Just One Day

book was nicely packaged and reading it is a delight

"She went looking for him and along the way she found herself." This sentence sums up the plot pretty well for this novel. Throw in travel, Shakespeare, art, identity, love, heartbreak, self-discovery, Paris, theatre, romance, goodbyes, fate, chance, mistakes, friendship and adventure plus the utter beauty that is Gayle Forman's writing and you've got Just One Day - one of my new all-time favourite books. Ever. I'm a huge fan of Gayle Forman's If I Stay and Where She Went so I had the total first date feels about Just One Day. I was nervous and excited and had no idea how it was going to go so I put off reading it until I couldn't resist any longer and I wish that I wasn't so scared to pick it up and that I read it sooner because this book was everything I hoped it would be and more. I loved everything about this book and I did the thing were I went and liked every quote from this book I could find on Goodreads which I only ever do with those extra special books that I deeply connect with. If you're familiar with Gayle Forman's books you'll know how beautiful her writing is. Her turn of phrase is so honest and raw sometimes that it hits me right in the gut and I get all chocked up and emotional without really knowing why other than that I've just read something true. Once again her words set the scene for my eyes, and the feelings of the characters for my heart so that I was completely invested in this story. Whilst Just One Day has a heart wrenching romance it's so much more than a love story. I'd even go as far as to say that above all it is a book about taking a leap of faith into the unknown and going on such a once in a lifetime journey that you can't help but come out the other end changed. Allyson starts off as a quiet, anal, stick to the rules kind of girl and by the end of the book she has grown into this strong, independent, adventurous young woman. I loved that Just One day was a mature YA/ New Adult book and dealt with themes like growing apart from high school friends, figuring out what you want to do with your life and discovering who you want to be. I felt like Gayle Forman really got the thoughts and feelings of an 18 year old girl starting out in the world for the first time and discussed these feelings in her book. Just One Day was in my opinion a complete masterpiece that made my heart thirsty for adventure and travel. I'm so happy that the companion novel Just One Year is out this October because I can't wait to get Willem's version of events. After all, there are two sides to every story.

I've honestly been staring at this screen for a long time, wondering what more I can say or write about Just One Day that has not already been said (and beautifully) by someone else. It's one of the few books that I picked up on release day and read during its release week, so that obviously says a lot about its appeal. And it tells a story that it appears most of us can relate to, based on the reactions from most of the book bloggers I know. This book has wormed its way into my heart, leaving a lasting impression - and I know that it's going to be a book that I revisit and savor time and time again. The reason that this story resonated with me so much comes simply in the form of its main character - Allyson. It's not a secret that I often identify with characters in the books I read, but Allyson definitely takes the cake! Allyson is definitely me. It's almost as if Gayle Forman decided to ride along in my thoughts and write down whatever she experienced. The different facets of who Allyson was and who she became - I could definitely see myself reflected in them. I shared the same rigid, controlled, careful nature when I was younger, trying to do what was right and what was expected of me. And, like Allyson, there was this one moment in my life - moving to the US in 2010 (which, like Allyson's Europe trip, was my parents' idea) - that opened me up to a whole new set of experiences. These experiences, in turn, led to a spark that inspired a transformation in who I was. It took some time for me to readjust my perception of who I was and what I wanted to do, but it eventually got a point where I settled comfortably into the me I am right now. Watching Allyson go through the same journey in this book was a comfort, a treat and a total out-of-body experience since half the time I felt like going, "I've been there. I've felt that way. I know how that goes." Other great things about the book? Well, the setting is definitely one of them. Paris has been calling to me to come and visit for quite some time now, and I really, really hope I get to do it sometime soon. The way Paris is brought to life in this book is beautiful. There's not a big focus on the touristy Paris, but rather on Paris as it actually is in day-to-day life. Considering the limited time frame that this setting is given in the book, I commend the author for doing an impeccable job in making me feel like I was immersed in the busy streets and little side paths right along with Allyson and Willem. I also loved that the author set part of the book during Allyson's first year of college. There's certainly a lack of books (at least in my reading pile!) that feature college, and I loved that this one did. It brought me right back to my first year in college - the new friendships, adjusting to living away from home, learning what classes would suit me and what wouldn't. The authenticity just made me the slightest bit nostalgic for my college days (though I definitely do not miss the studying!). Allyson's friends, both old and new, were also essential people in the journey she takes. From the best friend that she has to learn to grow with (especially when they go to separate schools) to the new friends she gains along the way, each and every single one plays a part. My particular favorite is Dee, mostly because he's a very unique character, provides a quirkiness and humor to certain situations and because he proves himself to be a true friend to Allyson throughout it all. I suppose Willem is a very important part of this book, as it is her encounter with him that changes everything for Allyson. However, and this is not necessarily a bad thing, I honestly do not know how I feel about him. This is mostly because I don't know his side of the story. He seemed enchanting and charming and lively and adventurous to me when he first appears, but little by little, the facts that creep in started adding to my suspicions and doubts about who he is and what he's like. Even though we learn a few surprising things about him towards the latter part of the book, I find that I'm still conflicted about how to feel about him. Hopefully, of course, that changes when we read about what happened to him in the next novel! I have come to two very important conclusions after reading this book: (1) Everyone (and I mean just about everyone) has an experience that changes them for the rest of their lives. (2) Gayle Forman is a brilliant writer, and I'm an idiot for not having read anything by her before. Just One Day is a book with words that went straight from the pages and into my heart. The journey that Allyson goes through, the beautifully written settings, the wonderful and quirky characters and even the presence of a handsome European boy all combine together to form a wonderful, beautiful, incredibly moving tale. Without a doubt, this is going to be one of my favorite reads of this year - and one that I highly recommend to every reader.

