The Choice

Title: The Choice

Author: Nicholas Sparks

Original Print Date: 2007

Quick Summary: The story starts out at the beginning of Gabby & Travis' journey. Gabby has just moved to town in order to be closer to her boyfriend who has been stringing her along by reassuring her that they will eventually get married. So far there's nothing to show for her sacrifice. Travis is a single guy who is always doing something active-skiing, boating, parasailing, etc. Sidenote: They live on a lake. Gabby is Travis' neighbor and their backyards are connected by a line of bushes...not much privacy! When Gabby thinks her dog Molly is pregnant she automatically assumes that it is the fault of Travis' free-spirited dog, so she marches over to his house one night to tell him that he is going to help her find the puppies homes. Let's just say that her 'march' ends in a fall and her angry speech is muffled by blurriness from the fall. She feels less than impressed with herself when she leaves. You can guess where it goes from here....yes, they fall in love. Through a series of events which are small but speak volumes they begin their love story. Fast forward 11 years and you are all of a sudden in a completely different world. Something has happened and Travis faces the thoughest decision anyone would ever have to make...hence the title.

My Thoughts: Damn you Nicholas Sparks. You know how to tug at the heart strings. What I want to know is how he is able to tell such an amazing love story that seems so realistic. He immediately sucks you in with Travis and Gabby's connection through their playfulness and sarcasm toward each other. Travis knows something is different about Gabby from the beginning and always seems to be overly aware of her and for her. I think this is the kind of love every girl deserves to receive from a man. He is there to be her silent strength and her watch. This story is another great one. I made the mistake of finishing the book at work on my lunch break and had to fight back the tears. If I had been at home I would have had my tissues close. If you need reassurance that there is still the possiblilty of true love then read this!

The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing

Title: The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing

Author: Melissa Bank

Original Print Date: 1999



Quick Summary: Through the years Jane had her struggles...mostly involving men and work. This book walks us through Jane'e experiences with men, work, and family with a humorous twist. It starts out at her family's summer house in New Jersey while she is still a teen. He brother is quite a few years older than her and he of course brings his latest girlfriend along for a stay. Unintentionally Jane ends up looking to her as a role model and is disapponted when they break-up. Majority of the book goes through her relationship with Archie, a man 28 years her senior, an alcoholic, and a revered editor in the publishing world. Her relationship with Archie also involves her work life and her never-ending need for approval. The journey of the book goes from there as we watch her grow and learn through all of her life experiences.

My Thoughts: The book was okay, but not great. I was pretty much annoyed with Jane the whole time for being such a girl when it came to Archie. I didn't feel like she had any self-respect and allowed him to treat her like she didn't really know anything. His tone with her was almost always condescending, plus they had trouble when it came to the bedroom...sounds like a bust of a relationship to me...the only thing he was good for was career advice. In a "shocking twist" she went back to him after being apart for a few years and she basically just repeated the same cycle over again. By the last stretch of the book she grew a pair and got Archie out of her life and she meets a new love interest who seems promising but it is so close to the end that the reader doesn't get much elaboration on this relationship. So, I say this one is not worth it!