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Three Weeks with My Brother: A Memoir
As moving as his bestselling works of fiction, Nicholas Sparks's unique memoir, written with his brother, chronicles the life-affirming journey of two brothers bound by memories, both humorous and tragicIn January 2003, Nicholas Sparks and his brother, Micah, set off on a three-week trip around the globe. It was to mark a milestone in their lives, for at thirty-seven and thirty-eight respectively, they were now the only surviving members of their family. Against the backdrop of the wonders of the world and often overtaken by their feelings, daredevil Micah and the more serious, introspective Nicholas recalled their rambunctious childhood adventures and the tragedies that tested their faith. And in the process, they discovered startling truths about loss, love, and hope.Narrated with irrepressible humor and rare candor, and including personal photos, THREE WEEKS WITH MY BROTHER reminds us to embrace life with all its uncertainties...and most of all, to cherish the joyful times, both small and momentous, and the wonderful people who make them possible.
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First published April 5, 2004
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About the author
Nicholas Sparks
407 books238k followersNicholas Sparks is one of the world’s most beloved storytellers. All of his books have been New York Times bestsellers, with over 130 million copies sold worldwide, in more than 50 languages, including over 92 million copies in the United States alone.
Sparks wrote one of his best-known stories, The Notebook, over a period of six months at age 28. It was published in 1996 and he followed with the novels Message in a Bottle (1998), A Walk to Remember (1999), The Rescue (2000), A Bend in the Road (2001), Nights in Rodanthe (2002), The Guardian (2003), The Wedding (2003), True Believer (2005) and its sequel, At First Sight (2005), Dear John (2006), The Choice (2007), The Lucky One (2008), The Last Song (2009), Safe Haven (2010), The Best of Me (2011), The Longest Ride (2013), See Me (2015), Two by Two (2016), Every Breath (2018), The Return (2020), The Wish (2021), and Dreamland (2022), as well as the 2004 non-fiction memoir Three Weeks With My Brother, co-written with his brother Micah. His twenty-fourth novel, Counting Miracles, will be published on September 24, 2024.
Film adaptations of Nicholas Sparks novels, including The Choice, The Longest Ride, The Best of Me, Safe Haven (on all of which he served as a producer), The Lucky One, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John and The Last Song, have had a cumulative worldwide gross of over three-quarters of a billion dollars. The Notebook has also been adapted into a Broadway musical, featuring music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson.
Sparks lives in North Carolina. He contributes to a variety of local and national charities, and is a major contributor to the Creative Writing Program (MFA) at the University of Notre Dame, where he provides scholarships, internships, and a fellowship annually. He co-founded The Epiphany School in New Bern, North Carolina in 2006. As a former full scholarship athlete (he still holds a track and field record at the University of Notre Dame) he also spent four years coaching track and field athletes at the local public high school. In 2009, the team he coached at New Bern High School set a World Junior Indoor Record in the 4×400 meters, as well as US High School National Records in the 800 Medley and 1600 Medley. Click to watch the Runner’s World video with Nicholas.
The Nicholas Sparks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in 2011, to provide scholarships and fund educational programs for underprivileged and disadvantaged youth. Between the foundation, and the personal gifts of the Sparks family, more than $15 million dollars have been distributed to deserving charities, scholarship programs, and projects. Because the Sparks family covers all operational expenses of the foundation, 100% of donations are devoted to programs.
Sparks wrote one of his best-known stories, The Notebook, over a period of six months at age 28. It was published in 1996 and he followed with the novels Message in a Bottle (1998), A Walk to Remember (1999), The Rescue (2000), A Bend in the Road (2001), Nights in Rodanthe (2002), The Guardian (2003), The Wedding (2003), True Believer (2005) and its sequel, At First Sight (2005), Dear John (2006), The Choice (2007), The Lucky One (2008), The Last Song (2009), Safe Haven (2010), The Best of Me (2011), The Longest Ride (2013), See Me (2015), Two by Two (2016), Every Breath (2018), The Return (2020), The Wish (2021), and Dreamland (2022), as well as the 2004 non-fiction memoir Three Weeks With My Brother, co-written with his brother Micah. His twenty-fourth novel, Counting Miracles, will be published on September 24, 2024.
Film adaptations of Nicholas Sparks novels, including The Choice, The Longest Ride, The Best of Me, Safe Haven (on all of which he served as a producer), The Lucky One, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John and The Last Song, have had a cumulative worldwide gross of over three-quarters of a billion dollars. The Notebook has also been adapted into a Broadway musical, featuring music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson.
Sparks lives in North Carolina. He contributes to a variety of local and national charities, and is a major contributor to the Creative Writing Program (MFA) at the University of Notre Dame, where he provides scholarships, internships, and a fellowship annually. He co-founded The Epiphany School in New Bern, North Carolina in 2006. As a former full scholarship athlete (he still holds a track and field record at the University of Notre Dame) he also spent four years coaching track and field athletes at the local public high school. In 2009, the team he coached at New Bern High School set a World Junior Indoor Record in the 4×400 meters, as well as US High School National Records in the 800 Medley and 1600 Medley. Click to watch the Runner’s World video with Nicholas.
The Nicholas Sparks Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, was founded in 2011, to provide scholarships and fund educational programs for underprivileged and disadvantaged youth. Between the foundation, and the personal gifts of the Sparks family, more than $15 million dollars have been distributed to deserving charities, scholarship programs, and projects. Because the Sparks family covers all operational expenses of the foundation, 100% of donations are devoted to programs.
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May 14, 2021
All The Stars!
... A memorable life of Nicholas and Micah Sparks.
This is nonfiction. Everything I've written in this review happened in real life.
Note: This is a memoir.
I've started reading romance stories when I was 14. My first book was 'A Walk to Remember' by Nicholas Sparks. I remember I've never been so heartbroken like I was when I've finished that novel. Imagine, my first ever romance book didn't end up happily. But I realized through the years, that not even a lot of happily ever afters could compare to the amazing yet short life Landon and Jamie have shared.
My second book was 'The Notebook,' a widely popular debut novel of Nicholas Sparks. It is a second chance romance, and contains a whole lot of heartaches as well. Gladly, Noah and Allie led a long life. Happily married and have kids. Remembering that novel, Noah was the best hero I've ever met. I even thought of exactly like this; "When I grow up, I want to be like him." I've never found a fictional character that was so faithful, hopeful, patient, and as real as Noah was. I've had my fair share of heroes, but Noah is still my number one.
My third and last book of that year was 'Dear John.' Actually, I've managed to finish three books when I was 14, and every one of it was by Nicholas Sparks. I hadn't had an enough money to purchase books at that time, but fortunately, my mother has some copies—although, unfortunately, it was limited and only every one of it was romance—on her small shelf. I think I did like romance though and Nicholas Sparks books because I've continued going into it. Anyway, let's go back to 'Dear John.' This was the most emotional book I've ever read. The MOST. There's no amount of pain and ache other books had—included the books I've read this past few years—that this book had brought. I couldn't imagine the hurt in John's heart watching Savannah, the woman he fell in love with building a family in other man's arms.
I don't know but after that I stopped reading for months, I think.
When I was barely 15 years old, I went back on reading his books beginning with 'A Message in the Bottle.' It was a love triangle, unrequited love kind of thing. And it didn't end up in happy ending, if you're wondering. Because it was Nicholas Sparks, I've finished it sobbing uncontrollably until I dried out. If I describe that book in one word, I would say "novelty." It was so unique, so powerful, so wonderful, and so heartwrenching. My heart died when one of the characters died. But it gave me something to hold on to; that in the middle of grief and suffering, this is where a person's hope could be tested.
My next book was 'Nights in Rodanthe.' And then 'The Rescue.' 'The Longest Ride.' 'The Lucky One.' 'The Wedding.' 'The Choice.' 'The Last Song.' ' And lastly, 'Two by Two.' Every time I read his books, I went to my room, securely locked it, and spent 10 hours crying my eyes out. I was almost 16 when I gave up with his books. Not that I didn't enjoy it, I loved his books. But I was just a teenager who loved to read, and I didn't like my fellow lads to see my eyes bloodshot and my lips swollen from reading, so I decided to rest for a while. And it was when I was 18 when I discovered Goodreads. And found out that there are other romance books to read that wasn't like Nicholas Sparks's. But still, I always sought emotional books. Blame Nicholas.
Today, I'm really happy and so excited to continue my endeavor to read all of his books. And I've never been so glad that I chose to start with his memoir, "Three Weeks With My Brother." And as usual, I cried a lot and hard. I've never realized where and who Nicholas Sparks drew his inspiration from every time he begin to write a novel. But after finishing this, I understood where he came from. Nicholas Sparks didn't have an easy life as well. He suffered a lot of heartbreaks as much as the characters in his novels. I was so brokenhearted knowing that he wrote 'The Notebook,' 'A Walk To Remember,' 'A Message in the Bottle,' etc. while his family one after the next began to pass away. I once hated Nicholas Sparks for writing such emotional books that didn't have happily ever afters. But now, I salute him. He've been there; emotional, mental, and physical grief a man could ever endure. I have no idea how he was able to survive every one of it and could even manage to write the most epic and unforgettable romance stories ever.
Three Weeks With My Brother is a deeply moving true story about childhood, dreams, family, love, loss, faith, hope, and brotherhood. This is Nicholas and his brother Micah written novel, based from their real experiences in life. And as always, this story utterly and completely captured my heart. The mood, the writing, the characters, the story, the morals, everything it all delivers is beyond perfection.
In simple words, it was because of the influence of Nicholas Sparks that I've come to love romance stories.
