Book of Broken Hearts review- Kim Darbyshire

This novel is about an Argentine family, in the middle of which is 18 year old Jude, who has three older sisters. She is looking after her father, who has alzheimers and is slowly losing each of his memories. When he was younger, her father had traveled around South America on his motorbike, Valentina, and he wants to restore it so he can ride again. Jude goes along with his plan, but the mechanic they hired turns out to be Emilio Vargas. As kind, funny and cute as he is, he’s off limits - seriously. Two of Jude’s older sisters had their hearts broken by Vargas brothers, one even breaking off an engagement. They swore an oath with a younger Jude that she would never get involved with a Vargas. Which is exactly what she ends up doing, hard as she may fight it. Emilio has not had the best past, and is set on leaving the minute he finishes the motorbike, but when he offers Jude the chance to go with him, she hesitates. Jude’s dad gets his last ride on Valentina, but has an accident. While in hospital, he persuades Jude to go with Emilio because he knows that’s what she really wants.

Jude is extremely funny as the narrator of this story, and there are happy parts ad sad parts and 'awwwwwwww' parts. It is quite inspiring and grab-life-by-the-horns.

Yes, it is an adorable book.

Yes, I cried.

Yes, I am crushing on Emilio

Yes, everyone should read it.

:)

-Kim Darbyshire

Say hi to Wednesdays

Everyone loves The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler

Racheal, Bobbigrace, Kim say "OMGGGGG" It makes you swoon" "Can boys be like him, eh?" "This is what gets our hopes up."

Kim told us about The Jerk Magnet, which is about people who like you regardless of your appearance.

Lana is reading Shakespeare Saved My Life- a free open download from the school library. "We are all heroes in our own tragedies."

Bobbigrace is covered in assessments.

Cherub needs a new book- Parvana's Promise is not her type of vibe. She's looking at some by Phillipa Gregory or maybe The Secret Life of Bees

Perfect Chemistry is also very popular, with Empress of the World being recommended as well.

Ms Metcalfe is again recommending Graceling, Fire and Bitterblue by Kristin Cahore.

On reading:

"I can't go to sleep without reading."

"If I ever have a bad dream or something I read."

"Reading is how I get out of everything like chores."

There was a wide ranging discussion on how teenagers treat each other and social expectations inspired by the books.

We're also excited about our upcoming trip to the Writer's Festival!!!

Update:

Some suggestions from Isaac Thomas(teacher at McAuley who is generally misanthropic and hates romance novels)

"I don't hate John Green, and his all have romance. I think the only other romance book I haven't hated this year has been The DUFF. The will-they-won't-they pair.... it's all handled tastefully, so I've lent it to a Year 9. Also Very LeFreak by Rachel Cohn, which is based around a girl trying to give up her phone and social media, but sneakily turns into a romance in the final act. Or Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List, by Cohn and David Levithan, which is sort of an anti-romance, but I recall someone lives happily ever after somewhere along the lines. "