The Vow ~ Book and Movie Review

          Due to today being Valentine’s day, I thought that I would write a post about the popular book and movie, The Vow.   After reading the book last week, I went to see the movie this past weekend.  So without further ado, here’s my opinion of both the book and the movie……

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         The Vow, written by Kim and Krickett Carpenter, tells an emotional story of a husband’s unconditional love for his wife and the faithfulness of a God who loves them both.   I couldn’t put this book down when I started reading it, and if it wasn't for the dread of early morning's alarm clock, I would have read it in one sitting.  Unlike the movie, the book spends a lot of time discussing the importance of the couple’s faith as they journeyed through the mountains and valleys of their tragic ordeal.    In this book, Kim Carpentar writes a vivid story of how he met and married the love of his life, consciously endured a car accident with her,  and then in the midst of overwhelming obstacles, fought to keep his marriage alive and rekindle the love that his wife had lost all memory of.  Few books bring tears to my eyes, but the obvious love that Kim had for his wife in the midst of despair was enough reason for me to keep a box of tissues near by as I turned the pages of this book.  I highly recommend reading this book.  It was ten times better than the movie!

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              Now that I’ve discussed the book, I’ll move on to giving my opinion of the movie.  I’m not gonna lie….I was really disappointed with the movie.  After LOVING the book so much, I begged my husband to take me to see the movie opening weekend, but when the movie was over, I left the theatre feeling a little deflated.  Perhaps if I watched the movie before reading the book, I would feel differently.  I knew the book was just the inspiration for the movie, and while I didn’t expect the movie to be just like the book, I did expect it to be sort of like the book.  I had even prepared myself for the realization that the couple’s faith, which had so much to do with the book, would be completely eliminated from the movie.  I just wasn’t prepared for the fact that the story of the couple in the movie wasn’t going to be ANYTHING like the Carpenter’s story.  The only thing the book had in common with the movie was that a car accident left a wife without any memory of her husband.  That’s it!  The vague plot was the only thing the book and movie had in common, and I have to tell ya that I thought the actual real-life story was a thousand times better than Hollywood’s version of a watered down story about love and faithfulness!  While I love Rachel McAdams, not even she could make me want to watch this movie twice.  Next time I want to refresh my memory of The Vow, I’ll bypass the movie and just read the book again.

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Quiet Strength Book Review

           

            I read my second book of the year, Quiet Strength,  last week.  I found it fitting considering all of the Super Bowl hype we've had here in Indy over the past few weeks.  I purchased my hardback edition at a garage sale this past summer for a buck.  After setting it aside in a pile of books, I figured that Super Bowl week was as good a time as any to begin reading through its pages.

            This book was an encouraging read that highlighted Coach Tony Dungy’s faith throughout his career.  I found Tony’s story to be relatable and easy to read.  It was wonderful to read his testimony as he stressed the importance of doing right even when it's not always popular.  I was also encouraged as he wrote about how God’s plan is not always our own plan.  Difficulties come to all of us and can cloud our vision and understanding for a short time, but in the end, aren’t we glad that He knows best. 

            In a world of NFL coaches and players that aren’t always the best example for a younger generation to look up to, Coach Dungy’s integrity and character make me proud to say that he was the coach of the Indianapolis Colts during an era where football meant so much to this city.  In fact, if it weren’t for Dungy’s efforts, last week’s championship game may not have been played in Indy.  

          I'd recommend this book for anyone young and old alike.  I think I talked about how much I liked it so much to my husband that even he, who HATES reading but loves sports, may give this book a try;)

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My 2011 Book List

I pretty much always have a book in my bag or in my purse, if not two or three books.  I have yet to get a Kindle or Nook ~ there's just something about the actual book that I love!   My book list is filled with books that I read for pleasure, so I would describe most of them as easy reads.   While I try to average a book a month,  I was able to read seventeen books for pleasure this year, aside from any required reading that I had to do for school.   You can see a list of the books I’ve read in 2011, along with a brief description of each book,  on my Book List  page. 

Now.....where will the pages of a book take me in 2012?  It's time to start thinking about what books I want to read throughout the next twelve months;)  Happy reading everyone!

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The Help - Book and Movie Review

   

           A few weeks ago, my mom came up to visit me for the weekend, so I could take her to see The Help.   I devoured the book in two days.   When the movie came out, I knew my mom was the perfect person to enjoy it with.  Of course my mom loved the movie, even though she sobbed through the majority of it.  The movie was great, but as it is usually my opinion, the book was even better.  There were certain parts in the book that the movie kind of brushed over for sake of time, so I recommend reading the book to get the whole story. 

            The Help is definitely a must-read on my recommended book list this year.   I love the way Kathryn Stockett tells a historical/fictional story from a unique perspective while stirring all sorts of emotions in the reader.  This book is powerful yet comical, but in the end, it makes the reader realize and appreciate how far our nation has come in just a few short decades.  So if you’re looking for a good read, go to your local bookstore and pick up The Help.   After reading the book, treat yourself to the movie…...you won’t be disappointed.

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Read Any Good Books Lately?

        Yesterday was such a beautiful day!  I knew it was going to be pretty much perfect outside when I went for my morning walk, and there was a blue sky with absolutely no humidity!  It was wonderful!  I know that doesn't sound too exciting to some of you, but around here perfect weather is hard to come by.  For example, last Friday it was a dreary cold day with temperatures in the mid fifties, and by Monday it was an unbearably hot and humid ninety degrees!  Since it was such a beautiful day, I took advantage of the sunshine, grabbed a good book, a glass of lemon lime soda (with a slice of lime in it, of course;), and Molly and I headed out to the deck while Chloe sunbathed in a nearby window.  I love a great book in the summer sunshine, and reading was a wonderful way to spend my late afternoon:)  That brings me to my next point ~ aside from doing a little bit of reading yesterday, I also posted a "reading list" page on my blog.  I've been meaning to do it for awhile and finally got around to it last night.  Over the next few weeks I'll be posting my opinions of the books that I've read this year on my home page, and then linking the post back to the title of the book on the "reading list" page.  Have you read any good books lately? If you have let me know, and maybe I'll add it to my "to read" pile of books this year:)  Happy reading everyone!



What a great way to spend the afternoon!



Molly agrees.....

....and Chloe does too;)

I wish everyday had sunshine and a blue sky when I looked out the window.  I'll take this view any day:)

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