Book Review and Giveaway: The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern

The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern
Published by HarperCollins
Pages: 336
Ages: 18 and up.
Buy It: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Alibris | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository
Publishers Summary:

Raised in the lap of luxury, spoiled and tempestuous sixteen-year-old Tamara Goodwin has never had to think about tomorrow. But when her world is irrevocably shaken by her father’s self-imposed death, she and her mother are left drowning in debt and forced to move in with Tamara’s peculiar aunt and uncle in a tiny countryside village.
Lonely and bored, Tamara’s sole diversion is a traveling library. There she finds a large leather-bound book with a gold clasp and padlock, but no author name or title. Intrigued, she pries open the lock, and what she finds takes her breath away—for what’s written inside is not only impossible and magical . . . it’s her future.

Goodwin as in “good”-”win”, because there is always possibly a “bad”-”win”, which is what Tamara is constantly aware of (note the sarcasm). Those settings that seem just a bit too obvious, too-good to be true. Because unfortunately for Tamara her life was just that, too-good to be true. Her father has recently died, leaving her mother and herself with next to nothing to survive on and now forced to move into her Aunt and Uncle’s home in the country. What starts out as a journey into seeming nothingness turns into much more than Tamara ever expected. With the help of a bit of magic and a very unique book, she’s about to embark on a path that might open her eyes forever.

Brilliant. Truly a delightful read. As someone who’s never read a Cecelia Ahern novel, I truly had no idea what to expect, and was pleasantly surprised. I’d seen a few very positive reviews for other Cecelia Ahern novels, but still I wondered. I’m so thrilled I took the opportunity when it was presented. Much like Sarah Addison Allen and Aimee Bender, Ahern blends a little touch of magic to The Book of Tomorrow to create a world in which almost anything is possible, but not quite. It was also nice that the story, though touted as an adult novel this is absolutely a story for young adult book readers. And with only one very mild sex scene this is easily a book I’d recommend to teen readers as well.

Tamara Goodwin begins as a shattered young girl, devastated by the loss of not only her father, but nearly every earthly possession she had been given throughout her life all the way down to her expensive shampoo. For the majority of her life she’s walked around with blinders on, aware of no one but herself and her small circle of influence. Unfortunately, for many in this position it takes something earth shattering to truly change their hearts and minds, as is the case with Tamara. Not even the change in surroundings seems to change her. In the end, it’s her concern for her mother, the only remaining thing of value in her life that drives her to change and reach out.

What I thoroughly loved about the story, besides the quirky list of characters (Aunt Rosaleen the worst offender), was the magic. I absolutely adore magical realism! It provides just enough possibility in an otherwise normal situation. Without the element of the magical book in Tamara’s life her story could have been much more tragic, possibly more dull, and most of all without that element of progression. What the book does for her in terms of realization is wonderful, not only for her personally, but for the reader as well.

Cecelia Ahern’s The Book of Tomorrow is a book that will delight it’s readers by enchanting them with a seemingly ordinary story turned magical. Tamara Goodwin is propelled into a life as an “adult” through events beyond her ability to change, or so she thinks. The sudden discovery of a basic blank book leads to the possibility of futures without fences. The Book of Tomorrow was a book that had me on pins and needles until the very end. A book with a dash of mystery and magic that will have you questioning your very own actions each day of your life. This is absolutely a book you cannot miss!

The1stdaughter Recommends: Ages 16 and up. A perfect adult to YA crossover book that’s filled with magic and a character who finds herself growing up as she opens her eyes to the world around her.

Find at the following spots:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Alibris | Powell’s Books | Indiebound | Book Depository | Goodreads

Giveaway!

Thanks to the publisher, HarperCollins, I have one paperback copy of The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern to giveaway to one There’s A Book reader! Thank you HarperCollins!

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only and you must fill out the form below to enter. Comments will not count as entries. Also, no purchase is necessary to enter. So, be sure to fill out the form below and good luck!

Thank you so much to the publisher, HarperCollins, for providing a copy of this book for review! Connect with them on Twitter and on Facebook!
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