Fixing Delilah Review

Fixing Delilah by Sarah Ockler

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Release date: December 1, 2010

Source: Publisher

Other books by this author: Twenty Boy Summer

Things in Delilah Hannaford's life have a tendency to fall apart.

She used to be a good student, but she can't seem to keep it together anymore. Her "boyfriend" isn't much of a boyfriend. And her mother refuses to discuss the fight that divided their family eight years ago. Falling apart, it seems, is a Hannaford tradition.

Over a summer of new friendships, unexpected romance, and moments that test the complex bonds between mothers and daughters, Delilah must face her family's painful past. Can even her most shattered relationships be pieced together again?

Review:

After reading and loving Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah I was dying to pick up her sophomore novel. Luckily, it was just as beautifully written and well developed as her debut.

To begin with, Delilah was a unique, yet likable main character. She wasn't perfect, and right now things in her life just aren't going well. I liked Delilah because she was straight forward and didn't beat around the bush. She said what she meant and stood up for herself. The other characters; Aunt Rachel, her mother, Emily, Patrick, Megan... they all added a little something to the story and I enjoyed watching all of them change and develop over the course of the novel. I really liked Delilah's friendship with Emily. Em was such a sweet girl and she and Delilah clicked right away. Patrick, a childhood friend turned something more, wasn't developed as much as I would have hoped, but I still liked him. He was outgoing, original, and so sweet to Delilah. I enjoyed watching their relationship grow and mature.

There were a lot of little sub plots and tiny mysteries involved in the story and readers never knew the whole truth about the Hannaford family until the end. Romance wasn't a key element of the story, but rather family relationships and how important it is to maintain a strong relationship with your family members. Delilah's conflict was with her mother who was in conflict with her sister and mother. It was heartbreaking to see how much Mrs. Hannaford regretted not being able to go back in time and start over with her own mother, who passed away before Delilah even got to know her better because of all the tension between Delilah's mother and grandmother.

Overall, this was very well written and I loved the main character, Delilah. The plot was unique and kept me reading and I am eager to read more by Sarah Ockler. Fixing Delilah was a poignant and refreshing read that reminded me again of how much I love Sarah's books.

Overall: 4.25 out of 5 stars

Blog Tour: Sarah Ockler Guest Post and Giveaway!

                                                                                                                                             YA Novel Mashup: Fixing Delilah's Aunt Rachel Reads the Tarot for Twenty Boy Summer's Anna & Frankie 

In the story of Fixing Delilah, Delilah's Aunt Rachel reads Tarot cards. While Delilah initially views her aunt's readings as a funky and cool but ultimately pointless endeavor, she comes to appreciate the cards and to truly respect the messages the universe conveys through Rachel's interpretations (which are quite insightful and accurate, particularly in matters of the heart, despite Delilah's best efforts to discount them).  

To celebrate the launch of Fixing Delilah, Aunt Rachel has decided to make a house call, sharing her card-reading gift with two very special girls: best friends Anna Reiley and Frankie Perino from the book Twenty Boy Summer. 

After asking each participant to state her full name and cut the cards, Aunt Rachel will do a three-card spread, representing the past, the present, and the future.  

 Now, let's see what's in the cards for our friends from Twenty Boy Summer...  

Anna's Reading 

The past card: King of Swords 

The present card: Five of Cups 

The future card: Ace of Swords  

Aunt Rachel's Thoughts:  When we think about the people in our lives, the King of Swords typically represents a man who is fair, analytical, and extremely diplomatic. In some cases, this kind of person tends toward intellect over emotion, especially in matters of love. Kings often represent fathers, but I think in this reading, the King represents Matt. Though he was very much in love with Anna, he was also looking at things quite logically -- maybe too logically -- when considering how to break the news to Frankie about he and Anna's new relationship. He was so worried about hurting Frankie's feelings that he asked Anna to keep their secret against Anna's wishes -- a secret that ultimately had pretty disastrous consequences. Anna's relationship with Matt influenced her present situation, represented by the next card -- the Five of Cups. 

 I'm not surprised that the Five of Cups turned up in Anna's spread. This card represent loss and disappointment, overturned emotions, and even abandonment or betrayal. It's a card of grieving, but it's also one of my favorite cards because if you look closely, you'll notice that some of the cups are still upright. This card tells us that even after an immense loss, good things still remain, if we can only stop and see them. In Anna's situation, she's so stuck in her grief for Matt that she's afraid to move on, even though a new love may be right in front of her eyes. The Five of Cups is telling her to look up, to be open to new possibilities, despite the difficulties of the past.   

