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Book Review: Where She Went

Where She Went Gayle Forman

Rating: 4 stars

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 Juilliard’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.

Told from Adam’s point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

After reading If I Stay, I knew I would be reading Where She Went to see where Adam and Mia’s love story would go. And I was not at all disappointed by what I read.

I enjoyed reading Where She Went because you see how much both Mia and Adam’s lives changed without each other in them. Adam became the rock star he wanted to be only to discover the rock star life wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. And Mia wasn’t left undamaged from the traumatic accident that left her without her family and changed her relationship with Adam forever.

And the changes that occurred throughout their lives during their three years without each other were quite huge. Both had become the musicians they wanted to be only to find something lacking in their lives. And when both of them happen to meet in New York City, their lives are changed once again.

What I enjoyed about reading Where She Went is that you find out what happened that caused their relationship to break. You found out why Mia ended their relationship, even though the reason given is a crappy one.

I also enjoyed reading Where She Went because I felt like their relationship was much stronger than in If I Stay. I felt their love was much stronger after they were apart from each other for so long.

Where She Went was a good read because I felt like I finally understood Mia’s character a little better. I didn’t mention this in my review of If I Stay, but I didn’t really like Mia’s character. I liked her character background, but I just didn’t like her as a person because I felt like she didn’t really care about Adam. And after reading this one, I feel as if I understand some of her actions a little better and understand why she broke Adam’s heart. And in the end, she loves him a whole lot more than I ever realized.

However, there were some things with Where She Went I didn’t like. I enjoyed reading the story from Adam’s perspective but didn’t like the way he handled certain situations. Some conversations need to be had in person and the one final conversation he had with one of the characters was a shitty way to deal with things. Yes, he was honest with her, but I felt like he should’ve had that conversation with her in person to explain why things wouldn’t work between them.

I also enjoyed this novel from Adam’s perspective because I could feel Adam’s love for Mia. As a reader, I could tell that Adam cared a lot about Mia and only wanted to do everything in his power to make her happy. Even if that meant sacrificing his own happiness for her.

In the end, Where She Went is a great young adult love story that I find myself easily able to relate to. It makes me hopeful that things will always work out the way they are supposed to and that true love does exist. I recommend Where She Went for those who read If I Stay and want to know what happens to Adam and Mia and for those who’ve lost hope in love and second chances.

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Letter to Myself, Dear Future Me

Letter Writing

I was tagged by Jia from Film & Nuance.

Thank you for tagging me and I’m sorry I didn’t see this sooner. Would’ve written this a lot earlier if I were more observant on WordPress. But I guess that can’t be helped now. I’ve written letters to myself in the past. In middle school, my one teacher had us write a letter for our high school selves and it was really interesting to see what I’d written and I think it would be cool to reflect on this tag a year from now to see how different things have changed.

Rules:

  • Tag it under ‘DearFutureMeTag’
  • Write a letter to yourself to read again in a year’s time. You can answer if you would like.
  • Nominate other bloggers, as many as you like at the end of this post.

Dear Future Me,

I know a lot has probably changed in the past year, but I am so proud of you. 2015 was such a tough year for you and while 2016 so far has been pretty good if not better, I’m still proud that you’ve made it this far in life.

Even though there isn’t a whole lot going on for you right now. I mean, you’re working and that’s nice and all, but you’re not using the degree you spent all that time in college to get.

Okay, I know I’m being a little harsh on you. After all, I’ve finally started really getting back into writing again, making it a habit in my life like it used to be before I got so busy with college and life that I couldn’t keep up with it. And I started this blog in July last year and quickly realized how much I enjoy blogging.

But I don’t know—I think I’m just getting discontent with how things in life are right now. I mean, work at the dining hall is okay, but I’m not enjoying it.

But that’s because you’re ready for things to change. To be somewhere different, doing something different with your life.

I don’t know why, but I’m ready for things to change. And I know they will. We just need to remember to be patient and push on until they do.

But hey, this year hasn’t been too bad so far. Laney mentioned a couple weeks ago about buying a PlayStation 4 in the near future and we will finally be going to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter very soon. Though, since I’m talking to future you, I bet you’ve already been there and as I write this are soaking in those happy moments in Florida. As well as enjoying those moments you’ve spent playing the new video games you bought on the PlayStation 4 with big sissy.

