Go big or go home!
I can never just do something and do it lightly. I promised myself that I would read more this upcoming year and then like I shared here, I joined the Goodreads challenge with setting myself up to read 12 books (meaning one book a month for this year).
Well, I have read 4 books so far this past month and am already on my 5th. So, if I keep this pace up, I will either finish my 12 by March and/or totally surpass my 12 books by the end of the year with near 60 books being read if I indeed keep reading at this rate.
Either way, I am having a great time reading books again and falling in love with this medium all over again.
I am a bit behind in my reviews, because I am reading faster then I can actually share with all here, but still want to give my take on the second book I read this year so far with Me Before You, by Jojo Moyes.
Here is the Goodreads synopsis for Me Before You:
Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.
What Lou doesn’t know is she’s about to lose her job or that knowing what’s coming is what keeps her sane.
Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he’s going to put a stop to that.
What Will doesn’t know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they’re going to change the other for all time.
My Thoughts on Me Before You ~
From the moment I began reading, I knew this was going to be a book that would forever change my world, as well.
The two main characters, Lou and Will, are both very set in their own worlds and lives. They have never quite met someone like each the other. I could just tell that once they met though that things would never quite be the same for either Lou or Will.
And that first meeting honestly gave me goosebumps. And the romantic at heart that I am was so rooting for the two to somehow find their own happy ending.
They both challenged each other like no one else ever has. Will gave Louisa (Lou) the keys to unlocking a future for herself by showing her a world of reading and even letting her see how amazing classical music is, as well. Lou, in turn, saw past Will’s disability to see the man that was still very much alive inside of him.
Together they seemed to make each other just that much better. One of my favorite moments in the book was when they both attended the wedding of Will’s former lover before his accident to a mutual friend. The two dazzled each other and even the guests, as well.
I don’t want to give away the ending of this heart-wrenching story for those who may not have read and have it on their list to read, but will say Will and Louisa’s love story is one I will not be forgetting anytime soon. Trust me, I bawled at the ending and still can’t quite get over it, but will say that I am better for having read this book and very much recommend it for all who are contemplating reading it.
And after I finished Me Before You, what did I read next?
The Husband’s Secret, by Liane Moriarty and promise to share my thoughts on this book soon, too.
Have you read Me Before You or want to read it? Let me know in the comments.
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massholemommy says
Ooooh, this sounds like a perfect Sunday afternoon, curl up on the couch type of book!
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Janine Huldie says
Robin, totally was the perfect Sunday afternoon read and seriously found myself wanting read it on Tuesday afternoon, too!! 🙂
ashleyinnc says
I read The Husband's Secret a few months ago. I loved it. I have heard nothing but good things about Me Before You. I am adding it to my list right now! :)-Ashley
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Janine Huldie says
I loved the Husband's Secret, too and wasn't sure if I would, but seriously was a great followup book to Me Before You. Glad you ware adding Me Before You to your list and let me know what you think when you do read it, Ashley!! 🙂
dishofdailylife says
I need to start adding books to my list!! I get the most reading done when we are away from home, but I want to do more this year.
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Janine Huldie says
Michelle, I have a whole list now and am loving Goodreads for that and love seeing what others are reading and deciding if I would read it and add to my list as I go along. Hope you get to read more, because I know that feeling quite well and just so happy I have been getting to read more now, too 🙂
@NBCavillones says
I won another JoJo Moyes book in a giveaway — The Girl You Left Behind– but I haven't opened it yet. Where your goal is to read 12 books this year, mine is to finish the ones I started in 2013. LOL. So many!! I'm in awe of your reading prowess but I do find that once I start reading again, it is easier to read more and faster after a sluggish start.
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Janine Huldie says
I think you are totally right and will say I can't stop reading now and definitely not sluggish in the least. I hear great things about The Girl You Left Behind (huge congrats on your win). When you read it let me know here what you think. And also good luck on finishing last year's reads now, too 🙂
Rosey says
Girl you are on a roll. 'grats to you for getting going on your goal so fast!
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Janine Huldie says
Awe, thanks Rosey and still so happy just to be reading and enjoying it so much again 🙂
dianeroark says
Janine,
Me before You sounds like a great book. I love books where people make a difference in someones life. I admire you for reading, especially so many books. I can barely keep up with all the social media visits and link ups and posting. You do a great job! How to you get it all done??
Have a Marvelous Monday!
Diane Roark
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Janine Huldie says
Diane, I just started to let go on some of my blog reading here and there and finding a better schedule. Trust me not perfect, but I love books and was so sad that I couldn't read, so this seems to be working better for me now and hope to keep it this way 🙂
ginnymarie says
I have been wanting to read Me Before You for months! I need to get my hands on a copy! Right now I'm reading The Gods of Gotham for my book club.
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Janine Huldie says
hope you get to read Me Before You soon and now I will have to take a look at The Gods of Gotham, because just the title sounds intriguing. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Billybuc says
Thanks for the suggestions and have a great day, Janine! I've got a customer screaming for work NOW so must go.
Janine Huldie says
My pleasure Bill and just finished some work now, as well for a client. Have a great day today 🙂
notinjersey says
both of these are on my to be read list!
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Janine Huldie says
Awesome and love that we are sharing what we read now!! 🙂
Kristi Campbell says
I've heard of Me Before You and will definitely put it on my list, too! I just finished The Book Thief, and really enjoyed it but it's super sad. I hope you have an excellent Monday friend!
