Movie Blog: Iron Man 3

So the summer movie blockbuster season has officially kicked off with the unleashed in cinemas of Iron Man 3 with Robert Downey Jr. reprising his role as Tony Stark and I can definitely say it was the most awaited movie of the year for me. It is one of the most beloved series of Marvel.

I haven't been going to movies as much lately, but there's one I can promise I'm going to make time to see: Iron Man 3. Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, and Don Cheadle are all back; I like director Shane Black's work, and its superheroes! Ya'll know I love superheroes.

Well obviously it’s not just me who is hype and turning like a little child to watch Iron Man 3, yes because I was, to be honest. It’s one of the most awaited movies of the year. So now that Iron Man 3 is finally showing, what can I say about the movie?

Again -- it’s a massive, massive spoiler so, if you don’t want to know, please go away. Beware. Seriously.

SPOILER ALERT!!!

5...

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LAST CHANCE!!

Wow, still here? Okay.

"We create our own demons."

So goes the very first line of this three-quel, opening to massive expectations and no doubt, box office following Iron Man's last triumphant movie as part of the superhero powerhouse which was The Avengers.

Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as billionaire Tony Stark - who, has been off the superhero scene, distancing himself from everyone and struggling with his inner demons. And, this time around, he is suffering a little anxiety attack from PTSD following the events at the end of the alien invasion masterminded by Loki during post-Avengers' incidents. As he deals with this completely out of character crisis of confidence he’s suddenly faced with one of the greatest terrorist threats mankind has seen, The Mandarin.

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.)

Facing a distinct lack of sleep, Stark has been distancing himself from the love of his life Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), who's working hard at Stark Industries and is choosing to dwell on building other Iron Man suits within his basement.

Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow)

The trailer didn't really reveal a predictable storyline as well giving this 3rd movie a fresher plot. The trailer portrayed the movie to be dark and challenging, which is unfortunately nothing like the movie. The trailer built up to The Mandarin, which completely falls on its face. But I couldn’t mention the spotlight without a nod to The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley), is a fabulous addition to the group of Marvel baddies, who was set up in the trailer so awesomely as the main antagonist…He’s just an actor in the movie, a “mascot” for the terrorist group – he didn’t even know he was working for terrorists! Haha to say too much about this bearded Bin Laden-esque terrorist.

The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley)

Then there’s Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce), is yet another villain of Stark’s making. The film serves up plenty of spectacle – explosions, chases and brilliantly choreographed fight scenes. Pepper Potts finally gets something more than her usual role proving to be the perfect match for Stark. And yes she finally gets the suit. Gwyneth Paltrow and Rebecca Hall (Maya Hansen) certainly add more to the characters.

Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce)

Rebecca Hall (Maya Hansen)

The rapport between Stark and Harley (Ty Simpkins), the young kid he meets who will not only enable him to overcome his PTSD but also become an unlikely pre-young sidekick significantly enlivens the film.

Harley (Ty Simpkins)

Robert Downey Jr. is forever brilliant as Tony Stark and he explores more of the character. What more? Iron Man 3 turned out to be quite a smart continuation, focusing on Tony Stark's coping with his post-Avengers struggles and self-reassurance of his superhero capabilities as a natural human being. The dialogues are hilarious, very human and these characteristics make their actions heroic indeed. Use of cool, amazing and high technology for the Iron Man suits was pretty awesome.

The level of entertainment makes the movie's obvious flaws and plot holes very forgivable for me. They managed to balance the film to be an adrenaline-pumping action flick with a healthy dose of comedy. The most surprising element of Iron Man 3 though, is just how funny it is. Dry wit and banter from every character make the two hours whip by and manage to lift the mood in almost every scene. The line exchanges of jokes were really much more hilarious than the past two Iron Man movies. RDJ is on top form this time out with the script having the audience laughing loudly and continuously throughout. I can’t help but think at how very intelligent and crazy (in a good way) the script was written. Intermixed with the comedy are the action sequences. There's nothing like blowing stuff up, major explosions and lots and lots of Iron Man suits to get the edge of the seat high you get from the big screen.

