The Whole Thing Together by Ann Brashares | A Book Review

This story had me gushing tears while reading this. Good thing, the lights were off. I had to stifle the crying noises I made in order not to embarrassingly wake anyone. I got this from Netgalley. Thank you again, Netgalley. This was an emotional read yet, in a way relieving. It helped me vent out all those emotions built up inside my chest.

This is a story of a blended family. A blended family is a family where the parents divorced and married people who also have children from a previous marriage. Each of the divorced parent also has a kid/s with his/her new partner. In turn, there is a host of step siblings. When these families meet, it's a blend of those individuals. In this story, The Mom and Dad had a very awful and bad divorce. They wanted to not do anything with each other except they had three girls- Emma, Mattie and Quinn, and a beach house which they both can't let go of. So, they agreed to share the house but never seeing each families while there. 

The story centers on two individuals born of the new marriages of the Mom and the Dad. The Mom, Lila, married Adam Riggs and they have a son- Ray Riggs. The Dad, Robert Thomas, married Evie after the divorce and they have a daughter- Sasha Thomas. Ray and Sasha shared a room, books, toys and all other things in the Long Island beach house. There's only one thing wrong with the picture, they have never met or seen each other. And now the question is why and when?

Everything was status quo until the eldest daughter got engaged and the two other sisters decided to throw an engagement party where the two families could meet. The girls saw it as a chance for their irreconcilable parents to finally come to a truce. I think it was a very brilliant idea born of good intentions but children will never know how deep the animosity of their parents toward each other. There are a lot of things they do not know about the divorce. Why their parents ended up hating each other that they decided they can't stand to see each other yet live in the same city. And the most puzzling of all is that they can't seem to let go of the beach house. The reason was later revealed in the story which explained a few things. I think, even though Lila and Robert hated each other, they still wanted to remember the good things and memories they shared, which the beach represents a lot of. 

One of the things that struck me most about the story was the non-relationship between Sasha and Ray. It was so ironic that they shared a lot of things, like toys from their childhood and other things growing up vacationing in the beach house yet, they have never set a glimpse of each other. What they know of each were from the shared items in the shared room and from their shared half-sisters. It was just so appropriate to describe them as half and half. I totally found Emma's idea of them working in the store being half of one person so hilarious, yet possible. Even the store owner agreed to Emma's suggestion. I was so entertained with the email exchanges between Ray and Sasha about  their experiences in the store. The store owner's idea of calling each of them Ray was funny also. I think it would be very cool to actually try this idea of making two people work half of a shift yet you only pay one. 

Now, let's get to the part where I was balling my eyes out. My tear ducts just opened its floodgates and came rushing out. It was the scene of the engagement party. The party which almost did not push through but the girls -Quinn, especially convinced her parents. It was total mayhem. In some way, the girls expected what may happen but they were still shocked when it did. They also thought that maybe once, their parents could let it all out and then give each other the olive branch but it was not meant to be. It was a disaster that was just waiting to happen. But I think the girls were not to be blamed, it was all on their parents. Not only their parents but also the mother of the groom-to-be also had her own issues which also added to the ensuing chaos.

In the end, it all ended well. Something happened to Quinn and it was tragic. I was like, why her? It didn't have to be that way. I thought, somehow the author must have thought of some other way to make the families come together, just not like this. But I guess, it was not for nothing. It paved the way for Lila and Robert to see how bad they were treating each other and now they have to share this agony together. Now, it all seemed trivial, hating each other when something more heavy and permanent is changing their lives. They have no choice but to band together, to help each other get through. This was a very heartbreaking part but I am also thankful that they have learned their lessons though it took a whole lot to happen before they learn to at least temporarily forgive each other. How long that lasts, no one knows, even their daughters are not expecting it to last. Sasha and Ray can now stay in the beach house at the same time and actually interact with each other. Nah, they do not have to share a room anymore.

I give this book 4.5/5 bikes for Quinn who made me cry. This may not be a sequel to the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants but the essence of this story is still about sisterhood and family. Yes, it's always true--tragedy brings all people together. Disputes and misunderstanding will become trivial and childish when a more tragic and more devastating loss is experienced. Bittersweet! This story is just one great example. Thank you Ann Brashares, your stories are very profound. I am looking forward to reading more of your stories about family.

Why was it there were some things you could have multiples of, like daughters and sisters, and other things you didn't, like fathers and husbands?

Parallel is right, sadly. Lines that go along forever together and never meet.

