The Perks Of Being A Book Addict discussion
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Me Before You
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Me Before You by Jojo Moyes - June 2023 (previously read January 2016)
I JUST got finished reading it. It was so good. It's a great discussion book & makes you think, what would I do?
I loved this book and I agree that there was a lot to think about and discuss. I'm currently reading After You, the follow up book. I wouldn't go read the summary for that one until you've finished this one though.
Simply put, this book was amazing. Jojo Moyes is a gifted storyteller and she did a great job showing us the daily life of a quadriplegic. She also touches on a controversial subject - euthanasia- with sensitivity and grace. Her characters were likeable, believable and well developed. I highly recommend this book.Me before you is funny, witty, heartwarming, hopeful, and sad. Will Traynor had it all before an accident left him wheelchair bound. Louissa Clark, afraid to leave her small town, lived an ordinary life- job at a cafe, long term boyfriend, and family.
The two meet after Louissa accepts the job as his caregiver/companion. The novel shows how the two of them slowly forge a relationship that changes both of them. Will encourages Louissa to push beyond her boundaries, to try new things and to simply "live". I love the quote in the book where Will tells Lou “You only get one life. It's actually your duty to live it as fully as possible.” Both come to care deeply for the other person, to want what is best for them, to try and improve the quality of his/her life.
Whether you like the ending of the book or not, I think the author did a good job staying true to the characters.
This book was hard to put down, I wanted to keep reading, I wanted to know how it ended and then when it did end, I was upset that I read it too fast. This is a book that will make you think, feel and form an opinion. What would you do? What decision would you make? (less)
I love that quote too, Debra. And I agree that Moyes stayed true to her characters. As far as the ending, (view spoiler)
I'm listening to the audiobook and I've got about three hours left. I'm liking it so far and I can't wait to hear how it ends.
I'm about 20% through this book now and think it's going to be necessary to have a box of tissues close at hand at some stage. Saying that, although this book is based upon a topic that is bound to bring emotions to the surface, there is also some humour injected into the writing, so it's not totally depressing.
Yes, Rebecca. Tissues may be necessary at some point. I also love the bits of humor in the book tat lighten the mood. I felt it was done well.
Thanks for the tip Kristie, I'll definitely be going to Costco to buy some in bulk ;) Without the humour intertwined throughout the book, I think I'd find it pretty hard going. However, I'm finding the developing friendship between Louisa and Will to be really sweet, and like the way the book makes you seriously think about what you would do if yourself or a loved one were in a similar situation. Some characters are grating on me a little, such as the sister who seems pretty selfish, and is being kept by Lou who's basically stuck in a rut and doing menial jobs to provide for her family.
Yes, I had frustration with Lou's family. I felt that they put her down a lot and just weren't really supportive.
Kristie wrote: "Yes, I had frustration with Lou's family. I felt that they put her down a lot and just weren't really supportive."Yes, exactly. I got so frustrated with them, and I wanted to hit her sister at times... :-)
I agree with the family, but I liked how they also progressed as the story progressed (although I'm mad at her mom at the end). I loved the humor - it was necessary and would have been a different story without it. I also thought that the book argued both sides of the central question quite well.Sniff...
I have finished reading and have posted my review - https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
As I stated in the above review, this book did not have the impact for me that I was expecting. It was well written, but predictable. I am curious to read the sequel, though, because Louisa was my favorite character in the book.
A great fast read. Enjoyed the relationship growth of the characters. A little on the typical side, you can tell where it was going to go with them. But it was nice to see a little humor intertwined with all the pain of life itself and the struggle of the day to day. Simple, fast, emotional. Read it on vacation.
Silvia wrote: "I don't know. I liked to read it, but I hated it!"I'm just starting it. What do you mean that you liked to read it but hated it? Do you mean that you wanted to read it?
Vontella wrote: "Silvia wrote: "I don't know. I liked to read it, but I hated it!"I'm just starting it. What do you mean that you liked to read it but hated it? Do you mean that you wanted to read it?"
I meant that I enjoyed the book when I was reading it, but when I finished I was angry because some things that happened, I was angry against one of the characters and when I think about this book, the only feeling that comes to me is hate :(
Such a great read! The book is very well written and I can't wait to read the sequel. I hope the movie does the book justice.
I just finished the book. First, Jojo Moyes is a fantastic writer. The words flowed effortlessly encompassing every emotion. I shed a few tears as I read the last few pages. The book wasn't predictable and mundane. It kept me guessing about how it ended until the very end. It was a great beginning to my book addicting year.
Victoria wrote: "Such a great read! The book is very well written and I can't wait to read the sequel. I hope the movie does the book justice."Same!
I've finished the book and also have to agree with what Victoria and Ozanna wrote. It will be interesting to see how the movie turns out, anyone any ideas on when it's vaguely due to be released?
