Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Graduating From the Pants

The Last Summer (of You & Me) by Ann Brashers
I picked this book up mainly because its written by the author of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I loved those books (and the movies) so I figured I'd give her first adult fiction book a try.

The book is about two sisters Riley and Alice. Riley is the older, athletic sister who you'd call a free spirit. Alice is the younger, somewhat shy sister who seems to absolutely idolize who older sister. Then there is Paul, Riley's best friend. The three of them spent ever summer together throughout their childhood at New York's Fire Island. This books tell the story of their last summer, the one before everything changes.

It did take me quite a while to get into the book. The first half just seemed really slow and I couldn't seem to really connect with it. Then halfway through everything changes, and at that point I couldn't seem to put the book down. The book is definitely a tear-jerker and I was holding back tears by the end.

Even though after the 2nd half I wound up enjoying the book immensely, it still wasn't perfect. The characters, while I liked them, didn't seem very fleshed out and developed. Which I wouldn't necessarily expect from Ann Brashers considering how distinctly you're able to identify with each girl from the pants series.

Like the pants books, this is also being developed into a movie. Although I'm not too sure how that will wind up as movie. A lot of times I'll read a book and think I would love to see someone turn this into a movie, but I didn't have that feeling reading The Last Summer (of You & Me). But it could wind up being an interesting movie, I guess we'll have to wait until 2011 to find out if it works as a movie.

Has anyone else read this book? If so, what did you think? If not have you read or seen the movie of Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants instead?

~Shoshanah

5 comments:

  1. It's funny you mentioned this book, I saw it today at Target and almost bought it! I might have to go back tomorrow and get it!

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  2. I haven't read (or even heard about) this book before your post. I did see the first movie and read I think the first 2 books in high school. They weren't bad, but they didn't knock my socks off.

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  3. I love the movies, but haven't actually read the books :) I'm super picky about books, because I HATE not getting into it and then not finishing it :(

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  4. i love your book reviews bc im always on the search for some good ones! you should def get a little french press, they're perfect for one mug! i got the 3 cup one and its perfect !

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  5. I actually really disliked this book, which bothered me, because I had high hopes for it! I just couldn't get into it at all!

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