Of course what’s an Iron Man movie without some man-in-a-suit-of-armor action? Tony! Tony! Tony! Tony! Admit it! The real reason why Iron Man is so cool is because of the oh-so-ubercool-and-unconventional – superhero.

Will it lead to an Iron Man 4?

That's the big question - with the Iron Man 3 ending feeling like a kind of wrap up, and Downey Jr's contract being finished with the role, you'd have to wonder if this is the end for Stark. But given this latest performance, he's irreplaceable - and Marvel would be hard pressed to bring anyone else into a role which Downey Jr. has made so emphatically his own.

Oh, and make sure you stick around for the obligatory post credits sequence at the end....Yes, of course there is, it's Marvel. But probably not worth the time waiting. Hihihi :))

According to Latino Review, here’s the post credits sequence:

“It starts with a close shot of Tony Stark on a couch talking about his various traumas, obviously he’s talking to someone, as if he was seeing a shrink, the tone of the scene is light and supposedly funny. Then we discover that the person he’s talking to is Bruce Banner/Mark Ruffalo, who fell asleep because of Tony’s boring story. Tony remarks that Banner has been sleeping during the most part of his story and yells at him and Banner just mumbles and says “You know, I’m not that kind of doctor!” Then Tony recalls another memory and resumes his monologue, and then we see Banner starting to fall asleep again.”

As with all big releases, Iron Man 3 is available in 2D, 3D and iMax, I’ve seen it in 2D and honestly there’s nothing to warrant the extra spend, unless of course you prefer the 3D format. Whatever way you choose to see it, do see it; it’s set to be one of the blockbusters of the summer.

Overall, hands-down. It was an insanely watchable, super fun, well paced action movie. With enough action going on around, it will be a bad choice if you think you can just watch this on a DVD (unless of course you have cinema-like home theater system). Although this film has its flaws, it won’t stop you from thoroughly enjoying the ride. Amazing, just amazing! I wouldn’t decline to watch it twice at all! :)

Go and see Iron Man 3!!!!

Here’s the trailer for those who haven’t watch it in the big screen:

Check out the video featurette below to know more about the film:

A quick video guide to everything you need to know about Tony Stark, the Armored Avenger himself, in anticipation of Iron Man 3!

Weekender: BLS-ACLS Training

Finally got the chance to sit down and write again. Week went well, though I was quite busy with the trainings but I think it's good. There are just so many blessings to be thankful about and I must say that I'm really blessed.

I just finished my Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training at NC-CLEX. As a basic requirement for all newly graduate and registered nurses, it is now a growing trend that after graduation and/or having passed the NLE, one would enroll into as much seminars and trainings to have something put into their resumes and increase their credibility as a professional. It’s not new to us that almost all the hospitals here in the Philippines or even abroad are on recession right now because of surplus of nurses, and it is now almost mandatory to have an edge among the hundreds of thousands of competition out there. Unless, of course, if you have a backer.

I decided to take my BLS-ACLS training at NC-CLEX because I find their program interesting and informative. This is a whole day practical course conducted for 5 days, covering the essentials life support skills. The training was not that tough. I thought that it's gonna be another stressful day for me. But it’s not. The staffs and the instructors are super nice and my co-trainees are easy to get along. The participants were taught the basics of first aid and how to interpret ECG strips. They also had hands on demonstration on Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and the use of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED). We started by having a brief orientation, followed by the lectures, then repeating what is instructed and when everything was already discussed, we started practicing for the return demonstration (which is graded). Of course, we were given time to practice the techniques. After that, our skills and knowledge were evaluated.

What I like about our training is their 1:1 ratio for participants, meaning one instructor for each students and it comes by batch so that they can all accommodate the participants unlike the other programs where in there are so many students for only one instructor. The demonstration from our instructors fascinated me. I watched in awe as he performed chest compressions, CPR and rescue breathing on the dummy. I knew that afterwards, we were supposed to do it ourselves. That chest compression part is some kind of hard for me, I need to give my over all energy to do it right! Ahaha. Thankfully, I was able to learn how to do it properly as I passed the exercises on doing basic life support. But boy it was the grueling activities that not only entailed physical strength but mastery of the step-by-step process and/or the practice of ergonomics. Not complaining though! Hehe :)) The lecture on ECG reading and interpretation caused me migraine but I survived it nonetheless.

