Jellicoe Road by Melinda Marchetta

My Review:
I really enjoyed this one! I had read reviews raving over it so I could not wait to begin. I have to say I was somewhat lost at first and it was hard to understand what was going on but then I caught on and got swept into the story. I felt like there were so many wonderful moments between the characters and lines that I want to remember because they ponder the significance of events and people in our lives in the most unassuming way. Taylor the MC was a breath of fresh air and a joy to read because while her life had been less than normal she did not act bitter and depressed and she saw the good in other people and appreciated what she had while recognizing what she did not. I thought it was interesting the way the author unfolded the story with the character’s memories which added significance to everything the characters said or did. It was a fantastic read and I know I will keep coming back to it over and over again.

Some of my favorite quotes:

- "My body becomes a raft and there's this part of me that wants just literally to go with the flow. To close my eyes and let it take me. But I know sooner or later I will have to get out, that I need to feel the earth beneath my feet, between my toes - the splinters, the bindi-eyes, the burning sensation of hot dirt, the sting of cuts, the twigs, the bites, the heat, the discomfort, the everything. I need desperately to feel it all, so when something wonderful happens, the contrast will be so massive that I will bottle the impact and keep it for the rest of my life."

- "He is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen and it's not about his face, but the life force I can see in him. It's the smile and the pure promise of everything he has to offer. Like he's saying, 'Here I am world, are you ready for so much passion and beauty and goodness and love and every other word that should be in the dictionary under the word life?'

-"Is a person worth more because they have someone to grieve for them?"

- "It's funny how you can forget everything except people loving you. Maybe that's why humans find it so hard getting over love affairs. It's not the pain they're getting over, it's the love."