Book Review: The Fault In Our Stars

I participated in Peanut Butter Fingers' online book club for the second month in a row. I enjoyed reading other's thoughts on last month's book and to be able to do it at my leisure is always a bonus. I haven't made the jump to have my own book club yet with my friends, but hopefully come summer when we can lounge on a patio with wine (can't have book club without it) and discuss a book or two.

This month's selection chosen by members of the club was The Fault In Our Stars by John Green.  I had recognized the cover of this book prior to starting it and it was given many awards in 2012. I again chose to do the audio version of the book as it was easier for me to listen to the book in the car than sit down and read it. 

I found myself more and more not wanting to shut off my car to finish another chapter and hear just a bit more about the characters. 

You know from the start that main character Hazel has terminal cancer and is just a teenager trying to get by and enjoy life as much as her crappy lungs will allow. She has a favorite book that she has read over and over and upon meeting an interesting boy, she shares the book with him, growing a bond between them that only they can truly understand - he too has cancer. They become almost inseparable as their impact in each other's lives is so drastic, yet amazing!

There were quite a few moments that I found myself ready to cry and by the end, I did cry. It's a sad but real story about life. That's all I'm going to give away as I think that everyone should read this book if they can. It's very well written (read as well) and definitely gets you to not want to put the book down. 

I can't wait to read other's perspectives on the book. The posting will be on Peanut Butter Finger's blog soon, so keep a look out :)

PS - Cancer is evil! As if you didn't know that already..

Book Review: Blackberry Winter

This last month I participated in Peanut Butter Fingers' online book club. This was my first time actually participating in a book club and it was a great way to introduce me to keeping myself on a reading schedule and know that I will get other's perspectives on the book.

I actually was able to get an audio book version from my library and listened to the story while driving back and forth to work and also on a few longer weekend ventures. I found myself numerous times not wanting to get out of my car so that I could keep listening to the story. I was almost late to work once just so I could get to the end of a chapter!

The book of choice was Blackberry Winter by Sarah Jio. The book takes place in both 1933 and 2010 in Seattle, Washington and is based on a massive snowstorm in May that basically shuts down the city and makes the record books and the actions that happen on those days in the lives of two women.

The audio book announced which chapter was from whose perspective and besides the reader trying to talk in a male voice (that made me giggle when I first heard it), I really enjoyed the book. It was easy to follow and like I said before, it really pulled me in.

I felt for the characters. I cannot imagine having to leave a child at home to pay the bills and then coming home and finding the son missing. I would be devastated and lost and go to extreme measures to find my child just like the character did. And I liked how the present day character works to unravel the mystery almost 80 years later.

The book had enough twists and turns (not to mention two simultaneous stories that eventually linked togther) to keep me very interested. I have recommended this book to a few friends already and I highly recommend trying an audio book if you are a traveler.

I'll be interested to read other's perspectives on the book and see what came out to them. The posting will be on Peanut Butter Finger's blog this week, so keep a look out :)