52 weeks, 52 books discussion

In honour of the oscars just passed, a great movie and the fact that a different James Patterson book is now at #1 I thought we'd go a little further down the list and read THE SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK. Here's the link:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0374...

The movie was great. I think I will pass on the book as I just saw the movie. I think I am going to read Defending Jacob. ;)

Brigette wrote: "The movie was great. I think I will pass on the book as I just saw the movie. I think I am going to read Defending Jacob. ;)"

I read Defending Jacob, it's great. But I recommend this book too even if you've seen the movie; there's a whole other layer to the story.

Joan wrote: "I saw the movie and really enjoyed it! Congrats to Jennifer Lawrence on her award! I'll pass on this one. I don't like reading a book after I've seen the movie. Fine though. I'm
Behind on my Rea..."

Curious why you don't like reading a book after you've seen the movie of it?

I agree. Not a fan of reading the book AFTER seeing the movie. Before the movie but not after. Not sure why. Lol

Same for me usually--the fun of reading is creating your own little "movie in your head," so seeing the movie first can take away from that participatory experience--but, it really depends. A good piece of work is a good piece of work, and then, order doesn't matter. I will definitely at least sample this book. Defending Jacob sounds great, too!

Still working on a past book but I took a peek ahead. Read the first chapter of "Silver Linings Playbook" and all I could think was how dangerous Internet dating could be. Also how very glad I never had a crazy obsessive guy like Pat chasing after me like he was poor Nikki. xxoocf

Thinking of the two books I've enjoyed the most so far. "Painted Girls" shared great views of the French locales, time and place of somewhere far away and long ago. Then "Silver Lining Playbook" does the same thing with something far scarier. Mental illness--so intractible and damaging. ::shudder:: xxoocf

So glad this book was chosen. Usually I avoid books--into--movies like the plague. If the book is good--"Hunger Games" the movie--the movie has to make so many choices about which parts to emphasise that it comes out just OK. I've just finished the fight at the tailgate event and find this book terrific. Having known very well at least one person who was bipolar, I find Pat's comments to be right on target. Excellent read! xxoocf

Just purchased the book and am about 25% in (it's certainly a fast and easy read-- I'd love this on an airplane) and while it's a page-turner and enjoyable, I find the narrator entertaining but slightly disappointing (so far).

I realize he's mentally ill, but with that I'd expect a bit more depth of character, especially considering he's clearly suffered a great deal ... instead, he thinks and reacts sort of in the way I imagine my dog would: "Don't send me back to the bad place. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

I also know people who are bi-polar and they're a lot more complex, and I was rather looking forward to getting inside the mind of someone dealing with this. I dunno, it's just a bit more empty in there than I expected. Maybe it's the meds? Why is he so childlike?

Anyway, hoping I understand the character a bit better as I continue on, because the story is really fun to read otherwise.

Though, and this is nit-picky, but I could do without the spoilers on some of these books he's reading -- anybody else find that a bit rude on the author's part? (Though I've read them all, I sometimes like to go back and re-discover them, I find myself going "ARGH!"... e.g. I haven't read Gatsby since high school and planned to read it before the movie comes out.)

PS Catherine's "Arranged" actually made me want to read Anne of Green Gables. Different treatment altogether!

Finished this one and was surprised. The story just slowly went downhill. The strong start made it worth the read but--unless the author's point was that mental illness just continues on--I expected a little more definitive ending. Also--SPOILER ALERT--some of "Nikki's" comments towards the end were pretty darn insightful about literature--get what I mean? xxoocf

Brigette wrote: "I agree. Not a fan of reading the book AFTER seeing the movie. Before the movie but not after. Not sure why. Lol"

I am the same way. Having already watched the movie, the element of imagination when reading the book disappears for me. I would be picturing the actors and it ruins the experience for me.

Taughnee wrote: "Just purchased the book and am about 25% in (it's certainly a fast and easy read-- I'd love this on an airplane) and while it's a page-turner and enjoyable, I find the narrator entertaining but sli..."

Aw, thanks, Taughnee! I hear you about the child-like voice; I don't get it and I don't think it's reflective of the illness. And good point about the other books!

Catherine wrote: "Taughnee wrote: "Just purchased the book and am about 25% in (it's certainly a fast and easy read-- I'd love this on an airplane) and while it's a page-turner and enjoyable, I find the narrator ent..."

I am very close to someone who is bipolar and I don't think it is either; there was an article on WebMD about the movie and mental health professionals basically said "it's just entertainment."

Funnily, I just read
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (excellent, IMO, btw) and the narrator reminds me more of this character, who is autistic.

I am no professional so I hate to comment on the diagnosis; part of me wonders -- maybe he's just a simple Simon? Not that bright? Which has nothing to do with being bipolar! lol (In fact some of the most wildly complex, creative and brilliant people around suffer from this illness.)

The dad clearly has some issues too, wondering what HIS diagnosis is. And I'm about done with the E-A-G-L-E-S! chants, why so many? That is just getting weird now. Haha

Sadly, momentum is waning, and I trust Cherylanne's critiques so I'm not very hopeful about the long stretch. Maybe the movie is better?

Taughnee wrote: "Catherine wrote: "Taughnee wrote: "Just purchased the book and am about 25% in (it's certainly a fast and easy read-- I'd love this on an airplane) and while it's a page-turner and enjoyable, I fin..."

The movie is great. I did enjoy this, though.

Loved the Curious Incident! But this guy went to university and was the chair of a history department at a highschool so the unsmarts don't really make sense to me.

Ok, I think I finally figured this guy out, phew. The ending really exceeded my expectations, loved it! The loss and acceptance resonated with me (finally). I enjoyed understanding Tiffany more, too--great character.

