Book # 23: The Disappearing Spoon

By Sam Kean

I have a weird fascination with books that instruct as well as entertain.  I have many times been picked on for enjoying travel writing.  This one intrigued me because it takes a look at the periodic table and tells all the interesting stories behind the elements.  I will say there were times that I was a tad stumped as the last real science class I took was in high school (Elementary Education doesn't require those hard math and science courses), but then again, I'm not sure everyone grasps quantum mechanics on their first attempt.  Not a fast read as you have to think more than when reading a book like, "Eat, Pray, Love", but one I would recommend as the information is presented in an interesting way.  It leaves you looking at items like aluminum foil or the ingredients in your tums with a slightly different understanding. 

Book # 22: The Notebook

by Nicholas Sparks

I absolutely loved the movie, so the book fell short of my expectations.  The development of the characters was lacking, especially for how and why they fell in love.  It was too much implied destiny for me.  The overall concept was intriguing and classic, but I just expected more.  It almost seemed like over the top romance for me.  Maybe I would have enjoyed it in high school, but at this point in my life, I like to understand why people are in love, and just because they are destined to be doesn't cut it.  The movie did a spectacular job building on why they worked as a couple, and a number of my favorite parts of the movie weren't in the book. 

I'm going to try one more of Nicholas Spark's books, his newest one, because I will still admit that my disappointment might have been caused by enjoying the movie so much.  I'll keep you posted.

Book # 21: Committed

by Elizabeth Gilbert

I was disappointed.  While I generally disagree with Liz's outlook on life and her values and political standings, etc., Eat, Pray, Love was at least a story about a woman visiting places and working through things.  Even if I couldn't understand what she was working through or appreciate her struggles, I, at least, found her experiences while traveling intriguing.  Committed is (as she admits towards the end) simply a book of Liz trying to find a way to get over her distaste of marriage, in order to get her Brazilian "lover" a permanent US Visa by marrying him.  There were less travel stories, and mainly a series of Liz vents about how she felt about marriage and its past.

I really couldn't relate because I'm one of those people who Liz would find hard to relate to.  I am married, glad to be, and wouldn't have it any other way.  Never felt that not getting married was an option I wanted.  Never felt that not having children was an option I wanted.  And frankly believe that divorce is not an option either.  Yes, I realize it takes two on the divorce aspect, but I believe that all the soul searching and premarital hoo-ha that Liz did before getting married this time happened before I got married the first time.  So it's confusing because the 20ish year old that Liz describes before her first marriage was someone that frankly I never was.  Not that I'm bragging; I'm not trying to.  I'm just trying to say that it was extremely hard to relate to this book.  And frankly, I will be more cautious about choosing to read her books in the future because at times it just left a horrible taste in my mouth.