Friday 10 August 2012

#136 Book Review: Between the Lines

Between the Lines
Release Date: July 1st 2012
Author: Jodi Picoult | Samantha van Leer
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Source: Publisher for Review
Format: Paperback
Where to Buy:  Fishpond | Booktopia | Dymocks
More Info: Goodreads
Summary from Goodreads:
What happens when happily ever after... isn't?

Delilah hates school as much as she loves books. In fact, there's one book in particular she can't get enough of. If anyone knew how many times she has read and re-read the sweet little fairy tale she found in the library, especially the popular kids, she'd be sent to social Siberia... forever.

To Delilah, though, this fairy tale is more than just words on the page. Sure, there's a handsome (well, okay, hot) prince, and a castle, and an evil villain, but it feels as if there's something deeper going on. And one day, Delilah finds out there is. Turns out, this Prince Charming is real, and a certain fifteen-year-old loner has caught his eye. But they're from two different worlds, and how can it ever possibly work?

Together with her daughter Samantha Van Leer, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult has written a classic fairy tale with a uniquely modern twist.
Cover:
I think the Australian cover is my favourite out of all the covers! I think it represents the story well. I like how the girl is holding the fairytale book and how magical things seem to explode out of the book. 

Story:

What if the fairy-tale prince wanted to live happily ever after...with you?

When I finished Between the Lines, I was surprised at how much I actually enjoyed reading this book. I was a little apprehensive after reading some mixed reviews but I'm glad I enjoyed it! When I first heard of this book, I did have high expectations since it is written by Jodi Picoult! I haven't actually read any books by Jodi Picoult so this book was my first Picoult's book. I also didn't know that Between the Lines was collaborated with her daughter, who actually came up with the idea of the book. When I received the book, I was in love with it! It was printed in colour, the fonts are printed in colour and there are illustrations in the book to compliment the text. It was lovely!

Between the Lines is a story about pushing the boundaries between fantasy and real life. I really enjoyed the concept behind this book. I understand how it feels when you want a character from a certain book so badly to actually exist in your real life. This book is written from both Oliver's and Delilah's perspective. The book consists of chapters from a fairytale book about Oliver, chapters written from Oliver and Delilah's perspectives. Even though the story plot was quite predictable, I definitely still enjoyed it! What was interesting are the illustrations included in this book. The illustrations are beautiful and gorgeous. Oliver was illustrated and he looked just like how I imagined! The collaboration between Picoult and her daughter was great. The book was a sweet and fluffy read for me!

Characters:
Besides the lovely story plot,  I was able to relate with Delilah completely. She liked reading books and felt as if books were her escape from reality. I really liked her growing relationship with Oliver and how sometimes she thought as if talking to Oliver was a dream. Even though she sometimes cannot believe that this is actually happening, she always tries to help Oliver. Oliver is a great character as well and he has BRITISH accent! He's such a charming, sweet and quite innocent character who merely wants to escape his fairytale life. I also really enjoyed reading about other characters in the book such as the characters in the fairytale, Delilah's mom and also Jules, Delilah's best friend who really supports Delilah and understands her, unlike Delilah's mother.

Overall:
Everyone Deserves A Happily Ever After.
Between the Lines is a sweet and charming book about pushing the boundaries between fantasy and real life. Picoult and her daughter's writing takes us into the story of Delilah's exciting journey to help Oliver escape his fairytale story. The book makes me believe that perhaps my happily ever after is somewhere out there, waiting for me. This is Picoult's first YA book and I certainly hope that she and her daughter will write more YA books!
4 Forget-Me-Not flowers for Between the Lines!
Thank you Allen and Unwin for the review copy!
Check out the book trailer!

21 comments:

  1. Awwwwwww this sounds like such a sweet book!!! I'm SO glad you enjoyed it<3 Jodi Picoult is one of my FAVOURITE authors ever - I've no doubt I'll love this! heheee I can't wait to read this now :D Fantastic review Celineeeee! NOW YOU MUST READ PICOULT'S ADULT BOOKS!!! hahaa

    P.S. GOOD LUCK WITH SCHOOL TOOOOOOOOOOOOO!<3 Make the most of your high school lifeee!!

