Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
HarperCollins, 480 pages
Purchased

"Samantha Kingston experiences her last day on Earth 7 times. She gets to relive the day of her death multiple times trying to discover what happened and trying to make things right before she dies."

Prior to reading Before I Fall, I had read Delirium by Lauren Oliver which is a wonderful dystopian novel that I recommend to those interested in a romance/dystopian book. So, I was expecting to be blown away with this book, but unfortunately this was not the case. I'm not going to say I hated it, but I cannot say I loved it all that much either. It was a book that irritated me, but I also am finding this was probably the author's intentions.

Right off the bat we meet Sam Kingston and her group of superficial, popular, party-going friends. The main reason I found this book irritating was that the characters were annoying in the fact that they were so superficial and "popular." Lindsey is sort of the ring leader of the group and the most obnoxious out of their friendship circle, which is quite exclusive, mind you. The plot of the book centers around Sam's death which she's trying to unravel herself. At the beginning she is just like her friends, Lindsay, Elodie, and Ally. They are mean girls, which inherently reminds me of the movie "Mean Girls" starring Lindsay Lohan. These are girls I would not like to be friends with, girls who are cruel and cruel simply because they can be, because of their status. Sam seems to have anything she could ever want, including a so-called "amazing" boyfriend, Rob. Rob is a complete loser to be honest who seems to only be sticking around because he want's to "get some" to put it bluntly. Again, a majority of these characters are very unlikeable as they start out. Although, the one character I did genuinely like from the beginning was Kent. Kent seemingly has this adorable crush on Sam, mainly because of their friendship that traces way back to the third grade. He's funny, caring, and overall a super sweet kind of guy. As Sam continues to relive the day leading up to her death, she starts to become more conscious of her lifestyle and the main theme in Before I Fall is definitely redemption. Redemption is usually the main theme of many novels and movies as well, but even more so because Sam is not only affecting herself, but she is also affecting those around her. This theme is more than relatable because who doesn't want to be redeemed?

As I was reading through the first day that Sam was reliving, I was thinking to myself, "Wonderful, I get to relive this stupid Valentine Day card handout and a party seven times, hoo-ray!" But thankfully as each day progressed Sam learned mistake by mistake and how to fix things. The first few days I wasn't too into, mainly because the plot wasn't changing as much and fast as I wanted it to. The pacing was a little off in that respect. After those few days and a sort of epiphany hit Sam that her friends were the main problem and that she herself, only added to it, the book started to improve for me. I understand that books aren't created with likable characters, I completely get that, it was the ending that sort of annoyed me in a way too though.

Lauren Oliver, however, is a marvelous writer! She certainly does a terrific job getting into the mind of a "popular" superficial girl and her daily life. The descriptions were detailed and I could basically picture everything happening quite clearly. So, if anything, her writing was great. And I'm not saying it was a terrible book, I just couldn't get as into it as much I had anticipated.

The plot seems repetitive as it starts out, obviously due to the fact that Sam is reliving the same day seven times in a row. But it does take an interesting turn when we find out more about the side characters like Kent and also Juliet Sykes - this apparent "psycho" (who actually is anything but) girl who used to be best friends with Lindsay. I did like watching the side stories unravel and learning more and more about the characters who were a lot more complex than I initially found them to be.

Overall, my opinion of Before I Fall is a bit hard to decipher. I mainly had issues with the book because the characters annoyed me so much that I didn't care what happened to them, and the plot is a bit repetitive in the beginning. But once you read through the entire book, I can see why the characters started out where they did, and same goes for the plot. If you're an absolute fan of Lauren Oliver or an even bigger fan of contemporary fiction, I say read Before I Fall. But if you're like me and get irritated by characters easily, you may want to pass it up. I've heard rave reviews about this novel, so it may just be a personal preference on my part, so don't let my views keep you from reading it.

Rating: 2 stars - I didn't like it. Barely worth borrowing. 

The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson
Speak, 288 pages
Purchased

"Lennie plays second clarinet in the school orchestra and has always happily been second fiddle to her charismatic older sister, Bailey. Then Bailey dies suddenly, and Lennie is left at sea without her anchor. Overcome by emotion, Lennie soon finds herself torn between two boys: Bailey's boyfriend, Toby, and Joe, the charming and musically gifted new boy in town.  While Toby can't see her without seeing Bailey and Joe sees her only for herself, each offers Lennie something she desperately needs. But ultimately, it's up to Lennie to find her own way toward what she really needs-without Bailey."

