Amazingly good comiing of age novel!
582868
I read a lot of books, and this one really impressed me.  It was original, creative and beautifully told.  I was drawn into the story from the start.  I loved how the author would be telling parts of the story and then would include a foreshadowing of what the future holds...that really kept me turning pages fast.
  This is the story of 12 year old Julia, who wakes up one morning to discover along with the rest of the world, that the rotation of the Earth has gradually begun to slow.  Each day that passes, the length of the day grows slightly longer.  At one point, the days have swelled to 48 hours and more...
  What makes this story so compelling is that Julia, who is in middle school, is struggling to fit in with her peers, her parent's marriage is strained, and her once best friend decides their friendship is not worth it. Meanwhile, the entire story is taking place as the world is slowly deteriorating due to the increased daylight and long, freezing nights.
  My only criticism is that I wanted more closure at the end of the novel.  But in a way, leaving questions for the readers as to what happens to some of Julia's friends and how exactly this catastrophe plays out, gives the novel a haunting, unsettling feeling that keeps you thinking long after it has ended.
  This is the author's debut novel.  I can't wait to read more from her.  She is truly gifted and the story is mesmerizing.  I highly recommend this book to young adult and older.
2251185
came across this novel on Amazon. it was one of my faves from required high school reading days.. I am 44 yrs old now and the story and writing is still amazing! every child and adult should read this story...
4456993
This book took me completely by surprise, and I loved it! It was highly recommended by a friend who described it as a tender-hearted and funny, coming-of-age story that she couldn't put down. Neither could I. I was immediately taken into the multi-textured world of the Kenealy clan just as it begins to spiral out of control from domestic violence and substance abuse. The book is funny. But more importantly, it is spiritual without being preachy, and full of life lessons for readers of all ages. I particularly liked the awakening and growth experienced by the fifteen-year old protagonist as she struggles to keep her family together  something which conditions her for a far more promising future. Id recommend putting Bouillabaisse on your summer reading menu!!
3932499
I am way past my 16th birthday, but I LOVED this book! I could not put it down once I started it. Since it does involve time travel (one of my fav sub genres)I have to say I was very impressed with Ms Harris's transition from present to past.

This book was good on so many levels. It reminded me of myself at the same age, although no one has ever taken me on a trip to Italy or anywhere else for any of my birthdays. It was more Cat's (the main character) feelings, or lack of them in certain situations which I could relate to. I HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone who enjoys a great romance, with some twists and turns along the way. And if you happen to have a daughter/niece/friend with a daughter, who happens to be turning 16 anytime soon, this is an excellent gift!

Kudos also to the art director/art department on this cover. It has to be right up there with one of my favorite covers. Absolutely breathtaking.

I can't wait for Ms Harris's next book!
655470
This beautiful and romantic story is suitable for any age and anyone who knows or wants to understand true, endearing love. It is so rare to read a novel that is absent of vulgarity! So refreshing to use your own imagination based upon the beautifully written text! I wish now that I had not given 5 stars out before, because this outshines them all.  I hated to have the book end, which it did perfectly.
2206720
Just finished this novel and am so glad I read it. This author has a bright and promising future as evident with this novel. I like the fact that Samantha Darling is an unlikely detective. Makes the story able to relate to better.

The story is very well written,never boring, and you won't want to put it down once you start. Unlike some stories where you have trouble following the plot, you can follow this one from start to finish and never get lost. The author does not over detail us with unneeded facts. We start reading and the action takes of from the beginning. Another thing I like about the book is the ability of those people trying to solve this mystery coming closer in friendship as they work on it.

The characters are very well defined and explained. As you read, you will find yourself with a picture image of what each of them looks like and what makes them tick.

Now, I am wondering if this novel will have a sequel or not. You can't leave us hanging as to which guy Sam ends up with. And, all I can say to the author is this.... Oh! PLEASE make it be George!!

I recommend this book for mid teens on up. There are no sex scenes in this book so it is safe. Oh, and my usual warning for a book like this...make sure you allow yourself time to read it all as you won't want to put it down.

Do yourself a favor and get this book.
2525538
This book is so magical and adventurous!  I am 11-years old and thought the descriptions of the characters was really good. I hope my others friends read it!
1038207
I really loved this romantic novel, because it's not your typically love story! The author has mastered the art of dialogue and left me thinking this should be made into a movie! The book can be enjoyed by people of all ages (I'm 23) and would be a great addition to any book club.
497171
I know this book is rated "Young Adult", however I think this is a book any age will enjoy reading. I certainly did! It's a great story full of adventure with many surprises. There is so much more to the story though. It's also a story of a young man coming of age, his relationships with family and friendships, and even first love. Some serious issues such as abuse and bulling are touched on too and woven so well into the story. I love how Mr. Wyckoff takes the time to develop the characters. You really feel like you know them, just as he did in his previous book BIRDS ON A WIRE. Also a book I gave 5 stars and recommend reading. Can't wait for the next book Mr. Wyckoff writes!
3324867
I love this book- the characters are so real you can almost reach out and touch them, the plot is very well founded and fleshed out and the story line just fascinating! I highly recommend this book to one and all, young and old alike!
1305866
We All Looked Up is an excellent coming-of-age novel that evokes John Hughes and is quite simply one of the most compelling contemporary novels Ive read in years. Tommy Wallach writes some of the most realistic, flawed characters out there and he isn't afraid to show what actual teenagers are like. This novel is a beautiful portrait of humanity and it doesnt stray from showing the highs and lows of life. We All Looked Up is an impressive feat of literature that will give readers a glimmer of hope and inspire them to live life to the fullest.

