Author: Nicholas Sparks
Genre: Fiction, Standalone
Published: 2009
Personal Rating: 2.5/5 (eh)
Yearly Count: 40
Ronnie (Veronica) and her brother Jonah spend the summer in North Carolina with their father.
Sappy. Melodramatic. Sickly sweet. Overemotional. Schmaltzy. Mawkish. Ick!
If you like the above, you'll love this book! Despite myself, I did get teary-eyed more than once which provided evidence that my heart is not made of stone, but I really didn't care for the story.
Why do I let people (Sue!) talk me into reading stuff they like without considering my own likes/dislikes first? Apparently, I haven't learned that yet.
Oh, yes! I mustn't forget to add that I had blazing images of the commercial for the movie burned in my mind throughout the book. Let's just say - that didn't help.
I enjoy Sparks' books from time to time when I need a mindless read, but they're basically all the same.
ReplyDeleteAfter the last Sparks book I read, I promised myself I wouldn't read anymore. Much too corny and sweet for me.
ReplyDeleteI've sworn off Sparks books for the very reasons that you listed.
ReplyDeleteSparks said in a recent interview that he's right up there with Cormac McCarthy and Ernest Hemingway...
ReplyDeleteBermudaonion ~ I just realized that this was my first Sparks book. I've seen several of the movies, so thought I read them, but I did not.
ReplyDeleteRaidergirl3 ~ I'm with you! I thought it would be like Patterson's Sam's Letters . . . or Jennifer's Diary . . . I actually enjoyed both of those. Oh well. I think I have 4 or 5 of Sparks' books on my TBR Shelves. Eek! It'll be a long time before I attempt another one - if I do!
Framed ~ I think I may attend the same swearing in party as you attended. :)
Bybee ~ LOL LOL LOL You've got to be kidding!?!
Sappy. Melodramatic. Sickly sweet. Overemotional. Schmaltzy. Mawkish. Ick!
ReplyDeleteThis is EXACTLY how I feel about Sparks' books. Not to mention the simplistic sentence structure. He sure has a following, though!
I read one of his books (cant remember the title) set in Rodanthe and thought it very soppy.
ReplyDeleteI guess he keeps making money on those of us who read 1 book. I don't think I'll ever read another tho.
ReplyDeleteI cannot, for the life of me, figure out the appeal of Nicholas Sparks. His books are awful. I was going to copy the same sentence Les remarked upon because that's exactly how I feel, but I'm also angered by the deliberate tragic nature of his books, to the point that his characters ignore common sense. I've read two and I won't read another.
ReplyDeleteI think he actually said he's a better writer than Cormac McCarthy. I read the interview. It was the kind that makes you long to reach through the screen and kick the man in the shins.
Les ~ I agree, it was on the "simplistic" side. And, he sure does have a following! What's up with that?
ReplyDeleteMystica ~ He has a definite style, doesn't he?
Booklogged ~ LOL That's kind of funny. I'm thinking I'm done, too.
Bookfool ~ Howdy Ho! Now that I think about it, who would want to escape to that kind of tragedy? I like catching the bad guys, not having my heart crushed.
Nothing like being humble, huh?
I really liked the one Sparks book I read, but that was about all I could take of him. LOL My mom loves his books.
ReplyDeleteMy mom keeps passing along Nicolas Sparks books to me but I am afraid of all the words you used to describe this one!
ReplyDeleteI have to admit it..I really liked this one! But during my spring break I broke down and went to see this movie..It was HORRIBLE!!!
ReplyDeleteLiterary Feline ~ I have several friends that can't get enough of his books. Blech. I don't hold it against them, though. They tolerate my serial killer talk. :)
ReplyDeleteStacybuckeye ~ If you like schmaltzy books, this will be a winner. :) They just aren't for me. Staci (below) really liked it.
Staci ~ I'm glad you did - really I am. I hate wasting precious time on books I don't like. Thankfully, you didn't waste any! Well, maybe you did - the movie. Bummer.