Book Reviews: Love, Lust + Lies

Eleanor & Park: This book was recommended to me on Facebook, and I’m so glad I looked for it on a whim at the library. It’s a simple story with simple characters, but the author makes you fall in love with the simplicity. I think it’s because we can all relate – a young love story that isn’t bound to last, but you put everything into it like it will. The air between the lovebirds was palpable, sitting next to each other on the school bus sharing music and comics and sweaty hands, and made me wish I was there myself.
Grade: A

The Reader: I remember when this movie came out and just from seeing a few salacious lines about the plot, thought who in the world would want to see this?! But let me tell you, I read the book and then watched the movie in two days. The author turns something you don’t think would be interesting into the most fascinating love story I’ve heard in a long time. The writing was just superb and swept me away. One of my top 5 books of 2014.
Grade: A+

Yes Please: I have to say I was a little disappointed in this book. I LOVE Amy Poehler, and this definitely doesn’t change that fact, but I was expecting a laugh-out-loud-till-you-cry book and unfortunately that’s not what I found. I was probably comparing it too much to other similar books that I that I adore – Bossypants by Tina Fey and Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling. It certainly had it’s funny moments, but probably what I loved the most was hearing the behind the scenes of SNL and Parks and Rec.
Grade: A-

Girl on the Train: This book was just as good as everyone said it was. I loved the way the story was told, through 3 different perspectives and in morning/evening narratives. It kept your mind reeling throughout, following different leads of what could have possibly happened to girl who disappears. I can’t say it was quite as good as Gone Girl (of which it has been compared), but it was a terrific way to spend my snowy Saturday morning.
Grade: A

xo xo

[Read all of my book reviews here]