The Thinking Log

by R. Rachel Gauna

If you had asked me a year ago where I might see myself today, my prediction would not have been this.

After thirteen years of a sometimes rocky relationship, Liberty and Adam finally are ready to start the rest of their lives together. Their careers are taking off, their savings are full and plans to ring wedding bells are in process. Then one day Adam makes a shattering revelation: he has a life-threatening illness, and there’s a high probability that Liberty has it too. This revelation will change their lives, and the lives of their loved ones, forever.

Distraught, Liberty finds her way to her childhood home, to her private Thinking Log, to contemplate what this means for her life and to determine a plan to move forward, with or without Adam, no matter what her diagnosis reveals. This moment of contemplation has consequences she couldn’t possibly imagine. In it’s aftermath, lies are exposed, truths are revealed, and we see their relationship in a whole new light.

256 pages, Hardcover

Published August 25, 2017

Reviews

[Kat Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

*GIVEAWAY WINNER*

Read in one sitting. Very unique book with a novel storyline. Highly Recommend

[Barry Cochran · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Thinking Log, Rachel Gauna tells an emotional story of lies and consequences that should resonate with all of us who have lived through these superficial times. Her characters remind us of people we know and love– and of ourselves– existing at the flash points of the culture and dealing with the manners in which the truthiness and ironies of our age intrude into and shatter ordinary lives. Rachel’s novel gives us a significant and honest reckoning of the ways in which our little betrayals add up and lead to tragedy. Comfortable at times, then harrowing, The Thinking Log is like an old and familiar blanket soaked in chemicals we love to smell, yet carcinogenic over time.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting to read the note at the end of the book, and find how the story originated. I found the main character Liberty very relatable, and enjoyed the background of her upbringing, and the premise of her "thinking log". Very hard to like her boyfriend Adam. All up, a good read with excellent detail, supporting characters and backstory bringing you to the climax and understanding.

[Kim Bakos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was great to read, although I found the ending to be quite sad :( I love the writing, and even the characters. This says a lot, since the people in this book are very different from my own beliefs and values. It is a cautionary tale of how a lie can come to hurt you and everyone around you, even if it is one that had been told to "spare" someone of a difficult truth. Very interesting to read the author's note at the end and find that the plot was inspired by a rumor she'd heard of a similar scenario, so she wrote this "what if" tale from that rumor.

[AstronomerTH1990 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Thinking Log draws you in quickly with compelling story telling and character development. The story is very relatable. I really enjoyed reading the book. I hope Rachel Gauna writes more stories.

Highly Recommend

[Molly R · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It’s a delightful read with an interesting perspective into the lives of a cool family! Read it! I couldn’t put it down :)

[BL Bradley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written, unique story. I didn't expect many of the twists and found them perfectly embedded into the storyline. The authod does a splendid job on character development, I truly felt as if I knew each one. A very enjoyable, mellow story. A definite 4 out of 5 stars.

[Justin Blackstock · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this was a great story, with an interesting twist for good measure. Some really deep questions arise as to how little weight we put in not simply communicating our issues, doubts, worries with the ones we love.....great read!

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Thinking Log, by Rachel Gauna definitely captured my attention and had no desire to stop reading until I was done. And as much as I would love to share with you all the captivating parts of The Thinking Log, I highly recommend you read it for yourself. : )

[Morven McLeod · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received this book in a goodreads giveaway. The concept of the story itself is a really interesting one, and I would recommend the book to anyone that enjoys thought-provoking books. It's an easy read with a moral current running throughout that might interest someone looking to branch out from standard chick-lit, or other similar fiction.
I did find the characters quite clichéd, some of the plot far-fetched, and thought the prose could use a little more editing in places, but this is just personal taste and might not detract from the enjoyment of another reader.

[Johanna Otero · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. I began reading it on a weekend and couldn’t put it down until I was done with it. Very few fiction books has sparked that much interest in me. I was totally hooked... The story gets better and better as it unfolds, great character development as well.

[Zoraida Luciano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this book had me on the 1st page. It made me want to skip ahead just to see what happens. I didn't if course, but was so tempted.
This story and it's characters brought me every emotion. Made me laugh, cry, get angry. I had to put it down a time or two, to catch my breath.
I found the characters relatable and the storyline maddening at times, but when one loves sometimes it's so complete that whatever happens will always take a back seat to that kind of love. I cried. I cheered. I never expected the ending. Loved every page of this book. I look forward to reading this authors next story and hope it's as riveting as this was.
Thank you goodreads for giving me the opportunity to read this fantastic book.

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a very illuminating novel. I enjoyed the female protagonist a lot but wasn't enamored by the male.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written and compelling novel about love, trust and betrayal. The author presents an intricate and unique story and brings the characters to life with her carefully crafted dialogue. I particularly enjoyed the author's informal writing style, which made this book a breeze to read. I quickly found myself despising Adam and empathizing with Liberty (when I wasn't frustrated by her naivety!). I also loved Liberty's dad, Karl.

I highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a thought-provoking read. I feel this book would be of particular interest to book clubs, as it is sure to spark some interesting discussions. It would also be a great resource for raising awareness among young adults of the importance of developing and maintaining healthy relationships through transparency and effective communication.

Tip: If you pick up this book (and I hope you do!), make sure you read it from start to finish. Don't read the author's note at the end as it does give some of the plot away!

Disclaimer: I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and this is my honest review.

[Elizabeth Best · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Goodreads Giveaway Win) This book was okay. I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the second after the (spoiler) happened. The characters didn't seem real at all. Libbys parents were too perfect and Adam was just too awful. Libby wouldn't have put up with him for so long. Though I did like the idea of the story.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very good book. I am not a reader at all. It was a book once started reading I couldn’t put down. I look forward to more books from this author

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unique in its approach and style, The Thinking Log addresses sad, emotive topics of love and betrayal which are relateable to all.

[Steve Martinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the writing in this book. Very poetic. The author takes the time to choose the right words, instead of just writing the way it would sound just talking.
As for the story, I could not find any sympathy for Adam. What a despicable person! I was glad to witness his suffering!
I was hoping for a happy ending for Libby: dumping Adam and finding somebody better; but that doesn't happen. Still, a very well written story. It's fun to read an author who knows how to use the language.

[Melinda Silva · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book more than I did, seeing as how it came from a local author, but I honestly couldn't recommend this book to anyone other then to read some of the more silly and melodramatic passages. The best way to describe this book is to compare it to a lower-end Lifetime movie; Melodrama, comically horrible boyfriend/husband, and incredibly stilted dialogue. The way Liberty reacts to certain events isn't realistic at ALL, her parents are weirdly perfect and happy all the time, and Adam does cartoonishly awful things and is quickly forgiven for them to the point of absurdity. I have also never in my life heard anyone refer to getting high as a "420 moment", is this an older or a regional saying?
Still, I feel like there's definitely potential here, and hope this author improves as a writer and releases more books.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't get through the book. I'm not a huge fan of first person writing and it just wasn't for me

[Kristi Gauna · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t want to put this book down!! Such a good read, and will leave you wanting more!

[Diana Lebron]

The Thinking Log was a good read. It is so easy to lie and not think about how these lies can effect others. I highly recommend this book.

[Ezra Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

An unapologetically truthful tale that many of us can easily relate to, with an ending that I guarantee you won’t see coming. An excellent read.