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avajade's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
alishreads's review against another edition
4.0
A Thousand Minutes to Sunlight gives a new perspective to family mental health issues. It talks about a teenage girl with anxiety and panic disorders.
Jen White's writing style is really fluid and expressive. I really enjoyed how the author has wonderfully portrayed Cora's character, her mindset, her personality, and her thoughts. Cora is indeed a complex character in this story, her thoughts keep contradicting each other and it is surprising to see how she tries to be a child yet an adult at the same time. The conflict between her thoughts, her expressions, the stream of consciousness in the writing, the depth of the characters, and the flow of thoughts are portrayed perfectly.
I liked the writing style a lot, it is a bit perplexing but the way the author has personified her inner thoughts and alternatively split the writing between her conscious thoughts and unconscious mind aka "Brain" is appreciable.
A Thousand Minutes To Sunlight by Jen White is an enjoyable read that surrounds mental health problems, friends, and family. It can be enjoyed by teens as well as adults. I would give it 4.2/5 stars because the conscious writing style sounds amazing at first, but gets a bit annoying to read in the middle.
Jen White's writing style is really fluid and expressive. I really enjoyed how the author has wonderfully portrayed Cora's character, her mindset, her personality, and her thoughts. Cora is indeed a complex character in this story, her thoughts keep contradicting each other and it is surprising to see how she tries to be a child yet an adult at the same time. The conflict between her thoughts, her expressions, the stream of consciousness in the writing, the depth of the characters, and the flow of thoughts are portrayed perfectly.
I liked the writing style a lot, it is a bit perplexing but the way the author has personified her inner thoughts and alternatively split the writing between her conscious thoughts and unconscious mind aka "Brain" is appreciable.
A Thousand Minutes To Sunlight by Jen White is an enjoyable read that surrounds mental health problems, friends, and family. It can be enjoyed by teens as well as adults. I would give it 4.2/5 stars because the conscious writing style sounds amazing at first, but gets a bit annoying to read in the middle.
abibliophobicbibliophile's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
3.75
gwenythlove's review against another edition
4.0
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this novel, I know this because I didn't take too many notes. I was too busy reading! It was a wonderful story of friendship, family, and self-growth.
I really connected with Cora, because I understand her. I have pretty bad anxiety, and it's honestly only getting worse as I get older, because there are more things to worry about! But, I really connected with her after reading this passage (that I also shared on my Teaser Tuesday post previously):
A silent house, in the middle of the night, might be one of the loneliest places on the planet.
Did you hear that?
Brain says: Absolutely an ax murderer.
Crouched in the hallway, I'm poised for anything. It's 11:31 P.M. to be exact, and a wonder that I can even hear Brain, with my heart hammering in my eardrums.
Inside my head, I count.
1 2 3 4 5
This is pretty much how I react to weird noises at night, or even without any noise to prompt me at all. I just lie awake thinking someone is going to try and get into my house and hurt us. The only difference is I don't count. I use a variety of other coping mechanisms, but I don't think I have ever counted. Counting is Cora's big thing, that and her conversations with Brain.
I hate Brain, but that's what the author wants. Brain makes Cora question everything and makes her keep to herself. Brain tells her she is no good, that no one will ever want to be her friend, and that people are always thinking bad things about her. I love watching Cora grow and realize that maybe Brain isn't right all the time and maybe she should ignore Brain and just go with the flow. The first time she told Brain to "Hush" I actually cheered out loud a little. It was nice to slowly watch Brain fade into the background and Brain to actually question "What the heck is going on?" as Cora becomes more and more independent.
Patrick was my favourite character in the book. Everyone needs a Patrick in their life. He is so happy, energetic, and doesn't let anything, or anyone's opinions, get in the way of enjoying his life. He is a great friend and always there for you, supporting you however he can. I really enjoyed his storyline, and LOVED how they "resolved" it. I love how Cora and Patrick bond over their goals, just 2 kids with 2 impossible dreams.
