I JUST WANT TO ART NOW.
This book has inspired me so much I simply cannot contain the beautifulness of it. It definitely goes down as one of the most BEAUTIFULLY written books ever.
What is it about?
- Basically twins, Noah and Jude, and their lives before-and-after a HUGE tragedy.
- It’s about jealousy and lies too, which was painful and saddening.
- It’s definitely the kind of contemporary that is about lyrical prose and exploding thoughts, instead of…you know…action-y events.
- There’s a motley of intensely vibrant characters and tragic events and a really rude parrot.
Although, I confess! I had a rocky start with it. Sometimes I’m a…logical thinker…possibly veering into black and white territory? Don’t get me wrong! I’m a writer and I’m creative and I have an intense love of beautiful things. But sometimes when books get too metaphorical and lyrical and off-the-universe-imaginative…I LOSE FOCUS. The beginning of I’ll Give You the Sun had me floundering. I found Noah’s chapters really hard to chew through, since he painted words and messed them with imaginings and emotions.
But by the end? I was so in love I nearly ran away and married the book.
The book is about art, but it IS art.
Seriously the writing is just that beautiful. I’m in awe. WHAT ARE WORDS? WHAT SUMS UP THIS KIND OF INSANE AUTHORLY TALENT?
Jude and Noah are both artists, but in different mediums. It was interesting exploring things like painting, drawing, sand sculpture, carving, and marble work, ALL through words.
The thing with Noah and Jude is…they felt so real.
It wasn’t even like I knew them, while reading. It was like I WAS them. The writing is just that gorgeous and totally sucks you in. The book’s told in alternating points-of-view. In the present we have Jude, 16, heartbroken, destroyed, lonely. In the past we have 13-year-old Noah, full of dreams and angst, watching the world change, while he and his twin sister break apart. I could barely contain the agony and yet vivid aliveness of experiencing their world. It’s a beautiful and messy and cruel and heartbreaking story. (I also love their names. NOAH! JUDE! Love it!)
I just want to art, okay?!
I love reading books that absolutely inspire me: and this is one of them. I need to go away and be INCREDIBLE after this masterpiece. (Ha, I know, hilarious. I’ll probably rearrange my bookshelves and read another novel.)
Jude and Noah are my favourite. Eccentric. Rash. Hateful. Real. Wickedly artistic. Wickedly painful. THEY ARE ADORABLE AND I LOVE THIS BROTHER AND SISTER BOOK MORE THAN ANYTHING.
PS. I read this back in, eh, I don’t know…February or something?! And I read the US copy from my local library. (The one with this cover.) BAH. My copy from Walker Books is BY FAR the most gorgeous. Look! The inside is all painty and messy! So if you’re going to buy it (which you totally are) go for this cover. You won’t regret it, I promise.
Thank you Walker Books for this review-copy! I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson came out (in Australia) on 2nd, April, 2015.
From the author of The Sky Is Everywhere, a radiant novel that will leave you laughing and crying – all at once. For fans of John Green, Gayle Forman and Lauren Oliver. Jude and her twin Noah were incredibly close – until a tragedy drove them apart, and now they are barely speaking. Then Jude meets a cocky, broken, beautiful boy as well as a captivating new mentor, both of whom may just need her as much as she needs them. What the twins don’t realize is that each of them has only half the story and if they can just find their way back to one another, they have a chance to remake their world.
Goodreads Bookworld AU Book Depository Walker Books AU
Go us, reviewing this on the same day! And your pictures still put mine to shame LOL. BUT YES HOW BEAUTIFUL WAS IT? The actual edition and the words as well. Why can’t I write like that??? *sobs*
REVIEW TWINS FOR SURE. *hi fives* Plus we both used “I want to art” as sentences and I think that means we’re super fabulous or just have terrible grammar…I’m gonna go for the first option. *nods emphatically* BUT YOU READ IT IN MONET’S GARDEN SO YOU ARE BY FAR THE WINNER HERE.
It hurts to say it, but I cannot art. I have these images in my head of how I want things to be, but somehow it never works….. Whhhyyyyyy?! It’s so unfair, but I like to think I can sort of write which I guess is my kind of art (it seems rather unfair that you can art and write….. Hm you really are on the way to taking over the world). This book looks great! Especially with the paint splatters and all that, I loooovveee books with things like that! I must read it 🙂 great review as always.
I cannot art the way I would like to art. AGH. I mean, practise? Yes? I don’t do enough practise. BUT I JUST WANNA ART REALLY WELL, OKAY?! *despairs and then collapses* Writing is still art. *nods* It’s just as fast/easty to read a book as it is to look at a picture, I guess? Squee! Thank you!!
