Landline - Rainbow Rowell

PLOT

Georgie McCool knows her marriage is in trouble; it has been in trouble for a long time. She still loves her husband, Neal, and Neal still loves her, deeply — but that almost seems beside the point now. Maybe that was always beside the point.

Two days before they’re supposed to visit Neal’s family in Omaha for Christmas, Georgie tells Neal that she can’t go. She’s a TV writer, and something’s come up on her show; she has to stay in Los Angeles. She knows that Neal will be upset with her — Neal is always a little upset with Georgie — but she doesn't expect him to pack up the kids and go home without her.

When her husband and the kids leave for the airport, Georgie wonders if she’s finally done it. If she’s ruined everything. That night, Georgie discovers a way to communicate with Neal in the past. It’s not time travel, not exactly, but she feels like she’s been given an opportunity to fix her marriage before it starts...

Is that what she’s supposed to do? Or would Georgie and Neal be better off if their marriage never happened?

THOUGHTS

What's amazing about Rainbow Rowell's books is the ingenious of her plots. I'll admit they seem like simple plots as you read her descriptions, but that's the beauty of it. They'er the cute romantic comedies you watch in your pj's while munching on pizza or popcorn. They'er fun, cute, and quirky BUT not easily predicted.  The plot may seem straight forward at first but as you read you aren't sure what direction the characters will end up in.

Where will their thoughts lead them? Will their actions do what their mind has said to do? Think about all the times you've given yourself advice but totally disregard it the moment the opportunity presents itself. ( I am constantly guilty of this by the way)

I had hope for Georgie I really did. But I began to worry about her once her thoughts began going in all kinds of different directions. Which I understood. I'd do a lot of rationalizing myself if I was given a magic phone.
I love Rowell's quirky style. From the cool names, to the hilarious dialog (we can always depend on in her books), and the direction of her plots.

I appreciated Rowell for giving us a book about love in a marriage. First love is great and all, but what about after? What happens to love after ten to fifteen years?
With Landline you're given that opportunity to dive deeper into those questions. So ask yourself what would you have said if you were Georgie?

FOLLOW THE AUTHOR RAINBOW ROWELL

BUY THE BOOK AMAZON / BOOK DEPOSITORY / BARNES & NOBLE

Me Before You - Jojo Moyes

 Plot

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.

Thoughts

Do you understand the hell I went through looking for this book!? The days searching every Target and Barnes and Noble near my house was like torture. I wanted this book badly. I saw it everywhere. On my Twitter and Instagram feed, even Goodreads was torturing me by letting me know that my friends had already bought a copy and rated it. I felt alone in the world (pity me). 

You're probably thinking "well why didn't you just order it like a sane person would have?" 

It wasn't like the idea didn't come to mind I just get frustrated with ordering books online. Don't get me wrong it's great and all I just hate sitting and waiting 5-10 business days for my books to finally arrive. 

That's another form of torture for me. It's like counting down the days of your due date so that you can finally hold your baby only to find out your baby won't come till seven days past it's due date. 

(my youngest did that to me, it was awful)

Well anyways a quick run for diapers I finally found a freshly shelved copy at Target.

I must say it was definitely worth the wait and torture. Lou was adorable, the plot meaningful, and the lesson important. I related to Lou so much. While she was quirky, sweet, and clumsy she was also comfortable, cautious, and a bit naive. I had issues with the rich paraplegic wanting to end his life when he had more resources than most in his situation. But I had to remember that I couldn't begin to understand his situation. How could I judge someone so harshly without knowing their mind? We all deserve to make our own choices and to be heard. 

Me Before You is exactly the type of book every twenty-something needs. It's not about finding love or a coming of age story. It's a book with a lesson not to underestimate yourself. To live the life you want, to better yourself, to make choices for you. It's lovely, and definitely something we need to be reminded of sometimes.

FOLLOW THE AUTHOR JOJO MOYES
BUY THE BOOK AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE / BOOK DEPOSITORY