Rebecca wrote: "I've finished the book and also have to agree with what Victoria and Ozanna wrote. It will be interesting to see how the movie turns out, anyone any ideas on when it's vaguely due to be released?"Summer 2016 I believe.
I have just finished reading this book. It was very well written and I may have shed a few tears whilst reading the last few pages.I found it very hard to put this book down as I just wanted to know how the story was going to end.
I finished reading this book yesterday, I enjoyed this book very much! I loved following the relationship growth between Lou and Will. I also liked the book because there were few significant social issues that were raised and loved the fact that the author presented both sides of the issue/questions. I am very much looking forward to reading the sequel After You to be able to reacquaint with the characters once again!!
I have just finished the second book Joann and although it was good it just didn't do it for me like the first book.
Sky wrote: "I have just finished the second book Joann and although it was good it just didn't do it for me like the first book."I just finished the second one too and I thought it was good, just not as good as this one. I think it's hard to follow up something like Me Before You, which affected so many people emotionally.
Silvia wrote: "I don't know. I liked to read it, but I hated it!"What do you mean? How can you enjoy reading a book that you hate?
Vontella wrote: "Silvia wrote: "I don't know. I liked to read it, but I hated it!"What do you mean? How can you enjoy reading a book that you hate?"
I didn't hate it in the beginning, I hated at the end and it was just because I was angry with one of the protagonist.
Sneaking this one in at the end of the month. I enjoyed this book a lot. I had a lot of frustration for Lou in the beginning because it seemed like she was making a lot of excuses for her choices in life, especially because she is the same age that I am. I grew to like her more later. My only criticism is that (view spoiler)
Me Before You is one of my all time favourites. I'm a big fan of Jojo Moyes and this is probably her best. She seems to have this amazing knack of creating very real characters and making you feel everything that they feel.I read the sequel After You last weekend and would definitely recommend particularly if you like Lou.
I think the second book is going to tie it up nicely when I read it so am actually looking forward to it. And I think people can fall in love quite quickly especially in the beginning when it is more likely be to an infatuation state.
Oh my gosh... I just watched the movie trailer for this... l don't think Ill be able to watch this movie in public... there will be ugly sobbing. :(
Kristie wrote: "Oh my gosh... I just watched the movie trailer for this... l don't think Ill be able to watch this movie in public... there will be ugly sobbing. :("I just saw it too! I was watching the trailer and my eyes got wet ... I'm afraid I am going to hate the movie too :'( Sam Claflin looks awesome ... but First Finnick and now William :(
Colleen wrote: "I think the second book is going to tie it up nicely when I read it so am actually looking forward to it. And I think people can fall in love quite quickly especially in the beginning when it is mo..."SAME HERE! Will Traynor is definitely back to break my heart into pieces! :(
Joann wrote: "I finished reading this book yesterday, I enjoyed this book very much! I loved following the relationship growth between Lou and Will. I also liked the book because there were few significant socia..."You miiight want to check out my review here :) I had a completely different take on it from most people.
I need to go online and have a watch of this trailer. If the film is as good as people seem to be thinking after they watch the trailer, we may actually have a good adaptation.
Ruzaika wrote: "Joann wrote: "I finished reading this book yesterday, I enjoyed this book very much! I loved following the relationship growth between Lou and Will. I also liked the book because there were few sig..."Go watch it right now! I'm having pretty high hopes for the movie too, and that's saying something since I tend to be extremely wary of book-to-movie adaptations.
Ruzaika I've just watched it! Wow, it does look pretty good. I'm also pleasantly surprised, as like you, I'm not usually keen on films that are book adaptations. Saying that I don't think I'll be able to watch it at the cinema, because it looks like it's going to be a proper tearjerker. Think it's one to watch safely on my own couch, lol.
Rebecca wrote: "Ruzaika I've just watched it! Wow, it does look pretty good. I'm also pleasantly surprised, as like you, I'm not usually keen on films that are book adaptations. Saying that I don't think I'll be a..."For sure- I wouldn't even think about watching it at the cinema!
It never used to be an option, if one wanted to see a movie at all, without waiting for fate to bring it to television at some random time, one went to the cinema. I was a wreck during Sophie's Choice, heavily pregnant with my first daughter and weeping my heart out. My son made me take him to King King, and I could barely breathe from the tears. He was kicking himself, he knows how I am about animals. My husband, daughter, and I were all crying during Into the Woods. I have to be careful, these emotional cathartic episodes leave me exhausted afterwards.
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I just ordered my copy of this and our other book from Thriftbooks. It is nice when the monthly selection is older and I can get it cheap!
Books mentioned in this topic
After You (other topics)Me Before You (other topics)







Summary
Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.
What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.
Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.
What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.