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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
This book only took me a day to read because I enjoyed it that much. Such an eye-opener to what it’s like to suffer from agoraphobia. Would very much recommend!
Really enjoyed the female main character; she was so realistic and her voice was A+ - sarcastic and witty. Her mental illness was definitely shown and not told, which I think was great. It was clearly defined and couched in a way that people with just normal levels of anxiety would understand (metaphors, FOMO, being left home alone, etc.) This book does a great deal to de-stigmatize mental illness. Norah was still a really cool person even with having not left her house in years - she did craft things, she liked learning, etc. She had dreams and fears like the rest of us - the fears were just amplified.
I know people think the ending was abrupt but I do think it was a carefully planned leadup to the epiphany that all of her current thinking patterns and neural pathways weren’t actually doing that great of a job of keeping her safe. Maybe it could have been less jarring but I did like how a drastic experience didn't unrealistically change her behaviors overnight - they led to a mindset shift.
I loved the female MC's support system - her mother was awesome and Norah, male MC, doesn’t want to hold her back. Norah and Lucas’ relationship seemed to take the back burner; he was really understanding - but I liked that being able to have a normal romantic relationship was a reason why she wanted to get better but wasn't the sole reason why.
I know people think the ending was abrupt but I do think it was a carefully planned leadup to the epiphany that all of her current thinking patterns and neural pathways weren’t actually doing that great of a job of keeping her safe. Maybe it could have been less jarring but I did like how a drastic experience didn't unrealistically change her behaviors overnight - they led to a mindset shift.
I loved the female MC's support system - her mother was awesome and Norah, male MC, doesn’t want to hold her back. Norah and Lucas’ relationship seemed to take the back burner; he was really understanding - but I liked that being able to have a normal romantic relationship was a reason why she wanted to get better but wasn't the sole reason why.
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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:
Yes
I loved reading this book. It is one I have weirdly had for years but never had picked it up before. I am glad to say that I finally did and reading this for the first time was an amazing experience. I see this book belonging in my collection for a LONG time as it just checked all the boxes for me and was an extremely captivating and fun read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm
It's been a week since I finished Under Rose-Tainted Skies, and I'm still trying to formulate my thoughts, trying to get them down onto paper (or screen in this case) about what I thought of this book, and honestly, there is no way I could ever do it justice. How can I put down in words how much I loved this book, how much it affected me on so many levels, how much I loved Norah and Luke. I really did not want to put this book down, I even made myself read slower to make it last a little bit longer.
Norah is a character that was so easy to like, admire, feel sorry for. Each day is a struggle for her, not only with agoraphobia but also OCD, the tapping, the steps, the teeth brushing, the germs, all of these mean Norah finds it hard to live a 'normal' life, and eventually it forced her indoors, to the safety of her home, and being home schooled. Throughout the pages of Under Rose-Tainted Skies we get to see first hand what she experiences, how she feels the needs to do things, and also how traumatic just a routine trip to the counselor is for her. The thought of putting her foot out of the door brings on panic attacks.
Luke is her new neighbour, someone who mistakes a shoo as a wave, and makes a point of introducing himself to Norah. He is unaware of her condition and does not give in with invites to parties, or lifts to school, When he finds out what is really going on he is not only supportive, but understanding, and does what he can to make sure Norah is OK.
Under Rose-Tainted Skies is a debut book by Louise Gornall, and guys just know that she is an author to have on your to-read lists. Under Rose-Tainted Skies was a book I went into with no expectations, and came away with a book hangover, struggling to sit down and read for a few days after, and even now I'm still thinking of it.
Final Verdict
I know that this isn't really a proper review, it's more rambling than anything else, but I really can't tell you how much I loved this book. You have to read this to experience it yourself.
Instead, I'm supposed to remind myself that we bother because if I don't learn how to control my fears, I'm going to die cold and alone. Hidden in my room while strangers post messages of condolences on my social media and rabid cats eat my decomposing corpse.
Norah is a character that was so easy to like, admire, feel sorry for. Each day is a struggle for her, not only with agoraphobia but also OCD, the tapping, the steps, the teeth brushing, the germs, all of these mean Norah finds it hard to live a 'normal' life, and eventually it forced her indoors, to the safety of her home, and being home schooled. Throughout the pages of Under Rose-Tainted Skies we get to see first hand what she experiences, how she feels the needs to do things, and also how traumatic just a routine trip to the counselor is for her. The thought of putting her foot out of the door brings on panic attacks.
Luke is her new neighbour, someone who mistakes a shoo as a wave, and makes a point of introducing himself to Norah. He is unaware of her condition and does not give in with invites to parties, or lifts to school, When he finds out what is really going on he is not only supportive, but understanding, and does what he can to make sure Norah is OK.
Under Rose-Tainted Skies is a debut book by Louise Gornall, and guys just know that she is an author to have on your to-read lists. Under Rose-Tainted Skies was a book I went into with no expectations, and came away with a book hangover, struggling to sit down and read for a few days after, and even now I'm still thinking of it.
Final Verdict
I know that this isn't really a proper review, it's more rambling than anything else, but I really can't tell you how much I loved this book. You have to read this to experience it yourself.
Norah’s OCD and accompanying anxiety has kept her confined to her house and Under Rose Tainted Skies puts agoraphobia into context with other mental illnesses. Anyone with anxiety has had days where they have been reluctant to leave their home, fearing all the bad things that could happen. Norah’s mind has trapped her, her thoughts making outside a place where she is not safe. This is the extreme but entirely relatable.
Her narrative highlight how her thought processes work. She’s an intelligent and kind girl beneath her illness. She worries how she has affected her single mom’s life. Her worrying isn’t just confined to herself. She's obsessed with worst case scenarios, can see how dangerous everything in the world can be, to the point where she's been banned from watching the news.
The story isn’t about her going on any adventure and even the boy moving in next door doesn’t feel like a typical romance, more the blossoming of a friendship. I would have been annoyed if it were a love conquers everything sort of story, but it’s more how having a good friend who is willing to learn, understand and be patient is a huge part of getting better.
Yeah, Luke might seem too good to be true but wouldn’t the world be a better place if there were more young people who were that kind and considerate. Some teens do have a huge capacity for compassion and empathy that we probably don’t give them credit for. Probably more than some hardened adults.
Such a moving tale and my heart went out to Norah who comes to realise she wants the same things as other girls her age. That she has a reason to get better, even if it's hard work.
Her narrative highlight how her thought processes work. She’s an intelligent and kind girl beneath her illness. She worries how she has affected her single mom’s life. Her worrying isn’t just confined to herself. She's obsessed with worst case scenarios, can see how dangerous everything in the world can be, to the point where she's been banned from watching the news.
The story isn’t about her going on any adventure and even the boy moving in next door doesn’t feel like a typical romance, more the blossoming of a friendship. I would have been annoyed if it were a love conquers everything sort of story, but it’s more how having a good friend who is willing to learn, understand and be patient is a huge part of getting better.
Yeah, Luke might seem too good to be true but wouldn’t the world be a better place if there were more young people who were that kind and considerate. Some teens do have a huge capacity for compassion and empathy that we probably don’t give them credit for. Probably more than some hardened adults.
Such a moving tale and my heart went out to Norah who comes to realise she wants the same things as other girls her age. That she has a reason to get better, even if it's hard work.
This book was great! It has a focus on anxiety, ocd, & agoraphobia. I feel like this book did a good job of exploring each of these topics and helping us the readers understand what a day to day life dealing with those things is like. I loved the mother daughter relationship that's showcased here. I feel like we don't often see good mother daughter relationships depicted in books and it was refreshing to read about. I wasn't a massive fan of the romance, but honestly what's new.
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i can easily relates to norah. her anxiety is something i can relate to. the author done a good job describing life with anxiety and other mental health issue.
however i do not like the narative that a boy saves norah. mental health issue is something very serious and falling in love is not the answer.
i give 3 stars because i appreciate the author description of mental health issue but not enough 4 stars cause i dont like the fairy tale of a boy must be the savior.
however i do not like the narative that a boy saves norah. mental health issue is something very serious and falling in love is not the answer.
i give 3 stars because i appreciate the author description of mental health issue but not enough 4 stars cause i dont like the fairy tale of a boy must be the savior.
this was a solid read. i love norah so much, felt like i could relate to her in many aspects. Luke is literally a golden retriever puppy, thankqqqq
Although this book seemed more real with its portrayal of mental illness, I preferred All The Bright Places.
I couldn't understand why the book was set in California. There were a few anachronisms that should have been picked up by the American editor. But this just didn't feel like California and as real as the mental illness was portrayed, the whole book felt fake.
I couldn't understand why the book was set in California. There were a few anachronisms that should have been picked up by the American editor. But this just didn't feel like California and as real as the mental illness was portrayed, the whole book felt fake.