If You Read This..
Before reading this book, I scrolled through my e-library for a little over a minute, trying to decipher what book to read. Eventually, I was left with two options from the same author and after a moment of consideration, I succumbed to judging a book by its cover which led me to settle with “If You Read This” by Kereen Getten.
Inwardly, I hoped that this novel wasn't the author's tacky attempt at reeling in readers with a captivating book title only to under-deliver. This forethought was justified because I have been a victim of subpar books with intriguing titles more times than I can count.
About The Book
The novel “If You Read This is” tells a tale of a pre-teen, Bridgette(Brie). Following Brie's twelfth birthday celebration, she receives a box of letters from her late mother who she lost to an illness three years prior. These letters are cues to a finding a treasure and Brie is supposed to decipher each letter in order to discover the treasure.
With the help of her friend and family, Brie follows every clue and during this journey, she rediscovered new ways to honour her mother's memory and at the same time understand why certain members of her family act the way they do.
My Opinion
“If You Read This” is a captivating feel good novel that blends elements of adventure, family bonds and heartwarming drama. For a while, I haven't read any book as soothing as this piece. This novel had just the right tempo, not too emotional and not vague. I started reading this book with zero expectations. I've come to realize that the books I put so much faith in always find a way to disappoint me, hence, my new practice of zero expectations. Despite my initial reservations, I was pleased with the piece overall.
I particularly admired the bond between Brie and her friends; Smiley and Femi. Such pure bonds are not easy to come by. Brie had friends who could dame the consequences and actually follow Brie head first into a burning fire. This was proved when they assisted Brie in abducting her grandfather from an old-age home on impulse. One thing that makes this book special is it's ability to balance humour and wit with playfulness and a sense of longing. The author's writing is engaging and effortless, making it easy to be fully immersed in the fictional world she created.
One of the novel's standout features is the author's masterful incorporation of Jamaican dialect, which adds yet another layer of authenticity and originality to the narrative. As a Jamaican born author, Kereen Getten weaves her cultural heritage into the pages of this book paying homage to her roots.
The characters? They were well developed, special and original. Ranging from the enchanting Brie to the lovable and liberal image of her mother, her positionally uptight father, her supportive aunt, outgoing uncle and easy going grandmother. The characters were easy to relate to, making the reading experience even more pleasant.
Another admirable aspect of this book is the fact that the book was able to live up to its title without resorting to cheap gimmicks. The plot was genuinely enjoyable and heartfelt.
Recommendation and Rating
Spanning just 208 pages, this short novel is a perfect read for anyone looking for a lighthearted and entertaining tale. With its charming characters, dialogue and warm tone, this book will leave you feeling satisfied. The rating for this book would be a solid 4.5/5.0 for me.
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