This book, similar to Jellicoe Road, is very, and I repeat, very underrrated. I don't even know how I came upon it, but I have a soft spot for contemporary novels and The Sky Is Everywhere exceeds all the expectations I had for it. It was a beautifully crafted story with lovely writing, lovely characters, and a lovely plot. I really feel as if I cannot say enough nice things about this book and people need to hear more about it because it's far too under the radar!

The plot takes off at a very dark place. Lennie (short for her real name, Lennon- and yes, she was named after the famous John Lennon) is grieving over the loss of her older sister Bailey. Bailey died from a fatal arrhythmia (basically an irregular heartbeat) practicing for her role in Romeo and Juliet. Her death was sudden and completely out of nowhere and Lennie struggles with coping. Bailey has always been the "brighter" sister in Lennie's eyes: very outgoing, animated, and full of life. While Lennie remains the geeky, but talented clarinetist. Not to mention, when you add to the mix that her mother is missing from the family and Lennie is living with her Gram- gardener extraordinaire, and her Uncle Big- the pot smoking, caring arborist. Things start to get complicated when one night Toby, Bailey's boyfriend, shows up at Lennie's window and they share a very intimate moment together resulting in a kiss or two. Not only is Lennie confused, but she is also morbidly ashamed that she is getting involved with her dead sister's boyfriend. The main reason Toby and Lennie have this connection is because of Bailey; they are both in this messy state of sadness and understand exactly what each other are feeling. But this doesn't make for a healthy recovery dealing with the grief over Bailey's death. It only adds to another complication as Lennie finally goes back to school after four weeks and meets the new absolutely gorgeous trumpet player, Joe Fontaine. Joe Fontaine was born in California, but raised in Paris, France, and is a fabulous not only trumpet, but guitar player as well. He's basically the entire package, as far as guys go. When Lennie suddenly finds herself involved with both Toby and Joe is when things start to get super complicated and a bit reckless.

I absolutely loved all of the characters in the novel. The fact that the story centers around Lennie's grief over her sister and the mystery behind her mother was something I can relate to myself. Everyone has gone through grief at one point or another in their life; grief can result from many things. Each of the characters had their own quirks and that was why I greatly enjoyed reading this book. I got to connect on a more intimate level with more than just Lennie. I learned about Toby and the extent of his sadness, Gram's protectiveness over her roses, Big's fifth divorce, Sarah (Lennie's friend), and Joe Fontaine and his other brothers. All of which I had come to adore and admire as if they were my own friends and family.

I took note of the beautiful and effortless writing within the first chapter of the novel. I also found out after reading the book, that Nelson herself is a published poet. I can definitely see this in her gorgeous writing. I also liked that Lennie was a poet herself. Everywhere she went she wrote these poems about Bailey and her family and her life on the backs of candy wrappers, the trunk of a tree, and all over the room Bailey and Lennie used to share. It was very refreshing the way Lennie's poems were incorporated into the story. It made it feel more personal in a way.

The plot was smooth and intricate. I loved how everything weaved together in the end. I've never been a big fan of love triangles, but for some reason this love triangle made sense. It wasn't like in paranormal books where two gorgeous guys are head over heels for this ordinary girl, it was a lot different, and I mean A LOT. It isn't completely irrational for Toby to want to be close to Lennie, I mean, she is Bailey's sister, she's the closest thing he's got to Bailey. Also, both Lennie and Toby are dealing with the same sense of utter out of control sadness and are simply trying to cope and understand each other in a way others didn't. The plot had me laughing, but also crying. It truly is a remarkable story.

If you happen to come upon a copy of The Sky is Everywhere keep it close to you and please, PLEASE read it! It's a wonderful, heart-breaking, gorgeous story that will make you feel things you never imagined words could make you feel.

Rating: 5 stars - I loved it! Buy a copy!

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Scribner, 180 pages
Purchased

"In 1922, F. Scott Fitzgerald announced his decision to write "something new--something extraordinary and beautiful and simple + intricately patterned." That extraordinary, beautiful, intricately patterned, and above all, simple novel became The Great Gatsby, arguably Fitzgerald's finest work and certainly the book for which he is best known. A portrait of the Jazz Age in all of its decadence and excess, Gatsby captured the spirit of the author's generation and earned itself a permanent place in American mythology. Self-made, self-invented millionaire Jay Gatsby embodies some of Fitzgerald's--and his country's--most abiding obsessions: money, ambition, greed, and the promise of new beginnings. "Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgiastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that's no matter--tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther.... And one fine morning--" Gatsby's rise to glory and eventual fall from grace becomes a kind of cautionary tale about the American Dream."

