Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Fact of the matter is, I finished this book a while ago, but I was holding on to see the movie because I wanted to compare and talk about both. Unfortunately, that never happened. Which, all in all, is probably for the best. Maybe if I ever get to see it, I'll update this post.
I loved this book. While most would probably see it as chick lit, I really thought that the relationship between Louisa and Will was very modern and refreshing. They fought and laughed and had good times and bad. They made me laugh. They made me wish I was them. I think Louisa is a wonderful character. She's every twenty year old trying to put their life together and this book shows the struggles of having to do that. Moyes didn't hold back and I loved that the book was not just about Louisa's relationship with Will, but also her relationship with her family.
What I thought was strange was the random chapters that were from a different characters' point of view. I could see that Moyes did this to make the story more rounded, but there didn't seem to be a purpose to it.
There's also a SEQUEL to this book! Like, what?! I really thought that they way Moyes ended the novel was great and I'm a little nervous about there being another book. But of course, I'm going to read it... eventually.
Favorite Quotes:
"The thing about being catapulted into a whole new life - or at least, shoved up so hard against someone else's life that you might as well have your face pressed against their window - is that it forces you to rethink your idea of who you are."
"'And I cannot for the life of me see how you can be content to live this tiny life. This life that will take place almost entirely within a five-mile radius and contain nobody who will ever surprise you or push you or show you things that will leave your head spinning and unable to sleep at night.'"
"It felt like I was living a life I hadn't had a chance to anticipate."
"People had been born and died there, hearts filled and broken."
"'Some mistakes...just have greater consequences than others. But you don't have to let that night be the thing that defines you.'"
"'You make me happy, even when you're awful.'"
"'I told him I loved him,' she said, her voice dropping to a whisper. 'And he just said it wasn't enough.' Her eyes were wide and bleak. 'How am I suppose to live with that?'"
"You are scored on my heart, Clark. You were from the first day you walked in, with your ridiculous clothes and your bad jokes and your complete inability to ever hide a single thing you felt."
"'Tell me something good.'"
"You know there really isn't much that can't be solved by a decent cup of tea."
