Life and Water for Elephants

I have recently had the desire to start a blog.  I never could decide what I would write about if I did.  Nothing notable happens in my life day to day to write about except for the stories I have of my crazy neighbors, and customers at work.  But, that's been done before.  I am sure a blog about books has been done a thousand times as well, but after reading I feel so inspired to share the way I feel about what I just read.  So, I decided to title my blog  "Liz's Life and Literature" that way if anything happens in my life worth sharing, I am not constricted to just a blog about books.  

I have always loved to read.  But, my horizons don't expand far from the Twilight series or the Notebook.  I like to read all kinds of books.  I love anything from humor, to love stories and biographies.  But, for me, it's all about finding the right book.  The book that you can't (and don't want to) put down. 

When I heard that my local Borders was going out of business, I didn't waste any time getting down there to pick up a few good reads.  I knew that shortly after I purchased my selections that the prices would get slashed again, but I didn't want to risk missing out on the books that I really wanted.  My first picks were Water for Elephants, One Day, and Retail Hell.

Yesterday, I finished reading Water for Elephants.  I chose this book because I knew that I wanted to see the movie, but I am sick of seeing a movie and being let down by it and then hearing that the book is so much better. Which I feel  is true in most cases when it comes to books being turned into a major motion picture. 

Spoilers ahead...

I was instantly hooked within the first 20 pages.  Besides the fact that I was on the verge of tears twice within those 20 pages ( I am a real softie, but the way that Sara Gruen describes events in Jacob's life is amazing and poetic.), but also when reading the prologue you think you have the whole book figured out!  Sara Gruen paints a picture of this hectic stampede, and then the murder.  I thought for sure that Marlena was the one to crack August over head.  And especially after reading all of his crazy antics, it would make perfect sense for her to be the prime suspect...

The relationship that is created between Marlena, Jacob and Rosie is heartwarming.  And to think, Rosie started out being portrayed as a "stupid bull", and turned out to be the one who knew everyone's true character.  In this case, Elephant is man's best friend.

My favorite part of the whole novel is the way the ending is written.  I love the way that it flashes forward to Jacob in his old age and tells the rest of the story in his present life as a 93 year old man.  No ends are left untied, and Jacob gets a second chance at the life he once lived thanks to a man he barely knows.

Thoughts?  Didn't want to give away too much for those who have not yet read this book.  It truly is one of my favorite stories!