Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares

Return to the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants . . . ten years later

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ann Brashares comes the welcome return of the characters whose friendship became a touchstone for a generation. Now Tibby, Lena, Carmen, and Bridget have grown up, starting their lives on their own. And though the jeans they shared are long gone, the sisterhood is everlasting.

Despite having jobs and men that they love, each knows that something is missing: the closeness that once sustained them. Carmen is a successful actress in New York, engaged to be married, but misses her friends. Lena finds solace in her art, teaching in Rhode Island, but still thinks of Kostos and the road she didn't take. Bridget lives with her longtime boyfriend, Eric, in San Francisco, and though a part of her wants to settle down, a bigger part can't seem to shed her old restlessness.

Then Tibby reaches out to bridge the distance, sending the others plane tickets for a reunion that they all breathlessly await. And indeed, it will change their lives forever-but in ways that none of them could ever have expected.

As moving and life-changing as an encounter with long-lost best friends, Sisterhood Everlasting is a powerful story about growing up, losing your way, and finding the courage to create a new one.

First of all, I cannot believe I've waited this long to post this review.

Sisterhood Everlasting is an epic portrayal of relationships already woven together by years of adventure, hardship, and friendship that carried teen girls through their adolescence. Ann Brashares creates a novel that echoes the beauty of Tibby, Carmen, Bridget, and Lena, but also takes the next step by transforming into a mature work of fiction that appeals to the adults we have become.

I grew up reading the Sisterhood series, and absolutely adored it. This follow-up piece of art is the emotionally stunning companion that gives us a taste of our favourite girls, but also changes our lives in an epic interpretation of life.

I loved this book and Ann Brashares transmitted it perfectly. The writing was eloquent and the emotions ran deep and beautifully. I saw my dearest characters go through changes that are not only relevant but relate-able. 

This book was extraordinary and a necessity not only to those who have grown with the Sisterhood, but also anyone who enjoys moving narratives that ring true to life and bring out the best in all of us. This book completes me.

Changed forever--Cheers & Enjoy♥

Covergasms♥ (11)

Covergasms♥ is an original Book♥Hooker feature that discusses all things cover related!

          It seems like so long since I've done a Covergasms♥ post, which is weird, since I seem to have so many lined up, and often keep myself from doing one so that I don't do them too often. Aaaaaaanywho, I did a Reminiscent Reads post based on the wonderful Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, the other day, and I think it would do just fine with an accompanying post to discuss the covers. Especially since I am going to be delving into the newest addition to the life-changing series, Sisterhood Everlasting, soon. Also since they did a pretty rockin' cover re-design recently that I just luuuuuuurve.

       

      

       

       
(Original covers on the left : New covers on the right)

So I absolutely love these new covers (I never really was fond of the original ones)! They are all so cohesive and demonstrate a fun aspect that shines through the pages. Fun, friendship and togetherness, I say!

They also fit really well with the newest book Sisterhood Everlasting which brings us into the story when the girls are adults (which I think is brilliant, and can't wait to read!), so all of us softies who read the book years ago as teens can continue the journey with our fab four now that we are adults. I love it!

Just Lovely--Cheers & Enjoy♥

(Related) Reminiscent Reads (7)

Reminiscent Reads is a feature that Cait at A Life Like Mine and I started recently to showcase the books we have read before starting our blogs. From time to time we will choose a few, good/bad, related/not, and do a mini-review explaining a little bit about the plot and our overall opinions.

Since someone was so kind enough to lend me Sisterhood Everlasting, the new book by one of my favourite authors, Ann Brashares, I think it is only fitting that I showcase one of my all-time favourite series' before I delve into what can only be a delight in book form! I present to you: The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants! 

Also, since I will be talking about all the books in the series, this review could be a tad bit spoiler-y...

THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELING PANTS
by ANN BRASHARES

♥♥♥♥♥

I remember absolutely loving this book. I read it so long ago, but I remember the feeling like it was yesterday: perfection. It was the perfect book for a girl my age and everything was just so right. Out of the four girls, there was always someone for any teenage girl to relate to, and all of the letters and escapades were so coming-of-age yet fun and light. This is was the first novel in a series that would change my life, and the lives of young girls everywhere, forever. The pants were so magical and symbolized something so much more than fitting into denim; fitting into life.

THE SECOND SUMMER OF THE SISTERHOOD by ANN BRASHARES

♥♥♥♥

In the second installment in the series, we pick up right where we left off with Lena, Bridget, Tibby and Carmen. The girls continue on the journey with the pants, finding love in unexpected places, and learning about everything that they went through last summer. We see the girls grow, change and mature, which makes this book so much more than just the enjoyable, fun read that I saw it as when I read it so many years ago. This book is about love, loss, family, friends, life, and learning to get through. Truly amazing.

