Hate List by Jennifer BrownGenre: Young Adult Fiction
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers
Pages: 416
Available Now: Amazon.com
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.
My Review: The Hate List was an amazing and influential novel. I was intrigued by the first page and it just escalated from there. It was beautifully written; the words would come alive in my mind as I read the chapters. I always wondered what goes through an individual's mind before they decide to shoot up a school full of students. This book brought it to light, not only are the dead or injured called victims, but the people involved in the shooting could be as well. Valerie was my favorite character in the book, she unfortunately was dating the wrong guy at the time. The shooter was Nick, her boyfriend. I can't even begin to imagine how I would react if I saw the love of my life killing innocent people. Valerie couldn't come to turns with it either in the beginning, she had to experience scrutiny by media, her school and even her own family. Valerie's 'hate list' which was a list of people that she couldn't stand was an innocent joke, but to Nick it was revenge. It made me realize how people digest information differently, to Valerie it was just a plain old list but to Nick it targeted people who made him suffer on a daily basis. I have no words to describe how influential this book is, their are so many great messages. I truly loved the ending, I actually got a little teary eyed, and I rarely cry from a book. I honestly recommend it to everyone, it definitely made me look at the world a little differently, when a book does that, you know it's good!
My Rating: 5 out of 5
Author's Info:
When not writing about serious subjects, Jennifer Brown, a two-time winner of the Erma Bombeck Global Humor Award, is a columnist for the Kansas City Star. She lives in Missouri with her husband and three children. Hate List is her debut novel.
For more info on Jennifer, check out her website:
http://www.jenniferbrownya.com/
My Review: The Hate List was an amazing and influential novel. I was intrigued by the first page and it just escalated from there. It was beautifully written; the words would come alive in my mind as I read the chapters. I always wondered what goes through an individual's mind before they decide to shoot up a school full of students. This book brought it to light, not only are the dead or injured called victims, but the people involved in the shooting could be as well. Valerie was my favorite character in the book, she unfortunately was dating the wrong guy at the time. The shooter was Nick, her boyfriend. I can't even begin to imagine how I would react if I saw the love of my life killing innocent people. Valerie couldn't come to turns with it either in the beginning, she had to experience scrutiny by media, her school and even her own family. Valerie's 'hate list' which was a list of people that she couldn't stand was an innocent joke, but to Nick it was revenge. It made me realize how people digest information differently, to Valerie it was just a plain old list but to Nick it targeted people who made him suffer on a daily basis. I have no words to describe how influential this book is, their are so many great messages. I truly loved the ending, I actually got a little teary eyed, and I rarely cry from a book. I honestly recommend it to everyone, it definitely made me look at the world a little differently, when a book does that, you know it's good!
My Rating: 5 out of 5
Author's Info:
When not writing about serious subjects, Jennifer Brown, a two-time winner of the Erma Bombeck Global Humor Award, is a columnist for the Kansas City Star. She lives in Missouri with her husband and three children. Hate List is her debut novel.
For more info on Jennifer, check out her website:
http://www.jenniferbrownya.com/
6 comments:
I've seen this book on other blogs but this is the first review I've seen. I've been curious about it and your review helped me to decide it's one I'll need to get. Thanks!
Whoa. I gotta read this.
Have you been to Stroy Siren yet? You've been featured on Fresh Face Friday! :D
Awesome review. This one is patiently waiting on my shelf. I'm so going to read it next. :D
Thanks for telling me Zombie Grrrl, jeez what's your name? lol I love to know who this girlie is behind the zombieness hehe
Wow this looks amazing. The topic looks really interesting. Thanks for the review!
I would like to inquire about you doing an interview on mynew YA fantasy novel, Gateway to DreamWorld.
Synopsis: On their way home from baseball tryouts, Brad Colby and his two sons are involved in a terrible car accident that leaves six-year-old Pete in a coma. When Pete awakens, the family is crushed to learn that he is paralyzed.
Meanwhile, Pete’s eight-year-old brother, Jason, has been having powerful dreams that lead him to a mysterious realm known as DreamWorld. Jason discovers that all of his desires can come true in DreamWorld, but the time is fast approaching when he will have to choose between his two worlds.
And when more devastating news strikes at the heart of the Colby family, Jason and Pete set out on a desperate attempt to find the Gateway to DreamWorld and save their family. With time running out on their dangerous path, will Jason and Pete’s fear of the Unknown keep them from reaching the paradise of their dreams?
If you would let me know if you are interested and what you need.
BEstacio@msn.com
Thanks for your time and I hope you enjoy the fantasy.
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