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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
ha, I'm just a sucker for this sort of thing....
In the spirit of the book, I read this is just one day. As a type A person who is also slave to the clock, I loved it. Forman does a lovely job of describing Allyson's growth in slow, tiny increments, from the rushed decision to head to Paris, to the inevitable fallout. I loved the way in which she wrote the process of a college student coming to terms with the expectations that have been placed on her, figuring out who she wants to be, and taking responsibility to get there. Of course, the beautiful scenery in which she chose to do the latter didn't hurt either.
I found it to be very much in the style of Maureen Johnson's 13 Little Blue Envelopes -- that focus on growth and self-discovery through travel that I was always jealous of in my late teens and early adult years, having always found it impossible to take the leaps that the well-traveled seem so easily capable of taking.
I was incredibly annoyed, however, to find out on the back cover (!!!) that there will be a second book from Willem's point of view. To have this so brazenly marketed to me, before even being given the possibility to enjoy the story for what it is, was just depressing. I know what a big market series style books have, I don't need to be beat over the head with it to the point I can't even enjoy the story I'm currently reading.
I found it to be very much in the style of Maureen Johnson's 13 Little Blue Envelopes -- that focus on growth and self-discovery through travel that I was always jealous of in my late teens and early adult years, having always found it impossible to take the leaps that the well-traveled seem so easily capable of taking.
I was incredibly annoyed, however, to find out on the back cover (!!!) that there will be a second book from Willem's point of view. To have this so brazenly marketed to me, before even being given the possibility to enjoy the story for what it is, was just depressing. I know what a big market series style books have, I don't need to be beat over the head with it to the point I can't even enjoy the story I'm currently reading.
Originally reviewed on my blog, A Foodie Bibliophile in Wanderlust.
When Allyson Healy takes a trip to Europe with her best friend Melanie the summer before her Freshman year of college, she quickly discovers that most of the trip is drudgery: filled with schedules, a motherly tour guide, and tourist trap after tourist trap. But close to the end of their trip, in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Melanie and Allyson ditch their tour group to attend an underground performance of Shakespeare's The Twelfth Night. That is where she sees Willem for the first time, a ruggedly handsome Dutch actor performing in the play, and there is an irrefutable spark. So when their first chance encounter leads to a second, Allyson decides to ditch her normally good girl persona and take a risk, choosing to run off to Paris with Willem for the day.
That decision vaults her into one of the most tumultuous years of her life, filled with angst and self-discovery, and perhaps even some love along the way: love of herself and of others.
True to Gayle Forman's touching, sentimental style, she writes a page-turning narrative full of heart and soul in Just One Day. I must admit, I was a bit dubious of Allyson's intentions midway through the novel, and even found her to be a tad too emo and angsty for my liking. At certain points of the story I even found it extremely difficult to empathize with her. But I should not have doubted. Forman once again proves her writing chops and shows her readers how to truly craft a three-dimensional character.
There were so many beautiful moments in this book, and they all revolve around Allyson's journey of self-discovery. The friendship she forms with the vibrant and flamboyant D'Angelo Harrison - AKA, "Dee" - is one of the most endearing parts of the novel and helps keep the plot moving. Dee is the perfect example of how a secondary character could steal the show, and would have, if plotted incorrectly. But in this case, he came in, did his job (offered some lightheartedness to some otherwise dark and dismal scenes) and then left Allyson to do the rest.
Equally as compelling is Forman's use of travel as self-discovery (which I am obviously a big proponent of given the theme of my blog). There is a particular scene in the book where Allyson is in Paris and she enters a patisserie where there is much celebration and the people inside ask her to join them even though she doesn't know a soul in the room. Her reaction to the events that unfold along with the reason for the celebration proves to be one of the most beautiful and memorable scenes in the book, and a perfect case for why people should travel the world: to seek out those beautiful, unexpected moments that you can't get from, as Mark Twain would say, "vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime."
Given that most people who have put this book on their to-read list know that there will be a second book told from Willem's point-of-view, the ending shouldn't be too much of a surprise. Though I have to admit, I'm glad we don't have to wait a year to read Just One Year, since the planned publication appears to be some time in 2013. I for one will be one of the first people clamoring to read it.
