Saving June by Hannah Harrington

This was the second book that I've read about death and loss and I can only say one word: Superb. And to top it all off, this is the author's debut novel which makes it double amazing.

I read this last November, a week after my Dad's burial. Having the memory fresh, I think that's one of the reasons why I really can relate to this book. I can feel the pain and grief of Harper. The feeling of emptiness, when questions start to bubble up and you don't have answers to any of them. I had a connection with that.

The other thing is the music. I love rock music. Although I don't play any instruments, I'm really a listener and totally loves music. And that also gave me another reason to love Jacob. My God. I love Tolan. I dunno why, but I do, from the moment when he and Harper first met at her house, and until the end when Harper went to see him again. I love his bluntness and honesty. Then there's Laney. She deserves a round of applause for being so strong and for standing up to Harper at all times, being the bestfriend that she is.

And if some people hated the twist of the book, I liked it and thought of it as brilliant. It balanced the building passion between Harper and Jacob.

What I also like about the book is how you can feel the author's love for music and how you can automatically recognize that she knows what she's writing. I love her for that. Kudos to you, Ms. Harrington! Saving June is definitely one my favorite books this 2011 and I am looking forward to read another book by the author. ;)

Grade:

A+

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

When my Dad passed away, I started reading books about death and loss. I want to know the people who knew and felt the pain and grief that I am experiencing. To know what their point-of-views are. To connect.

This book was a recommendation of a very dear friend, whom I knew since grade school. So I know that this is going to be a great read because I really value her opinions.

What I like about this book is how light it is for a teenager like me. Mia has cool parents, nice kid for a brother, a musician for a boyfriend, and is waiting an acceptance letter to Juilliard. She has a life that most people will admire. And Adam, her steady boyfriend, is a guy whom you could fall in love with easily. Who the hell buys two eighty dollars worth of concert tickets just to impress her? He does. I loved him from start until the end of the story.

And then there's the part where Mia is contemplating if she should stay or not. She's thinking it over that if she stays, her family - Mom, Dad, and Teddy, is gone.

I like how Mia tells the story of every person that she loves in book. My favorite parts are:

1.) When her Gramps told her that she has a choice. She has every right to stay or to leave. “So I just wanted to tell you that I understand if you go. It's okay if you have to leave us. It's okay if you want to stop fighting.”

2.) My second favorite part of the book is when Kim, Mia's bestfriend talked to her. "She stops now. Leans over me so that the wisps of her hair tickle my face. She kisses me on the forehead. 'You still have a family,' she whispers.”

3.) And finally, the last scene with Adam. I was reading this last night at 3:14AM and I was crying like shit because of this. “If you stay, I'll do whatever you want. I'll quit the band, go with you to New York. But if you need me to go away, I'll do that, too. I was talking to Liz and she said maybe coming back to your old life would be too painful, that maybe it'd be easier for you to erase us. And that would suck, but I'd do it. I can lose you like that if I don't lose you today. I'll let you go. If you stay.”

It's not the typical drama-slash-death-slash-YA-novel that you think it is. It's just wonderful, from start to finish. The music, the flow of the story, the characters, the love. I even liked the Acknowledgement part of the book. I'm really happy that my best friend told me about this because this book deserves a place in my heart.

Grade:

A+