.
It didn't take long for the email to come. The library emails when your hold is read to download. So I see the email, and I have to do a double take. It says Unbroken: A World War II story of survival, resilience and redemption. I said what? I was sure I didn't put this book on hold. Why would I want to read a story about WWII. I haven't read a non-fiction book in 20 years, and I wasn't interested in WWII. So I went back to my list of movies and there is was. Looks like I didn't take the time to read what the book was about, just typed it in along with other titles, to see what the library had to offer.
I almost declined the loan, but instead I downloaded it, and am so glad I did. I immediately went to Facebook and told people what I was reading. The responses made my skin tingle. Things like : one of the more amazing books I've read; My favorite book of all time; Great book, truly amazing. After reading all of this, there was no question, I had to read this book.
I started off like a speed reader. There was a lot of information, but it is written well, so you don't feel like you have to remember it all. Louis Zamperini starts out training to compete in the Olympics as a runner. You feel his pain as he trains, and his brother's excitement as he tries to help Louie be good enough to get there. The goal is almost in sight when the war cancels the Olympics, and Louie must go serve his country.
Before I knew it I was half done. The story had gone so quickly. Unfortunately for me, my library loans books out 14 days at a time, so with only 3 days left to read, many many pages, I started to get nervous. I tried to read it fast, I had to get it done. Then it hit me, there was so much going on in this book, I didn't want to read it just to read it. I wanted to read it to feel it. So I decided I would have to let the loan expire and get back on the list.
My Facebook friends, were checking on me. All wanted to know, how it was going, was I finished. Ugg I said, my loan was over, I wasn't finished. With that said, I made another decision, to go on Amazon and buy the book. I had really enjoyed it so far, I wanted to finish reading it at my pace, and when I was done, maybe my oldest child would want to read it, or my husband. It was definitely worth sharing.
So with it in my Kindle library I again got back to reading. That's when I saw Louie become an Airman. Then as if I was right there watching, that Airman and his bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean, and he and two other men survived the crash only to float on a life raft for more than 40 days.
What those men go through could have been story all by itself. I can't tell you the emotions that overcame me reading this experience. I can't imagine what they thought, how they kept going, and even after they were rescued, how they survived. I felt myself ready to cry at times, and my stomach just hurt at others. Knowing what the book was about I knew Louie made it, so I read a little faster to get him to safety. The only thing I didn't know was there wasn't any real safety for Louis Zamperini. There wouldn't be for a long time.
I don't read non-fiction, well at least I hadn't in a very long time. Now I think maybe I do. I usually read books to escape the life I am living. Something with a little fantasy, and a little humor, and maybe a little sex. This had none of those things. I did escape to Louis' life, only to realize how I wanted to get back to mine. Boring and normal, crazy and busy, blessed and lucky. A couple of people commented how sad they were after reading the book, another woman posted "depressing and amazing." That's probably one of the most honest comments. It was depressing at times, but then so amazing, that what made you sad, actually made you feel fortunate and happy. His life was harder then most, that's probably an understatement, but what he went through shouldn't make you sad. It should make you realize that no matter what happens in life you can survive, be unbroken, and go on to inspire others to do the same.
#Unbroken:LauraHillenbrandwritesAStoryToInspireLife
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. I put a hold on it from my public library, after I read an article on books that will soon be movies. I thought if there was a movie in the works, then it's got to be a good book. Right? There were others on the list that I had read and they were good. Anyway I needed something to read. So I got on my computer and put it on hold, along with several others books on the list. It said I was number 85 on the waiting list, so look at that, 84 others wanted to read it too.
It didn't take long for the email to come. The library emails when your hold is read to download. So I see the email, and I have to do a double take. It says Unbroken: A World War II story of survival, resilience and redemption. I said what? I was sure I didn't put this book on hold. Why would I want to read a story about WWII. I haven't read a non-fiction book in 20 years, and I wasn't interested in WWII. So I went back to my list of movies and there is was. Looks like I didn't take the time to read what the book was about, just typed it in along with other titles, to see what the library had to offer.
I almost declined the loan, but instead I downloaded it, and am so glad I did. I immediately went to Facebook and told people what I was reading. The responses made my skin tingle. Things like : one of the more amazing books I've read; My favorite book of all time; Great book, truly amazing. After reading all of this, there was no question, I had to read this book.
I started off like a speed reader. There was a lot of information, but it is written well, so you don't feel like you have to remember it all. Louis Zamperini starts out training to compete in the Olympics as a runner. You feel his pain as he trains, and his brother's excitement as he tries to help Louie be good enough to get there. The goal is almost in sight when the war cancels the Olympics, and Louie must go serve his country.
Before I knew it I was half done. The story had gone so quickly. Unfortunately for me, my library loans books out 14 days at a time, so with only 3 days left to read, many many pages, I started to get nervous. I tried to read it fast, I had to get it done. Then it hit me, there was so much going on in this book, I didn't want to read it just to read it. I wanted to read it to feel it. So I decided I would have to let the loan expire and get back on the list.
My Facebook friends, were checking on me. All wanted to know, how it was going, was I finished. Ugg I said, my loan was over, I wasn't finished. With that said, I made another decision, to go on Amazon and buy the book. I had really enjoyed it so far, I wanted to finish reading it at my pace, and when I was done, maybe my oldest child would want to read it, or my husband. It was definitely worth sharing.
So with it in my Kindle library I again got back to reading. That's when I saw Louie become an Airman. Then as if I was right there watching, that Airman and his bomber crashed into the Pacific Ocean, and he and two other men survived the crash only to float on a life raft for more than 40 days.
What those men go through could have been story all by itself. I can't tell you the emotions that overcame me reading this experience. I can't imagine what they thought, how they kept going, and even after they were rescued, how they survived. I felt myself ready to cry at times, and my stomach just hurt at others. Knowing what the book was about I knew Louie made it, so I read a little faster to get him to safety. The only thing I didn't know was there wasn't any real safety for Louis Zamperini. There wouldn't be for a long time.
I don't read non-fiction, well at least I hadn't in a very long time. Now I think maybe I do. I usually read books to escape the life I am living. Something with a little fantasy, and a little humor, and maybe a little sex. This had none of those things. I did escape to Louis' life, only to realize how I wanted to get back to mine. Boring and normal, crazy and busy, blessed and lucky. A couple of people commented how sad they were after reading the book, another woman posted "depressing and amazing." That's probably one of the most honest comments. It was depressing at times, but then so amazing, that what made you sad, actually made you feel fortunate and happy. His life was harder then most, that's probably an understatement, but what he went through shouldn't make you sad. It should make you realize that no matter what happens in life you can survive, be unbroken, and go on to inspire others to do the same.
#Unbroken:LauraHillenbrandwritesAStoryToInspireLife
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