That's What HE Said Thursday #28

Image courtesy of Kei at The Lovely Pages Review

That's What HE Said is a weekly meme hosted by the wonderful ladies at Chapter Break. It's a chance for us to spotlight and gush over a quote from our current book crush to the object of his desire. We like to pretend it's us ;)

What better way to celebrate our book boyfriends?

*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *

Nat brings you this week's quote from Just One Day by Gayle Forman. According to her it's not a sexy or romantic one.  But she loves this scene because it sets up Willem's inevitable surprise when that "stain" doesn't washoff. After finding this, Nat's tempted to re-read the book again :)

"Being in love is a birthmark?" I joke as I retract my arm.  But my voice has a tremble in it, and the place where his wet thumbprint is drying against my skin burns somehow.

"It's something that never comes off, no matter how much you might want it to."

"You're comparing love to...stain?"

He leans so far back in his seat that the fron t legs of his chair scrape off the floor.  He looks very satisfied, the crepe or with himself, I'm not sure. "Exactly."

I think of the coffee stain on his jeans.  I think of Lady Macbeth and her "Out, damned spot," stain, another speech I had to memorize for English.  "Stain seems like an ugly word to describe love," I tell him.

Willem just shrugs.  "Maybe just in English. In Dutch, it's vlek. In French, it's tache." He shakes his head, laughs. "No, still ugly."

"How many languages have you been stained in?"

He licks his thumb again and reaches across the table for my wrist, where he missed the tiniest smudge of Nutella.  This time he wipes it - me - clean. "None.  It always comes off."

~  Willem & Allyson

Just One Day 

by Gayle Forman

That's What HE Said Thursday #10

Image courtesy of Kei at The Lovely Pages Review

That's What He Said is a weekly meme hosted by the ladies at Chapter Break, where we spotlight a quote from our book crush to the object of his desire. We like to pretend it's us.

What better way to celebrate our book boyfriends?

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Earlier this week, my daughters and I watched If I Stay. My younger one had just finished reading the book so we got cozy and watched the DVD I had requested for Christmas. During this, I was reminded of one of my favourite quotes from the books where Adam reassures Mia that he loves HER. Not her clothes or her hair. Her. I think it's a lovely message to any girl, anyone for that matter, about being yourself and wholeheartedly embracing who you are.  So taking a cue from Lynn at Chapter Break, this new year celebrate all that is you!  Happy New Year!  - Bel

Adam seemed to sense that I was upset. He pulled the car off onto a logging road and turned to me.

"Mia, Mia, Mia, " he said, stroking the tendrils of my hair that had escaped from the wig. "This is the you I like. You definitely dressed sexier and are, you know, blond, and that's different. But the you who you are tonight is the same you I was in love with yesterday, the same you I'll be in love with tomorrow. I love that you're fragile and tough, quiet and kick-ass. Hell, you're one of the punkiest girls I know, no matter who you listen to or what you wear."

Adam to Mia

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

My True Love Gave To Me by Stephanie Perkins (editor), Holly Black, Ally Carter, Gayle Forman, Jenny Han, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Myra McEntire, Matt de la Pena, Rainbow Rowell, Laini Taylor, Kiersten White

* * * 3/4

If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you’re going to fall in love with MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME: TWELVE HOLIDAY STORIES by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins.

Review:            

  

When I first heard about this book, I about lost my business.  I mean seriously? Not only most of my favorite YA authors in one anthology but most of my favorite YA authors writing Christmas stories!  Hell, yeah! 

This compilation delivers just as the title and the contributing authors suggest.  The best story (in my opinion, of course) was the very first story - Midnights by Rainbow Rowell. I enjoyed it so much I re-read it twice before moving on to the rest of the book.  I couldn’t help but wonder if leading with such a great story didn’t put the other stories and authors at an unfair disadvantage. But they had nothing to fear.  Each author put their heart into their story and it shows. There really is something for everyone.  If you love YA and you love Christmas, this book is definitely for you.

So how do I review this?  In the past, when reviewing collections like this, I’ve just highlighted my favorite stories.  But each of these stories deserved some attention so I went ahead and gave my rating and opinion on each.  I really hope you all will read this.  I put it up there with Dash and Lily’s Book of Dares for happy holiday reading.