Books read: (finished reading in chronological order)
A Walk to Remember
The Notebook
Dear John
A Message in the Bottle
Nights in Rodanthe
The Rescue
The Longest Ride
The Lucky One
The Wedding
The Last Song
Two by Two
Three Weeks With My Brother
Books to read:
A Bend in the Road
The Guardian
True Believer
At First Sight
The Choice
Safe Haven
The Best of Me
See Me
Every Breath
The Return
... A memorable life of Nicholas and Micah Sparks.
This is nonfiction. Everything I've written in this review happened in real life.
Note: This is a memoir.
"I am nothing special, of this I am sure. I am a common man with common thoughts and I've led a common life. There are no monuments dedicated to me and my name will soon be forgotten, but I've loved another with all my heart and soul, and to me, this has always been enough."
I've started reading romance stories when I was 14. My first book was 'A Walk to Remember' by Nicholas Sparks. I remember I've never been so heartbroken like I was when I've finished that novel. Imagine, my first ever romance book didn't end up happily. But I realized through the years, that not even a lot of happily ever afters could compare to the amazing yet short life Landon and Jamie have shared.
"I'm sorry she never got her miracle."
"She did get her miracle, Landon, her miracle was you."
My second book was 'The Notebook,' a widely popular debut novel of Nicholas Sparks. It is a second chance romance, and contains a whole lot of heartaches as well. Gladly, Noah and Allie led a long life. Happily married and have kids. Remembering that novel, Noah was the best hero I've ever met. I even thought of exactly like this; "When I grow up, I want to be like him." I've never found a fictional character that was so faithful, hopeful, patient, and as real as Noah was. I've had my fair share of heroes, but Noah is still my number one.
"My Dearest Allie. I couldn't sleep last night because I know that it's over between us. I'm not bitter anymore, because I know that what we had was real. And if in some distant place in the future we see each other in our new lives, I'll smile at you with joy and remember how we spent the summer beneath the trees, learning from each other and growing in love. The best love is the kind that awakens the soul and makes us reach for more, that plants a fire in our hearts and brings peace to our minds, and that's what you've given me. That's what I hope to give to you forever. I love you. I'll be seeing you. Noah."
My third and last book of that year was 'Dear John.' Actually, I've managed to finish three books when I was 14, and every one of it was by Nicholas Sparks. I hadn't had an enough money to purchase books at that time, but fortunately, my mother has some copies—although, unfortunately, it was limited and only every one of it was romance—on her small shelf. I think I did like romance though and Nicholas Sparks books because I've continued going into it. Anyway, let's go back to 'Dear John.' This was the most emotional book I've ever read. The MOST. There's no amount of pain and ache other books had—included the books I've read this past few years—that this book had brought. I couldn't imagine the hurt in John's heart watching Savannah, the woman he fell in love with building a family in other man's arms.
"Dear John, tell me everything. Write it all down, that way, we’ll be with each other all the time, even if we’re not with each other at all."
I don't know but after that I stopped reading for months, I think.
When I was barely 15 years old, I went back on reading his books beginning with 'A Message in the Bottle.' It was a love triangle, unrequited love kind of thing. And it didn't end up in happy ending, if you're wondering. Because it was Nicholas Sparks, I've finished it sobbing uncontrollably until I dried out. If I describe that book in one word, I would say "novelty." It was so unique, so powerful, so wonderful, and so heartwrenching. My heart died when one of the characters died. But it gave me something to hold on to; that in the middle of grief and suffering, this is where a person's hope could be tested.
"This is not a goodbye, my darling, this is a thank you. Thank you for coming into my life and giving me joy, thank you for loving me and receiving my love in return. Thank you for the memories I will cherish forever. But most of all, thank you for showing me that there will come a time when I can eventually let you go.
I love you, T."
My next book was 'Nights in Rodanthe.' And then 'The Rescue.' 'The Longest Ride.' 'The Lucky One.' 'The Wedding.' 'The Choice.' 'The Last Song.' ' And lastly, 'Two by Two.' Every time I read his books, I went to my room, securely locked it, and spent 10 hours crying my eyes out. I was almost 16 when I gave up with his books. Not that I didn't enjoy it, I loved his books. But I was just a teenager who loved to read, and I didn't like my fellow lads to see my eyes bloodshot and my lips swollen from reading, so I decided to rest for a while. And it was when I was 18 when I discovered Goodreads. And found out that there are other romance books to read that wasn't like Nicholas Sparks's. But still, I always sought emotional books. Blame Nicholas.
"People want pretty much the same things: They wanted to be happy. Most young people seemed to think that those things lay somewhere in the future, while most older people believed they lay in the past."
Today, I'm really happy and so excited to continue my endeavor to read all of his books. And I've never been so glad that I chose to start with his memoir, "Three Weeks With My Brother." And as usual, I cried a lot and hard. I've never realized where and who Nicholas Sparks drew his inspiration from every time he begin to write a novel. But after finishing this, I understood where he came from. Nicholas Sparks didn't have an easy life as well. He suffered a lot of heartbreaks as much as the characters in his novels. I was so brokenhearted knowing that he wrote 'The Notebook,' 'A Walk To Remember,' 'A Message in the Bottle,' etc. while his family one after the next began to pass away. I once hated Nicholas Sparks for writing such emotional books that didn't have happily ever afters. But now, I salute him. He've been there; emotional, mental, and physical grief a man could ever endure. I have no idea how he was able to survive every one of it and could even manage to write the most epic and unforgettable romance stories ever.
Three Weeks With My Brother is a deeply moving true story about childhood, dreams, family, love, loss, faith, hope, and brotherhood. This is Nicholas and his brother Micah written novel, based from their real experiences in life. And as always, this story utterly and completely captured my heart. The mood, the writing, the characters, the story, the morals, everything it all delivers is beyond perfection.
In simple words, it was because of the influence of Nicholas Sparks that I've come to love romance stories.
Books read: (finished reading in chronological order)
A Walk to Remember
The Notebook
Dear John
A Message in the Bottle
Nights in Rodanthe
The Rescue
The Longest Ride
The Lucky One
The Wedding
The Last Song
Two by Two
Three Weeks With My Brother
Books to read:
A Bend in the Road
The Guardian
True Believer
At First Sight
The Choice
Safe Haven
The Best of Me
See Me
Every Breath
The Return
"Standing beside Micah, it dawned on me that we were the only ones left in our family. It was just the two of us now. Brothers."
September 7, 2024
Sparks memoir revolving around his brother Micah's trip. Many many topics covered. Wonderful warm writing.
September 29, 2008
I learned that:
Life is not fair...
God works all things out in the end, even if to us it doesn't seem right....
A family must stay together through it all....NO MATTER WHAT!
Noone is perfect...we should try looking at ourselves first..
Investing in your children and their future is priceless...
We all must get away sometimes to sort through our bag of trash and emotions that we have picked up along life's journey....
A man and wife are truly a team and I need to figure out how to have that kind of partnership before children come along..
Brothers have a unique bond....sisters do too!...
That siblings have experienced things together that will shape who they are and how they treat others to come...
Death and Dying are not anything to be afraid of, if we live out every day with the best of intentions....
Autism and other behavioral disorders cannot always be diagnosed by doctors or corrected with medication alone, parents must be involved in the process of training, learning, and growing....LOVE can conquer all things!
I need to travel the world and try to get on the Amazing Race so that I can afford to have the kind of experiences that Nicholas and Micah experienced for themselves in 2003.
That I love my brother, Ross, so much and enjoy watching him learn the joys of parenthood and fatherhood for himself...
My mom and dad understood how to raise children...and although not perfect, they understand that perfection only came from the sacrifice of one man for all of our imperfections....JESUS...thanks for showing me God's love...
I could go on forever...I learned so much and reinforced so many learnings that I have acquired throughout the last 30 years....and YES I CRIED LIKE A BABY....MORE THAN ANY OTHER SPARKS BOOK BEFORE....
THIS IS A MAN'S TRUE STORY ...
WHAT IS YOUR STORY?
DO YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED?
WHAT IF YOUR LIFE WAS PUT TO PAPER WOULD YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE?
EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIKE EVERYTHING, HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM YOUR MISTAKES?
HAVE YOU ENJOYED EVERY MOMENT, MAYBE NOT ALWAYS IN THE MOMENT, BUT AS YOU LOOK BACK, ARE YOU THANKFUL?
Life is not fair...
God works all things out in the end, even if to us it doesn't seem right....
A family must stay together through it all....NO MATTER WHAT!
Noone is perfect...we should try looking at ourselves first..
Investing in your children and their future is priceless...
We all must get away sometimes to sort through our bag of trash and emotions that we have picked up along life's journey....
A man and wife are truly a team and I need to figure out how to have that kind of partnership before children come along..
Brothers have a unique bond....sisters do too!...
That siblings have experienced things together that will shape who they are and how they treat others to come...
Death and Dying are not anything to be afraid of, if we live out every day with the best of intentions....
Autism and other behavioral disorders cannot always be diagnosed by doctors or corrected with medication alone, parents must be involved in the process of training, learning, and growing....LOVE can conquer all things!
I need to travel the world and try to get on the Amazing Race so that I can afford to have the kind of experiences that Nicholas and Micah experienced for themselves in 2003.
That I love my brother, Ross, so much and enjoy watching him learn the joys of parenthood and fatherhood for himself...
My mom and dad understood how to raise children...and although not perfect, they understand that perfection only came from the sacrifice of one man for all of our imperfections....JESUS...thanks for showing me God's love...
