July 1, 2011

Water for Elephants


It took me a little longer than expected, but on Wednesday night, I finished reading Water for Elephants, by Sara Gruen.  And let me tell you guys, it was fantastic!  This may be my childish love of magic speaking, but I fell in love with this book.  I loved the protagonists, and right along with them I harbored a deep hatred for those characters who caused them trouble.  

I'm sure that plenty of you already know what Water for Elephants is about, that you've seen the movie or at the very least seen the commercials, but I promise - it's worth reading the book!  I started hearing about this book a few months ago at school when a friend of mine was reading it.  

So, in case you don't have a friend telling you to read the book, or haven't seen the commercials (they actually haven't been playing that many previews on TV...) the book is about a circus called The Benzini Brothers right around the Great Depression in America.  Although the entire story is told by Jacob Jankowski, the main character, it is told from two different points of view:  Jacob as a twenty year-old working for the circus, and Jacob as a "ninety...or ninety-three" (as he puts it in the beginning of the book) year-old man living in a nursing home and looking forward to a circus taking place down the block.  Both stories progress in a way that makes you excited to read both, unlike with many books told like this where you want to rush through one telling just to get to the other.  

Sara's writing makes everything in the book seem magical and exciting, and it's the type of book that I wish wouldn't end because I still want to be reading it!  Personally, I think that it is one of my favorite books, and definitely worth running out right now to get a copy for yourself!  (or logging on-line to download it if you have a Kindle)

So what are you guys reading, lately?  I'd love suggestions!!
Now that I'm finished with Water for Elephants, I'm working on another book on my list:  It's Kind of a Funny Story, by Ned Vizzini.  I know that I seem to have a trend going - books that are also movies, but usually when a book becomes a movie, it's because the writer created an amazing story.  

<3 Kiersten

4 comments:

  1. something borrowed by emily giffin. it's a good summer read :)

    Tara
    greeneyedopinions.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I actually think I've heard of that before. Thanks - I'll add it to my list!!
    <3 Kiersten

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hey kiersten, Although i didn't read the book, the first time i saw the trailer of the movie i said this is a must watch film!! I did watch it and i totally loved it its really an amazing story !!

    Something borrowed is also another one I will see when I manage to find it in good quality. I may also suggest watching Jumping the broom I like it :)

    Take care, and thanks for visiting my blog :)

    Plussed
    Luke Plus

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm glad you enjoyed the movie, Luke! I saw the movie as well, and thought it was wonderful!
    I didn't even know that Something Borrowed was a movie, but I'll have to check that and Jumping the Broom out! Thanks for the suggestions. :)
    Thanks for commenting!
    <3 Kiersten

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking the time to read and comment! It means so much to me, and I really do love reading all your messages! <3