Was this the first book that made me cry? No, I don’t think so but it was the first book that I read that didn’t have a happy resolved ending. The loss has stuck with me even as an adult. Is it important as a child to read books that stretch your emotions? Definitely. I don’t dislike books that make me sad but I don’t go to the bookstore or library in search of them. This book is a child’s level tale of life and everyone should read it at least once.
I chose Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone because you can’t have a fantastic series without a spectacular beginning. It set the mark, explaining this new world beautifully and even connecting all seven books together. It isn’t just an introduction book, it’s a book that helped complete the series on a different level. It’s the first chapter that always sticks with me and I’ll never forget about the boy who lived.
Simply stunning cover, gorgeous!
What would one give to have the love of their life returned to them? In West Michigan Emma Gentry pines for her boyfriend Daniel who died over the summer from a tragic accident. Once inseparable there’s nothing that can fill Emma’s hollow heart. She hides in his sweatshirt wandering the cemetery after school, wishing for a place to mourn. With her best friend Bree standing by her side Emma tries to adjust. Then the mysterious Alex Franks appears and finally Emma sees through her heartbroken haze.
However, Alex’s dad isn’t favourable about the match and the harder he restricts him from seeing Emma, the more the two are drawn to each other. Guilty over cheating on Daniel’s memory, Emma can’t resist the power Alex has over her. He’s strong like Daniel, opens her locker just like Daniel, and he even winks just like Daniel. The similarities turn eerie as Alex’s father pulls him out of school-leaving Emma no choice but to visit his house, only to discover the truth of what really happened to Daniel…
I adored Broken by A.E. Rought. The language was beautifully spooky for it’s setting making it a perfect autumn read. Throw in a paranormal retelling of one of my favourite classics and it was difficult to put down, this is YA romance at it’s best. Life is hard in high school and it’s unthinkable how one could go on after the death of a boyfriend. Emma is easy to relate too even through her grief and she stands as a good example of trying to move on from tragedy.
The beginning moves smoothly to a fantastic and exciting finish. I’ve always loved Halloween and I wish the book was being released in October instead of January. I’d recommend this book for the real YA audience as well as for adults. It’s a YA crossover of 50 Shades of Grey level (for the heat only!), but cleverly written and wonderfully executed. Read for the romance, stay for the passion and enjoy the gothic language as it transports you to a time when all that mattered in life is love.
Broken will be released on January 8th, 2013. Pre-order your copy from Barnes & Noble in the US or directly from the publisher in the UK.
This book was provided as an ARC from Angry Robot from their imprint Strange Chemistry for an honest review. I’m thrilled to receive the galley because I thought Angry Robot is one of the coolest names for a publisher. Many thanks Angry Robot and Strange Chemistry!
I originally wanted to choose one of V.C. Andrews’ series but I had to stick with Harry. I had a crazy 8th grade teacher, Mr. Zenkov (actually I don’t remember how to spell his name), and I’m not kidding around. He was still a child trying to teach children. But the greatest thing he ever did was taking an afternoon and read to us the first couple of chapters of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. Were we too young to be read too? Yes, but that first introduction to Harry was moving. We all were captivated by Rowling’s words and although I didn’t actually read the book until later in the year, it was a magical end to the day that I’ll always remember.
I forgot about Harry until the third book came out. Two years is a long time to wait for something you’ll read in two days. After Prisoner of Azkaban was released, the momentum around the books was starting to pick up in the States and I began my summer ritual. I would begin with Sorcerer’s Stone and read up until the newly released book. Every two years I’d begin the process over again. I’d wait a week or two because the new book was released and through the years I called them my ‘Harry Potter Summers’. It was a metaphor for my relationship with Harry, I felt as I had grown up with him. For the weeks leading up until the latest released I called Harry my boyfriend and as soon I had a finished the new book I’d state we’d broken up. However, there was a level of comfort, because I knew two years later another book was come out and I’d get to enjoy another week of being swept away at Hogwarts.
I took it hard when Harry and I broke up for real.
Regardless of the sadness at the ending of series, to this day, every other summer will always be a Harry Potter Summer.
To this day I still don’t have any idea how this book fell into my hands. I was in elementary (primary) school when I first read it and if you haven’t, well you surely have heard about Flowers in the Attic. What’s the best part about this book? That fact that it’s the first in a series so there’s countless train wreck action! I will always reread this book and the first collections by V.C. Andrews. They’re my dirty little secrets that I’ve started since I was young and the writing is something you can’t forget. It’s shocking. I probably wasn’t at an ok age to read them, but I certainly would never, EVER let any child I know read these until they’re older. Just because I got away with the drama doesn’t mean I think it’s acceptable for others. Nevertheless I still love this classic horror novel. Here’s to the hushed behind the hands secret of the book world.
Through a Seattle Looking Glass 