Actually, if I am honest with myself, the hubby is right (don't you dare tell him I said that); Sparks' books do seem to fall into a sort of routine: all of them take place in a small town in North Carolina, a few of them use dogs as a main character, there is usually some kind of tragedy, etc, etc...but what can I say, I just can't help myself.
Sparks weaves such a beautiful romance within each of his books that I just can't seem to put them down.
I just finished two of his more recent novels: The Lucky One and Dear John. I am not going to write about both of them in the post because, well, I just like to keep things separated like that.
Dear John, although the majority of it too took place in a small town in North Carolina, actually veered from Sparks' norm. I believe he stepped outside his comfort zone and wrote a modern-day war love story, complete with scenes from Iraq.John Tyree, an angry young man raised only by his father, enlisted in the army right after high school in order to escape the destructive path in which he saw his life heading.
During one of his leaves, he meets Savannah Lynn Curtis, his polar opposite and yet his compliment in life. It is an immediate attraction between the two and when it comes time for John to return to duty, they vow to make their relationship last.
Little did they know that 9/11 was right around the corner and that their love would face some of the largest hardships and decisions known to man.
I would highly recommend this book to all those who love a good love story; but like any Nicholas Sparks book, be prepared for some inevitable heartbreaks.
What good books have you all read lately?
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Ok, you asked about the books I've been reading so here's an introduction.
The Outlander series is about two main characters, Claire and Jamie and takes place in eighteenth (and twentieth-century) Scotland. Its genre is romance/historical fiction/science fiction because it focuses on the romantic relationship that takes place in the eighteenth century after Claire was propelled there by time travel. Her and her present day husband were at a Scottish site of standing stones and witnessed a ritual by some local women. She returns there later to collect a plant that she had seen the before and hears a buzzing noise coming from the stones--that wasn't there before. The buzzing becomes louder as she gets nearer, and when she places her hand against one of the stones, she becomes disoriented and blacks out and then wakes up in a different time. This is where the action begins. If you read it, let me know what you think.
The only Nicholas sparks book I have read is The Notebook. I will have to check this one out it sounds really good!!!
Sounds like a good one! I just finished A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (as I mentioned in my post today), and it was perhaps one of the best books I've read. Ever. Seriously. That good. It takes place in Afghanistan mid-70's to post-9/11 and follows the stories of two women through those years. I'm so glad I've rediscovered the joy of reading.
I just finished Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson. Of course, it's young adult lit. And the title says it all- twisted!
I usually read mysteries so you may not be interested in my list. I do love Dear John! Have you read The Guardian? It's definitely a departure from his usual. I agree with Maggie that 1000 Splendid Suns was an excellent read.
Have you read the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers? Start with A Voice in the Wind.
Last recommendation to pass along is Same Kind of Different As Me. Inspiring. Gotta read it!
Way to go, girls!! You all just listed books I have not read yet (except for the Guardian - if it's a Sparks book, chances are I've read it); ) So, thanks for all of the suggestions. I will be sure to write them all down on my to read list. And Joni, I do love a good mystery. Mary Higgins Clark was my author of choice until Sparks came along : )
I am a self help girl personally...so I am currently reading Trading Places by Les and Leslie Parrot...Great book on Marriage and empathy!! I also loved every womans struggle....great options!!!
Hmm...I have a lot of Sparks books on my book shelf that i have not yet read. Dear John sounds good but I am always nervous to read books like that. Sometime it is like I am reading the story of my life.
I have gotten into reading books about Henry VIII and actually read The Other Boleyn Girl by Phillipa Gregory. It was so great! And then from there I went to other period books by Alison Weir, The Innocent Traitor, and The Lady Elizabeth. These are great reads!
OH MY GOODNESS!!!
I LOVE his books!!
Of course I read The Notebook but I also read The Wedding!! Its the follow up to The Notebook...its wonderful, made me cry!!
Im finishing the book A walk to Remember, the movie has always been my favorite and I heard the book was better so thats why Im reading that now. So far, so good!
You've got a pretty good list of books to read once I'm finished with Twilight! :) Dear John sounds like a good one...I love military books for some reason...not sure lol
Amanda - I think you will be okay reading this "military" book. I don't think it resembles your life too much. I wish I could say more, but I don't want to spoil it for anyone : )
Spoiled Mommy - The Notebook and A Walk to Remember were by far my favorites!
Stacey - how is Twilight going? Are you addicted yet? : )
You like mysteries?! I love James Patterson's series with the numbers 1st to Die, 5th Horseman...
I also love Patricia Cornwell's Scarpetta series (but not so much for the rest of hers).
My list goes on and on...
I read that book a few years ago and loved it and I picked up The Lucky One a few weeks ago at a sale but I haven't had time to crack the cover yet. Once I finished my project, getting to read the book will be my reward.
My most recent reads and my favorite have been the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers. She used to be romance novelist and now writes does an amazing job combining her romantic gift with a christian subject. If you enjoy Sparks you will probably like her books.
Melinda:
I thought of all of the above mentioned either because I've read them or I know someone who is reading them and is addicted. I also thought of a series that includes "The Uglies" "The Pretties" and "The Specials". I bought them for Carlee, I think. They are futuristic, and about how we as a society decide what is pretty and when a young girl turns 16 she has to have cosmetic to become "pretty". You'll have to ask Carlee is she's read them. They sound good, and not that far off of where we are headed in our society in my opinion.
I loved Dear John also.
Reading is my ultimate passion...would rather be on the couch with a good book than doing anything else!! I don't stick to one genre of books...I read whatever sounds good at the moment! So, here are several great reads you should definitely check out.....
Saffron Skies by Lesley Lokko (loved, loved, LOVED this book)
The Usual Rules by Joyce Maynard
(great, easy read)
The Tapestries by Kien Nguyen (one of my -many- favorites!)
Also....
a lotus grow is the mud by Goldie Hawn
Burnt Toast by Teri Hatcher
ENJOY!!!! Let me know when you need something else to read!
Holy cow! You all are going to keep me busy for months (maybe years) with all of your reading suggestions!! Thanks, everyone!
This is how I get books, because I am SO cheap, I go to the thrift store on half price day and I pick up 4 or 5 Oprah's book club books for $.50 each : ). Right now I am reading Jewel about a lady whose daughter was born retarded and it was at a time when Dr's encouraged parents to put their mentally retarded children in a home for life. It is compelling.
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