♥ Book #1 :: The Gift by Cecelia Ahern ♥

Title: The Gift
Author: Cecelia Ahern
Copyright date: 2009
Pages: 305 pgs
Chapters: 29
How long it took to read: 7 days (life has gotten hectic...)

This book was: touching and had a very strong message.
Category: fiction/fantasy
I learned about this book from: being a Cecelia Ahern fan.
Other books by this author: The Every Year Collection, The book of tomorrow, Thanks for the Memories, A place called here, If you could see me now, Where Rainbows End, P.S. I love you
I would recommend this book to: everyone. It's a real eye opener.

Favorite characters: Gabe, Lucy, Ruth, Lou
Least Favorite characters: Alfred
When and Where it takes place: Howth, Dublin, Ireland
Plot in a nutshell: Lou Suffern wishes he could be in two place at once. His constant battle with the clock is a sensitive issue with his wife and family. Gabe is the homeless man who sits outside Lou's office. When Lou invites Gabe into the building and into his life,Lou's world is changed beyond all measure...An enchanting and thoughtful Christmas story that speaks to all of us about the value of time and what is truly important in life.

Main characters: Raphael O'Reilly, Lou Suffern, Gabe

What I liked best:
- I love that Cecelia backs up my theory that Chrisy,as is better spent indoors.
- They all talk about/have a lot of coffee.
- I wish I could get pills that cloned me.
- Nice lessons and morals in the story
- I like how Lou's family stood up to him instead of sweeping his behavior under the carpet.
- Alfred getting his comeuppance.
- The last "gift" that Lou gave Ruth.
- The story made me cry.

What I liked least:
- Lou's infidelities.
- The fact that Alison knew Lou had a wife and still wanted to sleep with him.
- The story takes a while to get into (again) and once it does get into it, its kind of predictable.
- Lou is kind of a douche.
- Lou reminds me of Shithead.
- I figured out the ending on Chapter 11.
- There's no such thing as a latte machine. Grr.
- Alfred reminds me of the chauvinistic men from Mad men.
- Alfred is an asshole.

Overall Rating: Like most Cecelia Ahern books, this one started out slow and I wanted to stop reading it at first but I'm glad I stuck to it because the book taught me a valuable lesson and even made me cry. I think everyone should read this book - just keep a box of tissues with you.