by Lauren Weisberger


As much as I enjoyed the movie more, the literary work is equally entertaining in its own right. I could say they are both great but I cannot truly compare the book and movie on a same wavelength.

For one, the movie is the gist of the book. It was visually appealing and Anne Hathaway as Andrea is easier to picture and brings the story to life with her charm. The book, on the other hand, is beyond detailed of course and this being descriptive is the axiomatic reason why I find weaving the picture of high couture better, lacing each chapter with Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Dolce and Gabbana and all the other glory of dearly-worn brands.

Rating: 4 stars - The implications of Andrea's highs and lows as Miranda Priestly's assistant is something that makes this whole story addictive. In the movie, I found Andrea sympathetic and captivating. In the book, however, I find her stark and aggressive and at times, overly complaining. But don't get me wrong: the plot is what makes this work. I think what makes the readers grasp the idea is its ability to engage the audience to relate to the protagonist whilst making her way up to the ladder of life.

This is a must-read not only for people who are into the fashion world, but if you have patience for descriptive works... this is the book for you.

by Nicholas Sparks

Another brilliant work from my favorite author Nicholas Sparks, comes a story that rooted from tragedy.

Miles Ryan regretted the day that he disappointed his wife Missy, causing a heated confrontation that ended with the latter walking out. That night was the last time they saw each other as Missy was killed in a hit-and-run accident, leaving him and his son Jonah alone. Two years later and still no answer, Miles was desperate to seek justice for his wife's killer even so considering that he is the town's sheriff.

Everything was set aside when she meets Sarah Andrews, a charming young woman who moved in the little town of New Bern hoping to build a fresh start after coping up from a bad marriage that ended in a divorce. She then teaches at the local preschool where Jonah studies and this sparks up a connection with the boy's father. Miles and Sarah seem to hit it off, but little did they know that they are bound by a shocking secret that will compel them to re-evaluate everything that they had especially their love.

I had expected it to be all out on romance but this one's different from the Nicholas Sparks novels I've read. Mixed with both romance and suspense, it's also a delight for me to know it's a bit on the criminal investigation side. If you're fan of police investigations and mysteries, surely you'd want to consider reading this book.

Rating: 4 stars

by Nicholas Sparks
In the beginning, there is a man in a hospital, faithfully reading a faded notebook to refresh his wife's memory who suffers from Alzheimer's Disease - theirs is a love story that will prove love can cross beyond boundaries. As the old man reads the notebook, another story unfolds between young lovers Noah Calhoun and Allie Nelson.

Set around summer in the beautiful quaint town of North Carolina in 1946, Noah and Allie were teenagers madly in love. Allie's parents liked Noah as a person but they were downright blunt saying he wasn't fit for her because of his social status. They want someone from a well-known family and has a stable lifestyle that could sustain Allie's future life. When the Nelsons leave the town (they stayed there just for a vacation), Allie has also left her image impressed in Noah's heart. Little did they know that the old house in the place they frequently visit will change the course of their life forever.

Years later, Allie got engaged to a man named Lon while Noah who still remained in North Carolina renovated the old house to perfection. He was the talk-of-the-town in the newspapers and so one day, as Allie was preparing for her wedding she saw a clip ad on the newspaper heralding Noah's success.

Now the question for this is, "will Allie give in to the call of love's second chance? And how will Noah react if Allie comes back to town?"

I had watched the film first before reading the book and I must say that it had given me a decent amount of visuals to help me imagine how the whole atmosphere should be. Reading the context however, was more detailed - the town is as beautiful as it was in the movie, but Allie and Noah (Rachel McAdams & Ryan Gosling) were much alive now in my mind thanks to the film. I cried, laughed, ached and rejoiced all throughout. There was easy connection with the characters as Allie was a painter (I deal with the field of arts) and Noah was a poet (I used to be a writer way back when I was in highschool) so to say, I had a smooth ride reading the story.

As the climax builds up, the flow of narration will hold your breath in suspense and surely you'll end up cheering for both love stories (the old couple + Noah & Allie) which are intertwined by the notebook.

