The Best of Me

( 1355 )
Pick Up In Store

Pick Up in Store

Reserve and pick up in 60 minutes at your local store

Hardcover
$17.20
BN.com price
$25.99 List Price (Save 34%)
Marketplace (New and Used)
from
$8.06
$25.99 List Price (Save 69%)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
All (43)  
Used (19)  
New (24)  
Close
Sort by
Page 1 of 5
Showing 1 – 10 of 43 (5 pages)
$8.06
(Save 69%)
Got Books ma
Seller since 2007

Feedback rating:

(11910)

Condition:

New — never opened or used in original packaging.

Like New — packaging may have been opened. A "Like New" item is suitable to give as a gift.

Very Good — may have minor signs of wear on packaging but item works perfectly and has no damage.

Good — item is in good condition but packaging may have signs of shelf wear/aging or torn packaging. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Acceptable — item is in working order but may show signs of wear such as scratches or torn packaging. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Used — An item that has been opened and may show signs of wear. All specific defects should be noted in the Comments section associated with each item.

Refurbished — A used item that has been renewed or updated and verified to be in proper working condition. Not necessarily completed by the original manufacturer.

Very Good
2011 Hardcover Item is in very good condition.

Ships from: Wilmington, MA

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
$8.33
(Save 68%)
Gr8LakesBooks
Seller since 2010

Feedback rating:

(422)

Condition: Good
Used - Good

Ships from: Detroit, MI

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
$8.99
(Save 65%)
Circlerounder Inc Ut
Seller since 2006

Feedback rating:

(685)

Condition: Good
Hardcover Good 0446547654 Ex-library book with typical stickers and stampings. Priority or international shipping available on this item.

Ships from: West Valley, UT

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
$12.00
(Save 54%)
All Booked Up, Inc. RI
Seller since 2005

Feedback rating:

(289)

Condition: Very Good
Hardcover Very Good

Ships from: Coventry, RI

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
$14.30
(Save 45%)
Extremely_Reliable
Seller since 2007

Feedback rating:

(3177)

Condition: Like New
Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.

Ships from: Richmond, TX

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
$14.39
(Save 45%)
Metropolitan Book Depot
Seller since 2010

Feedback rating:

(108)

Condition: New
2011 Hard cover New book in Perfect Condition-We Ship fast! Buy with confidence. Great Buy! -Hardcover w. dust-jacket. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. 304 p. Audience: ... General/trade. Read more Show Less

Ships from: Los Angeles, CA

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
$14.78
(Save 43%)
PaperbackshopUS
Seller since 2009

Feedback rating:

(4786)

Condition: New
Shipped from US in 4 to 14 business days. Established seller since 2000

Ships from: Aurora, IL

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
$15.03
(Save 42%)
indoo
Seller since 2007

Feedback rating:

(21683)

Condition: New
BRAND NEW

Ships from: Avenel, NJ

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Canadian
  • •International
  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
$15.10
(Save 42%)
ExpeditedBooksUS
Seller since 2010

Feedback rating:

(887)

Condition: New
Shipped from US. Express shipping in 3 to 6 business days. Standard shipping in 4 to 14 business days. Established seller since 2000

Ships from: Aurora, IL

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
  • •Express, 48 States
  • •Express (AK, HI)
$15.10
(Save 42%)
PaperbackshopUS
Seller since 2009

Feedback rating:

(4786)

Condition: New
Shipped from US in 4 to 14 business days. Established seller since 2000

Ships from: Aurora, IL

Usually ships in 1-2 business days

  • •Standard, 48 States
  • •Standard (AK, HI)
Page 1 of 5
Showing 1 – 10 of 43 (5 pages)
Close
Sort by
NOOK Book (eBook)
$12.99
BN.com price

Available on NOOK devices and apps

  • Nook Devices
  • NOOK
  • NOOK Color
  • NOOK Tablet
  • Tablet/Phone
  • NOOK for iPad
  • NOOK for iPhone
  • NOOK for Android
  • NOOK for Android (Tablet)
  • NOOK Kids for iPad
  • PC/Mac
  • NOOK Study
  • NOOK for PC
  • NOOK for Mac

Want a NOOK? Explore Now

More About This Book

Overview

"Everyone wanted to believe that endless love was possible. She'd believed in it once, too, back when she was eighteen."

