This is not the first book I've read this year but it is the first interesting one I'd say. The girl who loved Tom Gordon is the first book I remember reading from Stephen King and I absolutely loved it. When I saw it at the bookfair last year I knew I had to get it. It fits perfectly in the reading challenge as well since we are meant to read a book from someone who has written over 20 books.
This is the blurb from Goodreads "Nine-year-old Trisha McFarland strays from the path while she and her recently divorced mother and brother take a hike along a branch of the Appalachian Trail. Lost for days, wandering farther and farther astray, Trisha has only her portable radio for comfort. A huge fan of Tom Gordon, a Boston Red Sox relief pitcher, she listens to baseball games and fantasizes that her hero will save her. Nature isn't her only adversary, though - something dangerous may be tracking Trisha through the dark woods. "
Just to get this out of the way, there was something in the beginning that annoyed me. When Trisha realised she was getting lost, she didn't turn back. Why? Wouldn't it be safer? She does so many things right later on that this just baffled me. I guess there wouldn't be a book if she had been smarter but still.
I like this book because you can basically choose to believe there is something supernatural in the woods with Trisha or you can try to logic it out. If you aren't a big fan of supernatural books but are still curious about King then I'd say this is the book for you. It does get rather gross if you are faint of heart but it didn't really bother me. After all she is just a little girl doing her best to survive all by herself. There's no public bathrooms in the middle of forests. I read afterwards that everything she eats in the forest is actually something you can find in real life at that time of the year. Even more if you know your plants.
I think I like this book partly because I can relate to the girl. If I were lost with little food and all I had was radio I could only listen to every once in a while to save battery, I'd turn to my imagination as well. I wouldn't be surprised if I conjured a person to keep me company while I try to find the way out. I am not a sports fan and know nothing of Boston Red Sox but parts about Tom Gordon were still entertaining to me. Also I learned he is a real person so I guess I learned a lot while reading this. Only sad part was that I remembered how the supernatural part turned out so it wasn't a surprise for me but I still enjoyed the athmosphere.
The book itself is a quick read so I will probably keep going back to it once I forget most of the storyline. It's a curse and blessing because I can enjoy reading my favourite books over and over again. It seems that The girl who loved Tom Gordon is either liked or hated. It divides people for some reason. Which makes me curious, have you read it and what were your thoughts on it? I would recommend at least giving it a try.
