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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
I didn't know this was going to be such a YAeee type book when I randomly picked it up from the recommeended section at the library. It actually started out ok, the writing is probably better than most YA books but it loses steam and devolves into a predictable "love" story.
This was a good read, I enjoyed the nostalgia that it brought of the early 2000s with iPods and burnt cd mixes
Its very much a tell you, rather than show you what's happening book which isn't my favourite, however it was still a very easy read
I enjoyed the journey we went on with Naomi and rediscovering her memories and the growth she went on afterwards, I found her character a little immature at the start but by the end I really liked her
Thank you to Tandem Collective for sending me the book as part of their readalong
Its very much a tell you, rather than show you what's happening book which isn't my favourite, however it was still a very easy read
I enjoyed the journey we went on with Naomi and rediscovering her memories and the growth she went on afterwards, I found her character a little immature at the start but by the end I really liked her
Thank you to Tandem Collective for sending me the book as part of their readalong
This was a really nice read, I liked the fact that we were learning about Naomi at the same time as she was following her accident. I liked the fact that she just behaved how she wanted as she didn’t know how she was supposed to behave.
I loved the writing style and thought that it flowed really well. There were quite a few very deep themes covered in the book and it was also very thought-provoking as well as entertaining to read.
It was clear to everyone, except Naomi it seemed that Will was totally besotted with her. She'd not realised pre-accident and hadn't picked up on it post-accident either for a long while!
I loved the writing style and thought that it flowed really well. There were quite a few very deep themes covered in the book and it was also very thought-provoking as well as entertaining to read.
It was clear to everyone, except Naomi it seemed that Will was totally besotted with her. She'd not realised pre-accident and hadn't picked up on it post-accident either for a long while!
Normally I'm not a big fan of YA books, even as a teen myself, because I feel they tend to lack real content. However, I have to say that the moderately interesting premise (amnesia—not über original, but not commonplace, either) veneer over the predictable string of romance actually made for a rather charming novel. (*I should probably note the existence of spoilers in this review here. I do give some plot points away.*) True, Naomi is definitely not a paragon of integrity, and sometimes her sheer idiotic brashness (and poor life/judgment choices, both those alluded to as pre-amnesia events and those made during the present story) ground on my nerves, but I thought she did get several important points hammered home in the course of the story. Will was the amazing, sweet, quirky, intelligent, lovable best friend, and, as such, was the sensible end to Naomi's crazy little romance spree. He definitely had more depth than any other character int he book. (I love Will and his mix cds [and they mentioned Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots! I literally bounced out of my seat upon seeing that].) Though I did think it was interesting that James was set up to be this really crazy, mysterious character, and then he sort of faded into nothing. It was a fun read, not quite as dark (not that it's really lighthearted, either) as I'd been expecting. It was pretty predictable, but actually in a sort of cute/comfy chick-flick-film sort of way. There were a few unexpected twists, and the characters were varied and lively enough to give the novel a lot of character. A worthy read, probably not one I'd spend money on, not with a protagonist I'd recommend anyone model their life after, but actually rather charming.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well, definitely not a favourite. I didn't like Naomi and found that she was very whiny. She improved at the end but still not someone that I can say I liked relate to.
I think that the story of a girl getting amnesia could have been told quite well and been quite interesting and yet it left me unsatisfied. Naomi just seemed to me like someone who likes drama a little too much and didn't treat people right.
Wouldn't recommend.
I think that the story of a girl getting amnesia could have been told quite well and been quite interesting and yet it left me unsatisfied. Naomi just seemed to me like someone who likes drama a little too much and didn't treat people right.
Wouldn't recommend.
Overall I loved this novel. I fell in love with characters. This wasn't a novel where you don't learn about the characters. It was about a young girl rediscovering who she is and even after learning about who she was,she doesn't it allow to change her new changes she's made in her life. There was a passage at the very end of the book when Naomi was talking with her dad before his wedding that really touched me and I wish I thought of more in depth before and on my own.
The passage was this:
"It happens, baby. You forger all of it anyway. First, you forget everything you learned--the dates of the Hay-Herran Treaty and the Pythagorean theorem. You especially forget everything you didn't really learn, but just memorized the night before. You forget the names of all but one or two of your teachers,and eventually you'll forget those, too. You forget your junior year class schedule and where you used to sit and your best friend's home phone number and the lyrics to that song you must have played a million times. For me, it was by Simon & Garfunkel. Who knows what it will be for you? And eventually,but slowly, oh so slowly, you forget your humiliations--even the ones that seemed indelible just fade away. You forget who was cool and who was not, who was pretty, smart, athletic, and not. Who went to a good college. Who threw the best parties. Who could get you pot. You forget all of them. Even the ones you said you loved, and even the ones you actually did. They're the last to go. And then once you've forgotten enough, you love someone else."
This passage not only had such a big impact on the main character and how it related to everything she had gone through and felt but my own life. I think about my parents,my sisters,friends,neighbors and myself. We all try to hold on to memories but eventually we start to forget..less and less of our past which at the time had such value seems like such an unimportant matter. This talk from Naomi's dad really had an impact on me.
Beyond this passage the whole story did and I am and will purchase this book. I'm so happy I finally gave it the time of day to read because is worth rereading. The concept of love,of family,of being comfortable with your self and honesty with who we make ourselves is all in this novel. It was truly a inspiring novel. Gabrielle Zevin did such a outstanding job building the characters and creating such good dynamics in this book. I absolutely loved it.
The passage was this:
"It happens, baby. You forger all of it anyway. First, you forget everything you learned--the dates of the Hay-Herran Treaty and the Pythagorean theorem. You especially forget everything you didn't really learn, but just memorized the night before. You forget the names of all but one or two of your teachers,and eventually you'll forget those, too. You forget your junior year class schedule and where you used to sit and your best friend's home phone number and the lyrics to that song you must have played a million times. For me, it was by Simon & Garfunkel. Who knows what it will be for you? And eventually,but slowly, oh so slowly, you forget your humiliations--even the ones that seemed indelible just fade away. You forget who was cool and who was not, who was pretty, smart, athletic, and not. Who went to a good college. Who threw the best parties. Who could get you pot. You forget all of them. Even the ones you said you loved, and even the ones you actually did. They're the last to go. And then once you've forgotten enough, you love someone else."
This passage not only had such a big impact on the main character and how it related to everything she had gone through and felt but my own life. I think about my parents,my sisters,friends,neighbors and myself. We all try to hold on to memories but eventually we start to forget..less and less of our past which at the time had such value seems like such an unimportant matter. This talk from Naomi's dad really had an impact on me.
Beyond this passage the whole story did and I am and will purchase this book. I'm so happy I finally gave it the time of day to read because is worth rereading. The concept of love,of family,of being comfortable with your self and honesty with who we make ourselves is all in this novel. It was truly a inspiring novel. Gabrielle Zevin did such a outstanding job building the characters and creating such good dynamics in this book. I absolutely loved it.
Great read. Interesting to see how a high school girl deals with basically loosing the last four years of her life.
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Honestly this book has a a lot of ups and downs but I overall enjoyed it. There were two character I loved in the book which was Will and the protagonist’s (Naomi) Dad. While the character I disliked the most was Ace her boyfriend, with his hyper sexuality. How he acted hit really close to home with a toxic relationship I had in junior year of high-school. But other than that I liked how the end ended. No rushing things along, just nice quiet peace.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Death