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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
This book deserves more than five stars. I don't usually read realistic fiction, but this was an amazing book. Very rarely do I read a book that actually makes me feel something real for and along with the characters, but I found that in this.
Amelia Griffin has been best friends with Jenna Wilkinson since freshman year, and the book that brought them together. That book was the Orman Chronicles, written by N.E. Endsley, a boy barely older than Amelia and Jenna. After the girls graduate high school, they attend a books festival where Endsley is scheduled to speak, but when he cancels and Jenna meets him without Amelia, they fight the most they ever have. When Jenna leaves for vacation a couple of days later and dies in a car accident, Amelia's world is shattered. Just days after, a delivery arrives for Amelia: an incredibly rare edition of the first book in the Orman Chronicles. Acting on the belief that Jenna somehow sent it, Amelia visits its source, an amazing bookstore in the lakeside town of Lochbrook, Michigan. There, she meets N.E. Endsley himself, AKA Nolan Endsley, and the two help each other with their grief and loss, falling in love in the process.
Amelia Unabridged is a book about loss, love, friendship, and finding yourself.
Amelia Griffin has been best friends with Jenna Wilkinson since freshman year, and the book that brought them together. That book was the Orman Chronicles, written by N.E. Endsley, a boy barely older than Amelia and Jenna. After the girls graduate high school, they attend a books festival where Endsley is scheduled to speak, but when he cancels and Jenna meets him without Amelia, they fight the most they ever have. When Jenna leaves for vacation a couple of days later and dies in a car accident, Amelia's world is shattered. Just days after, a delivery arrives for Amelia: an incredibly rare edition of the first book in the Orman Chronicles. Acting on the belief that Jenna somehow sent it, Amelia visits its source, an amazing bookstore in the lakeside town of Lochbrook, Michigan. There, she meets N.E. Endsley himself, AKA Nolan Endsley, and the two help each other with their grief and loss, falling in love in the process.
Amelia Unabridged is a book about loss, love, friendship, and finding yourself.
*grumbles* stupid perfect book making me cry into my mcdonald's
This is a spoiler-free review. No details will be shared from the storyline itself that aren’t available or inferred from the book jacket and online descriptions.
First Glance
I thought this book looked pretty while scrolling through NetGalley for my next set of ARC requests, and then I saw that it was published by Wednesday Books. So far, the books I’ve read from that publisher happen to be very poignant in their themes and the authors’ voices. Added to that, this is a book about books (or more specifically, a book about the author of some books). I’m a nerd for that!
Positive Bits
This is clearly a book about grief. The description tells us that Amelia’s best friend dies after an argument, leaving her hurt and lost. Grief is a deeply personal thing, but I think the author does an amazing job at showing us Amelia’s grief rather than telling us she’s grieving. To put that into perspective, I teared up within the first few chapters of the book and continued to ache and cry with Amelia throughout her story.
If we didn’t follow Amelia through her journey to find healing, the grief might’ve made this story unpalatable. Instead, we get to watch her rediscover herself without her best friend or the future they thought they had planned out together. The author wove healing into Amelia’s life without skipping the way grief returns unexpectedly, again and again. It was amazingly real (and better for it).
I happen to enjoy realistic stories, particularly when there’s romance and family involved. The way Amelia’s relationship exists with her own family, her best friend’s parents, and those she meets in her travels are all authentically flawed. People are allowed to fail. Some are even given opportunities to grow beyond their failings, only to fall short of personal growth. Maybe that’s not for everyone, but I appreciate the honest approach to relationship dynamics, especially as someone with similarly complicated relationships.
Less Enjoyable Bits
While I enjoyed the imagery and weight given to Amelia’s grief, I imagine this book will be a difficult read for anyone who’s recently experienced their own loss. Consider this your fair warning.
The characters are all very dynamic, whether they’re part of the main cast or not. However, the locations we visit with Amelia might as well be Anywhere, America. I had issues with remembering whether the nearby body of water was a lake, river, or ocean. I couldn’t remember the layout of a repeatedly visited building, other than one or two small details that I found quirky. Setting didn’t play a huge role in Amelia’s story, even when it might’ve had the need to do so.
