I’ve recently realised I’ve read so many debuts without realising they are an author’s first book. Honestly, I’m so impressed by how good they all are. Imagine having talent, could never be me.
If you have any debut recommendations, especially of lesser-known authors, do let me know. I’m always on the lookout for new authors.
Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott
I’m fairly certain I read this entire book in one sitting, but it was a few years ago so I can’t remember.
I usually avoid books about illness as they make me really sad, but this book has a different type of sadness. Surprisingly, it didn’t make me cry (the film did though) but it did make me feel something and that’s what is most important I think. I felt a bit hollow after finishing Five Feet Apart, in a good way.
Rachel Lippincott has become an instant buy author for me, she always interacts with my reviews of her books and it makes me very happy!
Synopsis: Can you love someone you can never touch?
Stella Grant likes to be in control—even though her totally out of control lungs have sent her in and out of the hospital most of her life. At this point, what Stella needs to control most is keeping herself away from anyone or anything that might pass along an infection and jeopardize the possibility of a lung transplant. Six feet apart. No exceptions.
The only thing Will Newman wants to be in control of is getting out of this hospital. He couldn’t care less about his treatments, or a fancy new clinical drug trial. Soon, he’ll turn eighteen and then he’ll be able to unplug all these machines and actually go see the world, not just its hospitals.
Will’s exactly what Stella needs to stay away from. If he so much as breathes on Stella she could lose her spot on the transplant list. Either one of them could die. The only way to stay alive is to stay apart. But suddenly six feet doesn’t feel like safety. It feels like punishment.
What if they could steal back just a little bit of the space their broken lungs have stolen from them? Would five feet apart really be so dangerous if it stops their hearts from breaking too?
Solitaire by Alice Oseman
This was a pretty recent read and was the first written novel of Alice Oseman’s I read (not including the Nick and Charlie novella). I was surprised by the mature themes and very serious undertone of the whole book and I honestly thought it was extremely well written.
I’m pretty sure Alice was only 17 when she wrote this book and wow, I’m impressed. It’s probably not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you’re a fan of the Heartstopper graphic novels and want more of that story, this is a great book to check out. It does get pretty dark in places though, so do be aware of that.
Synopsis: In case you’re wondering, this is not a love story.
My name is Tori Spring. I like to sleep and I like to blog. Last year – before all that stuff with Charlie and before I had to face the harsh realities of A-Levels and university applications and the fact that one day I really will have to start talking to people – I had friends. Things were very different, I guess, but that’s all over now.
Now there’s Solitaire. And Michael Holden.
I don’t know what Solitaire are trying to do, and I don’t care about Michael Holden.
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