Midnights by Rainbow Rowell 5/5 –This follows two best friends from their first high school NYE party to their latest NYE celebration.  This was my absolute favorite.  Rowell just GETS romance. 

The Lady and the Fox by Kelly Link 3/5 – A magical love story between a girl and a ghost (of sorts) that only appears at Christmas when it is snowing.  Their affection develops over the years and the grown girl attempts to keep him with her.

Angels in the Snow by Matt de la Pena 3/5 – A penniless young college student spends the holidays housesitting and hungry.  A neighbor girl slowly worms her way through his defenses, encouraging him to have a happy holiday despite his circumstances.  My heart broke for the young man in this story but don’t think it’s sad.  This story is holiday hope at its finest.

Polaris is Where You’ll Find Me by Jenny Han 3/5 – A lovely yet sad story about a human girl raised by Santa and his elves. This was a cute story right up until the end.  I can’t give it away but I will say that it is not necessarily a SAD ending but maybe just not the magical ending I wanted…

It’s A Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown by Stephanie Perkins 5/5 – Okay, I had two favorites, and it’s no surprise that Stephanie Perkins wrote the other one.  This story about an aspiring graphic artist, a boy with a voice and a tree is quintessential Perkins.  Full of humor, snark and sweetness.

Your Temporary Santa by David Levithan 4/5 – A boy convinces his Jewish boyfriend to play Santa on Christmas night so that his little sister can believe for at least one more year.  You all know how much I love David Levithan.  So I’m just going to say this…DAVID LEVITHAN!

Krumpuslauf by Holly Black 2/5 – Holly Black puts her own spin on the Krampus myth.  I really like Holly Black but it always takes a little while to immerse myself in her writing style. I think this short story just wasn’t for me. But if you are a Holly Black fan and/or you enjoy a dark spin to your Christmas cheer, you are definitely going to enjoy this one.

What the Hell Have you Done, Sophie Roth by Gayle Forman 4/5 – A New York girl struggles to fit into her small-town Midwest college.   As always, Gayle Forman delivers a thoughtful contemporary romance with a holiday spin.

Beer Buckets and Baby Jesus by Myra McEntire 3/5 – A prankster is given a second chance after accidentally burning down the church barn used for the annual Christmas pageant.  This was a cute story and definitely forced me to move Myra McEntire’s stories up on the TBR pile.

Welcome to Christmas, CA by Kiersten White 4/5 – This was an excellent contemporary romance with just a hint of magic.  And how can there NOT be magic in a town called CHRISTMAS?

Star of Bethlehem by Ally Carter 4/5 – Shel has been pushing me to read Ally Carter and I can’t blame her.  This story about a girl grabbing an opportunity to be normal for the holidays was full of all those warm fuzzies that Hallmark throws our way every holiday season.  Come to think of it, this (along with a number of others in this compilation) would make a great movie…

The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer by Laini Taylor 4/5 –Fantasy isn’t often my thing but this story was absolutely beautiful.  I now understand why there is so much love for Laini Taylor’s Daughter of Smoke and Bone series.  She is certainly an artistic story teller.  

Nat

Waiting on Wednesday (120)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights future releases that we are excitedly anticipating.

Title: My True Love Gave to Me: 12 Holiday Stories
Authors:  Stephanie Perkins, Holly Black, Ally Carter, Gayle Forman , Jenny Han, David Levithan, Kelly Link, Myra McEntire, Matt de la Pena, Rainbow Rowell,  Laini Taylor, Kiersten White
Publication Date: October 14, 2014
Publisher: St. Martin's Press

If you love holiday stories, holiday movies, made-for-TV-holiday specials, holiday episodes of your favorite sitcoms and, especially, if you love holiday anthologies, you’re going to fall in love with MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME: TWELVE HOLIDAY STORIES by twelve bestselling young adult writers, edited by international bestselling author Stephanie Perkins.



















Title: One in a Million
Author: Jill Shalvis
Publication Date: October 28, 2014
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

As the brains behind wedding site TyingTheKnot.com, Callie sees it all: from the ring to the dress, the smiles . . . to the tears. It's that last part that keeps her single and not looking. Getting left at the altar will do that to a girl. But when Callie returns to her old hometown, she finds that her sweet high school crush is sexier than ever. And he makes it hard to remember why she's sworn off love . . .

