The fact is, that I enjoy the act of reading, I enjoy learning and I enjoy taking lessons away from a good book. I believe, reading opens the mind. It gives new perspectives, it allows the audience to escape and travel between space and time, but most importantly it is a way to venture outside of yourself and exceed your own expectations.
So, I hope you all continue to read. But more than that I hope to hear from you. I'd love to hear what you think. What characters you believe are redeemable, evil/good or even what characters you relate to the most. I'm also always looking for good books to read, so if you have any recommendations let me know in the comment section. Now that all of the housekeeping has been taken care of, let's get to the good stuff.
The book I'm going to review is a sequel to one of my favorite stories. It is also I book that I picked up a while ago but just now gotten around to reading it-- and I am kicking myself. "Where She Went," by Gayle Forman, is the sequel to the novel "If I Stay."
If you are unfamiliar with book "If I Stay," it revolves around a young girl named Mia Hall and a devastating car accident, which killed her family and forced her "spirit" to decide whether to live or die. "Where She Went," picks up three years after Mia's car accident. But this time around, the story is told through Mia's high school boyfriend, Adam's point of view.
Adam's story from the outside world-- is one that most people would do anything to have. His dream of making it as a musician came true. He is officially a "rock-star." His band "Shooting Star" is chart topping, with world tours, platinum albums and record breaking sales. But not just that-- he has the bank account of a "rock-star," the girlfriend of a "rock-star" and the habits of a "rock-star." And yet, Adam remains haunted by his past.
After the death of the Hall family and loosing Mia because of time, distance and heartbreak, Adam becomes anxious and distant from the people around him-- including his family and friends, "Where She Went," follows Adam's journey as he begins to pull his life back together and as he starts to make choices that mend his mind and heart.
"Where She Went," bounces between the book's present and Adam's memories. Memories of Mia, memories of the early days of "Shooting Star" and memories of his love of music. The book's present begins with a reunion between Mia and Adam. On a day, which causes Adam significant torment he finds his way to Mia. Who is preforming the debut of her life at Carnegie Hall. It is the beginning of her classical, cello career and the beginning of the life she has worked the last three years to achieve. After a brief meeting in Mia's dressing room, Adam's anxiety takes hold and he leaves abruptly. He believed that it was a sign and that meeting Mia again would provide a sense of peace. But peace did not come. Instead, Mia tracked him down and persuaded him to rediscover her city. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future and each other.
When Adam and Mia see each other again, their spark is reignited and they begin to divulge their secrets, their fears and their desires for the future. Their confessions help to rebuild their bond and they realize that the love they once shared still exists.
Their bond is almost palpable and is one of my favorite aspects of the book. Gayle Forman's writing is incredibly vivid and the description of their past and present supports the idea that these characters remained devoted to one another. Though they have both suffered, they understand that their love of music and of one another will heal them. "Where She Went" is the a book love, closure and acceptance.
"Mia's smile is melting chocolate. It's a kick-ass guitar solo. It's everything good in the world."What do you think? Have you read the book "If I Stay," or "Where She Went"? If so, how do you think the sequel compares? Let me know, I'd love to hear your thoughts!
For now, I say good night and hope that the my random ramblings have peeked your inner bookworm.
~BL
