Friday, August 21, 2009

How It Ends by Laura Weiss + Giveaway

How It Ends How It Ends by Laura Wiess


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
"I would not willingly peel back the scar tissue protecting the deepest chambers of my heart and reveal the bruised hollows pooled with the blood of old wounds---the terror that just thinking about it---but now, facing darkness I am left with no choice. I love you, and because of that I am going to try and raise the dead." ---Louise Bell Closson

This is one of the most haunting books I've read this year. The twists and turns will keep you wondering from the minute you start reading this book until you know How It Ends.

I was intrigued most about Laura Wiess's use of an audiobook within a book. There were times I became confused about which story we were on but it all ties in together. I've never read a book even remotely close to this and really enjoyed it!

Hanna is your almost typical teenager. She thinks Seth is the bomb diggity and can't imagine her life without him. She also thinks a lot of her neighbor, Gran. As she grows older, Hanna spends less and less time with Gran, which causes a lot of heartache on both sides. I found myself feeling sorry for Gran and her loneliness. A school project helps Hanna to find her way back into spending more time with Gran and learning more about her life growing up.

I found myself at times not wanting to know how this book would end. I laughed, I wanted to throw the book at certain characters, and I bawled like a baby. I believe I may have experience every imaginable emotion during my reading of this book.

It is written for young adults but I know that "older" adults would enjoy it just as well, if not more so. I do rate this book PG-13 for some very strong language and some suggestive scenes. I don't guess I recognized that this was a YA book until I was reading the author's interview and the discussion questions.

Be patient while reading this book (it's hard to do in this one with all the twists and turns!) and by the end, you will know How It Ends. Like it, love it, or hate it, the book does end!

Thanks to Sarah at Pocket Books for providing this copy for review and giveaway.

Please check out these other reviews this week!

My Book Views: my-book-views.blogspot.com
Book Soulmates: http://booksoulmates.blogspot.com/
A Journey of Books: http://ajourneyofbooks.blogspot.com/
Just Jennifer Reading: http://justjenniferreading.blogspot.com/
Debbie’s World of Books: http://debbiesworldofbooks.com/
All About {n}: http://www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com/
Chick with Books: www.chickwithbooks.blogspot.com
Bookin’ with Bingo: http://bookinwithbingo.blogspot.com/
Starting Fresh: http://startingfresh-gaby317.blogspot.com/
Booksie’s Blog: http://booksiesblog.blogspot.com/
Readaholic: http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/
Blog Business World: http://www.blogbusinessworld.blogspot.com/
Books and Needlepoint: http://booksandneedlepoint.blogspot.com/
Bella’s Novella: http://www.bellasnovella.com/
Frugal Plus: http://frugalplus.com/
Eclectic Book Lover: http://www.eclecticbooklover.com
My Own Little Corner of the World: http://molcotw.blogspot.com/
Chick Loves Lit: http://www.chickloveslit.blogspot.com/
Poisoned Rationality: http://lastexilewords.blogspot.com/
So Many Books, So Little Time: http://purplg8r-somanybooks.blogspot.com/
Beth’s Book Review Blog: http://bethsbookreviewblog.blogspot.com/
Park Avenue Princess: http://aparkavenueprincess.blogspot.com/
Half Deserted Streets: http://www.halfdesertedstreets.com/
Power in the Blog: http://jesharris.wordpress.com/
Metroreader: http://metroreader.blogspot.com/
Crazy for Books: http://crazy-for-books.blogspot.com/
Angieville: http://angieville.blogspot.com/

View all my reviews >>


Contest Rules:
To enter, respond and tell me about someone that has meant a lot to you in your life that was not physically related to you.

For me this would be my "Aunt Faffy". In a lot of ways, she reminded me of Helen. In a lot of other ways, she was nothing like her.

Rules:
1. Please include your email address with your answer, so that I can contact you if you win. You will have 3 days to respond to the email. You must put your email address in the comments or your entry is invalid. Format like faithfulgirl4[at]gmail[dot]com
2. For an extra entry, sign up to be a follower. If you're already a follower, let me know and you'll get the extra entry as well.
3. For another extra entry, subscribe via googlereader, blogger or by email and let me know that you do.
4. For another entry, blog about this giveaway and send me the link.
5. For another entry, Tweet about this contest and include @faithfulgirl along with website link.
6. For another entry, enter to win another of my giveaways and tell me that you have entered by leaving a comment here as to which one.
7. Leave a separate comment for each entry or you'll only be entered once.

