Rosie and Olivia discuss the Book Swap!
Rosie and Oliva have a conversation about the books they swapped over the break as a part of the Book Swap scheme we did for the first time! It’s really great to see they enjoyed both text as well as enjoying the book swap. They both sent each other books they read when they were a bit younger, so the they had a bit of a nostalgic trip with this experience. Read what they spoke about here:
*Contains spoilers on the books: Finding Sky and All The Bright Places.
Rose: I sent Finding Sky to Olivia. It’s basically about this girl who moves to a new town and she’s always been a bit strange. Gradually, with the help of this guy who tells her she is his soulmate, she realises she has these powers and then it becomes a whole thing with them and witches and soulmates. I read it when I was younger and really enjoyed it, so I’m glad you seemed to also!
Olivia: I chose All The Bright Places to send to Rosie because it was something I also enjoyed as a teenager. I haven’t watched the film adaptation because I’ve heard mixed reviews and I didn’t want it to taint my views on the book which I really enjoyed. It’s quite a sad book, and I chose to send Rosie a brand new copy because mine was tear stained. I can’t bear to part with it!
We just text each other about what kind of things we were into and want we didn’t want. I’d just done a module on the gothic so I wasn’t feeling anything too gory. I wanted an easy read. When I suggested this to Rose, this sort of teen flick. Rose said ‘Do you like fantasy? There’s a similar thing that I like from when I was younger’. So we did a mutual chick flick swap. I wanted to share what I felt when I was younger when I read it with someone else, to see if they had the same reaction.
Rosie: I remember when I was younger there was a section of books that were chick-flicky and I could have sent you any of those. But Finding Sky was one of those that I picked up and fell in love with and then had to read the whole series now. I thought it was an interesting take on the superhero/ soulmate trait that is common. Everyone needs a good sappy romance in their life, right?
Olivia: I didn’t know anything about Finding Sky and I hadn’t read anything by this author before. I only had information of what happened from Rosie told me. She said the word soulmate and I was sold. How about you, did you know anything about All The Bright Places?
Rosie: I didn’t even know it was a film! When you suggested it, it sounded like a bit of me, love a bit of a sad story. It was such a good book, like you just said, it’s sad I was like strap me in. I didn’t think I could put it down once I’d picked it up.
Olivia: I think I said to you, in the nicest way possible, I hope you cry!
Rosie: and I did, it got me! You just get really attached to the character, Finch. I just wanted to give him a big hug.
Olivia: Yeah! In terms of the structure though it was set out in letters isn’t it? I think that made it just that bit more personal so you get more attached.
Rosie: It was so good, the way they flipped round you got to see both sides of the story.
Olivia: What did you think about the book?
Rosie: For All The Bright Places, I really liked all the quotes they chucked in there. There was one about love being a great manifesto. I really enjoyed that. It felt like I was almost reading one of our essays, you know what I mean? There only thing I will say is I kind of knew he was going to commit suicide at the end. I knew where it was going but that didn’t make it any less sad.
Olivia: Yeah I know what you mean. For Finding Sky, I thought it was the perfect length. In terms of the structure it was a really easy read. If you think of the target audience though, the structure, the language, the complexity of it makes sense. The whole meeting of them two, her hating him at first but I do wish she didn’t give in to him as much as she did. I would have liked a bit of resistance. I wanted a bit more of a fight: I wanted him to put more effort in and her to put in more give. I did really like it, but she could have more of a backbone.
Rosie: In defence, in the following books in the series there is more of that push and pull. I think the author learnt from their mistakes. Do you think you’ll read the rest of the series?
Olivia: Oo Okay! Yeah I think I will but probably after we’ve graduated! Don’t really have time right now!
Rosie: Where there any real climaxes or anything in the book do you think?
Olivia: Not particularly, I don’t think Finding Sky leaves you on any particular cliff hanger, even though it is a series. There is a main climax of the book though, that she is taken and he has to fight for her. How about you, did you find that in the one I sent?
Rosie: I don’t know if this just something we all feel because read a lot but we know of know where the book is going. There weren’t any proper shocks but I think, the suicide at the end is a bit shocking. The way its set out: Finch is missing. You know what’s happening but there is an abruptness to it. What I didn’t expect was her to continue with the wondering, and when he left the stuff for her, that was nice. I guess that is a bit of a spoiler. I really liked that.
Olivia: Yeah that’s what I really liked about that book because it didn’t just finish when he died. You get a bit of after Finch. You hear the before and the middle, and then you get this resolution.
Were there any central themes? In Finding Sky fantasy was central. They’re like coexisting with humans and they have that agreement with the FBI. You could say love too but the kind of plot is they have to fall in love.
Rosie: Yeah exactly, I think that kind falls into why there was no give from her as you were saying. I would say family is also a big theme in that book. Everything falls into place if you read them all, which I do think is a bit of a downfall because then there is a bit of obligation to it.
In All The Bright Places I think the central theme is mostly mental health and mourning, trying to move on. It was really nice to see the progress they both made. I think it has a bit of that idea you can’t save everyone. You have to take responsibility for your actions but knowing you can’t take responsibility for other people’s actions. I think for teenagers to learn that early on, is big and reassuring and so helpful.
Olivia: I suppose with mental health they would shy away from that message you point out. That signpost the characters that do reach out and that you can be saved. I think showing that other side is key. Do you think you would have read this beyond the book swap?
Rosie: I don’t actually know if I would have. Maybe if I was younger. I’ve been reading – its part of my resolution to read more outside of uni - but I haven’t been really reading these types of books. I’m glad that I got to read it though. I think it was a really good read, to open me back up to that kind of book that I used to love. I wouldn’t have but I’m glad that I did. How about you?
Olivia: In my case, I would have if I came across it because it’s something that is easy and doesn’t hurt your brain. I enjoy reading academic texts but sometimes I want that break. I feel more accomplished if I can read it in a few hours, I feel like I’ve done loads.
Rosie: Are you taking anything away from this book?
Olivia: Not necessarily this book more the experience, I’m taking away that I need to read books for me as well not just for uni. Even though I don’t enjoy every module we do, having to read the books keeps that enjoyment alive. That’s where reading came from, being told to read something. I guess, my reflections are on the advancement of what I can read. This was basic, but I can understand why it is and recognise that, and I liked falling back into that. How about you?
Rosie: I completely agree. Because of the book swap, and my New Year’s resolution to read more outside of uni. It spurred me on to start reading. I have so many books sat on my shelf I just haven’t had time to read. Taking away from the book specifically, it actually made me remind myself to look after myself and making sure the people around me are okay. The book really put into perspective how bad things can get in a short amount of time. Especially now.
We want to thank Olivia and Rosie for having this conversation about the books they read for the book swap. On these last points they made, it really is a reminder to read the stuff we enjoy as well as the stuff for our courses. If you want to hear more of people discussing the book swap head over to our Instagram page and go on our IGTV! Cieran and Emily did a Instagram live where they discussed the books they swapped as well, click here for that.
