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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
This was an easy read about soul searching and finally finding yourself. For my full review visit http://kate.gnade.net/.
Holy mother of Hasselhoff, the feels this book radiates!! So many feels I don't know what to do with my life! Although I really hate open ended stories, I suppose that's just another emotion to add to the bucket already overflowing with what this one story has produced. Love it.
Also reviewed on http://iamaloserkidreviews.blogspot.com
Before I start reviewing, there are a couple of things that I would like to let you know (which will cause this review to be highly unprofessional and slightly biased).
If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman are two of my favorite books. I was really looking forward to reading this one and part of the reason why I am reading this so late, was because I was afraid it was going to let me down.
I am Dutch, thus loving all the Dutch stuff in this book (which will all be further explained in this review).
After reading I can conclude I am totally in love with this book too (even after waiting a day too write my review, I am still too excited to write something considered professional).
The book starts with Allyson and Melanie, two friends on a trip through Europe with a traveling group. The are in England on their last stop and that is where Allyson meets Willem (I am sorry, but how a cliché Dutch name!). He is part of a Shakespeare performance group (and Shakespeare will play a big role throughout the book) and pretty much from then on she knows he's the one. Later when Allyson and Melanie are on the train to London, Allyson runs into no one other than Willem! There he find she looks like Louise Brooks and thus calls her LuLu. He invites her to go to Paris with him and that is really the start of their short romance (very short, it is only one day).
Allyson is quite a stiff person. She doesn't go out on adventures (which makes it pretty much a miracle she went away with Willem), doesn't really take chances and just does what her parents tell her to do. After he trip to Paris she starts to change a bit. It takes a while, but she starts to do more things she wants to do and things against her parents wishes.
Throughout the book, Allyson and Melanie grow apart. Especially since Allyson has changed after meeting Willem for such a short time and then never getting the change to talk to him again. They go to different colleges and Allyson starts to realize that they are quite different. After almost year, they don't talk anymore and she only finds out things about her friend through her father. And can I just add that I think Melanie is quite an awful friend. She mostly just thinks about herself and doesn't care what Allyson wants. They just do whatever Melanie wants to do.
And then we have Willem de Ruiter (ahhh the clichés). He isn't presence throughout the whole book, which I think is one of the downsides, since he is one of the main characters, but somewhere I do understand it. I just wish I had been able to see more of him throughout the book. Willem is a guy who has been a free man for quite a while. He travels around Europe and tells Allyson he hasn't been home to the Netherlands in quite a while and was actually meant to go home the day they met on the train to London. Willem has all these great Dutch things he says and I kind of laughed at the mentioning of hagelslag (which because of the book I think about is indeed a bit like dessert for breakfast. Just google it!). He suddenly leaves when they are in France and you get the feeling (because of Allyson) he is kind of a d***.
But here is the thing I thought about during part two of the book, which is about Allyson's time in college: You only get things from one perspective! Allyson keeps wanting to tell you how miserable she is because of Willem, but I keep thinking that there has to be more to it. You don't get his story. Which is why I now NEED to read the second book, before I loose my mind (also, because the books end in this annoying cliffhanger, so make sure you already have the second book so you can continue on with the story).
Before I start reviewing, there are a couple of things that I would like to let you know (which will cause this review to be highly unprofessional and slightly biased).
If I Stay and Where She Went by Gayle Forman are two of my favorite books. I was really looking forward to reading this one and part of the reason why I am reading this so late, was because I was afraid it was going to let me down.
I am Dutch, thus loving all the Dutch stuff in this book (which will all be further explained in this review).
After reading I can conclude I am totally in love with this book too (even after waiting a day too write my review, I am still too excited to write something considered professional).
The book starts with Allyson and Melanie, two friends on a trip through Europe with a traveling group. The are in England on their last stop and that is where Allyson meets Willem (I am sorry, but how a cliché Dutch name!). He is part of a Shakespeare performance group (and Shakespeare will play a big role throughout the book) and pretty much from then on she knows he's the one. Later when Allyson and Melanie are on the train to London, Allyson runs into no one other than Willem! There he find she looks like Louise Brooks and thus calls her LuLu. He invites her to go to Paris with him and that is really the start of their short romance (very short, it is only one day).
