Mini Reviews of What Light & Dreamology

What Light by Jay Asher

Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary

Page Length:  251 pages
Format: ARC won at BookItCon
Publication Date: October 18, 2016
Publisher: Razorbill

About What Light (via Goodreads):

From Jay Asher, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Thirteen Reasons Why, comes a romance that will break your heart, but soon have you believing again. . . .

Sierra's family runs a Christmas tree farm in Oregon—it's a bucolic setting for a girl to grow up in, except that every year, they pack up and move to California to set up their Christmas tree lot for the season. So Sierra lives two lives: her life in Oregon and her life at Christmas. And leaving one always means missing the other.

Until this particular Christmas, when Sierra meets Caleb, and one life eclipses the other.

By reputation, Caleb is not your perfect guy: years ago, he made an enormous mistake and has been paying for it ever since. But Sierra sees beyond Caleb's past and becomes determined to help him find forgiveness and, maybe, redemption. As disapproval, misconceptions, and suspicions swirl around them, Caleb and Sierra discover the one thing that transcends all else: true love.

What Light is a love story that's moving and life-affirming and completely unforgettable.

What Light by Jay Asher is a cute and festive read for the Christmas season. While I was a bit cold-hearted and grinch-like when I first started reading the book, my heart slowly thawed and the story made me feel warm and fuzzy inside. While the romance was a bit rushed, I didn't think it was overly unrealistic (like instalove often is) and still found Sierra and Caleb's romance charming.

However, as characters go, I didn't find them all that engaging. They were far from bad by any means, but I never fully connected with them. Furthermore, although there was some character development, I thought there could have been a bit more growth based on the events that happened. On that note, the conflicts within the plot seemed to resolve a bit too quickly and too easily for my liking. I understand under the characters' circumstances, they did not have much time to resolve issues, but it still seemed a bit ridiculous.

The writing style was fine, but nothing extraordinary. Although I did not notice as much when I became more engrossed in the story, the sentence structures were very similar throughout and had minimal variation in length, making the story a bit hard to read when I first started reading it.

Overall, What Light was a fun and entertaining read. It left me laughing out loud on several occasions, and made me smile, flail, and fangirl, helping me get more in the holiday spirit.

My rating: 3 stars

Dreamology by Lucy Keating

Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary
Page Length: 336 pages
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: HarperTeen

About Dreamology (via Goodreads):

Vibrantly offbeat and utterly original, Lucy Keating’s debut novel combines the unconventional romance of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind with the sweetness and heart of Jenny Han.

For as long as Alice can remember, she has dreamed of Max. Together, they have traveled the world and fallen deliriously, hopelessly in love. Max is the boy of her dreams—and only her dreams. Because he doesn’t exist.

But when Alice walks into class on her first day at a new school, there he is. Real Max is nothing like Dream Max. He’s stubborn and complicated. And he has a whole life Alice isn’t a part of. Getting to know each other in reality isn’t as perfect as Alice always hoped.

Alarmingly, when their dreams start to bleed into their waking hours, the pair realize that they might have to put an end to a lifetime of dreaming about each other. But when you fall in love in your dreams, can reality ever be enough?

Dreamology by Lucy Keating is one of the most adorable books I have ever read. Filled with whimsy at every turn, I completely devoured this novel. The concept of this story was so unique and fun, and the story was overall fast-paced and an enjoyable read.

I also appreciate that although it was a lighter novel, it still dealt with some difficult situations and there was definitely character development involved. I was able to connect with the characters and fall in love with them, both in their reality and their dreams.

Dreamology was a truly delightful interlude after a long period of stress and craziness in my life, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking for a book that will put a smile on your face.

My rating: 3.5 stars

F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Book Tag

Okay I'm a horrible person who didn't realize (or maybe I did and just completely forgot but) I was tagged for this way back in April by Cat @ Let the Pages Reign, but... better late than never...?




“So No One Told You Life Was Gonna Be This Way” - A Book Which Surprised You

Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between by Jennifer E. Smith - this book is meant to be emotional, I think, but definitely not to the degree that I felt emotions. I may have mentioned this in the past, but I found things to tear up about for a good half of the book, probably because a lot of the events/struggles in the novel reminded me of a lot of things I've gone through recently.

Chandler - A Book Which Had You On The Floor Laughing

Gena/Finn by Kat Hegelson and Hannah Moskowitz - although I will admit that this book takes a darker turn that was nothing but a downpour of tears by the end, the beginning is hilarious and witty and so much fun.

Monica - A Book That You Never Want To Be Damaged or Broken

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven - this book was already heartbreaking and soul-shattering enough, and it remains dear to my heart, so I'd never want the physical book to express that same brokenness.

Joey - A Book That You Love And Want To Become A Movie

Timekeeper by Tara Sim - the world and story were so imaginative and brilliant, and I think it would be so incredible to see the story unfold on the big screen!

Phoebe - A Book That Had Bad Reviews But You Loved

I'm pretty sure this isn't true anymore (since I read it ~4 years ago and my taste has changed a lot since then, especially since I can safely say I dislike most paranormal romances now), but when I read it, I really liked Fallen by Lauren Kate... I would like to say that I didn't love it, but I was crazy enough to buy the 2nd and 3rd books immediately upon finishing it, so maybe I was a bit obsessed with it. I was a lot younger and less experienced in the world of YA at the time though, so I'm kind of tempted to reread it to see what the big deal was/why people hated it so much.

Ross - A Book That You Can’t Decide Whether You Love It Or You Hate It

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell - it's not that I hated it, but I went in with a lot of expectations and thought the book fell a bit flat. I immensely enjoyed reading it, but the characters and world-building were pretty weak and the plot was somewhat predictable for me.

Rachel - A Character That Had Major Character Development

Adelina Amouteru from The Young Elites trilogy, for better or worse. I haven't read The Midnight Star yet, but even throughout book 1 and book 2, she changed tremendously. I'm not expecting a happily ever after in book 3 (it's not that kind of series), but I hope she at least finds some peace with herself, since she's gone through so much.

Central Perk - A Book You Go To When You’re Bored

Hmm I don't really reread, but I'd probably go back to Everland by Wendy Spinale if given the chance since I absolutely loved all the POVs and the story and everything about it *heart eyes*

Gunther - A Book You Always Hear About But Never Buy

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

- I've heard only good things about this book, but I just haven't picked it up yet. I'm hoping to read more diversely in the upcoming months though, so this book will definitely be on my radar!

“Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat, What Are They Feeding You?” - A Book That Has A Nice Smell

I don't smell books, so I wouldn't know...

“How You Doin’” - A Book Character That You Love So Much

Daniel Sheridan from Something Strange and Deadly <3

We Were On A Break - A Book That You Stopped Reading For Some Reason

Truthwitch by Susan Dennard (although I'm finally picking it back up again after too many months!)