In the spring of 1984, high school students Amanda Collier and Dawson Cole fell deeply, irrevocably in love. Though they were from opposite sides of the tracks, their love for one another seemed to defy the realities of life in the small town of Oriental, North Carolina. But as the summer of their senior year came to a close, unforeseen events would tear the young couple apart, setting them on radically divergent paths.

Now, twenty-five years later, Amanda and Dawson are summoned back to Oriental for the funeral of Tuck Hostetler, the mentor who once gave shelter to their high school romance. Neither has lived the life they imagined . . . and neither can forget the passionate first love that forever changed their lives. As Amanda and Dawson carry out the instructions Tuck left behind for them, they realize that everything they thought they knew — about Tuck, about themselves, and about the dreams they held dear — was not as it seemed. Forced to confront painful memories, the two former lovers will discover undeniable truths about the choices they have made. And in the course of a single, searing weekend, they will ask of the living, and the dead: Can love truly rewrite the past?

Editorial Reviews

From Barnes & Noble

It will not surprise readers or moviegoers that Warner Brothers has already snatched up the rights for Nicholas Sparks' new novel. Six other Sparks bestsellers have already become successful films and The Best of Me, the latest, has all the ingredients that keep his millions of enthusiasts enthralled. At the center of this new release are two former high school sweethearts who, now middle-aged, return home for the funeral of a beloved mentor. Their unplanned reunion confronts them with the choices they have made and the possibilities that still await them. Signature Sparks, which makes it even more winning.

Publishers Weekly
Amanda Collier and Dawson Cole are from opposite sides of the tracks: she's a well-to-do girl with the world at her fingertips; he's from the feared family of sleazy, violent neighborhood thugs. Cut from different cloth than his clan, Dawson breaks free to live in the garage of an old mechanic deep in the woods. Soon Amanda and Dawson cross paths and find themselves smitten, certain they will see happily-ever-after. With the lovers torn apart by circumstance, Sparks (The Notebook) develops a charming story where each scene unwinds as if in slow-motion and the emotions of each moment garner maximum impact. Reunited after decades apart, the lovers' passion remains evident, and they struggle with whether to finally give in to their love or continue their current lives without each other. Despite an obvious ending, the love is so heartwarming that it doesn't seem to matter. Sparks's ability to capture the truths of this affair makes the story both heartfelt and heartbreaking. It's quite possibly his best work in years. (Oct.)
More Reviews (1) Fewer Reviews
Library Journal
They were high school sweethearts from opposite sides of the track whose paths diverged. They meet again, decades later, when both return home for the funeral of a beloved mentor. Now what? Sparks fans know the answer and will read this book to find it. Buy multiples.

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9780446547659
  • Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
  • Publication date: 10/11/2011
  • Pages: 304
  • Sales rank: 2,555
  • Product dimensions: 5.80 (w) x 8.46 (h) x 1.12 (d)

Meet the Author

Nicholas Sparks
Nicholas Sparks

Nicholas Sparks is the author of 16 books. He lives in North Carolina with his wife and children. You can visit the author's web site at www. nicholassparks.com.

Biography

Ever since The Notebook made Nicholas Sparks a word-of-mouth publishing sensation in 1996, he has maintained his status as a bestselling author of tragedy-tinged love stories. His spare, simply themed novels star ordinary people overcome by extraordinary emotions, and changed by them.

It's possible that Sparks might have enjoyed his level of popularity by writing these stories strictly from imagination, but in fact his family's struggles play an important role in many of his books, especially the earliest novels. (For exampleThe Notebook, his tale of a great love affair extending into old age, was inspired by his wife's grandparents; Message in a Bottle drew from Sparks' father's life story and A Walk to Remember from his late sister's.) In addition, a three-week trip he and his older sibling Micah undertook in 2003 became the basis for Three Weeks with My Brother, a unique memoir as moving and tenderhearted as any of his fiction.

Sparks is very methodical about his writing, an approach he makes transparent on his web site with several essays, updates on works in progress, and notes on the mechanics of his novels. Unsurprisingly, critics have faulted him for being too formulaic or cliched. Still, Sparks never fails to move his stories along quickly, maximizing emotional impact and featuring strong, down-to-earth characters. His endings also tend to depart from convention a bit, revealing tragedy where the walk into the sunset should be.

