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I can’t believe I did it, but I read Twilight (The Twilight Saga, Book 1). I’m a little disappointed in myself for reading this at all and I’m kicking myself for reading it after the movie came out. Why? Because I can’t stand Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson. I think I would have liked the book more had I not been seeing their faces the whole time I read the book. Before I get into more of my thoughts on the book, here’s a summary:

Isabella Swan’s move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella’s life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife-between desire and danger.Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.

I didn’t have huge expectations for the book. I knew it was a teen love saga (barf), but I had heard from so many people that it was a good book. Since I was between books, I thought I would give it a go since there wasn’t a wait at the library for it. My heaven’s Bella is whiny and annoying. And Edward, just ish. “Wah wah wah,” “I love you,” “why are you mad at me,” “turn me into a vampire,” “stay away from me – I’m dangerous,” “wah wah wah,” “my dad gave me rules and a curfew”…..Ugh, I wanted to slap them both!

I was really hoping the story would have a little more oompf to it. I love movies, shows and books about vampires and werewolves. But this was just a little disappointing.

Also, I should mention that when a book comes out that is a huge hit, I usually stay away from them. Which was one of the reasons I stayed away from this one for so long. I haven’t read the Harry Potter books, Shades of Grey….I’m just not interested in them when people are talking about them all the time. I like to wait until they are forgotten enough where there isn’t a waiting list for them at the library. (I did read The Hunger Games books, though. Some friends were passing around the books.)

Want to know the really sad part? Even though I really disliked the book, I will probably read the other books in the series. Because I just can’t help myself knowing there are more books in a series and not read them. I am the same way with moves.

So, if you haven’t read it, don’t bother. Because if you are like me, you’ll probably end of reading all the books and then feel dumb for doing so.

A friend in book club bought Gone Girl so we could pass it around. A number of people I knew had read it and had great reviews. Here’s what it’s about:

Marriage can be a real killer.

One of the most critically acclaimed suspense writers of our time, New York Times bestseller Gillian Flynn takes that statement to its darkest place in this unputdownable masterpiece about a marriage gone terribly, terribly wrong. The Chicago Tribune proclaimed that her work “draws you in and keeps you reading with the force of a pure but nasty addiction.” Gone Girl’s toxic mix of sharp-edged wit and deliciously chilling prose creates a nerve-fraying thriller that confounds you at every turn.

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy’s diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?

As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

With her razor-sharp writing and trademark psychological insight, Gillian Flynn delivers a fast-paced, devilishly dark, and ingeniously plotted thriller that confirms her status as one of the hottest writers around.

I loved it. Most people I talked to about it said they couldn’t put it down. This was the case with me, too.The only problem was that I wanted to read it more often, but being a hard cover instead of my kindle, it was hard to read with two very handsy little kids.

I won’t say too much about it, because you should go get a copy and read it yourself. I will say that the ending was not what I expected. If you’ve read it, I’d love to hear what your thoughts were on the ending.

This is a fast read and worth the time and money. Very creatively written and a great story!

Happy reading!