The training venue itself is nice; they have different dummies that work! And they have the proper equipments that were use both local and international for the said course. At the end of the entire course, you'll have an evaluation exam, it consists of 2 parts: a written one and a return demonstration (Megacode). You have to pass both, if you don’t you have to repeat the entire course and pay again. And after passing all of that and completed the course, you will be issued with a Certificate of Completion plus ID cards which are valid for two years—both cards are renewable in any accredited training center. Also, good thing is their programs are accredited by ASHI which is credited both local and international.

Now, the hunt is on...again. The hunt for an IVT training hospital, that is. It seems like everywhere we look, slots get taken right before our very eyes and it's a pain waiting for another training session to open for reservations for the next month. I recommend you guys (nursing students/health practitioners) to enroll in NC-CLEX, they also have other trainings and programs besides BLS & ACLS.

And oooh, after 3 months of waiting I finally got my PRC license! Yeyy! Raise your ID!! :) haha!

For more information about the NC-CLEX you could visit their website HERE.

A Day In The Life Of A Sellout

Hello there! Again, another Thought Catalog posts here. :)) I've been a fan of reading this emo-poignant-pragmatic essays ever since so expects that this blog will contain flood of articles from this site. Enjoy reading!

Wake up with alarm at 6 a.m.

Hit the snooze exactly four times.

Get out of bed at 6:42 am.

Turn on your cheesy motivational playlist, and sing along to exactly 2 songs while showering.

Try not to think too much about the monotony ahead of you today.

Get dressed. Skirt, tights, blouse, heels, blazer.

Put in headphones, head to subway. Listen to more relatable songs about following dreams. Relatable in the sense that your life is that first part of the song where someone is unfulfilled. Not the happy part at the end.

Get to work. Buy large iced coffee. Smile as you pay. $2.02.

Sit at your desk. Take a deep breath.

Check email for any possible responses to job applications. Nothing.

You spend 5 minutes doing actual work. You struggle to find motivation. What are you really accomplishing? Are you doing anything worthwhile?

You try to find satisfaction in a project you completed. You smile briefly, then remember what it’s like to feel real passion about work. This feeling now? It doesn’t even compare to that feeling.

You spend approximately 45 minutes remembering what it felt like to be doing what you loved.

Then remember you are $50,000 in debt.

Some days the minutes drag by like a prison sentence. Other days fly by and you realize you wasted a day. One whole day of your life is gone and what do you have to show for it? Have you made your life or anyone else’s life any better?

You see an ad about “living the life you’ve imagined” or some other ridiculous tagline and want to spray paint BULLSHIT across the venomous deceitful words. Propaganda.

You find yourself getting angry when you hear these things. Why do we continue pushing these lies that you can make your dreams come true? Don’t people know just LIVING is too expensive? Dreams are irresponsible.

You get home. You vaguely remember to appreciate the fact you can afford an apartment. You throw some chicken in the microwave.

You turn on the TV. Glass of wine. Eat. Watch 2 hours of TV, and suddenly another few hours of your life disappears. You think back on the last year of your life and realize how much of your life has just disappeared.

It’s 10:30. Your eyes are heavy and your body feels tired.

You have a good life. You pay your bills. You put food on the table. But when you turn off that light at night and there’s nowhere to hide, you’re empty.

Your 15 year old self would be so disappointed in the monotonous life you lead.

As you fall asleep, you rationalize. Every night you rationalize. You’re thankful, you have a job. This is just how the world works. You tell 15-year-old-you that she’s unrealistic and doesn’t understand the real world.

She tells you that you’re a coward.

She’s right.

You’re a sellout.

11:02 p.m. you fall asleep.

