Throwback Thursday: The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks

On By MischenkoIn Fiction, Movies, Reads, Romance

Throwback Thursday is a weekly meme created by Renee @ It’s Book Talk. This meme is an awesome way to share old favorites that were published over a year ago or even books that you’re finally reading after much time has passed. I have plenty of those to share! If you have your own Throwback Thursday recommendation feel free to jump on board. Please link back to her by using the link above.

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Today’s Throwback:

The Best of Me

by

Nicholas Sparks

 

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From Goodreads:

“Everyone wanted to believe that endless love was possible. She’d believed in it once, too, back when she was eighteen.”

In the spring of 1984, high school students Amanda Collier and Dawson Cole fell deeply, irrevocably in love. Though they were from opposite sides of the tracks, their love for one another seemed to defy the realities of life in the small town of Oriental, North Carolina. But as the summer of their senior year came to a close, unforeseen events would tear the young couple apart, setting them on radically divergent paths.

Now, twenty-five years later, Amanda and Dawson are summoned back to Oriental for the funeral of Tuck Hostetler, the mentor who once gave shelter to their high school romance. Neither has lived the life they imagined . . . and neither can forget the passionate first love that forever changed their lives. As Amanda and Dawson carry out the instructions Tuck left behind for them, they realize that everything they thought they knew — about Tuck, about themselves, and about the dreams they held dear — was not as it seemed. Forced to confront painful memories, the two former lovers will discover undeniable truths about the choices they have made. And in the course of a single, searing weekend, they will ask of the living, and the dead: Can love truly rewrite the past?

My thoughts on this book:

I couldn’t believe it this morning when I noticed that I’ve hardly talked about Nicholas Sparks on the blog since I started it and he’s one of my favorite authors! So, I thought for today’s Throwback Thursday I’d share one of my favorites, The Best of Me.

Amanda and Dawson fell in love in high school even though they were quite different. Amanda was the popular type from a rich family, while Dawson struggled with problems at home. Amanda’s parent’s aren’t accepting of her relationship with Dawson which causes multiple problems. They spend some quality time together and then they must part. Time moves forward and Dawson has been away for quite some time. Out of the blue, he receives a phone call from a lawyer letting him know that someone from back home has passed away. He doesn’t really want to go back and plans ahead of time to make the trip as short as possible.

Quick trip, in and out. He’d do what he had to do and didn’t plan on hanging around any longer than he had to. He might have been raised in Oriental, but he’d never really belonged there. The Oriental he knew was nothing like the cheery image advertised by the area Visitors’ Bureau. 

Once back in Oriental, the memories flood in and he unexpectedly meets with Amanda for the first time in nearly 20 years.

To me, this book is similar to The Notebook as it follows some of the same themes. I adore it nearly as much. This is a coming of age story I simply couldn’t put down with strong characters and beautiful writing. I loved the characters, especially Tuck–I think he was my favorite. If you’re a person who enjoys reading love stories with plenty of drama and emotion, this book’s for you. I normally don’t go for mass market paperbacks–in fact I never do–but this edition you see above has photos from the movie which I enjoyed. Nicholas Sparks will always be a favorite author and this is a favorite for sure.

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My rating on this book is 5*****

Find this book on Amazon and Goodreads:

  • Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
  • Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Media Tie In edition (August 26, 2014)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 1455556564
  • ISBN-13: 978-1455556564

See the movie trailer here:

Check out these blogs for other Throwback Thursdays!

Jill at Jill’s Book Cafe

Deanna at DeesRadReads and Reviews

Amanda at Literary Weaponry

Susan at Susan Loves Books

Nickimags at The Secret Library Book Blog

Cathy at What Cathy Read Next

Lynne at Fictionophile

Annie at The Misstery

Cathy at Between the Lines

Amy at Novel Gossip

Diana at A Haven for Booklovers

Laurie at Cozy Nook Books

Ann Marie at LItWitWineDine

Laura at Snazzy Books

Nina at The Cozy Pages

Virginia at Rose Point Publishing

Lorilyn at Bug Bug Books

Thanks for checking out today’s Throwback Thursday. Do you have some throwbacks to share? Please feel free to comment below with thoughts or suggestions.

❤ Mischenko

47 thoughts on “Throwback Thursday: The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks”

        2. I haven’t read it yet. There’s about 8 of his books on my shelf that I still need to read. I think I might have read like 2-3 of those 8 but I can’t remember so I want to read them just in case.

