Vacation reads book #2 - Me Before You

Me Before You: A Novel
By JoJo Moyes
Penguin Publishing, 2012
Genre: Fiction

Will Traynor loved his life and lived it to the fullest. He climbed mountains, traveled, and sky dived. He worked hard, loved his job and reveled in making huge deals. He had “leggy” girlfriends and loved to spend time with them. Everything was going great for him, until one day while crossing the street on the way into the office Will was hit by a motorcycle. Two years later, Louisa (Lou) Clark lives with her whole family. She sleeps in the smallest room with no windows, so her sister can have the larger room for her and her son. She has just been fired from a job she loved at a nearby café. She has been trying to find a new job and cannot do another minute at the chicken processing plant. While at the Career Centre, they offer her a position as a companion for a quadriplegic. She has never worked in this capacity and is quite nervous at the interview. Carmilla Traynor interviews Lou, to be with her son Will during the day. Her job is to make sure he isn’t alone and that he has someone to drive him around, or give him anything he needs. Carmilla hires Lou, and the next day she meets Will; He is angry and in constant pain. As time passes Lou learns she has to make Will love life again, and Will learns he needs to help Lou have a life.

This was one of my vacation books. It was such an easy read, and I got sucked in pretty quickly. It was well written, and the language is easy, as if it was just unfolding before you. As I worked my way through this one, I knew it was going to be a crying book. But in the end I didn’t cry as much as I thought I would. It felt inevitable, what else would happen? This was realistic, and even though it feels a little black you knew it was coming. But let me tell you that I wasn’t fully prepared because in the VERY END I was crying hard, like put the book down and get the tissues. Not one graceful tear, but the whole waterworks. But I couldn’t put this one down. I had to know what was going to happen to these two, and it didn’t disappoint.

This story was real to me, there was no glossing over the difficult parts of Will's various problems. There were some folks on the internet that Lou turns to for advice and they were real. There were two sides, the ones that were getting on and doing what they could to have a good life. Then there was the darker side, the anger and the pain. I liked that Moyes didn’t shy away from any of that. I also loved that she including the errors that anyone would make (trying to shake Will’s hand). Nor does Moyes shy away from Will’s pain, it is honest and so heartbreaking. Which is why all together it felt so much more realistic to me.

I really wanted to smack Lou’s family sometimes. It was just like “why do you make fun of her when she works to keep you all happy? WHAT IS THE MATTER WITH YOU?” I really didn’t like that they picked on her so much. It made me angry, because she seemed like a good person. Perhaps a little lost, but still a good person and she didn’t deserve that. But then there is a part with her birthday and her parents redeem themselves. Later on in the book I grew fonder of her sister because she could cut through all of Lou’s crap and see the truth. It was also hard to like Carmilla, until there was a chapter from entirely her perspective, it made me understand her better. Sometimes I really hate when there are chapters from another point of view, but this one was essential.

In the end this was a story of two people, both stuck. One in a wheelchair and the other stuck in her own fears. In the end it just affirms my belief that we really should live to the fullest. Do what you can to not put anything off, and live. It was a beautiful story and I really loved reading it, in fact I would read it again!

My verdict: READ IT!

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What did you think of this book? Did you cry too? Did you find the end inevitable?

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If you liked this, then try:

The Night Circus

My Name is Memory

All the Light we Cannot See

Vacation reads book #1: The Alienist

The Alienist
By Caleb Carr
Random House 1994
Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Action, Thriller

It's 1896 and New York has a new police commissioner, Theodore Roosevelt and he has a gruesome case on his hands. Reporter for the New York Times John Schuyler Moore has been called out in the middle of the night by his good friend, coroner and Alienist (Psychologist) Dr. Laszlo Kreizler. John has been asked to meet Dr. Kreizler at a horrific crime scene where a young male prostitute has been brutally murdered. Dr. Kreizler notices that this crime seems similar to another that he had seen not too long ago. He feels that one man is committing these horrible murders. Commissioner Roosevelt requests Dr. Kreizler and John Moore work together to solve this case; as he is working on cleaning up the New York police department he needs them to work in secret. Dr. Kreizler creates a team that will work together using the most modern techniques to solve this case. Joining these two are Detective Sergeants’ Lucius and Marcus Isaacson, brothers, and great detectives who are well versed in modern tactics. Sarah Howard works her way onto the team too. She is the commissioner’s assistant and one of the first women to work for the police department. She has dreams of one day being a detective herself. We follow this group through the seedy underbelly of 19^th century New York’s most notorious brothels, chasing a killer and trying to stop him before he murders another young boy.

