These are some of the best Seattle memes, guaranteed to make me smile on a sad day in London town. Click to enlarge.
You stay classy Seattle!
The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh
Victoria Jones grew up in the foster care system. On her eighteen birthday she’s finally free and is set up in a halfway home. Ignoring her social worker she runs away from the safe house, and creates a garden for which she hides in the local park. Flowers have always been her safe haven as the Victorians used flowers to communicate secret messages. They also don’t talk back or tell her how she should be living her life.
When Victoria impresses a florist with her natural talent of flowers, she finds herself living an almost normal life. Yet with positive step, the past creeps up as horrible secrets threaten her sanity. Unable to trust the world she throws herself into the flowers looking for answers. When someone bursts back into her life, Victoria must come face to face with her regrets to find her future.
The Language of Flowers is simply stunning. The chapters alternate between the past and the present, creating an itch that can only be soothed by turning the page. Victoria’s voice is loud and clear no matter what age she’s being written about. The deepest fears a foster child feels is astoundingly expressed through the novel with simplistic realism that makes the book hard to put down. Diffenbaugh has down her research and it clearly shows, bringing a dead language new life giving this tale a sweet sadness.
Although perhaps not practical, the story is so engrossing it can’t be helped but enjoyed and relished. The drama of Victoria’s life is a different sort to relate to, with her issues being deeply rooted. The story is told beautifully as a young girl grows from a troubled teen to a strong sunflower. You don’t have to know anything about the Victorian period to appreciate the charm and care that this book provides, and it might even make you look at flowers just a bit differently.
Draco
London, England
Fateful by Claudia Gray
Tess Davies has served the wealthy Lisle family for most of her life. Forced to live in squander whilst working to the bone, her only hope is to start over in America after accompanying the family abroad. But an encounter with a handsome stranger the night before the voyage temporarily puts her plan out of focus. He’s hot, he’s manly, and he’s just saved Tess’s life and then instantly disappears. She puts the event out of her mind as she focuses on her duty to the Lisle’s as they board for their coming journey. Yet there’s more to this handsome stranger than Tess realises and it’s honestly the least of her worries as she and the Lisle’s settle in on the RMS “Titanic”.
I really wanted to like this book. Entranced by the cover (how could one not?) and intrigued by the blurb I was hungry for a disaster story. Adoring the history around the Titanic it was wonderful to be transported to a different point of view (a servant girl’s) rather than just how the wealthy enjoyed the voyage. Regardless, I couldn’t like the book. I praise Gray for giving herself a challenge. Writing about the Titanic and weaving an evil supernatural society into the logistics isn’t an easy task. Regardless, I felt that Tess has too many loopholes. I didn’t buy the love story either, and that is what ruined the book for me. I wanted to believe in Tess and Alec, but it was just so easy. ‘I see him! I love him!’ Doesn’t cut it. And he’s a werewolf, big surprise!
What kept me reading, and on the edge of my seat was when the Titanic hits the iceberg. We all know it’s going to happen, and what occurs after, but how does Tess cope? Will she make it? What about the family she serves? Do the readers want them to survive? Reading through the tragedy creates such a level of suspense that before you know it; the end of the book arrives.
I think Fateful is an ideal book for YA readers, especially on the younger side of the spectrum. It’s got passionate love up to first base, a heroine that young girls will want to succeed and protagonists to root against. Blending history with fantasy is a difficult task, and even through the holes, Gray is able to create truly romantic supernatural tale.
Gnomes
Little mischievous buggers
Cage of Stars by Jacquelyn Mitchard
312 pages
Published 2006
USA Publisher: Warner Books (Right)
UK Publisher: John Murray (Left)
Twelve-year-old Veronica Swan comes from a loving Mormon family. Living in Utah she adores taking care of her two little sisters. Witnessing their murder is an event that forever changes Veronica, her family and the entire community.
As ‘Ronnie’ grows up and processes the grief whilst welcoming the birth of a new sibling, she looks to her faith for guidance. As her life begins to regain normality, she plans her future with best friend Clare and falls in love with the tough neighbour boy Miko. Everything she knows and trusts is tested when her parents choose to publicly forgive their daughter’s murderer, Scott Early. Unable to accept what her parents have done, Ronnie carves a path that will shape her life than more she ever expected.
Mitchard is able to capture the true voice of a teen in tragedy whilst able to blend the complex Mormon faith for readers to understand. Although not directly considered a YA novel, I believe due to the age of Ronnie throughout most of the book that it can be placed in this category. Blending adult issues and themes with teenage angst of true love that’s dampened by different faiths, Cage of Stars is a complex story of forgiveness.
Capturing grace and honestly, Mitchard is able to portray intense tragedy and how people move on. At the same time she’s able to keep Ronnie’s voice true. The tone and language used never falters from the teenage context, even as she becomes a young adult. Slow paced but powerful, Cage of Stars is a great novel to nurse the heart through a difficult time. Ronnie’s strength will inspire, whereas her daring will provide an open channel to process those ‘what if’s?’ we all feel when tragedy hits home. Lastly, her resolve creates peace and sets an example that no mater bad things are, it’s important to hang on for just a little longer.
Through a Seattle Looking Glass 