Review: Bunheads by Sophie Flack

Bunheads by Sophie Flack
Poppy Books, 294 Pages
Released: October 10, 2011

As a dancer with the ultra-prestigious Manhattan Ballet Company, nineteen-year-old Hannah Ward juggles intense rehearsals, dazzling performances and complicated backstage relationships. Up until now, Hannah has happily devoted her entire life to ballet.

But when she meets a handsome musician named Jacob, Hannah's universe begins to change, and she must decide if she wants to compete against the other "bunheads" in the company for a star soloist spot or strike out on her own in the real world. Does she dare give up the gilded confines of the ballet for the freedoms of everyday life?

-------------Goodreads summary

Notable Quote

My reasons for accepting aren't entirely clear to me, and honestly I don't feel like figuring them out. Sometimes you just want to say yes. As Otto always says, "Don't think, just do."

As a wannabe balletomane (if only I had the money...) and a childhood ballet dancer, I was so excited to read this book it was ridiculous. Dance and movement are magical, and I couldn't wait to read about this experience and get a backstage look at it all. I've had a small peek since I lived with dancers for awhile, but an actual company member? Yes please.

As a whole, I really liked the book - it was detailed and created such a vivid world. I loved how real the competitive friendship between Hannah and Zoe was, and I was quite pleased with the polarity of Matt and Jacob. I'd read a few reviews who didn't like how much they contrasted, but I thought it was actually quite accurate; in such an insulated world, there really is a separation between those who can understand it and who can't.

The access to a mysterious world of company ballet was also incredible. Like I mentioned, I lived with dancers for awhile so I knew some things; but it was amazing to actually see the life laid out in the book, how changes in wings and schedules posting were done. How driven each dancer needs to be and how much is demanded of them was also fantastic to read about, and I still can't believe that people can dedicate an entire life to this singular thing. I understand it in my own ways, but how it overtakes your mental, physical, social and personal life is absolutely insane.

But truthfully, I found the book to be a bit...boring? I don't mean that in the "oh my god it was so hard to get through this" sense, because it wasn't. I was engaged in it and wanted to know what was going to happen. But I felt like it was all story-telling description (of which was great!) and very little action. The parts that were supposed to be the action and the rise and fall weren't actually very exciting, and I found most of it to be fairly predictable.

But I definitely don't regret reading this. I enjoyed it, and think that any little ballet dancer or anyone who has an interest in the world would enjoy it, too. Even if you don't know anything about ballet, the book does really well in creating an understandable world and opening it up to "pedestrians."

As a small note though, the book does use all the terms for dance moves and positions - something I didn't mind as a former dancer and the knowledge of what it all means. I could see it being a small turn-off, but I urge any reader to push through.

PS. I also happen to love the cover! I think it's very odd in an interesting way.

3.5 Stars / 5

Review: The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight by Jennifer E. Smith

Poppy, 236 Pages

Released January 2, 2012

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A. 

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

-----------------Goodreads.com Summary

Notable Quote (or passage, apparently)

"Those are cumulus clouds[...]they're the best ones."

"How come?"

"Because they look the way clouds are supposed to look, the way you draw them when you're a kid. Which is nice, you know? I mean, the sun never looks the way you drew it."

"Like a wheel with spokes?"

"Exactly[...]it's nice, isn't it? When something matches up like that?" He bobs his head with a satisfied smile. "Cumulus clouds. Best clouds ever."

I'm not sure I can properly describe how much I love and adore this book. How it's a near perfect Young Adult Romance novel.  How it's managed to make me smile brightly and laugh loudly and have my heart broken while reading in public, how all I want to do is find Hadley and Oliver and squeeze them tight.  Both main characters are spun and created beautifully, to the point where I feel like I know them as real people. How raw and real each one is, how they battle with the obvious and the painful and the hopeful.

Their stories are real, and even though I am in no situation like theirs, I feel as though I've experienced it all with them.  I cried with Hadley and held my breath when Oliver took her hand for the first time and felt as though I'd lost someone when they get separated at Heathrow.  I wanted to holler at Hadley's dad and dislike his bride on principal alone. My heart was yanked this way and that way and spread so thin and felt so full that I find Jennifer Smith positively, fabulously evil for doing this to me.

I can't tell you how highly I recommend this. Most book bloggers I follow who received ARCs last year were naming this as their favourite books of 2011, and I COMPLETELY see why.  Even though this is the first book I read of 2012, I have a hunch this will be my favourite of 2012, too (way to ruin the rest of my reading year, Ms. Smith!).

Oh, and, the title?  Breathtaking.  As soon as you find out why it's called that, it feels like one more little beautiful puzzle piece has fit perfectly in with the rest.

(and yes, I, too, want an Oliver.)

A resounding, highly deserved, no-holds-barred 10 THOUSAND stars of 5.

PS. Pop on over to Anna's site for her interview with the author!  After reading it, I think my adoration for Jennifer E. Smith has just runneth my cup over.