Hi friends,
On this sixteenth day of Blogmas we are talking about original/atypical books!
A book can be atypical due to its universe, its plot or its characters!
I hesitated to choose The Reckless Oath We Made by Bryn Greenwood because its characters are certainly uniques but as this book has already been chosen, rightly so, in different categories, I opted for another “2019 crush”.
My winner today is Radio Silence by Alice Oseman
I am not going to lie here: I bought this book because Alice Oseman will attend YALC London in July and I wanted to have some book to get signed.
Radio Silence seemed like my kind of book and I decided to order it.
I began the book with low expectation as I am a moody reader and reading these ordered book “just for the event” feels like reading school assignment (I know I know) but this has been one of the best surprises among “assigned” books!
I absolutely fell in love with these characters, their lives and struggles!
What’s more shocking is that it’s not even a romance!!!
I can’t explain the “uniqueness” of this book and Alice’s writing.
The best word to describe it and the characters is “décalé” in French what you could translate with “quirky” or “alternative” or something like that.
This is the story of two people, Aled and Frances who will really connect as they share the same love for the podcast Univers City. I don’t want to say too much about this as I want you to have the surprise but their relationship and its growth is one of the most intense and profound that I have read about in ages. And no as I said above it’s not even romantic!
This is a formidable study in character. I can’t recommend it enough if you are a character driven reader like me!
The idea of a podcast to unique and far from my universe as Universe City added to the uniqueness of this story!
Last but not least topics astutely broached in this book: the social media and online bashing or pressure. Add to this the sexual identity search with gay, bisexual and asexual characters and I think Alice Oseman drew a complete painting of today’s youth with all its moral choices and questioning.
That book is plain brilliant, moving, heartbreaking, incredible, unique …. and it won’t be my last by this author!
What is your most original book read in 2019?
Thanks for reading!
Sophie
I love when books surprise us and turn into something we absolutely love! I’ve done that a few times before going to signings and it’s the best feeling ever. This one sounds amazing!
It truly is Jen!
It truly is Jen!!
I loved Radio Silence!
Yes! So unique!!
I haven’t read this one yet but it really does sound original.
It is Suzanne I swear! And beloved by so many!
This book has long been on my TBR. I tried to start the audiobook, but I struggle with audiobook narrators with strong accents. I have to be really paying attention. I will read it one of these days, though, because from everything I have heard, Oseman is a total star.
Sam I swear once you’ll read it you’ll wonder why you waited so long 🙂
This book is everywhere on booktube. All the bloggers raved about it. I really need to get to it.
It really is unique Talia!!!!
Yay! So glad you loved it!