A Walk to Remember, Nicholas Sparks | BOOKS

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"They're right when they say he has a special flair with writing - he really does"

A little while ago I told you about my experiences with The Lucky One (see post here). It was a no-brainer to pick up another Nicholas Sparks book, and this was the one that I chose. Quite frankly, it's another movie I have not yet seen, so I wanted to flick through the book before watched the film. Was it as good as The Lucky One?

"It was cute, romantic and heartwarming"

Well, it was another easy read - one that I found I did not get bored of, and I get bored of a lot of books quite easily. If it keeps me on my toes, and I'm not thinking about stopping reading mid-book, it's a good one!

"this one leaves a little more to your imagination"

It had the Nicholas Sparks flair you'd know and love if you've read a book by him before. It felt personal, as it was written in the form of Landon retelling his 17th year, which made it more relatable. It was cute, romantic and heartwarming to see the character grow as the storyline developed. It really does make you realise that there is more to a person than what meets the eye - and it's completely true.

"an overall lift in my mood after every reading session"

Slightly different to The Lucky One, this one leaves a little more to your imagination. I do like the shocks you're given throughout the book, which just leaves you wide-eyed wanting to read on to the next chapter. It was another one of those that you just cannot put down. Yet, when you do put it down (because your eyelids give up on you right before bed), you're left with a smile on your face.

"just leaves you wide-eyed wanting to read on to the next chapter."

I tend to connect a lot which characters in a book that I'm reading, and as weird as it sounds, if they're having a bad day, I feel a little low too, and if they're super happy, I'm super happy.
Put it this way, this book caused an overall lift in my mood after every reading session - and I loved it.

Great book, but if you're to choose one Nicholas Sparks book to read, I'd say go with The Lucky One. Maybe it's because of my slight obsession with Zac Efron, or maybe it's due to my admiration for the character Logan (the protagonist of The Lucky One) - either way, my love for The Lucky One was not taken over by this one. Nonetheless, I enjoyed reading both, and am now officially a fan of Nicholas Sparks. They're right when they say he has a special flair with writing - he really does.

Have you read any Nicholas Sparks books? What do you look for in a book? 

The Lucky One | MOVIE

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"Did you read the book or just watch the film for the hunk (a.k.a. Mr Zac Efron)? Trust me, I won’t judge. ;)"

The other day you saw the book review. Now it’s time for the movie to be reflected upon. I must say, I was so excited to see this movie, not only because Mr Zac Efron was part of the deal, but because of the incredible story I had yet only finished a couple of days before.

There are no big spoilers in this post, and when there is, there’ll be warning ;)

I was expecting to see the opening scene that they had in the book, of Keith by that creek being a creep on those college girls. I did understand they weren’t going to keep the scene exactly the same, as the movie didn’t want an “18” age restriction, yet something of the sort would have stuck to the story. So that was tick number 1 next to the not-the-same-as-the-book tally we’re keeping.

Another thing: Logan was meant to have long hair! If you read the corresponding book review, you’d have known I always imagined Zac to play Logan, yet, I did find it a little difficult imagining him with long hair and was intrigued to see how he’d pull it off in the movie! Next thing I see, he doesn’t have long hair!! What?!

Now that the little rant is over, lets get on with the good things. Logan, being the protagonist, was played very well. I also like the selection of Taylor Schilling playing Elizabeth. Ooh, that reminds me: in the book, Logan was the only one that called her Elizabeth and the others called her Beth. This was a little detail that was so cute in the book, yet the movie missed it completely. It was only Beth. Either way, Taylor pulled off the slight naïve, but uber gorgeous-but-doesn’t-know-it kind of character. She did a good job!

Overall the movie was touching and Keith did make your blood boil, just as he did in the book! It was a good watch, and one of those that you’d like to watch on a chilled out night!

Although it was a good movie, I just wish they made the ending better. In the book it was slightly rushed, but it was better than the movie. The movies ending was very much rushed, in my opinion, and there was so much potential for a better way to end it. 

*SPOILER ALERT: In the book, both men were very much injured when trying to save Ben from the crazy river. We, as readers, knew that they both got hurt and Ben was saved. Then we read about Beth going to the graveyard with two bunches of flowers. At this point we don’t know whether the flowers are for each Logan and Keith and that they had both died, or Logan and Drake meaning Keith had survived at the risk of Logan's death, or what happened at all! The whole suspense of it really gets you worked up. Then she comes home to Logan and Ben, and you’re literally over the moon! THIS, ladies and gentlemen, is how the movie should have ended.
*END OF SPOILER

Gosh I feel I totally deserve the role of director and producer now! Only joking, they did a great job of creating the film, and there are a few bits here and there that I wish they did include from the book, but that’s just the perfectionist in me talking! 

Right, so that was a bit of a ramble, but it definitely summed up my deep feelings I had for this book. I don’t exactly know why, but The Lucky One still makes me feel slightly giddy, and it’ll be a story I’ll never forget!

This one is definitely for the dreamers!

Tell me, what did you think of The Lucky One? Did you read the book or just watch the film for the hunk (a.k.a. Mr Zac Efron)? Trust me, I won’t judge. ;)

The Lucky One - Nicholas Sparks | BOOKS

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"Many times, I caught myself physically smiling as I was reading"

Everyone knows of the oh-so-famous Nicholas Sparks based movies. You know, the ones with Ryan Gosling, Liam Hemsworth, Channing Tatum and in this case, Zac Efron. I must say, good choice of actors! Although I had known of the films, and watched a few in my day, I never really thought about picking up the book. Then came a day I decided to take a read of this one, and I've never looked back.

"yet there's something about it that just makes real life seem that much more magical"

Seeing as I hadn't yet watched the movie, I thought it'd be a good idea to flick through the book first. Let me tell you, once I picked it up, there was no way I was putting it down. I must admit, the moment I read about Thibault, Zac Efrons' face jumped into view, and he totally fits the character. Thibault is an awesome guy. He's done so many great things but is so modest. I don't know what is it about those kind of characters, but they are my favourite. So every time his good nature was mentioned, it made me feel somewhat 'warm and fuzzy' on the inside. Many times, I caught myself physically smiling as I was reading. And that's just one of the myriad of things I liked about the book.

"I don't know what is it about those kind of characters, but they are my favourite"

The overall story is quite interesting. It really does make me believe in destiny, and as cliché as it may sound, I guess I am a believer of fate. Don't get me wrong, I totally understand how this is a book and only a story, not real life, yet there's something about it that just makes real life seem that much more magical. Am I going crazy? I don't really know what it is, but the book gave me a sense of hope, the idea that 'good things are to come' - okay, this is just proving how much of a dreamer I really am!

"Then came a day I decided to take a read of this one, and I've never looked back"

I'm going to watch the movie and give you a verdict, was the book better than the movie? Keep your eye's peeled for that post later on in the week! However, to round this post off, let me just tell you, if you're looking for a nice escape, a good read and overall a lovely story rammed in a neat little book, this one is for you! 

Tell me, what do you think of Nicholas Sparks' books, any suggestions?