3 contemporary books that you must read; please.

As a person - and a reader - I'm a 100% all fantasy-team. But, I believe in branching out to other genres every once in a while and it could be so refreshing. Doing just that, I stumbled on three of my top favorite books of all time, and they're not fantasy; they're YA / Contemporary books. 

I'd definitely recommend that you pick all three because they'll give you a new way to see writing, and words from a new - very beautiful - perspective.

Here they're:

1. I'll Give you the Sun by Jandy Nelson. 

A powerful read about family struggles, loss, friendship, first loves and Art. I was so enthralled by Noah and Jude 's story that I blocked out the world for the entire length of the book. Reading it, I saw all the pages in color splashes, I felt for Noah's loss, for Jude's struggles and for all their dreams. I loved seeing the world through Noah's eyes and through Jude's sayings book.

It's a book that will take you far away into your soul and by the end you wouldn't want to let go because you'll find yourself somewhere in between the lines of the story. 

2. Aristotle and Dante discover the secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

A wonderful story that puts teenage years in the most realistic way there is. One boy with issues and another who has a new, wonderfully weird, way to look at the world around him. With friendship, each complete the missing parts in the other and with them you discover that the universe can reveal a lot to you by throwing the right person in your path. When friendship, love and adventure are meant to be. “I bet you could sometimes find all the mysteries of the universe in someone's hand.” 3. Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland StoneWhen i picked up this book I felt that something clicked inside my soul and it was like I found something I've been looking for a while.  The main character is extremely easy to relate to; I truly understood what’s driving her and where she’s coming from. The over thinking, the constant worrying about literally everything, the fear of speaking up your mind, mainly being stuck in your own head, and of course her total obsession and utter fascination with words; for I myself believe that words are a release, a home to every person out there no matter what they’re dealing with. Words are power, strength and an endless source of passion. 

Since you've been gone by Morgan Matson

Author: Morgan Matson
Rating: 4.75/5 stars.
Genre: YA Contemporary
Published May 6th 2014
by Simon & Schuster

 Goodreads synopsis: 

"It was Sloane who yanked Emily out of her shell and made life 100% interesting. But right before what should have been the most epic summer, Sloane just…disappears. All she leaves behind is a to-do list. On it, thirteen Sloane-inspired tasks that Emily would normally never try. But what if they could bring her best friend back?

Apple picking at night? Okay, easy enough.

Dance until dawn? Sure. Why not?

Kiss a stranger? Um... 

Emily now has this unexpected summer, and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected), to check things off Sloane's list. Who knows what she’ll find? Go skinny-dipping? Wait...what?"

_______________________________________________________________

This is my second Morgan Matson read and I've come to realize that her books are in some form a sort of addiction; you just can't get enough. Since You've been Gone was a read that made me feel like I've been injected with sunshine mixed with a dose of cheerful thoughts and bright smiles. 

The synopsis grabbed my attention and I loved seeing how it got to be developed into a light and fun read. The characters are so realistic, same goes to the story and that's what I enjoy the most about Matson's books; they're extremely close to reality. There's nothing in her stories that would seem impossible to accomplish or have. It's a quite the positive thought in this world. 

I loved all characters, Emily and Frank were my favorites. I could see where Emily is coming from, I understood her social awkwardness and her lack of capacity to make small talks, friends or even to go out of her comfort zone. She was a girl who was quite comfortable in her small, safe life with her one friend, a girl who didn't even know that she's capable of lots of adventures. 

I loved seeing her how growing into herself with every item - more like dare - on the list, giving up at first then going and giving herself another chance. I love love loved her character development. 

As for Frank, the A+ boy, dedicated worker ... I loved how daring he became how he figured out step by step that life has more to it. With him change started with a will to run, to learn something new. And oh boy I loved how a dedicated fan to The Beatles he was. 

I loved Emily's brother, a perfect tiny example for bravery and boldness. I love to think that this little guy had something to do with her readiness to take on a challenge. 

I loved Collins, he cracked me up.

The down side for me was Sloane and Dawn. 

If you really think about it, we didn't actually meet Sloane, she was this ghost of a character that got revealed in the last 5 pages; I would've loved to know more about her.

Dawn on the other hand, I didn't like how she jumped into Emily's life when she needed to and gave up on her the minute things got tough a bit. 

Overall, this was an amazing read. I'd totally recommend it; it put me in such a good, happy mood.