Forrest Gump by Winston Groom

Forrest Gump by Winston Groom
Publisher/Year: Vintage, 2012
Format: E-book
Pages: 257
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟
Goodreads

 

 

Summary (from Goodreads)

Six foot six, 242 pounds, and possessed of a scant IQ of 70, Forrest Gump is the lovable, surprisingly savvy hero of this classic comic tale. His early life may seem inauspicious, but when the University of Alabama’s football team drafts Forrest and makes him a star, it sets him on an unbelievable path that will transform him from Vietnam hero to world-class Ping-Pong player, from wrestler to entrepreneur. With a voice all his own, Forrest is telling all in a madcap romp through three decades of American history.

What I thought

I wish I would have enjoyed this book more than I did, but I just had too difficult of a time separating the book from the movie. I did like it, but I didn’t love it. It was definitely a lot darker than I was expecting, which, in a way, made me appreciate the comedic relief even more. Admittedly, it got a little bizarre for me, but I’m glad I continued reading. I loved how no matter what curveballs life threw his way, Forrest just rolled with the punches & didn’t dwell on too much of anything. There’s something to be learned in that.

Overall, if you’re a fan of the movie looking to read this, be aware–they are VERY different. If you keep that in mind, this is a humorous and, at times, poignant story that is definitely one-of-a-kind and one you won’t soon forget.

Twisted Reasons (Twisted Trilogy #1) by Geza Tatrallyay

Twisted Reasons (Twisted Trilogy #1) by Geza Tatrallyay
Publisher/Year: Deux Voiliers Publishing, 2014
Format: E-book
Pages: 317
Rating: 🌟🌟
Goodreads

 

Synopsis (from Goodreads)

TWISTED REASONS, the first in a trilogy of international thrillers based on arms and human trafficking from a modern ‘rogue’ Russian state, is the tale of two college friends who get drawn into the heist of nuclear material from a former Soviet site. Arriving in Vienna to find his friend Adam Kallay, an official at the International Atomic Energy Agency, presumed dead, crime novelist Greg Martens teams up with Interpol Agent Anne Rossiter and Julia, Kallay’s Russian girlfriend, to solve the case and track the disappearance from a former Soviet nuclear site of enough uranium to make a bomb. The story moves from espionage entrepȏt Vienna to radioactivity contaminated Chelyabinsk and to front-line Georgia, as the three combat arms merchants allied to Russian secret police to prevent the stolen uranium from getting into the wrong hands. Along the way, Greg learns brutal truths about himself and his family.

What I thought

I’m going to be honest, this book just wasn’t for me. It was okay. I do think there are readers who would enjoy this. It really was an intriguing & suspenseful storyline. I am not very familiar with the history or the layout of the area of the world where the story takes place, so it was a little hard for me to follow at times. Again, that’s something that was more of a personal preference than any fault of the book. It was very clear that Mr. Tatrallyay knew his material, and he came across as very knowledgeable. There were some scenes that made me uncomfortable but I think that’s because this book was not something I’d normally read. I did find this story very entertaining though & I think this would be a great read for fans of crime thrillers with a touch of history.

Note: I did receive a free copy of this book from the author. This in no way affected my review.