Book Review: The Casual Vacancy by JK Rowling

Author: JK Rowling
Title: The Casual Vacancy
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, & Drama
Pages: 503
First Published: September 2012
Where I Got It: Borrowed from Reece

When Barry Fairbrother dies in his early forties, the town of Pagford is left in shock.

Pagford is, seemingly, an English idyll, with a cobbled market square and an ancient abbey, but what lies behind the pretty façade is a town at war.

Rich at war with poor, teenagers at war with their parents, wives at war with their husbands, teachers at war with their pupils ... Pagford is not what it first seems.

And the empty seat left by Barry on the parish council soon becomes the catalyst for the biggest war the town has yet seen. Who will triumph in an election fraught with passion, duplicity and unexpected revelations?

I am one for torture. I am, I truly am. I pushed through, skimmed A LOT (and I mean A LOT), and blacked out for the majority of this book. Honestly, I can barely tell you what occurred in this book; especially near the end...  

Now...if this had been a short story, I think it would have been better, but alas...it was a huge book. WAY too huge for my liking. The story is about a small-ish town politician who suddenly dies out of the blue and it follows reactions from random people and the impact of a vacant seat in government in politics. Many people were connected to the guy Barry in huge ways, some not soo much.

It was enough to make me want to gouge my eyes out!!!! It was boring, I did not connect to a single character, and it seemed like Rowling tried too hard to sound sophisticated and all adult-ish. The thing is...Rowling is an amazing writer! She really didn't have to try so hard! Let your natural voice take wing and fly!

She went from the fantasy world of Harry Potter to the dry, no-one cares, politician novel that flunks at causing any sort of emotion. It's a people tale, but there is no way to connect with anyone, because she jumps onto the next POV within a couple of pages. *sighs* A hot, boring, mess that made me almost fall asleep.

I'll admit the first chapter was interesting and I actually wish that the politician had gotten more spotlight. I really wanted to learn more about him and his family! I did feel horrible for the wife, because they had been in a strained relationship and they never got to resolve their issues. It was a bummer that he died and she was racked with such guilt and self-hate. Poor chit. Now...if the story stayed with her and maybe one or two other people then this would have worked out pretty good!

Just too much going on in a boring way. Sad.

In the end, I say run from this book if you are a Rowling fan. It is not her best work. She needs to try again and not try so hard. This book had too many POVs and a dry as toast story. What a bummer. I blame Reece for making me read this monstrosity of boringness. ;) Out of five stars, I stamp this with 1 star. If I could go lower I totally would. Can't win them all.

Book Review: Choke by Chuck Palahniuk

Author: Chuck Palaniuk 
Title: Choke
Genre: Fiction & drama
Pages: 293
First Published: 2001
Where I Got It: Borrowed from friend

Victor Mancini, a medical-school dropout, is an antihero for our deranged times. Needing to pay elder care for his mother, Victor has devised an ingenious scam: he pretends to choke on pieces of food while dining in upscale restaurants. He then allows himself to be “saved” by fellow patrons who, feeling responsible for Victor’s life, go on to send checks to support him. When he’s not pulling this stunt, Victor cruises sexual addiction recovery workshops for action, visits his addled mom, and spends his days working at a colonial theme park. 

Oooooh boy. This certainly was a different book for me. It was a book my friend, Reece, recommended to me. It’s one of her favorites. I’ve had my eye on it for years, but never was I motivated to read it. However, Reece let me borrow her copy and so I dived in.

The first couple of chapters were meh. Especially chapter one. I was not a fan of how he opened the story and I hated the language he used. It was over-the-top and it didn’t meet the rest of the story. It was a flashback and the language used was very unnecessarily vulgar. So many swear words (which I normally don’t mind), but I felt like it took away from the moment. Granted…I learned many new terms in this chapter! Once this chapter was over, I think the author realized he needed to calm himself. Yes, there are still swear words and so forth, but not to the extreme. I was actually able to read without rolling my eyes.


The rest of the story had me hooked! I needed to know more about the mom. Yes, I was more interested in crazy ol’ mom then I was Victor. Victor was “crazy” too, but I was more fascinated by the mom. Victor was okay and it was interested to see through the eyes of a sex-aholic and someone who wants to save the world (in his own twisted way). He made a lot of good points on his methods about “saving people”. It makes sense…oddly to me….people want to be seen as heroes, so might as well give them that shining moment.

There are so many references and many memorable quotes that I can highly appreciate. It reminded me of a dark, dark version of ‘Gilmore Girls’. Imagine Rory as a guy, who dropped out of college, her mom is crazy (even crazier than the show), is addicted to sex, and pretends every night to choke on food to give people that shining moment of being a “hero”. THAT is this book. I am certainly a sucker for references and memorable quotes that I can maul over for a while.

Then there is end….I am so unsure on what I think of it. Sadly, I had to look up on the internet what exactly happened. Yes, I was not quite sure. But now I am on the fence….I can’t decide if I like it or not. Hmmmmmmm. Maybe I’ll give the ending another read through, but yes…I am unsure.


Overall, this was an interesting book. It gave me eyes in a world I’ve never known. The story had me hooked after the first chapter (which nearly made me stop – but thank goodness I am one who pushes through). The ending has left me thinking and contemplating if I liked it or not. I am still unsure. Maybe that is what the author wanted you think/feel? I will have to re-read the ending after a while…maybe I’ll have an answer there. I recommend this for fellow book lovers. This is a must-read if you like odd books that make you think.



Oh boy….the rating….gah….I am unsure….I think I shall stamp this with….ummmm….3 stars. Nearly 4, but that first chapter. xI

When Tomorrow Starts Without Me - Unknown

I don't really have anything really to post today, so I decided to share this poem that Reece shared on her Facebook. I adore this poem. 

When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see.

If the sun should rise and find your eyes, all filled with tears for me.

I wish so much you wouldn't cry, the way you did today,

While thinking of the many things we never got to say.

I know how much you love me, as much as I love you

And each time that you think of me, I know you'll miss me too.

But when tomorrow starts without me, Please try to understand

An angel came and called my name and took me by the hand,

He said my place was ready - In Heaven far above,

And that I'd have to leave behind, all those I dearly love..

But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye

For all of life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die.

I had so much to live for, so much yet to do,

It seemed almost impossible, that I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad.

I thought of all the love we shared, and how much fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday, just even for a while,

I'd say goodbye, and kiss your lips and maybe see you smile

But then I fully realized, that this could never be,

For emptiness and memories, would take the place of me.

And when I thought of wordly things, I might miss come tomorrow,

I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through Heaven's gates, I felt so much at home.

When God looked down and smiled at me, From his great & golden throne,

He said, "This is eternity, and all I've promised you.

Today your life on Earth is past, but here it starts anew.

I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last,

And since each day is the same day, there's no longing for the past.

But you have been so faithful, so trusting and so true,

Though there were some times you did some things you shouldn't do.

But you have been forgiven, and now at last you're free,

So come and take me by the hand, and share my life with me.."

So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart,

For every time you think of me, I'm right there - in your Heart..



*CaroleRae*