Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

Big Little Lies was recommended by a female friend a few months ago. I had it on my bookshelf for a while but it was never at the top of my list. Then I read an article last week that it was going to be adapted as a television series on HBO, starring Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman (it actually debuts tonight). Whenever books intertwine with the mainstream I like to post a review about the book. So I had to read Big Little Lies. Remember that this review is from a guy's perspective, although I will try to be open minded.

The book starts six months prior to a murder that has occurred in a small, competitive town where the moms are way too into themselves. I have never seen it, but think Sex in the City. There are a lot of characters at the beginning, but it becomes easy to catch on. The twist with the murder is the reader does not know who has been killed (we do not find out until the end).

At the end of each chapter - the chapters are short - there are interviews and statements made to police after the murder, although it sounds more like gossip. As you read, you learn more about the relationships and motivations, as well as how easily things can be misconstrued. You are trying to figure out who was murdered and who was involved. The style and layout made for a great murder mystery feel where you do not want to stop reading.

The middle goes a little on the dark / heavy side. I guess I can understand since it's a chick book. The author does a good job keeping it relevant to the story. I have to give credit where credit is due: I did not see how everything would come together. I definitely did not predict who did it. The only part I did not like was the very end (biting my tongue so I do not spoil anything).

Some chicks are definitely like the characters in the book. In fact, I know a few ha. Most women will like this book (a good beach read). Guys, I'm not so sure this one is for them.

My rating for Big Little Lies: 4 stars out of 5. Get it here!

P.S. Next week will be a unique blog. Two of my cousins and I started a small book club. First meeting is next Sunday. I'll provide my normal review of the book we read as well as my thoughts on participating in my first book club. Exciting stuff!

The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto by Mitch Albom

Full disclosure up front: Mitch Albom is one of my favorite authors. I love all of his books. Mitch is known for Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven. Usually deep, hopeful, positive themes with life lessons and good morals to strive towards. His books are on the shorter side and to the point, which I like.

The Magic Strings of Frankie Pesto is the story of a made up musician going through the ups and downs of life. What makes this unique and interesting is the entire book is woven through real life musicians and events. Think Forest Gump-esque. I recognized some of the names, but I spent time googling to see if things actually happened as described in the book (a lot of it was true). In turn I learned about music events since the 1940s. Some of the most popular real-life musicians share stories of encounters with Frankie Presto. I thought this was a really cool touch and gave more credence to the realness of Frankie Presto.

The other very unique aspect to the book is that it is narrated by Music. Almost in a God-like tone. Now you might say this sounds ridiculous. But having Music narrate the book makes perfect sense and actually works really, really well. You have to believe me.

If you're into music you will love this book. Even if you aren't, you will still appreciate the highs and lows Frankie Presto goes through. I really liked how the story progressed. I can see some people saying it seems too impossible for everything to be true. Or that the ending was cliche. Maybe so, but given how impossible Frankie Presto's life was, I thought the ending was fitting.

My rating for The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto: 5 stars out of 5. Get it here!

P.S. I am predicting that this will be a top 5 book of 2017. Highly recommended.

After You by Jojo Moyes

Funny story. On Christmas, I received a gift from my cousin - Me Before You. I had just read it a few weeks before and posted a review. I was appreciative of the gift, but I immediately told her I had just read the book. I would have been happy keeping it and possibly giving it away next Christmas, but she insisted on me returning it and getting After You, which is the sequel to Me Before You.

After You follows Lou's life after her work with Will (trying really hard to not give any spoilers on Me Before You). I was skeptical how the story could be continued, but I have to say I was impressed by the first character who is introduced into Lou's life. While it was a stretch, it was still believable. From there, I thought the story was pretty good. More characters come into Lou's life and help her move forward and grow. The story didn't slow down; rather, it kept me on the edge of my seat.

I felt like ending was written like a movie script or something you would see in a movie. That being said, I still enjoyed the ending. It was shocking at first, but I was happy with the very end. It certainly opens the door for the third book to the series.

I realized it is really hard to review a sequel without giving anything away on the first book. Probably won't do this again.

My rating for After You: 4 stars out of 5. Get it here!

P.S. Nicholas Sparks will be speaking in Springfield, Mass. on March 31st at a Women's Leadership Conference. If you read this blog you know I'm a big Nicholas Sparks fan. Plus I try to stay in the loop when a famous author comes to the area.