I could go on forever...I learned so much and reinforced so many learnings that I have acquired throughout the last 30 years....and YES I CRIED LIKE A BABY....MORE THAN ANY OTHER SPARKS BOOK BEFORE....
THIS IS A MAN'S TRUE STORY ...
WHAT IS YOUR STORY?
DO YOU LIVE YOUR LIFE THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE REMEMBERED?
WHAT IF YOUR LIFE WAS PUT TO PAPER WOULD YOU LIKE WHAT YOU SEE?
EVEN IF YOU DON'T LIKE EVERYTHING, HAVE YOU LEARNED FROM YOUR MISTAKES?
HAVE YOU ENJOYED EVERY MOMENT, MAYBE NOT ALWAYS IN THE MOMENT, BUT AS YOU LOOK BACK, ARE YOU THANKFUL?
May 16, 2018
When I started reading this book I quickly came to the conclusion that I did not like it. The main reason being was that it seemed like there were two different story lines here that the author kept jumping back and forth between. It was if he couldn't make up his mind which story he wanted to tell. He starts out by telling about going on a trip around the world with his brother (and not the wife? come on!) and then just when they get to some exotic setting, and starts to describe what is there, he changes the subject and starts to reminisce about an early event in his life. So then I continued to read and say to myself, "Now that is interesting," but no sooner that I think that he then goes back to talking about the trip! And the story continues in this fashion for the first 300 or so pages. Like that one girl I knew in high school, it was one tease after another!
In all honesty I had to admit I was quite a bit jealous of this whole trip. I mean, he needs a break? Come on. I have worked since high school supporting my family and the first real vacation I took was with my wife on our 20th anniversary. I never took a sabbatical like some I knew. I didn't say, "I think I'll quit and go back to school." No, I worked at some crappy job for some jerk because I had bills to pay. On the other hand, I can see why men (and some women) would rather work than stay home and raise kids. A mother/wife 's job is 25 hours a day.
Luckily, there were more than 300 pages to this story. Had I not finished his story I would not have discovered how the two completely different stories came together.
Spoiler alert
To begin with, I didn't read the jacket to find out what the story was about. I rarely do with book club books for I find it more interesting that way. The story was not so much about the trip itself, but rather the events in their lives that brought them there. He ties it up beautifully, like a surgeon restoring an injured face. Boy was I wrong in my assessment of the man and his life! Not only having to deal with deaths in the family but having a child with a serious health issue are just some things I could not imagine, let alone possibly deal with. He deserved that break, and I can understand his wife's reason for letting him go. Her decision itself said a lot about her. And his parents, as cruel or as uncaring as they seemed to the reader, he saw them for what they were, on the inside, and how they raised their kids in their own unique way. I started out giving it 3 stars, but by the time I finished it I upgraded it to a 5, even without the sympathy points.
It was a great story, and even though it was sad at times, I found it remarkably inspirational.
In all honesty I had to admit I was quite a bit jealous of this whole trip. I mean, he needs a break? Come on. I have worked since high school supporting my family and the first real vacation I took was with my wife on our 20th anniversary. I never took a sabbatical like some I knew. I didn't say, "I think I'll quit and go back to school." No, I worked at some crappy job for some jerk because I had bills to pay. On the other hand, I can see why men (and some women) would rather work than stay home and raise kids. A mother/wife 's job is 25 hours a day.
Luckily, there were more than 300 pages to this story. Had I not finished his story I would not have discovered how the two completely different stories came together.
Spoiler alert
To begin with, I didn't read the jacket to find out what the story was about. I rarely do with book club books for I find it more interesting that way. The story was not so much about the trip itself, but rather the events in their lives that brought them there. He ties it up beautifully, like a surgeon restoring an injured face. Boy was I wrong in my assessment of the man and his life! Not only having to deal with deaths in the family but having a child with a serious health issue are just some things I could not imagine, let alone possibly deal with. He deserved that break, and I can understand his wife's reason for letting him go. Her decision itself said a lot about her. And his parents, as cruel or as uncaring as they seemed to the reader, he saw them for what they were, on the inside, and how they raised their kids in their own unique way. I started out giving it 3 stars, but by the time I finished it I upgraded it to a 5, even without the sympathy points.
It was a great story, and even though it was sad at times, I found it remarkably inspirational.
November 17, 2017
I've read a lot of books by Nicholas Sparks in the past and I am quite curious on the life of this author. When I saw this book, I was intrigued not only by the title, but it piqued again my curiosity about Nicholas Sparks' childhood and family.
This was on my to-read list for quite a while and recently I was checking on what book I should read next. I grabbed right away the opportunity to read it and it didn't disappoint me. If you are fan of Sparks' works and also curious on his life, you should check this out so you can take a glimpse of it.
This was on my to-read list for quite a while and recently I was checking on what book I should read next. I grabbed right away the opportunity to read it and it didn't disappoint me. If you are fan of Sparks' works and also curious on his life, you should check this out so you can take a glimpse of it.
August 18, 2007
This one's specifically for John: look I know you don't respect Nicholas Sparks, but you've got to admit that if someone presented you with the opportunity to make millions upon millions of dollars by writing books you'd probably take it, even if all you could write were romance novels. Nevertheless, this book has absolutely nothing to do with The Notebook or Message in a Bottle and I guarantee if you read it, you will appreciate it. So do it, just like I read Game of Thrones for you.
January 3, 2021
Three Weeks With My Brother by Nicolas Sparks, Micah Sparks
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is the first non-fiction book I have read by Nicolas Sparks. I absolutely loved it and completely enjoyed following the two brothers on their incredible adventure. A perfect book to start my 2021 love of reading.
Happy reading...📚
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is the first non-fiction book I have read by Nicolas Sparks. I absolutely loved it and completely enjoyed following the two brothers on their incredible adventure. A perfect book to start my 2021 love of reading.
Happy reading...📚
August 25, 2012
To any of my reading buddies, it's no secret that I pretty much loathe the novels of Nicholas Sparks. I have tried them, and nope, not for me. There's a history and a story there, which I've recorded elsewhere, but the main part of that story is that I do have personal respect for the man, after a chance encounter with him at a Books-A-Million years ago.
A huge crowd of women were fluttering around an author. He was a clean cut, preppie-ish kind of guy (I remember that his blue shirt had an unfortunate white collar.) Normally, I like to meet authors, but when I found out it was Nicholas Sparks, doing a book-signing, I tried to skirt around the crowd. His handler stopped me.
"Don't you want to meet the author?"
"No thanks," I replied.
"But he's rather good. Have you read his books?"
"Umm. Yes, but I'd rather not meet him."
"You've read his books and don't want to meet him? Why not???"
"I'd rather not say," I said, trying to break the iron grip she had on my arm.
"He'll sign one for you."
"No thank you."
At this point, my struggling to get free caught the author's attention. He rose from his signing table, the red sea of women clustering around him parted and he came over to me. He was quite polite, and attentive, and inquired why I was so adamant about not participating in the book signing. Again, I demurred. He insisted. Did I like his book? Well-- no, not exactly. He pushed for details. I'd had enough and let loose with what I thought.
To give him credit, he didn't blanch though his handler did, and I actually heard a hiss from one of the ladies in the crowd. He thanked me for my opinion, and said he would rather have someone who vehemently disliked his book that someone who said it was so-so. At least he'd stirred a strong emotion in me. For a long time, that was the only thing I liked about Nicholas Sparks. Now, there's this book.
Three Weeks With My Brother tells more than the story of two brothers on what would, by any counts, be a fabulous trip. Mr Sparks takes the reader back to the beginning, invites us into his home, warts and all. The Sparks children had a unique upbringing: laissez-faire in some senses, but with certain iron-clad principles and a lot of love, that held the structure together. That the family was financially strapped is somewhat of an understatement. That they were resourceful, is another. In some senses, I was reminded of my husband's childhood in upstate New York. But the bonds in the family were strong, as became apparent when tragedy struck, again and again.
This story, of the Sparks family, interwoven with the brother's story of a round-the-world trip fascinated me. I thought so much of my two brothers finding both similarities and disparities. There's a lot of humor and honesty in the telling. Sparks' faith is evident, as is his strong love for his family. Clearly it was what has carried him through the deaths of the rest of the family and other obstacles that would have felled many others. I can relate to that handing on that combination of love and faith, because it got me through my own periods of grief. And now, like Nicholas Sparks, I am grateful for the love of a phenomenal spouse and the love of the only remaining member of my family, my older brother. I'll probably never take a round the world trip with him, but thanks to this book, I can read of one.
Though it's hard for me to believe, I really liked this book. I still won't read his fiction, even knowing from this narrative where the inspirations were. But remember that respect I felt after our brief encounter in that Books-A-Million? It's skyrocketed. I hope some day to have the chance to tell him that in person -- just as long as I don't have to read The Notebook again to do so.
A huge crowd of women were fluttering around an author. He was a clean cut, preppie-ish kind of guy (I remember that his blue shirt had an unfortunate white collar.) Normally, I like to meet authors, but when I found out it was Nicholas Sparks, doing a book-signing, I tried to skirt around the crowd. His handler stopped me.
"Don't you want to meet the author?"
"No thanks," I replied.
"But he's rather good. Have you read his books?"
"Umm. Yes, but I'd rather not meet him."
"You've read his books and don't want to meet him? Why not???"
"I'd rather not say," I said, trying to break the iron grip she had on my arm.
"He'll sign one for you."
"No thank you."
At this point, my struggling to get free caught the author's attention. He rose from his signing table, the red sea of women clustering around him parted and he came over to me. He was quite polite, and attentive, and inquired why I was so adamant about not participating in the book signing. Again, I demurred. He insisted. Did I like his book? Well-- no, not exactly. He pushed for details. I'd had enough and let loose with what I thought.
