Dear Club Monaco,
Recently, I read a book called The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks. I rate this book a 9 out of 10 because it is one of the best books I have read in a long time, but seemed to drag in some parts. This book was recommended to me by a couple of friends. I have not yet seen the movie, (although I intend to) but I can predict that it is not going to be as good as the book, because the book has set the bar high.
A passage that I would like to share was a passage that spoke to me clearly. "Steve loved his children more than life itself, but more than that, he knew that Jonah needed him, and once more, he was struck by the realization that he was failing as a father." This quote made me think about things I want, and things I need. Of course I would love to win the lottery, but do I need it? No, I can live without money. I can live without materialistic things. But sentimental things are the hardest for me to even think of letting go. Jonah really needed his father as a role model, someone to talk to, and someone he could always count on. He didn't need him because Steve would help him with sports, he needed his love.
One of the main things that really made me fall for this book was the reality of it all. It was a story of real teenagers, real relationships, and real tragedies. It was not some cookie cutter story of a happy ever after, but as many of us know already, a perfect ending is not always realistic. I believe in miracles, and I believe in having a wonderful life, but that doesn't mean nothing is ever going to go wrong. A lot of teenagers believe almost the opposite: Everything bad always happens to me. Ronnie is the same way until she finds something that strikes her as meaningful. I hope everyone has their own personal "something" that they can wake up to and smile. That is one thing I would have in my utopia for sure.
Change. Change seems to be a main theme in this book. It reminds you that life can change in a blink of an eye and so can people. Ronnie changes over the summer in a way that I can't even describe. I like how Nicholas Sparks made her so rebellious at the beginning because at the end it makes her seem like a totally different person, which she was. Being an American I am extremely lucky for everything I own and the country I live in, and this book also makes me realize that all that could go away in a snap of a finger. When Ronnie finds out her dad has cancer and only has a little while longer to live, her world is turned upside down.
The way Sparks led up to this part was terrific! He developed Steve to be a very good dad and an average guy. But when you look closer into the details and find out what is really going on it is a huge turn around. I literally felt a break in my heart even though it wasn't my family. When you read this book you will find yourself lost in a different world, but wanting things to happen in a certain way because you feel for all the characters. It seems as though their family, and you know what they are thinking which makes you even feel closer to them. Saying that, it was 2x harder to read because it made me think of me and my dad and how close we are. I think that the people who lose immediate family members are some of the strongest people we have in our world today.
My favorite character in this book is Will. Instantly Will and Ronnie had a connection beyond compare. Will could not deny his feelings for Ronnie and secretly, neither could she. When they say opposites attract, they really mean it. Will is this clean cut, rich boy that lives in a mansion, where Ronnie is this goth chick from New York. Any similarities?? Actually their personalities are pretty similar. They are both extremely stubborn, and they will both do anything for the ones they love. This is the one part of the book that I don't think is so realistic. Two people randomly run into each other and turn out to be soul mates. I wish that would happen in real life, but I bet the chances of that happening are incredibly low.
The Last Song is an awesome book for young girls who love reading books with suspense, romance, tragedy, and christianity. This book pulled at my heart and filled it with emotions. It has taught me many lessons and has given me a new outlook on life. Especially with the summer coming up, I would recommend going to the book store and buying a copy!! Be ready to LOL and make sure you have some tissues beside you, cause this book is a steep rollercoaster!
Sincerely,
Hannah M.
