A Contemporary New Trend?

2011 has been my most amazing reading year ever. I've read more titles and loved more books this past 8 months than I ever have in such a short period of time. And I have curiously encountered a tendency in realistic fiction that, after reading four books like this this year, has me craving MORE. I must say, I wish became a TREND. You know, like vampires or angels or whatever weird creature young ones want to read nowadays? Why can't it be realistic? Seriously, why? This new tendency I've found is:

Contemporary love stories that take place in 24 hours or less. 

I have been seriously swept off my feet by these four books that share that rare (to me) quality. Sadly, two of them are 2012 releases, so you may have to wait to read them, but STILL. I feel I should come up with a name for them, and for lack of creativity, I will call them the Before Sunset books. Have you seen that movie? *sighs* These stories are deeply emotional and have this burst of electricity waiting to happen just because things happen *sort-of* in real time.

The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder.
Loved this one! It stands out for the others because it's in verse. You can see my special review in verse here. *Quick summary: Amber wants to spend one day alone in the beach just enjoying the today because tomorrow changes everything. But then, she meets mysterious Cade.

Where She Went by Gayle Forman. 
Probably my top favorite of 2011. I loved it so much more than I loved If I Stay. There's just so much feeling in this book, so much more than what is said. See my review here. *Quick summary (though I'm sure everyone has read this by now): Adam spends one night with Mia after not seeing each other for 3 years.

The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith
I was extremely excited to read this one. And it did NOT disappoint.We also need more books set in airports or airplanes. Because of what Oliver says in the book: Airports you are like suspended, not here and not there. Anything can happen. *Quick Summary: Hadley lost her flight to London on the worst day of her life. But she sits next to Oliver in the plane.

Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley 
This was published already in Australia, I believe. Coming to the US in February 2012. But it's available for reviewers on Netgalley, if you're interested. And OMG! It might even top Where She Went for me. It's different from the others because it's told from both POVs. Loved it way too much to explain! You need to read it. *Quick Summary: Tonight, Lucy wants to find Shadow, the guy who paints the graffitis she loves. But she's stuck with Ed. Ed needs to put his life together, and hide his secret from Lucy.

Audiobook Reviews (3)

In which I share my opinion of audio-books I've listened to.

Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupala (Narrated by Jenna Lamia)
This was one of the most talked about books of last year. It's quite original and deals with a somewhat unexplored issue in YA Lit. A very enjoyable realistic story that will keep you engrossed by the wonderful narrator. Also, these new audiobooks now come with amazing music! I actually listened to this as a free podcast I downloaded and listened to on my phone, so since it's a series you hear "music by symbion project" before every chapter. If you've never listened to an audiobook, I strongly suggest you download this one for free and try. Download here!

Book:  ★★★★
Narrator:  ★★★★★
Recommended audio? Yes.


Fly on the Wall by E. Lockhart (Narrated by Caitlin Greer)
I really, really enjoyed this book SO much. And I really think it was mostly because the audiobook was great. Like, addicting kind of great. I could barely stop listening, and although the story actually is great, it's not as gripping as the audiobook is. The narrator has a fresh and clean and very enjoyable voice making Lockhart's wonderful writing even more real. I really recommend this one.


Book:  ★★★★
Narrator:  ★★★★★
Recommended audio? YES!



Where She Went by Gayle Forman (Narrated by Dan Bittner)
I might be biased in this one because I am completely in love with Adam. Where She Went surpassed way above and beyond my love for If I Stay. I normally either read OR listen to a book. But every once in a while a gorgeous book comes along that makes me want to re-re-re-re read as many times as possible. I read this one early this year and was awestruck with its absolute perfection. So when I saw the audiobook available I squealed! I wanted to hear Adam. My Adam. Unfortunately, that obnoxious voice was NOT my Adam. He sounded old and bored and just not sexy or Adam-like. I couldn't take it anymore after disc one. I was afraid it would ruin the book for me. So I wont actually comment on the narrator because I was too focused on how much he, sadly, didn't sound like Adam.


Book:  ★★★★★
Narrator:  -
Recommended audio? Nope.


More:
- Audiobook Reviews (1)
- Audiobook Reviews (2)

Where She Went - Gayle Forman

Young Adult
Pages: 208
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Release Date: April 5, 2011

It's been three years since the devastating accident ... three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. 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.

I was expecting this to be good, obviously. But, wow, I was not expecting it to be THIS good. I have this weird obsession with a pair of movies that none of my friends like and I find fascinating. Before Sunrise and Before Sunset marked me in a way few movies have. Because I believe we've all been there, at least I have. In magical days of just hanging out with someone and being right where you want to be. One day that changes things. When lives come together and blur the lines between the past and the present. When truths inevitably come out stirring lives. Conversations and moments, silences and looks, just being next to someone and being... happy. And this book made it all come back, in book form, which made it feel even more perfect.

After being separated for three years, Adam and Mia have taken completely different paths. But seeing each other again and being together for one day, changes that. The story is told from Adam's pov, and turns out that Gayle Forman managed to do Adam's voice so amazingly well done, that I sort of forgot all my former empathy for Mia, and dove into Adam's mind, feeling his hurt and his attempts to hide them as if they were my own. It never felt forced, he never seemed weak or unlike himself. Her writing became to me so clearly Adam, that I still crave another book with his voice. He is an amazing narrator, plus he still kept his yummy hotness and multiplies it.

The writing, the plot, the events, the setting; everything worked perfectly to create one of the most beautifully romantic and utterly real books I've ever read. The emotions bloomed out of the pages. Depth is the word that describes it. The depth of the characters, the depth of the story, the depth of the feelings and interactions. Everything stirred up more feelings, more words than the ones that were written. I felt a whirlwind inside of me. And darn, that is something very hard to achieve in an avid reader. This book with its all-over depth and gut-wrenching emotional baggage, completely surpassed my love for If I Stay. This story ruined all other love stories for me. And ruined me.

These feelings, this book, this story... they will always haunt me. These feelings linger just like our own feelings. The tension was so palpable and the story was so memorable that I doubt I will ever read such a majestic book again. I have my hopes, though.

Given the fact that no matter what I say, it will never be enough nor will it ever do the book justice, I think YOU should read this.

Goodreads / Amazon