Let me preface this by letting you know that this was a novel written by a historian. Do with that what you will. But to me that means it is a story punctured with real facts and people that the author expects you would know if you have any knowledge of American history. This story is fictional, however many of the characters were real people. You may find this annoying, for me it merely made it a little difficult to get into. Occasionally though there were a few tid bits in there about a famous American serial killer and I found it merely distracting. It felt almost unnecessary, especially if you don’t know anything about Dr. H. H. Holmes. Because the author is a historian it seemed a little bit drawn out, packed with so much information that I felt it could have been shorter. Don’t let that prevent you from reading it, as it was a very good story.

To me this was a 19^th century Criminal Minds, if you will allow me to draw a pop culture parallel. These were some of the earliest profilers. They used Dr. Kriezler’s knowledge, and used what they could glean from the killer and figure out who he was and why he was killing. I really enjoyed that. It was novel for me watching this unfold without modern technology, no Garcia (sorry if you don’t watch Criminal Minds you probably didn’t get that) to answer all their questions and do a quick search to find out all the information they needed. They had to do the leg work and that felt fresh to me. Everything is so instantaneous for us now, and I liked thinking about how much harder it was back then, it felt so much more satisfying.

Don’t let me fool you into thinking this was an easy search for our heroes. They followed the wrong train of thought at times and it lead them astray. They got caught up on the wrong clue, or looked at something the wrong way just as anyone else would have. This is why it was a good book, there weren’t any easy answers.

I have to say that my favorite character was Sara. She knew what was going on with all the other characters before they did. I related to her, she was spunky and independent. She was sort of the underdog of the group in the beginning and slowly became their champion and I loved her for that.

If you enjoy historical fiction, New York in particular, you will LOVE this book. It was really very good. I felt that it was a little bit too drawn out to get really excited and get really into it. I wasn’t racing to find out what happened at the end. But it was a very well written very good book that I thoroughly enjoyed.

My Verdict: Give it a try
 

  

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How do you feel about period novels? What did you like about this one? Was it a bit drawn out for you too?

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If you liked this, try:

The Yard
Moriarty
Poisoner's Handbook

Miss. Peregrine's Home Part 2: Hollow City

Hollow City
By Ransom Riggs

Quirk Books January 2014

Part of Miss. Peregrine’s series

Genre: Adventure, Action, Thriller, Photography

Welcome to part two of the Miss. Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children series. If you haven’t read the first book I suggest that you wait to read this review. Hollow City picks up where the last book stops and big things happen at the end and I would hate to give anything away if you are wanting to read the books.

Guys, I couldn’t wait to get through these books. They were so interesting. I was so excited that there were all new photographs in the second book. So many creepy pictures I really enjoy when I get totally immersed in a book, and with these ones I was in deep! You have to feel bad for my husband when this happens. The poor guy, his wife is making dinner one handed because she is reading a book. He puts on a show we both enjoy, for a nice relaxing evening, but I am reading. I am a lucky lady that he puts up with me. This was one of these books, I just HAD to know what was going to happen.

The children are on the run, Miss. Peregrine is trapped as a bird, and the monsters are chasing them. They have to help Miss. P before she is stuck as a bird forever. They have decided to leave their island, hopefully not forever. They travel to London to find someone who can cure Miss. P, on their journey they find more peculiars and even peculiar animals who help hem along the way.

I have to say that I hated that this one ended with another cliff hanger. It left me with that WHAT NOW feeling!?! It felt the same as the last book, HOW CAN YOU DO THIS AGAIN! I HAVE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS. I hate when I start a series and I don’t know that it is going to be a series. I really should do research before I buy the books because I hate when I am left with no way to start the next book. So let me tell you now, if you feel the same way that I do. Wait to start this series until all the books are out. Also, I don’t know if the third book is going to be the last one or if there will be more. I will let you know once I’ve read it.

