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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
I've been waffling for weeks about doing my 2022 year-end book review, and making up 2023's reading wish-list. I hardly stuck to my list at all last year, so what's the point? Maybe I'll just read whatever catches my attention this year.
And then I finish a book like this - a book that was on my 2022 reading list because someone recommended it, or I saw it on the Book Concierge; a book that would never have caught my attention without my yearly book list ritual - and I remember why I make my book lists.
This book was lovely. By the time I picked it up last week, I could no longer remember who suggested it or why I wanted to read it or even what it was supposed to be about. In fact, the only reason I picked up the audiobook was because it was the shortest read in my available pile.
The book features the heartbreaking loss of a beloved friend, which is theme enough for a YA novel. Then it added a very sweet little love story, which is theme enough for a YA novel. But then it dove into questions about what we owe to ourselves and those we love, about how and why we allow other people to influence our choices in life, and that theme hit this book out of the park for me.
The story of loss was beautifully written. The love story was sweet if a little eye-roll-worthy. But the moment this book hit 5 stars for me was the moment in Chapter 17 when, trying to decide whether to honor the wishes of her dead best friend or to follow her own heart (which wants to run off with a boy), Amelia notes, "I'm still living out the consequences of aligning my life so carefully with another, so I shut [out the notion of aligning myself with someone new]."
To emphasize, "the consequences of aligning my life so carefully with another." The close and wonderful relationship she had with her friend has turned into a burden that is weighing her down now as she tries to move forward. Not just this, but she recognizes that her heart is asking her to shrug off that previous bond only to take up a new bond which holds equal dangers. I can't remember another YA novel I've read that was so self-aware.
And finally, I adored the whales and the clever wind.
I think I would have felt this novel x1000 if I'd read it as a teen, but even reading as an adult it hit a lot of solid emotional notes.
And then I finish a book like this - a book that was on my 2022 reading list because someone recommended it, or I saw it on the Book Concierge; a book that would never have caught my attention without my yearly book list ritual - and I remember why I make my book lists.
This book was lovely. By the time I picked it up last week, I could no longer remember who suggested it or why I wanted to read it or even what it was supposed to be about. In fact, the only reason I picked up the audiobook was because it was the shortest read in my available pile.
The book features the heartbreaking loss of a beloved friend, which is theme enough for a YA novel. Then it added a very sweet little love story, which is theme enough for a YA novel. But then it dove into questions about what we owe to ourselves and those we love, about how and why we allow other people to influence our choices in life, and that theme hit this book out of the park for me.
The story of loss was beautifully written. The love story was sweet if a little eye-roll-worthy. But the moment this book hit 5 stars for me was the moment in Chapter 17 when, trying to decide whether to honor the wishes of her dead best friend or to follow her own heart (which wants to run off with a boy), Amelia notes, "I'm still living out the consequences of aligning my life so carefully with another, so I shut [out the notion of aligning myself with someone new]."
To emphasize, "the consequences of aligning my life so carefully with another." The close and wonderful relationship she had with her friend has turned into a burden that is weighing her down now as she tries to move forward. Not just this, but she recognizes that her heart is asking her to shrug off that previous bond only to take up a new bond which holds equal dangers. I can't remember another YA novel I've read that was so self-aware.
And finally, I adored the whales and the clever wind.
I think I would have felt this novel x1000 if I'd read it as a teen, but even reading as an adult it hit a lot of solid emotional notes.
All the dialogue is overly dramatic and unrealistic and not one of the characters is likeable.
Amelia Unabridged is magic. Absolute magic that will take you on a journey through ocean skies, forest mazes, crowded pathways of grief, and the swell of emotion that accompanies first love.
This is easily one of the best young adult contemporary novels I have ever read or will ever read. I will be shocked if this book doesn't win debut awards. It is so deserving. This book may be my all-time favorite Wednesday Books book (sorry Courtney Summers). I'm so thrilled that my new favorite book is being published by my favorite imprint, and this book is exactly why Wednesday Books is my favorite.
There aren't many words that could the amazing quality of this book in perspective. The writing was phenomenal. The plot was phenomenal. The character development was phenomenal. That's the main word that is sticking out in my brain: phenomenal.
