Monday, January 24, 2011

Review: The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern

Title: the Book of Tomorrow

Author: Cecelia Ahern

Rating:

Who Should Read It? I would say you should check this out if you love Cecelia Ahern, but given that I've never read anything else by her, that might not be apt. It has a fairly YA feel to it, so I think that it's great for fans of YA or of creative mysteries!

What I Have to Say:
My first experience with Cecelia Ahern was P.S. I Love You, and even though I loved the movie, and even though it seems like the kind of book I should adore, I couldn't finish it. I can honestly say that it is maybe one of 5 books I have ever not finished in my life - I got maybe three or four chapters in and then gave up. And to this day I still can't say why.
Still, since then, I find myself for some reason always attracted to her books and wanting to read her other ones - and not letting myself because I remember my experience with P.S. I Love You. Well, with the Book of Tomorrow, I finally decided to get over my Cecelia Ahern boycott and give one of her books a try. And boy am I glad I did. To the point in which I'm now thinking I've got to go try P.S. I Love You Again.

The Book of Tomorrow is fast-paced and exciting and creative and well-written and, just, wonderful! I couldn't put it down. I LOVED it!

In the beginning, Tamara Goodwin, our first-person narrator, is bratty and self-centered, and I wonder if there is any way for her to ever redeem herself. She announces to us right off that she is going to, but frankly, I had trouble believing. Tamara's life changes when her Dad dies and leave them in debt. With her mom, they have to move to live with her weird Aunt and Uncle in the country. Her life then proceeds to change even more when she discovers a journal in a traveling library (how COOL is that?!?) that seems to contain entries that SHE has written from the next day.

With the help of the diary, crazy mysteries are uncovered and Tamara (who by the end does, indeed, become an almost likable character) discovers that her life is actually way crazier than she ever could have imagined. The Book of Tomorrow will have you excitedly sitting on the edge of your seat, waiting for the next foretelling entry in Tamara's life - and wondering how Tamara is going to deal with whatever new revelation she discovers. Ahern does a great job of writing this in a slightly choppy, self-obsessed way, as if she really is a teenager writing.

Ahern has created a beautiful story of love and revenge, and if you can remember what it feels like to be in the mind of a teenager, you'll love this book. Especially if you were a slightly bratty teenager. :-P I think this book is worth checking out!

Summary:The magical new novel from number one bestseller Cecelia Ahern. Tamara Goodwin has always got everything she's ever wanted. Born into a family of wealth, she grew up in a mansion with its own private beach, a wardrobe full of designer clothes and all that a girl could ever wish for. She's always lived in the here and now, never giving a second thought to tomorrow. But then suddenly her dad is gone and life for Tamara and her mother changes forever. Left with a mountain of debt, they have no choice but to sell everything they own and move to the country. Nestled next to Kilsaney Castle, their gatehouse is a world away from Tamara's childhood. With her mother shut away with grief, and her aunt busy tending to her, Tamara is lonely and bored and longs to return to Dublin.When a travelling library passes through Kilsaney Demesne, Tamara is intrigued. Her eyes rest on a mysterious large leather bound tome locked with a gold clasp and padlock. What she discovers within the pages takes her breath away and shakes her world to its core.

Cover Story: Love this cover! It's so magical and mystical seeming, and I adore the way it ties in with the book. The colors are also beautiful!

Disclosure: This book was sent to me for review by the publisher.

6 comments:

Tales of Whimsy said...

This sounds fantastic!

Josette said...

Ohhhh, now I can't wait to read it. From other reviews, I've heard how great this book was. I love Cecelia Ahern's books, especially Where Rainbows End. :)

Melissa (Books and Things) said...

I enjoyed this book as well. Great review. This was a fun book.

Heather G. said...

I'll have to give this one a try. I haven't read anything by her.

Simcha said...

Welcome back! I hope you had a great vacation. I haven't read anything by Ahern but this sounds like a book I might like. Thanks for the review!

Sara said...

Great review! This book was truly magical, and the cover is sooo gorgeous in "real life"! I really enjoyed this story as well

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