I Now Pronounce You Someone Else by Erin McCahan

I Now Pronounce You Someone Else
Erin McCahan
Arthur A. Levine Books
Released June 1, 2010
Source: Library


Summary: Bronwen Oliver has spent years of her young life thinking that she must have been switched at birth.  With a cookie cutter mom and a perfect older brother, there is no way that she could possibly be a part of such an dysfunctional family. Fortunately, her days of longing for a happier life may be over after she falls in love with Jared Sondervan.  He comes from the type of family she has always dreamed of and introduces her to feelings she hasn't felt since the death of her father.  Now she must decide: Is she better off being Bronwen Oliver or Someone Else?


Review: I initially picked up I Now Pronounce You Someone Else because I was looking for what I expected to be a "cute" read.  I quickly found out that this book is SO much more!


Bronwen Oliver made for an extraordinary character.  She was charming and relatable.  More importantly, she was real.  In so many contemporary YA novels, the main character seems flawless.  Bronwen, on the other hand, was a typical teenager, conflicted by a desire to be loved and a need to find her true identity.  Her quests, in addition to her humorous personality, made her a multi-dimensional character, who I very much enjoyed. I excitedly cheered her on during her quest to find true happiness.  I winced along with her during each misfortune.  But most of all, I was proud to witness Bronwen's growth and final acceptance of herself.  


In addition to the characterization of Bronwen, the development of the relationship between Bronwen and Jared kept the novel moving at an appropriate pace.  It provided many sweet moments that caused me to smile and sigh.  It allowed me to see why Bronwen so quickly feel for Jared and led me to support Bronwen's ultimate decision.


While I loved the outcome of the novel's events, my only complaint is the rushed ending.  As I stately previously, the pacing throughout the novel is very well suited to the story.  It slowly unfolds, and then the ending hits you like a brick--and not due so much to unexpected events, but more so due to its abruptness.  If McCahan had slowed the ending down and allowed it to further develop, I would have been more satisfied with the conclusion.


If you are hesitant about reading I Now Pronounce You Someone Else, don't let the cover fool you.  If you think that the baby blue background and pink letters with flowers mean the content is also light and fluffy, I think you'll too be surprised at the depth that lies on the pages between the two covers.


With true-to-life characters and clear and concise writing, I recommend I Now Pronounce You Someone Else to those who are looking for a well developed YA novel with a romantic feel.


Rating: 8-You've gotta read this one!

I Am A CSN Preferred Blogger!!!

I am so excited to have been invited to review another product from CSN Stores.  CSN is home to over 200 online stores!  The many shopping sites feature everything from dining room tables to cookware to shoes and more!

Some of you may remember that in September, I was given the opportunity to review a piece of luggage from CSN Stores. It was a pleasant experience, so I am looking forward to work with CSN again!

Because CSN has so many wonderful products to choose from, I am having a terribly difficult time deciding on which one best meets my current needs/wants, which range from a bean bag chair for my classroom to wall art for my bedroom, and I really could go on and on.

Be sure to check back soon to find out which product I choose!

Maus I: A Survivor's Tale by Art Spiegelman

Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History

Art Spiegelman

Pantheon Books

Released November 1, 1991 (first published in 1986)

Source: Purchased

Summary (from Goodreads): Some historical events simply beggar any attempt at description--the Holocaust is one of these. Therefore, as it recedes and the people able to bear witness die, it becomes more and more essential that novel, vigorous methods are used to describe the indescribable. Examined in these terms, Art Spiegelman's Maus is a tremendous achievement, from a historical perspective as well as an artistic one.

Spiegelman, a stalwart of the underground comics scene of the 1960s and '70s, interviewed his father, Vladek, a Holocaust survivor living outside New York City, about his experiences. The artist then deftly translated that story into a graphic novel. By portraying a true story of the Holocaust in comic form--the Jews are mice, the Germans cats, the Poles pigs, the French frogs, and the Americans dogs--Spiegelman compels the reader to imagine the action, to fill in the blanks that are so often shied away from. Reading Maus, you are forced to examine the Holocaust anew.

This is neither easy nor pleasant. However, Vladek Spiegelman and his wife Anna are resourceful heroes, and enough acts of kindness and decency appear in the tale to spur the reader onward (we also know that the protagonists survive, else reading would be too painful). This first volume introduces Vladek as a happy young man on the make in pre-war Poland. With outside events growing ever more ominous, we watch his marriage to Anna, his enlistment in the Polish army after the outbreak of hostilities, his and Anna's life in the ghetto, and then their flight into hiding as the Final Solution is put into effect. The ending is stark and terrible, but the worst is yet to come--in the second volume of this Pulitzer Prize-winning set.

Review: I recently decided to venture out into some genres that I had not yet experienced. One such genre was the graphic novel. I opted to read Maus because of its mixture of raving reviews and criticism.

The Maus Collection has become a contemporary classic and understandably so. A moving story backed by unforgettable images makes this one fascinating addition to any library.

One reason I steered clear of graphic novels is because I felt they may "dumb down" content and rely too heavily on pictures, or they may be too juvenile. Maus proved me wrong, as it is creative and thought-provoking, yet definitely not for young readers due to sensitive content. Another of my hesitations with reading graphic novels was because I am very easily distracted, and I felt that I would lose focus because of the images and words placed in the same frame. With Maus, I was so lost in Vladek's story, there was no possible way that anything could steal my attention.

I have read a number of texts that retell the events of the Holocaust and World War II, but Mr. Spiegelman's work moved me in a way that very few books have. He captured his father's personal experiences in a story, all while telling the story of his own research process. This invited me, as a reader, to take a more intimate look at Spiegelman's relationship with his father.

Perhaps the most intriguing thing about Maus is that even though the characters are portrayed by animals, it is so real! So often, only the positive traits of admirable people are shown. Art Spiegelman presents his father, who is truly a remarkable person, as an intelligent, heroic man, who is not without faults. The sharing of his imperfections shows that Vladek Spiegelman is not a character in a book, but rather a genuine human being, and in my opinion, it made this graphic novel even more engaging.

After reading Maus, I took a more in depth look at some of the criticism Spiegelman has received. While some felt this book gave an inaccurate portrayal of the Holocaust, the thing to remember is that this is his father's personal account, and I, for one, am so glad he shared it with the world.

Honest, suspenseful, and inspiring, Maus is a one-of-a-kind novel that I highly recommend to mature readers.

*Usually upon the completion of a novel that I truly enjoy, it typically takes its place on my shelf, so that it can remain in its precious, like new condition. The day after I completed this unique read, I passed it along to a friend, as it is a book that should not sit unmoved on a bookshelf, but instead should be read continuously. I will be sharing this book with other readers until it completely falls apart, at which point, I'll run out to buy another copy!

Rating: 9-You've gotta read this one!