A dearth as of late . . .

I have been without a book to read for too long, so I researched some top seller lists, best recommendations for summer, etc, and find myself with too many now! : )  Ah well, too many books is a good thing!  So here's the latest:

First book:

Some Things That Stay, by Sarah Willis

Easy, Juvi/Fic, about a girl whose family moves every spring for her father's work (he is a landscape painter and needs a "new view" to continue stimulating his creativity).  The story follows Tamara (think "tomorrow" with an "a" ending) who, at age 15, decides to never move again, no matter what.  It's a kind of coming of age novel, and I thought it was pretty accurate from her viewpoint.  It's pretty infantile, but was a fun easy read, and I'm not sure I'd ever read it again, . . . nor recommend it.  Just not that good.  I did cry, but it doesn't take much to get me to cry : ) and there is a scarily detailed scene of when Tamara first . . . gets involved with a boy . . . for lack of better description.  I guess this is one of those risks when you take other people's advice about books they loved!

**

Dear John, by Nicholas Sparks

With the movie that just came out, I find I really like to read the book first, then see the movie.  I don't think I've ever done it the other way, because it spoils my idea of what the characters look like, the setting, etc etc etc.  I loved the story line, and I loved the ending, and yes, I did cry . . . again . . . but isn't that almost a requirement with a Nic Sparks book?  I think so.  I loved John's character, and Savannah's too, although there were times when I felt Nic was getting a little too caught up in his own descriptions--get on with it already!  I appreciated the descriptions of army life, though--I really felt like I understood that a little better after reading this.  The description of John's father was awesome too, and his realization about their relationship after Savannah's "diagnosis" was eye-opening and I loved being in his shoes during that time.  I really liked their "tradition," although it was a little/lot sappy, I did enjoy this book!

This was a perfect "beach book" and I definitely would recommend it for a fun, easy read. : )

***

On to the next book in the pile!