Allyson is quite a stiff person. She doesn't go out on adventures (which makes it pretty much a miracle she went away with Willem), doesn't really take chances and just does what her parents tell her to do. After he trip to Paris she starts to change a bit. It takes a while, but she starts to do more things she wants to do and things against her parents wishes.
Throughout the book, Allyson and Melanie grow apart. Especially since Allyson has changed after meeting Willem for such a short time and then never getting the change to talk to him again. They go to different colleges and Allyson starts to realize that they are quite different. After almost year, they don't talk anymore and she only finds out things about her friend through her father. And can I just add that I think Melanie is quite an awful friend. She mostly just thinks about herself and doesn't care what Allyson wants. They just do whatever Melanie wants to do.
And then we have Willem de Ruiter (ahhh the clichés). He isn't presence throughout the whole book, which I think is one of the downsides, since he is one of the main characters, but somewhere I do understand it. I just wish I had been able to see more of him throughout the book. Willem is a guy who has been a free man for quite a while. He travels around Europe and tells Allyson he hasn't been home to the Netherlands in quite a while and was actually meant to go home the day they met on the train to London. Willem has all these great Dutch things he says and I kind of laughed at the mentioning of hagelslag (which because of the book I think about is indeed a bit like dessert for breakfast. Just google it!). He suddenly leaves when they are in France and you get the feeling (because of Allyson) he is kind of a d***.
But here is the thing I thought about during part two of the book, which is about Allyson's time in college: You only get things from one perspective! Allyson keeps wanting to tell you how miserable she is because of Willem, but I keep thinking that there has to be more to it. You don't get his story. Which is why I now NEED to read the second book, before I loose my mind (also, because the books end in this annoying cliffhanger, so make sure you already have the second book so you can continue on with the story).
Upon finishing this book, it makes you reflect and ponder about life. People that are close-minded and like living predictable lives should read this book and see that life does not always go accordingly to a "plan" and that's the beauty of life. I loved this story, I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
Yes- I did watch the movie first. No the book isn't much better.
I was drawn to this book after reading "If I Stay" by Gayle Foreman which includes a snippet of "Just One Day" at the end. I read the first chapter and realized that it was the movie with Anne Hathaway and I was excited!!
However, the first third of the book is very enticing, following a very slow middle portion and an up and down sort of climax which comes to a head in the final third of the book that really does not give the reader much closure.
Even the snippet of the sequel is not enough to really engage me or invite me to read the second one. (Just One Year- which follows Willem's story)
As a hopeless romantic, the story of Allyson abandoning her trip itenerary and following Willem to Paris where they spend a singular day together falling in love is a novel (literally!) Concept. And in theory it is something that is worthy of the storybooks.
I did not particularly like Allyson's doubting of herself throughout the middle portion and her failure to admit what the real "issue" was in her life and not seeking help/advice. For her to be "so sure" of their connection and his presence in the end seemed like a bit of a far reach; if she was so sure of her connection, then why did she think he left her in the first place? Why did it take her so long to talk herself into going back? Why does it take her a year?
Despite a very enticing first portion, it just doesn't seem like she really wanted to find him until the end.
Overall I feel this novel has good intentions and takes the reader on a journey which unlike Allyson's doesn't get much closure.
I was drawn to this book after reading "If I Stay" by Gayle Foreman which includes a snippet of "Just One Day" at the end. I read the first chapter and realized that it was the movie with Anne Hathaway and I was excited!!
However, the first third of the book is very enticing, following a very slow middle portion and an up and down sort of climax which comes to a head in the final third of the book that really does not give the reader much closure.
Even the snippet of the sequel is not enough to really engage me or invite me to read the second one. (Just One Year- which follows Willem's story)
As a hopeless romantic, the story of Allyson abandoning her trip itenerary and following Willem to Paris where they spend a singular day together falling in love is a novel (literally!) Concept. And in theory it is something that is worthy of the storybooks.
I did not particularly like Allyson's doubting of herself throughout the middle portion and her failure to admit what the real "issue" was in her life and not seeking help/advice. For her to be "so sure" of their connection and his presence in the end seemed like a bit of a far reach; if she was so sure of her connection, then why did she think he left her in the first place? Why did it take her so long to talk herself into going back? Why does it take her a year?
Despite a very enticing first portion, it just doesn't seem like she really wanted to find him until the end.
Overall I feel this novel has good intentions and takes the reader on a journey which unlike Allyson's doesn't get much closure.