- Ann Brashares, The Whole Thing Together -

Me After "Me Before You" | Me Before You by Jojo Moyes | A Book Review

I got interested in this book because of the film. I wanted to know what the book is about. And as previous experiences would attest, the book is almost always better than the movie, though there are very very few exceptions. I wanted to read the book before I would see the film. And so the search begins...

I stumbled on an ebook copy and started reading.

The book is about Louisa Clark and Will Traynor. Louisa works for a cafe, unfortunately, it closed because the owner has to go back to Australia because his Dad is not well. Louisa has to look for a new job. She got a accepted as a carer for a quadriplegic, Will Traynor. This was after trying to work in a factory. At first, Will and Lou did not get along. Will was always rude and moody. After a few weeks, Lou could not take anymore Will's attitude so she confronted him and Will was surprised because it was only Lou who got the courage to tell him off. From there, their relationship improved and Lou was able to make Will talk and do some things. Some as monumental as shaving his face and cutting his hair. One time, Lou overheard Mrs. Camilla Traynor and his daughter, Georgina, talking about Will's wish to die and going to Dignitas. Lou realized that she is the only hope for Will to change his mind. Lou then embarks on a series of plans to get Will to go out and travel so he would find the zest and reason to live again. 

When I started reading the book, it did not right away reveal what type of love story it was. When I came to the part when Louisa started working for the Traynors, I expected as most story goes, that they will fall in love with each other and Lou will leave his douche boyfriend who only cares about marathons. And true enough, they did. But it was not just about that. There were a lot of twists and I had to calm myself most of the time. I did not expect that Will would still want to die in spite of the fact that he loves Louisa and wants her around. I do understand Will's decision but I feel sorry for Louisa and the rest of the Traynors. At first, I thought Will is too selfish but then if I were in his shoes, unable to care for myself and not anymore able to do the things I love, I think I would wish I died in that accident too. I like that the book was so realistic. It also showed how a life-changing event could alter the dynamics of a family, even  for one that is so wealthy. Catastrophe falls on anyone, whether you own castles or not. I also like that Louisa tried everything she can to change Will's mind and I thought she was successful. I was cheering for her the whole time. 

The book is very well written and I like that it surprised me a lot. It was so engaging and gripping. It had held me tight and I never wanted to stop reading until the end but my eyes betrayed me. I had  to sleep or else I will end up with a headache for staying up all night. Most of the time, it showed me the opposite of what I expected to happen next. I did not like that Will really died. I thought when Louisa was called to come to Switzerland, there might still be a slim chance that Will might change his mind at the last minute, but it never happened. Yes, you will probably not like how this ends. I thought love conquered all. This is probably the only thing that I thought the book lacked. But on second thought, the acceptance of Will's decision and supporting him could as well be taken as love, as letting go of someone is always an act of love. Letting go of Will was a herculean feat for everyone. Will saw it as the only way he can find peace and solace for himself. Some may think that this book encourages or believes in taking one's life but I don't look at it that way. I think it just explored the possibility that there might be an option for those whose lives cannot anymore in anyway be put back to normal, just like a quadriplegic's. I still do not believe in taking one's own life just because life is too hard or you got your heart broken or for some other million reasons. There is hope. There is always hope, it may sometimes just be a flicker or a spark but life should go on. Yes, life is hard, it is a fact. Nobody has it easy. Each person's circumstance is just different. Each has its own worries. For me, I am thankful that I am terrified just even thinking of it in my lowest of lows. Because the moment I will have the might to even think about  it, that would be the end - the end of my reason. That means I have lost my sanity and have abandoned hope and prayer. It would be when even the love for books and the love for travel has forsaken me. These two hobbies keep me sane when all else in the world just makes me want to sleep and not wake up. The book at least ended where Louisa was able to say goodbye to Will and Will died knowing that he was loved. Closure at least.

I give the book 4/5 yellow and black striped leggings for the surprising journey. I hate stories that are so obvious and typical. This story was totally different and it touched me in various ways. I can relate to a lot of the characters in the story. I can relate to how it is being jobless and the only available ones are the things you don't want to do. I can also see myself in Will being frustrated at a situation you can't change, being paralyzed and left to the mercy of other people. I have cried while reading this book as it tackled a multitude of human reactions to a tragedy. It spoke of the diverse coping mechanisms of people when faced with a very difficult and trying situation. And these same reactions are what would most likely happen in real life. I also love that Louisa realized what she has been missing in her secluded, mundane and very provincial life. And that she needs to explore the world to discover its wonders and what it has in store for her. This work has made me a fan of Jojo Moyes. I am looking forward to her other works.

Now, I am ready to watch the movie. I am curious if they will follow it to the letter or make a different ending.

Next book is After You. Click here to know more.