The contest is limited to US and Canada only. No P.O. boxes. The contest ends at 11:59 pm EST on September 14, 2009.

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67 comments:

  1. Well said! I'll have to give this one a shot. :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sheila (bookjourney)August 21, 2009 at 6:55 PM

    I wish I would have got in on this tour. This book looks good.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Debbie's World of BooksAugust 21, 2009 at 8:06 PM

    I also really enjoyed this book. It is definitely one that I think both teens and adults will enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kelly B (EnRoute To Life)August 22, 2009 at 8:12 PM

    Someone who has meant a lot to me but was not blood related is my friend Missy. Missy has had a way about her that always just lifts my spirits. She supported me during some very painful times in my life and joined along and often caused me to laugh out loud and find joy in life. She is such a wonderful person and someone I know that I will be close to for the rest of my life no matter how far away we may be from each other. Great giveaway and review. Thanks so much!

    kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Kelly B (EnRoute To Life)August 22, 2009 at 8:12 PM

    I am also a follower of your blog. I have really liked what I have read so far.

    kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Kelly B (EnRoute To Life)August 22, 2009 at 8:14 PM

    I subscribe via Google Reader.

    kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Kelly B (EnRoute To Life)August 22, 2009 at 8:15 PM

    I subscribe via google reader.

    kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Kelly B (EnRoute To Life)August 22, 2009 at 8:17 PM

    I Tweeted your giveaway: http://twitter.com/kellyblackwell/status/3484980731

    kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. Kelly B (EnRoute To Life)August 22, 2009 at 8:24 PM

    I entered your giveaway for The Blue Star. That book looks amazing too.

    kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Kelly B (EnRoute To Life)August 23, 2009 at 2:31 PM

    I blogged about your giveaway: http://enroutetolife.blogspot.com/2009/08/giveaways-to-enjoy.html

    kalea_kane(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. I had a friend Lisa who meant alot to me, about 4 years ago we had a falling out. When I went to find her she had moved and I dont know how to find her. Please include me in your giveaway.
    Thanks
    Debbie
    debdesk9@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  12. I am a follower.
    Thanks
    Debbie
    debdesk9@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am a subscriber.
    Thanks
    Debbie
    debdesk9@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  14. I entered your giveaway for A Summer of Two Wishes..
    Thanks
    Debbie
    debdesk9@verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  15. That person for me would be my friend, Ron. We've known each other since gr. 9 but really became good friends in our first year of university. We've just been best friends for what seems like forever. We visit each other on the opposite sides of the planet, we giggle uncontrollably, we sit in silence. We are like family.

    melacan at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  16. Follower.

    melacan at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. entered giveaway for damas, dramas, ...

    melacan at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  18. entered giveaway for summer of 2 wishes

    melacan at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Please include me! Thanks
    dcf_beth at verizon dot net

    ReplyDelete
  20. I'm a follower!
    dcf_beth at verizon dot net

    ReplyDelete
  21. My best friend Kelsi has meant a lot to me, she's always there for me when I need her.
    andie.v107(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'm also a follower
    andie.v107(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  23. And I entered to win Cleopatra's Daughter
    andie.v107(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  24. Sounds like a wonderful book...please count me in...my friend Nancy has meant the world to me :)

    karen k
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'm a follower :)

    karen k
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  26. I entered your 'bo's cafe' giveaway :)

    karen k
    kmkuka(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. Someone who meant a lot to me but was not related:

    A woman across the street when I was growing up. Her name was Margaret and she was like a grandmother to me. Her own children didn't visit her much and I had no living grandmothers, so we kinda adopted each other. When I was 15 we moved a 2 hour drive away, but I'd still go visit her often when we went to my sisters house who lived just a few miles from her.

    lelou2 AT ymail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  28. I'm already subscribed via Yahoo Reader

    ReplyDelete
  29. I entered your giveaway for Bo's Cafe

    ReplyDelete
  30. This sounds very interesting. The people who have meant a lot to me, unrelated to me, might sound weird, but the singer/songwriter of my favorite band and molded and shaped a lot of the way I feel about the world over the last 14 years. I still respect and look up to him.

