Dark Books

I'm sure most of you, if not all of you, have seen or at least heard of the movie Gone Girl that came out in 2014. Now for those of you who haven't seen it, it was fantastic. It was twisted and crazy and totally insane, but somehow that just made it even better. I left the theater thoroughly mind blown but determined to read the book myself. However, once I started it, I realized that since I knew the ending twist, I couldn't really get into the book. So, I figured I'd try to read a different book of Mrs. Flynn's, hoping that it would be just as incredible as the first. Luckily, I was not disappointed.

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

Genre: Mystery

Via theimn.cm

Setting: Rural America

Published: 2005

Pages: 348

Now before I begin, I would just like to warn you - this was a very dark book. It was sad and confusing and made me not want to move for days because it took an emotional toll on me (although I admit that I can occasionally get a bit too emotionally invested in the books I read, but still. This one was rough). But hopefully that does not deter you, as this is definitely a book you should try! 

It takes place in a fictional town in Kansas called Kinnakee (I couldn't help thinking of the iconic Grease character). You follow Libby Day, the sole survivor of a believed Satanic massacre in which her whole family, except her and her brother, were brutally murdered. The police pin the tragedy on her brother Ben, who was only a teenager (Libby was only 7). Twenty-five years later, Libby is still without a path in life. She is a loner, who doesn't seem to care about anything or anyone. 

Although she had been living off a fund that had been started when she was younger by generous people who felt for her situation, the money is drying up now that she is 32 years old. Hoping to make extra cash, she agrees to go to the 'Kill Club', a place for murder enthusiasts (studying them, not committing them). Invited by eccentric Lyle, Libby finds herself in a place where people know her history as much as she does, however, they believe her brother was wrongfully convicted.

After that, the book rapidly unfolds. It goes from present day in Libby's point of view to the days leading up the murder, coming from the point of view of Libby, her mother, and Ben.

These viewpoints do not paint a pretty picture of their home life. Patty, Libby's late mother, takes about the trouble she has after her husband leaves her and her kids. The family farm is falling apart, and with no money to upkeep it, they are in a very precarious situation. Ben's story takes us on a journey of a scared boy who will do anything to fit in, even if it means getting involved in a dangerous crowd.

Those stories as the backdrop, paired with Libby's newfound desire to find out what really happened the night of the murders, make it hard to put this book down.

And let me tell you - that ending makes the ending of Gone Girl look as tame as a Disney movie.

I’m a Bookie Here Myself

This week, I decided to read something I’ve never read before; a memoir. Why I have never read one is something I’m not really sure about, I mean, they seem like a perfectly wonderful style of book. So, I picked this book so that I could finally experience the allusive memoir. Then, I realized something else original about this particular book; is also an autobiography (which I haven’t read before either. To be honest, I don’t know the difference between the two) and also non-fiction (which I hate).

I have many reasons for my dislike of non-fiction books, from the idea that they are generally dull to the fact that most books I was forced to read in elementary school were non-fiction; that just left a bad taste in my mouth. My biggest issue with non-fiction is simple- why would I want to read about real life? I live it! I don’t need to read about someone else living their life! With the whole universe of incredible things the human mind can dream up and capture into book, why would I want to read about reality? I don’t know, that’s just how I think of it.

Let’s see what this non-fiction has in store…

Via amazon.com

I’m a Stranger Here Myself  by  Bill Bryson

Genre: Memoir, Autobiography, Non-Fiction

Setting: 1995 United States 

Published: 1999

Pages: 288

Well first off, this was not at all what I was expecting. I didn’t really look too much into this book before I started to read it (I hardly ever do), but I was definitely pleasantly surprised. There isn’t really a main story, only a main plot. Mr. Bryson has just returned to America after almost 2 decades living in England. An American by birth, Mr. Bryson moved to England in his 20s. He got married, and has 4 children there, all of whom moved to America with him. They settle in Hanover, New Hampshire, described by Bryson as, "... it is a friendly, well-ordered, prettily steepled community... Dartmouth College, whose benignly dominate presence give the town a backdrop of graceful buildings... and the presence of five thousand students, not not one of whom can be trusted to cross a road in safety." 