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Yeah! Kinda story of my so-called life...I'm pretty sure this is a piece about how it feels to have to trade in your independence to perform a job and simply exist. Taking that first step of blind faith can be hard. Taking steps in a positive direction, following a glimmer of hope and a glimpse of a dream, opens the doors for things you never even knew you loved or were good at. It's a way cool thing. I think that if you want to follow your dreams, if you really believe you could be successful doing it, and then do it. That’s not to say it’s easy. I wouldn’t be able to sit here and tell you that it is. It’s a work in progress. Some days are wicked awesome; others get the best of you. It’s about arming you with the right tools and letting that spark catch. And together, together we’ll discover our purpose.

Book Review: The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan

SUMMARY from Amazon:

How does one talk about love? Do we even have the right words to describe something that can be both utterly mundane and completely transcendent, pulling us out of our everyday lives and making us feel a part of something greater than ourselves? Taking a unique approach to this problem, the nameless narrator of David Levithan’s The Lover’s Dictionary has constructed the story of his relationship as a dictionary. Through these short entries, he provides an intimate window into the great events and quotidian trifles of being within a couple, giving us an indelible and deeply moving portrait of love in our time.

REVIEW:

If there really is a manual or dictionary about love, will it even make a difference? Everyone knows love is complex and complicated. Writing about love is never an easy task, much more define it but having it described by someone who can really write is somehow infinitely comforting. I first became aware of this book through friends on twitter wherein they retweeted those words that I know with not literally the meaning of those words and became curious enough to want to read it too.

This is the first David Levithan book I have ever read and I must admit it has whetted my appetite for more. Rather than complete the book review I've been working on, I decided to write one about the book I just finished instead. I literally just finished it in less than an hour in one sitting today, but will take considerably less so to write the review.

“An entire relationship narrated through a series of dictionary entries?! There’s no way reading a dictionary can be interesting,” I thought. But curiosity got the better of me, and I popped into the net searching an epub file and downloaded a copy on my iBooks.

When I first heard about David Levithan's, The Lover's Dictionary, I wanted to read it only because of the clever idea behind the book. I love anything that involves wordplay. I loved the idea that this book is told using dictionary words. Each page starts with a word dictionary style, and that's the format for the whole book which tells the story of a couple.

The Lover's Dictionary tells the story of a couple in short, dictionary entries. The couple's story is told slightly out of order, and left unnamed by the author, but it's easy enough to follow along. A series of random words from A to Z each is representing something about the protagonist's relationship. Through carefully-chosen words, their love story unfold: how they first met, how their rocky relationship evolved into something more solid, from their first date up to the time they finally live together, the ups and downs of their relationship. The narrator, who is a guy based on the entries is a writer while the girl seemed like an untamed, whimsical and quirky character who seems to have charmed our narrator. But as their relationship goes on, it gets harder for the both of them, and we readers are left wondering if they decide to stay together or part.

And even though their story is nothing exceptional, a love story not all that different from the next boy-girl relationship there ever is, the unique manner in which their story was told gave it such an unconventional flavor and offbeat feel, and it was for this reason that I loved it to bits.

There is not much I can really say about this story since it’s very short. Often, I found myself pausing to really think about the situations in the story, and the deceptively simple way in which Levithan redefines an array of words…even everyday words which are seemingly mundane.

Overall, I really liked this book. Unique is to describe since this is the first time I read a book in a dictionary form. It reminded me of the movie 500 days of summer (I think most of you guys have already watched the film), not only because of the arrangement, but because of the men in both story and how they were able to survive in a relationship where their women loved them less than they deserve. It is true that the entries were just windows of what is really happening to the main characters, as if I were a nosy person peeking at them whenever I hear something inside their apartment. The feeling of knowing everything with just a short entry is what makes this book amazing. I love how Levithan constructed his entries. Sometimes sweet and sometimes sad, the book shows how the relationship between the narrator and his live in partner started and how it began to fall apart.

The writing in is beautiful and often funny, too. Wait, let me try again, HIS WRITING IS MAGNIFICENT. I'm still reluctant to call this book a novel, because to me it didn't really feel like one. It's very short and took me only less than an hour to finish. Your vocabulary will probably grow a bit. The format is very unique and creative. It is like a dictionary running from A to Z and definitions. The most interesting thing here is that these definitions are not literally straight forward definitions you see in English dictionaries, but short entries telling short stories that the narrator associate with the words. It feels like you’re reading a personal diary. I wasn't sure that it would be possible for it to have a real plot, since it was told in these entries - but it really did. Sure, it wasn't a very complicated plot, but there was a plot nonetheless, and I kept turning the pages, wanting to find out what happened with the couple.

