The Girls on the Train - Paula Hawkins

"The Girl on the Train"Paula Hawkins

Overview

"The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins was a fun and twisting adventure of two women, whom never meet, but their lives are intertwined. One is observing from a train, and the other is being observed until one frightening day she disappears. 

The main character of the book, Rachel, is the girl on the train. Out of work and down on her luck she rides the train into town each day. Her train rides are routine and almost a comfort to her. While on these train rides she observes two people living in a neighborhood she used to call home. She has create their whole lives in her head, as well as name them Jason and Jess. 

One day Rachel sees Jess with a man, not Jason, but another man. Since Rachel has observed Jess and Jason every day she starts to worry. When the man kissed Jess, Rachel's perfect little world crumbles down. To make matters worse, shortly after she witnesses the kiss Jess disappears. 

Later Rachel reads about Jess' (who's name is actually Megan) disappearance and becomes distraught. Rachel reaches out to Jason (who's name is actually Scott), Megan's wife, to try and tell him what she saw. 

Through the twists and turns, detectives questioning motives and Rachel's attempt at uncovering the truth you are taken through a crazy whirlwind of love, hate, obsession and excitement. Rachel discovers the truth to overcome her alcoholic addictions and Scott learns the truth about Megan's disappearance.

My Opinion

This book was suggested to me by my Mom. The first chapter was well written and pulled me in almost immediately. However, it wasn't a book that I couldn't put down... just yet. ;) 

The second chapter introduces Megan and her husband, Scott. This made me pretty excited since my name is Megan.... and I'm dating a Scott... Gotta love the irony! As the chapters about Megan went on I dialed down the excitement. At one point it points out that Scott is under accusation for the abuse and death of his wife. Yikes! That's not my Scott at all, so the similarities ended there. 

However, the similarities between Megan and myself were astonishing. I felt that I could really relate to her character, and more than just by name. The way she thought, the fears she had, and the confusion she lived life with just seemed so real and understandable to me. 

Rachel, however, I did not relate to as much. However, Rachel's story is very well laid out and easy to follow. There are times where you will find yourself sympathetic with her, and other times where you're rooting for her from the sidelines and telling her to go be her brave self. I enjoyed reading her journey to find her inner strength and self. 

Overall, this book was awesome. If you remember me saying before that this book wasn't a book that I couldn't put down in the beginning? Well, I'd say about 1/3 into it I got hooked. Towards the end I just couldn't get enough of the story. I read it at lunch, read it while cooking, and read it before bed. In the end I wished that the story would continue just so I could see what happened to the characters after the mystery was solved. A sequel would be highly appreciated! 

"Fifty Shades of Grey" - E L James (Plus "Fifty Shades Darker", "Fifty Shades Freed", and "Grey".

The Fifty Shades of Grey Series by E L James

(Including "Grey")

So... there is a lot of controversy over the Fifty Shades of Grey books. Some people love them, others despise them. Books with this much controversy over them are always a must-read on my list. How can you not read a book that makes people love and hate it so passionately? 

I originally was "dared" to read "Fifty Shades of Grey" and post a review on my blog by an old friend. He thought it would funny to see what I thought of the book. Although I am no longer friends with that person, I still think his idea of reading it and posting my thoughts is a fun idea. 

I originally did not set out to own the Fifty Shades of Grey series, but life is funny. I was traveling through the lower 48 (for people NOT in Alaska that means the rest of United States) and wound up in the Minneapolis airport without a book to read on the LONG flight back to Anchorage. While I was with my parents and son, waiting for our food to be delivered, I popped next door to one of those overpriced kiosk stores. There were about ten different books to choose from. Of the ten, this one looked the most interesting. 

So, remember in the beginning when I said that this book makes people love and hate it passionately? Well, when I returned to the table that my parents were at my Mom instantly had a reaction to the book. She thought it was trash and was poking fun that I was reading it. Honestly, her reaction made me even more curious about it. 

The first book, "Fifty Shades of Grey" starts out with two college students, Katherine Kavanagh and Anastasia Steele, frequently referred to as Ana. The beginning is very slow going. Ana meets Christian Grey in the first chapter, with very little build up to their meeting. Their first meeting itself is written ok, with lots of detail to the surroundings. There are little snippets of sexual tension building, but not much in this first chapter.

The second chapter starts this awkward "school girl crush" communications between Ana and Christian. While it can be cute, and playful, at times it is overall slightly irritating. I feel like Ana doesn't really have the ability to stand up for herself. In much of the book she's portrayed as weak and unsure of herself.