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Janine Huldie says
I had heard The Book Thief was sad, but do hope maybe to get to this year, too. And if you do read Me Before You, hope you enjoy and let me know what you think. Wishing you an excellent Monday now, too Kristi 🙂
day-with-kt.com says
Me Before You is on my Nook just waiting to be read. Now I think I will download the Husband's Secret!!
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Janine Huldie says
They were both so good Kim and think you will enjoy each of these books when you can read them now 🙂
anothercleanslate says
Loved both these books as you know! What are you reading now? I think you'd like Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend!
Janine Huldie says
I totally know and seriously may need to take you up on this one soon, too, because you are never wrong, Kate. Right now, I am reading Reconstructing Amelia by the way 🙂
tamaralikecamera says
What's so funny is that my friend just read "The Husband's Secret" right after "Me Before You." Great minds think alike.
Well you know how I felt about the book, but I do feel better when I think about all of the positives of it. And there were many.
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Janine Huldie says
I love that your friend read the Husband's Secret right after Me Before You. Seriously great minds totally do think alike! I had to try my best here to find the positives. I mean they did exist, but yes I did cry my eyes out, too on this one. But you knew that from our conversation on this before.
vitatrain4life says
Ah yes, I read Me Before You at least a year ago and it haunts me STILL!! I was raging when I finished it. I wanted to smash something! I wanted there to be MORE and I wanted the ending to be different. But, of course, that's the only ending there could be. Can you tell it made me emotional?
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Janine Huldie says
I love that you were this emotional about this book Allie and you should talk to Tamara about this, because she too was very emotional about the ending of this book. We had a whole conversation about this on Facebook recently and she too was not happy with the ending at all. But you are right the only ending that I guess could come out of this one.
coachdaddyblogger says
If I keep reading reviews of this book, I'll have to read it so I don't figure out how it ends! I just started reading Sun Also Rises again, by Hemingway. It seemed a fitting read for my trip, and it helped inspire the first few pages of some fiction work. I don't know if I'll get through 12 books this year, but you've helped to inspire me to reach for something more substantial than a Sports Illustrated next time!
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Janine Huldie says
Would you believe I never read the Sun Also Rises by Hemingway. I did read The Great Gatsby and not in high school, I might add. I read it a few years back and loved it. Happy to inspire you to read and if you are serious, find me on Goodreads and would love to share reads with you, Eli 🙂
.MIS. Manhattan Image & Style says
They sound so interesting! I have added them to my list! Thank you for sharing! 😉
Diana http://www.ManhattanImageandStyle.com
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Janine Huldie says
Diana, my pleasure in sharing and hope you get to read either or both of these, very soon now!! 🙂
christyb says
Ohh sounds good! You are reading up a storm – awesome!
Janine Huldie says
It was totally awesome and seriously loving reading again, too 🙂
realhousewife says
Loved your review Janine!
I love to read…always have. Right now I'm reading The Expats…pretty darn good reading so far and I'm about half way in. Finding more time to read is something I'm always trying to make room for. My girls are both voracious readers too…I'm so happy about that!
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Kelly. I have never read The Expats, but constantly adding to my list, so a possibility for sure. And my girls love reading with me now and hope they continue to as they learn to read themselves now, too. Truly hopeful on that and another reason, I want them to know and see how much I love it, so they will continue to love it, too now 🙂
Dana says
I just read The Husband's Secret too! My book club is discussing it on Thursday – I'm sure the discussion will be interesting!
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Janine Huldie says
I think it definitely will and can’t wait to hear what you think when I share my thoughts on that one next week, too 🙂
karenssoiree says
I finished this book a week ago and I really liked it. I think I had seen it on your Goodreads list! It was such an emotion heavy book. I don't want to spoil it for anyone else but I really wanted it to go one way but you know, obviously, it can't. I hope that makes sense! Like you know that no matter what, it can only be a certain way. Trying to keep this as cryptic as possible for everyone!!
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Janine Huldie says
Totally makes sense and did see you were reading this one on Goodreads, too. I guess no matter how you slice and dice this was always going to be the ending, so I thought I could at least find some positive in it if that was the case 🙂
@Mrs_KarenC says
you know how much I love Goodreads…going to find you and add you as a friend….Going to add this book to my "to read" list, sounds good. I hope they have it on CD.
I know….when you can add another book to the "read" list it feels great, right?
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Janine Huldie says
Yay we are friends on Goodreads now, Karen! And I totally agree and love adding new books to my read list whenever I can 🙂
another jennifer says
Me Before You is the book that Tamara mentioned. I think I might need to read it. But it sounds so emotional! I'm intrigued…
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Janine Huldie says
Tamara and I have spoken about this one at length now and definitely emotional, but totally worth it to me to read. Hope you do now 🙂
Kenya G. Johnson says
I'm starting off the year wrong Janine. I finished a book into the new year but I haven't started one. I am listening to one here and there but again that's carryover from 2013. "Changing" your world is a serious recommendation. I will definitely be adding that one to my reading list. Thanks!
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Janine Huldie says
Kenya, that was o me last year and glad to be on better foot right now this year. I am so going to have to add "Changing" to my list! Thanks for that 🙂
Brittnei Washington says
OOOO…You have me wanting to read that one! It sounds amazing. I'm sort of off of Romantic Comedic movies but maybe I would want to read this book. You're convincing me! And the question, when will I find the time? LOL
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Janine Huldie says
I hope you totally do and trust me I am now trying to find as much time as I can to read here!! 🙂
Sandy_Ramsey says
This book is definitely on my list but not as far up as it should be, I think. I've heard a lot about it and think I'll be moving it up. Great review, Janine!
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Janine Huldie says
Glad you will be moving this one up your to read list and let me know what you think, Sandy when you read it!! 🙂