Anna's future card, The Ace of Swords, is a card of intellect, strength, and courage. In this case, I believe it represents Anna's inner strength and ability to "rise from the ashes" of the tragedy of losing Matt and all of the difficult changes her friendship with Frankie has endured. If she can overcome the adversity in her life -- if she can "seize the sword," so to speak -- I'm confident she'll find her way again. She'll create a life rich with love and beauty strengthened but not defined by the memory of her first love. 

 Frankie's Reading

The past card: Nine of Wands 

The present card: Four of Wands 

The future card: King of Swords  

Aunt Rachel's thoughts:  Nines represent the completion of a cycle -- the final approach to the ending of something. In Frankie's case, I believe it represents the ending of her relationship with her older brother Matt. Not just because he died, but because he found love with Anna, and though Frankie didn't know the reason, he'd already begun to pull away from her, forging new bonds with "the girl next door" that was their mutual friend for so long. The Nine of Wands in particular points to a fortification of sorts -- a protector or well-defended person. I believe this card represents Matt's concern for Frankie about how she'd take the news of their relationship. He was always extremely protective of his sister, but as much as he tried to protect her from life's pains and troubles, he couldn't protect her from the pain of losing him.

Now, it may seem surprising that the Four of Wands turned up in Frankie's present position. This is typically a positive, happy card that symbolizes blessings, ceremonies, celebrations, and a happy family. Currently, Frankie's life is about as far from this picture as you can get. Her brother died. Her best friend is keeping secrets. Her parents are just not there. But I think despite the circumstances of her life right now, deep in her heart, this card is exactly what Frankie most desires right now. She remembers a time not so long ago when her family was happy and close -- when there was lots to celebrate. Now, on her first family vacation without her big brother, she's struggling with these memories. In many ways, her memories have become her present, because she feels like the memories are the only good thing left in her life.   

Where the King of Swords appeared as Anna's past card in a more positive light, it's here representing Frankie's future, and I see it as a warning. While Frankie desires a happy home life and close relationships with her friends and family again, on her current trajectory, she's headed for disaster. Like the darker, shadow qualities of the King, Frankie can be aloof and aggressive, pushing people away instead of inviting them in. If she's not careful, she's going to end up alone, alienating those she loves most. With a card like this in her future position, given her present life circumstances, Frankie really needs to wake up. Like Anna, Frankie has so much potential for a life full of love and happiness -- she's just got to open her eyes and realize how her behavior is hurting people -- especially herself. Hope isn't lost -- Frankie is a fierce, independent girl with a lot of love to offer the world. She just has to learn how to channel her feelings more positively, especially when things get tough. If she can do that, even if it makes her vulnerable, she'll find her way back to the good things in life. Especially with a friend like Anna by her side.  

So that's what the universe wanted to tell Anna and Frankie from Twenty Boy Summer! If you'd like to see more of Aunt Rachel's powers of intuition at work, check out Fixing Delilah, where the Tarot speaks of family secrets, old rifts, and my favorite... a hot new romance (artistic boys in coffee shops, anyone?)! ;-)  

Thanks for reading!  

XO Sarah

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Thanks so much to Sarah and The Teen Book Scene for arranging the tour!

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GIVEAWAY TIME!

I have a signed copy of either Twenty Boy Summer or Fixing Delilah (winners choice) to giveaway!

Rules:

US Only

Ends December 17

Fill out THIS FORM to enter!

Find Out Friday: Sarah Ockler

What inspired you to write a novel for young adults?

I think my writing style always had a young adult quality, but it

wasn't until I started taking a YA novel class through Lighthouse

Writers Workshop in Denver that I really found my true calling as an

author. We read and discussed books by Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti,

Laurie Halse Anderson, and other contemporary YA authors, and reading

those stories and learning more about the craft, I just felt such a

connection. It was like, yes!! This is exactly what I'm supposed to

do! :-)

Personally, what's your favorite YA book?

Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. So complex and awesome.

Is there a specific author you look up to?

Sarah Dessen. She was one of the first contemporary YA authors I read

for that YA class through Lighthouse, and I fell in love with her

writing immediately.

What's one place in the world you would love to visit?

I've always wanted to visit Egypt and hope to have the chance in the

coming years.

How do you come up with character names?

A lot of times the characters just sort of come to me with their first

names, kind of like when you look at a person and think, "Oh yeah, she

totally looks like a Jenny." Last names are a little trickier, though.

