Hillary Frank

I knew had to read Hillary Frank's newest release when I asked one of the librarians at my local public library what she'd read recently and been impressed by and she named THE VIEW FROM THE TOP. Coupled with the fact that some of my recent favorites have been books that I had never heard of before, just randomly selecting them from the shelf, I knew that I had to give THE VIEW FROM THE TOP a shot.

I've been reading many wonderful contemporary YA novels lately and I always think that the next show more one can't possible be better than the last. I've come to the conclusion that I can no longer have a favorite book - I just can't pick only one! I was shocked by how quickly I was pulled into this novel and how deeply I identified with the characters, particularly Anabelle. I understood the characters and their motivations in such an intimate way, which caused an emotional connection to the story, and, I think, provided a more intense reading experience. But, even without this deeper connection, I think I would have loved this novel.

The story is told in alternating POV by the six different characters, each chapter and character beginning where the last left off. I've been reading quite a few novels done in this format and I'm really starting to like it. Seeing situations from more than one POV adds another dimension; it's like going from 2D to 3D. I was worried that having six narrators would be confusing, but this definitely wasn't the case. Each character had a unique voice and a completely different view of the summer... and Anabelle.

THE VIEW FROM THE TOP takes on many different, and sometimes sticky, situations. Some of these situations I've experienced myself, so it's understandable that I identified with those, but I felt a connection to the others as well, which can be only be credited to Frank's fantastic writing. I'll definitely be reading more by Hillary Frank! show less

Lately, I’ve had a streak of really good books, and this particular one I’m blogging about was really engrossing. I began reading it today after checking it out from the public library (along with Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson and Trash by Dorothy Allison) and finished it a few minutes ago; I simply couldn’t put it down. The magnetism of the main character, her passion for art, made me want to share the same exhilaration she felt, the same sense of purpose, of longing. The stark show more realization that Ellie and Nate’s relationship’s end is strikingly similar to the deterioration of mine. Ellie’s duration of blissful certainty which gradually blurred into hesitance is really akin to mine, and it made the book that much more real. And Ellie’s final acceptance of the faults in her past conscience and wayward reasoning really bring closure by the end of the novel, which was a sigh of relief. show less

Annabelle lives in a resort town in the northeast. It's her last summer before going to college at Oberlin. She's got a demanding, self centered boyfriend, Matt. (Matt's sister, Lexi, has a crush on Annabelle, but hasn't told her.) Annabelle has a crush on bad boy Jonah. Tobin, whose father is a sleaze and is dating Matt's mother, has a crush on Annabelle. It all gets resolved over the summer.

In chapters narrated by Annabelle, Matt, Lexi, Jonah, Tobin and Mary-Tyler, a friendless summer show more resident, each tells their story as the summer progresses. Since Annabelle is the main character (good, nice, smart, talented), all works out well in the end.

A totally fluff piece (which is not what Hillary Frank probably wanted for this story). Apparently my memory of Frank's Better Than Running at Night was better than my thoughts about the book, which I also gave 3 stars but liked. View From the Top is a solid 3 star book as well. show less

This one was pretty good. The narrator, Jake, has a blow out fight with his best friend (and college roommate) during which he says something so terrible he can't take it back. Jake decides that talking leads to trouble and decides to only communicate through written notes. The book is made up of his notes, scribbled on notebook paper, dry erase boards, and greasy napkins. Jake has big crush on his friend Xandra, but can't bring himself to tell her about it in case it ruins their friendship. show more Eventually he has to come to terms with the fact that the things you don't say can cause as much trouble as the things you do. I really felt for Jake because it's a situation lots of young people get in to eventually, and his bewilderment seemed very genuine. show less