That's complEment, not compliment... I claim no endorsement by these authors! Time is flying by, and in just three short weeks The Things We Can't Undo goes out into the big wide world. Want a copy sooner than that, or just want your book free? Befriend me on facebook, follow on twitter or instagram, and keep an eye out for another giveaway. This week I thought I'd share a few other book recommendations of titles that include similar themes, styles or voices. I do have reviews of each of these elsewhere on the blog, but today I'm looking at them specifically in terms of what similarities our books share.
Seven books to read while you wait for mine!
(in no particular order)
(in no particular order)
Wildlife by Fiona Wood
When I was pitching my novel to agents and publishers, this was one of the comparison titles I included (the other was Risk, mentioned below), despite having very different themes and plot to my book. More specifically, I said my book "may appeal to those who enjoyed the complex changing friendships" in Wildlife. This book in particular delves in closely and really examines what happens to friendships when people are put under pressure, lives are changing and grief becomes part of somebody's character. Other similarities between our works include the way Wood also uses an alternating point of view, with different chapters told from the perspective of two different characters, and uses diary entries as a means for revealing character's thoughts and opinions. Wildlife is an award-winning novel that follows two girls through a term of year ten spent in the wilderness at their school's "outdoor education program", and the friendship, first love and betrayal that occurs.
Risk by Fleur Ferris
This was Fleur Ferris' debut YA, though she has since published two more with a third out later this year. I interviewed Fleur here, for those interested in her experiences of the publishing world. Risk tackles some similar themes to TTWCU - internet and social media use, grief, and sexual abuse. I particularly appreciate the measured approach Ferris takes to the internet, acknowledging that it's a legitimate way for people to meet, chat and otherwise engage with one another, but mentioning practical skills for safe use. Risk tells the story of Taylor, who is frustrated by her best friend Sierra "stealing" the guy they both met on the internet, and what Taylor does when Sierra goes to meet the guy and doesn't return.
My Life as a Hashtag by Gabrielle Williams
I hesitated to include this one on the list, because the review I posted on it recently wasn't really favourable (although according to goodreads I'm in a minority there). That said, it definitely explores how the internet can take something from a small group of people and broadcast it further to the world, and the potential risks that occur when we lose control of the message. This is something that also happens in TTWCU, although in a much different way and with very different motivations. My Life As a Hashtag follows MC, who is having friendship problems with Anouk, and the guy they both like. When Anouk excludes MC from a party, MC takes to the internet to vent her frustration, and her post goes viral.
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Another book that uses alternating points of view each chapter, this one is also on the list because of shared themes of romantic relationships and mental illness. It takes a close look at how teenagers in love can deeply affect one another's life, yet hurt one another too. The depiction of mental illness in this book (bipolar, in this case) is done very well, without the shaming or glorifying elements that I have seen in so much fiction that features a character with suicidal thoughts. All The Bright Places is the story of Violet, grieving her sister's death, and Finch, the "weird" guy who is isolated at school and regularly absent for long periods of time. The two fall in love as they explore some of the quirky parts of where they live.
Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley
I've only just finished this and I don't think I've posted a review yet, but I adored it. I may be stretching here to claim similarities with TTWCU, although both feature some close sibling relationships (bonus points for sister/brother rather than two of the same gender), secrets, grief, and chapters told in alternating points of view. Words in Deep Blue is a beautiful tale of a girl whose life has been shaken by the accidental death of her brother, and her best friend, a boy who lives in a struggling second-hand bookshop, loved it all his life, but feels obliged to grow up and move on.
Feeling Sorry for Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty
I had to sneak Jaclyn Moriarty into this list, she's my hero. Any of the Ashbury/Brookfield books would be suitable for the purpose of comparison here, because the notable similarity is the epistolary format - using a variety of notes, letters, assessment tasks and the like. While every second chapter in TTWCU is written in first person narration from Dylan's perspective, the alternate chapters reveal the thoughts and actions of other characters (particularly his girlfriend Samantha and her best friend Tayla) via online chats, text messages, diary entries and social media posts. Moriarty being the quirky comic that she is, Feeling Sorry for Celia also includes letters from "The Manager, Society of People who are Definitely Going to Fail High School (and Most Probably Life as Well!)" and similarly named imaginary clubs & societies, used to indicate Elizabeth's inner thoughts and self-talk. The story follows Elizabeth as she navigates a difficult year at school and at home.
Begin, End, Begin: A #LoveOzYA Anthology
In particular, the stories Sundays by Melissa Kiel and The Feeling From Over Here by Gabrielle Tozer. Sundays is set over one night at a party and takes a closer look at how the romantic relationship (and breakup) of one teen couple impacts all the close friends around them. This is definitely a theme in TTWCU, where I explore the way Dylan and Samantha's breakup impacts their friendship group and the relationships between others at their school. The Feeling From Over Here is set on a long, overnight bus trip where a girl has to sit beside the boy who hurt her three years prior with his insulting words and support of another's bullying. The plot is obviously nothing like my book, but I included it in this comparison post because of the way cruelty is explained but not excused, and the part regret plays in the story.
So there you have a TBR that can help keep you occupied (unless of course you've already read them all). And in three weeks time, you can add The Things We Can't Undo.
...And I just realised that between myself, The Feeling From Over Here and My Life as a Hashtag, I've mentioned three different Gabrielles who are Australian writers of YA fiction. We should start a club or something.
When I was pitching my novel to agents and publishers, this was one of the comparison titles I included (the other was Risk, mentioned below), despite having very different themes and plot to my book. More specifically, I said my book "may appeal to those who enjoyed the complex changing friendships" in Wildlife. This book in particular delves in closely and really examines what happens to friendships when people are put under pressure, lives are changing and grief becomes part of somebody's character. Other similarities between our works include the way Wood also uses an alternating point of view, with different chapters told from the perspective of two different characters, and uses diary entries as a means for revealing character's thoughts and opinions. Wildlife is an award-winning novel that follows two girls through a term of year ten spent in the wilderness at their school's "outdoor education program", and the friendship, first love and betrayal that occurs.
Risk by Fleur Ferris
This was Fleur Ferris' debut YA, though she has since published two more with a third out later this year. I interviewed Fleur here, for those interested in her experiences of the publishing world. Risk tackles some similar themes to TTWCU - internet and social media use, grief, and sexual abuse. I particularly appreciate the measured approach Ferris takes to the internet, acknowledging that it's a legitimate way for people to meet, chat and otherwise engage with one another, but mentioning practical skills for safe use. Risk tells the story of Taylor, who is frustrated by her best friend Sierra "stealing" the guy they both met on the internet, and what Taylor does when Sierra goes to meet the guy and doesn't return.
My Life as a Hashtag by Gabrielle Williams
I hesitated to include this one on the list, because the review I posted on it recently wasn't really favourable (although according to goodreads I'm in a minority there). That said, it definitely explores how the internet can take something from a small group of people and broadcast it further to the world, and the potential risks that occur when we lose control of the message. This is something that also happens in TTWCU, although in a much different way and with very different motivations. My Life As a Hashtag follows MC, who is having friendship problems with Anouk, and the guy they both like. When Anouk excludes MC from a party, MC takes to the internet to vent her frustration, and her post goes viral.
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Another book that uses alternating points of view each chapter, this one is also on the list because of shared themes of romantic relationships and mental illness. It takes a close look at how teenagers in love can deeply affect one another's life, yet hurt one another too. The depiction of mental illness in this book (bipolar, in this case) is done very well, without the shaming or glorifying elements that I have seen in so much fiction that features a character with suicidal thoughts. All The Bright Places is the story of Violet, grieving her sister's death, and Finch, the "weird" guy who is isolated at school and regularly absent for long periods of time. The two fall in love as they explore some of the quirky parts of where they live.
Words in Deep Blue by Cath Crowley
I've only just finished this and I don't think I've posted a review yet, but I adored it. I may be stretching here to claim similarities with TTWCU, although both feature some close sibling relationships (bonus points for sister/brother rather than two of the same gender), secrets, grief, and chapters told in alternating points of view. Words in Deep Blue is a beautiful tale of a girl whose life has been shaken by the accidental death of her brother, and her best friend, a boy who lives in a struggling second-hand bookshop, loved it all his life, but feels obliged to grow up and move on.
Feeling Sorry for Celia by Jaclyn Moriarty
I had to sneak Jaclyn Moriarty into this list, she's my hero. Any of the Ashbury/Brookfield books would be suitable for the purpose of comparison here, because the notable similarity is the epistolary format - using a variety of notes, letters, assessment tasks and the like. While every second chapter in TTWCU is written in first person narration from Dylan's perspective, the alternate chapters reveal the thoughts and actions of other characters (particularly his girlfriend Samantha and her best friend Tayla) via online chats, text messages, diary entries and social media posts. Moriarty being the quirky comic that she is, Feeling Sorry for Celia also includes letters from "The Manager, Society of People who are Definitely Going to Fail High School (and Most Probably Life as Well!)" and similarly named imaginary clubs & societies, used to indicate Elizabeth's inner thoughts and self-talk. The story follows Elizabeth as she navigates a difficult year at school and at home.
Begin, End, Begin: A #LoveOzYA Anthology
In particular, the stories Sundays by Melissa Kiel and The Feeling From Over Here by Gabrielle Tozer. Sundays is set over one night at a party and takes a closer look at how the romantic relationship (and breakup) of one teen couple impacts all the close friends around them. This is definitely a theme in TTWCU, where I explore the way Dylan and Samantha's breakup impacts their friendship group and the relationships between others at their school. The Feeling From Over Here is set on a long, overnight bus trip where a girl has to sit beside the boy who hurt her three years prior with his insulting words and support of another's bullying. The plot is obviously nothing like my book, but I included it in this comparison post because of the way cruelty is explained but not excused, and the part regret plays in the story.
So there you have a TBR that can help keep you occupied (unless of course you've already read them all). And in three weeks time, you can add The Things We Can't Undo.
...And I just realised that between myself, The Feeling From Over Here and My Life as a Hashtag, I've mentioned three different Gabrielles who are Australian writers of YA fiction. We should start a club or something.
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