The A to Z Challenge was my very first challenge. I chose to do the Title Challenge. I didn’t find out about the challenge until the summer, but thanks to blogging, I was able to remember which books I’ve read this year.

This challenge opened me up to a lot of books I probably wouldn’t have read. Once I got to the point where there were 7 or 8 books I still didn’t have, I made a trip to Borders and skimmed the shelves until I found them all.

My favorite books I read for this challenge were Killer Cruise, Gentleman in Room 205, The Quickie and Zombie Blondes. Believe it or not, 3 of those were ones that I just found because I needed a book with a specific letter title.

My least favorite books were Son of a Witch and The Memory Keeper’s Daughter.

To check out all of my books I read for this challenge, click on the icon at the top of the page!

A few months ago I read The Memory Keeper’s Daughter. It was different from most books I read. Normally I stick with light topics, but when this movie came out on Lifetime, I knew I wanted to read the book.

I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would, but it was definitely emotional. I cried a number of times during the book and then again when the same stuff happened in the movie.

After reading this book, I remembered why I didn’t read sad, serious books. Working in the news business, I see sad and serious from the time I get there until the time I leave. When I come home and relax and read, I want it to be light and fun.

I have been leery about watching this movie since it came out. I knew I wanted to watch it, but since I’m such a book nerd, I wanted to read the book first. I just looked at the review I did when I read this book and the first sentence was almost exactly the same

I only gave the book 3 bookmarks. It was just ok. I felt like I put quite a bit of pressure on it because I was so excited to read it and it just didn’t match up.

The movie on the other hand, I really liked. I think it was mainly because I could see the characters. I liked being able to see Phoebe grow up with her down syndrome. I think it helped me relate to her better. I also think that since it started in the 60s, it’s not a time I knew, it was nice to see it. I liked the visual of the hospital, the nurses, how people acted and dressed. It’s easier, for me, to watch those things then try to picture them in my mind.

The only thing that really stood out to me as missing from the movie was the emphasis the book put on Norah’s alcoholism. There was one point where David told her to drink another one, but that’s it. I thought the book hit on that really hard, but the movie let it slide.

It’s been a few months since I read the book, but I don’t remember Phoebe going to see Paul play in the book like they showed in the movie. I actually really liked that part. It showed a bond. They didn’t realize what it was at the time, but I thought it was a nice touch.

And yes, like ALL Lifetime movies, I shed a little tear. I even know what happened.

I give the movie 4 popcorns.

To see my book review on The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, click here.