Just One Day (Just One Day,#1)

Summary:

"A breathtaking journey toward self-discovery and true love, from the author of If I Stay
When sheltered American good girl Allyson "LuLu" Healey first meets laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter at an underground performance of Twelfth Night in England, there’s an undeniable spark. After just one day together, that spark bursts into a flame, or so it seems to Allyson, until the following morning, when she wakes up after a whirlwind day in Paris to discover that Willem has left. Over the next year, Allyson embarks on a journey to come to terms with the narrow confines of her life, and through Shakespeare, travel, and a quest for her almost-true-love, to break free of those confines.
Just One Day is the first in a sweepingly romantic duet of novels. Willem’s story—Just One Year—is coming soon!"

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Man oh man! What a great plot. What great writing! The story is told in two parts, which I didn't expect but TOTALLY makes the plot that much better!  This is just some fantasized hook-up on a summer trip to Europe. It explores raw human emotions we all have and I love it, especially because it is done in a way only Gayle Forman can do.

Allyson aka LuLu - watching her grow and truly find herself is what makes her great and even relatable. However, the character who really steals the show isn't Allyson, it isn't William. It is Dee. Dee is great and honestly can book #3 be about him?! Because there is so much about him that we don't know, but I want to know and I think that says a lot that secondary character can make you want to know more about him. William is intriguing and you can see why Allyson has fallen for him, but Just One Year (the sequel,which I just finished) tells a way better story of the person he is. 

I have said this before.. I got the privilege of meeting Gayle Forman at the Burbank Library last year and she made a slideshow and she read several long passages from the book and with those passages she told us the stories in her life that inspired them. It was beyond wonderful and honestly it felt like she had read to us most of the book. Boy was I wrong, this book has so much content and emotion. It is amazing and definitely a book I recommend. I was SO glad that I checked Just One Year out with this book, because I could not wait to find out William's side of the story. 

Flirting In Italian

Summary:

"Four girls. One magical, and possibly dangerous Italian summer. Family mysteries, ancient castles, long hot nights of dancing under the stars . . . and, of course, plenty of gorgeous Italian boys!"

Plot: Lots of potential for a strong plot, and at times I thought there was going to be one, but overall it was pretty flat. As a cute girly summer read, the plot and story is entertaining enough, but I felt Henderson was trying to mix a strong mystery plot, with the girly and fell short. I would of liked more traveling around, and more explanation in some things, but at the end she tries to tie it up really quick and give loose conclusions to the story and then tries to seg-way into a sequel. This didn't work.

Characters: The Main Character is British Violet/Violetta who discovers a painting in a British Museum of an Italian girl who could be her twin. Given that Violet doesn't look like her parents, she is curious to know more, therefore embarking on a trip to Italy. Violet's Character is the "normal girl" she is decently ok at the things she attempts, has her insecurities and strengths etc. Then there is Kelly, Paige and Kendra the other girls staying at the Villa with Violetta. Kelly is a redhead from the UK and is the quintessential almost geeky shy girl. I liked her and felt she was a good pairing for Violetta's confidant in Italy. Paige and Kendra are the American's and although physically described differently and somewhat different personalities. I kept mixing their characters up and getting confused.. Catia is the owner of the Villa and the girls guide, she comes of as prim,proper and strict and her daughter Elisa is well a bitch and makes it her goal to harass the girls. Then comes the ITALIAN BOYS! But although mentioned often they are not memorable characters, besides Luca who is Violetta's Love interest. Overall, I think Henderson could of done a little more to the secondary characters.

Pros: Great fun summer read.

Cons: Could of been one book, could have had a stronger plot, Needed more of some things and less of others.

Final Thoughts: Looking at this book from face value, I really did enjoy it, I mean Italy makes anything awesome. It made me want to go to Italy, and I think Henderson nailed all the multi-cultural personalities well. I was surprised when I first read the Prologue and saw that there was more to this story then fun in Italy, but a little mystery in it as well! The whole looking like someone from the past is actual a topic that really intrigues me, A) because I LOVE history B) because I like to think reincarnation/dopplegangers are real and C) it is some thing that has happened to me before..(pictures below). So I was disappointed when this story didn't really wrap up.. And I am aware it will probably be wrapped up in Book Two. However, I think this story, would have been perfect as just one book and not two and I don't care enough about it to want to read Book 2. I also would have enjoyed just a tad bit more Italy. I felt everything was rushed. With that being said.. You will enjoy this book if you are just looking for some YA Summer Traveling Romance.. but don't look into too much... like I did.

Flirting In Italian Comes Out June 12th, 2012!

(Thank You Random House,Delacourte and NetGalley)

Eat, Pray, Love

I have finally finished this book! My goal was to finish the book before the movie came out but I missed this goal by 5 days... Oh, Where to begin?! By now I'm sure most people (mainly women) have already read this book or if not have gone and seen the movie or both. Either way here is my opinion (because it matters OH SO much) I truly enjoyed the book. Mainly, because even though there was a 15 year age difference. I feel like I have been there... I could relate to her (even if there were a few rude remarks against Republicans). I have been that depressed, I have felt that yearning, to want to be free and to want to explore, and to feel loved, not only by yourself but by someone other than your family. I get it! I could relate to her take on religion and especially God. I found myself almost feeling cleansed, as I read about her experiences. It's almost like my bible to happiness.

For those of you who don't know the book is about a woman Elizabeth Gilbert aka the author. Who after going through a divorce decides to pack up her whole life and live in three different countries. Italy, India and Indonesia. In each of these country she learns to experience new things and to really live her life by Eating, Praying and Loving.. which really brings the title full circle. The concept of how she wrote the book is clever as well and I like how you almost forget that the person in the book is a real person (again, it's the author).. I like that it gives me and other woman hope that they can REALLY have this fairytale.

I would definitely recommend this book to other people.. and I think it also makes a great gift. I am looking forward to seeing the movie and hoping that it doesn't disappoint. Also, I think I'm going to have to go on Amazon and Wish List her other book (which is basically a sequel) "Committed". I have seen the book before but have just passed it by and although I loved this book.. I wasn't really thinking about going out and getting "Committed" but now that I know it continues the authors story of her life after her trips to The Three "I's".. I cannot wait to scoop it up.

What's Next?
The book I plan to read next is a book I bought over a year ago at a thrift store and have been meaning to read it but kept putting it to the bottom of my reading list (which is LONG). So, I finally said "Screw it, it's now or never". It seems to be a short read (but who knows) The book is called "Asylum" by Patrick McGrath.