Review for Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Just One Day (Just One Day #1)
By Gayle Forman
Published January 8th 2013 by Dutton Juvenile
Borrowed from Local Library
368 pages

"When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines." ~ Goodreads

 

 Gayle Forman works her magic again in Just One Day creating an unforgettable and inspiring story that will have you grinning, tearing up, and pining for more.

Allyson is very down to earth and easy to identify with. I greatly respected her and her journey of self discovery. I have often wanted to be an alternative version of myself or a different person altogether (her Lulu is quite similar to my Lulu: witty, bold, adventurous...) so I could understand her motivation and desire. However, she irritated me in the latter part of the book because she pushed everyone away. It's not that I don't know why she did it, but it just made me shake my head. Willem was just what Allyson needed to break out of her shell and discover who she truly wanted to be.  Their connection was palpable, but not instant. I wish we could have had more than just one day with the two of them - it was an adventure that I could read about for an eternity!

The writing was beautiful as to be expected from Gayle Forman. It was endearing and thought provoking, but it took a considerable time to wade through it. Some parts were page turners, but for the most part I had to pick at it slowly. The Shakespeare references/theme throughout is brilliant as it adds a dash of sophistication and deeper meaning. I loved that aspect, as well as being in Paris (enter fan girling here)! It truly felt like I had an adventure in a foreign land - it was awesome. The ending leaves room for imagination... and the little girl in me thinks they lived happily ever after.

I would highly recommend Just One Day to lovers of contemporary, Parisian adventure, self discovery, and of course a sweet romance! I will most assuredly be reading the companion novel!

Excerpt 

What if Shakespeare had it wrong?

To be, or not to be: that is the question. 

That's from Hamlet's - maybe Shakespeare's - most famous soliloquy. I had to memorize the whole speech for sophomore English, and I can still remember every word. I didn't give it much thought back then. I just wanted to get all the words right and collect my A. But what if Shakespeare - and Hamlet - were asking the wrong question? What if the real question is not whether to be, but how to be?

The thing is, I don't know if I would have asked myself that question - how to be - if it wasn't for Hamlet. Maybe I would have gone along being the Allyson Healey I had been. Doing just what I was supposed to do, which, in this case, was going to see Hamlet.

Stacking the Shelves (8)

Stacking the Shelves is a meme created/hosted by the lovely Tynga @ Tynga's Reviews! (All credit goes to her for this meme.) If you want to participate click on the link! The more the merrier! It's a chance to showcase titles that arrived in the mail or for review... any book goodies over the past week (or weeks for me)

Borrowed from Library

    

(click on covers to see their Goodread's synopsis)

I've read many positive reviews for Just One Day, and I know from experience that Gayle Forman is one heck of a writer. In other words: It's pretty much a guaranteed good read, so I am excited! Anastasia's Secret was recommend to me by a friend a long time ago and I just recently thought of it (thank you Endless by Amanda Gray for jogging my memory). Ah I can't wait to read it!! Plus, I am in love with the cover... and jealous of the girl: why are some born with so much beauty?

'Nuff about me. What did YOU lovelies get? Leave LINKS to your post and I'll visit. Thanks for reading...

Review for Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Where She Went (If I Stay #2)
By Gayle Forman
Published by Dutton Juvenile
Bought Paperback
264 pages

"It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future-and each other."- Goodreads

Where She Went is a breath-taking read. Gayle Forman is a spectacular writer brandishing a rare talent that I think everyone should experience. No one captures a story and creates such amazing characters as her: her writing is truly one in a million.

Just as it's predecessor, Where She Went is raw and undoubtedly one of the most heartbreaking - yet completely beautiful reads. When you're reading, you do not just feel for the characters (namely, Adam) - you feel them. You will completely be immersed in Adam's emotions. Its like the pages ooze his thoughts and deepest feelings.... that connection is indescribable.  If you have any doubts about Adam narrating the book, put that fear away and lock it up because honey, you want to experience the pain, torture, and later joy through his eyes. In the beginning, Mia seems like a distant mirage almost, but later her persona shines forth - changed from the previous book obviously - but still the Mia I grew to love. Their connection is palatable and I can sincerely say, they are one of my favourite couples because of their realness and deep-rooted friendship.

Where She Went picks up three years after Mia left for Juilliard. Through Adam, we see some things that have transpired in "flashbacks" if you would call it that. Especially regarding the aftermath of the accident. I really enjoyed this and some memories brought a smile to my face. Forman's writing will have you on an emotional roller coaster. Somehow the reader is left feeling happy - a hopeful happy, with a touch of sadness, by the end. Its hard to explain exactly what emotions boiled within me. I found that the pacing of this book was nice and all the while I was hoping for a nice ending (as for telling you if it does end that way, my lips are sealed) all I can say is I am deeply satisfied.