Though I know chances are that you’re trying to forget what happened in May as well. Not going to Tommy’s graduation from college in Georgia, but the fact that you were in the same state as the ex who broke my heart almost four months ago. Though I know the chances of me running into him are probably slim to none, I know I probably felt all sorts of feelings at the time. And as I sit here typing all of this out, I try not to think of what all could’ve happened. Though I know you already know and are probably in a certain state of mind right now at his mention. Whatever feeling that is, don’t tell me. I’ll know soon enough either way. But I am a strong person. So whatever feelings you’re having, I know I’ll be okay either way.

After all, you’re a very talented person. Besides continuing to write, you’ve also been doing a lot of coloring too. I know a lot of people might think that sounds funny, but they just don’t understand how enjoyable and destressing it can actually be. Right now, I’ve been coloring in my Harry Potter coloring book Laney bought for me for Christmas. I’m coloring the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry house crests. So far, I’ve completed our house Ravenclaw and the Hufflepuff crest.  I’m working on the Gryffindor one now.

I also just recently finished reading Where She Went and will be writing my review tomorrow.

Okay, future me. I think I’ve rambled on long enough.

But before I forget, there’s one more thing I must say to you.

Even when things get tough, keep pushing on. Don’t let life get you down and remember that you have friends all around you that really care about you.

So please, stay strong future me. Because I know I am.

From,

Raney Simmon

Nominations: I think for this post, I want  to not only nominate bloggers whose blogs I enjoy reading, but people I believe (and hope) will want to participate and write one of these letters too!

So Many Books

Prophecy Six

Blu Chicken Ninja

Cristian Mihai

Zen and Pi

The Little Book Affair

Book Owly

Bookish Antics

Edge of Night

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Writing Prompt: “Sometimes the Right Path” Quote

Sometimes the Right Path Isn't the Easiest One

I definitely agree with this quote. I do honestly believe the path we need to take in life isn’t the easiest one. That the right path we need to follow is a difficult place to go.

Life is hard. It often throws curveballs at us that we don’t expect to encounter. But it is what we do with our lives that determines what road we end up taking. Sometimes, life takes us down the wrong path. Takes us down a road we don’t want to travel, but get stuck at because we have nowhere else to go.

And even when life decides to take us down the right path, we are stuck making difficult choices. Decisions we don’t want to make, but have no choice but to do.

The right path is not the easiest one not because it’s the wrong path, but because life is hard and the decisions we sometimes have to make are the difficult ones.

In life, we have to make tough decisions. Do things we don’t want to do because they are things that are best for ourselves. Things that are better for ourselves in the long run and that will make our lives better for it. But in order to get those things accomplished, sacrifices have to be made. We have to sacrifice things in life we ordinarily wouldn’t in order to make our lives better. Deal with tough choices the best way we can in order to get onto the right path.

These sacrifices benefit our lives in the long run and in the end, they lead us down the right path.

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Finishing a Good Book: How Readers React When Finishing a Really Good Read

JK Rowling Quote About Books

The reading hangover is one of the worst feelings a reader has after finishing a really good book. You’re happy because you just read an amazing story. But also sad at the same time because the story is over and there’s no going back to having that first reading experience over again.

You want to just silently absorb all the words from the world you’ve just left so that you can still be in that world. You’re in wonder because you just read a good story, but sad because you don’t know what to do with your life next.

You’re at a loss for words. Because you loved every minute you spent, reading that amazing book. But it’s over. You can’t go back. Sure you can read that book over and over again, guaranteeing that the story never really ends for you, but you can’t get that first reading experience with that book back.

And it sucks. Finding books you really love, reading them only to discover that you’re sad the book is over, that you can’t return to the amazing surprise and euphoria you felt the first time you read that book.

Sure, you can reread said book and have all those feelings about the characters and the world all over again, but the reading experience is completely different than the first. You still feel the sadness, but it’s different somehow. You can’t exactly put your finger on it but in some ways, it feels like you’re saying goodbye to the story this time. As if you’re never going to read the book again, even when you know that isn’t true.

