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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
At seventeen, Norah has accepted that the four walls of her house delineate her life. She knows that fearing everything from inland tsunamis to odd numbers is irrational, but her mind insists the world outside is too big, too dangerous. So she stays safe inside, watching others' lives through her windows and social media feed.
But when Luke arrives on her doorstep, he doesn't see a girl defined by medical terms and mental health. Instead, he sees a girl who is funny, smart, and brave. And Norah likes what he sees.
Their friendship turns deeper, but Norah knows Luke deserves a normal girl. One who can walk beneath the open sky. One who is unafraid of kissing. One who isn't screwed up. Can she let him go for his own good-- or can Norah learn to see herself through Luke's eyes?
I have to admit, I bought this book because of the gorgeous cover and because EVERYONE was talking about it. But I was not disappointed by this story. In fact I thought it was great! Norah is a strong and brave character who struggles with anxiety, agoraphobia, OCD and self harm. Her character feels so realistic compared to other characters in other mental health books that I've read. I'll be honest, I did not understand (and I may never fully understand) what goes through the mind of someone who struggles with anxiety, but this book helped a lot on giving me insight to it. And I loved that! I love the fact that I picked this book up to read for pleasure and I ended up learning a thing or two on mental illness.
The romance in this book is very quirky and cute. One reason this books feels more realistic compared to other mental health books is that the girl does not get "fixed" by the boy. Just because a boy comes along doesn't mean that her illness is just going to vanish. The ending of this book was not what I saw coming. But I did enjoy it and thought that it ended well.
I guess the only reason I didn't rate this book 5 stars is because it reminded me a little of Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon. I saw quite a few comparisons in the two books. Also, I thought that the ending was quite rushed. Overall though, I enjoyed the book and definitely recommend it to friends.
But when Luke arrives on her doorstep, he doesn't see a girl defined by medical terms and mental health. Instead, he sees a girl who is funny, smart, and brave. And Norah likes what he sees.
Their friendship turns deeper, but Norah knows Luke deserves a normal girl. One who can walk beneath the open sky. One who is unafraid of kissing. One who isn't screwed up. Can she let him go for his own good-- or can Norah learn to see herself through Luke's eyes?
I have to admit, I bought this book because of the gorgeous cover and because EVERYONE was talking about it. But I was not disappointed by this story. In fact I thought it was great! Norah is a strong and brave character who struggles with anxiety, agoraphobia, OCD and self harm. Her character feels so realistic compared to other characters in other mental health books that I've read. I'll be honest, I did not understand (and I may never fully understand) what goes through the mind of someone who struggles with anxiety, but this book helped a lot on giving me insight to it. And I loved that! I love the fact that I picked this book up to read for pleasure and I ended up learning a thing or two on mental illness.
The romance in this book is very quirky and cute. One reason this books feels more realistic compared to other mental health books is that the girl does not get "fixed" by the boy. Just because a boy comes along doesn't mean that her illness is just going to vanish. The ending of this book was not what I saw coming. But I did enjoy it and thought that it ended well.
I guess the only reason I didn't rate this book 5 stars is because it reminded me a little of Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon. I saw quite a few comparisons in the two books. Also, I thought that the ending was quite rushed. Overall though, I enjoyed the book and definitely recommend it to friends.
Actual Rating: 3.5
This was an enjoyable read. I really enjoyed this one. This story deals with the issue of OCD, agoraphobia, anxiety, and depression. I really liked how the story was told in a realistic way, and made me learn about these conditions more. I really liked the characters. Though, there were times that I wished that Norah would let go of her insecurities at times. I really enjoyed her character. It showed me how Norah faced the challenges that go along with these conditions. I really liked the romance. Also, I thought that she and Luke were a cute couple. I enjoyed the ending. I recommend this book to everyone. Overall, a great read.
This was an enjoyable read. I really enjoyed this one. This story deals with the issue of OCD, agoraphobia, anxiety, and depression. I really liked how the story was told in a realistic way, and made me learn about these conditions more. I really liked the characters. Though, there were times that I wished that Norah would let go of her insecurities at times. I really enjoyed her character. It showed me how Norah faced the challenges that go along with these conditions. I really liked the romance. Also, I thought that she and Luke were a cute couple. I enjoyed the ending. I recommend this book to everyone. Overall, a great read.
"We can assume the best, but we can't choose how people perceive us. We can, however, choose how those views affect us."
Under Rose-Tainted Skies is the story of Norah, who suffers from agoraphobia. She lives with her mother, who home schools her, when one day, Luke moves in next door with whom Norah eventually falls in love.
There was a lot to like about this book. Mainly the portrayal of mental illness. Especially the preconceptions people have about mental illnesses, and the way people, who suffer from them, expect those preconceptions from other people.
Norah, overall, is a very likeable character, even though, being with her in her head is quite exhausting and frustrating. I feel like, that, underlined the struggle of living with agoraphobia all the more.
Her mother was another character I really liked as well.
Luke, like a lot of love interests in YA contemporaries, fell a bit flat for me. It felt like there wasn't much to his character, besides being the love interest and really understanding.
The ending, in my opinion, also wasn't perfect. I feel like every story about a character with agoraphobia, ends with something drastic happening, that forces the character out of the house. Here it is the intruder in the house, in [b:Highly Illogical Behavior|26109391|Highly Illogical Behavior|John Corey Whaley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1447262135s/26109391.jpg|46054780] it was the main character's grandmother being in the hospital.
I feel like I would really enjoy a novel about agoraphobia, that finds another way to end things, besides forcing them out of the house by any means.
I rated it 3 out of 5 stars.
Under Rose-Tainted Skies is the story of Norah, who suffers from agoraphobia. She lives with her mother, who home schools her, when one day, Luke moves in next door with whom Norah eventually falls in love.