Let me share with you of my favorite entries from the book. These made me feel shivery and fluttery inside and, well, in love:

This short book makes you stop and take notice of the words that choose to describe each other, our lives, and love. It is heartfelt, honest, and raw; hallmarks of a true romance. It's the kind that can make you feel all kinds of emotions. I think it's pretty amazing how David Levithan uses so few words but the feelings and images come out so different. Loved that! The emotions and problems and events in this story feel so real and are described like they really are. It can go from happy-in-love to heartbreaking to bittersweet to frustrated and then to happy-in-love again.

Another one of my favorite entries:

This novel takes more of a real life approach and examines how confusing relationships can get. I wish the book was longer. The ending was open ended, but I like it that way. I like it because though it was open ended, I kind of know what will happen next already. This book is a unique work of art. Definitely a favorite. I'm sure I'm going to pick this book up again to reread, especially in random -- just open to a page and read. This book also makes me wonder: if I were to make a dictionary of my own love life, what words would I use?

Nonetheless, my own love life is still nonexistent. Not yet, anyway. However, The Lover's Dictionary affirms things that I know, based from stories, reading and yes, even on some experiences. Relationships are messy, it takes a lot of work and it would hurt both parties a lot...but it allow me to believe that even so, relationships can be beautiful at the same time. :)

In fact, I have a habit of skimming it and reading an entry. It is not just a story of two people in a relationship, it is also what it was; a dictionary about love. Whether you're a romantic or not, I recommend The Lover's Dictionary by David Levithan. I'm sure you'll find a bit of yourself in one of the entries in this dictionary. It is a must read for people in a relationship. I know even in a small way, it will help them.

Also of note, Levithan is one of the authors of Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist, so if that’s your thing, you should check this out. And it’s incredibly quick to read…coming in at just over 200 pages, with one brief dictionary entry per page, you could probably finish it in less than an hour. What are you still doing here? Go read it! Go, go, go!

**All the pics I posted are from the screenshots on my iBooks so that I can highlights those lines in every entries I liked. :))**

Love this Version of Daylight

Ever since hearing the phenomenal Daylight and Girl on Fire mash up at the Grammys, I have been hooked on both songs!

I'm already a big fan of Maroon 5 ever since I was in high school. I've actually heard this song a few times as well, too, but that performance finally just blew the song out of the water. Now, when I hear it over again, I realize how amazing it is, even without that Grammy performance to boost it up a few points. My favorite part of Daylight is definitely the bridge, where Adam sings, "I never wanted to stop because I don't wanna start all over, start all over, I was afraid of the dark but now it's all that I want, all that I want, all that I want" and then proceeds into the chorus.

What makes this song really extraordinary is its music video. "Daylight" music video consists of compilations of true story of Maroon 5's fans all around the world. In my humble opinion, I think that this totally makes the song more meaningful than ever as we are able to listen to people's real-life stories and realize that there are people who share the same kind of obstacles as us. Adam Levine is also a really great vocalist. His voice is so unique and it has a slight accent to it that makes it pop out from every other artist's sound and tone. It doesn't exactly count as a disadvantage that everybody thinks Adam is a really handsome dude, too. He's like a double threat! Good looks AND good vocal chords! :))

Overall, Daylight was a really catchy, memorable song that I loved so much and who doesn't like Maroon 5? Okay, maybe a few people, but seriously. They are a really great band! This is indeed an impressive one; this cover for PLAYING FOR CHANGE. Playing For Change is a movement uniting people everywhere through music. The song got some wonderful lyrics with a great rhythm. I've been listening to this song for more than ten times already. Haha!

Enjoy! Thumbs up for the Maroon 5! Au revoir! :)

Claimed my blog in Bloglovin'

Hey yow!! I just to say that you might want to Follow my blog with Bloglovin. Just claimed my blog harhar. :)) Oh well, just don't mind this post. :P

Book Review: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

*SUMMARY from Penguin:

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.

