Thursday, July 14, 2011

Bookanistas: I'M NOT HER


Janet Gurtler tests the bonds of sisterhood in this moving debut that readers of Jodi Picoult and Sarah Dessen will savor.

UM...yes, please.

What the back cover has to say:

"For the first time in my life, I didn't feel envy..."


Tess is the exact opposite of her beautiful, athletic sister. And that's okay. Kristina is the sporty one, Tess is the smart one, and they each have their place. Until Kristina is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly Tess is the center of the popular crowd, everyone eager for updates. There are senior boys flirting with her. But, the smiles of her picture perfect family are cracking and her sister could be dying. Now Tess has to fill a new role: the strong one. Because if she doesn't hold it together, who will?

What Lila has to say:

My love affair with all Sarah Dessen books is no secret. Before I became obsessed with all things YA, I used to read a ton of Jodi Picoult as well. So, I'M NOT HER basically had my name written on it. And it didn't take long to find out why. Tess is not the leading lady. She assumes her position in the shadow of her beautiful and athletic older sister Kristina and pretty much feels comfortable there. But that's why she's easy to fall in love with. I mean, who hasn't felt insecure in the shadow of somebody else and yet oddly at ease with it at the same time?

And then all of the sudden, life as the girls had known it gets flipped on its head. Kristina is sick, their parents are in denial and Tess has to assume other roles, roles she never in a million years could have pictured herself fulfilling. She's incredibly vulnerable and you can't help but root for her as she grows throughout the book. And how could we not love a book about sisters? Really, really well done.

The cover is perfect, the title spot on and the overall book a breath of fresh air. Janet reminded me why I love reading contemporary and also put IF I TELL on the radar. It releases October 1st!






Check out what the other Bookanistas are up to this week:


Elana Johnson revels in Ruby Red

Christine Fonseca interviews picture book author Michelle McLean – with giveaway

Beth Revis reveals her reading recommendations

Jessi Kirby discovers Where Things Come Back

Shannon Whitney Messenger swoons for Supernaturally – with giveaway

Shelli Johannes-Wells features “guestanisto” author Matt Blackstone

Carolina Valdez Miller is bedazzled by Between – with giveaway

Shana Silver wonders at The Near Witch

Stasia Ward Kehoe celebrates Selling Hope

6 comments:

Unknown said...

It sounds like a tissue book. Am I going to cry all the way through it? What a compelling story line!

Matthew MacNish said...

I think Kylie has this book. I'll have to ask her.

Steph said...

I read this a few weeks ago, and sigh, it was beautiful! Can't wait for her next one! :)

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Oh my...this one sounds like a real tear jerker.

Steena Holmes said...

This sounds like my kind of book!

ME said...

I do like sunny-looking books, even when they seem to be sad reads. Seems like a great summer-holiday read.

Thanks for the review!

Don't call this a comeback

So it’s been a minute. Or 10. Or truthfully more like 2,102,400. At least we think that’s how many minutes there are in 3 years, but let...