Catchup Week Post #1: Hate List by Jennifer Brown
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Okay I'm quite behind on posting reviews, so I've decided to make this week Catchup Week. F-U-N!
Hate List by Jennifer Brown
Publication date: 9/1/09
Received for publisher Little Brown for review
Rating: 5 purrs
summary:
Five months ago, Valerie Leftman's boyfriend, Nick, opened fire on their school cafeteria. Shot trying to stop him, Valerie inadvertently saved the life of a classmate, but was implicated in the shootings because of the list she helped create. A list of people and things she and Nick hated. The list he used to pick his targets.
Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.
Now, after a summer of seclusion, Val is forced to confront her guilt as she returns to school to complete her senior year. Haunted by the memory of the boyfriend she still loves and navigating rocky relationships with her family, former friends and the girl whose life she saved, Val must come to grips with the tragedy that took place and her role in it, in order to make amends and move on with her life.
thoughts:
It is impossible not to get sucked into Val's world from page one. Val is just an average teenage girl until her boyfriend shoots up her school. The fact that all the characters, including the shooter boyfriend, were so easy to relate to is what make the Hate List a great book. I haven't read many other books where I could relate and sympathize to the bad guy.
The originally of the plot is also something that makes Hate List a must buy. I've read over school shooting books such as Jodi Picoult's Nineteen Minutes, but none of them have used such a unique point of view. Through Val we get to see not only the aftermath of the shooting, but what events might have caused it in the first place. Hate List manages to be thought provoking without coming across as an "issues book." I hate issues books!
The format of Hate List was particularity appealing. I loved the non-linear writing. Going back and forth in time not only gave us the entire scope of events, but it was also kind of fun (did I just use the word fun to describe a school shooting book?) I also liked the news clippings at the beginning of the chapters. It added a certain authenticity to the book.
I thought that the ending was brilliantly handled. I was worried Hate List would have one of those overly sappy Lifetime Movie endings. I read the last page feeling satisfied and sad. Satisfied because the ending was perfect and sad because I was finished reading.
Hate List would be a good pick for you folks looking to give book out for gifts this holiday season. The topic is rather heavy, but I can really sit it appealing to people who don't read that much. You might get some weird looks when they first open the book, but they will be thanking you eventually.
Posts
November 24, 2009 11:14 AM
Such an awesome book. I loved it!
November 24, 2009 1:51 PM
My sister has this, and I might just have to steal it off of her! Great review, Sharon!
November 24, 2009 3:06 PM
Definetely ordering this on the library then! :)And thank you for putting me on your blogs list! :D
November 24, 2009 8:44 PM
I'm glad you enjoyed this book, it was pretty awesome!
November 25, 2009 8:33 AM
I like reading books on heavy topic. I should read this one since you gave it 5 purrs.
November 25, 2009 3:49 PM
It sounds like you had fun at the cat show! I've only been able to go to one, and I loved it! Looks like you scored some cool books there as well.
I've read several good reviews of "Hate List" but haven't been able to make myself pick it up.