Tuesday 12 January 2016

What a way to go - Julia Forster

1988. 12-year-old Harper Richardson's parents are divorced. Her mum got custody of her, the Mini, and five hundred tins of baked beans. Her dad got a mouldering cottage in a Midlands backwater village and default membership of the Lone Rangers single parents' club. Harper got questionable dress sense, a zest for life, two gerbils, and her Chambers dictionary, and the responsibility of fixing her parents' broken hearts. Set against a backdrop of high hairdos and higher interest rates, pop music and puberty, divorce and death, What a Way to Go is a warm, wise and witty tale of one girl tackling the business of growing up while those around her try not to fall apart. 

My thoughts:
This was a sweet book. Harper was a happy tween, well as happy as tweens can be. She has a bit of snark, sort of. She loved music. She wanted pets. And so the story begins.

We follow her going between her mother's house to her father's on weekends. Her father goes to a club for single parents and their kids. Her mother loves shoes and is trying to do her best to keep their house.

But it's not sweet all the time. There is a bit of heartache and loss. Though it's never sad. Do not worry. Well not crying sad. Just, life sad. And there are secrets. 

I enjoyed it. Harper has a nice way of looking at life. I can't say too much about the story without spoiling the whole thing. I mean she is just living her life.

Also, I did like that it was set in the 80s. Not that I remember a lot from the 80s, but hey everything got here 5 years later anyway ;)'

Conclusion:
Good book and one that fits everyone.

Cover
I had a pink one!

Paperback, 304 pages
Published January 7th 2016 by Atlantic Books
Fiction
For review

37 comments:

  1. I remember the 80's well lol I graduated HS in 83'

    Karen @For What It's Worth

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    1. Oh...that makes you a bit older than I ;)

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  2. Ack! The 80s. Don't miss the high-maintenance hair at all...

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    1. I am so glad I was little and did not care about hair

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  3. What a cute retro cover) Glad to hear the book was cute as well!

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  4. I remember the 80s all to well, so I know I could relate to this one.

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  5. Fits everyone? Then perhaps it is not for me. Sadly.

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  6. Hmmm... Interesting. Doesn't sound like my type of book, but I like the idea of being in the 80s!

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  7. Life sad is better than crying sad. Life is just hard

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  8. Sounds like an interesting read. One of those that you don't expect a lot from but do enjoy it. I like that it is set in the 80s.

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  9. Like the sound of this one very much and your review encourages further seeking it out!

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  10. This sounds very good, I love the 80's setting.

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  11. This sounds like something I'd like!

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  12. I like what you say about this one and it does sound like one that I would enjoy. Loved the 80's and that's a cute cover. Mine was black and red. :)

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    1. Hihi, cool :D I think a friend had a white one :)

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  13. It sounds like a nice book sweet and not so sweet.

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  14. I can see why there'd be some sad moments but I also think many readers will relate to them.

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    1. Yeah, so this one is really sad, but still, it's life

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  15. I'm kind of surprised to see you read something like this! :D

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    1. Fiction? Really? I need it in my life for its excellent writing

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  16. This actually sounds good, I also grew up in the 80's and I think I might recognize some things. Adding it to my wishlist.

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    1. I can't remember a lot from the 80s, but like I said, it came here in the 90s ;)

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