Book: The Rainmaker

The Rainmaker

by John Grisham

Length: 608

Format: eBook
Price: checked out from the library via the Overdrive app

How I heard about it: I love the movie and have always wanted to read the book

Basic Premise: A recent graduate of law school, Rudy Baylor is struggling to make his way in the cut-throat world of law and lawyers - two things he is swiftly learning are not synonymous. When he finally lands a case, he has to decide to play it safe, or try his strength against the biggest in the business.

My Take: 9 out of 10 (scale here)

I LOVED this book. Loved, loved, loved it. I have always been interested in reading it, and thanks to my recent stint on a jury, my interest was rekindled. I checked it out online and had it read within a week. LOVED it. It was my first John Grisham, and I found him to have just the right combination of suspense, vulgarity, believeability, and action. I feel like many authors get this balance wrong, but Grisham hit it right on the money. I'm interested to read more of his work and see if that's habit for him or whether it was just this book.

I love Rudy Baylor, and yes, I pictured Matt Damon as I read it. He's a good guy who wants to make money, but more, he wants to do the right thing. I love that about him. I found it interesting how different Miss Birdie was in the book from the film, and how much more desperate Rudy's situation was in the book, but overall I thought the film was a great adaptation. And, of course, I had to rent it and watch it again as soon as I finished.

LOVED this book. I think The Pelican Brief will be my next Grisham! Love me some Denzel.

Book: The Girl on the Train

The Girl on the Train

by Paula Hawkins

Length: 336

Format: Hardback
Price: Free via the library

How I heard about it: My book club decided to read it.

Basic Premise: Commuter Rachel Watson passes by her old life every day on the train - her old home, her old husband, her old neighbors - and it drives her to drink. She is startled one morning when she wakes up with no recollection of what she did the night before and finds herself a suspect in the disappearance of someone from her old life.

My Take: 9 out of 10 (scale here)
I love a good page-turner. This book takes place in England (score) where a divorced woman who is still madly in love with her ex-husband commutes to London pretending to go to work every day so her roommate won't notice that she doesn't have a job. As if that wasn't pathetic enough, our protagonist is an alcoholic who frequently experiences blackouts, which explains why she can't remember anything from the night of the disappearance. Truly, everything about her life is a disaster. As the book goes on, the perspective shifts to the new wife, Anna, and the neighbor, Megan. The twisted storytelling was highly reminiscent of Gone Girl, as was the cast of utterly unlikable characters and the compelling plot. I'm excited to discuss with my book club next week!