Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer ~ I must admit that the main reason I read this was because I really want to see the movie. Seems like if I see the movie first, I will never go back to the book. I never did end up reading The Notebook! I am so glad that I read this one, though. I have since heard that the movie does not do the book justice.

This book was such an incredibly sad and moving story, but I found myself laughing out loud throughout a lot of it. It had some extremely funny parts too!! The protagonist, Oskar Schell is a 9 year old little boy with the most amazing mind. I could not wait to hear what was going to come out of his beautiful little brain next!! His father died in the World Trade Center on 9/11 and Oskar hasn't dealt with his death very well since then.... he was left with so many unanswered questions. One day he finds this odd key in his dad's closet that he just knew would be a clue to the missing pieces of exactly how and why his dad died. Well... Oskar goes on mission. He sets out all throughout New York's five boroughs to find out what that key opens to get the answers he is looking for. He meets some truly amazing people along the way, and forms some interesting friendships.

Another aspect that I fell in love with was all of the family history. You will meet Oskar's grandmother, and learn how much she adores her grandson. Through a series of letters you'll find out how she and her husband met and how Oskar's father came into this world. It is heart wrenching and so fascinating to see how the pieces all fit together!!

Foer's writing style had me worried at the first of the book. The conversations between the characters all kind of run together and sometimes the past and the present did, as well. However, it was very easy to get into the flow and figure it out early on. Don't let it throw you off. This was a little gem! Stick with it and you, too will fall in love with little Oskar Schell.

Movie critics aside...I still am dying to see the movie!!! I'll be the judge!