I often use the phone book, the cemetery, or movie credits. It's

important to find names that fit together stylistically and that

aren't too similar to other character names. Sometimes I'll even

change last names midway through a project. First names are usually

permanent, though -- once I have them, they stay!

Is the final cover of Twenty Boy Summer what you imagined it looking like?

I always imagined and hoped the final cover of Twenty Boy Summer would

include sea glass since it's so symbolic in the story, but other than

that, I didn't know what to expect. The publisher went through a

number of different concepts before finally deciding on a photo shoot

for the final image. When I saw the cover comps, I literally cried.

That's how much I loved it! I can't imagine a more perfect cover for

the story.

What part of yourself or people you know did you put into Anna and Frankie?

Ha, everyone who knows me thinks they see themselves in the

characters, or they see me in Anna. :-) I do draw from memories from

my own teen years, but not directly. It's more like using the

emotional essence of those memories than rewriting actual events or

people. I remember falling in love at that age, and experiencing the

incredible ups and downs of best friendship, summer vacations, boys,

fights, and everything that goes along with being a teen. So I

definitely look for inspiration there, but nothing *too* real. :-)

Can you give any hints about what to expect from Fixing Delilah Hannaford?

Fixing Delilah Hannaford portrays the struggles between mothers and

daughters and the secrets that can both break and bind a family.

There's so much pain and distance between Delilah and her mom when the

book opens, and throughout their unexpected summer together, Delilah

must confront issues from her own life and her family's difficult

past. It's emotional in a different way than Twenty Boy Summer,

showing more of the painful undercurrents of life rather than a big

sudden tragedy. And, for readers who enjoyed the romantic elements in

Twenty Boy Summer, you'll definitely like the romance that unfolds in

Fixing Delilah Hannaford! I mean, emotional or not, what's a summer

story without a little romance, right? :-)

Thanks for hosting me, Kelsey, and happy reading to all!

__

Thanks so much, Sarah!

Click here to visit Sarah's website!

Review: Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler

"Don't worry, Anna. I'll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."

"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won't say anything?"
"Don't worry." I laughed. "It's our secret, right?"

According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy ever day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

Beautifully written and emotionally honest, this is a debut novel that explores what it truly means to love someone and what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.

Review:

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to pick up Twenty Boy Summer- it was amazing! Heartbreaking and emotional, funny and sweet, Twenty Boy Summer had everything a 5 star book should. Anna was a great main character. Her narration added a lot to the story, and her on the nose descriptions of everything transported me into the novel- especially to Zanzibar Bay. The details in this book were fantastic, I could picture everything and everyone. I loved the characters as well. Frankie, Matt, Sam, Aunt Jayne, Uncle Red… so many great characters that experienced so much in just under 300 pages.

There was so much feeling in this book, I could tell Sarah Ockler put her all into it. Twenty Boy Summer was emotional; death, loss, sorrow, friendship, love, family, it was all a part of the terrific book known as Twenty Boy Summer. I can’t believe this is Ockler’s debut novel! Unfortunately I started reading it when I was studying for finals, so I could only read it at a few stolen minutes away from the textbooks, but I know if I could have I would have read it straight through. I was pulled in from the first page, and when I finally turned the last page I re-read the last few pages a couple times, soaking it all in. I’m going to definitely recommend this to all my friends.

Twenty Boy Summer showed the ripple effect- how one thing can change/affect the lives of so many people. Sarah Ockler explores the heart break and pain that binds two people together and creates a memorable set of characters and thoughtful plot. I definitely think this is a must read for every girl, and it shows the strong bond that only strengthens in time between two best friends. The ending definitely left me wanting more, but it was as the ending should be, and a sequel isn’t necessary although I would still love to hear more about Anna, Frankie, and everyone else.

Once you read it, you’ll better understand the title, it perfectly suits the novel. The cover does as well, and ohmygod do I love this cover. It’s gorgeous. Sea glass is something my family also collects, and I love the heart set against the boardwalk planks. You’ll also better understand the significance of that one piece of red sea glass in the heart of blue. It’s such a small detail, but means so much. Although this was released last year, it will definitely be at the top of my favorite 2010 reads list. I’m anxious to read more by Sarah Ockler! Definitely go pick up a copy of Twenty Boy Summer today, it’s a story that will stick in your head long after you’ve turned the last page, and the cover is a gorgeous addition to anyone’s collection!

Overall: 5 out of 5 stars

June 1, 2009/Little, Brown BFYR/290 Pages/Young Adult

Source: Trade

Other books by this author: Fixing Delilah