GIRLS IN PANTS by ANN BRASHARES

♥♥♥♥½

In the third book, we see the girls in the summer before college starts. This book really contributes to the versatility of the series, as we see the girls growing and learning their identities through all different experiences. We see that the girls are still connected, even though their experiences take them physically and mentally far from home. Lena is still experimenting with life and love, and learns volumes about family and loss. Tibby is also struggling with new romantic endeavors, and blame and depression from anxiety about her family and changes that she is going through. Bridget revisits issues from her past and learns more about herself and love. Carmen struggles with her family life and starting a new endeavor in college, and also about herself and her ability to love selflessly. This third touching book in the series sets us up beautifully to experience the last book, and left me wanting more and more of these wonderful girls and all of their stories.

FOREVER IN BLUE by ANN BRASHARES

♥♥♥♥♥

Entering into the last book in the Sisterhood series, it was almost as if the magical pants themselves have gone unseen for a while, just becoming a metaphor and catalyst for all of the life altering experiences that we see our four favourite girls endure. The book brings us full circle, though, when we are brought back to the magic of the pants and everything they represent. I love how Brashares incorporated that special, magical feeling that we started off with right in the beginning. We see how the girls end up, and everything wraps up nicely, bittersweetly, and perfectly. Brashares writes beautifully and magically in this heartfelt ending to an iconic series.

3 WILLOWS by ANN BRASHARES

♥♥♥

So this isn’t actually part of the original series, but is a continuation or sorts, with cameos from the original Traveling Pants girls. I really didn’t enjoy this book. I found that I was too mature too understand the struggles of the girls, and to relate to them. I also just felt myself longing for the original girls, which is a void that is not easily filled. Having said that, the key plot ideas and themes of this book were equally important as those in the original series, and I found that a new generation of young readers could benefit and love this continuation of a wonderfully epic series.

If you haven't read this series yet, or anything by Ann Brashares, I seriously urge you to, since her writing is beautiful and timeless. Her stand alone novel The Last Summer (Of Me & You) is also amazing, and I can't wait to read both Sisterhood Everlasting (seeing the original 4 girls as adults) and her newest novel Her Name Is Memory. There has also recently been cover-redesigns for the original series, which are gorgeous, and I might just do a Covergasms♥ post on them soon!

Reminiscing--Cheers & Enjoy♥

(Riveting) Reminiscent Reads

Reminiscent Reads is a feature that Cait at A Life Like Mine and I started recently to showcase the books we have read before starting our blogs. From time to time we will choose a few, good/bad, related/not, and do a mini-review explaining a little bit about the plot and our overall opinions.

This post, marking the first post of the feature, is dedicated to Riveting books. So basically just a few stand-alone novels off the top of my head that really stood out as being awe-inspiring. Enjoy :)

KILLING BRITNEY by SEAN OLIN

This is one of the first books that I read that got me back into reading, way back in 2004, and one could argue that it renewed my reading rhythm :) It is YA, but a very freaky one, jam packed with tons of murder and suspense and overall creepiness. I don't remember too many specific details about the book, except that people around Britney kept turning up dead, and, obviously there was intense mystery behind who the culprit was.

One thing I am sure of though: the ending was absolutely fantabulous. I remember it as if it was yesterday, and it was sooo good.

LIVING DEAD GIRL by ELIZABETH SCOTT

I read this book a few summers ago, I think, and it was completely riveting. I recommend it to everyone, although it is saturated with dark content. It’s actually being lent out right now! So basically the book deals with kidnapping and kind of coming of age, but in a very different setting and situation. It is so very sad, yet powerful at the same time. But in a depressing sort of way. If that makes any sense.

It’s a very short read, but the themes are so intricately woven that it will stick with you forever. Overall, read it!

STOLEN by LUCY CHRISTOPHER

Such an amazing narrative! So sometimes my Maj and I have bets on random things, and when we do, I always choose books for my prize (and of course I always win!) This happened to be the random book I chose for one of my winnings. And wow was it ever the right choice. Another book with the kidnapping theme, but with a very unusual love aspect woven within (which may have only been wishful thinking on my part, and a totally dysfunctional one at that).

I also loved the setting of the book, and the fact that the narration is based on a letter to the heroine’s captor. It made the book just that much better. A must-read for sure!

SAVING ZOË by ALYSON NOËL

Wow, I read this so long ago, but the feeling of greatness, I must say, has never dissipated. The plot follows a young girl who has recently been murdered, and she embarks on a journey of truly understanding her deceased sister. I am actually quite surprised that I had the wisdom and understanding to love this book to such a degree at that age, because I know that the type of books that I liked then and the type of books that I like now are so vastly different, mostly because I am not a shallow little high-schooler anymore.

Anywho, I think that this just solidifies the greatness and relatability, even to a younger audience, and conveyed so effectively the emotion and maturity it warranted. I think every young girl should read it, and they would certainly be positively changed after having read it.

THE LAST SUMMER (OF YOU & ME)
by ANNE BRASHARES

This book is the perfect love story. It is so amazing and sublime. I cannot even really describe the emotion that it brings out, and the intricate way that the love story comes to fruition, but it is breath-taking. It’s not like any other love story I have ever read, and although there are also important family plot-lines as well, for me, the love story prevails.

The love is just so pure and right and unconditional and patient and selfless; in one word: perfection.

Stay tuned for more (and for Cait's!)--Cheers & Enjoy♥