Proof of Forever by Lexa Hillyer

Proof of Forever by Lexa Hillyer
Publisher/Year: HarperTeen, 2015
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 339
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Goodreads

 

 

Synopsis

Before

It was the perfect summer of first kisses, skinny-dipping, and bonfires by the lake. Joy, Tali, Luce, and Zoe knew their final summer at Camp Okahatchee would come to an end, but they swore they’d stay friends.

After

Now, two years later, their bond has faded, along with those memories.

Then

That is, until the fateful flash of a photo-booth camera transports the four of them back in time, to the summer they were fifteen–the summer everything changed.

Now

The girls must re-create the past in order to return to the present. As they live through their second-chance summer, the mystery behind their lost friendship unravels, and a dark secret threatens to tear the girls apart all over again.

Always

Summers end. But this one will change them forever.

 

What I thought

I really, really loved this book. It seems like a lot of my friends just kinda liked it (I usually do a quick perusal of reviews before starting a book). So anyway, this ended up really surprising me by how much I enjoyed it.

For starters, I adore books revolving around friendship, especially in a case like this one where each friend adds a different dynamic group. Friendship, in general, is just interesting to me. If you enjoyed the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, I really do think you’d enjoy this book. Even with all its ups & downs, friendship is just something that makes you feel good, and Proof of Forever definitely has that aspect.

I also really love watching personal growth in characters, as well. Each of the girls had something they needed to learn or come to terms with about themselves, and through each other’s help, they are able to come out stronger, in the end. I’ll be honest, I was really hoping to be set up for a sequel because I am just not ready to be done with Tali, Joy, Zoey, and Luce. I didn’t get that feeling though, but one can always hope.

I also wasn’t ready to be done with Lexa Hillyer’s writing. It was just so lyrical & beautiful & simple. I was totally THERE at Camp Okahatchee. I remember being at that age & stage of my life, and Hillyer’s writing totally took me back. I truly felt for those girls, through all their aches & pains and their moments of bliss & joy.

If you are looking for a great summer read or just a genuine story about friendship, you really can’t go wrong with Proof of Forever. Like Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, but with time travel, I know I won’t soon forget Joy & Tali & Luce & Zoe.

Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe by Edgar Allan Poe

Great Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe by Edgar Allan Poe
Publisher/Year: Pocket Books, 2003
Format: Paperback
Pages: 457
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Goodreads 

 

Synopsis

Born to an unfortunate heritage, orphaned, unsympathetically raised, and then abandoned, Edgar Allan Poe struggled for greatness in an adverse social and economic climate–a setting not improved by his fiery temperament and caustic criticism of others. Poe’s melancholy brilliance, his passionate lyricism, and his tormented soul would make him one of the most widely read and original writers in American literature. Here, in one volume, are his classic short works: masterpieces of horror, terror, humor, and adventure–and the finest lyric and narrative poetry of this ill-fated genius whose influence on both prose and verse continues to this day.

 

What I thought

I feel like this probably goes without saying–as with any collection, I definitely preferred some stories and poems over others. And really, I’ve come to find out that I prefer Poe’s prose over his poetry. That’s not to say that his poetry is bad. Some of my favorite classics were present here. I just think poetry is so much more personal, so not all of his poems resonated with me. Not to mention, Poe is more versatile with his different story types, and they are simply just more entertaining. All in all, this is a very conclusive collection of Poe’s writing & an excellent addition to any fan’s shelf. Moody, atmospheric writing–this makes for a perfect fall read.