Although he is often classified as a Romance writer, Sparks is quick to point out that his books don't really satisfy the requirements of Romance publishers. Instead, he admits to writing love stories, a different genre altogether. Whatever he cares to call them, one thing's for sure: Nicholas Sparks continues to strike gold with his bittersweet novels of love and loss.

Good To Know

Sparks came to his career in an unconventional way: Sidelined after a running injury at University of Notre Dame, where he had won a full track scholarship and still holds the 4x800 relay record, he decided to write a book after his mother offhandedly suggested it as a way to make him stop brooding. His first novel remains unpublished ("It's a wonderful story -- except for the writing," he wrote later), but he kept trying. He later coauthored an inspirational title called Wokini; but his third novel (The Notebook) was the charm.

Blockbuster film adaptations of Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, and The Notebook have turned Sparks into a successful Hollywood franchise.

Sparks' wife is probably one of the most envied wives around. She met Nicholas in college at spring break, where he informed her that they would be married. She laughed him off, but they were married just over a year later. He told Barnes & Noble.com in a 1999 interview, "I suppose I'm a romantic. Ladies Home Journal has even called me the Most Romantic Husband in America. In fact, I sent my wife a dozen roses today."

Sparks was still selling pharmaceuticals and had only just delivered the final version of The Notebook to his agent when she called, two days after receiving the manuscript, telling him she expected "something big." That something big materialized within the week: a $1 million offer from Warner Books.

Sparks holds a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.

    1. Hometown:
      New Bern, North Carolina
    1. Date of Birth:
      December 31, 1965
    2. Place of Birth:
      Omaha, Nebraska
    1. Education:
      B.A. in finance, University of Notre Dame, 1988
    2. Website:
      http://nicholassparks.com

Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 1355 )

Rating Distribution

5 Star

(711)

4 Star

(295)

3 Star

(182)

2 Star

(105)

1 Star

(62)

Your Rating:

Review Guidelines
Add Recommendations
Your Name: Create a Pen Name or Leave Anonymously

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked, or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer. However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reviews should not contain any of the following:

  • - HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
  • - Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
  • - Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
  • - Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
  • - Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
  • - Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
  • - Advertisements or commercial solicitation

Reminder:

  • - By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
  • - Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
  • - See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend

Recommend other products that relate to your review. Just search for them below and share!

Create a Pen Name

Your Pen Name is your unique identiy on BN.com. It will appear on the reviews you write and other website activities. Your Pen Name cannot be edited, changed or deleted once submitted.

Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously

We're sorry, but penname is already taken.

Please select one of the following:
Your Pen Name can be any combination of alphanumeric characters (plus - and _), and must be at least two characters long.

Continue Anonymously

penname is available!

By visiting the BN.com website or marking a purchase on BN.com, a User is deemed to have accepted the Terms of Use.

Continue Anonymously

Welcome, penname

You have successfully created your Pen Name. Start enjoying the benefits of the BN.com Community today.

See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 1363 Customer Reviews

  • Posted October 14, 2011

    I Also Recommend:

    9780385344326 9780399536069 9781440140747

    Charming and lovely

    This storyline has been written over and over again. This is very common and everyone who experiences it wants to write their story. Basically, high school sweethearts break up having chosen different path in their lives. They reunite in their hometown to attend a funeral..hence, the spark of love is set aflame again. Old story, but one that never fails to entertain because we all really believe in that beautiful, special eternal love and living happily ever after fairy tale. This one comes with a twist. I found the story charming and lovely and written beautifully as only Nick Sparks can do!

    41 out of 46 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 17, 2011

    I Also Recommend:

    2940011445439 2940011373558 9781455502547

    Great

    I loved reading this. Great plot, great characters. I stayed up late to finish this.

    37 out of 39 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted April 13, 2011

    Correct description...can't wait!

    THE BEST OF ME is the heart-rending story of two small-town former high school sweethearts from opposite sides of the tracks. Now middle-aged, they've taken wildly divergent paths, but neither has lived the life they imagined . . . and neither can forget the passionate first love that forever altered their world. When they are both called back to their hometown for the funeral of the mentor who once gave them shelter, they will be forced to confront the choices each has made, and ask whether love can truly rewrite the past.