Throughout the rest of the book there are a fair amount of sexual encounters, feisty e-mail banter and some unexpected twists. While there is a potentially good story line in there somewhere, it's pretty much smothered by low-key SBDM. 

The second book, "Fifty Shades Darker" starts out with Christian once again chasing Ana and all but stalking her after her rejection in the first book. While some may see what he does as "sweet" and "protective", others may view Christian's actions as needing a protective order in place.

Once again there is plenty of "school girl crush" symptoms flying, along with the "cute" introduction to SBDM littered throughout the book. You start to learn more about Christian in this book, but much of the story line is still difficult to read through Christian's childish actions and Ana's inability to find her backbone.

The third book, "Fifty Shades Freed" actually took an interesting turn and involved a plot line that makes it further than a condom and bed sheets. There are death threats, lies, suspicions and crazy ex-girlfriends with guns. If I had to pick a favorite from these three, I think that I was most interested in the third book.

The bonus book, "Grey" is essentially the first book rewritten from the viewpoint of Christian. I was very surprised to find that the author, quite frequently, referred to Ana's female parts as "her sex" but has no problem describing the male parts in detail. I would have thought, especially with this book being written from Christian's point of view, that there would be more of a description than "her sex". It almost seems like the author was embarrassed to use another term.

I did think, however, that the author did a good job of expressing Christian's personality in this book. He is frequently bouncing between sex, control, business and avoidance of his past. The author creates this powerful, lustful and somewhat lost character quite well.

Overall, I have a hard time recommending this series to everyone. If you are used to reading "smut" books, as some call it, then this book would irritate you because it's not a very well-written "smut" book.

If you are not used to reading descriptive sexual encounters in books then this book would frighten you and make you blush. If this is you then you should just keep walking past it.

However, if you are interested in reading a book to pass the time, and get the occasional blush color on your cheeks, then this book series is alright. I certainly can't say that it was the best book series I've read, but I can say I have read worse.

One word about reading this series though... If you are uncomfortable with people staring at you I do not recommend reading this in a public place. With the hype surrounding the series I got quite a few odd and disapproving stares. 

"The Girl in the Spider's Web" - David Lagercrantz

"The Girl in the Spider's Web" - David Lagercrantz

This book is the fourth in the Millennium series, but it it is not written by the original author, Stieg Larsson's. Stieg Larsson wrote the first three books in the series. Many of you might be familiar with them. They are: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Net.

So, before we discuss "The Girl in the Spider's Web" I'll give you a little back history on me and the Millennium series. 

I received "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" from my Mom as an advanced reader's copy. I was pretty excited but, after getting through the first half of the first chapter, I put it down. It BORED ME TO DEATH! 

Fast forward to the year that the second book, "The Girl Who Played with Fire" came out. There was a lot of hype around the two books so I decided to pick up the first one and read it again. As I forced myself through the dullness of the first chapter I became enthralled in the book. I read it in record time and then HAD to have the next book. I raced to Walmart and bought it on my lunch break.... then finished it that night. 

When the third book, "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest" came out I also rushed out and bought it. I was so desperate to read it that I bought it in hard back format. I usually don't purchase hard back books.. they are expensive and take up a lot of shelf space in my tiny apartment. However, I couldn't resist, I had to know what happened to Lizbeth. 

The same story run true for this book. When I heard that the fourth book had been picked up by a new author I couldn't wait for it to be released. I marked every calendar in my house (and at my desk at work) with the release date. 

When it came out I picked it up and read it on a two hour flight. I might say, it's just as exciting as the first three. 

Now on to the review!

While this book isn't my favorite in the series it certainly was well done. The new author, David Lagercrantz, did a very good job of following Stieg Larsson's writing style. There were very few moments where I could tell it was a different author. 

This book is full of surprises, both violent and beautiful. The unlikely heroine winds up with a very unusual companion through a messed up rescue operation. The unperson-able Lisbeth  takes a liking to this companion because she sees herself in him. She understands him. 

My favorite part of the book is who they introduce as the super villain. I won't tell you who it is, but I'll give you a hint. Violent blood runs thick in a certain family! 

Overall Recommendation

My overall recommendation of the book is that it is a must-read, especially if you have already read the first three books in the series. While you could pick the book up and read it on it's own, the series is so much more entertaining and thrilling. This book, and the whole series, is worth every bit. 

As a special note... **DO NOT WATCH THE MOVIES BEFORE YOU READ THE BOOK!!** The movies, especially the American version, do the novels NO JUSTICE! 

"The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster" - Bobby Henderson

This read has been a very interesting one... The book has you feeling awkward curiosities. At some points you think "Hey, that actually makes a lot of sense". At other times you think "this is a load of crap, why am I reading this?" 

