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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
Har erindringer om virkelig godt at kunne lide denne bog. Og karaktererne virker virkelig cool! Elsker brevformat på bøger<3
Klub 27://
Klub 27://
I didn't hate it. I didn't love it. Honestly, reading it made me feel really sad.
This was an interesting concept with the letters (makes me think of Perks of Being a Wallflower, but how anyone compares the two books, I don't know). Laurel is kind of annoying as a character and the story itself is kind of boring. You can pretty much predict the whole book. There was almost no feeling in the book. I was disappointed.
When I think about this book, quickly and superficially, I enjoyed it. It definitely tugged at my heart strings because it basically hit on every sad topic that ever was, from mental health issues to sexual assault to suicide, and more.
If I think about that a little more deeply, I'm left unsatisfied with how these issues were portrayed and discussed. To be fair to the book, a large portion of it is a huge build-up to just being able to talk about it, and I get that. Still, everything is treated with gloves, almost, with a throw-away line about therapy or else an assertion that a mentally unwell person is "just that way." No, it wasn't the responsibility of this book to educate or explore these matters, but I can't rate it higher because it felt superficial.
The letters were a really interesting way of telling the story, specifically the collection of people she chose to write them to.
And when I think about that, I realize that writing in solely letters has its own set of problems. There was no dialogue, for one. The entire thing was basically exposition. It seemed so awkward at points to have Laurel writing letters to these people... about themselves. She spends too much time informing these (dead) people of things they did they did when they were alive, for the sake of the reader.
I think, because of this rambling style, the story took too long to get to where it was going, even when it was obvious. The letters were repetitive- not only as a narrative style, but the content found within them. Think about how many times you heard about Judy Garland's childhood, or River Phoenix's looks. Or any number of vague details she gives about May, or stories about sleeping with May in the same bead. Whether it happened 2 times or 20, the book is done, and I'm left with the impression of a inexpertly paced and repetitive story.
Laurel is young (and immature) and that young voice definitely comes across here. If you prefer YA with a more mature voice, this won't be for you. Ava Dellaria actually writes that young voice well, but it's a choppy, stripped down narrative full of short sentences and an occasional line of #deep teen poetry.
I kind of wish I'd like this more, but it just missed the mark for me, though I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading it themselves.
If I think about that a little more deeply, I'm left unsatisfied with how these issues were portrayed and discussed. To be fair to the book, a large portion of it is a huge build-up to just being able to talk about it, and I get that. Still, everything is treated with gloves, almost, with a throw-away line about therapy or else an assertion that a mentally unwell person is "just that way." No, it wasn't the responsibility of this book to educate or explore these matters, but I can't rate it higher because it felt superficial.
The letters were a really interesting way of telling the story, specifically the collection of people she chose to write them to.
And when I think about that, I realize that writing in solely letters has its own set of problems. There was no dialogue, for one. The entire thing was basically exposition. It seemed so awkward at points to have Laurel writing letters to these people... about themselves. She spends too much time informing these (dead) people of things they did they did when they were alive, for the sake of the reader.
I think, because of this rambling style, the story took too long to get to where it was going, even when it was obvious. The letters were repetitive- not only as a narrative style, but the content found within them. Think about how many times you heard about Judy Garland's childhood, or River Phoenix's looks. Or any number of vague details she gives about May, or stories about sleeping with May in the same bead. Whether it happened 2 times or 20, the book is done, and I'm left with the impression of a inexpertly paced and repetitive story.
Laurel is young (and immature) and that young voice definitely comes across here. If you prefer YA with a more mature voice, this won't be for you. Ava Dellaria actually writes that young voice well, but it's a choppy, stripped down narrative full of short sentences and an occasional line of #deep teen poetry.
I kind of wish I'd like this more, but it just missed the mark for me, though I wouldn't discourage anyone from reading it themselves.
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment
I'm not good with a slow-paced book. I keep on putting this book down bc it was depressing and sad but one thing I know is you got to be patient while you're reading this. The end was worth it.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
At first I found this book trite. Laurel was so immature. She made really poor choices that made me want to throw things at her. But as I persevered through the high schools antics, bad language, and worse, something underlying and beautiful appeared. Laurel overcame the self-destructing behavior and along the way she and her friends became something more. It was a powerful message of love, friendship, and understanding. A touching account of acceptance I would recommend to those struggling with tolerance and those trying to share their true feelings.
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death, Rape, Grief, Alcohol