Book Review: Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire

The new Abby Abernathy is a good girl. She doesn’t drink or swear, and she has the appropriate percentage of cardigans in her wardrobe. Abby believes she has enough distance between her and the darkness of her past, but when she arrives at college with her best friend America, her path to a new beginning is quickly challenged by Eastern University’s Walking One-Night Stand. Travis Maddox, lean, cut, and covered in tattoos, is exactly what Abby needs—and wants—to avoid. He spends his nights winning money in a floating fight ring, and his days as the charming college co-ed. Intrigued by Abby’s resistance to his charms, Travis tricks her into his daily life with a simple bet. If he loses, he must remain abstinent for a month. If Abby loses, she must live in Travis’ apartment for the same amount of time. Either way, Travis has no idea that he has met his match. (Description from amazon.com).

Browsing the bookstore, I kept seeing Beautiful Disaster all over the place, and especially next to 50 Shades of Grey. I read some reviews that it was similar to 50 Shades, but without all the sex.  I also found out that it was first published independently and then picked up by a publisher. It is such a great thing to work in a library because I was shelving some new books and in the pile was Beautiful Disaster. So I checked to make sure it was not reserved and took it home.

This book was so-so.  It was strangely addicting. Even though I did not really connect with the characters, I found myself not being able to put it down because I wanted to see where this relationship was headed. I really hated the abusive, co-dependent relationship between Abby and Travis. The girl needs to have some self-respect. Travis becomes very controlling and stalker-ish. Abby sort of teases him and plays with his mind. Yuck!  I was never attracted to the "bad boy" type and have consoled many a friend who has been deeply affected by a crazy relationship. The ending was a little rushed and unbelievable.

The writing was ok and I found myself skimming parts of the book. There were few plot problems (no spoilers here!). See if you agree with me. There were some cheesy moments; Travis singing in the cafeteria stands out as one. Maybe I am too far removed from college to appreciate this. Or maybe this does happen in college cafeterias? I went to a women's college and it definitely did not!

Jamie McGuire is working on the sequel Walking Disaster which comes out in the spring of 2013. It is told from Travis' point of view. You can read find out more on the author's website: http://www.jamiemcguire.com/

This book is marketed as a YA but I will tell you it is an older YA; high school senior or college-aged/adult. Not a book for younger teens. Ages 17+

The book has also been optioned by Warner Brothers.

If you love Downton Abbey..

I "liked" Downton Abbey(or Downtown Abbey as my husband calls it) on Facebook and found out that those lucky British people are watching Season 3 now, while we have to wait until January!!! While I would love to find a Torrent in order to view it now, I am going to be a good girl and wait until January.

However, I found some things that will tide me over until then.

While perusing the DVD collection at the library, I found this gem that I must have missed when it premiered on PBS last March.

It is about a British soldier during WWI who is fighting in France and he recalls his affair with a French woman.  It reminds me a little of Atonement by Ian McEwan. I finished Part One this afternoon and will try to finish Part Two tomorrow. I am enjoying it. I might even read the book.

  

I also found out that Call the Midwife will be premiering on PBS on Sunday, September 30th at 8:00 p.m., which is great because I just started the book and am about 1/2 way through it. It is about a group of midwives/nuns in 1950's London.  I will post a review in the next few days.

Happy reading/watching!

Beautiful Creatures

I saw on Twitter that the trailer based on the book Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl was released. I have tried to read this book twice, and never was able to get past the first 50 pages. The movie looks interesting and has a strong cast; Jeremy Irons, Viola Davis and Emma Thompson. Now I am wondering if I should give it a third try, or just see the movie in February 2013. Take a look for yourself!

Book Review: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

 

Marriage can be a real killer.
 One of the most critically acclaimed suspense writers of our time, New York Times bestseller Gillian Flynn takes that statement to its darkest place in this unputdownable masterpiece about a marriage gone terribly, terribly wrong. The Chicago Tribune proclaimed that her work “draws you in and keeps you reading with the force of a pure but nasty addiction.” Gone Girl’s toxic mix of sharp-edged wit and deliciously chilling prose creates a nerve-fraying thriller that confounds you at every turn.
 On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?
 As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet? (Description from amazon.com).

Gone Girl is part crime thriller and part realistic fiction. Crime thriller in that someone has disappeared and from all evidence has been murdered. Realistic fiction in that it shows an unraveling marriage.

The book is told from different points of view; from Nick in the days after Amy disappears and from Amy's diary in the past. The book is divided into two parts. Part One is definitely slower than the second. In Part One, the evidence is pointing to Nick (you learn a lot about his secrets). In Part Two, the entire story is turned upside down and you learn more about Amy. And you learn A LOT! I don't want to give any spoilers, but it will leave you smacking your forehead. I have heard a lot about how people really liked the book and hated the ending, but I thought the ending made a lot of sense to these characters. Really, it couldn't have ended any other way.

I didn't peek, but this was one of those books that you wanted to skip to the ending to find out exactly what happened. Every once in a while, I find myself wanting to read a thriller, and this one fit the bill. It is rather creepy and psychological, but it is written in a way that will make you keep turning the pages. Highly recommended.