Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Exposed - Kimberly Marcus


A little update on my year of reading what I want...it totally rocks. Proof positive was this book. I'd finished The Cypress House and was shopping my bookshelves, specifically the stack of beauties I'd obtained from SIBA last fall. Ah! A YA novel, just what I needed! So I started thumbing through the pages, to get a feel for it, and ended up finishing it in two hours. Serious impact, minimal time investment. This is one you should all read.

Synopsis: Sixteen-year-old Liz is a photography genius, destined for journalistic success. Her forever-best is Kate, a talented dancer. They've been friends since childhood, and they could
n't imagine a day where they wouldn't always have their Saturday Night Slumber, their Friday nights at Salvatore's pizzeria, and be there for each other through thick and thin.

Shockingly, however, that day comes. Kate avoids Liz at every turn, refuses to talk to her or even look her in the eyes. When Kate finally reveals to Liz what is troubling her, Kate's world implodes...her family is devastated, and she stands to lose everything that is important in her life.

In this emotionally-wrought debut, written in free verse, Marcus brings us nose-to-nose with a very serious, very prevalent issue in society today.

My thoughts: This free verse thing is new to me. I first experienced it recently with "Song of the Sparrow", and found it very easy to read and very impactful in its sparseness and simplicity. Why haven't I tried this before? It's wonderful! Marcus employs this method of prose so skillfully, it nearly brings you to tears. Her chapters are short and each have titles, like little journal entries or shapshots. You'd think, then, that the content would be superficial, but that couldn't be further from the truth.

Marcus has chosen a topic that has been covered before, but it doesn't make it any less raw for those involved, or for the readers. (And no, I'm not telling! This story deserves to be protected!) And she NAILS it. All of it...the emotions, the repercussions, the distraught, confused, angry voice of the teenage narrator. Each entry a sucker punch to the gut, leaving you gasping for breath, but turning the pages faster and faster.

I'd call this one a no-brainer. Get it, read it in one sitting, then sit back in awe and wonder at how this debut author has got it all going on.

5 out of 5 stars


14 comments:

Unknown said...

It is so good to hear that your year of reading what you want is going so well. I have still to try a book written in verse, but you are continuing to tempt me. I will get to one soon...

rhapsodyinbooks said...

Wow, 5/5 and you're not even telling?! I must read this! :--)

caite said...

gosh, if only I had not sworn off YA books....

Carrie K. said...

Oh my gosh this sounds good! Off to see if the library has it...

Zibilee said...

This was a book that was just RAVED about at SIBA, and I am going to have to search for my copy after hearing how much you liked it. It does sound haunting and like a really great read. Thanks for opening my eyes to this one again. Very nice review!

Meg @ write meg! said...

Well, you certainly have me convinced! Sounds like a powerful read!

Melissa said...

This ---> 'Serious impact, minimal time investment' has me convinced. And I've loved the other verse novels I've read, so that's just a bonus.

Marce said...

I have this one on my Wishlist. I am not a YA fan but Lisa Schroeder made me fall in love with Verse Novels.

So glad to see a review and a great exciting one at that.

bermudaonion said...

I may need to try this. I tried listening to a free verse novel and it just didn't work for me as an audio book.

Jenners said...

I love your enthusiasm ... so of course I'll have to read it. Just 2 hours and a huge impact? How can I ignore that!

Nicole (Linus's Blanket) said...

This book almost made my huge wishlist from the other day and now I am wondering what the heck stopped me from putting it on there.

Alice said...

OK, another one onto the wish list. Now I'm feeling the pressure...

Care said...

Just found out this author will be at my favorite bookstore this weekend! I think I best go and get this book. I'm curious about the free verse.

Betty: Reflections with Coffee said...

Just finished this book. Your review is SPOT ON! I like what you said about maximum impact.
The shorter pages (ones with fewer lines) are truly powerful.