Spotlight: The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

There's been a surge of amazing contemporary young adult fiction lately. I had a hard time narrowing down some of my favorites to find one to highlight today. But I love the literary flavor of THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE by Jandy Nelson, the play with language, the thought-invoking poetry.

Here's a little excerpt from the beginning of the book:

"Gram is worried about me. It's not just because my sister Bailey died four weeks ago, or because my mother hasn't contacted me in sixteen years, or even because suddenly all I think about is sex. She is worried about me because one of her household plants has spot."

How could you not read on? And of course the losing-a-sister theme is very familiar to me. I loved this book. I didn't just read it, I sank into it. I got the feeling as I was reading that Jandy Nelson, the author, and also Lennie, the main character, were both so in love with words.

Here's the UK version of the book trailer, which I think really does a wonderful job of capturing this book:





And some praise for THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE:

“This is a passionate, vulnerable, wonderfully complete and irresistible book.”
—VOYA, Starred Review

“Those who think young-adult books can’t be as literary, rich, and mature as their adult counterparts will be disabused of that notion after reading The Sky Is Everywhere . . . First-time author and literary agent Jandy Nelson has created a finely-drawn portrait of grief and first love, with vivid characters and melodic prose.”
—The Daily Beast

“From the opening paragraph, the author brilliantly navigates Lennie’s course between despair and hope, sorrow and humor . . . Debut novelist Jandy Nelson possesses a rare gift for language and a finely tuned ear . . . a suspenseful and gripping love triangle.”
—Shelf Awareness

Have you read THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE? If so, without spoilers, what were some of your favorite moments in this book? And if you haven't read it, do you have any favorite contemporary YA novels with a literary flavor? I'd love to hear!

15 comments:

Cass said...

I don't think I can discuss my favourite scenes without spoilers. :P However, I will say that it was a slowgoing, very contemporary, very heartfelt and real and raw and beautifully executed novel. I loved it, and (UK edition) the coloured full-page pictures (in the US ed they're in b&w and usually occupy only half a page), and the binding & cover is phenomenal.

Definitely must read! I'm hoping to re-read it sometime in the near future!

Claire Dawn said...

I really, really, really need to read this. Somehow I've given it away twice and don't own a copy! Mostly because my TBR is eternal. Read almost 30 books in the last 3 months, and still have unread books in the house.

ACK!

Martina Boone said...

I did manage to read this one and I enjoyed it. My favorite moments included any scenes with the family gathered in the home. The characters were so real and unique. Jandy really developed them fully and it made for an emotional read.

Marissa :)

Micol Ostow said...

I had the honor (and joy) of knowing Jandy through our MFA program @ Vermont College and fell in love with this book when I first heard her read from an early draft. Great pic for a spotlight!

Unknown said...

The librarian who recommended this one to me described it like this: "Humor, grief, sexy bits, a reefer smoking uncle and a painter gram (who is made of awesome) and random poetry, a forest bed and band geeks. Doesn't get much better." And that totally sums up my feelings on this book. And let me reiterate the bit about Gram being made of awesome. Such a wonderful, offbeat yet totally real family.

Rachel Harris said...

Loved this book! SO unique. I loved the relationship Lenny develops with her music man, they way they described him, and the whole imagery of the bed in the woods.

Lisa Schroeder said...

Definitely one of my favorite reads of 2010. I am in awe of Jandy Nelson.

Ashley @ Book Labyrinth said...

I read this a while ago, so I don't clearly remember my favorite parts... but I pretty much inhaled it in one evening, so I would say all of it is my favourite. I love how real the emotions felt, and the characters felt like my friends. Amazing. I recommend it to everyone.

Lisa_Gibson said...

This is one of my favorite reads...EVER! I completely fell in love with this book. I keep giving away my copies as gifts though. :( My favorite part has to be Aunt Gooch. I know I laughed out loud several times but especially at the explanation of Aunt Gooch. One of the few books I wanted to crawl into the pages and live in Grams flower garden. This book soaked in to me and became a part of me forever. :)
Lisa ~ YA Literature Lover

Shari Green said...

I lovelovelove this book! (Awesome trailer, too - thanks for posting it.)

Kirsten Hubbard said...

I loved this book so hard. lovely in every way. can't wait for whatever Jandy writes next.

Anonymous said...

Picked this book up at a used book store because I loved the title and jacket. It's still sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read. Now that I've read this article I want to run home and read it!

Jessica Love said...

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO HARD! I can't believe how much I fell in love with it. Such amazing writing. I can't pick a favorite thing about it because I fell in love at the very first word and loved everything that came after it.

I chose it as the book of the month for my (all adult) book club this past month and everyone else loved it, too.

Irish said...

The Sky is Everywhere was my top pick for the month of March. Its just such a beautiful story and my end up being my number one pick of the year. I actually vlogged one of my favorite scenes not too long ago & it can be seen here.

aisyahputrisetiawan said...

Banned complain !! Complaining only causes life and mind become more severe. Enjoy the rhythm of the problems faced. No matter ga life, not a problem not learn, so enjoy it :)

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