Book Review – Something Blue

Recently, I finished reading the book Something Blue by Emily Giffin.  This is her follow up book from Something Borrowed.  Instead of continuing with Rachel’s story, we get to follow Darcy.  Giffin did a great job in making me, as a reader, despise Darcy’s character.  Therefore, I was hoping not to be angry while reading this book.  Unfortunately, I had slight animosity in the beginning with thoughts like “she would say that.”  As the story progress, those thoughts changed.  If one did not read this book, what I say after this will be your spoiler alert.

The whole first half of Something Blue, there is nothing but “what is wrong with this girl” running through my mind when it comes to Darcy.  More so for her attitude and how oblivious she is to the world around her.  That feeling made the story somewhat predictable.  Who would continue to read about someone that selfish and egotistic?  Giffin had to keep readers interested, so something to change.  That something…or should I say someone is obviously Darcy.  It was just a matter of when and how this change occurs.

I found it intriguing how Darcy decided to pick up her life and move to England.  We just read about Rachel taking a visit to friend Ethan in the last book, Something Borrowed.  Although, Darcy had an undermining plot to move to England, not a simple visit.  After her first few weeks, she starts to realize how this “visit” is a way for her to start over.  Being surrounded by people that have no idea what she is typically like, Darcy notices how they do not take any of her crap.  She is so used to being spoiled and sought after, that this change knocks her off her feet (not literally).  It’s nice to see her character also notice a shift in emotions.  It felt like she had an ah-hah moment, like SURPRISE that’s what sadness really feels like.  The babies bring a huge emphasis on the change of emotion and I don’t believe it was all supposed to be hormonal.  Toward the end, I found myself rooting for her and Ethan to become an official couple.  This coming off the growth they have throughout the entire story.  When it happens, it felt like that typical movie scene when two people realize the connection that is there and BOOM they make out.  Of course this leads to a future wedding and slow reconciliation with everyone (mainly Rachel and Dex) that Darcy has left behind in the states.  Who doesn’t love a happy ending, especially when made slightly realistic (not everyone was perfectly back to happy relationships).  I am looking forward to my next read by Emily Giffin.

Book Review – The Time Traveler’s Wife

Recently, I finished reading The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger.  Before I go on, I will say that I have yet to see the movie.  At first, I wondered if I really wanted to read something that most everyone was obsessing over, including the movie.  Then I realized that I felt the same for Harry Potter (had to read for a lit class in college) and Twilight but read, as well as enjoyed, both series.  No question, I completely enjoyed this book.  In the beginning, I felt a bit confused with the layout and direction.  As the story went on, I needed to know what was going to happen next.  I love how unpredictable it was and that it does not fall into the typical love story category.  Anything else written might be a spoiler alert to those who haven’t read this book.

Overall, I love the idea of Clare and Henry getting to know/falling in love with each other in a most obscure and informal way.  When I started reading, I felt confused with how Niffenegger had the reader follow both characters in different time periods, which are noted.  My not understanding the layout changed rather quickly as it made more sense for the story coming together.

As much as I loved the story and would recommend it to anyone, the cynic in me showed up many times.  My main example of this is how Clare waited around for Henry her whole life.  It is so surreal that anyone in their right mind would revolve a lifetime around someone that will not be around until a specific date/time.  Yes, Clare had her moment with Gomez, but her thoughts were still with someone that would not show up in her present time for another two years.  Ok, yes I had to remind myself that this is a story and it definitely is sweet and makes me wish things like that were real.  My cynical self also did not like that 40something year old Henry took Clare’s virginity when she was 18.  Yes, they planned it, but it all seems very creepy.  THAT I do not find romantic or sweet at all.  I also believe that a loaded secret like that would cause more stress and harm to the relationship/lives of the couple than portrayed in the story.  But, there I go thinking in reality again.  In my final cynical thinking, I look at their daughter Alba.  No child would be that understanding of heavy loaded information at the ripe age of 3.  Ok, enough of my reality criticizing side.  I find it funny how I look down at these areas and not at the fact that a human being is physically incapable of the time travel portrayed.