Tanner is a deep-sea diver with a wild, adrenaline-junkie past—and now his teenage son is back in his life. How can Tanner be a role model when he's still paying for his own mistakes? It's hard enough that gorgeous Callie has appeared in town like a beautiful dream, challenging his best-laid plans to keep his heart on lockdown. Though there's something about being around her again that makes him feel like he can be the man she—and his son—deserve. Little Lucky Harbor holds their past; can it hold a beautiful new future?

Top Ten of 2013 - Nat's Picks

I can't believe that another year has passed.  Another year of bookish and non-bookish fun.   Another year of Shel and Bel putting up with my ridiculous obsessions and total nonsense - book related and not.  And another of year of struggling to create a Top Ten post.  It took some time but I did it.  I narrowed down my favorites for 2013.   Here there are.  Other than the first, there is no particular order to this list...

Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg - This was by far my FAVORITE book of the year.  I want everyone to read this.  EVERYONE.  Not matter age, orientation or gender, I think everyone will be able to relate to Rafe.  This is a beautifully awkward and funny story about acceptance and celebrating who we are.










Just One Day by Gayle Forman - I loved both books in this duology but Just One Day struck a cord with me.  Growing up as an only child, I really identified with Allyson Healey and her struggles.  Gayle Forman doesn't hold back in telling the story of an insecure girl that travels both figuratively and literally in order to discover who she is and become an independent young woman.









Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein -  This was an engrossing story about best friends (one a spy; the other a transit pilot) meeting and experiencing the horrors of WWII England and France.  This book had one hell of a climax that still makes my heart stop to think about it.









Glitterland by Alexis Hall -  This is easily one of the best m/m romances I have ever read (review to post the first week of the New Year).  Hall's use of the first person narrative provides the reader with understanding as to how Ash is affected by his depression as well as serves to show the contrast between Ash and Darian's personalities.  And what I loved most was seeing how beautiful and sparkling Darian becomes in Ash's eyes.







The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater - I have enjoyed both books in this unfinished trilogy but The Dream Thieves left me utterly confused and thoroughly enchanted.  Confused because, as Shel said, I had no idea what was going on yet I couldn't stop reading.  Enchanted because The Gray Man might be one of the most psychotically amusing characters I've ever encountered.  Don't let my comments put you off.  You will learn what's going on before the book is finished.  Stiefvater just does what she does best.  Take you on the most adventurous and entertaining path to the destination she intends.

Christmas Kitsch by Amy Lane - Out of Amy's many wonderful releases this year,  Christmas Kitsch was the one that grabbed me the most.   Partially because Rusty was so adorably clueless and awkward.  And partially because it was a heartwarming love story about making a home.  This one gave me a nudge (that I desperately needed) right into the holiday spirit.








Dare You To by Katie McGarry -  No surprise I picked this one for my Top Ten.  Although I love McGarry's bad boys (Noah of Pushing the Limits and Isaiah of Crash Into You), my heart will always belong to the forever boys. And Ryan Stone is the perfect forever boy.  He's spontaneously romantic and he's protective while never attempting to take away Beth's independence.  And did I mention he plays baseball?  Yeah.  Forever boy.







Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare - I can't say much about this because Shel is saving up most of her TMI and ID books for this coming spring and we don't want to spoil anything for her.  All I can say is OMG. Cassie Clare sure knows how to pull at those heartstrings.  Seriously.  I was sitting at the kitchen table at 2am sobbing my poor little heart out.








The Sum of All Kisses by Julia Quinn - I thought this was Julia Quinn at her finest.  The shockingly rude and smart conversations that Lady Sarah and Lord Hugh have are hilarious.  Lord Hugh might be my favorite Julia Quinn hero yet.  And that's saying a lot considering how much I love Colin Bridgerton.  And Simon Basset.  And Michael Stirling. And Thomas Cavendish. And....oh sod it.  I love them all.  And now I can add Hugh Prentice to my historical romance harem.







Cherish by Tere Michaels - Cherish (a novella) is the 4th book in the Faith, Love and Devotion Series. I enjoyed the entire series immensely but what made Cherish stand out for me was that we got that peek we always crave when wondering about a couples Happy Ever After.  On top of that, it contained the perfect mix of romance and the wicked Tere Michaels' humor Bel and I witnessed at RT.








I did it!  I figured out my favorites of the year.  But there are still 6 more days of the year.  I reserve my right to edit this list on the off chance I find another favorite before 2014 begins.

