The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick



Book summary(via Goodreads):

 Pat Peoples has a theory that his life is actually a movie produced by God, and that his God-given mission in life is to become emotionally literate, whereupon God will ensure a happy ending – which, for Pat, means the return of his estranged wife Nikki, from whom he's currently having some 'apart time.' It might not come as any surprise to learn that Pat has spent several years in a mental health facility. When Pat leaves hospital and goes to live with his parents, however, everything seems changed: no one will talk to him about Nikki; his old friends now have families; his beloved football team keep losing; his new therapist seems to be recommending adultery as a form of therapy. And he's being haunted by Kenny G. There is a silver lining, however, in the form of tragically widowed, physically fit and clinically depressed Tiffany, who offers to act as a go-between for Pat and his wife, if Pat will just agree to perform in this year’s Dance Away Depression competition.

This insomniac's opinion:

I'm a quirky gal, and also a quirky reader. First quirk(which many other readers share, I believe) is that I will not see a movie until reading the book. And, this movie looks fab and is now out on video, so I knew that I needed to get on it and read the novel already. Quirk number two(on a long list of quirks, my friends!) is that I will NOT buy movie covers of books. Seriously, I can hardly look at the damn covers as I pass the Target book section! So, this book is on a long hold list at my library and the only copy I can currently find for purchase without venturing online  is the #!?!% ing movie cover. Thank goodness my dear friend Krissy gifted me an e-copy without the movie cover. Phew! Quirky book nerd tantrum averted!

I am so terribly glad that I read this novel. I have never read anything quite like it. The writing was so well done that I could truly feel the narrator's mental illness as if I were experiencing it. The ending was a little to perfect for me but otherwise a really enjoyable, thought provoking read. Also, the author is an obvious book lover who speaks about several of my favorite novels within this novel and that is always a plus!

Worth staying up all night to read?

Yes! I know that I did!

Rating:

 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 for Goodreads to compensate for the no half-stars allowed policy(yes, I'm going to keep bitching until they change it!)