Thursday, December 9, 2010

Book Recommendation - Life As We Knew It

Life As We Knew It
By Susan Beth Pfeffer

Life As We Knew It (Last Survivors, #1)

Blurb from Goodreads: "Miranda’s disbelief turns to fear in a split second when a meteor knocks the moon closer to the earth. How should her family prepare for the future when worldwide tsunamis wipe out the coasts, earthquakes rock the continents, and volcanic ash blocks out the sun? As summer turns to Arctic winter, Miranda, her two brothers, and their mother retreat to the unexpected safe haven of their sunroom, where they subsist on stockpiled food and limited water in the warmth of a wood-burning stove."


I read this book because of the amazing review Susan gave it not too long ago.  It was just as good as she said.

The story is told through journal entries Miranda writes, which at first, I wasn't crazy about.  It felt like I was being held at a distance from the story.  An arm's length from being truly immersed.

As I kept reading, the more I liked it though.  The more I appreciated being held at arm's length.  It's not a fanciful tale of how one family survives and act as heroes without any loss on their part.  No.  It's a story about suffering.  About finding something, anything, positive to cling to in the depths of despair.  It's about sacrificing yourself, your safety, your well being for the people you love.  Being the epitome of un-selfish, and Miranda's path to get there.

This is a book that will stick with you.  It'll make you look around and wonder, "Wow, how did I get so lucky?"

Go read it.  You won't regret it.

5 comments:

Susan said...

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Great review too... It's true that the narrator feels distant (because of the journaling), but it's true that the distance is critical! Otherwise, it might be *too* hard to read, you know?

Instead, Susan Beth Pfeffer keeps you desperate to know what will happen, and as close to Miranda's family as Miranda.

Definitely a stick-with-you book...

Pam Harris said...

I love reading your reviews. You always open my eyes to books I've never heard of before. Thanks! :)

Erinn said...

This was one of the books my students LOVED two years ago... there's a sequel out too. Can't remember what it's called

Abby Stevens said...

I love this book! There are a sequel and a companion novel, I believe. The diary entries bothered me a bit at first, too, but once I got used to them...

As for SBP, talk about someone who has no trouble making her darlings suffer... lol

Claire Dawn said...

Putting it on TBR.

I definitely need that distance. Recently I've been reading all these books that just made want to cry all the time :(