From New York Times bestselling author Samantha Young comes a story of friendship, identity, and acceptance that will break your heart—and make it whole again. Order your copy of THE IMPOSSIBLE VASTNESS OF US today!
OUR REVIEW:
Shel: I had many thoughts as I read The Impossible Vastness of Us but the one that kept floating to the surface was how much I know many of my students would love this novel. Even though the high school experience in this novel feels more dramatized than what I see on my campus, there were a lot of feelings and situations that I really think many of my students would relate to. I couldn't help but feel so much for India and how hard her move across the country was; I know I've definitely had students who must have felt very similarly to how she felt on their first days of school at a new place. I think many of my students would also appreciate how India worked through the challenges, how she made friends, how strong she was, and how much she'd sacrifice to protect and support the people she cared about, namely Elle and Finn.
Court: Oh, Shel, I thought that too! I loved this book and how it really captures a pretty clear picture of what it is like to be a teenager and really how they have some insane things happen to them and have to deal with emotions, and bullies, and abuse and gosh...just everything and it really shapes who they are. It is set along the lines of a Gossip Girl style upbringing so most people don't get thrown into that, but it really gave some escape from some of the heavy things that were happening. The writing of this book is flawless and really kept me hooked right from the very first page.
Shel: Another thing I kept thinking about was the character of India. India was an admirable character, but she was a flawed one as well; I think that's what I liked about her. I liked that she had all of these emotions and they were messy and raw and not linear. She owned how messed up she felt about things and owned that she didn't always want to fix them--those are hard things to admit to and I liked that about her. I also liked how when she was ready to confront things, even though she wanted to probably hide, she didn't. She took a deep breath and faced them--some grown ups can't even do that so I liked that Samantha Young gave her the strength to do what she had to do. Young also created a cast of secondary characters who were interesting and added conflict and conundrums. The secondary characters and their conflicts may be where some readers rave and some rant. Without going into it, I'll just say that without a doubt the secondary characters gave me things to ponder.
Court: Did they ever! India is complex, for sure, but I loved how genuine it felt. She could be any of our friends, or daughters and I really liked that she wasn't perfect too. It wasn't all shiny rainbows all the time but she was positive, and nor was it all dreary either...there are some fun times, and sweet times and all the feels of life wrapped up in a beautiful book. I am in awe of everything...and every struggle. Shel is right though...we don't want to give anything away, but there was really so much plot in this book it was like my southern sausage gravy it was so thick. There is a lot to be discovered by taking a chance on this book!
Shel: As the novel ended and loose ends were being wrapped up, I remember thinking two conflicting things: I hope we get a second book and this book doesn't need a follow up. Weird right? Let me explain. I think part of me was so interested in what would happen with Indie and Elle and Finn that my innate response to the ending was to hope for a follow up book a few years from now. Another part of me liked how 'real' the ending felt--not everything is settled with a pretty little bow on it and I really liked that. I know some won't but I liked that there wasn't a cliched ending and that there's room for the reader to decide on how some things will go for these characters (unless, of course, a follow up novel is written).
Court: I really had one of those...please don't be 100% kindle...moments, because I was ready for hundreds more pages! I really enjoyed this world, and really felt like some things were wrapped up, like Shel said...but maybe some things weren't...there is a little room for an "and then..." moment, and I really am curious to see is Samantha takes this anywhere else. Oh, the possibilities!
Shel: Great YA read that I hope to have on my school bookshelf when school starts in August; pick it up if you have a chance. Court: Agreed. This book would not let me put it down at all! And in true Samantha Young fashion she yanked HARD on my heart strings, and maybe I shed a tear or two...not atypical for me, but really this book has a lot of heart.
Court: Oh, Shel, I thought that too! I loved this book and how it really captures a pretty clear picture of what it is like to be a teenager and really how they have some insane things happen to them and have to deal with emotions, and bullies, and abuse and gosh...just everything and it really shapes who they are. It is set along the lines of a Gossip Girl style upbringing so most people don't get thrown into that, but it really gave some escape from some of the heavy things that were happening. The writing of this book is flawless and really kept me hooked right from the very first page.
Shel: Another thing I kept thinking about was the character of India. India was an admirable character, but she was a flawed one as well; I think that's what I liked about her. I liked that she had all of these emotions and they were messy and raw and not linear. She owned how messed up she felt about things and owned that she didn't always want to fix them--those are hard things to admit to and I liked that about her. I also liked how when she was ready to confront things, even though she wanted to probably hide, she didn't. She took a deep breath and faced them--some grown ups can't even do that so I liked that Samantha Young gave her the strength to do what she had to do. Young also created a cast of secondary characters who were interesting and added conflict and conundrums. The secondary characters and their conflicts may be where some readers rave and some rant. Without going into it, I'll just say that without a doubt the secondary characters gave me things to ponder.
Court: Did they ever! India is complex, for sure, but I loved how genuine it felt. She could be any of our friends, or daughters and I really liked that she wasn't perfect too. It wasn't all shiny rainbows all the time but she was positive, and nor was it all dreary either...there are some fun times, and sweet times and all the feels of life wrapped up in a beautiful book. I am in awe of everything...and every struggle. Shel is right though...we don't want to give anything away, but there was really so much plot in this book it was like my southern sausage gravy it was so thick. There is a lot to be discovered by taking a chance on this book!
Shel: As the novel ended and loose ends were being wrapped up, I remember thinking two conflicting things: I hope we get a second book and this book doesn't need a follow up. Weird right? Let me explain. I think part of me was so interested in what would happen with Indie and Elle and Finn that my innate response to the ending was to hope for a follow up book a few years from now. Another part of me liked how 'real' the ending felt--not everything is settled with a pretty little bow on it and I really liked that. I know some won't but I liked that there wasn't a cliched ending and that there's room for the reader to decide on how some things will go for these characters (unless, of course, a follow up novel is written).
Court: I really had one of those...please don't be 100% kindle...moments, because I was ready for hundreds more pages! I really enjoyed this world, and really felt like some things were wrapped up, like Shel said...but maybe some things weren't...there is a little room for an "and then..." moment, and I really am curious to see is Samantha takes this anywhere else. Oh, the possibilities!
Shel: Great YA read that I hope to have on my school bookshelf when school starts in August; pick it up if you have a chance. Court: Agreed. This book would not let me put it down at all! And in true Samantha Young fashion she yanked HARD on my heart strings, and maybe I shed a tear or two...not atypical for me, but really this book has a lot of heart.
About THE IMPOSSIBLE VASTNESS OF US:
“I know how to watch my back. I’m the only one that ever has.”
India Maxwell hasn’t just moved across the country—she’s plummeted to the bottom rung of the social ladder. It’s taken years to cover the mess of her home life with a veneer of popularity. Now she’s living in one of Boston’s wealthiest neighborhoods with her mom’s fiancé and his daughter, Eloise. Thanks to her soon-to-be stepsister’s clique of friends, including Eloise’s gorgeous, arrogant boyfriend Finn, India feels like the one thing she hoped never to be seen as again: trash.
But India’s not alone in struggling to control the secrets of her past. Eloise and Finn, the school’s golden couple, aren’t all they seem to be. In fact, everyone’s life is infinitely more complex than it first appears. And as India grows closer to Finn and befriends Eloise, threatening the facades that hold them together, what’s left are truths that are brutal, beautiful, and big enough to change them forever…
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EXCERPT:
“You’re a great photographer, Finn.”
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