I'd highly recommend Where She Went to those who have read If I Stay. I'd recommend this series to everyone who can handle epic romances that may have some side effects, namely heart breaking, crying, laughing, smiling, and ultimately loving. Its true that this series is intense but its the best kind of intense.

Excerpt

My gaze returns to earth and when it does, its her eyes I see. Not the way I used to see them - around every corner, behind my own closed lids at the start of each day. Not in the way I used to imagine them in the eyes of every other girl I laid on top of. No, this time it really is her eyes. A photo of her, dressed in black, a cello leaning against one shoulder like a tired child. Her hair is up in one of those buns that seem to be a requisite for classical musicians. She used to wear it up like that for recitals and chamber music concerts, but with little pieces hanging down, to soften the severity of the look. There are no tendrils in this photo. I peer closer at the sign. YOUNG CONCERT SERIES PRESENTS MIA HALL.

Book Trailer

Desperately Wanting Wednesday (1)

I normally do Waiting on Wednesdays, but I want a little bit of a change (don't worry I'll still be doing WoW's :D) But for now I am switching over to doing Parajunkee's new meme called "Desperately Wanting Wednesday" it is like "Waiting on Wednesday" but instead of just being able to do books that are not released yet, you pick a book you really want! Released or not released! Go to Parajunkee to see the details and her DWW posts!

This week I desperately want to get my hands on:

Where She Went
By Gayle Forman
Published April 5th 2011 by Dutton Juvenile

"It's been three years since the devastating accident . . . three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Juilliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance."-Goodreads

This. Has. To. Get. On. My Shelf. Its urgent!! I LOVED If I Stay, it was such a brilliant, beautiful tragic story that left me with so much hope! No matter what, I'm going to buy this book, I really -desperately- need to read :) And can I just say that this model is gorgeous?? I'm so envious... I can't wait till its sitting on my shelf!

What are you waiting for? Something not released? Or released already? Either way leave links :D I'll check it out! Thanks for reading!

Review for If I Stay by Gayle Forman

If I Stay

Author: Gayle Forman

Publisher: Dutton Juvenille

Source: Public Library

Challenges: Library, For The Love of YA, I Wish I'd Read That

196 pages

 

"In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen-year-old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck... A sophisticated, layered, and heartachingly beautiful story about the power of family and friends, the choices we all make—and the ultimate choice Mia commands." - Goodreads

   Incredible. Inspiring. Undescribable. Wow. This is one of my favourites now and forever.

  I finished this book two days ago and I'm still speechless. Which let me tell you does not happen very often. Gayle Forman created a story of just your normal girl with a vibrant family who soons faces tragedy. And a big decision.

  If I Stay is told through the voice of Mia, and I really enjoyed that. She told of us past experiences while still keeping us in the present. It was a nice balance and I didn't find myself getting frustrated with the 'flashbacks' - they weren't really flashbacks but more of accounts. All the characters were well written. They each had their own personalities, and I could keep them seperate in my mind. Besides Mia, my other favourite character was of course Adam. He cared so much about her and I couldn't help but love him. Who couldn't? But that was how it was for almost every character in the book.

 The plot was very interesting to me. I really liked the way Gayle set things up, it sort of reminds me of a movie that I can't quite remember. Anyways, I think that way of telling Mia's story just added to it. The overall writing was easy, smooth, and sometimes heart-jerking. There were a few laughs which just made the story harder to read for me, but it was necessary.  I actually didn't cry, I surprised myself. But I don't think that it was meant to make the reader cry necessarly, it was more a journey for Mia and the reader.

 I'm hoping on hopes that I can read Where She Went because truth be told I need to know what happens!! I highly recommend reading this, it's a don't miss. Great work Ms. Forman!

Excerpt:

  Everyone thinks it was because of the snow. And in a way, I suppose that's true.
I wake up this morning to a thin blanket of white covering our front lawn. It isn't even an inch, but in this part of Oregon a slight dusting brings everything to a standstill as the one snowplow in the county gets busy clearing the roads. It is wet water that drops from the sky -- and drops and drops and drops -- not the frozen kind. It is enough snow to cancel school. My little brother, Teddy, lets out a war whoop when Mom's AM radio announces the closures. "Snow day!" he bellows. "Dad, let's go make a snowman."
My dad smiles and taps on his pipe. He started smoking one recently as part of this whole 1950s, Father Knows Best retro kick he is on. He also wears bow ties. I am never quite clear on whether all this is sartorial or sardonic—Dad's way of announcing that he used to be a punker but is now a middle-school English teacher, or if becoming a teacher has actually turned my dad into this genuine throwback. But I like the smell of the pipe tobacco. It is sweet and smoky, and reminds me of winters and woodstoves.
"You can make a valiant try," Dad tells Teddy. "But it's hardly sticking to the roads. Maybe you should consider a snow amoeba."