It is that constant bouncing back and forth that kept me interested throughout the book. The anticipation of what historical documentation are they going to place the FSM (Flying Spaghetti Monster) in. 

The pictures were pretty good. The pieces they chose and how they presented the FSM in them were great. I looked forward to seeing "His noodle  appendages"  in action throughout the book. 

In the end this was a long but fun read. I can only imagine how much fun the author had creating this book. After all, who doesn't love a good pasta dish and pirates? ;) 

Go get the book, it'll be the most "interesting" thing you've read in a long time. :)

"Mean Moms Rule" - Denise Schipani

Finally, a parenting book I can relate to! "Mean Moms Rule' by Denise has brought a smile to my face because I feel like she is telling me what I already think. Mean Mom's isn't about being, well, mean... it's about teaching your children to be ready for the world. It's preparing them for the world, not the world for them.

What does this mean, you may ask? Well, it means you make the kids learn how to clean dishes, mow a lawn, cook, and all those "mean" things that kids aren't doing today. It's teaching them life skills for them to be successful. It teaches them patience and learning that sometimes you have to work hard for what you want!

Denise has Mom Manifestos for being a true "mean mom". These are handy tidbits for mom's to remember when trudging through the path called motherhood. There are 10 manifestos to remember.

1) "It's not about you. It's about them.
2) Hang on to yourself. You many need that person later (and so may your kids).
3) Start as you mean to go on.
4) Don't follow the parenting pack.
5) Take (or take back) control.
6) Say no. Smile. Don't apologize. Repeat as necessary.
7) Teach life skills. If not you, who?
8) Slow it down. Slow it way down.
9) Fail your child, a little bit, every day.
10) Prepare them for the world (not the world for them).
*table of contents, Mean Moms Rule. Denise Schipani. Sourcebooks, Inc. Naperville, IL.

I just finished mean mom manifesto 8, and I'm really enjoying the book. So far, my favorite manifesto is 6. The stories she tells about her own sons makes this chapter comical and easy to relate to.I can so see my son in her stories!

When you get a chance, this is a must read for any mom out there! This is one of the best parenting advice books I've found. It's not sappy, it's real and it's honest. What more can you ask for?!

The White Bone - Barbara Gowdy

This book was recommended to me by a coworker awhile ago. Knowing my love of elephants she told me I had to know about this book. This book is written from a young elephant's point of view.

In this book, you follow the life of a young elephant, Mud. Mud's mother died after childbirth and trapped Mud underneath her when she died. A few days later a heard of cows discovers Mud and frees her from under her mother's corpse. 

The rest of the book from there on out is based from Mud's point of view. I will say that as interesting as I found it, I was not impressed. It is a pretty difficult book to follow. Unless you have a lot of time to decipher what Mud is talking about (i.e. A cheetah is not called a cheetah in the book, but called longbody.) then this book becomes difficult to read. 

I am going to put it at the bottom of my book list and read it later, when I have more time available. Who knows, my opinion might change by then. :)

"Zombie in Love" - Kelly DiPucchio

"Zombie in Love" - Kelly DiPucchio

Normally I don't put the children's books I read to my son on this blog, but I just had to add this one. I went to pick up my son from my Mom's house and she hands me this book. She said I had to take it home and read it. Atticus was super excited about it, so we sat down to read it the other night. I must say that it is completely adorable.

So some of you may think I'm slightly demented for two reasons: 1) I think that a zombie looking for love in a children's book is adorable and 2) I read it to my 5-year-old son and he thinks it's just as adorable as I do. That's ok, my son and I are a little different but it keeps life interesting. :) Anyway, onto the book!

This book is about a zombie named Mortimer. He's looking forward to the Cupid's ball but doesn't have a date. He wants more than anything to be in love and dance with someone at the ball, but is having some relationship issues in trying to find that someone special. This is his "love story" and it's simplistically enjoyable.

To display the sense of humor in this book, I'll give you a little preview.

"Tall, Dead, & Handsome

If you like taking walks in the graveyard

and falling down in the rain.

If you're not into cooking,

if you have half a brain.

If you like waking up at midnight,

horror films and voodoo,

then I'm the guy who you've looked for

and I'm dying to meet you!" (DiPucchio, pg. 10,2011)

I certainly give this book as many thumbs and fingers up as Mortimer has left and hope that you go borrow it from your local library. Even if you don't have kids, you should read this at least once to yourself. It's a reminder of how simple and complicated love can be all at once. :)

**DiPucchio, K. (2011). Zombie in love. Antheneum Books for Young Readers, Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division. New York, New York.