Welcome to a new series on my blog called BOOK RAVES. I plan on mentioning favorite books briefly in my new modified Monthly Favorites videos then going a bit more in depth here on whitneyhedrick.com. The new monthly favorites videos will now feature makeup, books, food, lifestyle, paper crafting, fitness, health and music instead of JUST beauty products. Because LETS BE HONEST: Theres only so much I can say about fifty different kinds of pinky nude lipstick and eyeshadow. I have mentioned in faves of the past that I wanna talk more about things that extend beyond makeup and beauty. In this day and age women are held to such a HIGH un realistic standard of airbrushed Kardashian beauty and I just think we need to take the time to nurture our minds and souls. Since I live by that and promote that in my personal life SO MUCH I think its only right that I start producing content that is in alignment with my core values as a person.
With that said…..
I read “The Girl On The Train” in the beginning of the year in one day before it had ANY stars on amazon or iBooks on a whim and “gut feeling”. It’s not an especially LONG book (clocking in at 336 pages) but for me to clear the schedule, not leave the house, ignore all phone calls, texts and emails for a FULL day in the desperate pursuit of finishing a book is SAYING something.
To give you a background story on my preferred reading material: I’m NOT one for chick lit about a hard-working ball busting career woman who has time for everything in life except LOVE (think: ANY movie Kate Hudson or Katherine Heigel have EVER been in) or “young adult” franchises about love triangles and looking out windows into the rain while songs by “The Fray” play softly in the background. NOT FOR ME. I’m also KIND of a snob about reading book to movie adaptations. I know that’s kind of lame especially because my favorite author Chuck Palahniuk wrote Fight Club and Gillian Flynn wrote Gone Girl. Both titles are some of my absolute FAVORITES.
In fact…I cant even GET INTO how annoyed I am that Gillian Flynn ONLY has three books out. All of which I read in one nail-biting, counter productive, balls to the wall weekend. But I digress….
My preferred reading material is: non fiction philosophy and business/productivity. And for fiction I’m much more interested in suspense, horror, and dark stories. So my recommendations will probably be very that.
THIS. BOOK. IS. GNARLY.
Its crazy reminiscent of a Hitchcock movie and the fog of confusion and suspense is palpable.
The premise of it (as printed on the book):
Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. “Jess and Jason,” she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.
And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel offers what she knows to the police, and becomes inextricably entwined in what happens next, as well as in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?
I DID in fact predict the ending but it wasn’t as transparent a twist that I feel most “who dunnit” kind of books have lately. The ending was VERY satisfying and I found myself deeply invested and concerned about the complex anti-hero of the story Rachel. I couldn’t stop thinking about it, talking about it..and sadly I haven’t found a Fiction book this year SINCE that had me looking around the room after it was over thinking “What the EFF just happened?!?!”
In short:
Read the damn book. Thank me later.
What are YOUR favorite books right now? I’m always on the prowl.
Love you guys!
