The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks

 17-year-old Ronnie Miller is angry . . . with her father for leaving them years ago, and with her mother for forcing Ronnie to spend an entire summer with her dad in North Carolina. Since her parents' divorce, Ronnie hasn't spoken to or had any contact with her father (he sent her letters, but she never read them), and she has absolutely no desire to come face-to-face with him again. When Ronnie arrives in Wrightsville Beach, she sets forth her plan to avoid her dad at all costs. Her first night in town, she ends up meeting a girl her age named Blaze. Blaze hangs with a rough group, and her boyfriend Marcus is Bad News. He pursues Ronnie even though he and Blaze are an item, and his actions frighten Ronnie so much that she decides to stay away from the group. Blaze, jealous of Marcus' interest in Ronnie, wants retribution and frames Ronnie for shoplifting.

While trying to clear her name, Ronnie falls in love with Will Blakelee, the local rich boy. His mother doesn't approve of Ronnie; after all, she's different and will never be good enough for her son. But Will and Ronnie continue to see each other, and as their relationship grows, so does Ronnie's relationship with her father, Steve, a former concert pianist who now lives a quiet life on the beach, crafting a beautiful stained-glass window to replace the one that had been destroyed when the local church burned down. For the first time in a long time, Ronnie is truly happy and enjoying life, but secrets that Will and Steve are keeping from her threaten to destroy her perfect summer.

I don't know how he does it, but Nicholas Sparks' books always seem to affect me at some level, and The Last Song is no exception. It struck a chord deep inside me. Not only does the book explore the thrills of falling in love for the first time, but it also examines the connection between a father and a daughter. While I enjoyed reading about Ronnie's budding romance with Will, it was the relationship between Ronnie and Steve that really moved me. I knew very early on what was going to happen, so I was surprised at the intensity of my emotional reaction. While I always expect tear-jerkers from Nicholas Sparks, I felt such a connection to the characters in The Last Song that I had tears streaming down my face for the entire last quarter of the book. I will be thinking about this poignant, heartbreaking book for a long time, and I look forward to seeing the movie (currently in production and starring Miley Cyrus) when it comes out.

4/5

Updated Literary Crushes

Back in October 2007, I made a list of my Top 10 Literary Crushes. I don't know why, but for some reason I was thinking about this list earlier today, and I thought it would be fun to 'update' it.

So, here are the "Ten Literary Characters I Would Totally Make Out With If I Were Single and They Were Real But I'm Not, Single I Mean; I Am Real -- But I'm Also Happily Married and Want To Stay That Way, So Maybe We Should Forget This..."

1. Edward Cullen, the Twilight saga
2. Peeta Mellark, The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins (Have I already mentioned that I adore him? I have?)
3. Prince Po, Graceling by Kristin Cashore (just thinking about his gold and silver eyes makes me melt!)
4. Max Pesaro, The Gardella Vampire Chronicles by Colleen Gleason
5. Miach of Neroche, The Nine Kingdoms series by Lynn Kurland
6. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Pride and Prejudice
7. Rhys de Piaget and Robin de Piaget (or any de Piaget male for that matter!), Lynn Kurland books
8. Gilbert Blythe, Anne of Green Gables
9. Joshua Steed, The Work and the Glory series by Gerald N. Lund
10. Luke Brandon, Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella

My list from 2007:
1. Edward Cullen, the Twilight saga
2. Fitzwilliam Darcy, Pride and Prejudice
3. Gilbert Blythe, Anne of Green Gables
4. Joshua Steed, The Work and the Glory series by Gerald Lund
5. Max Pesaro, The Gardella Vampire Chronicles by Colleen Gleason
6. Rhett Butler, Gone With the Wind
7. Sebastian Vioget, The Gardella Vampire Chronicles
8. The Scarlet Pimpernel
9. Jamie Fraser, Outlander series
10. TBA

I think it's funny that I couldn't even come up with 10 when I first made this list. And I was surprised at how far down Mr. Darcy ended up this time around! I feel somewhat guilty that he's only #6! No surprise that Edward is #1 again, though. I think he'll stay there forever...

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has won the annual Hunger Games with fellow district tribute Peeta Mellark. But it was a victory won by defiance of the Capitol and their harsh rules. Katniss and Peeta should be happy. After all, they have just won for themselves and their families a life of safety and plenty. But there are rumors of rebellion among the subjects, and Katniss and Peeta, to their horror, are the faces of that rebellion. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge.

If you loved The Hunger Games, you will love Catching Fire! I don't want to say too much about it and end up spoiling something for those who haven't read it, but I will say that Suzanne Collins took this book in a direction I hadn't anticipated . . . and I couldn't have asked for a more compelling story. I laughed, I cried, I gasped in disbelief. I loved every amazing moment. And, of course, there is the love triangle. If you haven't already chosen sides -- Peeta or Gale -- be prepared to do so. We all know I'm rooting for PEETA. I adore him!

Once again, my only complaint is that it ended too soon! And now I have to wait until next year for the conclusion. I hope it passes quickly.

5/5