I really enjoyed Just One Day, but for me it never quite reached the heights of If I Stay or Where She Went. I felt like something was missing, an important ingredient, though it didn't dampen my need to read like a mad woman and find out what would happen to Allyson on her journey of self-discovery. I personally couldn't identify with Allyson; I have zero interest in travelling, I don't have a list of places I want to visit and I'm not overly interested in different cultures. I know plenty of people who are, but that's just not me. I did, however, enjoy reading about the many acts of kindness that Allyson experienced on her travels, from strangers that owed her nothing and that she wouldn't see again. It showed me that the human race is still good, no matter how many terrible things we see and hear about. While Just One Day does feature a romance - a sweet, consuming romance - it wasn't the sole focus. Allyson's journey and her own spring awakening was just as important as her meeting with Willem, and it was through him that she dared to do some of the things she did. Her growth throughout the book was the finest thing about it, and I loved the different directions her personality tool before ultimately settling on who she wanted to be. It highlighted an important message for everyone: be who you want to be and don't let anyone stand in your way. Forman's writing was as beautiful as always, with certain passages making me sigh and re-read them straight away. She still has a way with words, with descriptions and phrases, that made me want to crawl inside the pages and never come back out. She's a powerful writer, and that shines through in every single book she publishes. Usually I'd fall madly in love with a fictional boy like Willem, but I think in this instance he was too much of a mystery. I didn't feel like I knew him enough, which in turn never made me as empathetic with Allyson's situation as I perhaps should have been. I rolled my eyes once of twice, wishing for her to get on with her life and leave the past behind. But then Forman would write something that took my breath away, usually something about time, and then is be right back in the Willem bubble. This book made me realise that just one day really can change everything, for better or worse. One day can tear a family apart or bring one closer together, it can make you meet the person you'll spend the rest of your life with or a friend that you'll know forever. It's a short period of time, but those twenty-four hours can be the start or something. Or the end. I think the concept of that, and of this whole novel, is a brilliant one, and I've come to the conclusion that only Gayle Forman could write it. Just One Day is at times too slow, and at others too fast, but it's a good solid read nonetheless. The companion novel, Just One Year, is published in September and I'm interested to see how it plays out. It's from Willem's POV, which is bound to be interesting and filled with even more Shakespeare. I look forward to it. 3.5/5

This book has been in my bucket list “To Be Read” since 2014. Since then I have been forgetting to buy the book and read. And then I happened to read “Just one day” by Gayle Forman, I wasn’t really impressed with the story so subconsciously “If she stay” took a backseat in my memory. Finally after 3 years, I bought the book and I’m satisfied with the read. Imagine one moment you have everything you desired in your life – Perfect parents, a kid brother, a Best friend, a caring, cool boyfriend and Music. That music you love is the big ticket for your entry in one of the prestigious colleges in the world “Julliard”. So, your life is almost perfect with a bit of ups and downs in your relationship with your boyfriend. Then the next moment, everything vanished in a puff. Just like that! That’s want happened with Mia Hall, a seventeen year old girl who dreams to make it big in the music . Her choices are shredded as she and her family meets with a fatal accident. While her parents and kid brother are killed in that horrific accident, Mia is left in a coma. She is in a state where she is able to see and hear the people around her but unable to do anything. She is a state where she is stuck in a transition between life and death.(In a “Ghost” state) I liked the theme of the book. Its deals with love, friendship, pain, death, life and choice. The book made me think what I would do if I was in her place. The book is well edited. The book has around 211 pages and it’s a fast read. I connected well with the character Mia, her struggles, her loss, her grief and finally her choice everything is written well. What I liked most about the book was, the book doesn’t deviate from the theme. The theme was life and death and author has provided justice to her story. You get to know about the love life of Mia and Adam, but that doesn’t dominate the book. The book is a good read. I rate this book 3.5 star.