If you're someone like me who loves tales of travel and self-discovery, put Just One Day on your to-read list today!
When Allyson Healy takes a trip to Europe with her best friend Melanie the summer before her Freshman year of college, she quickly discovers that most of the trip is drudgery: filled with schedules, a motherly tour guide, and tourist trap after tourist trap. But close to the end of their trip, in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Melanie and Allyson ditch their tour group to attend an underground performance of Shakespeare's The Twelfth Night. That is where she sees Willem for the first time, a ruggedly handsome Dutch actor performing in the play, and there is an irrefutable spark. So when their first chance encounter leads to a second, Allyson decides to ditch her normally good girl persona and take a risk, choosing to run off to Paris with Willem for the day.
That decision vaults her into one of the most tumultuous years of her life, filled with angst and self-discovery, and perhaps even some love along the way: love of herself and of others.
True to Gayle Forman's touching, sentimental style, she writes a page-turning narrative full of heart and soul in Just One Day. I must admit, I was a bit dubious of Allyson's intentions midway through the novel, and even found her to be a tad too emo and angsty for my liking. At certain points of the story I even found it extremely difficult to empathize with her. But I should not have doubted. Forman once again proves her writing chops and shows her readers how to truly craft a three-dimensional character.
There were so many beautiful moments in this book, and they all revolve around Allyson's journey of self-discovery. The friendship she forms with the vibrant and flamboyant D'Angelo Harrison - AKA, "Dee" - is one of the most endearing parts of the novel and helps keep the plot moving. Dee is the perfect example of how a secondary character could steal the show, and would have, if plotted incorrectly. But in this case, he came in, did his job (offered some lightheartedness to some otherwise dark and dismal scenes) and then left Allyson to do the rest.
Equally as compelling is Forman's use of travel as self-discovery (which I am obviously a big proponent of given the theme of my blog). There is a particular scene in the book where Allyson is in Paris and she enters a patisserie where there is much celebration and the people inside ask her to join them even though she doesn't know a soul in the room. Her reaction to the events that unfold along with the reason for the celebration proves to be one of the most beautiful and memorable scenes in the book, and a perfect case for why people should travel the world: to seek out those beautiful, unexpected moments that you can't get from, as Mark Twain would say, "vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime."
Given that most people who have put this book on their to-read list know that there will be a second book told from Willem's point-of-view, the ending shouldn't be too much of a surprise. Though I have to admit, I'm glad we don't have to wait a year to read Just One Year, since the planned publication appears to be some time in 2013. I for one will be one of the first people clamoring to read it.
If you're someone like me who loves tales of travel and self-discovery, put Just One Day on your to-read list today!
Just One Day appeared to be my sort of YA contemporary novel: romance + travel + heartache. Allyson Healey is on a school trip to England when she meets Willem De Ruiter, a charming Dutch boy, starring in an underground performance of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. Allyson knows there's something between them, although she's not quite sure if it's genuine, and so she does something out of the ordinary and embarks on a spontaneous journey. Allyson and Willem jump on the Eurostar and head to Paris for the day, even though Allyson will have to be on a plane home in a few days. She doesn't speak French, she's never been to the city before, and she's hopeless at reading maps, so she leaves it up to Willem to show her the beauty of the city. Until he disappears and she's left stranded.
I picked up Just One Day and incorrectly assumed that Willem would leave Allyson, I know he leaves from the start, shortly towards the end of the story, after I've spent nearly the entire length of the book with the happy couple, but no. It happens much sooner than that, which makes for a much more interesting and emotionally complex novel.
Just One Day really just shows us the briefest of romances. We can see how both Allyson and Willem get caught up in the moment, in what they mean to each other and what the city means to them. Allyson is a little like me, she plays it safe and often holds back, so I do understand the urge to do something drastic, like get away for a while and live life as if it's a movie, but Just One Day doesn't let us go in that direction. In reality, it's not romantic and life isn't a movie and no, an inspiring movie score won't suddenly start to play.