While it was written in an entertaining style, I didn’t enjoy the epilogue. It felt rushed and unnecessary to the story itself. Then again, I generally expect a realistic story like this to end in a similar vein. Life doesn’t give us epilogues, because the story doesn’t end until we’re dead.
Is it worth the coin?
Yes – this story will make you ache to your bones and then soothe the hurt.
First Glance
I thought this book looked pretty while scrolling through NetGalley for my next set of ARC requests, and then I saw that it was published by Wednesday Books. So far, the books I’ve read from that publisher happen to be very poignant in their themes and the authors’ voices. Added to that, this is a book about books (or more specifically, a book about the author of some books). I’m a nerd for that!
Positive Bits
This is clearly a book about grief. The description tells us that Amelia’s best friend dies after an argument, leaving her hurt and lost. Grief is a deeply personal thing, but I think the author does an amazing job at showing us Amelia’s grief rather than telling us she’s grieving. To put that into perspective, I teared up within the first few chapters of the book and continued to ache and cry with Amelia throughout her story.
If we didn’t follow Amelia through her journey to find healing, the grief might’ve made this story unpalatable. Instead, we get to watch her rediscover herself without her best friend or the future they thought they had planned out together. The author wove healing into Amelia’s life without skipping the way grief returns unexpectedly, again and again. It was amazingly real (and better for it).
I happen to enjoy realistic stories, particularly when there’s romance and family involved. The way Amelia’s relationship exists with her own family, her best friend’s parents, and those she meets in her travels are all authentically flawed. People are allowed to fail. Some are even given opportunities to grow beyond their failings, only to fall short of personal growth. Maybe that’s not for everyone, but I appreciate the honest approach to relationship dynamics, especially as someone with similarly complicated relationships.
Less Enjoyable Bits
While I enjoyed the imagery and weight given to Amelia’s grief, I imagine this book will be a difficult read for anyone who’s recently experienced their own loss. Consider this your fair warning.
The characters are all very dynamic, whether they’re part of the main cast or not. However, the locations we visit with Amelia might as well be Anywhere, America. I had issues with remembering whether the nearby body of water was a lake, river, or ocean. I couldn’t remember the layout of a repeatedly visited building, other than one or two small details that I found quirky. Setting didn’t play a huge role in Amelia’s story, even when it might’ve had the need to do so.
While it was written in an entertaining style, I didn’t enjoy the epilogue. It felt rushed and unnecessary to the story itself. Then again, I generally expect a realistic story like this to end in a similar vein. Life doesn’t give us epilogues, because the story doesn’t end until we’re dead.
Is it worth the coin?
Yes – this story will make you ache to your bones and then soothe the hurt.
+ nádherné prostředí (a knihovna snů!)
+ spousta krásných a důležitých myšlenek
+ reálné postavy s klady i zápory a temnou minulostí, se kterou se musely poprat (vyrovnání se se ztrátou blízké osoby)
+supr čtivé, děj měl rychlý spád už od začátku, žádný pomalý rozjezd
+líbilo se mi, jak byl zapracovaný příběh o Ormanu do této knížky, jak z pohledu čtenářky Amelie, tak autora Nolana a ty věci "za oponou" a obecně to téma knihomolství
+fakt skvělý humor, který mě často nahlas rozesmál i ve velmi smutných částech knihy
+pěkná romantická linka, i když trochu rychlejší na můj vkus
-občas trochu nerealistické situace(hl. hrdinka sotva přijela, s nikým se neznala a hned jí nabídli ubytování zadarmo)
+ spousta krásných a důležitých myšlenek
+ reálné postavy s klady i zápory a temnou minulostí, se kterou se musely poprat (vyrovnání se se ztrátou blízké osoby)
+supr čtivé, děj měl rychlý spád už od začátku, žádný pomalý rozjezd
+líbilo se mi, jak byl zapracovaný příběh o Ormanu do této knížky, jak z pohledu čtenářky Amelie, tak autora Nolana a ty věci "za oponou" a obecně to téma knihomolství
+fakt skvělý humor, který mě často nahlas rozesmál i ve velmi smutných částech knihy
+pěkná romantická linka, i když trochu rychlejší na můj vkus
-občas trochu nerealistické situace(hl. hrdinka sotva přijela, s nikým se neznala a hned jí nabídli ubytování zadarmo)
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
4.5 stars.
