Requium by Lauren Oliver

I must remember in future to write a book review very soon after I reach the end of a book. I finished this book a couple of weeks ago, so although I expect this review to be very short I thought it deserved being written.

Once again, I will present to you the synopsis for this novel. Surprisingly Amazon doesn't provide this, I guess they assume, rightly so, that you would only want to read this book after reading the previous two. But still, it may be helpful in order to get an overview of the trilogy.

They have tried to squeeze us out, to stamp us into the past.
But we are still here.
And there are more of us every day.

"Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.

After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor.

Maybe we are driven crazy by our feelings.
Maybe love is a disease, and we would be better off without it.
But we have chosen a different road.
And in the end, that is the point of escaping the cure: We are free to choose.
We are even free to choose the wrong thing."

Following the theme of the second book this one is written in a slightly different way. The story is told from both Lena and Hannah's point of view, alternating with each chapter. Their stories and lives seem very separate right up until the end when they ultimately converge. 

I enjoyed reading this book, and would certainly recommend it if you have read the previous two novels in the trilogy. Although I would have to say that this was my least favourite of the three. For a long period in the book the story doesn't seem to be leading anywhere, but the ending does conclude the trilogy and is worth it for that. 

What did you think of this trilogy? Do you have a similar book recommendations?  

Book Review: 'A Walk to Remember' by Nicholas Sparks

'A Walk to Remember' is a story of two teenagers who fall in love, despite there differences. Jamie and Landon, although knowing who each other are since they were young, live completely separate lives.
Jamie is the daughter of the town's Baptist minister. She is seen by others as someone who does no wrong, helps anyone and lives a carefree life. She lives her life apart from other teenagers, spending her time taking care of her father, volunteering at the local orphanage and rescuing hurt animals. Landon on the other hand is a typical teenage boy, spending his time hanging around with his friends and staying out too late.
It took me a while to get into this book as at the beginning its hard to see where the story is leading, but as with most of Nicholas Sparks' books it's the ending where everything comes together. There is unexpected twist at the end which completely changes their lives forever. This story shows the joy of giving, the pain of loss and how you can grow to love someone more than you ever imagined possible, so much that you would be willing to do anything for them.
Although I am not religious, the character Jamie in this book is and she carries a Bible around with here wherever she goes. There are a couple of quotes put into this book from the Bible and I particularly liked this one about love:
"Love is always patient and kind. It is never jealous. Love is never boastful or conceited. It is never rude of selfish. It does not take offense and is not resentful. Love takes no pleasure in other people's sins, but delights in the truth. It is always ready to excuse, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes."



Book Review: 'At First Sight' by Nicholas Sparks

One of the most beautiful, but sad, stories I have ever read. After finishing another one of Nicholas Sparks' novels, I am reminded of how much I love them.

'At First Sight' is a story about falling in love, relationships, marriage, parenthood, trust and believing. From the very start I was captured by the story of the couple presented in the book. Although as with most of Nicholas Sparks' books the best part is the ending, the part of the book that leaves you with a lasting impression. Heart-wrenchingly sad, but simply beautiful too.

The story is about a man, Jeremy, who meets a woman, Lexie, on his travels as a writer. After spending just one week with her he falls in love and goes back to find her six weeks later to propose to her. After she accepts, he gives up his life in New York City and moves down south to be with her. Learning that Lexie is pregnant, the wedding is promptly planned for and the couple buy a new house together. From there they begin to have their ups and downs as a couple, learning that if their relationship is to last they must have trust in each other. There is also some unexpected news and a shocking tragedy that follows. But all ends well, as a new life has begun and the last image you're left with shows the unconditional love felt in this story.

I wanted to share a small section of the book that I loved reading, as I felt it was so true but something most of us don't think about. It explains the relationship between a man and woman, a couple and what each of them expects of the other, the sacrifices we make for the ones we love.

Lexie's grandmother giving her some 'words of wisdom' when the couple was going through a rough time before the wedding:

"Let me tell you, they [men] can be rip-roaring mad or frustrated or worried about work or life, but in the end, they're pretty simple to figure out once you know what makes them tick. And one of the things that make them tick is an almost desperate need to feel appreciated and admired."
"Of course they want great sex and want you to keep the house clean and neat and organised while looking beautiful and still having the energy to do fun things together, but admiration and appreciation are right up there."
"Men have to make sacrifices, too. Correct me if I'm wrong, but you want Jeremy to hold your hand and snuggle as you watch a movie, you want him to share his feelings and listen, you want him to spend time with your daughter and earn enough not only to buy but renovate the house. Well, I'll tell you straight up that no man says to himself as he's walking down the aisle, Gee, I'm going to work hard and sacrifice so I can provide a good living for my family, and I'm going to spend hours with my kids even when I'm tired, all the while hugging and kissing and listening to my wife and telling her all my troubles, and meanwile, I'm not going to expect a single thing." ..." A man promises to do the things to keep you happy in the hopes that you, too, will do the things that keep him happy"
"Men have certain needs, women have different needs; that's the way it was hundreds of years ago, and the way it's going to be hundreds of years from now. If you both realise that, and you both work on meeting each others needs, you'll have a good marriage. And part of that, for both or you, is trust. In the end, it's that simple."

I would highly recommend this book, and any others by Nicholas Sparks of which I've read 'Dear John' and 'The Last Song'.