Oh, this sounds amazing. I love books about twins (scratch that. I love books about siblings in general) and I love books that seem a little different and this one certainly SOUNDS like it’s a little different. I’ve never read a book where the backstory is told in that way before, but it sounds clever, and a little mysterious too. I used to art (don’t ask me why, but I think this that using this is a verb is completely hilarious – WHY is it not done more often? It sounds brilliant) when I was younger. I drew pictures in a manga-style (sort of). I wasn’t amazing at it though, and I always preferred writing. *Sigh* Yet another book for my never-ending to-read list… Great review, Cait!
ME TOO. Sibling books always win the universe for me. It’s like my biggest weakness for insta-book-love. XD Saying “I like to art” is a perfect sentence. it is my new favourite. 😉 I used to draw maps when i was little! ENDLESS MAPS. I don’t think I was particularly inspired, but I felt awesome.
I like books with back and forth of past and present but i won’t lie – I often get confused until I have a handle on it. I don’t art. In any way. I wish I could and love all the art. I am the anti art myself. And I am patiently waiting for this one at my library as it has a fairly large hold list. I have heard all good things about this one so I am excited. Great review!
I kind of half-art, myself. I probably could be better if I practised more…but it’s depressing arting in a mediocre way, ya know? ohhh, wow, at least the people at your library know it’s a good book! XD
Oh man, I’m getting teary. I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN LOOKS INCREDIBLE. Sounds incredible too.
Jandy Nelson has a knack for writing over-the-top phrases that just mess around with my head but I think that’s what makes her writing so addictive, it’s scrumptious. I’m glad this book has been getting all the praise because it deserves it and I need to get myself a copy soon. 😀
IT IS ADDICTIVE AND SCRUMPTIOUS. She has like the perfect words and how does she even do it?!! My writer-brain is crying because it’s so incredible.
YAY! This book was just so beautifully written, and all the art references/themes just made the meaning pop on the page (especially with those brush stroke effects in the actual physical book). Fabulous review as always Cait 🙂
The actual physical art strokes in the book was a fantastic touch, right?! It makes me want to reread it for this version. xD
YES. How to Love by Katie Cotugno does the same thing and even though some people didn’t like it I really did. I dab in art by drawing there not the best but it is fun to do when I have the patients for it. lol
Ah, patience. I WISH YOU COULD BUY PATIENCE, BECAUSE IT’S SO HARD TO GET. -_- I could probably art a LOT better if I settled down and did it consistently…but nooooo. I do not.
This is good review Cait , you makeing me went to read it even more with your photograph and looks really beatiful.
WELL. My job here is done then. xXD And thank you!! I love photography and I’m glad they turned out!!
YES. I first heard about this via Emily Mead’s Loony Blurbs thing, but then Hawwa (It Was Lovely Reading You) implored me to read it … I’ve also heard great things about The Sky is Everywhere. I need to get my teeth in these books.
Prose is one of my number 1 concerns when it comes to book enjoyment, and this one sounds stunning. Those quotes are perfect. I also love the idea of the past/present-switching thing. And the art!!
“I love reading books that absolutely inspire me: and this is one of them. I need to go away and be INCREDIBLE after this masterpiece. (Ha, I know, hilarious. I’ll probably rearrange my bookshelves and read another novel.)”
^Oh Cait. I relate to this on a very profound level. Me: ~Pins beautiful art~ I should do some art!! Me: ~ten minutes later~ well I guess I’ll just check Facebook …
Anyway, great review! I want this book.
ALWAYS LISTEN TO HAWWA. SHE IS WISE AND ALL-KNOWING. I want to read TSiE now too. But will it live up to IGYTS?! IT’S A LOT OF PRESSURE.
Great review and great photographs. I can’t wait to read this book. It feels like it has been on my TBR list forever.
The camera and I had a real fun time with this book. 😉
Ohhhh. But that cover… its just so yellow and gorgeous and.. yellow. 🙂 I don’t art (but I wish I could, also am kind of jealous) and I love the fact that this book has actual friggin’ paint brush swipes in it. Like how awesome is that??
It looks and sounds ah-may-zing soooo, must add to Goodreads. ♡
I kind of zentangle but…it’s not really good and I WISH I COULD ART LIKE THEY DO IN THIS BOOK. It’s sickeningly delicious.
I heard a lot of brilliant things about this book before Christmas and then I kind of forgot about it, so I’m glad I saw this because I forgot to put it on my TBR. I love that it has artwork in it, that’s a really nice touch.
