Thursday, February 24, 2011

Bookanistas: FALL FOR ANYTHING by Courtney Summers

Plot without spoilers:  Raw and intense, Courtney Summers' FALL FOR ANYTHING follows Eddie Reeves as she struggles to make sense of her father's suicide.  When her long-time best friend, Milo, is unable to help her find the answers she seeks, Eddie turns to mysterious, older Culler Evans, a photography student of her dad's.  But Culler may be as damaged by the loss of Seth Reeves as Eddie, which may drive them both to a dangerous edge.

Literary Highlights: First, the title, which is rich with metaphor.  As you read along, you discover a million ways to understand this perfect choice.  Next, the descriptions of run-down buildings as on ongoing motif in the novel which counterpoint the emotional states of the people encountering them, both in photographs and (fictional) reality.  Finally, the evolution of Eddie's "cold hand" condition (no explanation here--just read it!)

Finally, just gotta say: The choices Eddie makes at key moments of the novel are stunningly scary but they ring very true.  I'm feeling along with Eddie every step of the way even when my rational brain is crying for her to think twice.  An emotional roller coaster ride that leaves you breathless.

Lookin' for more Bookanistas book love?
Elana Johnson is tickled pink for The Liar Society
LiLa Roecker is blown away by A Touch Mortal
Shannon Messenger can’t lie about her love for The Liar Society
Shelli Johannes-Wells burns for AngelFire
Scott Tracey is more than a touch impressed with A Touch Mortal
Myra McEntire reflects on A Touch Mortal
Beth Revis tells the truth about The Liar Society
Christine Fonseca is leveled by Leverage
Carolina Valdez Miller has tons to say about One
Jenn Hayley adores The Liar Society
Shana Silver can’t imagine you not reading Imaginary Girls
Katie Anderson wants to be Like Mandarin
Matt Blackstone loves The Hate List
Sarah Frances Hardy sings her praises for Mockingbird
Veronica Rossi thinks Unearthly is otherworldly
Michelle Hodkin champions A Dog's Way Home
Click here to join The Bookanista Book Club at The Reading Room where you can check out all the books we're buzzing about!

Closing by sending my sympathy to the many in the writing world who have lost a dear friend in the talented and gracious Lisa (L.K.) Madigan.  Read some lovely words from her agent here.

9 comments:

Christine Fonseca said...

so so so many FABULOUS books! Ahhhhhh

Jessi said...

Oooh, cannot wait to read this one! Great review Stasia!

Carolina M. Valdez Schneider said...

I love a good, emotional roller coaster of a book. It sounds like a beautiful read. I will definitely need to pick this one up. Great review, Stasia! I know I've said this before, but I love how you organize your reviews. It makes it easy to read and get a great idea of what it's about and how you feel about it (and why we might, too!) Nicely done.

Elana Johnson said...

Ahhh! I bought this book about two months ago, and it's still in the B&N bag! No lie. I need to get it out stat. I'm just so buried under ARCs... Ha!

Stasia said...

Definitely give it a read, Christine & Jessi.
Thanks for your comments, Carol. I actually gave a lot of thought to my review format because I want to share how I read the book--both how I enjoy it as a reader and learn from it as a writer!
And, Elena, I'd say open the B&N bag but I've got one on my bedroom floor, too. Just can't seem to read fast enough -blushes-

Heather said...

A roller coaster ride, sounds excellent! I have to admit, I love the title and all that it implies too. That's the kind of title that makes you pick up a book!

Angela Ackerman said...

Thanks for the 'no spoilers' version--I just bought this and will be reading it soon. Love that Courtney Summers!

Angela @ The Bookshelf Muse

Stasia said...

Thanks Heather and Angela. Enjoy the ride...I mean read :)

Dawn Simon said...

I always love your book reviews, and I appreciate that you give us the plot without spoilers. Thanks! FALL FOR ANYTHING sounds great!