Reviews

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder

mehsi's review against another edition

1.0

I normally like books in verse, but this one not particularly.
I think it was because of the writing differences between the two characters. Brooklyn wrote in paragraphs, while Nico's text was mostly just one wall.

Also it was quite confusing in the beginning, I didn't know who died, who loved whom and so on.

I expected more ghost/horror/thriller and less tragedy and romance.

elvenavari's review against another edition

5.0

I really hated the format of this book... like REALLY hated it.

But as I read on the format became less important. The words grabbed me. The characters grabbed me. I found himself cheering them on, being frightened during a nightmare with Brooklyn, feeling the wind in my hair as Nico did on the swings. And for that this was an awesome read.

maggielane12's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

annamorgan27's review against another edition

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

jowillread's review

4.0

"Motion is always preferable
to stagnation.
When you move,things happen."


Initial Final Page Thoughts.
I would say that this book wanted to make me want to sign up for a triathalon.
But that would be a horrible lie.
It did make me want to go back to the beginning and read it again though.

High Points.
It seemed Ms Schroeder had a checklist of everything I dislike in books and she wrote this book just to spite me and show how wrong I am and to make me look silly.

People who shouldn’t be in love, falling in love against all the odds.
“I’ll meet you at the finish line.”
*sobs*
Boys teaching a girl how to be strong.
Taken at face value, yeah. But the girl’s not a bad teacher herself.
Boys buying girls red roses.
I’d still prefer yellow ones, but if it was Nico then I wouldn’t mind getting a bouquet of dandelions.
Boys singing to girls.
Maybe it doesn’t annoy me if it’s to the tune of ‘Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star’…
Mini Golf.
I… uh…I got nothing.

Flower girls. Running. Lucky. Mint toothpaste. Notebooks. Fear. Acceptance. Greif. Playlists. Dreams. Pasta. Rainy day picnics. Whispering sweet everythings. Beginning. Finish lines.

Low Points.

I still
f e e l
A BIT ANTSY
when poems
a r e

set out
in eXcItInG

ways.


Just personal preference but I just think that this book didn’t need that.

Heroine.
At the beginning of this book, when we first meet Brooklyn, I made a little note at the end of one her poems.
It read:
*cough*
“I like that this girl isn’t really whingy.”
A few poems later, when my face was permanently like so: :( , I made another little note at the end of one of Brooklyn’s poems.
It read:
*cough*
“:( I want her to be really whingey. Surely that’s better than being numb. Let it out, Brooklyn!”

I loved Brooklyn; I thought she was such a great heroine.
She’s just how I like them: smart, funny, sad, a bit messed-up, honest, vulnerable, determined, compassionate.

Hero.
I’m not telling you anything about Nico because I want you to meet him for yourself. He’s quickly become one of my favourite YA heroes.
He’s just how I like them: smart, funny, a bit sad, messed-up, honest, vulnerable, determined, compassionate.

See what I did there?
Yup, boy helps girl but girl helps boy and they’re equal in their struggles and their strength.

OH! Also, Nico can make Italian food. That’s right.
Italian food.


Theme Tune.
People Help the People by Birdy.
Shh, don’t tell anyone, but I like this version better than the original.
(Sorry lads, I still love the rest of your album.)

God knows what is hiding in this world of little consequence
Behind the tears, inside the lies
A thousand slowly dying sunsets
God knows what is hiding in those weak and drunken hearts
I guess the loneliness came knocking.
No one needs to be alone, oh save me.


Sadness Scale.
9/10.
I’m not a crier in real life and I don’t cry at books.
Well, that’s a lie.
In recent memory I’ve cried at two books. Sure I’ve felt emotional at lots of others but physical tears just two.
Now three.
I’m not talking about A Monster Calls stratospheres but I’d say there was a definite misty gleam.
The despair, the loss, the longing, the hope, the laughter, the vulnerabilities of the characters, the reality of it all.
In the ‘About the Author’ at the end of this book it states that Ms Schroeder “loves to write in verse because it allows her to really get at the emotional core of the story.”
And boy, does she.

Recommended For.
People who are determined to finish the race… even if they have a stitch. People who can listen to ‘Fix You’ without sobbing like a small child (Although, actually I don’t like that song. This one, however.) People who measure happiness by how far you can jump on the swings. People who like Italian food. That’s right. Italian Food.

This book is part of my "A Week in Verse" feature on my blog. Find out more here.

thequirkybooknerd's review against another edition

fast-paced

4.0

whennicolereads's review

5.0

"My reflection tells one story.
My heart, a different one.

The difference is,
Hearts don't lie.
Mirrors do."

I loved it. It was a fast yet definitely an emotional read. Definitely another good read by Lisa Schroeder.

booksandcecilia's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 stars

Mitt hjärta krossades och lades ihop igen under den här läsningen!

Read my full review at Book Obsession

baancs's review

3.0

She trusted him.
She had faith in him.
And he left her forever.

brittanyelyse's review against another edition

5.0

update 2021: well damn, how is it possible to love every single line in a book? every. single. line. i didn’t think i’d be as obsessed with this as i was the first time i read it but i am. something about this book just hits harder than every other book i have ever read. it is so complex yet not. being written in verse seriously is it’s own personality and i think that’s what makes the story that more interesting.
i mean i truly feel this book with every single emotion, word written, all of it. even 8 years later i still GET IT. i get why i love it and i get why i always will. it’s just such a real love story that says just enough without having to say it all. god i think i’d give it endless stars if i could


2013: this book was unbelievable and i finished it in a day with no regrets other than i wish i could read it again for the first time. truly a favorite