Since I discovered that Adobe Digital Editions 2.0 is accessible with screen readers, I’ve downloaded a number of ebooks. Most were scientific books, with a few being memoris, and to be honest I until now hadn’t ifnished any. I usually bought my ebooks at Bol.com, the largest online media store in the Netherlands. However, when they switched to an inaccessible bookshelf format for downloading ebooks, I decided to try out Kobo. I also wanted to spread my wings in the reading departmnet, so I decided to check out some juvenile fiction, because I always used to like that better than adult fiction. In fiction, my taste is similar to that in memoirs: the book has to cover medicl, social or psychological issues. The Girl Next Door by Selene Castrovilla seemed to meet that requirement. Besides, it cost only E3,-, so I wouldn’t have wasted a lot of money if it turned out to be crap. In the end, I’m not disappointed at all.
Synopsis
Two teens are forced to make some very grown-up decisions when one of them is diagnosed with terminal cancer, twisting them into an unpredictable nightmare. Best friends since toddlerhood, Samantha and Jesse grapple with the realization that they are actually in love. What now? Beautifully written while handling a very heavy topic, Castrovilla addresses the universal question: In a world where the worst can strike at any time, how can we ever feel safe?
Review
Reading the first page, I was not thrilled. Was middle grade fiction that simple, or was my English that advanced, it being my second language? Within pages, I had to change my mind on this, because it turned out I didn’t understand some of the more commonly used words – maybe my English isn’t that advanced after all. Even so, the book is quite readable.
The book isn’t too fast-paced, but it doesn’t ge tlong-winded either. I was able to guess pretty soon that Jesse wasn’t going to get a miracle cure fo rhis cancer, but other than that, the book was not predictable at all. I wondered at several points from halfway through the book on whether the end was coming up. I don’t mean this to say the book is boring, but there were several moments at which point Jesse could’ve died and the book would be over.
What I also liked about the book, was that I developed both sympathy for and disgust with almost all characters. For example, Gwen, Jesse’s mother, starts out as a bitch, and I genuinely thought that I’d hate her throughout the book. Gradually, however, I was led to understand her better and in the end, I liked her somewhat. The book is written from Samantha’s point of view, but I believe most characters in fact ar epretty formed.
The topic covered in this book is of course quite sad, but the book didn’t just make me feel sad. I alternated between feeling angry, sad, happy, surprised and a lot of other feelings. In the end, I was left with peace. That is exactly what this book aims to teach.
Book Details
Title: The Girl Next Door
Author: Selene Castrovilla
Publisher: ASD Publishing, Ltd.
Publication date: May 2013
I used to read much more than I do at the moment. It sounds like this book would take you through the gamut of emotions! Not one when you need a light read perhaps but worthy of spending time reading it still. Thanks for your book review 🙂
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Oh, it would make me sad to read this, probably I will give it a miss.
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Sounds really interesting. Have you read The Fault in Our Stars? It’s a very similar plot but brilliantly written 🙂
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No, I have not read that book. I’m going to see if it’s available at Kobo.
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I just can’t do sad books. Glad you enjoyed it though and that reading it brought so many emotions for you.
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Sounds a lot like Fault in our Stars, which is also a great book
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sounds like a great book – just the sort of thing I would enjoy!
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Oh I love it when a character grows on you like that – sounds very well written xx
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Alas I’ve been reading the same book for months now – but in my defence it is a super long one! I still can’t bring myself to read anything other than an actual book though, Kindles and the like are wasted on me!
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I’m a really slow reader since my children came along so now I usually have a sewing magazine to flick through before bed.
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sounds interesting
I haven’t read a book for ages, I really should make more effort!
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I can’t seem to do sad at the moment. History seems to be it for me for now. x
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Sounds like a sad book of the Jodi Picoult type genre. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I don’t do kindles either – it has to be real books all the way for me, though my daughter loves her kindle.
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Just to clarify, this book is available in hardcover/paperback formats too. It was published as a hardcover and paperback in 2010 by another publisher, I forgot which, then published in ebook format by ASD PUblishing last year.
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I go through phases with reading at the moment I am loving turning the pages so I might have to add this to my to read pile 🙂 x
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Yey, finally I see a review for a book I actually own and read.
Happy me 😉
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Sounds like a great book.
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I’ve just into reading books on a kindle and I’m loving it, especially all the cheap ones. I can only read upbeat books as I get far too involved.
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I used to love reading but find I just don’t have the time at the moment. Maybe once the small people are bigger I will get some time again
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Ohhh I wish I read more. I used to read so much.. now it’s family and things. Sounds like a great read.
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Sounds like an interesting book and a great, honest review from you too.
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