A Review of Lisa Genova's "Still Alice" by Author Eileen Wacker

Still Alice is one of the most potent and engaging books I’ve read in a long time. I devoured in one day, crying my way through the novel. I thought the writer was smart in setting up the story. It wasn’t beautiful life described and then goes bad. From the first scene, she forgets a word in a lecture and how to get home from a run. The reader is instantly drawn in. The characters around Alice, namely John, Anna, Tom, and Lydia, were developing precisely right. We knew just enough about them to make the story move. The reinforced and provided a mirror so we could see the sides of Alice more clearly.

Alice is an extremely accomplished woman by anyone’s standards. One of the most esteemed Psychology professors at Harvard. But it was interesting to see, even before the Alzheimer diagnosis, she had weathered challenges and shifted priorities a few times. She speaks of how her priorities shifted more than John’s after children. She changes them again when she discovers she is sick. She wants to sabbatical with John and she wants to be with her family. John is a very consistent figure. He works a lot. He has always worked a lot. He doesn’t work to hurt her but his passion for his work has always been his priority. Although Alice understands this intellectually, this still hurts her feelings. But he is extremely supportive at the same time. Liked the realism inherent in his character.

I loved the middle of the book as we see her disease and suffering through her lucid and non-lucid self. I had to put the book down when she wished she had cancer instead. It was very powerful. And telling her children. And the history with her own father. Her contemplated suicide. Her letter to herself. All compelling.

Finally, Still Alice was a smart read for me. I learned something. There was the right amount of technical language. The reader can absorb it but it doesn’t take over the story. The painful journey is story. I highly recommend the book and will definitely see the movie.

-Eileen Wacker

Still Alice is now a major motion picture starring Julianne Moore and has been the recipient of several awards including a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress, a Critics' Choice Award for Best Actress, and an Screen Actor's Guild Award. It is currently pending nominations for an Academy Award, among several other nominations.  

ONCEKids Publishing is run by literacy advocate and Mompreneur Eileen Wacker.  Click here to find her acclaimed books

The 10 Most Exciting Movie Adaptations Coming Out This Year

2014 was a great year for movies and 2015 is looking promising with the announcement of a dozen books being made into movies this year alone. And two, possibly even three, of them star Jennifer Lawrence- which is amazing news all on its own. Personally, I love to read the book first and then watch it come to life on the big screen, so I have a lot of reading to do, and if you’re like me you better get moving down the list- starting now!

Here is Chrissa Hardy’s List of 10 books to read before they hit the big screen this year:

1. Lisa Genova’s “Still Alice”

This novel describes the amazing story of a successful woman who begins experiencing early onset Alzheimer’s disease. Starring Julianne Moore, the movie adaptation hits theaters starting January 16th.

2. Nathaniel Philbrick’s “In the Heart of the Sea”

Starring Chris Hemsworth and Cillian Murphy, the film adaptation of the incredible story about the tragic sinking of the Essex hits theaters March 13th.

3. Veronica Roth’s “Insurgent”

If you enjoyed the first installment of the thrilling trilogy, “Divergent”, you will definitely enjoy the sequel, “Insurgent”. Starring Shailene Woodley and Theo James, book two will be hitting theaters March 20th. So if you haven’t already read the amazing book series, you better get started now!

4. Ron Rash’s “Serena”

Serena describes a story about a newlywed couple set on building a timber empire in the woodlands of North Carolina. Serena, played by the amazing Jennifer Lawrence, is a fiercely loyal wife whose “feathers are never ruffled”. Another exciting addition to the movie is that Bradley Cooper will once again star alongside Ms. Lawrence. Be sure to read the awesome novel before it hits theaters March 26th. 

5. Nicholas Sparks’ “The Longest Ride”

All the Nicholas Sparks lovers out there better get to Barnes and Noble and check this one off the list before it comes to theaters this April. This beautifully written novel describes a cowboy love story with an intersecting story of a 91-year-old WWII veteran who is dealing with the loss of his beloved wife 9 years earlier. 

6. Andy Weir’s “The Martian”

This captivating novel tells the story of Mark Watney and his battle for survival after becoming stranded after a dust storm forces his crew to abandon him after landing on Mars. The movie adaption will star Matt Damon, Kate Mara, Kristen Wiig, and Jessica Chastain and is due to hit theaters November 25th.

7. John Green’s “Paper Towns”

If you were a fan of “The Fault in Our Stars” you should definitely give this book a read. John Green is a literary genius with his capturing of young love, resilience, and the human spirit. The movie will star Carla Delevingne and Nat Wolff and comes to theaters June 5th.

8. Thomas Hardy’s “Far From the Madding Crowd”

Although written in the 1800s this book has a timeless appeal that is still very relevant today.The movie will star Carey Mulligan, Michael Sheen, and Tom Sturridge. Be sure to give this one a read before it comes to theaters May 1st. 

9.  Kyril Bonfiglioli’s “Don’t Point That Thing at Me”

This is the first book in the trilogy about art dealer Charlie Mortdecai and his battle between right and wrong, sane and insane, good and evil. The film adaption for this amazing book looks more than promising with an all-star cast including Johnny Depp, Olivia Munn, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Ewan McGregor. You better get reading because this movie comes to theaters January 23th. 

10. James Dashner’s “The Scorch Trials”

If you haven’t read the first installment of this three-book series, "Maze Runner", go read that now and then read this one after! The fast-paced, heart stopping trilogy will keep you enthralled till the very end. The first book has already been made into an awesome movie and the second is soon to follow, coming to theaters September 18th and starring Dylan O’Brian, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, and Kaya Scodelario. 

ONCEKids Publishing is run by literacy advocate and Mompreneur Eileen Wacker.  Click here to find her acclaimed books