To give him credit, he didn't blanch though his handler did, and I actually heard a hiss from one of the ladies in the crowd. He thanked me for my opinion, and said he would rather have someone who vehemently disliked his book that someone who said it was so-so. At least he'd stirred a strong emotion in me. For a long time, that was the only thing I liked about Nicholas Sparks. Now, there's this book.
Three Weeks With My Brother tells more than the story of two brothers on what would, by any counts, be a fabulous trip. Mr Sparks takes the reader back to the beginning, invites us into his home, warts and all. The Sparks children had a unique upbringing: laissez-faire in some senses, but with certain iron-clad principles and a lot of love, that held the structure together. That the family was financially strapped is somewhat of an understatement. That they were resourceful, is another. In some senses, I was reminded of my husband's childhood in upstate New York. But the bonds in the family were strong, as became apparent when tragedy struck, again and again.
This story, of the Sparks family, interwoven with the brother's story of a round-the-world trip fascinated me. I thought so much of my two brothers finding both similarities and disparities. There's a lot of humor and honesty in the telling. Sparks' faith is evident, as is his strong love for his family. Clearly it was what has carried him through the deaths of the rest of the family and other obstacles that would have felled many others. I can relate to that handing on that combination of love and faith, because it got me through my own periods of grief. And now, like Nicholas Sparks, I am grateful for the love of a phenomenal spouse and the love of the only remaining member of my family, my older brother. I'll probably never take a round the world trip with him, but thanks to this book, I can read of one.
Though it's hard for me to believe, I really liked this book. I still won't read his fiction, even knowing from this narrative where the inspirations were. But remember that respect I felt after our brief encounter in that Books-A-Million? It's skyrocketed. I hope some day to have the chance to tell him that in person -- just as long as I don't have to read The Notebook again to do so.
Read
April 21, 2021Nicholas Sparks and his brother Micah took a trip around the world, wrote it down and recounted their childhood along the way. It was very interesting to hear the author's own story, from whom one has already read so much. The ups and downs in his life are moving. They tell a wonderful story about family, cohesion, siblings, faith and also death.
April 10, 2015
رواية يكتبها (نيكولاس) بمساعدة أخيه (ميكا) وذلك عندما يقرران قضاء رحلة حول العالم معاً، فهذه الرواية ليست مجرد رواية من خيال الكاتب، بل هي قصة حقيقية واقعية ومواقف عاشها الكاتب، وهذا ما يجعلها أقرب وأصدق وأعمق.
وليست كذلك سيرة ذاتية لحياتهما فقط -مع كون هذا أكثر ما أهمني وما ركزت فيه- وإنما هو يُعتبر من أدب الرحلات، فتارة يذكر عن الرحلة وعن مغامراته فيها مع أخيه، وما شاهداه -وإن له وصف جميل أعجبني- وتارة يرجع للماضي ليتذاكر مع أخيه عن حياتهما وطفولتهما بكل ما يتخللها من مغامرة وشقاوة ومواقف محزنة كانت أو طريفة.. لينتجا لنا رواية رائعة يدمجان فيها بين السيرة الذاتية وأدب الرحلات..
فمن جانب كون الكتاب يعتبر من السير الذاتية: فأنا أحب القصص العائلية، وأجواءها، استمتعت بتفاصيلها، وبالمواقف التي مروا بها، وأعجبت بأبطالها، بداية من شخصية أمه الصارمة والحنونة، وأبيه القاريء النهم والمثقف، مروراً بأخيه الإجتماعي والمرح، وأخته اللطيفة والمدللة، وانتهاءاً بشخصيته هو، وكيف أنه استطاع النجاح في حياته بالرغم من شعوره المتكرر من أنه لم يحظى بكثير من الإهتمام لكونه الأخ الأوسط ترتيباً. ويقول في ذلك:
"كمعظم الأطفال كنت أعتقد أن الإهتمام يساوي الحب نوعاً ما، من بين الأطفال الثلاثة، كنت أنال مقداراً أقل من الأول متضمناً مقداراً أقل من الثاني، فكان ميكا بالرغم من كل شيء، يعامل كراشدٍ، ولأنه كان أول من يجرب كل شيء من المشي إلى الكلام إلى الوقوع في المتاعب، فقد تلقى الإهتمام الذي يمنح لأولئك الذين يحتلون قائمة الأسرة. أما أختي من جهة أخرى وهي الأصغر سناً والفتاة الوحيدة فقد كانت تمنح امتيازات مضاعفة تقريباً، إذ كانت تقضي وقت أطول مع أمي مني ومن أخي، وتقوم بأعمال منزلية أقل ونادراً ما تقع في المتاعب، وكانت الوحيدة التي تحصل على أكثر من زوجٍ من الأحذية في نفس الوقت، ويكون التفسير: "إنها فتاة""
أعجبتني علاقته بأخيه، ودور الأم والأسرة بشكل عام في التمكن من حل المشكلات .. مع وجود الإحترام المتبادل، ولطالما اعتقدت أن الدور الأكبر في التربية يقع على عاتق الأم، وأظن نيكولاس يؤكد اعتقادي.. مهما كان المستوى المادي ضعيفاً، فأسلوب والدته في حل المشكلات أعجبني، فلم تكن متهكمة، ولم تكن مبالغة في الخوف عليهما، وأكثر ما أعجبني هو التدخل في الوقت المناسب، كما كانت لهما الحرية في اكتشاف المجتمع الخارجي، وهذا ما جعل لكل منهما شخصيته الخاصة.. ثم إن هذا الكتاب يخبرنا أن الحياة متقلبة، ولا تستقر على جانب واحد، فلابد من العيش في هذه الحياة بحلوها ومرها لنتعلم منها.
أما ما يتعلق برحلتهما من جانب كونها من أدب الرحلات: فكنت أرجع إلى الأنترنت لأرى ما وصف في جمال المكان، فقد كان وصفه بديعاً، ومن تلك الأماكن (كوانتناما) وما ذكره عن مدينة (تيكال)، والعديد غيرها.. ومن ذلك في وصفه لصخرة (آيرز روك) في استراليا، وأنه كان يظنها كذبة إعلامية ولكنها حقيقة فقال في وصفها:
"أصابت الشمس الصخرة في زاوية بحيث إنها بدأت تتوهج باللون الأحمر وكأنها جمرة ضخمة متوهجة. كان كل ما استطعت وميكا فعله للدقائق القليلة التالية هو التحديق بها ونحن نفكّر أنها كانت إحدى أكثر الأشياء التي رأيتاها في حياتنا إدهاشاً."
وطبعاً دخلت الإنترنت في يوتيوب تحديداً لأرى هذه الصخرة العجيبة فكما تعلمون لم يعد الأمر صعباً، فبضغطة زر يظهر لك ما تريد، وهذا من محاسن الإنترنت، فكان أن رأيتها صخرة عجيبة ومدهشة بالفعل، فقلت سبحان الله.
بعض الملاحظات:
1. قرأته سنة 2013 وهائنذا أضع المراجعة هنا، كما كتبتها آنذاك، مع بعض التعديلات.
2. لكم كنت سعيدة لاقتنائي لهذا الكتاب، لينضم إلى مكتبتي الصغيرة..
2. الصور المدرجة في هذه المراجعة، تم أخذها من الكتاب ، كما توجد فيه عدة صور أخرى، تخيرت منها هذه.
وليست كذلك سيرة ذاتية لحياتهما فقط -مع كون هذا أكثر ما أهمني وما ركزت فيه- وإنما هو يُعتبر من أدب الرحلات، فتارة يذكر عن الرحلة وعن مغامراته فيها مع أخيه، وما شاهداه -وإن له وصف جميل أعجبني- وتارة يرجع للماضي ليتذاكر مع أخيه عن حياتهما وطفولتهما بكل ما يتخللها من مغامرة وشقاوة ومواقف محزنة كانت أو طريفة.. لينتجا لنا رواية رائعة يدمجان فيها بين السيرة الذاتية وأدب الرحلات..
فمن جانب كون الكتاب يعتبر من السير الذاتية: فأنا أحب القصص العائلية، وأجواءها، استمتعت بتفاصيلها، وبالمواقف التي مروا بها، وأعجبت بأبطالها، بداية من شخصية أمه الصارمة والحنونة، وأبيه القاريء النهم والمثقف، مروراً بأخيه الإجتماعي والمرح، وأخته اللطيفة والمدللة، وانتهاءاً بشخصيته هو، وكيف أنه استطاع النجاح في حياته بالرغم من شعوره المتكرر من أنه لم يحظى بكثير من الإهتمام لكونه الأخ الأوسط ترتيباً. ويقول في ذلك:
"كمعظم الأطفال كنت أعتقد أن الإهتمام يساوي الحب نوعاً ما، من بين الأطفال الثلاثة، كنت أنال مقداراً أقل من الأول متضمناً مقداراً أقل من الثاني، فكان ميكا بالرغم من كل شيء، يعامل كراشدٍ، ولأنه كان أول من يجرب كل شيء من المشي إلى الكلام إلى الوقوع في المتاعب، فقد تلقى الإهتمام الذي يمنح لأولئك الذين يحتلون قائمة الأسرة. أما أختي من جهة أخرى وهي الأصغر سناً والفتاة الوحيدة فقد كانت تمنح امتيازات مضاعفة تقريباً، إذ كانت تقضي وقت أطول مع أمي مني ومن أخي، وتقوم بأعمال منزلية أقل ونادراً ما تقع في المتاعب، وكانت الوحيدة التي تحصل على أكثر من زوجٍ من الأحذية في نفس الوقت، ويكون التفسير: "إنها فتاة""
أعجبتني علاقته بأخيه، ودور الأم والأسرة بشكل عام في التمكن من حل المشكلات .. مع وجود الإحترام المتبادل، ولطالما اعتقدت أن الدور الأكبر في التربية يقع على عاتق الأم، وأظن نيكولاس يؤكد اعتقادي.. مهما كان المستوى المادي ضعيفاً، فأسلوب والدته في حل المشكلات أعجبني، فلم تكن متهكمة، ولم تكن مبالغة في الخوف عليهما، وأكثر ما أعجبني هو التدخل في الوقت المناسب، كما كانت لهما الحرية في اكتشاف المجتمع الخارجي، وهذا ما جعل لكل منهما شخصيته الخاصة.. ثم إن هذا الكتاب يخبرنا أن الحياة متقلبة، ولا تستقر على جانب واحد، فلابد من العيش في هذه الحياة بحلوها ومرها لنتعلم منها.