    20 out of 34 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 25, 2011

    Not his Best

    First off, I am a huge Nicholas Sparks fan, and have read all of his other books. I thought his last book, "Safe Haven" was one of his best.

    I thought the beginning part of the book was decent, but really could not get into the personalities of the two main characters

    The end of the book was rushed and the end was predictable and cheesy. When I was reading the book, I thougt there was no way he would end the book like that, and to my disappointment he did.

    Definitely not his best work but an okay read if you want something to pass the time away...

    15 out of 21 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 28, 2011

    I was really disappointed

    I feel like his books just aren't at the same level any more. There was no character depth, the ending was rushed and predictable and I found myself skimming through the last few chapters just to get to the end... even when I knew what it was. I haven't been thrilled with his last few books and after reading this one I've reached the sad conclusion that I dont think I will be buying another. Which is sad because I really loved his first books.

    12 out of 19 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted May 14, 2011

    The Best of Me.

    Can't wait to read this new book, already pre-ordered it! I just finished reading Safe Haven, great book.

    12 out of 31 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 28, 2011

    Boring

    I usually like Nicholas Sparks' books but this one was very disappointing. Boy from the wrong side of the tracks loves a girl from the other side of tracks. Loses girls because of tragedies happening. Typical story. The story line was very "drippy" and did not capture me. Sorry Mr. Sparks, but you should have passed on this book.

    9 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 25, 2011

    Highly Recommended

    Nicholas Sparks does it again. While I hate to rate any of his books as they are all incredible, heart warming reads; if I had to, this one would be near the top. Sparks knows how to tug at those places in our hearts reserved for those past (and present) "loves". My only disappointment is now having to wait another year for another one of his remarkable books.

    9 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted April 17, 2011

    Cant Wait!!!!!1

    The summary that they have for this book was the summary for his last book Safe Heaven. If you want to know the summary of this book you can go to his website and read his newsleaders that he writes and it gives you the summary.

    6 out of 11 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted November 17, 2011

    A truly beautiful story.

    This story grabbed my attention from the first word to the last. The characters are very relatable, and were easy to fall in love with. Anyone who loves nicholas sparks's books will love this one as they loved the others.

    5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted September 7, 2011

    I can't wait!

    Big fan of Nicholas Sparks. "Safe Haven was suspenseful"

    4 out of 13 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted March 21, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    can't wait!!!

    can't wait to read this new book. almost wish there wasn't a year gap in between his novels.

    4 out of 14 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted January 11, 2012

    Predictable

    While I was reading this I decided early on that this couple would never end up together. That is, not if Nicholas Sparks wrote it. His endings are rarely happy. But this ending was much too convenient and embarrassingly predictable. It reads like a typical star-crossed lovers novel without the happily ever after.

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted December 7, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    Average Read

    I've read most of Nicholas Sparks' books and enjoyed his writing style and the stories. This one held much promise, but fell a little flat.

    3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted December 6, 2011

    Disappointed.

    I have read, now eleven of Nicholas Sparks books and this one just did not measure up for me. The story dragged in some chapters and the ending totally ruined the story. =(

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 28, 2011

    Once Again Mr. Sparks Doesn't Disappoint...

    This guy is my favorite author by far! This book like all of his others will keep you on the edge of your seat. Finding that it's impossible to put down, I was sad when I was done reading it, as I enjoyed the rush it gave me! Great read!!! I would highly reccomend.

    3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted October 28, 2011

    more from this reviewer

    Very Good

    I have read all of Nicholas Sparks books.. I love his writing style and was not disappointed by his newest book. If you like his other books you'll like this one too.

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted October 26, 2011

    He did it again

    Where does Nicholas Sparks come up with these book ideas? and i mean that in a good way... the book was great... a fast read only because i didnt want to put it down... kinda predictable towards the end, but it didnt matter.

    3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Posted September 7, 2011

    I can not wait I am so excited

    I have read everyone of nicolas sparks books. I am one of his biggest fans.

    3 out of 14 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 9, 2012

    Hmmm

    Totally disliked the ending. Do not believe I will read anything by this author again. Seemed too LMN for me.

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.
See All Sort by: Showing 1 – 20 of 1363 Customer Reviews
If you find inappropriate content, please report it to Barnes & Noble
Why is this product inappropriate?
Comments (optional)
500 character limit