Nat

Just One Year by Gayle Forman

* * * * 1/2

Before you find out how their story ends, remember how it began....

When he opens his eyes, Willem doesn’t know where in the world he is—Prague or Dubrovnik or back in Amsterdam. All he knows is that he is once again alone, and that he needs to find a girl named Lulu. They shared one magical day in Paris, and something about that day—that girl—makes Willem wonder if they aren’t fated to be together. He travels all over the world, from Mexico to India, hoping to reconnect with her. But as months go by and Lulu remains elusive, Willem starts to question if the hand of fate is as strong as he’d thought. . . .

The romantic, emotional companion to Just One Day, this is a story of the choices we make and the accidents that happen—and the happiness we can find when the two intersect.





Review:

In Just One Day, we watched Allyson experience her own journey of emotional growth and self-discovery.  A journey that ended with a search for Willem.  The guy she knew for just one day.  The guy that changed her life and her heart.

In Just One Year, it is Willem’s turn.   Willem wakes up in a Paris hospital with a concussion and almost no memories of the events that lead to him being there.  All he knows is that he left someone behind and he needs to find her.  When he is finally able to leave the hospital and begins to remember all the details of his day and night with Lulu, she is already gone and can’t be found.  He has no other option other than to return to his home in Amsterdam.  But he is lost and the only way he thinks he can be found is to find Lulu.  With the very little information he has about her he begins his search.  His search for Lulu begins and ends in Mexico.  The trip to Mexico quickly becomes a journey of self-discovery that leads him to India where he will find the love of a mother he has been missing most of his life.  And then back to Amsterdam where he will find comfort in more family and friends as well as learn to pursue the things that bring him true happiness.

Much like the first book, this is not a traditional romance.  This story is about Willem’s journey and the hope that if he can be happy with himself and his life then, maybe, just maybe, he will find the one girl that turned his life upside down and forced him into that journey in the first place.

Thankfully, Willem’s story did not make me curl up into the fetal position and sob.  That does not mean it was lacking in its poignancy.  This is a beautiful and moving story and it is a wonderful compliment to Just One Day.


~Nat

Just One Day by Gayle Forman

* * * * *
A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery and true love, from the author of If I Stay

When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

Just One Day is the first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels. Willem’s story—Just One Year—is coming soon!





Review:


Gayle Forman hits another one out of the park.  Is this author capable of writing anything that is not thought provoking, emotionally charged, and beautiful?  I am pretty sure the answer to that question is no.  As I am sure many did, I devoured this book in just one day.

On a beautiful and warm summer day in Stratford-upon-Avon, Allyson and her friend Melanie await a production of Hamlet.  While they are waiting they are approached by a few people handing out pamphlets for a free Shakespeare performance.  Decisions, Decisions…a free street performance of Shakespeare or the Hamlet performance that is part of their parent-paid tour?  As the young man handing out the pamphlet says to them, “I think a night like this, you don’t waste on tragedy? Or indoors.”  Oh and did I mention the smile he flashed Allyson?  Yeah, even I couldn’t say no to that invitation.

Allyson and Melanie don’t regret their decision.  It’s an amazing performance and that cute guy flipped Allyson a coin at the end of the show.  It may not mean much but it was highly flattering.  Then the next day, on their way to London, Allyson runs into that guy from the outdoor performance on the train.  Before long, Allyson is agreeing to Willem showing her Paris for a day.  After a fun and action filled day, evening and night, Allyson wakes up and Willem is gone.

Allyson returns home confused, embarrassed and lost.  She begins her first year of college and quickly succumbs to a depression not abnormal for a first year college student but certainly abnormal to her.  Through the help of a caring guidance counselor, an off-beat Shakespeare course and some new friends, Allyson goes through the journey of discovering who she is.  And maybe, just maybe discovering who Willem is as well.

If you have ever read If I Stay and/or Where She Went, you know how Gayle Forman can force you to feel more emotion than you would think your poor little heart can manage.  Just One Day is no exception.  During their day in Paris, you can feel Allyson’s confusion.  And even with the first person narrative, you can sense Willem’s confusion as well.  You can feel their hope, fear and mistrust of the growing connection between them.  And when Allyson wakes up alone the next morning?  Her embarrassment and sadness are overwhelming.  The following year is no exception.  I think I particularly connected with Allyson because I am an only child.  I understood the identity-smothering relationship with her parents and her sometimes lonely journey of self-discovery. So much so that I sobbed like a little girl at one point.  Don’t worry.  This isn’t a tear-your heart-out tear-jerker like If I Stay.  It just resonated with me so much that I became an emotional mess.

There are books you just know you are going to love.  I always know that I am going love the next John Green or David Levithan or Gayle Forman novel.  But sometimes knowing that you are going to love something doesn’t prepare you for how much it is going to blow you away.  Just One Day blew me away.  You have left a stain on this reader, Gayle Forman.  A stain that I have no desire to remove.

2013 YA Contemporary Challenge

This year I will be participating in the 2013 YA Contemporary Challenge hosted by Katie's Book Blog.  Contemporary YA is one of my favorite genres so this challenge is pretty exciting for me.

I am commited to:

Level 3: 15+ books. 

That is 15-plus YA Contemporary books that will be published in 2013 and that I will read in 2013.

Here is a list of books that I have scheduled to read this month. 

Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Going Vintage by Lindsey Leavitt

Being Henry David by Cal Armistead


I will probably check in time to time with an update of what's been read and what's on the reading schedule.

Happy 2013!


~Nat

Waiting on Wednesday (44)

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly meme, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that highlights future releases that we are excitedly anticipating.

By Gayle Forman
Publication Date: January  8, 2013

A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery and true love, from the author of If I Stay
When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.

Just One Day is the first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels. Willem’s story—Just One Year—is coming soon!

Top Ten Books That Broke Nat's Heart A Little (or a lot)

This our first time participating in Top Ten Tuesday.  Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish .

It's no secret that I am a total sap when it comes to reading books so I thought it very fitting that I share with you....

Top Ten Books That Broke My Heart A Little (or a lot...)

If I Stay by Gail Forman -  Every page of this book broke my heart.  I am honestly not sure how I am still standing.

Where She Went by Gail Forman - How can the hot rockstar that has continued to love the girl that broke his heart in the most excruciating manner not be heart breaking?

Marley and Me by John Grogan - The only book that has made me cry more than this one is Gayle Forman's If I Stay.  Let's just say that I hugged our dear sweet dog for quite some time.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott - Beth March.  Need I say more?  Oh and really Laurie and Jo?  Really?

Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater - Not sure why but Sam's battle to keep his identity moved me more than I would have imagined. 

Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas - Romance novels don't make me cry but this one DID break my heart a little.  The classic tale of a footman falling in love with the aristocrat's daughter was told with enough intensity that I found myself holding my breath more often than not.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green - A story about teens and cancer.  Beautifully told by the great John Green.  Of course it broke my heart.

When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn -  Michael is in love with his happily married cousin's wife.  Unrequited love of course causes broken hearts.  Particularly mine.

Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa - Oh Ash.  Your entire quest to become human was heart-wrenching. 

Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - Oh geez. Reasons this book broke my heart....Katniss, Prim, Rue, Peeta...should I keep going?

There you have it.  Books that broke my heart.   Now I think I need a tissue.....


~Nat

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

* * *

Don't worry, Anna. I'll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."

"Okay."

"Promise me? Promise you won't say anything?"

"Don't worry." I laughed. "It's our secret, right?"






According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.



Beautifully written and emotionally honest, this is a debut novel that explores what it truly means to love someone and what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.



Frankie and Anna head to California with Frankie’s parents for a 3 week long beach vacation. Frankie’s family takes this trip every year but this is the first year they have gone without Matt – the brother/son/boyfriend that died the previous year. They hope that bringing Anna will dull the pain that will come with taking this trip without him. What no one knows is that Anna and Matt were secretly seeing each other the summer he unexpectedly died. Anna has never told anyone about their relationship. So while she comforts her best friend (Matt’s sister) over her loss, Anna is secretly grieving for the only boy she has loved.

Before they leave for Zanzibar, Frankie suggests that they try to meet a new boy every day they are on vacation. That way they may increase their chance of a summer romance AND increase Anna’s chances of losing her virginity. To make Frankie happy, Anna reluctantly agrees to the plan. Once there, they begin their search and on the way, learn to deal with both their own and each other’s grief.

