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Kayla's Only Heart

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Kayla's Only Heart

Tag Archives: young adult

Countdown to Valentine’s Day: Young Love Stories

04 Monday Feb 2019

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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Always and Forever, Always and Forever Laura Jean, books, Eleanor & Park, Galentine's Day, Jenny Han, Kasie West, Lara Jean, love, meet cute, Peter Kavinsky, Rainbow Rowell, relationshhips, teens, The Fill-In Boyfriend, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, Valentine's Day, YA, young adult

What says young love better than a young adult novel? The angst we associate with teenage years seems to continue to adulthood, so I enjoy the familiarity and nostalgia of high school. In honor of young love, I’ve compiled a short list of young adult stories I’ve read recently that fit a Valentine’s Day theme.

 

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell: This book ranks high on my all time favorite list, and I recently reread it for a book club. Eleanor and Park each fall into the misfit category, and they stand on their own so strongly and uniquely. Reading how they fall in love as they share comic books on the bus and start to spend time together makes me feel like I’m falling in love for the first time with all the thrill, agony and uncertainty that comes with it.

Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han: My Galentine and I have wrapped up our reading of the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy, and I recommend all three. The third installment moves from the original sweetness to the mix of fun and seriousness that befalls a high school senior. Lara Jean faces choices about college her relationship with the almost too good to be true Peter, and of course she goes to prom. I always say yes to reliving prom, and I can still relate to the weight of decisions about direction in life.

The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West: Prom gets another mention here. In this story, a breakup just before the dance leads Gia’s to find a temporary fill-in. The relationship becomes more real as Gia gets to know her fake date. I love Kasie West for upbeat cute stories with a little relatability. This story gets that and reminds me I don’t stand alone in wondering how much to let people in and how to let go of a desire for approval.

The Great American Reader: Harry Potter

12 Saturday Jan 2019

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bookish, books, children's literature, Great American Read, Great American Reader, Harry Potter, identity, J.K. Rowling, magic, school, series, wizard, YA, young adult

The Harry Potter series has a top spot on PBS’s The Great American Read list, and some fellow Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club members have decided to read the entire series over the course of the year. That gives me an opportunity to keep a slow, steady pace to dive deeper into J.K. Rowling’s stories and characters, especially since this is not the first time I’ve read them. I have started Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone this weekend and already see points of interest. This series has so many angles and resources to see.

Grab a broomstick (or catch the Hogwarts Express train) and follow me to Hogwarts castle as Harry realizes the truth behind “yer a wizard” and attends the School of Magic for the first time. Harry figures out his identity, and the story keeps the wizarding world at stake through an epic battle of good versus evil. Follow along for a coming of age story for the ages.

Book Review: The Fill-In Boyfriend

12 Saturday Jan 2019

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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acceptance, angst, book review, books, fiction, friends, friendship, Kasie West, prom, teens, The Fill-In Boyfriend, YA, young adult

After my best friend spent a weekend reading Kasie West books, she sent me one of her favorites of the bunch. We read a couple of hers together prior to that, and she picked well again with one that exceeded expectations. This one made it to the number two spot of West’s work in my book.

This story starts on prom night, so it has me hooked by its first mention in the parking lot. After a stranger poses as the boyfriend who just broke up with her, Gia has to navigate sharing news of the breakup after the dance. Teen angst surfaces as it tends to do when anyone experiences a breakup, and Gia learns more about herself as well as her friendly stranger. Together they explore vulnerability and acceptance in friendship with each other and with their friend groups. I enjoy the story as well as the kindness of the characters and their friendships.

 

Further reading: My favorite Kasie West book is P.S. I Like You, and I recommend that as well as any of the others I’ve read. They make fun, quick reads but also share a sweet message.

Book Review: P.S. I Still Love You

14 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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angst, book review, books, expectations, fiction, Jenny Han, love, P.S. I Still Love You, pressure, relationships, romance, teens, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, values, young adult

My best friend and I continued our buddy read of Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy with the second installment. P.S. I Still Love You didn’t hit that sweet spot quite as strongly as the introduction to Lara Jean and the recipients of her love letters, but it did still hit the spot.

