At First Sight- Great Literature

February 21, 2026- Saturday

I fully admit I am behind the curve when it comes to reading certain books. I will always stay current reading anything written by John Grisham. I enjoy a healthy number of action-adventure mysteries, some are current, but many are much older books. I am not making any apologies for that. As I lay this groundwork, I write about a recent book I read.

This week I finished "At First Sight" by Nicholas Sparks. As I previously mentioned, I lean more to the action-adventure mysteries, but I wanted to read a book written by Nicholas Sparks simply because I had heard his name mentioned as a famous writer and I was searching for something different to read from what I usually read. I found that in this book.

I did not realize I would be reading a love story between two individuals and the twists life had in store for them. First, I became enthralled with the two primary characters in this book. Sparks developed these characters very well and did not give me the whole person in a few beginning paragraphs. I learned more and more about the characters as I read the story. I like that. 

Much of this story is one that I think could actually happen. It was not far-fetched as some stories are. One could couch that approach in a creative writing cloak but for me, when that happens, it becomes more like science fiction. I could see this story playing out in the small North Carolina town. 

I was so caught up in the story, I did not see the twist to the story coming in the later part of the book. I really like that when that happens in a book. 

Why did I like a novel so different from what I usually write? It was written so very well. Nicholas Sparks developed such a good story in such an astute way, it was very easy to read, and it was a story I wanted to push through and see what happened to the main characters. Sparks' writing was superb. 

Again, I know I am late reading this book published in 2005, but I think it is good to read these older books and show a level of appreciation to the authors so they can have the sense of satisfaction that a book of theirs continues to be enjoyed and appreciated. 

My second Nicholas Sparks book is sitting on my shelf now.