I planned on reading this book ages ago, but held off on it because one of my elective classes I was taking in school ensured me that we would get to it. Unfortunately, there just wasn't enough time and room in the curriculum so I never got the chance to read it. Thank goodness my copy was just lingering, sitting on my night stand urging me to open the novel and read on! I was pleasantly surprised with The Great Gatsby. I found it to be an amazing novel, especially for a classic. I wouldn't recommend this book to just anyone though, mostly to those fellow book enthusiasts who treasure the words and the pages. Overall, The Great Gatsby was terrific!

At the very beginning of the novel we are introduced to the main character, Nick Carraway. Nick Carraway is currently living on Long Island in West Egg, NY. On the other side of Long Island is East Egg, NY where more of the richer subside. Nick is looking for work in the bonds business and lives opposite to his cousin Daisy of whom lives in East Egg. Nick is probably one of the most honest characters in the book because the majority of the others such as Tom Buchanan and Mr. Jay Gatsby himself are very hollow people. And by hollow, I mean mostly superficial chasing after money and status. These hollow personas are usually what turn a lot of people off to The Great Gatsby. I've heard quite a few complaints about well, who would want to read about lavish lifestyles, constant parties, and those pursuing people of whom they don't genuinely love? The point of The Great Gatsby isn't simply about those things; it runs a lot deeper and is why it is such a classic in time. Gatsby as a character remains quite a mystery for most of the novel. We actually aren't even introduced to him until Nick meets him at one of his extravagant parties. Most of the people who attend Gatsby's parties don't even know who Gatsby is himself or how he acquired his fortunes or even what his history is. I thought this aspect added to the plot of the novel because throughout reading I kept questioning to myself who the real "Gatsby" was. Again, with the hollow characters, we have Daisy and Tom Buchanan. Tom is having an affair with a woman named Myrtle, while Daisy finds her connection to Gatsby and that's where things start to get interesting. Gatsby has this idea of Daisy because of their relationship they've had in the past and it brings up a bigger concept behind loving someone versus loving the idea of someone. I'm not going to say I loved all the characters because most of their ideals were very immoral counter to what I believe in, but I thought Gatsby was a cool character and Nick also, although he manages to get involved with some people he probably shouldn't.

The symbolism in this novel, where to even start! First off, we have the green light which is on Daisy's dock across the bay where she lives in East Egg. This is what Gatsby is forever peering out at, representing his longing for her. There is also the Valley of Ashes where Myrtle Wilson lives. It definitely isn't a pretty sight there and shows how all Americans are searching for that "Great American Dream." The symbolism goes on and on really so I'm not going cover all of it. I'm sure you could spend days and days breaking apart the chapters because there's lots of it in there!

When talking about classics, the writing is a huge factor into what makes it so timeless. F. Scott Fitzgerald has some very beautiful writing that you could probably recognize anywhere. One quote that really made me think was when Daisy was talking about hoping for a little girl.

"I hope she'll be a fool - that's the best thing a girl can be in this world, a beautiful little fool."

This truly demonstrates the kind of hollow characters that were in The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald's writing never waivers and is strong throughout with a broad vocabulary and lots of imagery and metaphors.

The plot in the novel actually surprised me more than I thought. I guess I really hadn't a clue what I was in for considering prior to reading the book all I knew was the time period it was set in, during the roaring twenties. But it's a lot more complex than one would think and after reading the book I kept on analyzing how the ending came about and how character's continued to lead their lives. The ending was spectacular and that's all I can say because I don't want to give anything away, of course!

If you're looking for a short classic, I say go for The Great Gatsby. It really is a marvelous novel that analyzes the way hollow people live their hollow lives. I also like how you can read it and take what you will from it. Sure, there are plenty of messages, but they aren't forced upon you, only encouraged. This is definitely a great classic to start with if you're trying to branch out and read some more classic novels. Just make sure that before reading you're aware that the characters are not necessarily there to be adored and simply eat the novel with an open mind!

Rating: 4 stars - I really liked it. Worth buying.