REVIEW:

“The thing about being catapulted into a whole new life - or at least shoved up so hard against someone else's life that you might as well have your face pressed against their window - is that it forces you to rethink your idea of who you are. Or how you might seem to other people.”

If you have read my past book reviews, you would know by now that the following post might contain some spoilers. WARNING!! So stop now if you want to actually read the book for yourself. Okay I heard about this book a while back, I always meant to get it but as soon as I added it to my TBR list I guess it kind of got lost in the other books. But I finally downloaded it and of course did not start it right away, but luckily saw a friend review about it urged me to read it saying it was an amazing story. So of course I picked it up, and wow it did not disappoint me! I don't often cry while reading books. I just sniffled on some books I’ve read but I find I very rarely have extreme emotional reactions while reading books. And yet, I cried while reading it.

There are books that you cannot put down. There are also books where you become so invested in the characters, you force yourself to stop reading to prolong the experience because you don’t want the story to end, and that’s what can happen when you read Jojo Moyes, “Me Before You.” The title doesn't really give a clue about what the book is about. Also, I want to say that the cover does not do this book justice. The pink book cover gives off a sappy, chick-lit vibe when in reality this is a heartbreaking story. Me Before You is NOT a romance nor is it romantic, at least not in the traditional sense of the meaning despite what the blurbs on the silly front cover claim. It is however a very moving and thought provoking love story. How wrong can you be! Never judge a book by its cover is a lesson I am having difficulty learning.

This is the story of Will Traynor and Louisa (Lou) Clark. Will is a very successful businessman with a gorgeous girlfriend and the whole wide world at his feet. He lost all this when he got hit by a motorcycle and became a quadriplegic. Someone who is paralyzed from the neck down with some slight movement in his head and fingers. He became trapped inside his own ‘wheelchair’. He loses everything after his accident and has no reason to live anymore. He’s doesn’t want to be in pain. He wants an out of this miserable life. Until he meets her, Louisa Clark.

Lou is a twenty-seven year old who never got to really live. Afraid of life, she always stayed in her comfort zone and didn't even leave the small town she grew up in. Desperate for the money to support her parents and her sister, she takes on a job as a carer. She never anticipated for Will to show her the beauty of life and give her new horizons.

When the two of them meet, they don't start off that great. It has been two years since Will's accident, trapped inside his own body, feeling claustrophobic every second of the day; he just wants to end it all. After a failed suicide attempt, his mother finally concedes in helping him end his life in a clinic that specializes in euthanasia. All his mother wants is six more months with him and he decides to give her just that. His mother hires Lou to keep him company for those six months. He can't help but answer every single one of Lou's questions in a sarcastic manner. This strangely brought a smile on my face, because some of his comments were just damn funny. Slowly they start getting used to each other and they even start liking each other.

That is until she finds out Will’s plan to commit suicide and makes it her life mission to everything it takes to change his mind. A life with day to day struggles but a life worth living nonetheless. Together they teach each other that life is to vulnerable to waste. She decides to give him a reason to live and to show him that life can be good.

What happens in this six month time period is the heart of this story. It is about two families and how they deal with what life has dealt them. It is about choices and being allowed to choose. It is about awakening and discovering life and all there is to take from it and not be afraid to really love and live.

Me Before You, broke my heart. In fact, I only just finished the book at 1am this morning - but I swear, this book really hits you in the heart. This is a book that has you hooked from the first page and just won't let you go. The first few chapters of this book seemed so disappointingly predictable. While reading this first chapter, I was certain I had this book pegged right up until the very end. On top of that, this novel is about a subject that makes me very uncomfortable: assisted suicide.

However, I kept reading, and was rewarded. First of all, the novel engages in from more details of quadriplegic life. The constant pain and infections, the medical risks, and the innumerable tests and medications and procedures and equipment that are (and will always be) required maintaining the bare minimum standard of life for Will.

