It's an interesting story, but I felt like the writing could have been better. some of the wording and timing pulled me out of the flow of the story. I'm interested enough though to try book 2 of the series, and since this was a recommendation from a friend I already know what I'm getting myself into. Let's see how far the story can take me.
From the first episode of Gilmore Girls I ever watched I have adored Lauren Graham. Her interviews with the fast talking and quirky anecdotes made me believe in the reality of her. She seems like someone I would love to know, that I almost feel like I do know without ever having met her.
For me, this book held inspiration, laughter and tears in its pages. Which is all anyone can ask for in 205 pages.
There were some interesting thoughts in this book, but the writing style tended toward condescending, making me not want to follow any of the advice. I also found that a good editor or proofreader would have made the ideas much more credible. It's hard to take things seriously with spelling and grammar errors unfortunately.
I found this book interesting; it gave me new ways to think about tidying up my space/life.
The author's basic strategy would seem extreme to a lot of people (myself included), but given the basic East v West culture differences the more minimalist theories make sense.
I know I won't be putting the full strategy of the book into play any time soon (or ever), but there were definitely useful elements to be incorporated into creating a more personalized strategy for myself. I think the biggest thing that I can take out of the book is to be grateful and thankful for what you have, and be prepared to treat the things you have with respect even as their place in your life comes to an end. Things that have served their purpose in your life have as much value as things currently doing so. It just may be that the items value may be better served out of your home.
I wasn't planning to read the second book, after reading the first at the behest of my co-worker. But I made the “mistake” of reading the first chapter of Where She Went included in the back of If I Stay, and I was more interested in it than I wanted to admit. I enjoyed If I Stay, but Where She Went totally drew me in. I don't know whether Adam was just a stronger character for me, or whether I could just relate better to that perspective, but I definitely found the second better than the first.
Thanks a lot, Jill. :P
This book is both intriguing, and extremely hard to read. It's impossible to imagine your own reactions given the conditions the staff and patients had to survive in those five days, but also impossible to think you would make some of the same choices that were made. It brings up moral and ethical issues, and made me question the power and control that are given individuals over the right to life.
In some ways, it was uncomfortable reading this book, having followed Nick (and BSB) since practically the beginning. Fitting the things he talks about in the book into the general group timeline was enlightening though. It gives a fan a weird kind of pride that Nick has learned how to deal with his demons, and continues to better himself, and potentially help others along the way.