Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Hopelessly Hopeful




Gone are the days when I hand over a five star rating. I've just read too many books and some have just risen the bar of expectation. I've become very selective.

Colleen Hoover's Hopeless is one of those books that has received my coveted five stars. It has nothing to do with the fact that the writing was spectacular, clean, clear, and the cadence rhythmically in tune with the mood of the story line. Well, maybe it does have something to do with that. First and foremost, I can appreciate the technique, style and talent of the craft, and Colleen Hoover once again out does herself as she uses words and punctuation like an artist's brush stroke to create a beautiful masterpiece. On merit of the craft alone,Hopeless gets five stars. 

Novels require an additional element which elevate the art form to another level. The words need to come alive for the reader. We need to see the world through the character's eyes and feel their heart beat as we connect with the characters as they become real. 

Sky is a protagonist that is flawed, emotional, emotionless and perfectly real. She leaves the protective bubble that is her home schooled life and begins her Senior year at the local high school. Sky is your typical teen living in an non-conventional home. She sneaks boys in through her window, gaining her a reputation before she even opens her first textbook. Her best friend Six lives next door and the two have a true BFF relationship with movies, talks and ice cream. Sky's life is unconventional in that she is technologically illiterate. She lives in a home without a phone (traditional or cell), no television, and no Internet. Is this intentional? A lifestyle choice by her mom, Karen? 

With Six studying abroad, Sky must venture the world of teenage drama alone. Until she meet Breckin, self proclaimed best friend, and supplier of morning java. Six and Breckin are wonderful literary side kicks adding the right amount of flare, drama and humor allowing the central characters to come further alive for the reader.

This brings us to the heart stopping Dean Holder. Dean Holder. Dean Holder. Holder. What can I say about Holder? Holder. His name should sum everything up. Sigh. 

Is there anything wrong with Holder? Sure! He is yet again another flawed character. Holder has a temper. He carries guilt and responsibility that doesn't belong to him. He's angry and...hurting. His heart, in spite, of his great losses is beautiful, gentle, and tender. I could feel his gaze, his touch, and his breath when he spoke. I could hear his words and his heart. I more than live Holder, I totally love him. 

Thank you Barbie for making me stop everything I was doing to read this book. You were right! 

And because at the end of the day, it was worth putting other very important projects on the back burner for a couple days. And therefore for all of the above, Hopeless is a five star. 

If you haven't read it....stop what you're doing and go read it.
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