Monday, August 23, 2010

Heart of the Matter

via



Emily Giffin has a way of pulling at your heart strings. I read Heart of the Matter over the weekend and loved it. I laughed, cried, had anxiety, felt depressed, elated, basically every emotion there is. She always does an incredible job of portraying the dichotomy of each character and shows both sides of realistic difficult situations. Giffin makes the characters easy to relate to, even when you didn't agree with their actions. While it wasn't my favorite of her books (I'm a huge fan, as discussed here), I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it (even through the tears and anxiety). Something Borrowed remains my favorite of Giffin's books, which is being made into a movie to be released June 2011. Have you read Heart of the Matter? What did you think?

29 comments:

Anonymous said...

Haven't read this, but interested now!

Diana Mieczan said...

I haven't read this one but after your post..I really should:)...It sounds great!

Happy Monday,sweetie

Jamie said...

I love to sink my teeth into a good summer read. I have been trying to find the time and I just can't seem to make it happen. I am in the middle of a book called The Blonde Theory which is a total chicklit (my fav!) by Kristen Hamel. I am still on chapter 3. It's been like a month. LOL I swear I will get through it SOON!

http://www.glamlatte.com

Lovely B. said...

I read it and lived it as well. I got slightly frustrated by Valerie, but if you can connect with the characters enough to really form opinions about their decisions, I think that's the sign of a great book and talented author. My girlfriends and I went to meet Emily Giffin at a book signing here in Atlanta and she was so sweet and down to earth. Can't wait to see the movie and see what her next novel will be!

Lovely B. said...

*read it and LOVED it. Oops :)

Sorry for the typo!

20 YORK STREET said...

I've had this book since the beginning of summer or maybe spring and I still haven't opened and devoured it but I suppose I will tonight!

Happy Monday V!

Gabriel said...

I didn't read it, but I saw how much you loved it. You were completely enthralled.

Jaime @ laviejaime said...

I haven't read any of her books! I really should... i've heard great things :)

Lindsay said...

Did you read the entire book over the weekend? Way to go girl! I haven't read it but I should add it to my list! Hope you had a great weekend Valerie!

Chas said...

I've read all of her books and loved the first two, thought the next two were ok, and I'm not really sure how I felt about this one. I found Valerie and Nick's characters to be frustrating and selfish and I couldn't relate to their actions.

California Wife said...

I consider myself to be a huge Emily Giffin fan, and have loved all of her books, but this one was my least favorite. I think the whole story line just kind of bugged me and made me sad.
I can't wait for Something Borrowed to come out in theaters!

Nikki said...

I havent read it, but I love all her books!
Thanks for posting, I will def pick this one up!

xx

hiyaluv said...

i haven't read it but you have me intrigued! ;)smiles, gina

Marcie said...

I LOVE her and her books. She is such a compelling writer. I love that most of her books are character driven and each one speaks to different personality types. She is my all time favorite author, but I have to agree that Something Borrowed is my favorite. (Close tie with Something Blue). I can't wait for the movie!

xo M

Inspired said...

Sounds like my kinda book! I wrote a response to you on my site:)

Julie xo

georgia ~ gi gi said...

I haven't read it! I have like three book going right now, he he! I am not sure if I'll ever get them finished, been so busy!
Hope you are having a wonderful monday!
Big Smoochies
gi gi

melissa said...

I really enjoyed this book as well. After Something Borrowed, it was my favorite EG book. I like that she's not afraid to write flawed characters. I know a lot of people were put off by Valerie and her actions but I thought it was written in a way that you could very much understand Valerie's actions, even though you disagreed with what she was doing.

Alicia Lund said...

Oh I've never read her books...sounds like I should though!

Beth Dunn said...

Just read this one and it was amazing! I loved it but thought it was very easy on the husband, he got away with too much.
xoxo
SC

Josie said...

This sounds like a fab read, dear -- I'll have to check it out!
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

Bren said...

I, like Jamie, have had zero time for Summer reading, and it's kind of bumming me out. Seriously need a week long vacation on a beach with no cell phone, computer, distractions! Soon I hope! :)

xoxo,
Bren @ Chasing Beauty

this free bird said...

Valerie,

Summer's almost over and I haven't even picked UP a book let alone read one cover to cover:(

I've not read any of EG's books, but here's hoping I can squeeze one in soon!!

Hope you had a great weekend!
Carrie

Anonymous said...

Something Borrowed was the first book of hers that I read. I wasn't sure how I felt about it, because usually there's a character that I love and one that I hate. I hated one for sure, but couldn't fall for the main character. So of course that meant I read Something Blue ... it was awesome! Since then I've been a convert.

(said in the worst cowpoke imitation) Come on down now ya'hear
http://xoxoebony.blogspot.com

Anna Walker said...

I haven't read it but it sounds good! I am interested now! :)

PursuitOfLLT said...

I LOVE Emily Giffin's books! They actually seem real and the dialogue is so accurate. I agree with you on this one, it wasn't my favorite. I felt like I wanted to slap Valerie and Nick and I just felt awful for Tessa but didn't pity her. Very odd. I felt too many emotions for one book hah but it left me a bit depressed when I finished it..just hope it works out for them haha see, I think they're real! Gosh, I'm nuts!

I'm reading One Day by David Nicholls right now and it's pretty good. I'm always on the hunt for the next great book/writer...

http://pursuitofllt.blogspot.com/

STYLE'N said...

I love book reviews and did you really read this entire book over the weekend? That's quite impressive. The Help is still sitting on my nightstand even though I have gone out and purchased 2 more books after that! I wish there were more hours in the day to read. Hope you had a lovely weekend!
I didn't know Something Borrowed is going to be a movie. I wonder who is starring in it.
naina

Lisa Lisa Lisa said...

I haven't read any of her books, but I have a friend in mind who, from your discription, I'm sure would love the stories!!! Thanks for the great gift idea =).

torrie said...

Hi Valerie!
I haven't read any of her books, but I do love to read and will have a bit more time on my hands when the kids go back to school (today). I've discovered that I can't read at night because it seriously puts me right to sleep... so I need to read during the day (while they're in school!). I always love book recommendations- especially ones like this, so I will put both of these books on my Amazon wish list right now- thanks! Hope your weekend was fun:).

Joanna said...

Hi! I was blog hopping and HAD to comment on your post! i LOVE LOVE EG!! I read all of her books and met her. Here is a link of my post about her....

http://wandjbodie.blogspot.com/2010/06/meeting-emily-giffin.html

Cute blog by the way!