My thoughts are scattered as I try to pinpoint every amazing this Schumacher did. I absolutely loved both the Prologue and Epilogue. It perfectly fits the story, and I loved the fourth wall-ness of it all.
Ashley Schumacher knows imagery. She is a master at it. I hope writing professors use passages to explain how whales swimming in the sky can symbolize hope and showcase just how perfectly Schumacher can force the picture into our heads.
Everyone, please buy this book. It is absolutely fantastic. One of the best books to hit YA in recent years.
This is easily one of the best young adult contemporary novels I have ever read or will ever read. I will be shocked if this book doesn't win debut awards. It is so deserving. This book may be my all-time favorite Wednesday Books book (sorry Courtney Summers). I'm so thrilled that my new favorite book is being published by my favorite imprint, and this book is exactly why Wednesday Books is my favorite.
There aren't many words that could the amazing quality of this book in perspective. The writing was phenomenal. The plot was phenomenal. The character development was phenomenal. That's the main word that is sticking out in my brain: phenomenal.
My thoughts are scattered as I try to pinpoint every amazing this Schumacher did. I absolutely loved both the Prologue and Epilogue. It perfectly fits the story, and I loved the fourth wall-ness of it all.
Ashley Schumacher knows imagery. She is a master at it. I hope writing professors use passages to explain how whales swimming in the sky can symbolize hope and showcase just how perfectly Schumacher can force the picture into our heads.
Everyone, please buy this book. It is absolutely fantastic. One of the best books to hit YA in recent years.
Friendship, loss, young love, and a hint of magical realism wrapped around a fairy tale-like story with a happy ending. Everything I love in a book.
+14 for talk of death, divorced parents, a few swears, and learning to deal with grief.
This book is amazing! I originally had it at four stars, but after having read it weeks again it's still on my mind. Hence, the change to five stars! The writing was so fast-paced, I was able to finish it in a few hours. It was a well-written plot, and characters and the topics were handled appropriately.
Our main characters were so well-written that it felt as if they were in the room with me. Amelia's way of handling grief was very similar to my own. It was so nice to see it represented so accurately. I think the author did a phenomenal job of making their grief real, and not showy. I teared up several times through-0ut the book (which doesn't happen often!) It just shows how incredible this book is!
This book is amazing! I originally had it at four stars, but after having read it weeks again it's still on my mind. Hence, the change to five stars! The writing was so fast-paced, I was able to finish it in a few hours. It was a well-written plot, and characters and the topics were handled appropriately.
Our main characters were so well-written that it felt as if they were in the room with me. Amelia's way of handling grief was very similar to my own. It was so nice to see it represented so accurately. I think the author did a phenomenal job of making their grief real, and not showy. I teared up several times through-0ut the book (which doesn't happen often!) It just shows how incredible this book is!
This book is amazing. It’s so well written and breathtaking, I couldn’t get enough. I loved the layers to the characters and Amelia was so easy to connect to. The author really captured the emotions and touched my heart.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of AMELIA UNABRIDGED by Ashley Schumacher in exchange for my honest review.
Wow! Amelia Unabridged by Ashley Schumacher is a heartwarming story about how individuals deal with traumatic events in their lives such as abandonment by a parent, loss of loved ones both literally and metaphorically, the struggle to cope, and move forward in ones life. This story is about grief, love, loyalty, friendship, and so much more.
This is a beautifully and poignant written novel with many poetic touches that enhance its well developed cast of characters demonstrating their raw and real emotions in a rich and meaningful prose, It has hints of magical elements or fairy tale content that lends itself to the importance of second chances and the power of books in our lives, especially in our darkest moments. The characters learn to the importance of living for yourself.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this work, I hope you will too.
Wow! Amelia Unabridged by Ashley Schumacher is a heartwarming story about how individuals deal with traumatic events in their lives such as abandonment by a parent, loss of loved ones both literally and metaphorically, the struggle to cope, and move forward in ones life. This story is about grief, love, loyalty, friendship, and so much more.
This is a beautifully and poignant written novel with many poetic touches that enhance its well developed cast of characters demonstrating their raw and real emotions in a rich and meaningful prose, It has hints of magical elements or fairy tale content that lends itself to the importance of second chances and the power of books in our lives, especially in our darkest moments. The characters learn to the importance of living for yourself.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this work, I hope you will too.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-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