The grief felt in this book is very real. Between Anna, Frankie and Frankie’s parents you learn how irreparably their lives have changed after the loss of Matt. It is truly heartbreaking to watch them struggle through their grief and to see the damage their grief causes each other. There were definitely times when I was tearing up. Particularly for the parents. Being a mother, I of course identified with the parents’ grief more than anything.

Unfortunately, the romance between Anna and Matt in this book left me sad and depressed – and not just because he died. The author tries to make Matt sound like this amazing brother and boyfriend. And maybe he was. But I personally couldn’t get past the fact that he insisted on keeping their relationship a secret. Here is this young 15 year old girl with an older boyfriend who is heading off to college and he doesn’t want to tell anyone? His reasoning that he didn’t want to hurt his sister was weak in my eyes and rung more than a little untrue. I know the words in the book show his intentions to be honest but I also know from personal experience that keeping secrets like this are a horrible start to a relationship. Granted I guess this is the impetus of many of the issues Anna faces in this book so maybe that was Ockler’s intent?

And then there is the quest for summer romance and loss of virginity. I understand that people deal with grief in different ways. This wouldn’t be the first story (true or fictional) where someone uses sex as a way to deal with their grief. Regardless, I personally would prefer to read a book where a girl has self-respect and doesn’t see her virginity as something to just throw away. This story line greatly affected my opinion of this book and in turn the final rating.

In the end, I am giving this book 3 stars because it is well written and emotionally moving at times.

As a side note, if you want to read a book about teens/young adults dealing with grief I would recommend If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman. And if you want to read a book that is open and honest about teen sex, I would recommend Forever by Judy Blume. Forever may have been published over 35 years ago but it still rings true today.

~Nat

Where She Went by Gayle Forman

*****

Synopsis taken from Gayle Forman’s website:

It’s been three years since the devastating accident…three years since Mia walked out of Adam’s life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard’s rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend.  When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night.  AS they explore the city that has become Mia’s home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future – and each other.

Told from Adam’s point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

Wow. 

That was all I could say when I finished this sequel to If I Stay.  This book was just as emotionally charged as the first and completely leaves you breathless.

Just as in If I Stay, Gayle Forman brilliantly jumps between the present and the past to tell us how Adam and Mia have come to where they are now.  I can’t imagine anyone not loving Adam by the end of If I Stay.  Actually you like him so much that you are wondering when you start reading Where She Went, why the HECK did Mia leave him and why haven’t they spoken in three years? 

Through this story we learn how the tragedy in Mia’s story and then her abandonment has affected them both differently.  Some people grieve and move on any way they can and others get so stuck in their grief that they might explode any minute.  After 24 hours together, we learn who has learned to accept the events of the past and who still needs a holding hand to guide them to closure.

Although If I Stay really could have been a stand alone novel, this ended up being a beautiful ending to Adam and Mia’s story. 

Like most book lovers, I have read more books than I can count.  But even having read so many there are very few that I will read more than once.  There are even fewer that I will read more than twice.   If I Stay and Where She Went have made there way to the latter category.  These two books were so wonderful that I will be buying a second copy of each in the form of e-book so that I can always have them with me.  And my hard copies have already been added to a pile of books that I recommend to most friends. 

Nat

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

*****

Synopsis taken from Gayle Forman’s website:

On a day that started like any other…

Mia had everything: a loving family, a gorgeous, adoring boyfriend, and a bright future full of music and full of choices.  Then, in an instant, almost of that is taken from her.  Caught between life and death, between a happy past and an unknowable future, Mia spends one critical day contemplating the once decision she has left – the most important decision she’ll ever make.

Simultaneously tragic and hopeful, this is a romantic, riveting and ultimately uplifting story about memory, music, living, dying, loving.

There isn’t much I can share about the plot without spoiling it.   

I will tell you that the characters in this book are so beautiful and so real.  Some are flawed more than others but none of them disproportionately so.  And their flaws are only meant to make them human not evil.  Each character in this book is introduced to us for one purpose.  And that is to prove to Mia that maybe she does have a reason to choose life over death.

While reading this all I could think about was my children and the people they have in their lives.  I really hope that we are providing them with a supportive family that they can always lean on.  I hope that they make friends that they love and love them back.  And more than anything, I hope my children always feel like they have something to live for whether we are there or not.

This book is an emotional ride.  You will find yourself laughing out loud one minute and then sobbing a few pages later.  I can’t recommend this one enough.

Nat