أما ما يتعلق برحلتهما من جانب كونها من أدب الرحلات: فكنت أرجع إلى الأنترنت لأرى ما وصف في جمال المكان، فقد كان وصفه بديعاً، ومن تلك الأماكن (كوانتناما) وما ذكره عن مدينة (تيكال)، والعديد غيرها.. ومن ذلك في وصفه لصخرة (آيرز روك) في استراليا، وأنه كان يظنها كذبة إعلامية ولكنها حقيقة فقال في وصفها:
"أصابت الشمس الصخرة في زاوية بحيث إنها بدأت تتوهج باللون الأحمر وكأنها جمرة ضخمة متوهجة. كان كل ما استطعت وميكا فعله للدقائق القليلة التالية هو التحديق بها ونحن نفكّر أنها كانت إحدى أكثر الأشياء التي رأيتاها في حياتنا إدهاشاً."
وطبعاً دخلت الإنترنت في يوتيوب تحديداً لأرى هذه الصخرة العجيبة فكما تعلمون لم يعد الأمر صعباً، فبضغطة زر يظهر لك ما تريد، وهذا من محاسن الإنترنت، فكان أن رأيتها صخرة عجيبة ومدهشة بالفعل، فقلت سبحان الله.
بعض الملاحظات:
1. قرأته سنة 2013 وهائنذا أضع المراجعة هنا، كما كتبتها آنذاك، مع بعض التعديلات.
2. لكم كنت سعيدة لاقتنائي لهذا الكتاب، لينضم إلى مكتبتي الصغيرة..
2. الصور المدرجة في هذه المراجعة، تم أخذها من الكتاب ، كما توجد فيه عدة صور أخرى، تخيرت منها هذه.
May 21, 2016
I wasn't reviewing when I read this! Loved it. Obviously they are in a position of privilege, but the moral themes discussed I enjoyed.
July 24, 2007
I definitely liked Nicholas Sparks’ autobiography more than I thought I would (and considering I am only giving it two stars, that doesn't say much). This book is kind of two stories wrapped together: the first being Nick’s 3-week trip around the world with his brother – the only other living member of his family; the second story is how they got to be the only living members in their family (aka their family life and the separate deaths of their mother, sister and father). I found myself much more interested in the second, flashback-style story about their lives. I think much of that interest has to do with the fact that you are told in the beginning that Nick and Micah had parents and a sister who are no longer living, and so out of curiosity, you keep reading to find out what happened to them. The other story about their trip was pretty close to a meaningless distraction for me. Some of the transitioning between the two parts was a little cheesy. Still, I will give the Sparks some props on portraying their family in an interesting way so as to encourage the reader to invest his or her time in finding out more about them, but the writing definitely seemed kind of cautious as opposed to the raw-depth I’ve admired in other memoirs.
January 31, 2008
Thanks to my mom for introducing me to this book, it is totally different than any other Nicholas Sparks book. It is actually a memoir written by his brother and himself. Tells the story of his life in a very personal way as he takes a 3 week trip around the world with his brother. Warning: it is a very sad book! I loved it though - couldn't put it down. Makes me want to go read all his other books now that I know where he got his inspiration.
July 3, 2008
إنها نوع من السير الذاتية التي كتبت بطريقة فريدة...
تبدأ برغبة الأخوان بالقيام برحلة معاً..لزيارة معالم أثرية حول العالم..
لقد كانت الرحلة التي طالما تمنيا القيام بها..
يتأرجح السرد بين خطين..
الأول يصف الرحلة بكل تفاصيلها والأماكن التي قاما بزيارتها حول أماكن متباعدة في العالم ،والخط الثاني يعود للوراء ليحكي حكاية هذان الأخوان منذ طفولتهما..
إنها سيرة ذاتية ممزوجة بأدب الرحلات..
الكثير من الصدق المشحون في ثنايا تلك الأحداث يتسرب إليك ليخبرك أن الحياة تتفاوت صعوداً ونزولاً..
توفيت والدتهما في حادث سقوط من خيلها المفضل، وبعد عدة سنوات توفي الأب في حادث سيارة وأصيبت أختهما الجميلة والمفضلة بسرطان في الدماغ انهى حياتها وهي لم تزل في الثالثة والثلاثين ، وتركها تذوي كزهرة ذابلة..
هذا عدا أن أحد ابناء نيكولاس مصاب بالتوحد..
أمام كل تلك الإحباطات كانت هناك دفقات خاصة من السعادة..والنجاح
عرض الناشر على نيكولاس مليون دولار لنشر روايته الأولى، رزق بزوجة وأطفال محبون، ورزق كل من الأخوان ببعضهما لمواجهة أحداث الحياة..
لفت نظري بشدة تركيز الرواية على تلك العلاقات الأخوية والروابط الأسرية في مجتمع كالمجتمع الأمريكي،دور الوالدان في تنمية تلك المشاعر والروابط واختلاف انماط الحياة وقواعد التربية من جيل إلى جيل..
شيء آخر..كتب اسم الأخوان على الرواية كمؤلفين رغم أن الكاتب فيهما هو نيكولاس ولست أدري هل تشاركا معاً في التأليف أم أن مشاركتهما في أحداث الحياة معاًوالرحلة التي قاما بها جعلت نيكولاس يضيف اسم أخيه كمؤلف..!
قرأتها بالعربية لكنني أعتقد أن قرائتها بالإنجليزية ستبدو أجمل وأمتع كثيراً..
تبدأ برغبة الأخوان بالقيام برحلة معاً..لزيارة معالم أثرية حول العالم..
لقد كانت الرحلة التي طالما تمنيا القيام بها..
يتأرجح السرد بين خطين..
الأول يصف الرحلة بكل تفاصيلها والأماكن التي قاما بزيارتها حول أماكن متباعدة في العالم ،والخط الثاني يعود للوراء ليحكي حكاية هذان الأخوان منذ طفولتهما..
إنها سيرة ذاتية ممزوجة بأدب الرحلات..
الكثير من الصدق المشحون في ثنايا تلك الأحداث يتسرب إليك ليخبرك أن الحياة تتفاوت صعوداً ونزولاً..
توفيت والدتهما في حادث سقوط من خيلها المفضل، وبعد عدة سنوات توفي الأب في حادث سيارة وأصيبت أختهما الجميلة والمفضلة بسرطان في الدماغ انهى حياتها وهي لم تزل في الثالثة والثلاثين ، وتركها تذوي كزهرة ذابلة..
هذا عدا أن أحد ابناء نيكولاس مصاب بالتوحد..
أمام كل تلك الإحباطات كانت هناك دفقات خاصة من السعادة..والنجاح
عرض الناشر على نيكولاس مليون دولار لنشر روايته الأولى، رزق بزوجة وأطفال محبون، ورزق كل من الأخوان ببعضهما لمواجهة أحداث الحياة..
لفت نظري بشدة تركيز الرواية على تلك العلاقات الأخوية والروابط الأسرية في مجتمع كالمجتمع الأمريكي،دور الوالدان في تنمية تلك المشاعر والروابط واختلاف انماط الحياة وقواعد التربية من جيل إلى جيل..
شيء آخر..كتب اسم الأخوان على الرواية كمؤلفين رغم أن الكاتب فيهما هو نيكولاس ولست أدري هل تشاركا معاً في التأليف أم أن مشاركتهما في أحداث الحياة معاًوالرحلة التي قاما بها جعلت نيكولاس يضيف اسم أخيه كمؤلف..!
قرأتها بالعربية لكنني أعتقد أن قرائتها بالإنجليزية ستبدو أجمل وأمتع كثيراً..
May 10, 2008
Sparks beautifully weaves stories from his childhood with a trip around the world with his brother. Have tissues on hand. It'll make you cry.
May 15, 2016
I don't often give 1 star reviews but this book was just terrible. The writing is just so-so but to be fair, I expected that. What I really didn't like was the author himself.
In the book, Sparks starts out by relying to readers how "normal" his life really is and that he really is just like the rest of us, despite what people think. Of course, just a few pages later, he purchases tickets for his trip around the world and seems to have no idea that "normal" people cannot simply put their lives on hold so they can go off and travel the world with their sibling. But hey, don't get me wrong, if I could do just that in order to do some soul-seeking, I probably world.
Next, Sparks talks wonderfully about his wife and thats great. However, he makes many comments throughout the book and is very open about his role, or lack thereof, in raising his children and helping his wife out with household duties. He again seems to see no issue with this man-child type life he has, even simply telling readers that all his wife asks is that he handle the mail. Wow, Sparks, what a man. Of course, he soon leaves on what must be an incredibly expensive vacation while his wife and children wait back at home. My impression was that they probably wouldn't notice he was gone.
