PASSIONATE ABOUT SCHOOL LIBRARIES

Tag: Relationships and dating

Book Review: You Were Here

You Were Here

You Were Here – Cori McCarthy – Sourcebooks Fire – Published 1 March 2016

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Synopsis

On the anniversary of her daredevil brother’s death, Jaycee attempts to break into Jake’s favorite hideout—the petrifying ruins of an insane asylum. Joined by four classmates, each with their own brand of disfunction, Jaycee discovers a map detailing her brother’s exploration and the unfinished dares he left behind.

As a tribute to Jake, Jaycee vows to complete the dares, no matter how terrifying or dangerous. What she doesn’t bargain on is her eccentric band of friends who challenge her to do the unthinkable: reveal the parts of herself that she buried with her brother.

My thoughts

Brilliantly told, this story is beautiful and authentic, surprising and totally enjoyable. You Were Here is told in alternating chapters from each of the five main character. Jaycee’s chapters are told in first person, while Zach and Natalie’s are in third. Bishop’s chapters are gorgeous word art poems, while Mik’s are graphic novel panels. The result is five clear and differentiated voices and a book that is an exciting mix of novel, graphic novel and poem.

Jaycee’s brother died five years ago when he snapped his neck doing a backflip off the top of a playground swing in front of Jaycee and a dozen other kids. Jaycee’s life changed that day and five years hasn’t lessened the Jake-sized hole she has in her life. Every year, on the anniversary of Jake’s death, Jaycee breaks into the Ridges, the ruins of an insane asylum, and meets up with Mik, Jake’s friend. But this year, Jaycee is joined (rather reluctantly) by her ex-best friend Natalie, Natalie’s boyfriend Zach, and their friend Bishop. What starts as one night soon becomes a whole series of adventures when Jaycee finds Jake’s map of old buildings and hidden dares.  Continue reading

Book Review: The Leaving Season

The Leaving Season

The Leaving Season – Cat Jordan – HarperTeen – Published 1 March 2016

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Synopsis

Middie Daniels calls it the Leaving Season: the time of year when everyone graduates high school, packs up their brand-new suitcases, and leaves home for the first time.

This year Middie’s boyfriend Nate is the one leaving. Nate, who’s so perfect that she can barely believe it. Nate, who makes her better than she is on her own. Nate, who’s promised to come back once he’s finished his gap year volunteering in Central America. And when he does, it’ll be time for Middie to leave, too. With him.

But when a tragedy strikes, Middie’s whole world is set spinning. No one seems to understand just how lost she is… except for Nate’s slacker best friend Lee. Middie and Lee have never gotten along. But with the ground ripped out from under her, Middie is finding that up is down—and that Lee Ryan might be just what she needs to find her footing once more.

My thoughts

What happens when you lose the person who defines you? When is it okay to move on? Is it ever okay? What happens when you realise you’d like to be someone else, someone more like you, the real you, the without-that-other-person you?

I really enjoyed his book. I was intrigued to see where it would go, what its focus would be – grief, romance or self-discovery? We get a little of each, but I’m happy to say that it’s mainly the latter two. And by then, I was captivated by the story.  Continue reading

Book Review: The Year We Fell Apart

The Year We Fell Apart

The Year We Fell Apart – Emily Martin – Simon Pulse – Published 26 January 2016

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Synopsis

Few things come as naturally to Harper as epic mistakes. In the past year she was kicked off the swim team, earned a reputation as Carson High’s easiest hook-up, and officially became the black sheep of her family. But her worst mistake was destroying her relationship with her best friend, Declan.

Now, after two semesters of silence, Declan is home from boarding school for the summer. Everything about him is different—he’s taller, stronger…more handsome. Harper has changed, too, especially in the wake of her mom’s cancer diagnosis.

While Declan wants nothing to do with Harper, he’s still Declan, her Declan, and the only person she wants to talk to about what’s really going on. But he’s also the one person she’s lost the right to seek comfort from.

As their mutual friends and shared histories draw them together again, Harper and Declan must decide which parts of their past are still salvageable, and which parts they’ll have to let go of once and for all.

My thoughts

The Year We Fell Apart might be more aptly titled The Year We Imploded and The Summer We Tried To Fix Everything. It is a sad story of a girl’s mistakes, insecurity and grief, as she wrestles with her past while trying to right her future.

The summer before her senior year brings many changes to Harper’s life. Her mother has been diagnosed with cancer and her once best friend and ex-boyfriend, Declan, has returned to town for the summer. The past year was ladened with mistakes, and she can’t help mourning for the girl Declan knew and loved only one year ago. As Harper tries to balance time looking out for her mother, hanging with her friend Cory, a summer photography course and partying with her friend Sadie, she inevitably continually sees Declan. She known she doesn’t deserve him, but can’t help hoping that they can reconnect.  Continue reading

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