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On My Bookshelf // One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies by Sonya Sones

July 17, 2015May 26, 2019 Crystal // Dreams, etc. Post a comment
On My Bookshelf // One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies by Sonya Sones

Happy Friday! It’s the weekend! Do you have any exciting plans?

This week I was jumping back and forth between two different books (well, three if you count the audiobook I listened to) and I’m really looking forward to talking about the second book that I was reading very soon!

For today, I’m excited to talk about One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies, by Sonya Sones. I recently reorganized one of my bookshelves and pulled this one out. I think it was about two years ago I discovered some new verse novelists and was so excited that for a month or two that’s pretty much all I read. I bought all of Sones’s books and read the other two, but I guess I didn’t get to this one and it was shoved to the back of my bookshelf. I haven’t read a verse novel for awhile, so I was excited to read this one.

If you haven’t heard of a verse novel before, it’s pretty much what it sounds like: a novel written in verse.

One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies is about Ruby, who has to leave her best friend and boyfriend and move to Los Angeles after the death of her mother to live with the father she’s never met, because he left her mom before she was even born. And it just so happens that her father is Whip Johnson, the famous actor that everyone in the U.S. loves, except for Ruby, of course, and she hopes that her story won’t turn into one of those hideous books where the mother dies.

“Suddenly I’m one big goosebump.
 I’ve never seen a dolphin in the ocean before.”

I love verse novels. I know that they can be really hit or miss with people, but when they’re well-written, I think they can be perfect for contemporary novels, particularly in YA. There’s just something about the format that really lends itself to the turmoil of teenage emotions, especially when they’re going through something big, like Ruby losing her mother and leaving her home. The reader is in her thoughts right away, feeling what she’s feeling.

The premise of this book is a little far-fetched–teenage girl moves in with world famous actor father after mother dies–but that didn’t bother me at all. I like it when books take the reader into a setting like that.

I grew to love the characters right away. I enjoyed following Ruby as she dealt with mixed emotions over everything in her life; she was drawn to her dad but hated him for never showing an interest in her, she had mixed feelings about her mom. It was such a realistic characteristic for Ruby–and for any teenager, I think. I also loved Whip. I wasn’t sure if I would, but from the start there was something about his character that drew me in. He didn’t act like an uninterested father, so from the start I was excited to see how the story would play out.

There were a few “surprises” in the book that didn’t catch me off guard at all. Still, having an idea of what was to come didn’t prevent me from enjoying the novel. This book is really about following along with Ruby as she grieves for her mother and deals with how she feels about her dad and the move to LA.

I loved this novel and would recommend it, especially if you’d like to try a verse novel.

HAVE YOU READ THIS BOOK OR ANY OTHER VERSE NOVELS?
WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN READING?

PS – Check out my most recent On My Bookshelf and my book-to-movie review of Love, Rosie!

// Nominate a book for August’s book club read!

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About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

I took these in early January when the snow still I took these in early January when the snow still felt a bit magical, but right now I’m just ready to walk barefoot in grass.

When I was younger I used to imagine what it would be like if we got so much snow that it would be piled high above our doors. I wondered if we’d be able to create tunnels in the snow to move around in.

And this year might just be the year we find out. I’m kidding, of course, but at this point I feel like we’ve been buried in snow. We’re even on track to beat some snow records I think (the amount of snow and the number of consecutive days with snow on the ground.

So. What’s the weather like where you are?
February was here and gone in the blink of an eye February was here and gone in the blink of an eye but contained moments I’ll carry with me forever.
When it’s almost halfway through February and yo When it’s almost halfway through February and you still haven’t posted January’s recap. January was filled with lots of family time. 💙
Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few g Hello, friends! 👋🏼 Swipe through for a few glimpses from January. As 2022 came to an end I had this feeling that I was preparing to hibernate and I guess, in a way, I have. I’ve been slowly easing into the new year, focused on getting back into a few routines after Iceland and the holidays. And it’s been a great month. I can’t believe it’s almost over. What have your favorite moments of January been?
2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of 2022. Looking back on this year it was the year of so many dreams experiences. Whales. Cape Cod/Nantucket. Iceland. I saw musicals that have I’ve been dreaming of with Moulin Rouge, Wicked, and Six. 

It wasn’t without its stresses and rough moments but I’m grateful for the good that can be found, even when it’s hard.
Let’s journey back to November for the second we Let’s journey back to November for the second weekly dam walk of the month. My dad joined me for this one and we made it somewhat fast because it was a chilly day. “The water looks cold,” I said when we back to the car.

Between Iceland and the below zero, windy, and snowy weather we had last week (which came with requests from my parents not to go) it’s been a few weeks since I’ve been to the dam and I miss it!
Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Years ago I celebrated Christmas and New Years in Vienna and it still lives in my memory today as such a special time. I know December in Reykjavik will be the same—and not just because I came home with a little over $100 worth of ornaments of all 13 Yule Lads AND their mom AND the Christmas cat. (There was a little bit of miscommunication between my mom and me on that shopping trip. 😂)

It might have been cold (and when that wind hits you don’t want to be outside or by the harbour…I speak from windswept, breath-stolen experience and will forever be grateful for the library we eventually found respite in) and we only saw the sun a few hours each day, but seeing this already charming city decked out in Christmas lights with a skating rink and the prettiest tree secured it’s place in my heart.

Reykjavik, I hope to see you again one day. Soon. Probably not in December, but I’m glad I got to see you in December once.
Last year my niece and I visited New York at Chris Last year my niece and I visited New York at Christmastime and it was fun to see the city decked out in lights. I can also now say that I’ve seen the Rockefeller Christmas Tree and skating rink and the Saks Christmas lights, but I’ve also seen the crowds they draw.

It was completely different in Reykjavik this year. You actually had a chance to skate on the ice rink if you wanted (and I never did the conversation, but I think it’s cheaper) and you could actually walk up to the Christmas tree. Two very different Christmas in the city experiences.
Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle Iceland, Day 2, Part 2. We ended the Golden Circle tour with a stop at Thingvellir National Park. My fingers froze as I took these photos but it was worth it to capture this view. 😍 PS - the last photo is from a lake we stopped at on our way from Geysir to Thingvellir.
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