Instead of simply recounting his assimilation back into our culture, each chapter he talks about a different thing that either surprised him or was different than the land across the pond. There are chapters titled “Well, Doctor, I Was Just Trying To Lie Down…” where he expresses his astonishment as to the amount of injuries that result from things like beds, mattresses and pillows. Or his chapter “On Losing A Son” where he gets sentimental about how he has ‘lost’ his son to college, an experience most parents can relate to (I immediately called my dad and told him how much I missed him). My personal favorite is “Rules for Living”. This glorious chapter delves into ideas Mr. Bryson has that would, in his words, “make the world a better place.” Out of the 28 hysterical (and I think very wonderful) rules, my favorite is #1: “It is no longer permitted to be stupid and slow. You must choose one or the other.” I think we can benefit from that one.

This book is almost like his love letter to the U.S. (if love letters occasionally go on rants about how the US Postal System is pale in comparison to the ones in England, and are hysterically funny).

It made me see everyday things in a whole new light. Maybe non-fiction isn’t so bad after all…

Rachel and the French Book

This week's book has a special history with me and my sisters. My older sister Claudia read this book years and years ago, and convinced my younger sister Debra to read it soon after. Once Debra read it, she tried to get me to read it, but I kept saying no. Honestly, I didn't have a reason other than I didn't want to make Debra happy (I used to be a mean older sister). Finally, after years of pleading with me, I finally decided to see what all the fuss was about.

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Via amazon.com

Genre: Romance
Setting: Present day Paris
Published: 2010 
Pages: 372

Okay so do you remember in my very first post how I said I love romance books? Well, I've been trying to stay away from them as long as possible so that I could enjoy a wider range of books, but alas, the heart wants what the heart wants. And my heard wanted a cliche romance novel, so here we are.

It's been a while since I've read a book that makes me squeal when something super cute happens and keeps me up until 2 am (much to the dismay of my roommate) to finish it. I actually have photograph evidence, thanks to said roommate.

Now, onto the book. I will try to convince you to read this as Debra tried to convince me, although my argument will be more compelling than hers ("you just HAVE to read it, common!!").

The book starts off with Anna Ophilant, a senior from Atlanta who had just gotten life changing news; she was to spend her senior year of high school in Paris at the School of America in Paris (SOAP for short). Now to me, this seems like a dream come true, but unfortunately for Anna, this is the worst possible news. She is about to start to date a new guy who she has been crushing on all summer, and her and her best friend have plans to have the best year yet, that is, until her father tells her she is off to Paris.

Side note about her father- he is Nicholas Sparks. Which I think is hysterical. Now, it is never really says he is, but it is implied. I wasn't sure at first, but when I brought it up to my sister, she confirmed my suspicion. It really made the book entertaining and interesting.

Now, back to Paris. Anna is terrified and totally alone, but come on, she's is Paris without her parents. Basically my dream (and the dream of most people, I imagine). She quickly befriends her neighbor Meredith, who has a group of talented and interesting friends that welcome Anna into their little group. Among them is Étienne St. Clair, the absurdly attractive English student who is perfect in literary every way- except that he has a girlfriend. But did I mention the British part? The accent?? *swoon*

Me at 1AM finishing the book, the caption has been blurred
 for posterity (complements of my roommate)

It's the pretty classic boy meets girl situation, but boy and girl are in Paris. So it makes everything better and even more romantic. Anna quickly falls for Étienne (not surprising, I fell in love with him too) but since he has a girlfriend, she just remains his friend. But between the lovely trips around Paris and the flirtatious interactions between the two, their relationship is anything but platonic.

It was cliche, cheesy, and sickeningly sweet, but totally wonderful. I would recommend it to anyone who wants a quick and fluffy read that will make them perfectly happy. If you do read it, let me know, I am dying to talk about it. I've just about talked Debra's ear off about it, and as pleased as she is that I've finally read it, I think she is getting sick of hearing about it.

So go, dear readers, and fall in love with Paris (and maybe an English boy along the way).