“Nothing is all good or all bad, life is so much messier than that.”
V.E. Schwab
A few things about me. I am (1) a hopeless romantic in denial and (2) a relentless optimist. The only reason I gave this beautiful book 4 stars is due to the ending that leaves too much up to interpretation… and my incessant need to come at anyone who disagrees with my interpretation with torches and pitchforks.
At its core, this book was an answer to the question of what it means to love and connect. Connection is remembering and (if you’re courageous enough) honoring the memory of those you love: whether it’s planting a tree to shade the grave of a loved one who has long forgotten you or using your voice to tell the story of someone who can’t tell their own. Every character is flawed, and I do mean all of them – except for maybe the cat. However, it’s this very theme of imperfection, resilience, and mental health that strikes home for me.
“Time always ends a second before you’re ready.”
V.E. Schwab
So does this story. I simply didn’t want it to end.
All Booked Up 