The Language of Flowers

I just finished The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh.

To say that I finished it in the past 3 days on my holiday (which is as busy as always) should tell you that I liked it :)

I thought it was unique from any novel that I've read before. The story is about a young girl coming out of care and the challenges she faces with her identity, facing her past, and becoming a woman. The story in itself is layed out in an interesting way, going back and forth between the past and the present and not divulging too much information to fast as the story unfolds.

The unique bit comes in with flowers component of the story. The main character, Victoria, has learned the meanings of different flowers in the context of romance and emotions. It comes from the idea that different colored roses each have a different message... but this goes further to saying that any flower in existence has a meaning and it is possible to share your emotions with someone you care about (or don't).I felt that this is interwoven delicately throughout the story enhancing it rather than taking from the original story line.

The characters are strong without having to delve too much into individual histories and are a great supported to a complicated main character.

I thought is a was a really good book and a great book in it's genre.. as it has a bit more to sink your teeth into than an ordinary literary drama.

So my advice is to check it out!

One Day- David Nicholls

It's the book a lot of people are talking about since the rumors started about the film version. I had picked the book up a few times in the book shop read the back and decided not to get it. I'm not proud to say this but unknowingly... I bought this book due to it having a different cover, the film version cover. It wasn't until after I finished did I realize that it was the same orange and white covered book that I'd picked up so many times before.

In this instance I'm glad that my affinity for books turned movie has pushed me. I really enjoyed the book :)

As I'm sure you've seen in the movie trailer or read in the numerous magazine articles now out about this book/film... this is the story of two friends, Emma and Dexter, and their story over the period of 20 years. It is a complicated web of friendship, love, humor, growing up, following your dreams, and picking yourself up. It is interesting in the concept of popping into both of their lives on the same day of each year and the author manages to make their situations understandable and the story flow despite the time lapses.

My favorite part of any book or film are the relationships and how people interact individually or as part of a group. This story played into that for me including surprisingly few characters but tapping into Emma and Dexter's emotions individually and towards each other.

I'm not sure how to write entirely how I feel about the book without giving too much away so I will stop here. You'll hear from me again soon after I see the film ;)