All readers experience this feeling at some point in their lives. Whether they are revisiting one of their favorite classical stories or reading a book they’ve never touched before, a reader has this experience at one point during their reading journey.

It’s a feeling readers love to hate. Because they feel stuck in their imagination, not sure what to do with their life next.

I know for me what I normally try to do is listen to music, to do anything that doesn’t revolve around books so that I can get through the muddle and figure out what book’s world I want to enter next. This usually works for me because it distracts my thoughts from the story and allows me to concentrate on something much happier.

But I also sometimes just sit in silence after reading an amazing story. I put the book down and just sit, contemplating the story I’ve just finished reading. And just stare at the book I’ve finished reading in wonder because I’ve just read an amazing story. Knowing that in my heart, this amazing book will be in my heart forever.

It is both a happy feeling and sad feeling, all at once. But like J.K. Rowling says, something magical can happen when you read a good book.  Especially when the good book in question makes you have all sorts of feelings.

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Writing Prompt: I Walk Alone Poem

I Walk Alone Boulevard of Broken Dreams

I walk alone,

To the sound of my own footsteps against the pavement.

 

I walk alone,

In a forest full of densely packed trees.

 

I walk alone,

Standing against a crowd of packed people.

 

I walk alone,

Even when surrounded by the people I love.

 

I walk alone,

To the sound of my own heartbeat.

 

I walk alone,

As I stand near the edge, awaiting death.

 

I walk alone,

As I say goodbye to my friends, leaving them trailing behind.

 

I walk alone,

As I leave this Earth one last time.

 

I walk alone,

When saying goodbye.

 

I am always alone,

Whenever I walk alone.

 

For whenever I walk alone,

I am always alone.

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Writing Prompt: “Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night” Quote

Dylan Thomas Quote

Wow, what powerful words have been spoken! I really like this quote quite a bit. It speaks to my inner strength and makes me understand things in different ways.

This quote speaks to me. It makes me think not to give up on things, to not let a moment pass by where you are fighting against the darkness by telling yourself you’re stronger than you think you are. To not give up, to not quit. To not go quietly into the night without fighting against the demons that are haunting you. That if you must go away, you don’t go without a fight.

But this quote also speaks to me in another way too. It says you are allowed to be angry about the demons you are facing. Life is unfair and sometimes the people with the brightest hearts get the strongest burdens. And this quote says that it’s okay to be angry at the lot you’ve been given. But it also says not to let that rage get control of you and take away the parts of you that are good in the world. That even though life is hard and gets you down, to stand back up and face your battles once again. But to face your battles with light in your heart and the ability to achieve forgiveness even when you don’t want to let go.

To not go quietly into the night even though there are moments where life is tough and all you want to do is give in. This quote speaks to me because I have demons of my own that I’m still currently facing.

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Writing Prompt: “You Have to Be at Your Strongest” Quote

True Strength Quote

I feel like I can relate to this quote in so many ways. It relates to me being strong, acting like everything is okay even when my world is torn apart.

There are moments in time whenever a person feels their whole world crashing down around them. In these moments, a person finds themselves at one of the lowest parts of their life. They are in a situation they don’t know how to handle and stuck making the most out of the broken pieces of their life.

In these moments, people have to act strong in order to get through their current situation. It is the best way to deal with whatever problem is going on. You have to push through it if you want to get better, if you want to heal.

Sometimes, it can be rather difficult. Dealing with a pain you don’t expect is tough. You feel emotional, drained and exhausted from worrying about the problem and trying to find a way to fix it.

But some problems just can’t be fixed. Life is tough and it throws hurdles at you that you have to overcome. You feel weak and don’t know what to do. You want to cry, give in and just collapse completely. You want those who’ve hurt you to know how much pain they’ve caused. You want to tear the world apart, deal punishment back to those who’ve caused you misery.

But the problem with that is it doesn’t help you feel better. Not at all. Making those who’ve hurt you miserable doesn’t make you feel better nor does it relieve the pain they’ve caused. It doesn’t bring justice to your pain or resolve conflict but brings about even more misery.