I know right?! I think it makes books super special when they just look a little different too…it stands out! I LOVE ART.
I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH.
Ahem. Sorry for the all caps, but since you also loved this book it just kinda came out. It is one of my favorite books. It might be my favorite book after Harry Potter, honestly. It just DOES things to me. I’ve read it twice so far and it just has this way of latching onto my heart. Jandy Nelson has the best writing, seriously. I loved all the figurative language in Noah’s sections and I think it could have come across as too over-the-top if it wasn’t written well but it absolutely works for me. Sometimes I do find that sort of past/present narration confusion but not with this book at all. It’s so wonderfully plotted and the characters just felt SO REAL and it makes me feel ALL THE THINGS.
DUUUDE. YOU NEED NEVER APOLOGISE FOR ALL-CAPS AROUND HERE. I SPEAK ALL-CAPS. IT IS THE LANGUAGE OF MY PEOPLE. *FANGIRLS WILDLY* Also, yes. This book did strange and emotional things to my Vulcan brain. It’s just got so much HEART and LIFE and SOUL.
You got me at a rude parrot. It’s been added to my TBR list. It looks fantastic!
YAY. MY WORK HERE IS DONE. The parrot is fantastic. 😉 And awful.
Yes! This was such a beautiful book you could run away and marry it! It was so heartbreaking and gorgeous and happy all at the same time. I have no art so I only appreciate. I wish I could create something beautiful like this book!
OMG. I AGREE. I WOULD RUN AWAY AND MARRY THIS BOOK AND IT’S BEAUTIFUL WORDS AND IT’S BEAUTIFUL TYPOGRAPHY.
Past and present? That sounds so neat! I would definitely like as long as the author knew how to keep from becoming disorienting. (Some authors don’t. Half through the scene they let you in on the secret, “Oh! By the way, this happened two years before the previous scene.” Oh, that’s definitely not confusing. I’m glad you actually mentioned it.) But if they can find a way to do it- properly?- it’s actually pretty awesome.
I’m so jealous of art people. And singing people. (They’re artists too, right?) I wish I could be that amazing at art or singing, or even acting (wouldn’t that be fun?). But then I have to tell myself, “You’re art is writing, Ashley. Go be magnificent at that.”
This book sounds really good! I would probably have a difficult time in the beginning to considering the lack of action. But inspiring books are worth it. Anything that keeps you going, it’s always worth it.
Ergh, yes, I HATE it when past vs present isn’t clearly marked. I just read a book (Vicious by VE Schwab) that did this and it was sooo perfectly marked. But I read one called What If and it was NOT. Like it was really hard to tell what time era we were supposed to be in. -_-
I’m jealous of all the people. I JUST WANT ALL THE TALENTS. *stomps foot like a toddler* But it is true. Writing is art.
WASN’T THIS BOOK SO GOOD? It’s so intense and visceral and beautiful and makes me want to ART. Your edition is so gorgeous, too, I’m jealous mine didn’t come with messy paint swipes. 🙁
Have you read her other book, The Sky Is Everywhere? I just got it a week or so ago, and if it’s even half as lovely as this one, it should be an amazing read.
IT WAS JUST INCREDIBLE AND I WILL FOREVER BE IN AWE OF IT’S EXTREME BEAUTY OF WRITING. And yes. Be jealous of my messy paint swipes. *hugs book* I’m going to read The Sky as soon as I CAN! I’m actually kind of worried it won’t live up to this, though?! *whispers* You be my guinea pig and let me know if it’s good.
I love a lot of things right now. I love this book, I love your review, I love that cover, and I love the fact that I get comment reply notifications now (yay)! Oh, how I love this book. It made me wish I were artsy, too! Artsy people make it look so effortless. *sigh* *goes back to reading*
OMG YOU GET COMMENT REPLIES?!! MY LIFE IS MAAAAADE. I FIXED IT!! *flails* Now I can actually talk properly to everyone! x) AHEM. Anyway. YES. Artsy people are so fabulous and make me jealous. I’m just gonna join you going back to reading. That is just what I’m good at. *offers you popcorn*
YES!! I thought you knew, I’m glad I said something. It’s truly wonderful.
Mmm, now I’m craving popcorn. It’s always the right time for popcorn and a book.
Is this a good time for an “I told you so” moment? 😉 Ha…just kidding. xD I knew you’d like this one Cait. I loved the sibling dynamics and how Nelson focused so much on them. There are so many stories in YA about perfect, “I’ll-love-you-forever” types of siblings, which is all good and well, but not wholly realistic. This really focused on how sibling relationships aren’t always perfect.
And I completely agree about the beginning. I’m totally left brained (which pretty much controls the whole logic side of your brain), so all of Noah’s metaphors & figurative language didn’t really click with me at first, but, like you, I ended up adoring it.
Thanks for sharing and, as always, fabulous review! ♥
It’s always a good time for an “I told you so” moment. :’) Siblings are THE BESSSST. Siblings always melt my heart faster than an awkward romance. I’m like mostly right-brained so you’d THINK I’d like the metaphors, right?! BUT NOPE. Truth be told, I had trouble with Augustus Water’s metaphors too. >_< I JUST DON'T GET THEM.
HELP ME I HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY ABOUT THIS BOOK! I’m about hyperventilating right now because this post made me remember the intense love I have for this book. I don’t even know how to make my mind into a comment, so I’ll start with a list.
I AM SO JEALOUS OF ARTY PEOPLE! I want to art so much. Basically all I want in the world is to see that drawing of Brian that Noah made. Help me I love it too much.
THE CHARACTERS WERE SO REAL! I actually had trouble connecting to Jude at first, but she really grew on me and I ended up really liking her.
IT INSPIRED ME TOO! I loved it so much and It really made me THINK. I could relate a lot to Noah and his part of the story was a source of major inspiration for me.
Speaking of things that are art, you do do the art! Writing is art (and this post is a work of art). I’ve missed reading your works of art disguised as blog posts and I’m so glad I’m back to blogging and reading other blogs
OMG, HOW AWESOME ARE YOU?! TOO FABULOUSLY AWESOME, I SAY. XDXD *tackle hugs you* I guess writing is technically art, it just takes longer to appreciate…and complete. haha. But you’ve kind of inspired me for a post about art now so THANK YOU. *offers you cake*
OoooOooOooo cake *grabs*
wow. Cait I think this is the first 5-star review I’ve seen you give in months! O_o and that makes me insanely happy. I want to gobble this book up like its a piece of bright lemon cake. 😀
Well, true. NO WAIT!! I gave 5-stars to The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B as well!!! I REMEMBER I DID. (But I will check because I don’t trust my memory that much, lol.) Lemon cake? Yes. Yes PLEASE.
I WANT THAT COVER but sadly I live in the US and I may just end up reading this from the library. ANYWAYS. ART. ART. ART. Even reading your review has inspired me to do art EVEN THOUGH I DON’T HAVE FREAKING TIME.
I’ll be sure to pick this up ONE DAY. I will. I PROMISE.
It bugs me sooo much that books have different editions for each country. EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO READ THIS MESSY MASTERPIECE. Gahhhh. I WILL HOLD YOU TO THIS PROMISE. 😉
I want to read this now. A book about art, and its yellow. I want to art too. 🙂
Wanting to art is very very contagious.
I am already so head over heels in love with this book and I haven’t even bought it yet. Your enthusiastic, positive, and emotional review just won me over, Cait! I love the look of the pages so much! The art, the brushes that you just feel is full of intense emotions… GAH! Is this version only available in Australia? I bet I can get a copy here in the PH, but not sure if it would ebt he same one with the awesome art/brushes 🙁
AFJDKLAFSD MY WORK HERE IS DONE. :’) I have no idea how/where versions are available, sadly. I’m completely useless. >_< Although I think Book Depository would sell both versions, right? Does PH usually get UK editions in or US?
YES!!! I LOVED this book!!! I read it in January and still consider it one of my favorite books of the year. I have it on my Kindle, but I may have to buy the hard copy. I only do that with books I absolutely ADORE!! I love this yellow, messy cover way more than the other one. Great review!
YESSS. Finally the UK/AUS cover wins over the US one!! (That so never happens. XD)
Pretty much, Cait, the extent of my arting abilities is drawing stick figures. So I am perpetually jealous of people who are able to create such wonderful things, haha. I’m SO glad you liked this though! I have it sitting on myself — but alas, it’s the US hardback edition from my library — and am quit excited to get to it soon. 🙂
I read the US hardback from my library too the first time. xD I totally feel like a reread just for the pure niceness of hugging this arted up pages. ERMAGERD. ART IS AMAZING. I basically do stick-figures and that’s about it. >.>
IGYTS was definitely one of the most beautifully written books I’ve come across! But the thing is, it took me a long time to get used to how it was written- it was almost too descriptive. Once I got used to the writing, I enjoyed the book a lot more!
SAME! I had to get used to it! And then? I was in love.
