Blog Tour: The Whole Thing Together

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Summer for Sasha and Ray means the sprawling old house on Long Island. Since they were children, they’ve shared almost everything—reading the same books, running down the same sandy footpaths to the beach, eating peaches from the same market, laughing around the same sun-soaked dining table. Even sleeping in the same bed, on the very same worn cotton sheets. But they’ve never met.

Sasha’s dad was once married to Ray’s mom, and together they had three daughters: Emma, the perfectionist; Mattie, the beauty; and Quinn, the favorite. But the marriage crumbled and the bitterness lingered. Now there are two new families—and neither one will give up the beach house that holds the memories, happy and sad, of summers past.

The choices we make come back to haunt us; the effect on our destinies ripples out of our control…or does it? This summer, the lives of Sasha, Ray, and their siblings intersect in ways none of them ever dreamed, in a novel about family relationships, keeping secrets, and most of all, love

MY THOUGHTS:

I really enjoyed this book. I thought it would be a light summer read, but instead, I found myself reading multiple perspectives (for some reason, I thought there would just be two) and re-reading bits to make sure I understood what actually just happened (I misunderstood a key moment in the book). I felt myself surprised by the opening but once I felt I understood all the siblings and their places, I devoured it. 

This book is ALL about family - the strangeness of these two families and how they revolve around each other. I loved learning more about Sasha and Ray and the room (and other things) they shared. I liked how this summer changed everyone in both families. It's a book about grief, growing up, finding yourself, understanding your role, finding happiness, and healing. The Whole Thing Together didn't leave me after I closed the book, the characters are still with me and I'm still thinking about them.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Ann Brashares is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series, The Here and Now,3 Willows, The Last Summer (of You and Me), and My Name Is Memory. She lives in New York City with her family. Visit Ann’s website at AnnBrashares.com and follow on Twitter @AnnBrashares.

FOLLOW THE TOUR:

March 20: Bookhounds YA

March 21: Butter My Books

March 22: Here's to Happy Endings

March 23: Fiction Fare

March 24: A Midsummer Night's Read

March 27: Emily Reads Everything

March 28: In Wonderland

March 29: The Reader Bee

March 30: Books, Music, And All Things Written

March 31: YA Book Nerd

April 3: Peace Love Books

April 4: Tales of the Ravenous Reader

April 5: Sarah's Nightstand

April 6: Novel Ink

April 7: Fangirlish

April 10: The Fandom

                Page Turners 

April 11: Liz and Lisa 

April 12: Gidget Girl Reading

April 13: Art, Books, & Coffee

April 14: Leslie Lindsay

April 17: Swoony Boys Podcast

April 18: Ramblings of the Perpetual New Girl

April 19: YA Wednesdays

April 21: I'd So Rather Be Reading

April 22: Adventures in YA Publishing

April 24: Adventures in YA Publishing

April 25: A Dream Within A Dream

April 26: Lost in Literature

Books I'm Dying to Read: April Edition

Here's a list of books I can't wait to get my hands on come April! 

Taking: Kyra wakes up to discover 5 years have gone by and her entire life has changed in a blink of an eye. 

Tease: Different Perspective inspired by real life events from the bully's point of view.

Catch a Falling Star: Playing the girlfriend of a Hollywood Star - could become complicated.

Sleep No More: Similar to Lisa McMan's Wake trilogy!

Countdown: Still reading the 39 Clues series - but slowly starting to lose interest.

Last Best Kiss: Retelling of Persuasion 

T'was the Night before College (no cover): Love her novels in verse

To All the Boys I've Loved Before: So excited for this one!

Don't Call Me Baby: What happens when your life is an open book - but you get to tell your side of the story?

Open Road Summer: Road trip, music tour, and summer romance

What I Thought was True: Summer romance from opposite sides of the track.

100 Things to do Before You Grow Up: Sounds interesting -wonder how many I've actually done.

Dinner with the Highbrows: Manners go out the window here.

The Here and Now: Falling in love with someone in this world is against the rules for time travelers - but it happens.

Far from You: Murder and secrets

Rebel Belle: Dangerous Southern Belles!

Geography of You and Me: Love this author - can't wait to read this one. (Have ARC hoping to read it this week)

Home for Mr. Emerson: A biography - love the cover

Greetings from the Graveyard: Love this series! The trio is starting their own greeting card company - can't wait to see what they come up with.

Bloom and Doom: The start of a new series set in a flower shop

Sugar and Iced: Love this series! Set during a beauty pageant. 

Ninja Librarians: The Title alone makes me want to read this one - how could you go wrong?

Ring and Crown: Game of Thrones crossed with Gossip Girl? YES

Adult Review: Sisterhood Everlasting

Fast forward 10 years after Forever in Blue, the four friends haven't seen each other in a while. Their friendship fell apart after Tibby abruptly moved to Australia with Brian for his job.

Now, she's sending them tickets to meet in Greece.

The three other girls can't wait to see each other and bask in the sisterhood.

Carmen's an actress and dating a man that could be the one, but there's something miss from her life.

Lena lives in the past and the "what ifs."

Bridget floats through life, going where the wind takes her.

Apart their lives are horrible, but together, maybe they can get back on track. The three girls meet in the airport, delighted to see each other and feeling refreshed. They can't wait to see Tibby and reconnect. When tragedy strikes, their lives and perhaps friendship will never be the same. Will they be able to survive and move forward?

My Thoughts: It took me a while to get into the book - I almost put it down, but I'm SO glad that I finished it. I hated the tragedy and how it unfolded, but everything made sense in the end. I loved reading from their various perspectives. It's hard to choose between the girls, but I've always felt I'm more like Lena. I love how each of them is better when they are together and just how strong their friendship runs. I loved reuniting with the girls again and seeing where their lives took them. It was a bittersweet book that made me laugh, cry, and smile with content.

*Confession - while reading the books, I couldn't get the actresses from the movies out of my head as the characters.

Cover Thoughts: After reading the book - I really like it.

Source: my Library

Just Met: Ann Brashares

She's super cool, a little shy, and would be fun to hang out with.
She was at the Southbury, CT Borders. She came out and ask if people had questions. No one really said anything, then I asked how many books would be in the new series.
Three.

Upon reflection: there are questions I wish I had asked
1. Were you involved with the movies?
2. Did you visit the set?
3. What made you decide to create a new younger sisterhood?

I tried doing some research (librarian) online, I did find pictures of the 2nd movie premiere:
I LOVE meeting authors. Someone brought in a pair of jeans for her to sign. I wish I thought of that. I did ask her to sign Sisterhood 2 movie posters for summer reading prizes. And I upgraded from a ARC to a hardcover (both signed too). I'll give away my ARC as a summer prize as well.

What authors have you met recently?