This one felt sort of like WHAT ELSE CAN GO WRONG? A little bit overwhelming and I hope that a lot will be resolved in the next book. I normally find the second books to be a little bit dull. A lot of set up for the final book, or the next book. This one was a little bit like that only in that it felt like they were constantly in trouble. But it didn’t feel dull or like there was no resolve at all. I have really been enjoying these books, and I hope you will too! I've put up another poll, so let me know what you thought. - now closed

My verdict: READ THE SERIES (but keep in mind the audience it was written for)

If you liked this series try:

The Lynburn legacy (a trilogy also in YA)

Her fearful symmetry

Omens (another series)

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children Part 1

Miss. Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children
By Ransom Riggs
Quirk Books June 2013
Part of the Miss. Peregrine series

Genre: Adventure, Action, Thriller, Photography

Hello fellow book lovers,

In the next few posts I wish to discuss the two books that have been released in the Miss. Peregrine’s series. Mainly because the third book will be released soon, and I CAN’T WAIT!!!! Do you know what I hate as a full grown adult? Seeing a book, thinking it looks SO AWESOME, and then finding out it is young adult (YA). I always think to myself, aren’t I too old for this? Well let me tell you, you are NEVER too old for this series. It is so unique and I love how the story is told. It’s a little bit creepy, and so interesting.

So not only is the third book coming out, but they are making it into a movie. So read the books before everyone else does and you can say “I read that BEFORE it was a movie” Like the book snob that you are!  Normally I don’t get all excited about books into movies, HOWEVER, this one is going to be directed by none other than TIM BURTON himself. I love him, and if you don’t then we can’t be friends anymore. Just kidding, we can still be friends but we are agreed that I get to mock your lack of taste. Agreed? No? Well then we agree I get to mock you silently. I take your lack of response as a yes.

Tim (Do you like how I call him Tim, like we are old buddies) if you ever somehow come across this blog. I would like to suggest you also do The Night Circus. The whole time reading that book I thought TIM BURTON HAS TO TAKE THIS AMAZING BOOK AND MAKE IT INTO A MAGICAL MOVIE!!!!! Thank you for letting me get that out into the mysterious interwebs. Hopefully he will come across it and say, "yes OK thanks Elyse. "

Ok enough about the movie/my love of Tim Burton. This series is told through photographs, which is just so cool. Not like fake pictures made up on a computer. These are vintage photographs that the author has collected over the years. It is just so cool, because some of these pictures are creepy – and I LOVE THAT! He has turned the people in these pictures into the characters and made a very great adventure for the reader.

Let’s talk about the first book Miss. Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. Here is my little synopsis to get you interested: Jacob has always looked up to his grandfather. He loved his stories that were so outrageous and amazing. Jacob wanted to be an adventurer, and discover new places and see new things. His grandfather has pictures of all his special friends to back up his stories. As Jacob gets older, grandpa’s stories seem a bit far-fetched. The photos that he has seem to be fakes and easily explainable. When tragedy strikes Jacob embarks on an adventure to a remote island to investigate his grandfather’s story. Where he discovers a peculiar house and some very peculiar people...

I understand how Jacob feels. My grandfather and I were very close. I know how it is growing up with an aging grandparent and feeling sad and confused as they changed with age. I really related to that and what it made Jacob feel. I did get a little bit frustrated how he seemed to give up on his grandpa. But I guess we all do that when we are teenagers, and when we grow up, look back and imagine that we wouldn’t have been like that. Even though, we probably were.

I adore the setting, this magical place, in this old house bursting with unusual people. Reading this book I felt transported to this amazing world where anything is possible. The fact that the children were living in the 1940’s made this so much better for me, I love that time period, the clothing and the music, it really made me feel immersed in the story.

I do have to say that the story felt a little bit juvenile. I understand that it has to be targeted to the correct audience, but as an adult reading the book, it was a little bit young for me. I  did love the story and the pictures it was so interesting. Also, you may be thinking, these pictures are so creepy it’s going to be a scary book. It was NOT scary. It was not a horror novel, it was an adventure and a mystery story.

Next time we will discuss Hollow City, the second novel in the series. Also check out the poll on the right side of the screen. Let me know what you thought of this book. - now closed

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What did you think of this book? Are you reading the series? Which was your favorite picture?

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