Book Review: Dear John by Nicholas Sparks

Book: Dear John
Genre: Fiction
Published: October 30, 2006
How I Got the Book: bought for upcoming movie


Synopsis (from b&n.com): An angry rebel, John dropped out of school and enlisted in the Army, not knowing what else to do with his life--until he meets the girl of his dreams, Savannah. Their mutual attraction quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah waiting for John to finish his tour of duty, and John wanting to settle down with the woman who captured his heart. But 9/11 changes everything. John feels it is his duty to re-enlist. And sadly, the long separation finds Savannah falling in love with someone else. "Dear John," the letter read...and with those two words, a heart was broken and two lives were changed forever.


My Thoughts: This is an unmistakable Nick Sparks novel. Now, take that how you want. It is the same atmosphere, same tone and mood as everything else I have read by him (the Notebook, the Wedding, and A Walk to Remember). To me, I like what Sparks offers up. To some others they may have exhausted his plot devices. I feel the military aspect of the story was very realistic and true to life. Some things I didn't care for like Savannah unreadability. She confused me just as much as she confused John. I liked the whole John and his father sub-plot although the deus ex machina was predictable at the end. And speaking of the end, I loved it, the very last page got me.

Characters: Gave me a tooth ache. They were painfully sweet and always did the right thing all the time, if they misstepped once or twice it was hardly noticeable and didn't have a grand effect.

Cover Art: Pretty, whimsical, not overly attention grabbing but fitting.

Overall:

Book: NightLight: A Parody by The Harvard Lampoon
Genre: Young Adult/Spoof
Published: November 3, 2009
How I Got the Book: for Christmas


Synopsis (from b&n.com): "About three things I was absolutely certain. First, Edwart was most likely my soul mate, maybe. Second, there was a vampire part of him–which I assumed was wildly out of his control–that wanted me dead. And third, I unconditionally, irrevocably, impenetrably, heterogeneously, gynecologically, and disreputably wished he had kissed me."

Pale and klutzy, Belle arrives in Switchblade, Oregon looking for adventure, or at least an undead classmate. She soon discovers Edwart, a super-hot computer nerd with zero interest in girls. After witnessing a number of strange events–Edwart leaves his tater tots untouched at lunch! Edwart saves her from a flying snowball!–Belle has a dramatic revelation: Edwart is a vampire. But how can she convince Edwart to bite her and transform her into his eternal bride, especially when he seems to find girls so repulsive?


My Thoughts: This was actually funny at times. There were little quirks that the authors threw in that reminded me of the Naked Gun movies. The book consists of random events; silly things happening out of no where most of the time. Some of the time I got it...some other times I did not get the references. I know the Twilight saga in and out, but this book went in some oppositie directions I feel. Now the funny parts condisted of the description of Edward everytime he wlked into a room (his hair was described different everytime, lol) and obsessive way Bella cooked every meal for her dad. I'd recommend this book for Twilight or former Twilight fans with a sense of humor.

Characters: An exagerated, over the top parody of Bella, Edward and the gang...just not as in depth as Twilight of course.

Cover Art: Pretty funny. It's painfully obvious this is about Twilight...just chewed up.

Overall: