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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
I was so excited when I found out about this book, I couldn't WAIT to get my hands on it when it came out. When I finally saw it in at Borders, I was tempted to buy it (I wish I had). I found this in the library Summer Reading section. I felt a little guilty borrowing it, but now I'm glad I did. (Sorry if someone needed it.) I would've LOVED to have read this for school. This was such a great book. I'm already a fan of Justina Chen Headley, but surpassed my expectations. I thought her first two books were good, but this was in a league of its own.
It was a definite shift from her first two books, and I'll admit, I was surprised by the lack of Asian American culture references. The book was nothing like I expected, which made it surprising and engaging.
Complex, engaging, beautifully crafted, clever, and witty. I've always thought Justina Headley's worked was an alternative for the Asian-American Sarah Dessen fans, and while there definitely were a few Dessen-esque moments, Jacob and Terra reminded me of Macy and Wes, but North of Beautiful is uniquely its own.
I'm planning on buying my own copy, which is a pretty big deal for me. (I'm as frugal with book money as Terra is with printer ink). Maybe after the typos are fixed. Those really bothered me (I'm OCD like that).
It was a definite shift from her first two books, and I'll admit, I was surprised by the lack of Asian American culture references. The book was nothing like I expected, which made it surprising and engaging.
Complex, engaging, beautifully crafted, clever, and witty. I've always thought Justina Headley's worked was an alternative for the Asian-American Sarah Dessen fans, and while there definitely were a few Dessen-esque moments, Jacob and Terra reminded me of Macy and Wes, but North of Beautiful is uniquely its own.
I'm planning on buying my own copy, which is a pretty big deal for me. (I'm as frugal with book money as Terra is with printer ink). Maybe after the typos are fixed. Those really bothered me (I'm OCD like that).
4.5
It's such a good novel, the only bad point is that Chen over uses the mapping references. It comes to a point where i just got tired of the protagonist saying life map, describing her life to maps, and the endless map things.
The good: It has enough romance for those (like me) who really look in the book summary for some love but it doesn't focus on that. It's a little like any Sara Dessen novel but the girl really comes into her own without much help from the guy. The way the protagonist just came to see herself and love herself and stopped trying to achieve "perfection" was really beautiful.
It's such a good novel, the only bad point is that Chen over uses the mapping references. It comes to a point where i just got tired of the protagonist saying life map, describing her life to maps, and the endless map things.
The good: It has enough romance for those (like me) who really look in the book summary for some love but it doesn't focus on that. It's a little like any Sara Dessen novel but the girl really comes into her own without much help from the guy. The way the protagonist just came to see herself and love herself and stopped trying to achieve "perfection" was really beautiful.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Actual rating: 4.5/5 stars
I have had North of Beautiful on my shelves about a year, and I was zooming through contemporary books, so I decided to pick this one up. I am so glad I did!
I'll write a full review later..
I have had North of Beautiful on my shelves about a year, and I was zooming through contemporary books, so I decided to pick this one up. I am so glad I did!
I'll write a full review later..
It felt a bit long (even though I read it in 3 days) and I was slightly annoyed with a few slips in fact or situation (such as where did the oldest brother go to school? Western Washington, Harvard, or Yale? Two of the three is a possibility but I'm pretty sure it was not all three). I do love how so many Young Adult books are dealing with really hard issues in such real ways.
As he continued to stare, I wanted to point to my cheek and remind him, But you were the one who wanted this, remember? You're the one who asked-and I repeat-Why not fix your face?
It's hard not to notice Terra Cooper.
She's tall, blond, and has an enviable body. But with one turn of her cheek, all people notice is her unmistakably "flawed" face. Terra secretly plans to leave her stifling small town in the Northwest and escape to an East Coast college, but gets pushed off-course by her controlling father. When an unexpected collision puts Terra directly in Jacob's path, the handsome but quirky Goth boy immediately challenges her assumptions about herself and her life, and she is forced in yet another direction. With her carefully laid plans disrupted, will Terra be able to find her true path?
Written in lively, artful prose, award-winning author Justina Chen Headley has woven together a powerful novel about a fractured family, falling in love, travel, and the meaning of true beauty. From Amazon US
I am sitting here now quite literally speechless. As I type this, I have just finished this book, and I have tears in my eyes over just how wonderfully uplifting it was. North of Beautiful is just magical in how beautiful this story is in itself. I am just completely bowled over by how completely... light and hopeful this book has left me feeling. I am well and truly wowed.
Terra was born with a port-wine stain birthmark that covers most of her right cheek. For most of her life she has undergone different laser surgery treatments to try to remove it, been on the receiving end of her father's disgust, and her mother's hope that one day she will be beautiful one day. Her self-esteem is just so low. She covers up with thick layers of make-up, is with a so-so guy because she doesn't believe she'd be able to get anyone else, and tries hard to be invisible.
'For all adults go on and on about beauty being skin deep, let's be honest here. When your dermis is filled with rogue bloodvessels that have been herded under the thin skin of your face, you get mighty suspicious whenever anyone mentions anything that sounds remotely like Inner Beauty.' (p13)
Her father is controlling beyond belief. I think labelling him a "bully" would be more accurate. He dictates everything in the house. Her mother has become this frail woman who comfort eats because of how unhappy Terra's father makes her. He snipes at every little thing. He is lord and master in his house, and no-one will dare have an opinion that's different from his, nor will get away with being less than perfect, or fulfill dreams he feels aren't good enough. All anyone wants is escape.
'"When are you going to accept that nothing you do will make you look normal?"...
"You know," he mused, "I've seen run-over deer look better than you."' (p87)
Which comes in the chance meeting with Jacob, in the the literal and metaphorical sense. Jacob sees Terra. He gets her so completely. He brings up things she keeps buried. And with his cleft-lip scar, he understands how Terra feels about her birthmark, yet sees only a beautiful girl. It takes a trip to China with her mother, Jacob and his mother, Norah, and the experiences she has over there to finally start seeing herself for the beautiful girl she is.
There are so many passages I could pull out and share with you, but this review would go on forever, and I can't choose. I really can't do this book justice. It is absolutely amazing to go along with Terra on her journey to self-acceptance. As I said, this story is just beautiful, and some of the passages in it are just so touching. It's hard to read a book like this and not reflect on yourself, and it's just left me feeling so... good about myself. I was completely unprepared for how finishing this book has made me feel, but it's absolutely wonderful! I challenge anyone to finish this book, and not feel good about themselves afterwards.
This is a book every girl should read! I'm not saying boys shouldn't, but I do feel it would touch girls more. I can't recommend this book enough. An unbelievably powerful and wonderful book, another one to add to my list of favourites.
From Once Upon a Bookcase - YA book blog
It's hard not to notice Terra Cooper.
She's tall, blond, and has an enviable body. But with one turn of her cheek, all people notice is her unmistakably "flawed" face. Terra secretly plans to leave her stifling small town in the Northwest and escape to an East Coast college, but gets pushed off-course by her controlling father. When an unexpected collision puts Terra directly in Jacob's path, the handsome but quirky Goth boy immediately challenges her assumptions about herself and her life, and she is forced in yet another direction. With her carefully laid plans disrupted, will Terra be able to find her true path?
Written in lively, artful prose, award-winning author Justina Chen Headley has woven together a powerful novel about a fractured family, falling in love, travel, and the meaning of true beauty. From Amazon US
I am sitting here now quite literally speechless. As I type this, I have just finished this book, and I have tears in my eyes over just how wonderfully uplifting it was. North of Beautiful is just magical in how beautiful this story is in itself. I am just completely bowled over by how completely... light and hopeful this book has left me feeling. I am well and truly wowed.
Terra was born with a port-wine stain birthmark that covers most of her right cheek. For most of her life she has undergone different laser surgery treatments to try to remove it, been on the receiving end of her father's disgust, and her mother's hope that one day she will be beautiful one day. Her self-esteem is just so low. She covers up with thick layers of make-up, is with a so-so guy because she doesn't believe she'd be able to get anyone else, and tries hard to be invisible.
'For all adults go on and on about beauty being skin deep, let's be honest here. When your dermis is filled with rogue bloodvessels that have been herded under the thin skin of your face, you get mighty suspicious whenever anyone mentions anything that sounds remotely like Inner Beauty.' (p13)
Her father is controlling beyond belief. I think labelling him a "bully" would be more accurate. He dictates everything in the house. Her mother has become this frail woman who comfort eats because of how unhappy Terra's father makes her. He snipes at every little thing. He is lord and master in his house, and no-one will dare have an opinion that's different from his, nor will get away with being less than perfect, or fulfill dreams he feels aren't good enough. All anyone wants is escape.
'"When are you going to accept that nothing you do will make you look normal?"...
"You know," he mused, "I've seen run-over deer look better than you."' (p87)
Which comes in the chance meeting with Jacob, in the the literal and metaphorical sense. Jacob sees Terra. He gets her so completely. He brings up things she keeps buried. And with his cleft-lip scar, he understands how Terra feels about her birthmark, yet sees only a beautiful girl. It takes a trip to China with her mother, Jacob and his mother, Norah, and the experiences she has over there to finally start seeing herself for the beautiful girl she is.
There are so many passages I could pull out and share with you, but this review would go on forever, and I can't choose. I really can't do this book justice. It is absolutely amazing to go along with Terra on her journey to self-acceptance. As I said, this story is just beautiful, and some of the passages in it are just so touching. It's hard to read a book like this and not reflect on yourself, and it's just left me feeling so... good about myself. I was completely unprepared for how finishing this book has made me feel, but it's absolutely wonderful! I challenge anyone to finish this book, and not feel good about themselves afterwards.
This is a book every girl should read! I'm not saying boys shouldn't, but I do feel it would touch girls more. I can't recommend this book enough. An unbelievably powerful and wonderful book, another one to add to my list of favourites.
From Once Upon a Bookcase - YA book blog
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So all of the characters were so superficial which drove me crazy. They changed a little in the end but I was like who thinks like this? I really ended up liking Terra by the end because she does change. I also love how her relationship with her mom mostly but everyone grew. Also the dad god what a horrible person. So tigger warning for emotional abuse and fatphobia. Omg also at one point Terra describes her mom like waddling like she was 500 pounds or something which really pissed me off.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia
Moderate: Bullying
Posted at Shelf Inflicted
Terra Cooper is blonde, beautiful, a talented artist, and dating a popular and athletic boy. She has everything going for her, or does she?
Well, she has one physical flaw, a port-wine stain birthmark in the shape of Bhutan on her right cheek. Along with her daily exercise regimen, Terra skillfully applies an assortment of cosmetics and moisturizers to conceal the red stain that brings her shame.
She lives in a small, boring town in Washington, has a father who is controlling and overly critical, and a mother who is overweight and passive. She wants to escape by attending a college far from home. When she gets accepted, her plans are thwarted by her father.
While Terra and her mom are in Seattle for laser treatment to lighten her birthmark, they get into a minor collision and Terra meets Jacob, a handsome Chinese boy with a propensity for black clothing and a physical imperfection.
Terra and her mom and Jacob and his mom decide to travel to China. Terra and her mom will be visiting Merc, Terra’s older brother now living and working in China. Jacob and his mom will be visiting the orphanage he lived in. Freed at last from her father’s biting comments and in a country where language, culture and customs are unlike anything she’s ever known, Terra reconnects with her mom, grows, changes, and learns new ways of being in the world. She gradually gains self-confidence, learns to accept herself, and becomes more open to life’s possibilities.
This book was truly a joy to read. It is beautifully written, thought-provoking, sometimes sad, and ultimately uplifting. The characters were realistic, complex and well-developed with all their imperfections. The maps, geocaching sites, geographic details and cartographic information were all fascinating.
Terra Cooper is blonde, beautiful, a talented artist, and dating a popular and athletic boy. She has everything going for her, or does she?
Well, she has one physical flaw, a port-wine stain birthmark in the shape of Bhutan on her right cheek. Along with her daily exercise regimen, Terra skillfully applies an assortment of cosmetics and moisturizers to conceal the red stain that brings her shame.
She lives in a small, boring town in Washington, has a father who is controlling and overly critical, and a mother who is overweight and passive. She wants to escape by attending a college far from home. When she gets accepted, her plans are thwarted by her father.
While Terra and her mom are in Seattle for laser treatment to lighten her birthmark, they get into a minor collision and Terra meets Jacob, a handsome Chinese boy with a propensity for black clothing and a physical imperfection.
Terra and her mom and Jacob and his mom decide to travel to China. Terra and her mom will be visiting Merc, Terra’s older brother now living and working in China. Jacob and his mom will be visiting the orphanage he lived in. Freed at last from her father’s biting comments and in a country where language, culture and customs are unlike anything she’s ever known, Terra reconnects with her mom, grows, changes, and learns new ways of being in the world. She gradually gains self-confidence, learns to accept herself, and becomes more open to life’s possibilities.
This book was truly a joy to read. It is beautifully written, thought-provoking, sometimes sad, and ultimately uplifting. The characters were realistic, complex and well-developed with all their imperfections. The maps, geocaching sites, geographic details and cartographic information were all fascinating.
4.5 stars
This book has well-developed characters that are easy to identify with. It touches on some really important teen issues such as inner vs outer beauty, dysfunctional families, and, of course, falling in love. Part of the story is also set in WA, so I enjoyed that aspect of it. Loved the geocaching. I did think there were parts that were just too harsh - not that they were unrealistic or unlikely - just that it wasn't handled with as much care as the rest of the book. It was probably intentional, to make a point. Anyway, highly recommend!
This book has well-developed characters that are easy to identify with. It touches on some really important teen issues such as inner vs outer beauty, dysfunctional families, and, of course, falling in love. Part of the story is also set in WA, so I enjoyed that aspect of it. Loved the geocaching. I did think there were parts that were just too harsh - not that they were unrealistic or unlikely - just that it wasn't handled with as much care as the rest of the book. It was probably intentional, to make a point. Anyway, highly recommend!
