The Book Review Club: The Breakup Bible
My first review for “The Book Review Club” is The Breakup Bible by Melissa Kantor. For book reviews by other club members, see Barrie Summy’s blog.
When I realized I wanted to write a young adult novel I hadn’t really read any that I could say I loved. I kept trying, but none of them really appealed to me and I wondered if I really could write a young novel myself if I couldn’t even find one I enjoyed reading.
Anyway, that all changed the last time we were at Disneyland. There we were in line at the Holiday Haunted Mansion, and the teens behind us were cracking us up talking about if one friend with a big head married another friend with a big head – just imagine how big their kid’s head would be. LOL. That’s when I knew I had to write a young adult novel. If only I could find a young adult novel I really loved.
So, the next day we popped into Compass Books in Downtown Disney (other locations in the Bay Area) before heading back to the hotel room for an afternoon break. Naturally, I love small book stores and this store is a draw every time we go to Disneyland – about once a quarter – it’s well organized, with inviting atmosphere, and helpful clerks (with a small cafe attached serving coffee and yummies). And then I saw it – The Breakup Bible by Melissa Kantor. And I devoured it in two days. It was fabulous. This was the kind of young adult novel I could not only love, but maybe write. Hope, hope, hope.
So what did I like about The Breakup Bible? What was it I could relate to? It took me back to high school. The feelings all came alive again. I was there reliving it, even though it was a long time ago.
The main character was smart – a member of the school newspaper staff interested in a smart guy also on the newspaper staff. What could go wrong? Two smart kids working on the paper together? Being smart doesn’t make you immune from dealing with the same issues everybody deals with. Like what happens when the guy you thought was so cool and smart dumps you for the one girl he said he’d never be with? But you don’t know that because he keeps saying he wants to be friends and maybe you’d eventually get over him but he gives you mixed messages – like little body language cues that you interpret, naturally, as wanting to get back together?
You hope, hope, hope because you just can’t go on with a broken heart. And you can’t move on, beccause this guy still has your heart. But, then eventually you realize he’s just another dumb guy, but you just couldn’t see it before. That’s when you start to grow up just a bit and learn from that experience and maybe choose the right guy next time – and not just the guy who seems right. As the last paragraph in the book’s back blurb says:
She starts to see Max–and herself–in a whole new light. And Jennifer discovers there just might be life after heartbreak.
Unlike some young adult novels that try too hard to be young and hip, or the author is trying too hard to teach a lesson, you find yourself rooting for Jennifer. Because once you get to know Jennifer, you become Jennifer, and you start rooting for yourself.
Thanks for providing that blurb – that is beautifully written, especially “there just might be life after heartbreak.” I enjoy stories about heartache, especially when they get it right. I’ll have to put this on my TBR list now!
cecilia
Hi Kathy! I haven’t read The Breakup Bible, but it sounds right up my alley. And I love the way you inserted a quotation into the post. Thanks for joining in!
I enjoy young adult novels and will keep this one in mind. It sounds like fun. Btw your About Me bio is one of the funniest and most original ones I’ve read.
Kathy, I have to agree with you on YA novels. Few of them hold my interest. (I didn’t even like being a teenager, or reading teen novels, when I was one!) This book sounds like a perfect fit for my own teenaged daughter, though. Thanks for reviewing it.
Also, the motto to live by: I have that plaque just to the side of my desk! If you look at the picture of my study (on the blog), you can just see it.
Kathy, what a great review. Some books for kids are just meant for kids, but the ones that resonate can reach any reader. How terrific that you found a book to inspire your own writing. It’s not worth writing in a genre unless you feel the fit is right. Fun to discover your blog!
Hi Kathy, I found my way over from the Book Review Club. I enjoyed your personable review. You’ve a great website. The picture with the Mickey ears is definitely a winner as is the nifty stack of books that you use as a header.
Thanks to all for stopping by. It was a fun day reading your reviews and being introduced to new blogs.
Hey Kathy! Thanks for dropping by my blog!
I liked your review of THE BREAKUP BIBLE. Doesn’t really seem like my kind of book, but I do enjoy lots of YA fiction. If it’s done right, it can have an honesty to it that a lot of adult fiction lacks.
Oh, and my girlfriend and I had season passes to Disneyland for years. I don’t recall ever going into that particular book store, but we did hang out a lot in Downtown Disney. Our favorite restaurant to this day is the Jazz Kitchen!
Great review, kathy!