Nicholas Sparks Splits with Wife of 25 Years

It looks like the love story is over for Nicholas Sparks and his wife of 25 years. The author’s wife, Catherine, has officially purchased a 1.1 million dollar mansion down the street from the couple’s North Carolina home, which makes sense since they have five children together.

It is believed that many of Sparks’ famous plot lines were based on aspects of his relationship with Catherine – so what does this mean for the future of his writing? Will he continue to pump out charming, romantic novels now that his own love story has fallen apart? And if so, will his future projects come across as insincere since he was unable to make his own marriage work?

Not surprisingly, many fans (including me) were shocked by this recent news. How could a man who gave us some of the most romantic stories of the past few decades, including The Notebook, Dear John and A Walk to Remember, end up separated from the woman who inspired many of these stories?

I can’t help but wonder why Sparks’ didn’t take a helpful cue from one of his bestselling novels in order to save his marriage. He could have proved his love by taking Catherine on a boat ride through a pond of swans, or by lifting her up and kissing her in the middle of a torrential downpour. Or perhaps he could have climbed to the top of a Ferris wheel and professed his love for her that way. The possibilities could have been endless. But I guess in real life things don’t always work that way.

Sparks has written 17 romantic novels and nine of them have gone on to become hit movies – so it makes sense that audiences have become emotionally connected to his stories. Sparks may not have his storybook ending anymore, but that shouldn’t take anything away from the work he has done and will continue to do. There’s a difference between fantasy and reality – Sparks’ characters will continue to live happily ever after even though he and Catherine won’t. 

Follow Nicholas Sparks on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nicholassparks

Happy Reading!

Something Blue

A while back I posted a review of Emily Giffin’s Something Borrowed. (Laura's Book Nook: Something Borrowed) It still holds up as one of my all time favourite books and I definitely love the sequel Something Blue just as much.

Just to recap, Something Borrowed tells the story of a young woman named Rachel as she goes through a secret affair with her best friend, Darcy’s, fiancé. The realistic narrative of this novel made it relatable to me, even though I have never been (and never would want to be) in a similar situation to Rachel. It may sound silly, but I’m sure that all readers will find themselves rooting for Rachel. If you’re a chick lit lover and have somehow managed to avoid this book up until now, do yourself a favour and check it out.

Giffin’s follow up, Something Blue, takes a different approach by showcasing the affair’s aftermath from Darcy’s point of view.  This is interesting because throughout Something Borrowed readers tend to dislike Darcy because of her bossy and manipulative personality. Giffin's decision to have Darcy as the focal point of a sequel whose predecessor was based around a very likable narrator could have been seen as a risky decision. I questioned the decision initially because I assumed Something Blue would not have the same relatable and fun aspects that I loved so much about Something Borrowed.

I was wrong. Readers (just like me) who loved Something Borrowed will find very similar themes and qualities in its sequel. Although Darcy continues to come across as spoiled and controlling you get to see a lot more depth to her character in this book (and rightfully so since she is the narrator this time around). I was able to sympathize with her in this book – something I was unable to do throughout Something Borrowed – and I really got a feel for what she was going through.

After finding out about Dex (Darcy’s fiancé) and Rachel’s affair, Darcy flees to London where she quickly learns that she can no longer get by on her charm and good looks alone. Something Blue showcases Darcy’s journey towards self-discovery, understanding and true love.

This book does a wonderful job of wrapping up an already fantastic story. It shows that there are always two sides to every story and that friendships and romantic relationships are not always as cookie cutter basic as other chick lit novels often make them out to be.  Something Borrowed is Rachel’s story and Something Blue is Darcy’s. They are two very different characters with two very different stories – each equally as fast passed and entertaining. 

I cannot say enough about how absolutely fantastic this two book series is. It’s fun and quirky with characters that feel like your best friends.

There is still no official word if Something Blue will be getting a movie adaptation to follow in the footsteps of 2011’s Something Borrowed Staring Gennifer Goodwin and Kate Hudson. I'd love to see it happen. 

Buy Something Borrowed: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312321198/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=1944687782&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=0312323859&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=1EQ0KA264STZ2CZ80XVS

Buy Something Blue: http://www.amazon.com/Something-Blue-Emily-Giffin/dp/0312323867/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y

Happy Reading! 

I'm Back!

Oh hey 2015, what’s up? It may have been several years since I’ve posted on here, but I’m so happy to be back!

I started this blog back in 2011 while I was in the midst of my Post Graduate Public Relations Program at Niagara College. After graduation I quickly got swept up in many new experiences and I lost touch with the routine I was in with my blog posts. But now I’m back and ready to start the ball rolling here again.

Over the past few years I’ve been lucky enough to travel all over the world. After finishing my PR program I spent two months in Europe. I loved travelling and exploring before I took that trip; but I definitely came home with a serious case of the travel bug. I knew that I needed to find a job that would allow (and hopefully even require) me to travel. So I did just that. I spent a year working onboard cruise ships as an activity host/ coordinator. I got to visit amazing places including Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Central and South America, Bora Bora, Tahiti, Fiji, Australia and all over The Caribbean. I feel extremely grateful to have had this experience. I know I never would have had the opportunity to see even half of these places by the age of 26 if it wasn’t for that job.

I’m now spending a bit of time living in England and I can’t wait to get back into blogging. I’ve been keeping up with the latest and best chick lit and I’m eager to share my thoughts and suggestions with my friends and everyone else who shares my reading interests (or my travelling interests). I've always said that Chick Lit and traveling go hand in hand since it's an often humours light-hearted form of literary fiction - perfect for a bit of light reading on the beach or at the airport.

Be sure to check back weekly for my upcoming reviews.

Happy Reading!