
Published by Dial Books on January 1st 1970
Genres: YA Contemporary
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Adrift after her sister Bailey's sudden death, Lennie finds herself torn between quiet, seductive Toby—Bailey's boyfriend who shares her grief—and Joe, the new boy in town who bursts with life and musical genius. Each offers Lennie something she desperately needs... though she knows if the two of them collide her whole world will explode.
Join Lennie on this heartbreaking and hilarious journey of profound sorrow and mad love, as she makes colossal mistakes and colossal discoveries, as she traipses through band rooms and forest bedrooms and ultimately right into your heart.
As much a celebration of love as a poignant portrait of loss, Lennie's struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often uproarious, and absolutely unforgettable.
“But what if music is what escapes when a heart breaks?”
After reading this book I was absolutely rendered SPEECHLESS! My favorite author is Francesca Lia Block and I have always been enamored with her lyrical and beautifully poetic language. I have never been able to compare Ms. Block to any author that I have read until I picked up a book by the Ms. Jandy Nelson. Her words are so unique, touching and full of heartbreak that I wanted to burst inside! This author just absolutely TOOK MY BREATH AWAY. Even though this novel is tagged as a young adult novel I believe this novel could be read by anyone that has lost a close loved one in their lives and can completely relate to the profound loss it can make in your life. Jandy Nelson has such a way of getting into the head of the character that it automatically comes to life in your head. Even though this book is an inherently sad story it will lift you up and make one look at life in a way that it will make your heart soar. Through this book, one can see the beauty that life really brings.
Meet Lennie Walker by Chloe Grace Moretz
Lennie is at a crossroads in her life and she is still figuring out who she is without her sister. So much of her identity was wrapped around her sister and when she was gone she lost herself in the process.
Meet Bailey Walker played by Selena Gomez
Bailey is depicted as bigger than life in Lennie’s life. Her sister was everything to her. Bailey was the kind of person that Lennie looked up too. She was the kind of person that lived in the moment and pushed Lennie to take chances.
Meet Toby Shaw played by Shia LaBeouf (circa Transformers before he went cray)
Toby is described by Lennie as “part cowboy, park skaterat.” Toby is the boyfriend of Lennie’s deceased sister. Once easygoing and carefree his world fell apart when Bailey passed. Now he leans on Lennie but maybe leans on her a little bit too much…
And finally the infamous Joe Fontaine…played by Jared Leto (circa My-So-Called-Life)
Joe Fontaine is supreme top-notch book boyfriend material. He is dreamy, cultured, and has a gift for music. He is the kind of guy that will just stop in your tracks. He is the guy that you admire from afar. He seems unapproachable but once you get to know him you realize that you realize that he is the easiest person to be yourself with. He is the guy you live and breathe and the one you cannot live without him. He is the guy behind all those tortured love poems and unrequited love mixtapes. Joe Fontaine is the guy you will never forget until your very last breath.
Catfairy’s Final Thoughts
My heart will always belong to Jandy Nelson’s unforgettable words! I will always be a huge fan of Jandy Nelson and will now pick up any book that she writes. This author is very underrated and I think she needs to get more recognition for her amazing writing. I will always consider Jandy Nelson as one of my favorite authors because it’s hard to find the poetic and soulful writing that Jandy Nelson has. This book will touch and illuminate your soul.
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