          Liked by 1 person

        4. I remember checking out several of his books from the library a few years back but I can’t remember which ones. That was before I really got into Goodreads so I can’t go look it up. Oh yes me too. Honestly I don’t really remember what the book is about but I will get every book he writes no matter what it’s about.

          Liked by 1 person

        5. Yes! I hear you. Part of my issue is that most of the books I read were before GR too and so I don’t have many reviews written. I need to just reread them all lol.

          October is right around the corner! 😁

          Liked by 1 person

  2. Loved this review… I remember reading this book it was lovely. But I find myself reading his books with dewy eyes and then a tear rolls down and another….
    But you are right he writes emotions the best

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  3. Such a beautiful review, favorite M! I LOVE him, too. Can you guess why?? North Carolina author with almost all NC settings!!!! And not only that, most of his settings are near one of my favorite places I lived growing up- the Crystal Coast of NC. I remember when The Notebook came out…and I ugly cried over and over. I don’t think there were any other authors with books quite like these at the time he debuted. Then, after Message in a Bottle came out, I was actually IN his hometown of New Bern, and I got a signed copy of it from Borders. I still have it! And that movie!!!! Ahhh!!! I don’t want to be a downer, but I’ve not been reading his books lately. I still buy them, though. I think I’m just like that. I move on from things like TV shows, etc., when they go on for a long period of time. It doesn’t mean I don’t still love them and get enjoyment from them. So now I’m inspired to read one and see if I’ll still like his writing! 💗 Another great share, favorite M! And guess who has a lot more leaves on her rose bush—- thanks to my friend! Xo

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    1. Yay! And yes, NC settings! I love that. 😍

      Wow! How amazing that you received a signed copy! Lucky! I’ve been to NC once and we camped out there in one of the parks. It was beautiful going though the mountains. I haven’t been to the beaches there, but I know it’s beautiful. I used to always buy his new books like release day and read them right away, but I still need to read Two by Two, then the new one in Oct. Excited! All it takes is sitting down with one of his novels and it feels like home again. I just love his writing. You’ll have to let me know which one you read next. 🧡

      Thank goodness about your rose Bush! I take it you used the Bayer? Isn’t that stuff magic!? ❤🌹 I’m so happy it worked for you, friend!

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      1. Yes, the Bayer is total magic! Thank you again! My little mini bush has recovered completely (if the chipmunks will leave it alone!). Do you remember where in North Carolina you camped? I will keep you posted on my reads! 💗 xo Happy Friday!

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        1. I’m going to ask my husband and let you know. I just remember going through the mountains and I’m fairly positive that it was somewhere on the western half if that makes sense LOL. I’ll find out and let you know!

          I’m so glad the Bayer is working! I need to see what other flowers I can use it on because the sunflowers and zinnias are getting eaten up by the Japanese beetles. It’s driving me crazy! ❤

          Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, you have to try one, Bonnie! I would say to try The Notebook first. You’ll have to let me know if you do. Hope your weekend is wonderful. 😘💙💜💙 Thanks!

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  5. I haven’t read this author but I watched the movie not knowing it was an adaptation of a book. I didn’t even remember the name. That’s because I never really pay attention to movies and rarely watch them. I’m actually surprised that for once, I’ve watched a movie being discussed anywhere online! I liked the movie. I’ll look for the book, I’m sure I’ll like it even more than the movie. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the book.

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    1. I do think the book is better. When I was reading it over again, there were plenty of things I forgot too! I’m glad you saw the movie. I loved it, in fact, I’ve enjoyed all the book to movie adaptations so far. I hope you read it and let me know your thoughts! 🧡💗😊 Thanks for your comment.

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  11. Mischenko, this is one of my all time favorite romantic movies!! I cry EVERY SINGLE TIME I watch it, especially the version with the original ending. I’ve never read the book because I heard there’s a ghost in it which the movie didn’t have. Is that true?

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    1. I love the movie too, Laurie! I was happy they had the two different endings as well. I was really sad 😦 – Now I have to think about this ghost! I don’t remember a ghost in the book and wonder if it was Dawson? I’ll review it and let you know my thoughts! ❤

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  12. Full disclosure…. I have never read a Nicholas Sparks novel. *gasp* I know. Shame on my family! (okay, maybe not my family… My sister LOVES Nicholas Sparks and my mother enjoys him) I just feel like they’re SO schmaltzy. But, I should really take my own advice and not judge it before I read it!!

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