The best thing to do when feeling at your weakest is stay strong. To push through the pain and misery and show those who’ve hurt you that you are stronger than they think. That the pain they’ve caused you hasn’t defeated you but made you stronger than before. And has in the end made you a better person than you were before.

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Writing Prompt: Hopes & Fears

On the last day of 2015, this is really the perfect time to write about my hopes and fears. Since the new year of 2016 is almost upon us, I might as well mention my hopes and fears overall, not only in general but for the new year as well.

As 2016 quickly approaches, my hope is that I will finally begin my career. For months now, I’ve been adequately searching for a job in my field. While there have been moments where I’ve stopped searching due to events in my life beyond my control, I want this to happen in 2016 more than anything. I know some of my friends are already fortunate in being able to accomplish this, but I want this more than anything. I want to start my career already and start my life. But I know in order to do this, I need to continue looking, searching even when things are tough.

I also hope that this year will be better than the last. 2015 has been quite a year. A year full of memorable moments, full of things I didn’t expect to happen and full of changes in myself I didn’t expect to experience.

A lot has changed in 2015, things which I didn’t expect to happen. My Mom finally got through her divorce with my step-dad which took many years to get the process going. Also, a lot of historical events occurred here in South Carolina. The Confederate flag was taken off the State house grounds after the shooting at the church in Charleston and South Carolina faced a flood that had us under boiled water advisory for about two weeks and many people without homes.

2015 has been a year of change, both good and bad. I also participated in National Novel Writing Month this November and wrote more words in a month than I expected after dealing with a loss I wasn’t expecting. So one of my hopes now is for 2016 to be a better year than 2015.

However, I can’t talk about some of my hopes without mentioning fears. Because I am worried about some things. For one, I’m scared of things changing completely. Not because I’m scared of change, but because things have already changed for me in the last couple months that I’m scared of things turning further in a negative direction.

I’m also scared of the future. I don’t know what the future brings for me and I hate not knowing how some things in my life are going to go.

But at the same time as 2016 looms closer, I need to let go and become more optimistic. Because even though I don’t know where my life is heading, I know for one thing that everything will be alright.

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Writing Prompt: Dreams

Dare to Dream

With this writing prompt, I feel like I can talk about almost anything from the dreams I have at night whenever I’m asleep to my dreams in a career. And while I would like nothing more than to talk about both of these, I think I will focus this writing prompt on talking about my dreams in a career, whenever I get one.

I want to write. I want to write for an audience of people who will enjoy my work and write in a way that inspires others to want to write.

I want to write because I enjoy writing. The only problem is that I don’t know yet where I want to work and what with writing I want to do.

I know I want to one day publish a novel of my own. To write a story so amazing and empowering that others would want to talk about it with those they love. To write a story with amazing characters, people we could all relate to in some way or another. To write real characters, people you can easily get emotionally attached to if something were to happen to them.

I don’t know where I want to work because I feel like that is so limiting. There are many possible places I could end up working at that narrowing my options down sounds boring.

I know I want to write. I love writing so much that I know having my own work published would be a dream come true for me. It would be everything I work hard for and then some. But where I want my work published and in what format is still a complete mystery to me.

I know I enjoy blogging. Ever since I’ve created my blog, I realized how much I enjoy blogging, writing to my own audience in a format I myself can create. Communicating with people who enjoy writing as much as I do and have their own interesting stories to tell. I feel like blogging has become a part of my life these past couple months and I enjoy every minute I get to post a story to my blog.

I would love very much to pursue blogging as a career, but have no means on how to get started. I know the first direction I need to take is a course on web design so I can get a better understanding of how html formatting and all of the other stuff that comes with it works. But other than that, I’m at a loss of where to go.

But I can see blogging becoming an even bigger part of my life. Because blogging allows me control over my writing and allows me to decide what I want to publish whenever I want to publish it. And I enjoy doing it so much now that I can’t imagine myself not doing it anymore.

But I know it’s not everything I dream about for my career either. I know blogging is something I can do so I can keep myself writing, honing and sharpening my skills. But I need to figure out what else I want to do with writing.

I know my love of writing is all I need to find the career that encompasses my dreams.

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