Holy crap even this damn trailer made me cry. I am soooooooo looking forward to this film.
Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort look like they’ve done an amazing job with a couple of the most amazing characters I’ve ever read.
By: Jess Rothenberg
Brie is 15 when she dies, literally of a broken heart. For Brie though this is not the end. After her funeral she winds up in a strange version of an afterlife. It seems she isn’t quite ready to move on. There she meets Patrick, a guy who reminds her of a Top Gun era ‘Maverick’. Patrick helps Brie understand a few things about the afterlife and he shows her how to get back to see how her friends and family are doing. Things aren’t how she expected, there are problems at home and she has revenge on her heart for Jacob, the boy she believes is responsible for her state of being dead. She is sure Jacob was seeing someone else and when she thinks she knows who that person is she feels doubly betrayed. Things are not what Brie believes, in her old life or her afterlife. When it all comes it’s climax will it be possible for Brie to put things right for the living and figure out what Patrick means to her in the afterlife?
A funny and touching story. Brie seems like any other teen; boyfriend, best friends, extra curricular activities, then tragedy strikes. She is a likeable character whose arc takes her through the five stages of grief, the bulk of the book is cleverly broken into sections dealing with each of these. At times she is a little frustrating and her choices illicit a sigh, but you go with them because they are totally understandable. Fortunately she is not left alone to deal with the afterlife. Patrick is a character full of cheeky charm, even while he keeps his own secret carefully guarded.
This is a well balanced book as it deals with some much more serious issues under the surface of death and revenge. These ideas of consequences, perspective and the deftly and lightly touched upon topic of sexuality, are woven into an entertaining, funny and touching read. If you are looking for something a little different with touches of revenge and romance, then definitely give this a look.
Publisher: Puffin Books
Published: 02 February 2012
Format: Paperback 400 pages
Categories: Life, Death, Revenge, Romance
ISBN 13: 9780141334479
Purchase: here or use Booktopia logo on side of page
By: Patrick Ness
Connor isn’t going through the easiest of times. His mother is really sick and his father is living in another country with his new family. School isn’t going that well either, most people – teachers and students seem to ignore him, except the class bully. Then there is the nightmare.
One night though, something strange happens and a monster appears. he says he will tell Connor three stories and at the end Connor will have to share with him his truth. Connor has no real idea what that means, but doesn’t find the monster all that scary, not with the nightmare coming every night.
Even with everything going on; his mother going back into hospital and his grandmother trying to look after him, Connor can’t ignore the monster. As Connor’s life spirals out of control the monster is there to teach Connor some of the hardest truths he will ever have to learn in his life.
This is an incredible story. The concept was created by Siobhan Dowd who passed away before she could write it and it has been bought to dark and stunning life by the masterful hand of Patrick Ness. I would in no way say this is an easy book to read, however it is certainly compelling.
As the reality of Connor’s mother’s illness comes to light you can’t help feeling for Connor, his hurt, his frustration and his confusion. Even when his behaviour is at it’s worst. The monster is a strange creation whose motivation may seem uncertain but never wavers right till that moment he clearly states his purpose. This is a story that contains some harsh truths, it remains though a heart wrenching tale told in an exquisite manner.
Highly recommended but no light read.
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Published: 01 September 2011
Format: Hardback 204 pages
Categories: Fiction Fantasy Family Death Bereavement
ISBN 13: 9780763655594
I received a copy of this from the publisher.
By: John Green
Hazel Grace Lancaster is 16 and has terminal cancer. To be sure she has received a cancer miracle that has prolonged her life but not taken away the cancer’s terminal nature. She hasn’t been to normal school in three years and her mother insists she gets some outside interaction by going to a Cancer Support Group It is at group one day that she meets Augustus Waters slips into her life. Gus is a friend of the only person she really gets along with at group, Isaac. Augustus intrigues her, like Hazel intrigues him. Hazel is drawn to his intelligence, humour and his good looks don’t hurt. They share with each other their favourite books and things go on from there.
Augustus makes it possible for Hazel to meet the author she most admires and together they share a wonderful romance from America to Holland and back again. The life of a cancer kid is filled with cancer perks and hard truths that both Hazel and Augustus are very aware of.
This book has been one of the most awaited YA books I’ve seen in my time as a specialist bookseller. John Green, without question, has a certain appeal, but now is not the time to talk about his social media prowess, now is for the book.
The story of Hazel and Augustus is one of tragic wonder. As individuals they are amazing and complex characters, whose reading history leaves mine for dust (that is to say their reading is a little more highbrow than mine was at that age). They are smart, articulate and fun, with no false expectations but still hopes, for their futures. They experience glorious moments of joy in amongst those of bleakness and never stop being themselves.
The Fault In Our Stars is a funny, powerful and heartbreaking work on those grand topics of life, love and death. You laugh along with, whilst feeling the frustration of, these incredible characters Green has put before us. Augustus and Hazel are the sort of characters who stay with you for a while after putting the book down, they are fun, sad and irreverent.
Other people can probably wax more lyrically than me about the wonders and depths of this book so I will keep my thoughts simple: it is a masterful piece of writing with characters and story deftly woven to draw you in and pull you along. I did lol and I did cry and it mattered not to me who noticed.
Highly recommended.
Publisher: Penguin Books Australia
Published: 11 January 2012
Format: Paperback 336 pages
Categories: Fiction, Friendship, Romance, Illness, Death
ISBN 13: 9780143567592
Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page
By: Suzanne LaFleur
Something heartbreaking has happened to 11 year old Aubrey. She is on her own. Nobody knows it and Aubrey is determined to look after herself so her mother won’t get into trouble. Being 11 though and looking after yourself is more difficult than she thought it would be. Then her grandmother turns up and Aubrey’s life goes through yet another upheaval. She has to do so many things she just doesn’t want to all the while wondering why she was left alone. It is hard for her to face the truth and it is hard for her when others know the truth. The love of her grandmother, the letters she writes and a growing new friendship slowly help Aubrey to see that even though it looks like she has lost everything, not everything is lost.
This is a stunning, beautiful book. Aubrey will touch your heart. She is a tough young girl who finds herself in the hardest of situations, [Spoiler Alert] she has lost her father and younger sister and one morning her mother just gets in the car and leaves. She literally is left alone. Then she is taken out of her familiar environment and transplanted to her grandmother’s house.
La Fleur has woven an incredibly heartbreaking story and filled it with hope. She deftly and delicately handles such a difficult topic. It is never morose and never unflinching in it’s honesty. This is a wonderfully written story. Great for readers who like real stories that are well crafted. It may be helpful for a reader who has lost someone, with all the stages of grief that Aubrey goes through, but then it also could be too close to home. Discretion is advised however it is an amazing read.
Publisher: Puffin Books
Published: 07 January 2010
Format: Paperback 272 pages
Categories: Fiction, Family, Grief
ISBN 13: 9780141327044
Purchase: here or use logo on side of page to link to Booktopia
TheKylieVerse 