Make an If I Stay Collage

Gayle Forman tweeted about this at least a week ago, and so I made mine then, but I've been meaning to share with you!  Sorry for my lateness ; (

So, the If I Stay movie, based on Gayle's bestseller, is coming out August 22.  To celebrate the arrival, make your own version of the movie poster here.

 

Unfortunately, you can't substitute "Chloe Grace Moretz" for your own name, but pretty cool, huh?  I had a fun time choosing the pictures that I deemed good enough for my poster.

 

 

I am so excited for this movie, and I hope that it does well, though I fear that the target audience is narrow, because Gayle Forman is amazing and kind.  This book and its sequel are some of my favorite books I've ever read.  I don't know if I'll be able to see the movie opening night because college starts that week.  I'm a freshman...



Review: Just One Night by Gayle Forman

Just One Night by Gayle Forman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Current Goodreads Rating: 4.36

After spending one life-changing day in Paris with laid-back Dutch actor Willem De Ruiter, sheltered American good girl Allyson “Lulu” Healey discovered her new lover had disappeared without a trace. Just One Day followed Allyson’s quest to reunite with Willem; Just One Year chronicled the pair’s year apart from Willem’s perspective. Now, back together at last, this delectable e-novella reveals the couple’s final chapter.


I thought that the Just One Day series was going to be a trilogy.  But, it wasn't. Nope, Just One Year ended at the same point as Just One Day.  I was angry!! I think all of the readers were angry, because Gayle came out with this novella and gave us a real ending.  Ahh, sweet closure!!!!!

I was pretty bored for most of the story.  It had been awhile since I last read Just One Year, and I forgot about all of the supporting characters and how Allyson found Willem.  

Initially, I gave this 3 stars because Allyson and Willem were barely together.  The ending was super sweet, buit the beginning and middle were a snooze fest.  Then, I realized that Gayle had made it realistic.  Life didn't stop after that one day.  It wouldn't have been as authentic if Allyson showed up and Willem dropped one of his shows to be with her.  

If you've read the rest of the series, I don't know why you wouldn't want to finish it off with Just One Night.  This is the ending we demanded.
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Review: Just One Year by Gayle Forman

Just One Year by Gayle Forman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Just One Day. Just One Year. Just One Read.

Before you find out how their story ends, remember how it began....

When he opens his eyes, Willem doesn’t know where in the world he is—Prague or Dubrovnik or back in Amsterdam. All he knows is that he is once again alone, and that he needs to find a girl named Lulu. They shared one magical day in Paris, and something about that day—that girl—makes Willem wonder if they aren’t fated to be together. He travels all over the world, from Mexico to India, hoping to reconnect with her. But as months go by and Lulu remains elusive, Willem starts to question if the hand of fate is as strong as he’d thought. . . .

The romantic, emotional companion to Just One Day, this is a story of the choices we make and the accidents that happen—and the happiness we can find when the two intersect.

Characters: If you didn't finish Just One Day thinking that Willem was a jerk, then something is wrong with you.  In Just One Year, he has family issues and hopes to find happiness.  He tries hard to find find Lulu, and just like her, he ends up discovering himself.  He has some great quotes that are sometimes melancholy, but very thought-provoking.  Gayle Forman is great!!! But at times, Willem irked me.  He more than interacted with other girls as a distraction, but if he really loves Lulu why would he do that? If love is that strong, wouldn't it be the ever present motivation to find her?  I suppose that is too idealistic, but these ideas of commitment and true love are the reasons why I read romances! And finally, I loved Kate.  She is a great friend to Willem, giving him advice and supporting his acting.

Plot: What the heck was that ending?!!?!?!? I thought this series was going to be a trilogy!!! How can I be satisfied with that ending? Gayle Forman said that she wants readers to think about the ending they want for the characters.  Hey can just think about it or write it in fanfic.  Yes, I did read someone's alternative ending to the story.  It was cute, but it was my first time reading any fanfic, and I just have to say that some people should never write.  Absolutely terrible stuff exists for the public, but the ending of the series I read wasn't too bad.  It was just that the dialogue didn't seem like something Allison or Willem would say or how they would say it.

Would I recommend it to a friend? Well, if you read Just One Day, which was really beautiful if you haven't read it, you kinda have to read this one!! I talked to so one else, and she loved the ending, so don't let my anger over it dissuade you.  It's still thought-provoking and sweet, very Gaylesque .

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Gayle Forman Signing Tonight

I've been busy these days, so the blog has become promoville, I know.  I've actually been to quite a few signings recently, but I haven't recapped them all.  Hopefully, I'll catch up on that soon, but I just wanted to let you know that I'll be seeing Gayle tonight.  So now, you have some useful info if you plan on stalking me.  I'll be back to blog soon!

I almost forgot to mention that I am so excited to read this new book.  I started just a little, and perhaps I'll finish Just One Year this weekend?

  

Gayle Forman merch!

Gayle Forman has launched a shop that sells shirts and totes!! All of the shirts are printed on American Apparel slim fit shirts, come in pretty much any color, are super cute, and only $20! The designs range from "All the Feels" to "Team Adam" designs.

I think I'm going to buy an All the Feels shirt, but they're all so adorable.  I'll wear it to Gayle's book signing in Haverford on Oct 15.  So excited for Just One Day!!!

Check out the merch at www.gayleformanbooks.spreadshirt.com!

If I Stay Adam Casting!

We already know that Chloe Grace Moretz will be playing Mia in Gayle Forman's adapted If I Stay, but who is Adam?


It's this guy...

JAMIE BLACKLEY

Gayle Forman really seems to like him as Adam:

Okay guys...are you ready for Adam? It's @jamieblackley and OMFG is he perfect. http://t.co/FVhrSGDBFv #ifistay
— gayle forman (@gayleforman) September 5, 2013

I like him as Adam too, but he seems a little old, or maybe Chloe seems a little old.  Nevertheless, I'm still excited for this movie's potential, but we all know how it goes when expectations are high.  What do you think?

Review: The Deadline by Gayle Forman(One Teen Story Vol. I Issue I)

4/5 stars

Summary: Mags has had a crush on Grant for a long time.  She feels that she understands him much more than the airheads that he usually dates.  With no progress, she sets a deadline: If Grant and she don't have a change in their relationship, she'll stop hoping for more.

Characters: (spoilers probably coming soon)

Mags- I like her optimism, but she seems so naive.  She lets herself think that Grant is the one.  Through her story, she shows us to be cautious with our feelings, but not to be afraid of showing them.

Grant- Ew, what a lame guy.  He seems sleazy to me, always going for the same shallow girl and using the same go-to lines. Ugh.

Robin- I can't say much about this guy, but he seems super sweet.  I like his shyness and honesty.  If this were a long book, I'd probably swoon over him.

Plot- Ive read a ton of story like this one, yet I didn't guess that ending.  I'm not sure how because I really should have.  Nonetheless, it was still super cute and I really love that one line Robin says which I can't spoil!

Cover- This is an illustration of one of Grant's poems.  I thought it was a little rough looking for a cute romance, but it looks cool for a different genre!

Would I recommend it to a friend? Yeah, go check out this magazine.  It's not too shabby :)