I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
YA Contemporary, 2014 by Dial Books, 371 Pages
What I Didn’t Like:
- Jarring switch between chapter 1 and chapter 2. You seriously feel like you missed so much you’re almost in a different world. Of course, I think that was the point. But it’s jarring.
- REALLY long chapters. There are some breaks in a few spots where you can put the book down or put in a bookmark but seriously chapter 3 is more than 90 pages.
- If I’m being picky, there’s a little too much “it’s all perfect” in the ending. Just a touch.
- Content warning: Explanation of previous sexual assault, explanation of previous bullying and homophobia.
What I Did Like:
- I love Noah from page 1. I want only good things from him and I want to keep him safe from everything in life. He’s well written, realistic, and relatable.
- Emotional and raw. This is one of those page-turning books where you feel everything these characters feel in your soul. You hurt, you love, you want to break. It’s beautiful.
- The voices are distinct enough to make the dual POV work. You know with just a sample paragraph which twin is talking.
Who Should Read This One:
- Fans of emotional stories that make you feel things.
- Fans of contemporary stories packed with life lessons.
- Fans of first love sort of stories