Book Club June-Seriously, I'm Kidding

June's book for Bon's Online Book Club (thelifeofbon.com) is Seriously, I'm Kidding by Ellen Degeneres. 

This book made me happy. It's random tidbits. Every chapter is different from the last. A very quick read, or you could do a chapter a day (if you can make yourself put it down) for a daily happiness boost. It also made me think, which I liked because it's wasn't a huge deep thinking process, just general thinking about what I can improve and be grateful for. I laughed so much while reading this on my breaks three women I work with read it after me. That's a successful book. 

Book Club May-Silver Linings Playbook

Onto the fourth book for Bon's Online Book Club (thelifeofbon.com), Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick. 

I have to start by saying I was very entertained by this book. I liked Pat for the most part, but hated the way the author made him talk like a child. It felt less realistic. I was glad he realized he loved Tiffany and was able to get over his ex wife. I felt bad for him every time he talked about Nikki. Overall it was very enjoyable to read. Recommended. 

Book Club April-The Great Gatsby

The third book in Bon's Online Book Club (thelifeofbon.com) is The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. I'll just jump right in...

I hate Daisy more than anyone else. She is so selfish! The only reason I can think of for Gatsby to be so focused on her is that he's really focused on the idea of her. He has a perfect image of her in his head that is completely unrealistic. 

Her affair is most definitely not excusable just because her husband also had an affair. There is no sympathy from me for either of them. Time to grow up! If you don't love someone, don't be with them. If you do love someone you should be faithful to them. 

I don't know why this book is a classic. It's a very irritating display of people screwing up their lives and not caring how their actions affect anyone else. I did not like it. (can you tell?) It did nothing to better my life, expand my imagination, or entertain me. I finished it because I cannot start a book and not finish it. 

I also felt the author was overly descriptive. It was like he tried to put in every beautiful and poetic thing he could think of, which took away from some of the nicer descriptions used. 

And that's all I have to say about that. 

Book Club March-The Fault In Our Stars

The second book in Bon's Online Book Club (thelifeofbon.com). I had hoped it would be better than the first and I wasn't disappointed!

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. 

This is such an emotional book. Funny and sad. Simple and so completely complex. I laughed and with the next sentence I cried. I loved that. 

I also liked the characters. I found them believable. They didn't have school every day, like normal children who aren't dying, so they had more time to read and learn big words-which a lot of people have a problem with. 

The trip to Amsterdam was significant because it shows what tragedy can do to your life of you let it. It's also significant for the relationship progression of Gus and Hazel. I did think it was strange that there was no awkwardness with the sex, it was the first time for them both. 

I think the author added the graphic scenes because that's the reality of the disease. To sugar coat it would be insulting to those who've gone through it. 

Hazel's grieving process seemed very realistic, I can't imagine how hard it must be to lose someone you love and to know they suffered. I think it's important for young adults to read books like this, that contain deep realistic issues. While tragic, it's also uplifting. It makes you think and realize what you have. Too often we focus on what we don't have and what we want to change, when we should really be grateful. 

I definitely recommend this book. 

Book Club February-Gone Girl

The first book in Bon's Online Book Club. (thelifeofbon.com) I love the idea of book club and I've always wanted to join one. The online book club is fantastic because it gives me the experience of being in a book club at my convenience. Im going to read books I never would have picked up before, and read the views of others on them. I'm very exited to start this!

So our first book is Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. It was interesting enough to make me want to finish it, but I can't say I liked it. 

Amy seemed fake from the beginning. She was very irritating to me. Then, when she pulled the switch and we saw who the real Amy was, I disliked her even more. How some people are willing to do whatever it takes to get what they want, no matter how it affects other people, is sad. She ruined and ended other peoples lives when they didn't act exactly as she wanted, or to achieve her own selfish desires. 

I felt sorry for Nick, especially after the twist. However, I think cheating is wrong and never justified. Though Amy's punishment for him was extreme, you can't do wrong things, knowing they're wrong, and not expect a consequence. 

The end was very disappointing. Amy gets her way?! What is that about? And that poor baby, I felt so bad for that little one! I think nick would be a good father because he wanted to be so much, but I think that's what would drive him, not Amy. As dissatisfied as I was by the end of the book, I was very glad it was over.