    My address is amandagignac[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  31. My sister's mother-in-law and father-in-law were like an extra aunt and uncle. Even after my sister and brother-in-law moved away I was still invited over to their house to hang out with them or just watch cable.

    akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  32. I'm following your blog.

    akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  33. I subscribe via rss feed.

    akreese (at) hotmail (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  34. My third grade teacher meant a lot to me. She was very supportive during a time in my life when I really needed it. Her influence lives on in me still.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I am a folloewer!
    zenfoxfloweATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  36. I also entered the Michelle Moran giveaway. Thanks for the contests!
    zenfoxflowerATyahooDOTcom

    ReplyDelete
  37. My person in my life was Bea a faithful friend.
    annarudow at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  38. To answer your question: My husband, Andrew. We were friends for 12 years before we married, giving us a bedrock foundation for a lifelong relationship. He is my sea and I am his sky with all the hidden depth, soaring heights, and remarkable adventures those metaphors imply.

    My e-mail address is dbrannon[at]gmail[dot]com.

    Thanks for hosting this contest!

    Cheers,
    Deborah
    http://www.deborahjbrannon.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. http://bibliophilebythesea.blogspot.com/September 13, 2009 at 6:05 PM

    I'd love to enter (sounds great):

    dd DOT bookgoddess AT gmail DOT com

    thanks

    ReplyDelete
  40. My bff who has been my bff for over 55 years. My life would not have been as blessed without her frinedship.

    florida982002[at]yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  41. My friend Natalie isn't related to me, but she's meant a lot to me through my late adolescence.

    sentas_cry516@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  42. Just became a follower!

    sentas_cry516@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  43. A person that has and still means a lot to me is my friend, Skye. She always understands me, and can make me laugh. We have the best of times together, and I know I can always count on her to be there for me. I consider her my sister, even though we are not blood related.
    blackbeltqt06@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  44. I am already following your blog.

    ReplyDelete
  45. I am subscribing to your posts via yahoo.

    ReplyDelete
  46. I entered the Michelle Moran books giveaway.

    ReplyDelete
  47. +1
    My elderly neighbors, though not related by blood, are very much like family to me. There are basically like a third set of grandparents. They have affected my life in so many ways!

    Thanks for the contest! :)
    grochowskis@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  48. Sara
    +1 I am now a follower

    grochowskis@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  49. Sara
    +1 I've linked this contest on my sidebar @ http://thehidingspot.blogspot.com

    grochowskis@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  50. Sara
    +1 contest linked in a tweet (@thehidingspot)

    grochowskis@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  51. I love her other books and this one looks just as good!
    I'm already a follower.

    lovinfitch(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  52. My best friend Lea Ann is like a sister to me. We have been friends for over 30 years. We have been thru alot thru the years.

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  53. I am a follower (Google friend Connect)

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  54. subscribe via reader

    nancyecdavis AT bellsouth DOT net

    ReplyDelete
  55. Please enter me. Thanks for the chance. My neighbor next door when I was growing up was always there for us.

    lizzi0915 at aol dot com

    ReplyDelete
  56. A person who means a great deal to me is my grandma's old best friend, who'll I'll call E, she was like a second grandma to me and someone I admired a ton. Sadly enough, I don't get to see her quite as much anymore.

    laurenscrammedbookshelf@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  57. I now follow your blog through google conect. :)

    laurenscrammedbookshelf@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  58. My friend DeeAnne. She is amazing and inspires me to give my all each day. Thank you!

    tiffanys819 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  59. My mentor. She helped me with school and family problems. She was great.

    misusedinnocence@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  60. Anne Schneider, a friend of my mother's, meant a lot to me and I still miss her today! She taught me to bake christmas cookies when I was home from school recovering from surgery when I was 10 years old, she visited my mom every week after my mom's stroke, Anne was a lovely, kind woman and a good friend.

    Aimala127@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  61. I am and have been a follower!

    Aimala127@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  62. I subscribe via blogger/google reader.

    Aimala127@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  63. I subscribe through my email

    Thank you for your awesome giveaways!

    Aimala127@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  64. I entered to win your giveaway for Cleopatra's Daughter.

    Aimala127@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete