Always Late to the Party

Recently I've been busy. Busier than usual, and while that's fun and dandy, it's also nice to be able to sit back and relax. This weekend my dear old Dad is up here staying with us for a couple days, which we are excited for. Tonight we went to dinner at The Bluebird restaurant here in town. So while I'm busy galavanting around town with my family this weekend, I can't help but be a little bit sad. 

Two days ago I stumbled upon audible.com. How have I only heard about this now?! I was luckily able to receive a free credit for signing up (how bout them apples?) and it was the best! 

I downloaded The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins. 

Let me take a moment of silence for all the chores and errands that have passed in my life without audiobooks.

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Okay. Moving on!

Hawkins writing intrigued me from the first page. In fact, I'm considering listening to it again. She found a way to create a thriller that held so much more than just suspense. You follow the story of three women, Rachel, Megan, and Anna. Each woman is unique in her own way, and intertwined in more ways than they will ever be able to imagine. 

I'm not sure if it's due to listening to and audiobook, or if Hawkins writing just set the bar, but I am so obsessed. I loved the use of three different narrators for the women. It kept the story straight for me. At first I thought I'd lose interest, their voices fading into the background while I worked. Surprisingly, the opposite occurred. I find when I read a book that my own voice and my own way of reading disables me from capturing the whole picture. Listening to the story, like I'm sitting down with these women, hearing their tales of woe...gave me such a high. 

Here's what caught my attention about the story:

"Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She's even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. ‘Jess and Jason', she calls them. Their life – as she sees it – is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy.

And then she sees something shocking. It's only a minute until the train moves on, but it's enough. 

Now everything's changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she's only watched from afar.

Now they'll see; she's much more than just the girl on the train…"

I admit, this books took turns, leaps, and even bounds I didn't see coming. When the final plot twist presented itself...I was genuinely shocked. How could I not see that coming?! Gah! 

Props to Hawkins for making me grow to hate and admire almost every character during the expanse of the novel. Don't let that deter you from reading it. I recommend this book to anyone who likes a good read. 

Today I am grateful for...audiobooks and technology.