Everyone has their own reason for reading the books they select. I read mysteries to solve the puzzle, even if I don't solve it I keep reading them. I read scifi/fantasy to be amazed by new worlds that open up my imagination. I read YA fiction to feel.
One author that blew me away with her books If I Stay/Where She Went was Gayle Forman. I loved those books and when she released Just One Year I bought it straight away but I've held off reading it. I was worried it wouldn't live up to her other books. It's almost summer in Canada and I wanted to read a travel book so I picked up Just One Day.
Just One Day is the story of Allyson who travels through Europe on a teen tour with her high school best friend, Melanie. She meets the mysterious Willem, who only knows her as Lulu and they have a magical day until he disappears and she goes home distraught about what could've been. She continues on with her life, to college, but nothing makes sense to her - especially not the pre-med classes her parents have planned for her. So she returns to Paris, to find Willem and discover if there is more to it all.
MAGIC! Seriously Gayle Forman has created MAGIC! I was slow to liking Just One Day. With If I Stay/Where She Went in my mind I wasn't sure if I would like it, but Just One Day grabbed me and took me travelling with Allyson as she tried to capture what she had and find Willem. It took me through Europe (where I've never been) and oh the Shakespeare. I loved the Shakespeare and the college experience, and travelling.
I could complete relate to Allyson who has troubling making friends and embracing the "just move forward" motion of travelling. She gets there though and makes some fabulous friends, including Australian Wren (thank you Gayle for including aussies!) and it was a beautiful, wonderful story.
Of course now I NEED Just One Year. Luckily it's out later this year. My verdict on Just One Day is beautiful travelling YA fiction, read it!
One author that blew me away with her books If I Stay/Where She Went was Gayle Forman. I loved those books and when she released Just One Year I bought it straight away but I've held off reading it. I was worried it wouldn't live up to her other books. It's almost summer in Canada and I wanted to read a travel book so I picked up Just One Day.
Just One Day is the story of Allyson who travels through Europe on a teen tour with her high school best friend, Melanie. She meets the mysterious Willem, who only knows her as Lulu and they have a magical day until he disappears and she goes home distraught about what could've been. She continues on with her life, to college, but nothing makes sense to her - especially not the pre-med classes her parents have planned for her. So she returns to Paris, to find Willem and discover if there is more to it all.
MAGIC! Seriously Gayle Forman has created MAGIC! I was slow to liking Just One Day. With If I Stay/Where She Went in my mind I wasn't sure if I would like it, but Just One Day grabbed me and took me travelling with Allyson as she tried to capture what she had and find Willem. It took me through Europe (where I've never been) and oh the Shakespeare. I loved the Shakespeare and the college experience, and travelling.
I could complete relate to Allyson who has troubling making friends and embracing the "just move forward" motion of travelling. She gets there though and makes some fabulous friends, including Australian Wren (thank you Gayle for including aussies!) and it was a beautiful, wonderful story.
Of course now I NEED Just One Year. Luckily it's out later this year. My verdict on Just One Day is beautiful travelling YA fiction, read it!
I expected more from this book. I love Gayle Forman's other books, but this one just fell flat for me. I like that it was about Allyson's self-discovery, but it felt like it just dragged on. There was nothing that really made me love it and I didn't have any strong emotions when I was reading it. I have the companion to it, but I'm hesitant to read it since this one was so dull for me.
Also, the book had SO many grammatical errors, which I've noticed in a lot of books lately. I think that's part of the reason I couldn't really get into it. It never flowed properly because I kept getting stuck at the errors. It was really frustrating.
Also, the book had SO many grammatical errors, which I've noticed in a lot of books lately. I think that's part of the reason I couldn't really get into it. It never flowed properly because I kept getting stuck at the errors. It was really frustrating.
Wow, diese Geschichte hat mich tief in ihren Bann gezogen und ich freue mich nun gespannt auf die Fortsetzung.
"Just one Day" war eine sehr emotionale, spannende und inspirierende Reise durch Europa und das Gefühlschaos einer jungen Frau, hin und hergerissen zwischen ihren Gefühlen.
Absolut tolles Buch. <3
"Just one Day" war eine sehr emotionale, spannende und inspirierende Reise durch Europa und das Gefühlschaos einer jungen Frau, hin und hergerissen zwischen ihren Gefühlen.
Absolut tolles Buch. <3
ha, I'm just a sucker for this sort of thing....