The Longest Ride pages 1 through 12

I have recently started reading Nicholas Sparks’ latest novel The Longest Ride. As far as I can tell, this novel is written from the perspective of different characters. In the first chapter, we meet Ira. I believe he is in his early hundreds. He spends much of the first few pages talking about the close relationship he had with his father. What I liked most about this particular section was that it showed how human Ira was. He is an elderly man who was shaped by the guidance of his parents and the love of his wife.

Of the only part I didn't particularly care for was the appearance of Ira's late wife. It seems to me that Sparks used this premise in his last few novels but I can be certain. One of the things that I enjoyed most about this first chapter was the amount of history that was involved in it. It seemed slightly reminiscent of Nicholas Sparks’ first big novel The Notebook.

I didn't get through his last novel so I planned on doing a series of blogs about the chapters and my opinion of them in order to keep me motivated in the book. Nicholas Sparks amazes me he manages to capture the hearts of readers around the world without even trying, and most of his movies and out being big blockbuster hits. I thought it was sweet how he dedicated this novel to his five children. Also, I love reading his acknowledgments, he is always so grateful and he manages to find interesting ways to spank everyone's mind is important to him.

I only hope that if I become a best-selling author one day that I can be as gracious as Nicholas Sparks appears to be. I would love to meet him in person one day. Knowing my luck, I would probably become so star struck that I wouldn't know quite what to say. I thought it would be bad if I met Taylor Swift, but I fear it might be even worse with him.

Another thing that I find interesting about Sparks is that all his novels seem to be based around places that he's lived or been to before. I think doing that gives the books a sort of charm. I couldn't believe it when I read in the acknowledgments that this is his 17th novel. He has been at this a long time. I must say, that even though I'm not quite sure I like the perspective of this first chapter, sparks definitely knows how to get me hooked. I don't see myself losing interest like I did with his last novel.

Today I told myself that I was going to finish this book by the New Year. Now, I think that may have been a rather lofty goal. This type of book isn't something that you rush through, you have to take your time and make sure that you understand all the historical background and character nuance. I am positive that I will enjoy reading this book and enjoy blogging about it as well.