After Willem leaves, I realize that the story's actually more about Allyson herself and the struggle she's had with control over her own life and her own happiness, which is brilliantly done and told with honesty and conviction. I love Anna and the French Kiss. I think it’s cute and wonderful and perfect, and at first I thought Just One Day was fairly similar, but it’s not that version of Paris that we see. I love that Just One Day goes in a different direction. Willem is cultured, elusive, spontaneous and an experienced traveler, the opposite of Allyson, but Just One Day isn't really about him.
If you're looking for a young adult romance, I'd say that although it's certainly part of the story and it's bittersweet, Just One Day is about the trials and tribulations of self-discovery more than anything else. I loved that it has a companion novel (Just One Year), rather than sequel, and would love to see this separate yet dual narrative appear more in young adult literature. It goes to show that one perspective can't truly give us the whole story.
Going into Just One Day, I knew I would enjoy it. The story appealed to me, the reviews were fabulous, and I adore Gayle Forman. Sure enough, my expectations were not only met but exceeded.
Allyson reminded me a lot of myself. She was very much a good girl. Rather than going out partying with friends, she spent her nights alone in the hotel room, not wanting to get in trouble and not really into the crowds. She was smart and kind but rather quiet. That changes when she meets Willem, an outgoing, fearless guy who does pretty much whatever he wants. He’s a traveling actor at the end of his run and he and Allyson just happen to meet. He brings out a new side of Allyson in the day they spend together.
Allyson and Willem’s story is key to the book but the time they spend together is actually very short (just one day.) Following what seems like a magical night, Allyson wakes up alone and must go on with her life without him. The year following brings a whole new Allyson and even though she constantly thinks of Willem, she has to learn to love herself without him. College helps her with that, especially with the help of some new unexpected friends.
Gayle Forman’s writing is spectacular and her voice is spot on. Readers will have no trouble getting hooked on Just One Day through the writing alone.
The setting of Paris (though only briefly set there) is so fabulous. I felt like I was seeing everything alongside Allyson and Willem. Gayle Forman includes the highlights of Paris but that is far from all she includes. She draws attention to the lesser known attractions of Paris and it was so fun. If you can’t make it to Paris sometime soon, read Just One Day and you’ll feel like you’re there.
Overall, read Just One Day if you haven’t already. It’s a fabulous contemporary story that will leave you eager for the conclusion to Allyson and Willem’s story.
Allyson reminded me a lot of myself. She was very much a good girl. Rather than going out partying with friends, she spent her nights alone in the hotel room, not wanting to get in trouble and not really into the crowds. She was smart and kind but rather quiet. That changes when she meets Willem, an outgoing, fearless guy who does pretty much whatever he wants. He’s a traveling actor at the end of his run and he and Allyson just happen to meet. He brings out a new side of Allyson in the day they spend together.
Allyson and Willem’s story is key to the book but the time they spend together is actually very short (just one day.) Following what seems like a magical night, Allyson wakes up alone and must go on with her life without him. The year following brings a whole new Allyson and even though she constantly thinks of Willem, she has to learn to love herself without him. College helps her with that, especially with the help of some new unexpected friends.
Gayle Forman’s writing is spectacular and her voice is spot on. Readers will have no trouble getting hooked on Just One Day through the writing alone.
The setting of Paris (though only briefly set there) is so fabulous. I felt like I was seeing everything alongside Allyson and Willem. Gayle Forman includes the highlights of Paris but that is far from all she includes. She draws attention to the lesser known attractions of Paris and it was so fun. If you can’t make it to Paris sometime soon, read Just One Day and you’ll feel like you’re there.
Overall, read Just One Day if you haven’t already. It’s a fabulous contemporary story that will leave you eager for the conclusion to Allyson and Willem’s story.
I usually agree with the majority of people when it comes to ya books, at least, so I guess this is a first.
I didn't like this book, like, at all. I gave this two stars because I found it entertaning at the beginning, but then it became just page after page of Allyson pining, and being extremely emo about everything, and I don't like when there isn't just a tiny bit of humour. She just takes everything so seriously, all the time.
I didn't like this book, like, at all. I gave this two stars because I found it entertaning at the beginning, but then it became just page after page of Allyson pining, and being extremely emo about everything, and I don't like when there isn't just a tiny bit of humour. She just takes everything so seriously, all the time.
My thoughts here: http://crossreferencing.wordpress.com/2013/01/03/new-adult/