This story continues Lara Jean’s first steps into romance as she faces the aftermath of her fight with Peter Kavinsky and the release of a video of them online. As she navigates confronting the issue and enduring the ridicule of her peers, Lara Jean demonstrates how her actions as well as others’ actions can have a tremendous effect on her life. Of course her sisters and dad continue as her constant support, and she makes new friendships with a couple older and wiser ladies at the nursing home where she interns. Lara Jean’s experiences make a good example of how internet shaming greatly impacts people and how teenagers and young adults face significant pressure when it comes to relationships. I appreciate how Han creates a likeable character who reminds us of the vulnerability of developing relationships and communicating boundaries. Lara Jean models a realistic approach to balance cultural pressures with her personal values and makes a good example of voicing her wants rather than following her peers’ expectations.

So far this trilogy has provided some great conversation, a likeable and admirable character and a sweet story with the awkwardness, angst and fun of being a teenager and discovering love. I highly anticipate the third book, and the first goes in my top ten books I’ve read this year.

 

In case you were wondering, the Netflix movie adaptation of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before does a great job capturing this fun story on the screen. They cast the characters well, they kept the heart of the book, and gave it an authentic feel with their attention to detail on screen.

Book Review: Doon

20 Tuesday Nov 2018

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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adventure, book review, bookish, books, Brigadoon, Carey Corp, Christian fiction, community, Doon, faith, friendship, Lorie Langdon, love, retelling, romance, YA, young adult

I now have had my second experience with the Brig o’ Doon, and I must say I have enjoyed this young adult retelling much more than the movie my college roommates and I watched years ago. This magical twist on time travel and fantasy makes for a fun adventure and of course includes plenty of romance. It even adds a thoughtful layer of faith and community.

As best friends Mackenna and Veronica find themselves crossing the mythical Brig o’ Doon and entering Doon’s kingdom during their trip to Scotland, they find themselves on an adventure much different than they imagined. They stick together to contribute to the community and ultimately to save it. Along the way, they learn how to deepen their faith in what will unfold for their fates as well as that of Doon and to trust each other. We see that sharing burdens of truth and uncertainty makes it easier to handle situations than facing them completely alone, as Veronica does in a prideful attempt to protect her friends. The strength of friendship and community ultimately wins the day.

Between the unique people and kingdom, the general sense of adventure and unique way to look at faith, I have enjoyed my trip to Doon. I look forward to continuing the series to read what happens next. I’m also curious to check out the source material. Though the movie I’ve seen has generally low reviews, the TV special with Robert Goulet has positive ones. Here’s to the next adventure having singing and dancing!

Book Review: Love, Life and the List

20 Monday Aug 2018

Posted by KaylasOnlyHeart in books, Uncategorized

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book review, books, connectiion, dreams, family, friends, goals, high school, Kasie West, life, love, young adult

I read Kasie West’s recent Love, Life, and the List with my best friend and book buddy. The book and the buddy reading served as a good reminder of creating and pursuing goals. Abby generated a list of experiences that would help her gain heart to put into her heart, and she pushed herself to fulfill those and learned about life and love in the process. In turn, I received a gentle nudge to keep growing and satisfying my own goals.

Abby was in high school and therefore at least ten years younger than me, but I found her experiences relatable. Learning how to share problems with your family and understanding they have difficulties too applied to anyone. The concept of participating in new experiences to gain understanding, depth and knowledge applied to any relational or professional goals as well. Most importantly, pursuing goals and having a team of supporters fit as an overarching message.

The story had a fun, lighthearted flow. Abby navigated school, family, friends, a developing hobby and love. The situations provided a balance of a little thought with a lot of fun. I enjoyed the ride and rooted for Abby to reach her goals and to connect closer with her friends and family.

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