Thirdly, while providing readers with the details, and I do mean details, of his trip, I cannot help but to feel like I am reading about a teenage boy on a trip with his brother, not a grown man on a trip with his grown brother. He even makes comments about field guides telling them they are "troublemakers" and gives us his stories of rowdiness.
Throughout the book, Sparks shares all sorts of bland conversations that he and his brother had throughout the trip while then reverting back to his childhood where he grew up poor. Somehow, I believe readers are supposed to be captivated by all this but obviously, I was not. And the apparent "lessons" that we seem to be learning are things like...life is not fair, family is important, and God blesses those who love Him... but Sparks provides no substance here either.
The book is simply boring even beyond the annoyance of reading about a man-child. I am ALL for people finding themselves and discovering what the world has to offer. In fact, I tend to REALLY like books centered around such subjects. However, this one is just oh-so bland and I could never get beyond the annoyances or pointlessness. It seemed to go absolutely nowhere and needless to say, I pitied his wife and kids.
In the book, Sparks starts out by relying to readers how "normal" his life really is and that he really is just like the rest of us, despite what people think. Of course, just a few pages later, he purchases tickets for his trip around the world and seems to have no idea that "normal" people cannot simply put their lives on hold so they can go off and travel the world with their sibling. But hey, don't get me wrong, if I could do just that in order to do some soul-seeking, I probably world.
Next, Sparks talks wonderfully about his wife and thats great. However, he makes many comments throughout the book and is very open about his role, or lack thereof, in raising his children and helping his wife out with household duties. He again seems to see no issue with this man-child type life he has, even simply telling readers that all his wife asks is that he handle the mail. Wow, Sparks, what a man. Of course, he soon leaves on what must be an incredibly expensive vacation while his wife and children wait back at home. My impression was that they probably wouldn't notice he was gone.
Thirdly, while providing readers with the details, and I do mean details, of his trip, I cannot help but to feel like I am reading about a teenage boy on a trip with his brother, not a grown man on a trip with his grown brother. He even makes comments about field guides telling them they are "troublemakers" and gives us his stories of rowdiness.
Throughout the book, Sparks shares all sorts of bland conversations that he and his brother had throughout the trip while then reverting back to his childhood where he grew up poor. Somehow, I believe readers are supposed to be captivated by all this but obviously, I was not. And the apparent "lessons" that we seem to be learning are things like...life is not fair, family is important, and God blesses those who love Him... but Sparks provides no substance here either.
The book is simply boring even beyond the annoyance of reading about a man-child. I am ALL for people finding themselves and discovering what the world has to offer. In fact, I tend to REALLY like books centered around such subjects. However, this one is just oh-so bland and I could never get beyond the annoyances or pointlessness. It seemed to go absolutely nowhere and needless to say, I pitied his wife and kids.
June 20, 2019
Part travelogue, part memoir, Three Weeks With My Brother gives us a fascinating glimpse into the world of international best-selling author Nicholas Sparks. Stalled during the writing of a novel, Sparks starts daydreaming about the possibility of a three week world trip he read about in a brochure. The more he contemplates it, the more excited he gets. Since he and his wife Cathy have five young children, she decides that the trip is not feasible for her, but encourages Nick to invite his brother Micah.
Intermingled with accounts of the exotic locales the brothers visit, Sparks relates the story of his life beginning with his childhood. The reader gets a true sense of the connection of the family. The deep relationship that Nicholas, Micah, their sister Dana, and their parents share survives tough times, marital discord, poverty and rebellion. The three weeks away gives both Micah and Nick the chance to look at their lives in the context of the places they visit. They are awed by what they see and hear, and are able to work through their grief at the losses they have endured.
I was especially appreciative and moved at how open Nicholas Sparks was to revealing his experiences of dealing with a son with autism. Nick and Cathy's long struggle for a diagnosis, the intensive therapy, and the joys and heartaches with their son's progress (and frustrating lack thereof) made me identify with them in a very real way. When the tendency is to put an author up on a pedestal, this real transparency can help us all to realize that famous people have difficulties just like the rest of the world.
The places Micah and Nick visit on their trip around the world - Roratonga, Easter Island, the Taj Mahal, and Machu Picchu (just to name a few) - are described with such vivid language that readers really don't need the beautiful pictures included with the novel. In fact, my first reading of this book was on audio, and I could imagine the places as if I were there with them. My second reading, of a print version, was enhanced by the photographs that allowed me to put faces to the names.
Although in many ways the Sparks lived in the typical American dysfunctional family, their experiences will allow readers to look at their own upbringing with fondness and wistful reminiscing. Many emotions are evoked during the reading of Three Weeks With My Brother - sadness, a good share of tears, joy, and loads of laughter. Heartache comes with life, but so does humor. When Nick explains about the brothers' obsession with weapons and the fact that it was a wonder they didn't kill themselves, I could see so much of my own family mirrored in their experience.
I cannot begin to describe how much this book has meant to me. The beauty of the portrayal of family, faith, and the love between two brothers, is touching. The main characters became familiar companions, and I was sad that this compelling tale had to come to an end.
Intermingled with accounts of the exotic locales the brothers visit, Sparks relates the story of his life beginning with his childhood. The reader gets a true sense of the connection of the family. The deep relationship that Nicholas, Micah, their sister Dana, and their parents share survives tough times, marital discord, poverty and rebellion. The three weeks away gives both Micah and Nick the chance to look at their lives in the context of the places they visit. They are awed by what they see and hear, and are able to work through their grief at the losses they have endured.
I was especially appreciative and moved at how open Nicholas Sparks was to revealing his experiences of dealing with a son with autism. Nick and Cathy's long struggle for a diagnosis, the intensive therapy, and the joys and heartaches with their son's progress (and frustrating lack thereof) made me identify with them in a very real way. When the tendency is to put an author up on a pedestal, this real transparency can help us all to realize that famous people have difficulties just like the rest of the world.
The places Micah and Nick visit on their trip around the world - Roratonga, Easter Island, the Taj Mahal, and Machu Picchu (just to name a few) - are described with such vivid language that readers really don't need the beautiful pictures included with the novel. In fact, my first reading of this book was on audio, and I could imagine the places as if I were there with them. My second reading, of a print version, was enhanced by the photographs that allowed me to put faces to the names.
Although in many ways the Sparks lived in the typical American dysfunctional family, their experiences will allow readers to look at their own upbringing with fondness and wistful reminiscing. Many emotions are evoked during the reading of Three Weeks With My Brother - sadness, a good share of tears, joy, and loads of laughter. Heartache comes with life, but so does humor. When Nick explains about the brothers' obsession with weapons and the fact that it was a wonder they didn't kill themselves, I could see so much of my own family mirrored in their experience.
I cannot begin to describe how much this book has meant to me. The beauty of the portrayal of family, faith, and the love between two brothers, is touching. The main characters became familiar companions, and I was sad that this compelling tale had to come to an end.
April 13, 2009
I'm old enough now that I no longer apologize for anything that I read; I certainly no longer feel that I have to justify my reading selections to anyone or feel bad if I read popular fiction, etc. With that said, I read Sparks fiction regardless of the disdain I receive from some of my peers. I picked this book up expecting the same cliched, romantic, overdone plot of his fiction books. I was pleasantly surprised that this book was different. I have a complicated relationship with my family, and this book made me feel good and hopeful for reconciliation.
April 20, 2012
This is what happens when prisons don't employ librarians...a bunch of male offenders pick dreck like this. Now I want to read The Notebook, only to figure out how to sell a novel in one week for a million dollars. If this guy can do it, anyone can. I'm thinking the secret is: exploit tragedy to its extreme, and continually refer to what a good Christian you are. And be a huge UGLY AMERICAN and then be kind of proud of it.
Yes, Micah, you definitely deserve to be the one guy in centuries they allow to have his photo taken on ancient sacrificial stones, making fun of an entire civilization. You are that cool.
*************************************************************************
So it's a few days later, and I've now attended our book group discussion. I was also honored to attend IMCC's First Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event, in which all volunteer programs were invited to a lovely ceremony, with food and drink, and an opportunity to socialize with offenders that valued the volunteer opportunities made available to them. What an awesome experience. IMCC is lucky to have a community of generous and intelligent support, ranging from an insider/outsider chorus and songwriting group, Job Club, Writers' Group, Master Gardeners, Incarcerated Veterans, Parenting Group, AA, and Stories for Dads, not to mention lots of spiritual/religious support. There was so much love in that room, so much pushing and striving for a better life, over 200 volunteers were honored, and 200 offenders were present to give their thanks and show the work they were so proud of. One offender, presenting a certificate to Stories for Dads, spoke of how, because of that program, his three-year-old child had her only opportunity to hear his voice, and how that was enough to push him to be a better father upon his release. It was truly a moving event, and has inspired me to keep working for this community, knowing that whatever benefits we can bring are truly appreciated. The offenders that were present are not just people determined to take charge of their own lives, but work everyday to inspire their peers to do the same, and they are really the people that deserve an appreciation ceremony.
So, with all this in mind, is it any surprise that my book group colleagues found a lot of value in this book (remember, this is a review of Three Weeks With My Brother?). A couple of them couldn't finish it because it hit too close to home. What they identified with is Sparks' feeling of loss, losing his parents and sister. Many of my colleagues have no family to return to upon their release -- loved ones have either died during their incarceration, or abandoned them as lost causes. Through this perspective, I can appreciate what they see in the text, and Sparks' optimism and values can be a real balm for someone who is seeking a new take on life. And if this book helps a man feel less lost in the world, than I'm glad it's out there. I don't retract my criticisms, but I'll concede this -- every book its reader, and hallelujah for the power of narrative.
Yes, Micah, you definitely deserve to be the one guy in centuries they allow to have his photo taken on ancient sacrificial stones, making fun of an entire civilization. You are that cool.
*************************************************************************
So it's a few days later, and I've now attended our book group discussion. I was also honored to attend IMCC's First Annual Volunteer Appreciation Event, in which all volunteer programs were invited to a lovely ceremony, with food and drink, and an opportunity to socialize with offenders that valued the volunteer opportunities made available to them. What an awesome experience. IMCC is lucky to have a community of generous and intelligent support, ranging from an insider/outsider chorus and songwriting group, Job Club, Writers' Group, Master Gardeners, Incarcerated Veterans, Parenting Group, AA, and Stories for Dads, not to mention lots of spiritual/religious support. There was so much love in that room, so much pushing and striving for a better life, over 200 volunteers were honored, and 200 offenders were present to give their thanks and show the work they were so proud of. One offender, presenting a certificate to Stories for Dads, spoke of how, because of that program, his three-year-old child had her only opportunity to hear his voice, and how that was enough to push him to be a better father upon his release. It was truly a moving event, and has inspired me to keep working for this community, knowing that whatever benefits we can bring are truly appreciated. The offenders that were present are not just people determined to take charge of their own lives, but work everyday to inspire their peers to do the same, and they are really the people that deserve an appreciation ceremony.
So, with all this in mind, is it any surprise that my book group colleagues found a lot of value in this book (remember, this is a review of Three Weeks With My Brother?). A couple of them couldn't finish it because it hit too close to home. What they identified with is Sparks' feeling of loss, losing his parents and sister. Many of my colleagues have no family to return to upon their release -- loved ones have either died during their incarceration, or abandoned them as lost causes. Through this perspective, I can appreciate what they see in the text, and Sparks' optimism and values can be a real balm for someone who is seeking a new take on life. And if this book helps a man feel less lost in the world, than I'm glad it's out there. I don't retract my criticisms, but I'll concede this -- every book its reader, and hallelujah for the power of narrative.
October 2, 2021
Highly recommend this book! Very well written! Makes me want to re-read his oldest books and watch the movies too :)
June 23, 2009
This is my third book of Nicholas Sparks. I bought this because this is his only non-fiction book and it is partly his biography as well as a travelogue so it is like buying 2 books at the same time. I remember that the reason why I bought Message in the Bottle was that I saw the movie and I wanted to read and further enjoy the letters in the bottle. I bought his other novel The Lucky One last year in LAX because I saw that it topped the New York Times Bestsellers List and I had to kill time in the airport.
Sadly, I am still not a fan. Okay, I shed a small tear in the part when Dana (his sister) and Micah (his brother) were talking after all (medicines, chemotherapy, etc) had failed to cure the former’s brain tumor. The scene was brief but moving and it was early this morning (around 5 a.m.) so I was tired reading this and was in a hurry to finish this in less than two days. One is a slow-reader if you do not finish a Nicholas Sparks book in a couple of days. The reason why I am saying this is that there is nothing complicated in terms of plot and no big words in all the three books that I read so far. I never had the chance to pick up the dictionary and expand my vocabulary courtesy of Nicholas Sparks.
I think this is exactly what I hate about the books of Nicholas Sparks. You feel moved, your heart felt warm, you might shed a tear but after you have closed the book and think it over, you will feel cheated. The story feels false. Then reading this book, you understand the reason why. - Nicholas Sparks was not born with the talent in writing. He was a A student and it was because has the middle-child syndrome, i.e., he wanted to get the praise and attention of his parents. He also read novels (didn’t I write in my The Great Gatsby review that the character Noah of The Notebook constructed a house for his lost love just like what Gatsby did for Daisy?) but his career prior to hitting it big with The Notebook was that of a medical representative. He was hardly making ends meet and he had to take his share in taking care of his 5 kids so he had to look for a way to earn money while staying home so he tried writing novels.
His novels have been topping the New York Times Bestsellers list. Why? Because he writes so simply that even morons can understand. Then he makes sure that he has the formula that worked in the Notebook. (His two earlier unpublished novels were not with that formula as the first one was the usual whodunit). There must at least one character who is dying or sick and there must be love in all the characters. Then there must be some positive family values that must give that good feeling for all women and Republicans. No wonder, Nicholas Sparks has made his first million with just The Notebook and continue laughing on his way to the bank!
This same formula is here in this book. All the 3 children, Nicholas included, are just cry-babies and he is not ashamed to tell that. They just all cry and cry. Then tragedies and sickness are all in the family. Then there was Micah rebelling in his high school days and the parents still had to love him no matter what. It just feels so contrived. Too formulaic.
As a consolation, even if Nicholas Sparks has been earning million from his books, unless drops this formula, I am sure that he will not win any Pulitzer, Booker Man or Nobel Prize. His novels will never land in any Must Read Books that will be considered as classics that will transcend generations. Common, before reading this book, I read and enjoyed every page of Elizabeth Strout’s Olive Kitteridge, and the comparison is too obvious. This book is a just disappointing.
Sadly, I am still not a fan. Okay, I shed a small tear in the part when Dana (his sister) and Micah (his brother) were talking after all (medicines, chemotherapy, etc) had failed to cure the former’s brain tumor. The scene was brief but moving and it was early this morning (around 5 a.m.) so I was tired reading this and was in a hurry to finish this in less than two days. One is a slow-reader if you do not finish a Nicholas Sparks book in a couple of days. The reason why I am saying this is that there is nothing complicated in terms of plot and no big words in all the three books that I read so far. I never had the chance to pick up the dictionary and expand my vocabulary courtesy of Nicholas Sparks.
I think this is exactly what I hate about the books of Nicholas Sparks. You feel moved, your heart felt warm, you might shed a tear but after you have closed the book and think it over, you will feel cheated. The story feels false. Then reading this book, you understand the reason why. - Nicholas Sparks was not born with the talent in writing. He was a A student and it was because has the middle-child syndrome, i.e., he wanted to get the praise and attention of his parents. He also read novels (didn’t I write in my The Great Gatsby review that the character Noah of The Notebook constructed a house for his lost love just like what Gatsby did for Daisy?) but his career prior to hitting it big with The Notebook was that of a medical representative. He was hardly making ends meet and he had to take his share in taking care of his 5 kids so he had to look for a way to earn money while staying home so he tried writing novels.
His novels have been topping the New York Times Bestsellers list. Why? Because he writes so simply that even morons can understand. Then he makes sure that he has the formula that worked in the Notebook. (His two earlier unpublished novels were not with that formula as the first one was the usual whodunit). There must at least one character who is dying or sick and there must be love in all the characters. Then there must be some positive family values that must give that good feeling for all women and Republicans. No wonder, Nicholas Sparks has made his first million with just The Notebook and continue laughing on his way to the bank!
This same formula is here in this book. All the 3 children, Nicholas included, are just cry-babies and he is not ashamed to tell that. They just all cry and cry. Then tragedies and sickness are all in the family. Then there was Micah rebelling in his high school days and the parents still had to love him no matter what. It just feels so contrived. Too formulaic.
As a consolation, even if Nicholas Sparks has been earning million from his books, unless drops this formula, I am sure that he will not win any Pulitzer, Booker Man or Nobel Prize. His novels will never land in any Must Read Books that will be considered as classics that will transcend generations. Common, before reading this book, I read and enjoyed every page of Elizabeth Strout’s Olive Kitteridge, and the comparison is too obvious. This book is a just disappointing.
February 4, 2012
I read this fabulous book in one weekend, zipping through it cover to cover.* It was one of the first books I read on the Kindle and found myself making "notes" on the electronic device at both funny and poignant moments. The writing is conversational, the dialogue true to life, and as an autobiographical account of Sparks' relationship with his brother, very touching and sweet.
In one scene, Sparks tells us about his attempt at the famed 'wooden-rocket powered by CO2 cartridge' feat in the Cub Scouts (I vividly recall my father helping my brother in 1977 with this very same experiment...). Although, Nicholas Sparks did not win the race, he was convinced he tanked as the ribbon he received said "Horrible Mention," a lexicon mistake on the part of a youngster. In my Kindle notes I wrote, "Hilarious! It brings me back to kid years when I read the word "awful" as "awonderful."
The book includes sensitive and loving moments too, when as adults big brother Micah shares with Nicholas: "You're choosing to let life control you, instead of the other way around. That's the big secret. You choose the kind of life you want to live."
Another fun scene he recalls as kids depicts Nicholas and Micah eating their father's entire stash of Oreo cookies and the old man getting huffy over it calling the boys "vultures." Again, Sparks' true to life writing had me putting in the Kindle margins: "cracking up here!"
Purchase this book, give it to a loved one, and if you have siblings let them know they mean more to you than you've ever said.
[*Part of the impetus for me in flying through the book so easily was that, at the time, I was going through a failed romance with a man who has one brother and I imagined he would identify with many of the sibling scenes.]
In one scene, Sparks tells us about his attempt at the famed 'wooden-rocket powered by CO2 cartridge' feat in the Cub Scouts (I vividly recall my father helping my brother in 1977 with this very same experiment...). Although, Nicholas Sparks did not win the race, he was convinced he tanked as the ribbon he received said "Horrible Mention," a lexicon mistake on the part of a youngster. In my Kindle notes I wrote, "Hilarious! It brings me back to kid years when I read the word "awful" as "awonderful."
