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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
This book was great from start to finish, you'd never know she would end up with so and so until a few pages to the end of the book. I really thought years later she'd find the other guy just like her mom, but surprisingly she did not. I'm trying to be vague about the guys and stuff can you tell. NO SPOILERS HERE OK.
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gabrielle Zevin is one of my favorite authors because she has the unique ability to write books that are all so completely different from each other you’d never believe it was the same author. This is the fifth book I’ve read and I liked it just as much as the others I read, even though it’s completely different.
17 year old Naomi wakes up to find herself in an ambulance on her way to the hospital and learns she hit her head when she fell down the steps at school. She thinks everything’s ok until her dad points out all of her most recent memories are from 5 years ago. While Naomi recognizes she is 17, she can’t come to terms with the fact that her parents are no longer together, she doesn’t know why her best friend, Will, keeps calling her Chief, and she has no idea what to do in AP French since she can’t speak the language. The only thing she knows for sure is Before Naomi isn’t who she is now and she thinks she isn’t a big fan of the Naomi from Before.
This book reminds me very much of Liane Moriarty’s What Alice Forgot so it’s no surprise I enjoyed it. I really loved the complexity with which this book is filled. Watching Naomi learn who she is at 17 was quite amazing. She couldn’t understand how she was happy and she took this opportunity as a chance to live a happier life.
It really poses the question- if you were to wake up with your most recent memory being from 5 years ago what would you think of the life you’re living now? It’s deep and complex and really hard to answer, but Ms. Zevin has done just that. I’m
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There's realness here within a thought-provoking plot, and there's love, which if you can tell I am an absolute sucker for. While parts of the storytelling were somewhat repetitive, and the resolution wasn't overall compelling or grabbing, the concept remains interesting.
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes