This is an older book, but if you read one great book this year-let this be the one. Good things come in small packages. A short novel of excellent quality. This was made into a movie-but as always, the book is better. A celebration of passion. An enduring love. This one will make you cry. A book you will not forget.....ever. This is one of those books that you must read before you die. Don't be fooled into thinking this is a standard romance, because it is not. A must read for everyone, regardless of what type of book you enjoy.

In 1932, two North Carolina teenagers from opposite sides of the tracks fall in love. Spending one idyllic summer together in the small town of New Bern, Noah Calhoun and Allie Nelson do not meet again for 14 years. Noah has returned from WWII to restore the house of his dreams, having inherited a large sum of money. Allie, programmed by family and the "caste system of the South" to marry an ambitious, prosperous man, has become engaged to powerful attorney Lon Hammond. When she reads a newspaper story about Noah's restoration project, she shows up on his porch step, re-entering his life for two days. Will Allie leave Lon for Noah? The book's slim dimensions and cliche-ridden prose will make comparisons to The Bridges of Madison County inevitable. What renders Sparks's (Wokini: A Lakota Journey of Happiness and Self-Understanding) sentimental story somewhat distinctive are two chapters, which take place in a nursing home in the '90s, that frame the central story. The first sets the stage for the reading of the eponymous notebook, while the later one takes the characters into the land beyond happily ever after, a future rarely examined in books of this nature. Early on, Noah claims that theirs may be either a tragedy or a love story, depending on the perspective. Ultimately, the judgment is up to readers?be they cynics or romantics. For the latter, this will be a weeper.

I'm not usually a fan of books that jump around in time, but this one is an exception. The leaps from present-day into memory take the reader on an incredible journey into life and love.

Made me CRY! I read this book in one sitting, then called my best friend and made her go get it immediately! She finished it that night and called me to yell at me the next morning because her eyes were still puffy!

OMG This has to be the most wonderful love story EVER to be written! I cried, I laughed, I was jealous, I was angry! It Is about unconditional love in all it's glory. I feel like this is the dream when you think about how you want to be loved! If you haven't read it, READ IT!!!

I absolutely loved this book! I was turned on to Nicholas Sparks books when I read Message in a Bottle, I now own every book by this author. His writing hits you right where you can feel it the most.
Grab your tissues as you take the journey of Allie and Noah, and the destiny of love.

Nicholas Sparks really touches the heart. I liked this book about a loving, lasting relationship from the perspective of an elderly man whose wife suffers from Alzheimer's disease.

This was my first Nicholas Sparks book, so I didn't know to expect the schmaltz, sentimentality, and plain improbability and predictability of the plot that apparently are hallmarks of his writing. This was nothing more than a Harlequin romance souped up with a fancy cover. I was mad that I finished it because it was so darn cheesy and hokey. I didn't care a whit for the characters and knew from the beginning they'd be together at the end.

All the women I know "looooooove Nicholas Sparks!" but I fail to see the allure. If all his books are as lame as this one, I do not want to read any more. Barf.

At thirty-one, Noah Calhoun, back in coastal North Carolina after World War II, is haunted by images of the girl he lost more than a decade earlier. At twenty-nine, socialite Allie Nelson is about to marry a wealthy lawyer, but she cannot stop thinking about the boy who long ago stole her heart. Thus begins the story of a love so enduring and deep it can turn tragedy into triumph, and may even have the power to create a miracle...

At 31, Noah Calhoun, bak in coastal North Carolina after World War II, is haunted by images of the girl he lost more than a decade earlier. At 29, socialite Allie Nelson is about to marry a wealthy lawyer, but she cannot stop thinking about the boy who long ago stole her heart. Thus begins the story of a love so enduring and deep it can turn tragedy into triumph, and may even have the power to create a miracle...

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Another great book by Nicholas Sparks. I couldn't put it down...we should all be loved as much as the woman in this book.

Reviewed by Taylor Rector for TeensReadToo.com

THE NOTEBOOK is the romance novel of this generation!

Ali and Noah are two very different people, or characters, depending on how you think about it. Ali is from a wealthy family that thinks very highly of themselves, and Noah was raised by his father and has had to work for every penny he has. Which is not much. The characters come alive and it is almost like you personally know both of them. It’s amazing! Ali takes a vacation to New Bern where Noah lives. As the summer progresses, their relationship grows stronger and stronger and they fall in love. They fight all the time, but for some crazy reason they are madly in love.

Then the summer ends.

Noah and Ali are devastated that she has to leave. Her parents won’t let her stay because they think that she is too good for him. It’s absolutely devastating. He writes her letters, which she never receives because her mother intercepts and keeps them. She thinks that Noah has forgotten her.

Then World War II begins.

Noah is deployed for a couple of years and comes home when the war is over. During this time, Ali gets engaged to Lon, a lawyer who her parents approve of because he is socially acceptable. Noah buys an old plantation and fixes it up, and he and the house wind up in the newspaper. So Ali decides that she needs to go see Noah before she gets married, even though she hasn’t seen him in fourteen years. At their reunion, they realize that they never fell out of love.

Read the book to find out who Ali chooses, Noah or Lon!

just loved this book!!!

I loved this book! Great love story! I couldn't put it down (except to blow my nose!lol)

I love Nicholas Sparks. Always a good story.

I am not ashamed at all to say I enjoyed Nicholas Sparks' wonderful book, "The Notebook", and its equally-impressive movie version. The tale is simple and classic, about young love, loss, reignition, and tragedy, and all readers are able to connect. Men who wish not to read this novel are punishing themselves - told from the man's point of view, this book is highly relatable to males of all mature ages. I do recommend this book, especially if you're looking for a quick read that isn't mindless. Also, keep the tissues handy, especially if you're easily saddened - this book will force tears out of you even if you don't want them to come!

great book...very moving

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!!! I was totally in tears at the end. Recommended, even if you have seen the movie.

Liked the book; loved the movie. Not too many I can say that about.

i hated the ending to this movie but found the book for $1 at the swap meet. and loved it! beautifully written, and the story goes into more detail about the characters. they dont just die suddenly together- which is so not real, and what i hated about the movie. if you like love stories, this is the best. its full of humor, love, romance, and sadness. such a great story.

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