Author: Shari A. BradyTitle: Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye
Publisher: Createspace
Publish Date: June 11, 2012
Buy: Amazon
Review Copy Provided By: Innovative Online Book Tours & the author
Blurb: Before my older sister Francesca died, I worked at the bakery and wrote songs, but now I write lists. Lists like ten reasons why it's my fault Francesca's dead, or five reasons why I should try and win Howie back, or one reason why I need to stop lying to everyone, including myself. Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye is an extraordinary novel about one family’s struggle to make sense of their world after losing a family member to addiction. Through sixteen-year-old Carmella’s eyes, we witness the courage and strength it takes to overcome the consequences of grief, guilt and co-dependency. With conviction and determination, Carmella shows us what can happen when we’re open to love, feel the pain of our loss, and find the courage to accept the truth of our lives.
Review: This is really a wow book. Carmella's a character you will love, even though at times you want to make her listen or get help or something.
Her sister Francesca died of a drug overdose and she's trying to deal with that along with parents that aren't coping well. I absolutely hated her father, but everyone has their own coping mechanisms and his seemed to be hiding from the truth. Though Carmella was doing the same thing herself, just in a different manner.
You would think that since death was a huge part of this book that it would be a downer of a read, but it really isn't. It isn't a shiny happy read either though. Its just terribly real. You know that there are families out there dealing with loses just like Carmella and those loses tear them apart.
So many books deal with adults dealing with loss, but not so many deal with teenagers. This is a great book in showing how a typical teenager copes with a loss this great, and Carmella is the typical teenager, complete with the appropriate angst and rebellion. Though I have to admit, if her parents were mine, I probably would have run away from home early on. They really don't make the healing process any easier for Carmella, instead they try to do what they think is best, which isn't.
But the story isn't all sadness, she does meet Howie working at the bakery and they have a rather sweet romance going on. Everything can't be all bad!
I recommend this book highly to fans of YA fiction.
Rating: 5 flowers
About the Author Shari A. Brady is a native Chicagoan and previously had so many careers she’s lost count. A graduate of Loyola University’s Business School and University of Chicago’s Creative Writing program, she’s finally a full-time writer, a dream she’s carried with her since she was twelve. She lives in suburban Chicago with her awesome husband, two of the best kids ever, and their shelter dog, Betty Queen Elizabeth. This is her first novel and her last career.
www.sharibrady.com
A portion of the proceeds from Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye will be donated to Families and Adolescents in Recovery, Inc. (F.A.I.R.). If you’d like to make a donation to help in research, education and recovery for kids stricken with addiction, please visit www.fairkids.org
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Blurb: Before my older sister Francesca died, I worked at the bakery and wrote songs, but now I write lists. Lists like ten reasons why it's my fault Francesca's dead, or five reasons why I should try and win Howie back, or one reason why I need to stop lying to everyone, including myself. Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye is an extraordinary novel about one family’s struggle to make sense of their world after losing a family member to addiction. Through sixteen-year-old Carmella’s eyes, we witness the courage and strength it takes to overcome the consequences of grief, guilt and co-dependency. With conviction and determination, Carmella shows us what can happen when we’re open to love, feel the pain of our loss, and find the courage to accept the truth of our lives.
Review: This is really a wow book. Carmella's a character you will love, even though at times you want to make her listen or get help or something.
Her sister Francesca died of a drug overdose and she's trying to deal with that along with parents that aren't coping well. I absolutely hated her father, but everyone has their own coping mechanisms and his seemed to be hiding from the truth. Though Carmella was doing the same thing herself, just in a different manner.
You would think that since death was a huge part of this book that it would be a downer of a read, but it really isn't. It isn't a shiny happy read either though. Its just terribly real. You know that there are families out there dealing with loses just like Carmella and those loses tear them apart.
So many books deal with adults dealing with loss, but not so many deal with teenagers. This is a great book in showing how a typical teenager copes with a loss this great, and Carmella is the typical teenager, complete with the appropriate angst and rebellion. Though I have to admit, if her parents were mine, I probably would have run away from home early on. They really don't make the healing process any easier for Carmella, instead they try to do what they think is best, which isn't.
But the story isn't all sadness, she does meet Howie working at the bakery and they have a rather sweet romance going on. Everything can't be all bad!
I recommend this book highly to fans of YA fiction.
Rating: 5 flowers
www.sharibrady.com
A portion of the proceeds from Wish I Could Have Said Goodbye will be donated to Families and Adolescents in Recovery, Inc. (F.A.I.R.). If you’d like to make a donation to help in research, education and recovery for kids stricken with addiction, please visit www.fairkids.org
a Rafflecopter giveaway
1 comments:
It's nice that in a sad story there's still room for a touch of romance :)
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