Disclosure of Material Connection: I received the book for free from the publisher through the Litfuse Publicity Group book blogger campaign and I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
About the book: (Information taken directly from LitFuse Publicity's Landing Page.)
Avery is a seventeen-year-old girl whose reality has just been shattered by the death of her mother. Feeling a desperate need to flee from what has become her life, she follows a travel plan meant for her mom and her that leads her to the little beach town where her mom grew up. It's there that she meets a group of three adventurous friends who adopt her into their circle, allowing her to experience a summer she never thought would be possible after suffering such a great loss. Unfortunately, her summer full of experiences threatens to end abruptly when she realizes that one of the three has a secret that causes her to question everything about the new life she has been building.
Avery must learn to balance her grief and her desire for a future in order to achieve her mother's final wish for her: That she would be happy to be alive.
Purchase a copy: http://ow.ly/xlD3V
About the author:
Chelsea grew up with an immense love for words---both reading them and writing them. She obtained her degree in English and has spent the time since then getting married to her high school sweetheart and chasing adventure so she'll have something to write about. When she's not drinking copious amounts of coffee while writing, she spends her time reading, playing with her puppy named Gatsby, and dreaming, always dreaming.
Dynamic Uno here: When I closed the last page of this book I literally could only say, "Wow," because that was the only word I could find to describe how I felt after reading Happy to be Alive, Because. I sat on the couch and really thought about my life and how I take many people for granted, because they've always been there for me. How would I cope if they suddenly were not around and would never be again?
After reading Avery's story about the loss of her mother to cancer, I thought back to my own mother going in to Moffitt at the beginning of the year (New Years Eve) to have a tumor removed that was possibly cancerous. After the surgery, her doctor told us that it was the size of a small football-about 8 lbs.-and thankfully, was not cancerous, but I remember having to prepare myself to help her battle something that could possibly end her life. What would I do without my mom?
Reading about Avery's goal to follow through with the trip to Florida, her mother had planned, reminded me of what I tend to do when faced with situations I don't want to particularly deal with, and that is to flee/pretend it's not happening.
While Avery still deeply felt the loss of her mother, she was able to go through the grieving process with the help of her new friends-Rob, Major, and Lily. By hanging out with them and developing a routine that led to some semblance of a "normal" life, Avery was able to finally look past her grief into the life she wanted to live.
Despite a set-back when learning a dark secret Rob had kept hidden, Avery learned that she truly could be "Happy to be Alive," as she journaled each thing that led her to being happy on a daily basis. (Something I think I may pick up to help me through the crazy dark days.)
Happy to be Alive, Because was an enjoyable book. While it's geared towards young adults, I can see this book quickly gaining popularity with adults as well. It will definitely be one that I recommend to my students and teachers when they are going through tough times as well.
You can purchase Ms. Jacobs' book here. What are you waiting for? Go buy it now--you won't regret it!
1. Happy to be Alive, Because...I get to enjoy playing with my little girl (cat) Madison!
2. Happy to be Alive, Because...I get to read and blog about awesome books!
3. Happy to be Alive, Because...chocolate was invented to soothe my savage inner beast.
4. Your turn...
As always, let me know what you think, and Happy Reading!
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