The Lucky One - Nicholas Sparks ★★★★

There is probably a reason why almost all of Nicholas Sparks' books are made into movies. The Lucky One is no exception. I have not seen the movie yet and I really didn't want to see the movie before I read the book, because doing it that way tends to ruin the book.  After discussing the book vs. movie theory with a friend who had seen the movie, I'm glad I did read the book first.  Without giving to much away, my friend said that the movie doesn't focus as much on the Military aspect like the book does. I think if you didn't read as much detailed info about Logan's time during the Military, then the purpose of the "Good Luck Charm" won't make that much of an impact. Also, my friend said that the ending in the movie, is a little different than the book. I'm not sure how its different, but I liked the way the book ended. Reading up to the end, I do admit I was getting anxious, but all in all I think Sparks made the right choice to end it the way he did. My only complaint, was Logan's name. He went by Thibault (T-Bow) and I first read it as Thigh-bolt, just like the Clayton (the Deputy) did but after there was an explanation on the pronunciation, I was getting confused. I was getting mixed up because Sparks and the majority of the characters referred to Logan, as Thibault (T-Bow) except the Clayton who kept calling him Thigh-Bolt (This is how Sparks writes it in the book when it revolved around Clayton), so I found myself reading the correct version of his name as T-Bolt. Oh well..its just a name.....I prefer Logan anyway.  Oh! and favorite character was Zeus (Logan's dog). He is awesome.

The Running Dream - Wendelin Van Draanen ★★★★★

Jessica is a runner. She eats, sleeps, and breaths running. Everything in her life revolves around running. Its the blood pumping through her veins. Then one day, its all ripped away from her. Jessica, still in high school, is in an accident that leaves her as an amputee. The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen begins after the accident with Jessica in the hospital and facing the fact that she can no longer run. She eventually learns to walk again using a prosthetic and she figures that if she can walk again...then she can run again. Along the journey, she makes friends with people that before the accident, she wouldn't even look at. Jessica grows up over the next few months and not only does she accomplish her dream of running again, but she also makes someone else dream come true.

I enjoyed The Running Dream because it demonstrates courage, strength, motivation and ambition. I started running about a year ago and I have days where I just want to give in and I have both legs. It was motivating to see that if you believe in yourself, then it can be done. In this cause, failure was not an option.

On Dublin Street - Samantha Young ★★★★★

 

I read Fifty Shades of Grey because it was the talk of the town. I read all the entire series and gave a rating of 3 stars for each book. I then read "On Dublin Street" by Samantha Young and its now...Fifty shades of what???

 

On Dublin Street tells the story of a girl named Joss who experienced a horrible tragedy when she was 14. She then spiraled out of control and by 18, she turned it all off. She shuts out the world and its her and only her. Now 8 years later, everything is still turned off. She gets a new roommate, Ellie, and meets Ellie's brother, Braden Carmichael and everything changes.  Braden, Ellie and other characters start to break down Joss's walls and infiltrate her highly guarded world.

 

I liked this book. I felt that there was character development. You see how Joss was, how she is and what she becomes. I liked the relationship that Joss and Braden have with one other.  Samantha Young wrote it well. I wasn't getting bored with the "repetitiveness" like in other books (FSoG/Twilight/etc.). There was tragedy (past and present), excitement (every time Braden is around), humor (she calls Brandan an Asshat) and love. I recommend people to read this book. I suggest people read this book over fifty shades. I'm only comparing it to FSoG because of the sex. I'll admit, even the sex scenes in On Dublin Street are better. Young wrote it in a more classy way. It was still dirty, but still elegant.  "Regular" sex without bondage can be hot too. 

 

Braden Carmichael takes the cake.

 

5 stars.....read it.