Smile, Eleanor & Park

The graphic novel I chose was Smile by Raina Telgemeir. I chose this book because I recently got braces so it seemed to fit to my interests. I thought this book was very well done. All of the graphics were amazing- the detail, he color, the expressions- they all complemented the story in an appropriate way. I was able to fly through the story without feeling like I was missing something. The pictures were not distracting, but intriguing and drew me more into the story. I think in a classroom this would be a good novel to have on hand for silent reading if someone forgets their book, because it is an easy read. I finished it in less than 30 minutes, and that included time looking at the graphics. The story could also easily relate to middle school children dealing with orthodontist appointments (hopefully not such extreme visits), distinguishing between what a friend should be and what abusive friendships may look like (it wasn’t very abusive, but they don’t seem like the “friends” I would recommend for self-esteem purposes). The book was funny, it was relatable, and it definitely spiked my interest in graphic novels/comics.

 

 

 

For my second book club book I chose to read Eleanor & Park. Originally I had picked The Book Thief because I remember everyone was reading it in middle school and high school, but I could not get more than ten pages in because it was such a pain to read it.Eleanor & Park, by Rainbow Rowell, was absolutely amazing. The book is heartwarming, yet heartbreaking. It is definitely one that will make you want to cry if not bawl your eyes out. I keep saying the ending was the part I enjoyed the least, but now I think the ending is brilliant. It leaves you I suspense of what the three words are but it also gives the reader a chance to interpret the ending the way they want. Does she finally say, “I love you”? Does she tell him she misses him? WHAT HAPPENS?? Either way, it will definitely make you feel because of all the romance that flowers from small interactions without the exchange of words. It tells you the story from both of the characters’ perspectives from the third-person point of view, which sometimes isn’t always a good thing, but it made the book more realistic in a way. The entire time I was reading I felt as though I was watching the movie, I could NOT put this book down. I spent my entire Friday afternoon last week reading the novel start to finish. I definitely recommend this book to anyone and everyone. It is a beautiful love story told in such a way that captures the readers attention by standing out from the typical romance novel. Also, SO MANY GREAT QUOTES. Definitely makes me not want to read another romance novel again because I fear it will not be this well written.

(stole from someone else because it fit so perfectly)