Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler

Fixing Delilah

Sarah Ockler

Release: December 1st, 2010

Age: YA

320 pages (hardcover)

Source - Publicist/Purchased

Things in Delilah Hannaford's life have a tendency to fall apart. She used to be a good student, but she can't seem to keep it together anymore. Her "boyfriend" isn't much of a boyfriend. And her mother refuses to discuss the fight that divided their family eight years ago. Falling apart, it seems, is a Hannaford tradition. 

Over a summer of new friendships, unexpected romance, and moments that test the complex bonds between mothers and daughters, Delilah must face her family's painful past. Can even her most shattered relationships be pieced together again? 

"There's so much lost. So many versions of the truth. So many versions of how things might've turned out differently. We all long for what could have been..." (Ockler 177)

A story with a lot of heart, Fixing Delilah is perfect for anyone in need of a wonderful contemporary novel (especially those who are already fans of Ockler's debut - Twenty Boy Summer - because this one doesn't disappoint). Narrated by Delilah, Delilah herself is a girl with some issues. She got caught stealing something incredibly stupid, she messed around with a guy that just might be a complete waste of time, and then she's stuck dealing with her mom and aunt - who can never get along - as they come together in a house they hadn't seen in years.

The characters were 100% individuals, from Aunt Rachel's awesome sense of humor to Delilah's mother's business-comes-first personality. None of them are perfect, they're far from it. The Hannaford women are truly disconnected, chaotic, and completely endearing with all their faults and all their positive characteristics. The supporting characters in town actually acted like small town folks do - Ockler never fails to make sure the realism is solid and on point.

Fixing Delilah is one part dysfunctional family, a few handfuls of humor, a couple dashes of mystery and intrigue, just a touch more of hot musician and a sweet swoon-worthy romance, and it all adds up to a heartfelt and lovable story that proves impossible to forget.

Highlights: Ockler excels at making her characters believable and realistic. The relationships between characters (whether romantic or familial) aren't perfect, but they are true to the ones you might have in life. Her descriptiveness really makes the scenery come alive and pop right off the pages. Ockler has a way with words, and her writing is stunning to me. Her writing is honest, pure and very true to her characters - I wish Ockler could have a novel come out every week, I adore her work that much.

Lowlights: I think I might prefer Ockler's Twenty Boy Summer more, but this one was a touching story too, just in a different way. And who knows, maybe I'll reread both and find I prefer this one ;)

Rating: 5 out of 5 (I've debated the rating for this book for months, and in the end, I'll round up since it was an extremely close one)

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Book: Thirteen Reasons Why

Author: Jay Asher

Release: October, 2007

Source: Borrowed

Summary:

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a strange package with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers several cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker -- his classmate and crush -- who committed suicide two weeks earlier. 

Hannah's voice tells him that there are thirteen reasons she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out why. 

Clay spends the night crisscrossing his town with Hannah as his guide. He becomes a first-hand witness to Hannah's pain, and learns the truth about himself -- a truth he never wanted to face. 

Review: Thirteen Reasons Why is the most heartbreaking novel I've read in awhile.

Admittedly, I avoided this story ever since it came out. But then a friend brought it one day for me to read, and I trust her judgement in books, so I gave it shot. And Thirteen Reasons Why blew my mind, tore my heart out, and patched it all together again.

The main character role, I would have to say, is split between the obvious choice Clay, and then Hannah. I feel like we got to know Hannah more, because she really is the main speaker throughout the story. Yet, I also feel like Clay is a solid character, but Hannah seems more prominent.

If you want to read a story that will take you through a whirlwind of emotions, then read Thirteen Reasons Why. 

Highlights: This book is like nothing I've ever read. It's emotional, and it left me with a heavy feeling once I was done (I can't even describe it past that, but it's a book that made an impression on me). This story is powerful, and I know I'll be looking forward to whatever Asher comes up with next. 

I also love how if  you take off the book jacket and look inside, it's a map (and it fits with the story). Definitely an interesting touch. 

Lowlights: I don't even know. Maybe some more depth to Clay?

Rating: