Mini Reviews Volume #4

What: If You Could Be Mine by Sara Farizan

Who: Alqonquin Young Readers

When: August 20th 2013

How: Borrowed from library.

Rating: ★ ★ ★

If you’re looking for a book with a happily ever after ending, If You Could Be Mine is most certainly not it.

I liked this novel, though I had some reservations about the main character and her motives. I know that she wanted to be with her best friend (who is also a girl), and so she thought she was willing to do anything in order to make that happen – including getting a sex change. But I felt like this kind of … not trivialised but maybe undermined the struggles that transgender young adults go through. This was kind of touched on in the novel, where the main character (Sahar) speaks to a transwoman who says that she’s glad that her body reflects who she is but it was hard. But even so, I wasn’t 100% on board with that aspect of the book.

My favourite character was Sahar’s gay cousin (I can’t remember his name). For some reason I absolutely adored him and felt a fierce protectiveness for his character. Bless that he turned out safe and okay, otherwise *breathes fire*

 

What: I am J by Cris Beam

Who: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

When: November 13th 2012

How: Purchased.

Rating: ★ ★ ★

I was not a huge fan of our main character, J. I understand that he was trying desperately to conform to what he thought was masculine attitude … but some of his comments had me narrowing my eyes. Guys can have feelings, too *gasp* And being called a lesbian is not the worst thing in the world.

His relationship with his best friend was a little off putting, as well. She was only attracted to J when she thought of him as completely male. Guuurl, you’re either attracted to someone or not. You can’t only be attracted to them sometimes. And what kind of message is that giving to J, anyway? *shakes head*

J’s inner turmoil was a little tiresome at times, and I feel like some of this introspection could have been cut to make for a more fast paced novel.

I hated J’s parents. Well, more specifically his mother. But I guess this could be an accurate representation of parents who are shitheads and refuse to come to terms with their child being different.

 

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

Who: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

When: April 1st 2014

How: Purchased.

Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Whilst I might not have adored Ari and Dante as much as some other people, I still really loved it – devouring it in one sitting on my sofa.

I loved the lyrical prose of this novel, and the growth of the relationship between Ari and Dante. Ari is hiding his feelings from himself so well that it comes almost (but not quite) as a surprise when he finally admits how much he has come to care for Dante.

Ari was a puzzle. I think he was very confused and in a lot of pain (both physical and emotional), but he could also be a bit irritating (just like anyone, I guess). Dante, on the other hand was a cute little shite and I wanted to jump into these pages and smother him with love.

I will definitely be one of those people that say: omg you have to read Ari and Dante!

© 2015, Chiara @ Books for a Delicate Eternity. All rights reserved.