Curious, for anyone who finished (THIS MAY BE A SPOILER, MAYBE NOT, BUT JUST SAYING..): Did anyone think Danny was a delusion? My friend thought so, and I felt that at times as well, but his mother buys him a Parcheesi board for his birthday. Just curious. So different from the movie, but I liked them both tremendously. I felt his racing thoughts were spot on.

I liked the movie, haven't started the book, but am extra curious with the Curious Incident comparison. I enjoyed that book!

Coleen wrote: "I liked the movie, haven't started the book, but am extra curious with the Curious Incident comparison. I enjoyed that book!"

It was a great book. I think it's the naivete of the tone of the main character maybe? Also a bit like The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Finally got this and read it. Another good book to read when sick! I agreed that Pat's age and how he came across did not jibe but I enjoyed seeing him work so hard on himself even when we all along know it's probably a lost cause - his silver lining is not going to be getting back with his wife. Like how they resolved it. I look forward to seeing the movie as there is no way I can see Jennifer Lawrence as the Tiffany who's described in the book.

@Rebecca--yep. I agree about Tiffany. That was a reason I didn't go to the movie becuz the author makes a point about Tiffany being older. xxoocf

I just saw this movie last weekend & really enjoyed it although some things, including the ending, didn't really ring true to me. I am very anxious to read the book to see how they compare. Hopefully, my library will have an available copy soon.

Absolutely loved this book! Can't wait to see the movie.

I thought this was funny and cutesy! Love it!

Saw the movie months ago and just finished the book. I loved Pat in both and the cast of characters were hysterical. I have to say that Robert DeNiro really brought a lot to the father character in the movie and I felt like I understood him a lot more through the movie, whereas I enjoyed psychiatrist a lot more in the book. What a fantastic story. Pat's damaged character has really stayed with me since I saw the movie and I was so happy for another visit through this book.

Hi, everyone, I just finished the book and loved it. I actually read it in one day because once I started, I couldn't stop. (smiles). Pat and Tiffany reminded me what you see on someone's exterior maybe be completely different inside. Pat's mom made me chuckle when she felt the need to choose his clothes, pack his lunch, pay for his dates, and "treat him like a 5 year old". My favorite scene was of the two of them eating raisin bran in the diner. (sweet). Also as an ex Philly Girl, I certainly understand E-A-G-L-E-S passion.LOL. One troublesome point, though. Was Danny real or imagined? I'm thinking Pat was hallucinating.

Trudy wrote: "Hi, everyone, I just finished the book and loved it. I actually read it in one day because once I started, I couldn't stop. (smiles). Pat and Tiffany reminded me what you see on someone's exterior ..."

It's interesting, Trudy, that a lot of people think that Danny was a hallucination. I never thought that, but my perception might be influenced by the movie.

I loved this book and finished it in 1 day. I wasn't going to read it b/c I had recently seen the movie but I am so glad I did.

Kristen wrote: "I loved this book and finished it in 1 day. I wasn't going to read it b/c I had recently seen the movie but I am so glad I did."

Glad to hear it Kirsten!

I figured everyone here had been invited to this group, but just in case--Matthew Quick is doing a Q&A on GoodReads. Get your questions in by tomorrow and he'll pick his favorite ones and respond via video. I asked him for clarification about some of the things we've discussed here. Hope he picks my questions and hope I didn't offend him or anything. lol I really did enjoy the book overall, maybe I'll like it more if he can answer some of my concerns. :) https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

Taughnee wrote: "I figured everyone here had been invited to this group, but just in case--Matthew Quick is doing a Q&A on GoodReads. Get your questions in by tomorrow and he'll pick his favorite ones and respond v..."

Thanks for sharing, Taughnee! What did you ask him?

Catherine wrote: "Thanks for sharing, Taughnee! What did you ask him?

I mostly asked him about the bipolar thing, and whether the injury played a role in Pat's personality. And, why he had to spoil The Great Gatsby for me! LOL

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

A delightful, quick & entertaining read. I loved the characters, the storyline and the movement of the book. The story makes you root for Pat Peoples. I couldn't put this book down because I desperately wanted to know if Pat ever found his "silver lining". I laughed out loud several times especially during the football scenes. As an avid Cowboy fan I've experienced games at The Vet and The Linc; and those Eagles fans are exactly how the author describes. I appreciated the story because it gave you a somewhat quirky glimpse into mental illness. Life is hard and you never know which situations or circumstances in life that could alter your mind. I'm glad that I read the book first, now I can see the movie when it comes out on DVD this Tuesday.

I finished this one last week. I saw the movie first (which I usually don't do) & liked it but it just felt like too much was missing, Hollywood left out important parts & streamlined the happy ending. I was right!! The movie kinda skips over the amount of time Pat was in the 'bad place,' Pat's father & Tiffany were much more believable to me in the book, Pat's obsession w/ Nikki didn't just suddenly dissipate w/ them winning dance competition, etc. I This was another thought provoking yet fun book.

I'm a bit late. Only just found this group. There's loads of books here already on my to-read list and lots I'm going to be adding for sure. I've picked this book to comment on as I've read this book already. I even managed to read it before I saw the film. The film was already out there but I didn't get the DVD and watch it till after I'd read the book. I loved this book. A difficult subject to write about but I thought it was very well done. I found the characters very likeable. I loved Pat and Tiffany. I loved that it wasn't a mainstream love story. What they had was deeper and more personal. I really enjoyed it.

I finally read this one, and I really loved it! It has so much to say not just about mental health but also family and friendship and faith.

alisonwonderland wrote: "I finally read this one, and I really loved it! It has so much to say not just about mental health but also family and friendship and faith."

Glad you enjoyed it. I thought it was great.