Aside from the small part of me that questioned how reality fits in, I was mostly in love with the fantasy of the love story that unraveled.  I would love to know that there is someone out there that knows every single thing about me and continues to love me regardless.  I really enjoyed how both Henry and Clare’s families were less than perfect.  It made it easier to connect to the characters because there are many broken and issue burdened families in society.  It’s nice to know that two people were able to come together and make life work regardless of coming out of a harsh base.

The way Niffenegger placed real life history and media into the time line provided readers with an actual connection to where Clare and Henry are coming from.  It was awesome seeing them enjoy music that I grew up listening to and bringing with me into adulthood.  Also, the brief mention of how September 11 affected the world.  Especially how Henry wanted to be with Clare watching the “world be normal a bit longer” before seeing the planes crash into the twin towers.

Toward the end I got anxious about how the book would conclude.  I could tell it was not going to be the perfect happy ending, which also made me appreciate the story.  Learning of Henry’s death, mainly the way it happened, actually made me sad.  As readers, we already knew of the situation that caused his ending, yet we had no idea until the final moment.  I wanted to cry.  I wanted to cry for Clare, for Alba, for losing loved ones, for hoping that one day I don’t have to lose my husband in a horrific way.  But of course it became sweeter knowing that Clare meets Henry once again and the cycle will never truly end.  I must say, I am excited to see the movie and how it depicts what I just read.  I just hope it’s not one of the movies that demolishes an amazing story.

Book Review – Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin

Recently I have joined booksfree.com and excited and overwhelmed by all the books I can read.  This site is the book version of Netflix and I find it to be amazing.  Half of my list is recommendations from friends/family and the other half books I have been unable to buy.  I have decided that this is a great way to discuss what books I read and hear back from others on their thoughts (if they read the book(s) as well).

Today, I finished reading Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin.  This one was highly recommended by my sister.  I have also seen this book many times in passing at book stores and the Target book aisle.  I never knew anything about it, but heard great things.  Therefore, it becomes my first read off booksfree.com.  First, I could not put this book down.  It was such an easy read.  Easy, but amusing and fun overall.  For anyone who has not read this book, what comes up after this sentence will be a spoiler alert.

I believe everyone can relate to the main character, Rachel.  We’ve all had that friend we envy regardless of how shallow that person comes off.  We all want to succeed in life with dreams we have had in place since childhood.  It is nice read about this character going through real life situations that end up with real life consequences/emotions.  I am extremely happy that she moves on from her goody-two-shoes persona once her 30th birthday spins her into a crazy life adventure.  I could never understand how she staid friends with Darcy for as long as she does.  I think this is because I never had that uber close best friends-since-elementary relationship with anyone.  At first (due to it’s placement in the book), I am angry with both Rachel and Dex.  More-so Dex.  Their first hook-up makes me wonder why the typical stereotype of an engaged man being with the maid of honor has to be introduced.  But, as I further learned about both of their characters, I love them together and it makes sense.  Darcy, on the other hand, is exactly the type of person I cannot stand.  Manipulative, no remorse for her actions, shows off, etc.  I felt bad for her for a split second, when she was betrayed by both her fiance  and best friend.  As her character develops, I still feel slightly bad for her, but I also feel she has it coming to her.  This all makes sense with her ultimate action of becoming pregnant by Dex’s best friend, Marcus.  No, not a revenge hook-up, but one that was happening all along during our adventure with Rachel and Dex.  All the outlining characters, from Jose the doorman to Ethan the long distant childhood friend, add more fun to the story.  As much as this book had readers siding with Rachel on all of her actions, thoughts, memories, and emotions, the next book (Something Blue) focuses on Darcy’s life/side of the story.  I am interested in seeing how all the characters turn out behind the eyes of the person I turned my anger toward in this story.  It has been placed on top of my list for my next shipment after I read the second book of this shipment (The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger) which will be my next review.