The book includes sensitive and loving moments too, when as adults big brother Micah shares with Nicholas: "You're choosing to let life control you, instead of the other way around. That's the big secret. You choose the kind of life you want to live."
Another fun scene he recalls as kids depicts Nicholas and Micah eating their father's entire stash of Oreo cookies and the old man getting huffy over it calling the boys "vultures." Again, Sparks' true to life writing had me putting in the Kindle margins: "cracking up here!"
Purchase this book, give it to a loved one, and if you have siblings let them know they mean more to you than you've ever said.
[*Part of the impetus for me in flying through the book so easily was that, at the time, I was going through a failed romance with a man who has one brother and I imagined he would identify with many of the sibling scenes.]
November 3, 2010
I have never read a Nicholas Sparks book before in my life. Nor have I seen any of the movies based on his books. To tell you the truth, his stuff has always looked very cheesy, generic, and melodramatic to me.
However, this is not one of his fiction books. This is a two-part memoir, written with his older brother Micah. One part of the memoir is about their childhood. The other part is about a 3-week trip around the world that they took together in 2002. Each chapter starts with a certain phase of their lives (i.e. the first chapter starts with birth) and then leads into a part of the trip they took.
I won't say that this book isn't without a healthy dose of cheese. But it's still gripping. The Sparks brothers' lives weren't exactly charmed. They had happy childhoods, even though they grew up desperately poor. Stories of their early years are funny, alarming, and bittersweet all at the same time. And later in life, while they both saw great fortune come their way, they also saw a lot of tragedy.
In the end, I really came to admire their strength and perseverance. I also laughed out loud multiple times. Not quite 100% heartwarming, but 100% enjoyable.
However, this is not one of his fiction books. This is a two-part memoir, written with his older brother Micah. One part of the memoir is about their childhood. The other part is about a 3-week trip around the world that they took together in 2002. Each chapter starts with a certain phase of their lives (i.e. the first chapter starts with birth) and then leads into a part of the trip they took.
I won't say that this book isn't without a healthy dose of cheese. But it's still gripping. The Sparks brothers' lives weren't exactly charmed. They had happy childhoods, even though they grew up desperately poor. Stories of their early years are funny, alarming, and bittersweet all at the same time. And later in life, while they both saw great fortune come their way, they also saw a lot of tragedy.
In the end, I really came to admire their strength and perseverance. I also laughed out loud multiple times. Not quite 100% heartwarming, but 100% enjoyable.
September 22, 2009
This is a tough book to review. It was really fascinating to me to hear about Nicholas Sparks' life. It was emotional and unbelievable that anyone could go through so much sadness in their life. As with most of his books, this one got me teary eyed a few times. The story itself goes through his trip around the world with his brother, most of which I found a little boring. Then, intertwined is the story of his life, that part was good. I found myself skimming, or skipping all together, a lot of the trip part. It's kind of ironic that a trip around the world would make someone feel better, and be closer to their brother. If I were a millionaire, I would probably feel the same way. It seems a bit unrealistic for regular people to ever get to experience that type of adventure. Sadly, I would have probably enjoyed the book more it I were just hearing about his life growing up. Overall, I think he needs to stick to fiction. That's where his true talent lies.
September 17, 2013
This book for me had me going from laughter to melancholy, from sad and upset but overall I enjoyed this book and I can highly recommend it.
It covers 3 weeks wheree nick and his big brother Micah go on a group trip around the world, visiting among other places as lalibela,Ethiopia, machu picchu, the temples of Cambodia, the inka pyrimids, Easter islands and other places like that. In between he writes about his life growing up and all the strains and loss that he and Micah had to cope with.
After the loss of their parents the loss of their sister hit them hard, and Nick also had troubles at home with his second son. They got through all the loss and heart ache, by the brother s becoming even closer and with the help of their wives. The book though was filled with humour and its gives a frank and honest view of the way his family grew up,
It covers 3 weeks wheree nick and his big brother Micah go on a group trip around the world, visiting among other places as lalibela,Ethiopia, machu picchu, the temples of Cambodia, the inka pyrimids, Easter islands and other places like that. In between he writes about his life growing up and all the strains and loss that he and Micah had to cope with.
After the loss of their parents the loss of their sister hit them hard, and Nick also had troubles at home with his second son. They got through all the loss and heart ache, by the brother s becoming even closer and with the help of their wives. The book though was filled with humour and its gives a frank and honest view of the way his family grew up,
November 9, 2021
“A deeply personal story of family and an autobiography As well. We get to know the Sparks Family like they were our Next-door Neighbors.
Very well written as an entertaining blend of travelogue and memoir.
I recommend
Very well written as an entertaining blend of travelogue and memoir.
I recommend
February 14, 2010
I sit back and listen to many in our field "librarianship" destroy this man. He writes chick books (not my words), he has no talent, he uses software templates, every story is the same, his career has been handed to him, he's so lucky.
While what is true is that what sparks does is what many of us wish we could do; he finishes novels. He doesn't just start them.
And now that I've read this memoir I have come to realize that the man behind these novels that make me cry and laugh out loud has overcome extreme poverty, unimaginable heartache, rejection, many failures, only in the end to succeed. But his success is realizing what matters and constantly reminding his readers. This book does that unlike no other one I have read by him.
It is not five stars. I thought the historical content was forced and often placed in because the content demanded it, but often interrupted the flow. I often though he oversold some of his struggles anyone sensible realizes his family wa sout of the poverty woods sooner rather than later, but he still felt he had to remind us of the humble beginnings.
While what is true is that what sparks does is what many of us wish we could do; he finishes novels. He doesn't just start them.
And now that I've read this memoir I have come to realize that the man behind these novels that make me cry and laugh out loud has overcome extreme poverty, unimaginable heartache, rejection, many failures, only in the end to succeed. But his success is realizing what matters and constantly reminding his readers. This book does that unlike no other one I have read by him.
It is not five stars. I thought the historical content was forced and often placed in because the content demanded it, but often interrupted the flow. I often though he oversold some of his struggles anyone sensible realizes his family wa sout of the poverty woods sooner rather than later, but he still felt he had to remind us of the humble beginnings.
September 20, 2011
I've made a vow...that I won't read any "other" books by Nicholas Sparks. I'm not a romance novel kinda guy. I'm just not. It's not that I have an unusually gruff exterior or anything like that. It's just that they bore me and if I'm up for some romance, I'd rather migrate that energy into toward my wife than read about it and spend the energy, then treat her like a "buddy" later.
So, when I read this book, it appealed to me on different levels. I related to the author's family life. My parents died when I was young. I'd love to throw my cares to the wind and take a three-week "soul-searching" excursion. Although I don't have siblings, I'd find the right person to do it with, and have many to choose from.
Given that, this book delivered. Nicholas is a good writer, giving detail when needed and background to whet the appetite. So, although I'll never close one of his staple books and wipe a tear, I did that on a few occasions with this one, and learned about some far off lands as well.
So, when I read this book, it appealed to me on different levels. I related to the author's family life. My parents died when I was young. I'd love to throw my cares to the wind and take a three-week "soul-searching" excursion. Although I don't have siblings, I'd find the right person to do it with, and have many to choose from.
Given that, this book delivered. Nicholas is a good writer, giving detail when needed and background to whet the appetite. So, although I'll never close one of his staple books and wipe a tear, I did that on a few occasions with this one, and learned about some far off lands as well.
December 26, 2019
I liked this travelogue plus a memoir by Mr. Sparks as it gave me more understanding of his life and how most of his books were based on real incidents in his life. I could see how different parts of his life gave inspiration for this book or that one and honestly I liked this one better than most of his books. But I still soldiered on and continued through the Sparks saga.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put I just love reading and so to that end I have made it my motto to just Keep on Reading. I love to read everything except for Self Help books but even those once in a while. I read almost all the genre but YA, Fantasy, Biographies are the most. My favorite series is, of course, Harry Potter but then there are many more books that I just adore. I have bookcases filled with books which are waiting to be read so can't stay and spend more time in this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put I just love reading and so to that end I have made it my motto to just Keep on Reading. I love to read everything except for Self Help books but even those once in a while. I read almost all the genre but YA, Fantasy, Biographies are the most. My favorite series is, of course, Harry Potter but then there are many more books that I just adore. I have bookcases filled with books which are waiting to be read so can't stay and spend more time in this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
September 1, 2016
I read this book about five years ago now. I read it while on a road trip with my family. I remember sitting in the back seat as we drove through Northern California into Oregon, while reading about Sparks' travels across the world with his brother.
I have not, and probably will not, read a Nicholas Sparks novel. However, I did enjoy his non-fiction work. It was a nice blend of memoir and travel writing. I don't remember much of the details, as it's been so long, but something about it stuck with me.
To this day I remember reading this book, perhaps because I often remember books I read while traveling as associated with where I was, and that heightens my memories of it. Or because it was quite a nice, surprising read. I think I enjoyed it because it was about family and brotherhood, not about some cheesy romance relationship.
I'd like to revisit this someday as I get older.
I have not, and probably will not, read a Nicholas Sparks novel. However, I did enjoy his non-fiction work. It was a nice blend of memoir and travel writing. I don't remember much of the details, as it's been so long, but something about it stuck with me.
To this day I remember reading this book, perhaps because I often remember books I read while traveling as associated with where I was, and that heightens my memories of it. Or because it was quite a nice, surprising read. I think I enjoyed it because it was about family and brotherhood, not about some cheesy romance relationship.
I'd like to revisit this someday as I get older.
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