A Bittersweet Tale of Loss and Longing

summarizeEditor's Summary

I picked up Everywhere the Sky on a whim, and it's a real mixed bag. Jendi Nelson's unique voice is poetic and relatable, tackling grief, love, and life in a poignant and thought-provoking way. While the pacing can be slow, and characters feel somewhat one-dimensional, I found myself invested in the story and its themes. If you're a fan of literary fiction, you might appreciate Nelson's writing style and the way she tackles tough subjects.

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Kararİyi

HikayeKalitesi8/10

KitapTasarımı7/10

YazarınGörünümü9/10

Hello everyone who's stopped by!

This book was a spontaneous pick. I just saw it in the library, read the brief summary, and was intrigued. Meet "Everywhere the Sky".

Everywhere the SkyA little about the unknown new author:

Jendi Nelson made her debut in 2010 with the novel "Everywhere the Sky", which became a bestseller overnight, garnered a ton of positive reviews in various publications, and was dubbed "an exploration of grief, love, and life".

Nelson's work is compared to that of authors like Sarah Dessen, Lauren Oliver, and Jenny Downham. Her next novel, "I'll Give You the Sun", also became a bestseller, made it to the top of the New York Times Bestseller list, and earned the author numerous prestigious awards, including the Michael L. Printz Award, the Josette Frank Award from Bank Street, the Stonewall Book Award honor, and the YALSA Best Fiction award, among many others.

Everywhere the Sky is Nelson's first novel in a long career, but not the first one that's caught the attention of film producers. Warner Bros. Pictures has already acquired the rights to Nelson's novel, "I'll Give You the Sun", and decided to extend their collaboration with the author.

I have the paperback version with a beautiful hardcover binding.

Everywhere the SkyEverywhere the SkyThe book has approximately 260 pages. It's divided into two parts, each with numbered chapters.

Everywhere the SkyBook summary:

Seventeen-year-old Lenny Walker plays the clarinet in her school orchestra. She's struggling to cope with the sudden loss of her older sister. Her friendship with Toby, her sister's ex-boyfriend, helps Lenny deal with the pain of her loss.

One day, a new student named Joe appears at school. He's a talented musician who recently returned from Paris.

These two guys are complete opposites. Toby can listen and understand, while Joe and Lenny bond over their shared love of music. But Lenny knows she'll eventually have to choose between them. What will her heart tell her?

The death of Bailey Walker was a shock to everyone. The 19-year-old girl died suddenly from a heart attack. Her friends are still reeling from the news, while her family - her grandmother, uncle, and younger sister Lenny - are left to pick up the pieces, their world forever changed without Bailey.

Lenny, the protagonist, is struggling to cope with the loss of her sister. Bailey was her role model and even a mother figure in many ways. Lenny has forbidden anyone from touching her sister's belongings, and their shared room is a sacred space that Lenny will eventually return to.

Toby, Lenny's buddy, is also struggling to cope with the loss of his girlfriend and finds solace in Lenny. It starts to seem like only they understand and feel Lenny's presence around them.

But then a new kid, Joe, shows up at school and instantly becomes the object of affection for all the girls and Lenny too. Lenny and Joe bond over their love of music, but Joe never knew Lenny's deceased sister and probably can't relate to what Lenny's going through.

You can dissect a Victorian romance with garden shears, but the essence of it will never fade from a girl's heart

The genre has an interesting concept, but it falls flat.

When someone dies, the library in the world burns

The main characters are well-described, but not as deep as I'd like.

Uncle Big is a master of winking, and his five wives are proof

In the book, there are many notes that make the storyline more appealing.

Sky EverywhereThe storytelling is done from Lenny's perspective.

The writing style is actually pretty straightforward, but it's peppered with some wild words and phrases. It's easy to read, not taxing, but sometimes it doesn't lead to anything exciting.

Sky Everywhere

I said I was going to lie down and gaze up at the sky. And then he said, 'Lenny, that's a mistaken notion. The sky is everywhere, it starts at your feet.'

The conclusion feels a bit rushed, if you ask me. There's no real dynamic shift in the story. The book is more of a statement of the times.

I didn't really take away any moral from it. It's empty, but not boring to read. The atmosphere is nice, vivid, and colorful in the descriptions, but that's about it. The book itself is simple, without any real depth.

Sky EverywhereIf you know that the worst can happen at any moment, you also know this: that the most beautiful thing can happen at any time too

It's a quick read, and you can take it on a break. I'd recommend it.

I wish you all a pleasant read and thanks for your attention!

My other book reviews can be found HERE.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

What's the book about?

Everywhere the Sky is a novel that explores the complexities of grief, love, and life through the eyes of its protagonist. It's a poignant and thought-provoking read that will leave you reflecting on your own experiences and emotions.

Who wrote the book?

Jendi Nelson is the author of Everywhere the Sky, which was her debut novel in 2010. She's since written several other bestselling novels, including I'll Give You the Sun, which won numerous awards and accolades.

What genre is the book?

Everywhere the Sky is a work of literary fiction that explores themes of grief, love, and life. If you're a fan of authors like Sarah Dessen, Lauren Oliver, or Jenny Downham, you might enjoy Nelson's writing style and the way she tackles tough subjects.

Is the book easy to read?

Nelson's writing style in Everywhere the Sky is poetic and lyrical, which can make it a bit challenging to read at times. However, the story is engaging and relatable, and the themes and messages are well-developed and thought-provoking.

What are the book's themes?

Everywhere the Sky explores several themes, including grief, love, and life. Nelson's writing style is both poignant and relatable, and the way she tackles these tough subjects is both thought-provoking and emotional.

Is the book part of a series?

No, Everywhere the Sky is a standalone novel. However, Jendi Nelson has written several other novels, including I'll Give You the Sun, which is also a standalone novel.

What's the book's setting?

Everywhere the Sky is set in a variety of locations, including the protagonist's hometown and several other places that are significant to the story. Nelson's writing style is both poetic and relatable, and the way she describes the settings is both vivid and engaging.

What age group is the book suitable for?

Everywhere the Sky is a young adult novel that's suitable for readers of all ages. However, the themes and messages may be more relatable and thought-provoking for readers in their teens and early twenties.