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  2. I really want to read this! You are so lucky to get a review copy! ;) Thanks for the great review, the trailer is so pretty <3 :) x

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  3. This book sounds adorable, Celine! <3 Your gushing review got me very excited - I know that I'm going to love this book! x) Delilah sounds just like me LOL - we both daydream too much! :P I read My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult and really liked it, so I hope I'm going to love her first YA novel with her daughter too! :)

    Absolutely fabulous review, Celine! So glad to see you back on blogosphere - we missed you!! *hugs* <3

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  4. A fictional character come alive is every bibliophile's dream come true :D Especially if it's their dream guy *swoon* I'd love Etienne St. Clair or Peeta or Artemis Fowl or... I'll stop here or the list will never end =))

    I'm glad you enjoyed this book, Celine <3

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  5. I think it's very sweet that Jodi Picoult wrote this book with her daughter. How cool is that? :) I'm glad you enjoyed this, Celine! I've seen some mixed reviews for this book so I'm not sure if it would be for me, but I hope I can give it a try soon. The Australian cover is probably my favourite too. :)

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  6. I love learning about how Jodi worked with her daughter on this book! It wound be amazing for a dream guy to become real, so this is a terrific story idea!!!!!!! I know I constantly wished the last few days that I could meet a guy exactly like Thayer Vega.
    Fantastic review!!!!! <3

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  7. I haven't read any Jodi Picoult books either, so maybe I need to start with this one as you did! I love that she worked with her daughter on the story, if I had the creativity to come up with a story I'd love to work with my mom on it! Thanks for the review of this one Celine, I haven't read very much about it but I think I'd be a fan of the story!

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  8. The trailer is so cool! And I love this cover more than the other one. I love the details on top of the book. The images out of the book. I can't wait to read this one. It will be my first book from Jodi Picoult too, but I love the fairytale feeling it has <3 And you got to love happy endings!

    Lovely review :D

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  9. I LOVE that concept, and this sounds like a really amazing read! Agreed, I am still rather iffy about this one, but I think you have me sold ^_~ The characters both sound so sweet, and the premise is definitely unique. Glad that you enjoyed it after all and thanks for the lovely review, Celine!

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  10. I know what you mean! I've been a little apprehensive as well because, like you...I've seen a lot of mixed reviews around the book blogosphere! However, I've also read some of Jodi Picoult's work in the past and enjoyed it! I'm interested to see how her daughter's ideas play into things!

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  11. Oh another book I didn't know anything about. I'm curious now, love the cover and your review. I'll need to check it out. thank you darling!

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  12. I didn't recogonizr this book at first because the cover is so different. I think it sounds cute and I am glad to hear it was a good read, I have this one ln my radar :)

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  13. Oh my gosh, the illustrations in this book.... SO BEAUTIFUL!!! The team behind the design deserve such a huge pat on the back, they've done an incredible job. I am so happy the story lived up to the artwork for you! Hehe I think we can all relate to Delilah in wanting certain characters to come to life :D I am really excited to read this, I just need to get a hold on my TBR! Fantastic review, Celine!

    Also: "The book makes me believe that perhaps my happily ever after is somewhere out there, waiting for me. " - Your happy ending is SO waiting for you. If anyone deserves a knight in shining armor to come whisk her away, it's you <3

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  14. I just got this book from the library and I wasn't sure if I was going to read it..now I will def have to give it a shot!! Awesome review Celine!!

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  15. I'm glad you loved it, Celine <3 The mixed reviews are making me kinda apprehensive too! And I dunno if I want to read it immediately or not. But it sounds adorable and it's Jodi Picoult! :D

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  16. I've read mixed reviews too but I LOVE the concept! Fairytales! The book itself sounds really lovely. Illustrations! I'm so glad you could relate to Delilah and Oliver sounds really sweet. Fantastic review, Celine. :)

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  17. I'm SO glad you enjoyed this, Celine! Isn't this book just ADORABLE? I love the Aussie cover the best too, it represents it the closest and the illustrations are so beautiful too! I loved how Picoult collabed with her daughter on this book, making it even more special <3 I warmed to Delilah immediately and who can resist Oliver and his charm? It was a bit too sweet and fluffy for my liking though :(

    Lovely review, Celine <3

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  18. This book sounds lovely, Celine, and your review is perfect. :) I'm really glad you enjoyed this! Even though I only read My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult and wasn't a huge fan of it, I'm willing to try out this book after your convincing review, Celine. :) Thank you for sharing!

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  19. This is a lovely review of what sounds like to be a charming book! The illustrations sound amazing, I will have to browse a copy soon so I can see them!

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  20. Oh, Celine, I'm SO excited to read this! It sounds so sweet and fun and lovely! Also LOVED your review. It just sounds so.... romantic

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  21. Aw this looks so cute. And I loveee the Australian cover. Adorbs!

    Awesome review, Celine <3

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