One Day

One can't have failed to notice it's distinctive orange and white cover on the commute home, in nearby cafes or gracing the shelves of every book store across the UK; it's been the novel of the year and is now the movie of the moment. Indeed One Day is on one epic campaign trail. 

Starting on July 15 in 1988 with the first encounter between two students, Dexter and Emma, these two characters are revisted, either separately or together, on the same date for the next 20 years (hence the title).And that's the story line. No wand wielding students or gripping crime scenes, just growing up over twenty years with all the bumps and rollercoasters along the way. 

Men and women both seem to dig the portrayal of a modern day love story (ie. scarce on romance) and the post-university years of 'finding oneself'. The comedy initially lures you in, while the emotional value packs a powerful punch. 

As for the movie? Anne Hathaway received a luke-warm response for her casting as Emma, granted she's not the most quintessential British student we've ever imagined. But it looks like she can definitely work a geeky spectacle. Rogue Dexter falls to newbie Jim Sturgess, set to rocket to top for his boyish good looks, regardless of box office success. 

Hathaway and Sturgess at the NYC premiere

Either way, you should probably read/watch it. Not because it's 'feel good' (the ending is probably one of the most desperately miserable endings in literature), life-changing or even an iconic love story, but because it's a simple, relatable read and 400,000 people cant be wrong. Right?

'we should be careful; of each other we should be kind; while there is still time' 

The Mower by Philip Larkin