Soon enough you will find yourself getting rather emotionally invested in the lives of your two new favorite characters, Lou and Will. Seriously, you will! Or at least I did. The characters are so interesting and I liked them so much I had to know what was going to happen next. I mean it, I had so many questions swirling around in my head: Would Lou blossom into a more confident and self-assured woman? What happened to her in the maze? Would Will decide to forgo the plans he had made in Switzerland? What types of adventures would Lou take Will on? And, how long would it take for them both to realize how in love they were with one another? This isn’t an extraordinary book or one that captivated me with its poetic language; it’s just a very good story about a man and a woman and how they affected each others’ lives.

Me Before You is such an amazing, tear-jerker book. It will have you thinking about life, love, death, and everything in between. It sounds like a cliché to say things like 'I couldn't put it down' and 'it made me laugh and cry' but this book truly did both. And, you will be left with a sadness that will inspire you step back and take a look at your own life. It also pushed me to recognize the ways in which I've become rather satisfied within my own life. I urge you to pick up this book as your first read - you won't be disappointed.

I connected with Lou and Will on such a deep level that by the end of the book. I very much believe in love and sacrifice and to read a book that handles that kind of emotion with such intensity and yet such tenderness truly softens my heart. I cried at many points whilst reading and I literally sobbed my heart out at the end. This book was and IS worth it.

The characters begin as likeable, yet maddeningly realistic in all their egocentricities. As their fears and insights are exposed, they develop in strength and purpose to reveal rich individuals who are all irreversibly changed through the events which unfold. I enjoyed the first person POV, and the odd change in character thrown in stirred the narrative nicely for me. Even though the book is written in first person (from Lou’s perspective), there are four chapters written from four other characters’ perspectives and yes, it works here. The author clearly informs the reader that a different character is narrating this chapter and seeing the situation as viewed by another character added to my overall understanding of Lou and Will and their relationship. I would have liked to have had at least a chapter from Will's perspective. I was really glad to have read Will's letter though!

The plot is relatively simple yet not complicated for all that it raises some ethical questions. How can you read this and not ask yourself what you might do in similar circumstances, how you would feel if it was your friend or loved one?

I cannot tell you how much this story touched me. And yet, it moved me, really moved me. When an author can invoke a readers emotions, someone who can make you feel genuinely sad when the characters are sad and make you feel genuinely happy when the characters are happy. It’s just an amazing feeling so thank you Ms. Moyes. It dealt with so many different issues and was so thought-provoking. Every character had a story of its own. It wasn't just Lou and Will. It was everything and nothing. It was life. The good and the bad.

"Some mistakes...just have greater consequences than others. But you don’t have to let that night be the thing that defines you.”

It really is extraordinary, and it will make you cry. I cried my eyes out. I not only cried but laughed, smiled, and learned things I didn't know before. It taught me a better understanding of being grateful of what I do have. This is a story about life and love. It's about being alive, but not living. When your body can't do what your mind is screaming for, how do you cope? Will love be enough to ignore the pain you feel every day?

“Live boldly. Push yourself. Don’t settle. Wear those stripy legs with pride.”

“Just live well. Just live.”

I loved this book. It’s sweet and funny and sad and deceptively simple. The friendship and romance between Will and Lou is bittersweet. The writing is beautifully written, smooth and effortless and yet the result is a story which is invested with so much emotion, with such sensitivity, that I can't help but still be a little bit in love with this book. And yet, the ending broke me into a million pieces.

I highly recommend it. It’s not for everyone, and some people may hate the way the book ends, but I thought it was well-written and heartwarming. Moyes gives us a story that has a deep, emotional plot and shares it in a way that at times made me laugh and smile, and frown and sob. Equally. The story itself is so amazingly told and the characters will pull you in from page one.

There is so much I could say, but I know I would simply ramble on and on about how wonderfully written this book is, how the characters affected me, how the story broke my heart. Life is what you make of it, and I realized that I need to start making more of it. I suppose I should send Moyes' my thank you for this book, because not only did it touch me, it also inspired me. I smiled, I laughed and I cried buckets of joyful and heart wrenching tears. But the tears were worth it.

I'm going to be leaving things right here for all those of you who haven't read this story yet. I don't want to ruin anything or take away from the story. So, all I am going to say is that you must read this novel - I promise you will not be disappointed! Read it with a big mug of tea and a box of tissues. :’)