Bright Side: 1

Product Information

There have been a number of picture books that try to educate kids on houselessness from an adult perspective. I experienced the whole gamut of emotions throughout this book which had me laughing one minute, swooning in romance heaven the next, and openly sobbing my heart out at the turn of a page.

Beth Orton’s “Sweetest Decline” (“What’s the use in regret: they’re just things we haven’t done yet… what are regrets? The characters throughout the story (Keller, Shelly, Duncan, Stella, Clayton) help to build a connection between the reader, Kate and their lives together at Grant. It’s not until she chooses to think with her heart instead of her mind that she can rise from the ashes to learn the truth of their connection. So much so that in times of uncertainty and sadness about my losses, I may find myself thinking, “What would Kate do? Definitely worth reading, but be prepared to do some serious eye-rolling and frequent “oh, come on, she can’t be that perfect”.Leaving her closest friend Gus behind, Kate heads off to college and meets the guy she never expects to meet. Perhaps the unofficial motto of this book is “Do Epic” and Kim Holden did just that with her debut novel, Bright Side.

Thanks for making the playlist, I hope it helps with the book hangover, I’ve never experience one so intense. I read and read and read and was so baffled by my boredom and unlove for this that I stopped and read the reviews more closely. The story starts with Kate tackling one of her bucket list items, she

My best friend recommended it to me and knowing how alike our tastes in books are, I knew I was going to love It. By the time I was half way through the book I was fully aware of where it was going and how it was going to end. Despite not having the happiest of upbringings, Kate saw the good in everyone and everything; she was pure of heart and loyal and forgiving to a fault.

I think the best way for adults to present the story is as a reminder to all of the kids that we don’t necessarily know what others are dealing with. On the first day of senior year, she meets DIMITRI GLENN–a mysterious transfer student with gray eyes and a mischievous smile who seems determined to win her heart. The bad stays in the bad corner of my mind, I don’t let it through the door to mingle with good, because the bad is a goddamn party pooper.Dealing with the anxiety of living on a bus, in a car, in a shelter, or being hungry and cold isn’t as tough as the things that happen in full view of your peers. I can see Kate, Clayton, and Shelly dancing to this song, because I can’t sit still when I listen to it. Friendship and love are at the forefront of this story and both the relationship between Gus and Kate and Kate and Keller are so beautifully portrayed, you experience both sides of Kate’s heart. Without her by his side, he survives, he smokes, and she tells him to give it up every day they speak on the phone when they say their goodbyes. The product of a less acceptable upbringing, she learnt early on not only how to care for herself but her sister Grace.

This author clearly shares my passion for music and made it so it became an extension of her story as it wove through the pages. Perhaps I just failed to connect to the heroine or may be I was just a bit torn up because of the whole awkward love triangle going on here. well that's Kate she takes life in her stride, she takes chances and she makes people smile she teaches the people around her how to LOVE freely.I wanted to give it 2 stars, but felt like maybe that's a bit too harsh, because I downright hated some books and rated those 2 stars too. I’m a total music nut too, but I’m more of a nu-soul, jazz, a little hip hop type of girl, so this book in addition to opening up my heart to a set of unforgettable characters, has opened my ears to a whole new set of incredible bands. It’s going to envelop you in fully with all its glory, and by the time you’re done there’s no way you could possibly be the same.