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A review by celli_taylorsversion
The Meaning of Birds by Jaye Robin Brown
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
I found this book on the table in the bookstore, with a big sign that says SALE and it was literally sold for half the price of a regular paperback, so it was shocking that a good book with a great cover and in hardback was so cheap—anyway, enough of how I bought it.
This book is about Jess and is split into two timelines; one in her freshman year just after losing her dad and the next in her senior year just after losing her girlfriend. The grief that she experienced with her dad was a really sad one, we really didn't get much into how her dad died, but we watched how the grief affected her. She developed these anger issues and is learning how to control herself and cope with her grief in a healthier way by visiting a therapist. The therapist tells her that drawing and doodling would be a really great way, and this is how she finds her passion for art. Then the artsy, enigmatic, girl named Vivi with a beautiful fashion sense walks into her life and helps her feel better about life a little more. Now for the second timeline which is after Vivi's death, we go back to these negative emotions that hit her a lot harder because along with this she's pushing people away, she seems to be bringing the not-so-great people into her life and is struggling with college applications and what is after. Because after for her, is entwined with Vivi, and now that she's gone so unexpectedly, what's next?
This story was so heartbreaking but at the same time just so sweet. I read a lot of YA books about grief and mental health - because those seem like the only good YA books I enjoy these days - and this one is honestly no different. However, I still very much enjoyed it. In this book, it seems like birds and art are very much a theme because it was such an important part of Vivi and their relationship together and I thought that was really beautiful. This was also the first real sapphic book I read from start to finish and that I own, so it's quite special to me. Jess' character development throughout the book was great and I feel so happy for her. The pacing was also quite nice because we only see her for five weeks after Vivi's death, it doesn't seem like such a short time. And honestly, I'm glad that she doesn't find a new girlfriend by the end of the book (I loved Levi though, he's so sweet, a little shy, but genuine) because YA books do that too much.
This book is about Jess and is split into two timelines; one in her freshman year just after losing her dad and the next in her senior year just after losing her girlfriend. The grief that she experienced with her dad was a really sad one, we really didn't get much into how her dad died, but we watched how the grief affected her. She developed these anger issues and is learning how to control herself and cope with her grief in a healthier way by visiting a therapist. The therapist tells her that drawing and doodling would be a really great way, and this is how she finds her passion for art. Then the artsy, enigmatic, girl named Vivi with a beautiful fashion sense walks into her life and helps her feel better about life a little more. Now for the second timeline which is after Vivi's death, we go back to these negative emotions that hit her a lot harder because along with this she's pushing people away, she seems to be bringing the not-so-great people into her life and is struggling with college applications and what is after. Because after for her, is entwined with Vivi, and now that she's gone so unexpectedly, what's next?
This story was so heartbreaking but at the same time just so sweet. I read a lot of YA books about grief and mental health - because those seem like the only good YA books I enjoy these days - and this one is honestly no different. However, I still very much enjoyed it. In this book, it seems like birds and art are very much a theme because it was such an important part of Vivi and their relationship together and I thought that was really beautiful. This was also the first real sapphic book I read from start to finish and that I own, so it's quite special to me. Jess' character development throughout the book was great and I feel so happy for her. The pacing was also quite nice because we only see her for five weeks after Vivi's death, it doesn't seem like such a short time. And honestly, I'm glad that she doesn't find a new girlfriend by the end of the book (I loved Levi though, he's so sweet, a little shy, but genuine) because YA books do that too much.