Rating: 5 stars - Nicholas Sparks has done it again. He has been my favorite author and based from the handful of novels I read from him he doesn't disappoint. If you haven't seen the film, the movie or whichever, I recommend you to start with this or A Walk To Remember to give you a clear idea of how great of a writer he is.

by Nicholas Sparks

Another novel from the bestselling author Nicholas Sparks (A Walk to Remember, The Notebook) who knows how to tug heartstrings, Nights in Rodanthe is a story that showcases unbelievable faith and romance.

Adrienne Willis has been a divorcee for over 3 years after her husband Jack had abandoned her for another younger woman and since then, her perspective about finding a new love has been changed. She loses confidence in herself and only focused her attention to her kids. Until she tends an inn for a friend in Rodanthe, North Carolina for the weekend and meets Dr. Paul Flanner, her whole life has gone through a wonderful whirlwind that she will surely remember for a lifetime.

Similar to other Nicholas Sparks books, Nights in Rodanthe is a very good read. Predictable, yes (I've already read Message In A Bottle and A Walk to Remember before this one), but it has gave me another love story to remember. The time frame in which the climax of the love affair happens is very short (it was only a weekend), but you can't tell during the course of the reading.

There are many points of this book that I liked. Say for example, is the appreciation for the elderly and treasuring the family relationship.

The thickness of the book might get you underestimating it, but Nights in Rodanthe could be slower to read at some points. However, all in all, I've got nothing against this but my ability to predict the ending (yet still experiencing surprises here and there). I did not even sleep just to finish this book and even if I thought I wouldn't shed a tear, it managed to break my heart especially in the coming of the last chapters. I'm sure if you've enjoyed other works of the author, you will enjoy this one too.

Rating: 4 1/2 stars

by Gemma Townley

A very encouraging book to read. It makes you want to explore more of Rome and its culture. By the time the scenario switches to the characters flying off to Rome I can't wait to get myself there and be in St. Peter's Square, go to a coffee shop and buy a nice, warm croissant.

The characters are believable though Georgie seems to be very vulnerable and gullible (I guess she was meant to be that way, otherwise the story won't have a plot) when it comes to Mike, and the whole concept overall is a nice catch for chick-lit readers. I started the book quite slow but once things get interesting in Rome, it paces up and I can't help but to know what's the deal.

I have predicted a handful of mysteries (Candy's situation to be exact) but the ending still took my breath away. Thumbs up. No wonder Sophie Kinsella enjoyed this one!

Rating: 3 1/2 stars

by Nicholas Sparks

Have you ever once lost faith in the power of love? Nicholas Sparks proves to you that love conquers all in this spectacular love story after his bestselling novel, The Notebook. Theresa Osbourne is a Boston Times writer and the type of woman who believes that once hurt you'll be more likely to get hurt again. She's a single mother, divorced and has a 12-year-old son named Kevin whom her other dates tend to take for granted. But Theresa never took another risky leap for love because no one had ever gave her serious chances. That is until she finds the bottle.

Washed up along the Cape Cod beach while jogging, a mysterious bottle sticking out of the seashore caught Theresa's attention. She takes it, only to find a heart-gripping letter addressed to Catherine, written by someone whose name is Garrett. Having read this and after finding two more letters in bottles washed up along beaches somewhere, Theresa is determined to find Garrett in search of also something which she hopes to revive her lost belief in romance.

She intended only to meet and greet the wonderful author of the mysterious love letters. But little did Theresa know that the letters would be the keys to her journey to love.

I could say that this book took my heart away. This was one book you couldn't put down - unless you really have to go to the bathroom. But even though, I still took this book to the bathroom because the story is heartwarming that even if you think that it is likely to be predictable, you would still find yourself holding the book till the end, determined to finish it. The plot is greatly arranged and small details weren't left out. However, the tempo of the story seemed to be a bit fast especially at the point where Garrett and Theresa fell in love with each other. You couldn't believe how fast the events were given that Garrett was a husband who just lost his wife to some accident three years ago.

Given the characters and over-all score, this book gets two thumbs up! The characters were well-casted and the story tickles the human interest for bottles travelling the ocean. You will even see yourself believing Sparks' narration about bottles.

Rating: 4 1/2 stars