YES I AM GOING O READ THIS BOOK BECAUSE YOU HAVE JUST INSPIRED ME TOO!!! (and also Em, thanks Em!)
I LOVE ARTSY LYRICAL WRITING AND I LOVE ART DESCRIPTIONS AND I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE CLEVER PAST PRESENT TRAGIC HEARTWARMING AND FEELSY BOOKS!!!!
I think I’m going to have to marry this book instead of you Cait…sorry. *notsorry*
It sounds lovely and omg I just want to read it now! And possibly put on some quiet indie music to listen to while reading.
Thanks for sharing!
Em and I are a fearsome team when it comes to raving about books JUST SO YA KNOW. This book has sooo much tragedy and feelsy-ness (that’s totally a word) IT IS JUST BORN TO BE CRIED OVER, I TELL YOU.
No. Mine. Do not break our love apart. STHAHHHHP I SAW IT FIRST.
I had basically the same reaction after I read this one as well! SO BEAUTIFUL. I was skeptical at first, like you, but what drew me in the most were the passages that broke away from the prose. This was one of my favorite reads in 2014. 🙂
That edition is beyond gorgeous, I love it!
*hi fives* It’s sooo good we pushed past the scepticism, right?! And it’s funny, because I’ve noticed a LOT of people have that same reaction, and then end up loving it. xD
Your copy has actual ART in it!?!? Jealous! I mean, the outside of mine is nice and pretty, and the inside has all the pretty words, but no art. Sadness. But yes, the writing in this book… breathtaking. I seriously think that is the only word I have for it. I could quote this book for a year and not even be close to being done.
And yes, I am jealous of people who art. I am the least arty person in all the land. My stick figures look like a drunken toddler drew them. And now I want that pretty non-US book.
YES IT DOES. BE JEALOUS OF ME. Clearly the UK/AUS version finally wins, amirite?! (Spoiler: I am right.)
I read this book from the library too (and loved it), but your version … your version … oh, yes, now I need this book! LOVE it!!
Yesss, the UK/AUS version is just so much more pretty. *runs away and marries this edition*
Obviously, THIS BOOK JUST TALKS TO ME! Like, this is the kind of books that get solid 5-stars from me! Vivid characters? Siblings? Jealousy and stuff? Art? YES FREAKING PLEASE! I actually don’t know why I haven’t bought this book yet, given so many authors whom I love also love this… Oh yeah I’m waiting for this stunning cover!
I already look forward to I’ll Give You the Sun, but if not, this post will totally get me. Fantastic job!
Also, that hand-written thing going over there! Aaaahh, adore it!
OKAY, SO YES, I TOTALLY AGREE THAT THIS BOOK IS SOMETHING YOU’D LOVE. GET INTO IT. ASAP. *throws art at you*
Well hmmm, I was all wrong about what I thought this story was about. I wasn’t intending on reading it because YA Contemporary and I don’t usually play well together, unless it has some important societal message to impart, but this sounds genuinley interesting. Thanks for the review!
It felt really quite unique and different…I mean, YES, it’s got lots of the usually contemporary vibes and messages. But it still felt, omg, I don’t know. DIFFERENT. I’m pretty much just biased and in love at this point. xD
Sold! Ha ha. 🙂
My gosh, both visually and through words, the artform in this book is absolutely beautiful. I just love that flames quote and it sounds like such a poetic read. I can’t wait! Great review Cait!
I am ridiculously excited for this book because practically EVERYONE has loved it, but I am also scared because I usually don’t like the books that practically EVERYONE loves. EEP. But still. EXCITED for pretty book with art and gorgeous twins, and all that other stuff.
As for books written in past and present: I really like them. I know some people aren’t huge fans, but I like how it fleshes out both the story, and the characters.
And no, I cannot art. And yes, I am incredibly jealous of people who can art. I can write, and I am super thankful for that but art can be looked at by ANYONE. Someone has to actually be interested in reading words and in particular MY words for my art to count. BOOOOOOO. Someone give me magical art abilities, please and thank you. Forever grateful and eternal love in exchange.
ART. As soon as I read that this book had ANYTHING AT ALL to do with art, I wanted to read it. To be honest, I have no idea if I”ll ever ACTUALLY read it, but I am quite curious now. It seems like a book I would enjoy. And I barely ever (ever ever ever) read books just for pleasure. So that is something right there. I figure I will when I’m old or something.
Omg you don’t read books for pleasure?!? MAGGIE. ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS YOU’RE MISSING OUT ON. *cries on your behalf* But seriously, this book is like diving into a paint box or something and just, gah, I just could EAT IT I LOVE IT SO.