The novel is simply written, and perfect for middle grade readers. The chapters are short and easy to get through, and I loved the intriguing and unique chapter titles. The subject of mental illness is addressed cautiously and with tact. I love that both parents are in the picture and are supportive. I love Cora's sister, Sunshine, and how supportive she is always trying to be, especially with the affirmations. She is such a little sweetheart! I love that therapy is used and medication is discussed. I also like how they worked in a possible family connection to show it's not just her and that mental illness runs in the family.
My only issue was I wish they would have left out the two incidents that "may" have caused the issues with her brain, because I would have preferred a character with mental illness with no causation as I feel it might have been easier for other kids to connect with her and what she is dealing with without the causation aspect.
Overall it's a fabulous book that is very well written for the target audience and I recommend it to everyone.
The Pros:
Mental health is addressed in a positive and helpful manner.
The characters are all very well done and realistic.
The importance of family and friendship is strong.
Patrick!!!
The Cons:
The idea of something possibly causing the mental health issues made me feel uncomfortable in this specific novel.
I really enjoyed this novel, I know this because I didn't take too many notes. I was too busy reading! It was a wonderful story of friendship, family, and self-growth.
I really connected with Cora, because I understand her. I have pretty bad anxiety, and it's honestly only getting worse as I get older, because there are more things to worry about! But, I really connected with her after reading this passage (that I also shared on my Teaser Tuesday post previously):
A silent house, in the middle of the night, might be one of the loneliest places on the planet.
Did you hear that?
Brain says: Absolutely an ax murderer.
Crouched in the hallway, I'm poised for anything. It's 11:31 P.M. to be exact, and a wonder that I can even hear Brain, with my heart hammering in my eardrums.
Inside my head, I count.
1 2 3 4 5
This is pretty much how I react to weird noises at night, or even without any noise to prompt me at all. I just lie awake thinking someone is going to try and get into my house and hurt us. The only difference is I don't count. I use a variety of other coping mechanisms, but I don't think I have ever counted. Counting is Cora's big thing, that and her conversations with Brain.
I hate Brain, but that's what the author wants. Brain makes Cora question everything and makes her keep to herself. Brain tells her she is no good, that no one will ever want to be her friend, and that people are always thinking bad things about her. I love watching Cora grow and realize that maybe Brain isn't right all the time and maybe she should ignore Brain and just go with the flow. The first time she told Brain to "Hush" I actually cheered out loud a little. It was nice to slowly watch Brain fade into the background and Brain to actually question "What the heck is going on?" as Cora becomes more and more independent.
Patrick was my favourite character in the book. Everyone needs a Patrick in their life. He is so happy, energetic, and doesn't let anything, or anyone's opinions, get in the way of enjoying his life. He is a great friend and always there for you, supporting you however he can. I really enjoyed his storyline, and LOVED how they "resolved" it. I love how Cora and Patrick bond over their goals, just 2 kids with 2 impossible dreams.
The novel is simply written, and perfect for middle grade readers. The chapters are short and easy to get through, and I loved the intriguing and unique chapter titles. The subject of mental illness is addressed cautiously and with tact. I love that both parents are in the picture and are supportive. I love Cora's sister, Sunshine, and how supportive she is always trying to be, especially with the affirmations. She is such a little sweetheart! I love that therapy is used and medication is discussed. I also like how they worked in a possible family connection to show it's not just her and that mental illness runs in the family.
My only issue was I wish they would have left out the two incidents that "may" have caused the issues with her brain, because I would have preferred a character with mental illness with no causation as I feel it might have been easier for other kids to connect with her and what she is dealing with without the causation aspect.
Overall it's a fabulous book that is very well written for the target audience and I recommend it to everyone.
The Pros:
Mental health is addressed in a positive and helpful manner.
The characters are all very well done and realistic.
The importance of family and friendship is strong.
Patrick!!!
The Cons:
The idea of something possibly causing the mental health issues made me feel uncomfortable in this specific novel.
ohsrslybooks's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
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