sparrowliz's reviews
61 reviews

 On The Other Side is a two book series by Denise Grover Swank, called Here and There.

Julia is a 16yo school kid who hates her life.  Six months ago she was in a car crash with her late best friend, and now she just wants to be left alone.  School is doing nothing for her, she's failing all her classes because she cannot see the point anymore, so she is given an ultimatum - have a tutor and catch up or leave for remedial school.

Evan is the most popular boy at school, and he volunteers to tutor Julia. As they become close, it appears that they were destined to be together after some unexplained coincidences. However, all is not as it seems.  As the police start to chase Evan, he wants to know if Julia will trust him and come home with him.



I read both these books in a couple of days, so it makes sense for me to review them together. 

As always, these are really well written by Swank.  I've read a fair few of her books now, and I always look forward to reading them as I get totally immersed into the new worlds. This book isn't as hard hitting as some YA that I've read - there's no sex, no swearing and mild violence - but that doesn't make it less enjoyable.  As I was reading through, I kept wanting to discover what was next for our heroes.

The ending of the second book allows for scope for future books, though I think the author has done well to leave it there.  If you enjoy sci fi, and enjoy these books, you may also enjoy the classic 90s TV series, Sliders.

The Cat who Saved Books was chosen by my Book Club, and it is a really sweet read.

Rintaro is a boy who lived with his grandfather and spent many hours in the bookshop, reading and helping the loyal customers.  After the death of the grandfather, Rintaro turns inwards even more and even stops going to school, thinking nobody would miss him.  A relative comes to help sort things out and prepares Rintaro for leaving the bookshop and going to live with her.  Before Rintaro can close the shop and leave, he meets a talking cat who needs help with rescuing books from their current sad fates.

This is not the type of book I would have chosen myself, but it was really engaging.  Even though I read it after translation to English, the translator kept some of the Japanese words, which helped the book remain in the setting it should.  I liked the development of the character of Rintaro as the book progresses, and seeing how he deals with his grief.  There are only a few characters in this book, and they all add something to the story.  The ending, too, was fitting to the story and I came away very glad that I had read it.

I'd say this book is suitable for any age.  I can imagine a child from 7upwards enjoying being read this book, and from 10+ enjoying reading it themselves.  As a 40yo woman I enjoyed it too.  A short, sweet story.

 

A friend lent this book to me last year.  As it's a paperbook, I had it on pause for a long while.  I tend to read kindle books, as I find it more comfortable reading the kindle when lying down, than lying with a book.  Not only that, I can carry multiple electronic books around with me, without needing a ginormous rucksack!  I do read paper books when I'm in the car, however.  Assuming it's light enough to read, that is, I always have a paper book with me in case, God forbid, my kindle runs out of charge and I have nothing to read! A different friend lends me various (paper book) biographies to read, so I had to wait until I finished that book, before slipping this fiction inbetween Joe Lycett (read) and Jo Brand (to read).

I started reading this book in the car, whilst picking up my girls from school, and I was hooked from almost the first page.  As such, when I got home, rather than leaving it in the car as I normally would, I took it out and read it all evening until it was finished.  I couldn't put it down.

This book is simply amazing.  You can tell the author is autistic as the protagonist's portrayal is spot on.  I'm not one to get emotional at books (admittedly I don't often read "harrowing" books, unlike my sister who actively chooses them, but then can only read 1 chapter at a time as it's too emotionally intense), but this is the first book I have cried at.  I don't want to give too much away, but there is a scene in the middle of the book where Stella meets Michael's family for dinner, and it is painful reading because it is so close to home.

The book itself is really sweet.  It's not suitable for young teens, as it does describe sex in detail, but it is not tacky <cough>50 shades<cough> at all.  It fits in with the story and the trusting, but logical, nature of Stella.  It's a book about what sex should be (note, I'm not saying that it should be with a male escort, lol): consensual, sensual, erotic and enjoyed.

Highly recommend.