Blogger Book Club: Me Before You

There are two things I am really excited about this morning; one being it is finally Friday and two being that it is time to link up for the first review of Blogger Book Club {BBC}!

I love to read if you haven't picked up on that yet so when the lovely Kay {who's real name is Kristen} was curious if there were any bloggers who were interested in starting a book club I jumped at the chance.  What I really like about BBC is it's really laid back and is truly just about the books.  All you have to do to participate is read the book that is announced at the beginning {or end of the previous} month, read it, then post whatever kind of review you would like, and link up!  How easy is that?

Now let's get onto the good stuff shall we?

Earlier this month the first BBC book was announced, Me Before You by Jojo Moyes.  After reading the description on Good Reads I was really really anxious to start reading.  Once I finally had the chance after finishing a book I had previously started I could not put it down!  I was this close to calling in to work so I could just stay in bed and read all day.  Had that been an option I'm sure I would have finished it before the day was done.  Instead I read it before work for two mornings and in bed until I couldn't keep my eyes open any more for two nights.  The second night I didn't care how tired I was {it was a Friday night} I was going to stay up until I had finished the damn thing.

Be prepared with a tissue or two box of tissues!  I have never cried from reading a book before but this one did it for me.  During the last few pages I had tears rolling down my face and even after I finished reading as I was still thinking about the story I was crying.  Huge props to Jojo Moyes for writing such a beautiful story and in such a way that it really hit home for me.

Was the ending what I wanted it to be?  Definitely not.  I knew what was coming but all along I really hoped I would be surprised and the ending would turn out differently.  That being said, I think the ending was the right one for the story.

I found the leading characters Louisa and Will to be very real to me.  Could I find people like this out in the world today?  I think so.  I liked Lou right away and was interested to find out that she has a little back story that made her into the woman she is and that the story wasn't just about Will's journey.  Will on the other hand is a little rough around the edges but Jojo smooths him out and makes you like him and feel for him and his struggle.

I highly recommend Me Before You to anyone looking for a good great book to read.  I actually have been recommending this to people on Twitter when I see them looking for new books.  I hope some of those people have looked into the book and decided to read it.  This is one book I wouldn't want anyone to pass up.

Be sure to head over to The Best of Intentions to link up your review if you participated in BBC for September.

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If your interest has been peaked and you want to join BBC for the month of October you're probably wondering what our next book is, right?  Well lucky for you our lovely leader has found us one!

Here's the description from Good Reads:

In a voice more powerful and compassionate than ever before, New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Strout binds together thirteen rich, luminous narratives into a book with the heft of a novel, through the presence of one larger-than-life, unforgettable character: Olive Kitteridge.
At the edge of the continent, Crosby, Maine, may seem like nowhere, but seen through this brilliant writer’s eyes, it’s in essence the whole world, and the lives that are lived there are filled with all of the grand human drama–desire, despair, jealousy, hope, and love. 
At times stern, at other times patient, at times perceptive, at other times in sad denial, Olive Kitteridge, a retired schoolteacher, deplores the changes in her little town and in the world at large, but she doesn’t always recognize the changes in those around her: a lounge musician haunted by a past romance: a former student who has lost the will to live: Olive’s own adult child, who feels tyrannized by her irrational sensitivities; and Henry, who finds his loyalty to his marriage both a blessing and a curse. 
As the townspeople grapple with their problems, mild and dire, Olive is brought to a deeper understanding of herself and her life–sometimes painfully, but always with ruthless honesty. Olive Kitteridge offers profound insights into the human condition–its conflicts, its tragedies and joys, and the endurance it requires.

This is not a book I would typically pickup for myself.  That's what I love {is it too early to say that?} about BBC, finding new books to read that I wouldn't choose on my own.  I'm broadening my horizons and being more open to things that are outside of the norm for me.

It looks like the link up date has not been announced for October yet but it will be towards the end of the month, like this one was.  So you have a whole month to get your hands on a copy of Olive Kitteridge and read it before it's time to post your review.  Let me know if you're thinking of joining BBC for October, I would love to be able to talk to you about the book as we're reading it.

And if you have a book you think BBC should read let Ms Kay know!