There was a lot to like about this book. Mainly the portrayal of mental illness. Especially the preconceptions people have about mental illnesses, and the way people, who suffer from them, expect those preconceptions from other people.
Norah, overall, is a very likeable character, even though, being with her in her head is quite exhausting and frustrating. I feel like, that, underlined the struggle of living with agoraphobia all the more.
Her mother was another character I really liked as well.
Luke, like a lot of love interests in YA contemporaries, fell a bit flat for me. It felt like there wasn't much to his character, besides being the love interest and really understanding.
The ending, in my opinion, also wasn't perfect. I feel like every story about a character with agoraphobia, ends with something drastic happening, that forces the character out of the house. Here it is the intruder in the house, in [b:Highly Illogical Behavior|26109391|Highly Illogical Behavior|John Corey Whaley|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1447262135s/26109391.jpg|46054780] it was the main character's grandmother being in the hospital.
I feel like I would really enjoy a novel about agoraphobia, that finds another way to end things, besides forcing them out of the house by any means.
I rated it 3 out of 5 stars.
I don't usually read Issue Books, but agoraphobia runs in my family, as does OCD. This book sounded interesting because of that, but also because of the tone, a brisk, sarcastic, often funny, as well as vivid and gritty first person narrator.
Norah tipped over the edge around puberty, which rang true. She has to step twice on the bottom step to make the number come out even. She is afraid of being touched because of others' germs. She can't go out her front door, so she lives on the Internet, forever scaring herself witless at articles about germs, pandemics, earthquakes, plane crashes . . . you get the idea.
Her mother does her best to cope--her mother is one of the many pluses in this book. But Norah, in spite of her awesome mother, and her equally awesome therapist, doesn't seem to be able to escape the cage her own brain has made for her.
Then she meets the boy next door.
This could so easily have gone south. The boy who solves everything--teen love conquers all--we've seen wish fulfillment stories along those lines, and although they feel good, they don't ring true, especially to the readers who feel a kinship with the problems the heroine is dealing with, whatever they may be.
Some readers might find Luke's steadfast kindness and willingness to stick it out too good to be true, but I've met teenage boys like that. They usually have their own backstories that have boosted their empathy quotient (teenage boys not being known for empathy while dealing with their own hormonal issues) but Gornall gives Luke a believable background as well as a lovely personality.
The book is very well written, vivid--almost too vivid in places. Gornall does not romanticize self-harm, which is such a relief. And Norah's clawing her way toward sanity is depicted in realistic baby steps, so it feels earned, and true.
Though mental health issues are a big part of what's driving the story, it is not about that, it's about a girl who copes, and tries to find her place in the world. Beginning with outside her bedroom. There is a sprinkling of salty language (including the f-bomb) but otherwise I think a smart younger teen could read this book and gain a great deal of insight.
Copy provided by NetGalley
Norah tipped over the edge around puberty, which rang true. She has to step twice on the bottom step to make the number come out even. She is afraid of being touched because of others' germs. She can't go out her front door, so she lives on the Internet, forever scaring herself witless at articles about germs, pandemics, earthquakes, plane crashes . . . you get the idea.
Her mother does her best to cope--her mother is one of the many pluses in this book. But Norah, in spite of her awesome mother, and her equally awesome therapist, doesn't seem to be able to escape the cage her own brain has made for her.
Then she meets the boy next door.
This could so easily have gone south. The boy who solves everything--teen love conquers all--we've seen wish fulfillment stories along those lines, and although they feel good, they don't ring true, especially to the readers who feel a kinship with the problems the heroine is dealing with, whatever they may be.
Some readers might find Luke's steadfast kindness and willingness to stick it out too good to be true, but I've met teenage boys like that. They usually have their own backstories that have boosted their empathy quotient (teenage boys not being known for empathy while dealing with their own hormonal issues) but Gornall gives Luke a believable background as well as a lovely personality.
The book is very well written, vivid--almost too vivid in places. Gornall does not romanticize self-harm, which is such a relief. And Norah's clawing her way toward sanity is depicted in realistic baby steps, so it feels earned, and true.
Though mental health issues are a big part of what's driving the story, it is not about that, it's about a girl who copes, and tries to find her place in the world. Beginning with outside her bedroom. There is a sprinkling of salty language (including the f-bomb) but otherwise I think a smart younger teen could read this book and gain a great deal of insight.
Copy provided by NetGalley
I rarely read contemporary YA but I heard that this book had good representation for invisible illness and anxiety (spoiler alert: it does)
Writing
The writing is gripping. I couldn’t let go of the book until I was done with it. It’s truly immersive - maybe a bit too much?
Story
The story is rather straight forward, but it remains interesting throughout the book.
Characters
I liked the characters, and felt connected to them.
Conclusion
I liked this book - a lot. But I don’t think I’ll ever read again. I felt too much empathy for the main character, and was really anxious all the while.
Writing
The writing is gripping. I couldn’t let go of the book until I was done with it. It’s truly immersive - maybe a bit too much?
Story
The story is rather straight forward, but it remains interesting throughout the book.
Characters
I liked the characters, and felt connected to them.
Conclusion
I liked this book - a lot. But I don’t think I’ll ever read again. I felt too much empathy for the main character, and was really anxious all the while.
I had to abandon this book because it was such a slow read but I still enjoyed the storyline and plot. The mc was very relatable and easy to follow, I just felt like everything was moving really slowly.
Really deep look into life with agoraphobia and OCD. Really enjoyed most of it but there are some intense scenes involving cutting that I had to flip past because it just stressed me out too much. That’s the only “spoiler” I have but I’ll mark this post as having a spoiler anyway.