Excellent, Diverse Read Set in Portland!
This was such an interesting read! It's rare to come across YA (though this probably more accurately falls into the NA category) that feels fresh and different, but Juliet Takes a Breath accomplished exactly that. I will note that I was predisposed to like it, as it's a diverse book set in Portland. I grew up in a suburb of Portland and always love reading stories set in the area. And the story features Powell's Books, my favorite place in the city!
There were parts to the story that were more difficult for me -- for one, it was more vulgar than the books I typically prefer to read. But none of the vulgarity felt like it was placed for shock value. It suited the story well, so I didn't mind overly much.
And... the book was full of extremely hippy concepts. Lots of weed and auras and spirituality and energy -- those are all things I have a really difficult time with, being more of the logical, practical, needs-evidence-to-believe-it sort (and someone who has a particular aversion to the scent of weed + personal difficulty understanding why people are attracted to anything mind-altering).
And yet even these concepts were presented in a way that worked, even for a cynic like me! Juliet is from the Bronx. She's never been to Portland before. So everything she encounters is from the perspective of someone who doesn't automatically buy into the subculture. Some things she goes with and accepts or does her best to stay open-minded about. Others she questions. If she had approached it any other way, I might have had to DNF. But her forcing herself to stay open-minded reminded me to force myself to stay open-minded. And I'm glad I did!
Because Juliet Takes a Breath has SO much to offer. It's incredibly, wonderfully diverse in a way that I wish all books being published in this day and age were. It's full of transformation. It brings up so many interesting ideas, concepts, and points. Juliet (and the reader, alongside her) learns a lot of new, diverse terminology in a way that feels true to the narrative and interesting. It shows rather than tells why certain toxic attitudes and actions hurt people.
I do want to mention that story is pretty much entirely character-driven. If you're looking for a scintillating, fast-paced plot, this probably isn't for you. But if you want to really get to know a character and follow her journey of self-discovery, then Juliet Takes a Breath may be just what you're looking for.
Thank you Dial Books and Bookish First for a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
There were parts to the story that were more difficult for me -- for one, it was more vulgar than the books I typically prefer to read. But none of the vulgarity felt like it was placed for shock value. It suited the story well, so I didn't mind overly much.
And... the book was full of extremely hippy concepts. Lots of weed and auras and spirituality and energy -- those are all things I have a really difficult time with, being more of the logical, practical, needs-evidence-to-believe-it sort (and someone who has a particular aversion to the scent of weed + personal difficulty understanding why people are attracted to anything mind-altering).
And yet even these concepts were presented in a way that worked, even for a cynic like me! Juliet is from the Bronx. She's never been to Portland before. So everything she encounters is from the perspective of someone who doesn't automatically buy into the subculture. Some things she goes with and accepts or does her best to stay open-minded about. Others she questions. If she had approached it any other way, I might have had to DNF. But her forcing herself to stay open-minded reminded me to force myself to stay open-minded. And I'm glad I did!
Because Juliet Takes a Breath has SO much to offer. It's incredibly, wonderfully diverse in a way that I wish all books being published in this day and age were. It's full of transformation. It brings up so many interesting ideas, concepts, and points. Juliet (and the reader, alongside her) learns a lot of new, diverse terminology in a way that feels true to the narrative and interesting. It shows rather than tells why certain toxic attitudes and actions hurt people.
I do want to mention that story is pretty much entirely character-driven. If you're looking for a scintillating, fast-paced plot, this probably isn't for you. But if you want to really get to know a character and follow her journey of self-discovery, then Juliet Takes a Breath may be just what you're looking for.
Thank you Dial Books and Bookish First for a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.