Search This Blog
December Reviews Link-Up
2024 Literary Escapes Challenge
- Alabama (1)
- Alaska (1)
- Arizona (1)
- Arkansas (1)
- California (11)
- Colorado (1)
- Connecticut (2)
- Delaware (1)
- Florida (3)
- Georgia (4)
- Hawaii (1)
- Idaho (2)
- Illinois (4)
- Indiana (4)
- Iowa (1)
- Kansas (1)
- Kentucky (1)
- Louisiana (1)
- Maine (1)
- Maryland (1)
- Massachusetts (4)
- Michigan (1)
- Minnesota (2)
- Mississippi (1)
- Missouri (1)
- Montana (1)
- Nebraska (1)
- Nevada (2)
- New Hampshire (1)
- New Jersey (1)
- New Mexico (1)
- New York (9)
- North Carolina (4)
- North Dakota (1)
- Ohio (3)
- Oklahoma (2)
- Oregon (2)
- Pennsylvania (2)
- Rhode Island (1)
- South Carolina (1)
- South Dakota (1)
- Tennessee (1)
- Texas (4)
- Utah (4)
- Vermont (2)
- Virginia (2)
- Washington (3)
- West Virginia (1)
- Wisconsin (1)
- Wyoming (2)
- Washington, D.C.* (2)
International:
- Argentina (1)
- Australia (5)
- Austria (1)
- Bolivia (1)
- Canada (3)
- China (2)
- England (25)
- France (1)
- Ghana (1)
- India (1)
- Indonesia (1)
- Ireland (4)
- Italy (1)
- Poland (2)
- Russia (2)
- Scotland (3)
- The Netherlands (1)
2024 Build Your Library Reading Challenge
Wednesday, February 24, 2016
Emotional Me Before You Impossible to Get Out Of Your Heart and Mind
9:24 AM
(Image from Barnes & Noble)
At 26, Louisa "Lou" Clark is more or less content with her life. She has a steady job she enjoys, a long-time boyfriend with whom she's comfortable, and a close family that drives her crazy but provides her with a stable, loving home. Everything is fine until the owner of the café where Lou works unexpectedly decides to close his business and move. Money is tight at home; Lou can't afford not to work. Try as she might, however, she can't find gainful employment in her tiny English village.
At the end of her rope, Lou interviews for a job as a caregiver to a young, quadriplegic man. Although she has no experience, her bright personality and positive attitude win her the position. After all, Will Traynor already has a personal trainer to help him with his physical difficulties—what he needs (according to his mother, anyway) is someone to lift his spirits, to improve his emotional well-being. Lou isn't one to back away from a challenge, but when she meets the acerbic Will, she's tempted to quit on the spot. At first, it's only the obscene amount of money she's being paid that keeps Lou coming back. Gradually, however, she comes to understand and care for moody Will.
When Lou makes a shocking discovery, she launches a desperate plan to show Will that life is worth living. As she blunders along, she makes myriad mistakes, costly errors that only reinforce Will's view of his life as pointless. Can Lou convince him he's wrong? Can she prove to him how meaningful his existence can be? Will her love be enough to save him?
Despite all the rave reviews I'd seen for Me Before You by Jojo Moyes, it took me a long time to actually get to this novel. I don't know why, since the story grabbed me right from the beginning and still hasn't quite loosened its hold. It's a heart-wrenching tale (I bawled through the last 1/4 of the book), but one that is oddly life-affirming. For a story that deals with very serious subjects, it's also surprisingly funny and tender. Me Before You is one of those books that makes you think about things in a new way, making it a perfect book club read. Even though the ending made me mad, I loved this book. It's an emotional roller coaster ride that I still can't get out of my heart and mind. I recommend you read it with a box of tissues standing by—trust me, you'll need it.
(Readalikes: Reminded me of One Plus One by Jojo Moyes and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green)
Grade:
If this were a movie, it would be rated:
for language, sexual content, and brief references to the use of illegal drugs
To the FTC, with love: Another library fine find
4 comments:
Comments make me feel special, so go crazy! Just keep it clean and civil. Feel free to speak your mind (I always do), but be aware that I will delete any offensive comments.
P.S.: Don't panic if your comment doesn't show up right away. I have to approve each one before it posts to prevent spam. It's annoying, but it works!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments
(Atom)
Reading
Listening
Followin' with Bloglovin'
-
Love's Thankful Heart2 hours ago
-
99. All the Beautiful Things3 hours ago
-
-
-
Reading Wrap-Up: November 20246 hours ago
-
A Perilous Premiere by Gail Meath7 hours ago
-
-
Happy December!11 hours ago
-
-
Christmas 2024 Bucket List14 hours ago
-
The Sentence by Louise Erdrich15 hours ago
-
What are your thoughts on eating meat?18 hours ago
-
The Boundaries We Cross by Brad Parks22 hours ago
-
-
-
-
-
State Of The ARC #451 day ago
-
-
-
Alias Emma: Ava Glass1 day ago
-
Monthly Round-Up: November 20242 days ago
-
Sunday Post 5583 days ago
-
-
-
-
Happy Thanksgiving to all!4 days ago
-
-
There There by Tommy Orange1 week ago
-
A Couple of short(ish) reviews1 week ago
-
-
I'm Still Reading - This Was My October2 weeks ago
-
-
Open for Murder by Mary Angela3 weeks ago
-
-
Reading Recap September 20241 month ago
-
Review: The Duke and I3 months ago
-
Girl Plus Books: On Hiatus4 months ago
-
-
-
-
What Happened to Summer?1 year ago
-
-
-
-
-
-
Are you looking for Pretty Books?2 years ago
-
-
-
-
-
Grab my Button!
Blog Archive
- ► 2021 (159)
- ► 2020 (205)
- ► 2019 (197)
- ► 2018 (223)
- ► 2017 (157)
I honestly don't think I'm going to be able to see this movie until I can rent it and sob uncontrollably in the comfort of my home! I really don't cry that often over books, and this one had me bawling hours after I had finished it! I might really embarrass myself in a theater :)
ReplyDeleteWhether you love or hate this book there's no denying it makes you think and need to discuss. I feel rather cold hearted but I didn't cry in this one.
ReplyDeleteYes. Loved this and totally needed all the tissues at the end. Can't wait for the movie! Great review!
ReplyDeleteI really like this book, had me crying too. I have sequel too, but haven't read it yet. Won't watch the movie, I have the one I made in my head as I read it.
ReplyDelete