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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Absolutely incredible!!
Norah is battling agoraphobia and severe OCD. She'a a prisoner in her own home, with only her mum for company. Teenage girls need their friends, but Norah's abandoned her when she became ill.
Travel through Norah's story, as she experiences her first crush, whilst simultaneously facing phobias most people could never understand. Most of us worry/worried about our first kiss, but our thoughts are/were more like,
"what if we bump teeth?"
or
"What if I do it wrong, what if I'm a bad kisser?"
Not,
"What if he has deadly bacteria in his saliva and I get an awful disease?!"
Living a life in which OCD takes over every thought, where fear stops you from even contemplating doing things that everyone else takes for granted is both incredibly hard and terrifying.
A word of warning, you WILL fall in love with Luke, there is absolutely no doubt about this. And Norah will take up residence inside your heart, you know, in that part that is reserved for fictional characters that stay with you forever.
I loved every chapter, every page, every word. I cried, laughed, giggled and my heart skipped a beat every now and then... I felt Norah's pain, her despair, her anger, and trembled at the dark abyss that threatened to consume her. I loved her Mum, an AMAZING adult in YA is refreshing.
A MUST READ for teenagers and adults everywhere!
Norah is battling agoraphobia and severe OCD. She'a a prisoner in her own home, with only her mum for company. Teenage girls need their friends, but Norah's abandoned her when she became ill.
Travel through Norah's story, as she experiences her first crush, whilst simultaneously facing phobias most people could never understand. Most of us worry/worried about our first kiss, but our thoughts are/were more like,
"what if we bump teeth?"
or
"What if I do it wrong, what if I'm a bad kisser?"
Not,
"What if he has deadly bacteria in his saliva and I get an awful disease?!"
Living a life in which OCD takes over every thought, where fear stops you from even contemplating doing things that everyone else takes for granted is both incredibly hard and terrifying.
A word of warning, you WILL fall in love with Luke, there is absolutely no doubt about this. And Norah will take up residence inside your heart, you know, in that part that is reserved for fictional characters that stay with you forever.
I loved every chapter, every page, every word. I cried, laughed, giggled and my heart skipped a beat every now and then... I felt Norah's pain, her despair, her anger, and trembled at the dark abyss that threatened to consume her. I loved her Mum, an AMAZING adult in YA is refreshing.
A MUST READ for teenagers and adults everywhere!
informative
inspiring
reflective
(4.5 stars)
I think it's important to understand that this novel, at its core, is not a love story. This is a story about mental health and how it affects people. Norah, our protagonist, suffers from agoraphobia, OCD and anxiety and this story is about her accepting this and powering through it like a badass warrior with the help of her awesome mom and super amazing neighbour, Luke.
Although it did take a backseat, the romance was still really awesome and swoon-worthy and I loved everything about it.
Most of all, the mental health representation was absolutely remarkable, pulled from the instances of the authors' own life. This book meant a lot to me and it will continue to do so in the years to come.
I think it's important to understand that this novel, at its core, is not a love story. This is a story about mental health and how it affects people. Norah, our protagonist, suffers from agoraphobia, OCD and anxiety and this story is about her accepting this and powering through it like a badass warrior with the help of her awesome mom and super amazing neighbour, Luke.
Although it did take a backseat, the romance was still really awesome and swoon-worthy and I loved everything about it.
Most of all, the mental health representation was absolutely remarkable, pulled from the instances of the authors' own life. This book meant a lot to me and it will continue to do so in the years to come.
Read for Book Roast's Magical Readathon: NEWTs Exams. Subject: Charms, E Level. (Cover That Charms You)
Whether I like to admit it or not, anxiety has become my best friend. It's a crutch that helps me hobble through life. It's the brassy bitch at school that I don't like, but being her BFF makes me popular. Or the school bully that I don't really want to be around, but being his friend means I don't get beat up. I don't know how to be safe without it.
Hrm.
I think if I'd read this before I read [b: Turtles all the Way Down|35504431|Turtles All the Way Down|John Green|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1503002776s/35504431.jpg|21576687], I would've had a higher opinion of it. And I didn't even fall in love with TatWD, so...
This is a really fantastic mental illness story. The author writes from her own experience, which...if I don't slaughter the term, I believe is called Own Voices? Which YAY, more of that in lit, always. In it, we deal with OCD and agoraphobia, with all the myriad problems that arise from each.
The story of Norah alone is actually really great. She's trapped in her mind, not trapped in her house. Her house is safe. Her mom is safe. It's all the other factors that are not safe, and this book walks us through her experiences, and it feels so real as to be painful. I had such intense empathy for her, it was hard to read in some parts.
The lacking part is the romance. And yes, I am Bitter Bunny, hater of romance, but the romance in here is just annoying. I've read a lot of books where the Main Storyline is revolved around the romance plot, the author has a point to make and they slap two people together in the center to give a focus point. I don't think this is bad at all. Romantic encounters sell contemporaries, it's just a fact.
But the romance between Norah and Luke really doesn't work. We're told they spend hours talking and watching movies and having this deep connection but you really don't see it. Maybe The Hater of Romance just can't get it, but I don't get it. Enh.
Also, the thing I was worried about with TatWD, wherein the boy heals the mentally ill girl with his magical tongue? Well, that's not quite what happens here, but the ending is so frenetic and rushed, it might as well have been.
A really great read with just...a really bad angle on the romance part.
Whether I like to admit it or not, anxiety has become my best friend. It's a crutch that helps me hobble through life. It's the brassy bitch at school that I don't like, but being her BFF makes me popular. Or the school bully that I don't really want to be around, but being his friend means I don't get beat up. I don't know how to be safe without it.
Hrm.
I think if I'd read this before I read [b: Turtles all the Way Down|35504431|Turtles All the Way Down|John Green|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1503002776s/35504431.jpg|21576687], I would've had a higher opinion of it. And I didn't even fall in love with TatWD, so...
This is a really fantastic mental illness story. The author writes from her own experience, which...if I don't slaughter the term, I believe is called Own Voices? Which YAY, more of that in lit, always. In it, we deal with OCD and agoraphobia, with all the myriad problems that arise from each.
The story of Norah alone is actually really great. She's trapped in her mind, not trapped in her house. Her house is safe. Her mom is safe. It's all the other factors that are not safe, and this book walks us through her experiences, and it feels so real as to be painful. I had such intense empathy for her, it was hard to read in some parts.
The lacking part is the romance. And yes, I am Bitter Bunny, hater of romance, but the romance in here is just annoying. I've read a lot of books where the Main Storyline is revolved around the romance plot, the author has a point to make and they slap two people together in the center to give a focus point. I don't think this is bad at all. Romantic encounters sell contemporaries, it's just a fact.
But the romance between Norah and Luke really doesn't work. We're told they spend hours talking and watching movies and having this deep connection but you really don't see it. Maybe The Hater of Romance just can't get it, but I don't get it. Enh.
Also, the thing I was worried about with TatWD, wherein the boy heals the mentally ill girl with his magical tongue? Well, that's not quite what happens here, but the ending is so frenetic and rushed, it might as well have been.
A really great read with just...a really bad angle on the romance part.
Well that punched me right in the feels!
Absolutely brilliant. The depiction of anxiety is completely relatable and gives a real insight into agoraphobia. A must-read.
Absolutely brilliant. The depiction of anxiety is completely relatable and gives a real insight into agoraphobia. A must-read.
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm
This review was originally posted/featured on United by Pop!'s website: http://unitedbypop.com/books/reviews-books/review-under-rose-tainted-skies-louise-gornall/
I must have come to this book hungry. Ravenous. Starving for a food story. And that’s exactly what I got.
Have you ever wanted to take a trip into someone’s mind? See all their screws and cogs? See how they work? See the world?
Louise Gornall’s character Norah, allows us to do just that. We are given a view into her turbulent mind and life, full of new boys next door, the crushing weight of stepping outside her home, and her fear of staircases.
The writing is oddly beautiful. Blending the funny with the feels and somehow, even if not everyone can relate to Norah’s OCD, they do relate to the way she provides crystal clear pictures of any teen’s emotions when it comes to the simple or mundane things in life.
What really struck me about Norah’s character was her ability to laugh at herself, to call out her own antics, and be imperfectly perfect. It felt like she could step right off the pages and into my life, scoffing here and there at this almost diary-style writing.
If you’re looking for a sweet and cute book for the start of the new year that deals with the lighter and darker sides of mental health, and what it’s like to fall for a boy for a boy for the first time while navigating the confines of one’s own inner thoughts, this is the one for you.
I must have come to this book hungry. Ravenous. Starving for a food story. And that’s exactly what I got.
Have you ever wanted to take a trip into someone’s mind? See all their screws and cogs? See how they work? See the world?
Louise Gornall’s character Norah, allows us to do just that. We are given a view into her turbulent mind and life, full of new boys next door, the crushing weight of stepping outside her home, and her fear of staircases.
The writing is oddly beautiful. Blending the funny with the feels and somehow, even if not everyone can relate to Norah’s OCD, they do relate to the way she provides crystal clear pictures of any teen’s emotions when it comes to the simple or mundane things in life.
What really struck me about Norah’s character was her ability to laugh at herself, to call out her own antics, and be imperfectly perfect. It felt like she could step right off the pages and into my life, scoffing here and there at this almost diary-style writing.
If you’re looking for a sweet and cute book for the start of the new year that deals with the lighter and darker sides of mental health, and what it’s like to fall for a boy for a boy for the first time while navigating the confines of one’s own inner thoughts, this is the one for you.
I'll post a review closer to release date on papertraildiary.com, but I will say that I loved this book. Loved the characters and loved how exposed you are to Norah's thoughts. It's fascinating. OCD is so much more than the stereotype of someone who has to count things. And yeah, Luke makes a good book boyfriend. ~swoon~ it's very within the realm of Everything Everything and Finding Audrey but it's Norah's voice that makes the book so colourful and its own.
3.5. An interesting look into teen OCD as well as how hurtful criticisms of such a condition can be.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
5 stars.
(Here are some content warnings. To add: agoraphobia and OCD. Nothing in this review).
Re-reading this was a dream! I have been meaning to do it forever, since it's an all-time favourite and I've found myself re-reading snippets often over the years. I'm very pleased to say that it was still super enjoyable.
Norah's humour struck me on this re-read - I remember her making some comments that were light, and that the book overall didn't feel like a heavy read despite its subject matter, but I was pleasantly surprised by the giggles it gave me. I found Norah's humour - lots of sarcasm and over-exaggeration - to be somewhat fitting to her character and incredibly consistent throughout Rose. Norah's conversations with and observations of her mum and Luke also provided great opportunities for comedy.
In general I found Norah's voice to be really genuine and vivid in its insight into her life, her fears and anxieties in particular. It's not exactly understandable when Norah explains these, but I think Louise Gornall knew that and did well not to over-explain in an attempt to make her readers relate or empathise with her protagonist. I liked the fact that a lot of Norah's thoughts are simply laid on the table in their rawest form, and readers are trusted to accept them as part of her story.
A final word on the romance, because I've always loved Norah and Luke, and returning to their beginnings was such a treat this week. I find all of their interactions so sweet, and their romantic journey such a warm and gentle one. It's hopeful and optimistic without being unrealistic, which you could argue is all I'm ever looking for in romance.
This was a hugely strong start to what I hope will be a tentative entry into the re-reading realm. Yes, I still have a million books I have never read which demand my attention, but it was nice to collapse into a familiar, cherished story. I get it.
(Here are some content warnings. To add: agoraphobia and OCD. Nothing in this review).
Re-reading this was a dream! I have been meaning to do it forever, since it's an all-time favourite and I've found myself re-reading snippets often over the years. I'm very pleased to say that it was still super enjoyable.
Norah's humour struck me on this re-read - I remember her making some comments that were light, and that the book overall didn't feel like a heavy read despite its subject matter, but I was pleasantly surprised by the giggles it gave me. I found Norah's humour - lots of sarcasm and over-exaggeration - to be somewhat fitting to her character and incredibly consistent throughout Rose. Norah's conversations with and observations of her mum and Luke also provided great opportunities for comedy.
In general I found Norah's voice to be really genuine and vivid in its insight into her life, her fears and anxieties in particular. It's not exactly understandable when Norah explains these, but I think Louise Gornall knew that and did well not to over-explain in an attempt to make her readers relate or empathise with her protagonist. I liked the fact that a lot of Norah's thoughts are simply laid on the table in their rawest form, and readers are trusted to accept them as part of her story.
A final word on the romance, because I've always loved Norah and Luke, and returning to their beginnings was such a treat this week. I find all of their interactions so sweet, and their romantic journey such a warm and gentle one. It's hopeful and optimistic without being unrealistic, which you could argue is all I'm ever looking for in romance.
This was a hugely strong start to what I hope will be a tentative entry into the re-reading realm. Yes, I still have a million books I have never read which demand my attention, but it was nice to collapse into a familiar, cherished story. I get it.