We All Looked Up follows four high school seniors as they try to live with the impending collision of an asteroid called Ardor. No one knows for sure if it will strike the Earth, but what they do know is that life cant go on anymore. Anita is tired of being the perfect child with straight As, who vies for her fathers acceptance. Eliza doesnt want to be the slut everyone thinks she is, she doesnt want to be herself. Peter has had the time of his life being a teenager and fears that hell never experience anything more.  Andy doesnt want to be an adult, he just wants to live his life without any sort of responsibility.

This book is extremely character-driven and rides on the emotions and tension that surrounds our cast.  WALU reads extremely fast and I couldn't stop reading as Ardor drew closer and closer. Readers will need to find out what happens to each of the four main characters and will love watching them develop and grow all in the matter of a few pages. Theres such a sharp difference between who Andy, Eliza, Peter and Anita are at the beginning of this novel and who they are at the end. This novel is an exemplary coming-of-age novel and has pitch-perfect characterization.

WALU follows a group of teens in Seattle and this book features a wide variety of characters with different ethnicities and sexualities. Most of the main characters are Caucasian, but I was pretty happy to see Hispanic, trans* and African American characters in this book. This is a step in the right direction and it was refreshing to see a book where America is shown as the melting pot it truly is. People should see themselves in literature and I think WALU will resonate with countless readers.

Im usually not a fan of ambiguous endings because Im a very concrete person who needs to know everything and anything. Tommy Wallach leaves WALU on such a note that is both hopeful and satisfying, I absolutely loved how it ended. This isn't the kind of ending everyone will love, but its the right ending for this novel; nothing else wouldve worked so effectively. Wallach lets readers decide for themselves what happens next without giving any hints as to what happens next. Its a ballsy ending for sure and it was a perfect way to wrap up all loose ends in this one.

We All Looked Up is an excellent stand-alone from a promising writer who will enthrall readers from start to finish. Wallach writes excellent prose that hooks readers in like catchy song lyrics so it was no surprise to me that hes a musician. This novel truly shines and has the most lifelike and flawed characters Ive ever read about, making this one bound to be a hit with massive cross-over appeal.
3420024
Michael Cadnum puts us squarely into the alien environment of the 12th century in this well written and evocative novel of a young man's coming of age. Young apprentice Edmund is sentenced to go on Crusade for abetting his criminal master, and finds himself caught up in the excitement and terror of the Cause. Cadnum's vivid imagery had me holding my nose when Edmund's ship drifted down the sewage-laden Thames; this is not a pretty portrait of a romantic Middle Ages. Battlefield rape, smashed skulls, torture, and mutilation should put this novel out of reach of anyone under middle school age, but the unsentimental story and exquisite writing recommends it to anyone older, including adults.
3188841
Twenty-five year old Cadence has a happy life with her husband Austin and baby daughter Melody. Then she wakes in the hospital after a mysterious earthquake/accident and discovers that her husband and daughter are both dead. The first chapter alone nearly had me in tears, especially when Cadence visited the morgue and held her infant's body. Any mother (or really any human with feelings) would feel for Cadence and support her desire to do absolutely anything to get her family back.

Then the magical realism kicks in. A guardian angel visits Cadence and offers her a chance to go back in time to save her husband and child. Of course, she's on board, but it's not the easy fix you might think. Cadence has to go all the way back to ninth grade, years before she met her husband and a decade before she gave birth to her child. The twenty five year old finds herself in her fourteen year old body faced with having to life a decade of her live all over again in order to save her family. A great premise, right!? I love it.

On a random side note, I love how the new mom looked at her fourteen year old body and wondered why she had once been so critical of it. I think that every time I see an old picture of myself. Why did I think I was fat?? But I digress.

This is an engaging and creative read, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you interested throughout. With every choice she makes, little things change, creating new even more complicated choices. I just wish all the books were out now! I had thought I was going to get all my answers at the end of book one, not fully understanding that there was more to come. But that's okay, I have something to look forward to.

I also loved the daring genre twist. It's almost like a young adult book written specifically for an adult audience. Or perhaps a book that's YA and adult simultaneously. In any case, I think it would be an appropriate read for both YA and adult audiences.

Bring on book 2!
2766250
This is hands down one of my favorite books so far!  It had me awing, sad, mad, and laughing with every passing chapter.  The characters were great!  Some people said the book was predictable, but it was a big surprise to me.  I was thinking of a totally different outcome when boom it turned the other way.  Loved it!!!  I highly recommend this book!!!  Good for younger readers?  Well there was only a little bit of cursing like "da**, hell, dumb**" that's it and it was not often at all.  There are a lotttt of make out scenes, but nothing too terrible and there are no sex scenes.  It was tastefully written for both younger and older readers to read and i like that.  I give it a PG rating, close to pg-13, but not quite.  2 thumbs up to the author!!!
834269
Wow! 5 Stars. An awesome, adventurous, very well-written novel.  The author's very descriptive, creative writing style brings the book to life.  A novel appropriate for all ages.  I purchased this for my 13 year old son and he has not been able to put it down since he started reading it.  I would recommend this to any book club, hands down!  You will NOT be disappointed.  A must read for every book lover.  Amazing.
4473826
Absolutely, fantabulous, a must read for all ages!!!
3744596
I *just* completed this novel after a mere few hours of reading.  I must say that there is much more to this book than what meets the eye.  I recommend it for all ages..especially teens and younger adults.  I am a part time college freshman and high school senior.. an avid reader and writer, and found this novel throughly refreshing.
The writing style is as unique as the plot line.  I enjoyed seeing the story from each girl's POV then a combination at the end.  The story was unique.  Having a knowledge of faeries, I found it wonderful to see someone writing about a girl who gets caught up in that fantasy world, just as most of us have throughout our years.  Violet and Claire "remind me of me"..(quote from the novel)...
I remind this book avidly for all.