Amelia Unabridged by Ashley Schumacher is an endearing young adult novel of healing.
Amelia Griffin and Jenna Williams are best friends who are enjoying their last summer before college. Their first adventure is a book conference where Amelia will finally get to meet her favorite author N. E. Endsley. She is devastated when he abruptly cancels his appearance. After Jenna makes a startling confession, Amelia is absolutely furious. Her anger soon turns to regret and sorrow after Jenna's death in a car accident. After receiving a package from a bookstore in Michigan, Amelia decides to go to the small town of Lochbrook to try to figure out who sent her the book and why. A week in the magical town not only helps her work through her grief. Amelia also finds love but will someone else’s expectations for her future prevent her from following her heart?
Amelia’s life drastically changes when her parents divorce. After a chance meeting at the local bookstore, she and Jenna are soon inseparable. Amelia’s home life is miserable so she is thrilled Jenna’s parents’ treat her as part of their family. After Jenna’s death, Amelia is grateful for their support as she tries to find meaning in the unexpected gift of a special book.
Amelia’s journey to Lochbrook contains many surprises and delights. She is enchanted with the quirky but inviting bookstore and her warm welcome by the store’s owner. Amelia is also delighted by her unanticipated new friendships. She is quite charmed by a new acquaintance but with the weight of expectation hanging over her, Amelia is faced with an untenable decision.
Amelia Unabridged is a heartwarming young adult novel with a great cast of eccentric characters. Amelia is a well-rounded young woman who is easy to root for. The secondary characters are well-developed and likable. The storyline is engaging which makes for a fast-paced read. With a late in the story conflict, Ashley Schumacher brings this delightful novel to a heartfelt conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this marvelous novel to teen and adult readers.
Amelia Unabridged by Ashley Schumacher is an endearing young adult novel of healing.
Amelia Griffin and Jenna Williams are best friends who are enjoying their last summer before college. Their first adventure is a book conference where Amelia will finally get to meet her favorite author N. E. Endsley. She is devastated when he abruptly cancels his appearance. After Jenna makes a startling confession, Amelia is absolutely furious. Her anger soon turns to regret and sorrow after Jenna's death in a car accident. After receiving a package from a bookstore in Michigan, Amelia decides to go to the small town of Lochbrook to try to figure out who sent her the book and why. A week in the magical town not only helps her work through her grief. Amelia also finds love but will someone else’s expectations for her future prevent her from following her heart?
Amelia’s life drastically changes when her parents divorce. After a chance meeting at the local bookstore, she and Jenna are soon inseparable. Amelia’s home life is miserable so she is thrilled Jenna’s parents’ treat her as part of their family. After Jenna’s death, Amelia is grateful for their support as she tries to find meaning in the unexpected gift of a special book.
Amelia’s journey to Lochbrook contains many surprises and delights. She is enchanted with the quirky but inviting bookstore and her warm welcome by the store’s owner. Amelia is also delighted by her unanticipated new friendships. She is quite charmed by a new acquaintance but with the weight of expectation hanging over her, Amelia is faced with an untenable decision.
Amelia Unabridged is a heartwarming young adult novel with a great cast of eccentric characters. Amelia is a well-rounded young woman who is easy to root for. The secondary characters are well-developed and likable. The storyline is engaging which makes for a fast-paced read. With a late in the story conflict, Ashley Schumacher brings this delightful novel to a heartfelt conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend this marvelous novel to teen and adult readers.
FIVE STARS AND I DON’T EVEN CARE WHAT ANYONE ELSE HAS TO SAY ABOUT IT BECAUSE THIS BROKE ME AND HEALED ME BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY SPOKE TO ME IN A WAY FEW KNOW HOW
I’m giving this 4 stars against my better judgment because even though there were parts that were very corny and frustrating I, too, would like to fall in love with a moody author in an adventurous bookstore.
Now damn. This was a gem of a book, and it tore me apart just to piece it all together again. It surprised me how the author is able to invoke these feelings, so intensely as if the tragedies and grief were my own. The story wasn't unexpected, but it was raw, emotional, and beautifully written. A highly recommended read!