i just finished time after time by mikki daughtry and oh my god. this is one of my top books of the year. like how have i never heard of this book? i was trying so hard not to cry while i was reading it today because i was reading it at school. like, truly, one of the best books i have ever read. i don't think i can recover. please read this book
Young Adult Fiction
Out of Step, Into You by Ciera Burch
You can’t outrun love.
Taylor and Marianna were each other’s whole world – best friends, running partners, practically sisters – until Marianna moved away and Taylor promptly ghosted her. When the former best friends turned rivals end up on the same cross-country team three years later, everything is a competition… and a reminder of past…
Quick Review: All This Time by Mikki Daughtry & Rachael Lippincott
Rating: 4/5
While I don't know how to feel about the big twist in the middle of this book, I did enjoy reading it. It was an incredibly well-written portrait of grief and healing and finding new life that actually left me feeling uplifted, unlike other books in the same vein that I've read. If you're looking for an easy read that still tugs at the heartstrings, All This Time might be the book for you.
five feet apart is one of the saddest movies i've ever watched and aside from the story itself it's cuz of that damn soundtrack. you play anchor by novo amor over stella's monologue about us needing human touch? accompanied by don't give up on me by andy grammar as the end credits roll? i can't NOT sob at that
Author: Rachael Lippincott, Mikki Daughtry, and Tobias Ianconis
Genre: Novelization, Romance, Drama, YA Fiction
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Quick note: I went into this book not knowing it was a novelization of the movie/screenplay. I haven’t seen the movie, so I cannot give any strong opinions on it. Thus, this is a review of the novelization and overall story, not the movie.
Five Feet Apart is about two teenagers with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) which is a genetic disease that affects the lungs and digestive system. During a hospital stay, Stella (who is determined to fight the disease as her lung function worsens) and Will (who is sick of hospitals and treatments that aren’t working for him) meet and fall in love despite the fact that they have to maintain physical separation to avoid potentially fatal cross contamination.
Read on for the review. Be warned, this includes spoilers.
This novelization ended up being a less pretentious version of The Fault in Our Stars (not to say this is a copy of TFIOS, they just have similar vibes). I knew going in this would be a star crossed romance (and to be honest, star crossed romances are a guilty pleasure of mine).
What I liked:
-Romance that was not overly physical (of course) and had some really meaningful moments. I am so glad it wasn’t insta-love or overly sappy. The interactions were realistic to the characters’ ages and experiences.
-Good character arcs. Minus a few side characters, I feel like everyone in this book changed in some way or was dynamic. I especially loved the relationsip between Will and his mom--the “overbearing-to-understanding parent” trope worked well here.
What I gained the most from this was an increased awareness of CF. After finishing this, I was pushed to research more about the disease and the people who are fighting it/have fought it. I do not have the authority or experience to say this novel was a perfect super accurate representation of CF, but I can say it did a great job of getting me interested in it.
What I’m still hung up on:
-Poe completely dropping out of the story after his death. I really hoped for some sort of mention of a memorial service or tribute. I get that the focus of the novel was the romance as the story progressed, but it would’ve been nice to give some weight to the absolutely wonderful platonic relationship that Poe and Stella shared.
-I really needed more Barb in this. I feel like her character had so much potential. I could get where she was coming from with the whole “I forbid your romance thing because you could die”, but that made her an antagonist that lacked depth because she was rather one-dimensional (except for the part about her former patients).
Important Links to check out if you’re like me and want to learn/read more about CF:
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation website
Claire’s Place Foundation website (Claire Wineland was an inspiration for Five Feet Apart and provided consultation for the movie; her foundation raises awareness about CF and provides support for those fighting it)
Ghosts by Raina Telgemeier (the younger sister of the MC has CF, but this graphic novel also touches lots of other topics)
Thanks for sticking with me for this longer review! If I made any errors or unintentionally insensitive remarks in regards to CF, please let me know.
I am currently rereading Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon as a continuation of my theme of reading books with protagonists that have (or are portrayed as having) an illness or disability. Stay tuned!
Five Feet Apart by Rachel Lippincott with Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Laconis
Since the movie adaptation hit Netflix, I finally decided to purchase and read this novel. It was a rare case that I actually watched the movie first.
Summary: Stella is in the hospital, which isn’t uncommon.She was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis (CF) at a very young age and required a lot of treatment at the local hospital where she met her best friend Poe. However, this time around, Stella and Poe meet a new CFer named Will in for a trial treatment. Despite initially infuriating her, Will and Stella grow very close, emotionally. Physically like all with CF they have to keep six feet of distance so that they don’t risk transferring bacteria to one another. It is because of the emotions they have for one another that they take one foot back. Five feet apart at all times. That’s their new rule, but will they be able to maintain it? This book explores the chronic terminal illness cystic fibrosis, friendship, love, and grief. “Its just life, it’ll be over before know it.”
Final Thoughts: Will and Stella. Poe. Barb. Julie. They’re some of the characters in this book. They are unforgettable. Since I finished the book, Stella and Will falling in love has stayed on my mind. But, Stella and Poe’s friendship cannot be overshadowed by such an epic love story. These are people I want to know, and I cried as they were sick or as they lost people and health along the way. They were so fleshed out and real. I regret not reading sooner. Memorable and miraculous. Words cannot even explain. (The movie was pretty darn close too.)
