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82nd out of 84 books
—
253 voters
Where I Want to Be
by
Adele Griffin (Goodreads Author)
Once, Jane was the big sister, teaching Lily to play make believe and protecting her from thunderstorms. But then Lily grew up. She started making friends and dating boys, while Jane wanted to go on playing make believe forever. For Jane, the line between fantasy and reality had always blurred, whereas Lily lived for a future bright with expectation and change. Inevitably,...more
Hardcover, 160 pages
Published
April 21st 2005
by Putnam Juvenile
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I think this book, Where I want to Be, is very boring. In the first 15 chapters it talks about a depressed girl named Lily who thinks the death of her older sister Jane could have been all her fault. Lily just depends on her boyfriend for comfort and protection. Her sister Jane was killed when she was ran over by a car at the age of 18. Jane had mental issues and never wanted to grow up; she had an overactive imagination. This book confused me because in the beginning of the book she was a 7th g...more
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When i saw this book at the library on top of the bookshelf i thought it was really there for me, it was destiny and i had to read it. Its title was very depressing, because where i want to be reminds me of college and the real world, where i will be on my own leaving my past behind. In this case, Lily the protagonist is leaving her past behind, where her sister was once in. Her sister jane is a girl with mental health problems, she always...more
When i saw this book at the library on top of the bookshelf i thought it was really there for me, it was destiny and i had to read it. Its title was very depressing, because where i want to be reminds me of college and the real world, where i will be on my own leaving my past behind. In this case, Lily the protagonist is leaving her past behind, where her sister was once in. Her sister jane is a girl with mental health problems, she always...more
Where I Want To Be is a very good book. It has a lot of drama in it so if your in to drama this is the book for you. I think this book had a lot of different perspectives on different situation. Which makes it more interesting and easier to get a better understanding of every characters view. So to the situation's that are happening in the book you just don't get to see one character view you see all and it opens your eyes up to a better view of all things in life too not just in a book. And I...more
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Even though this is one of those typical "dead girl can't move on" novels, I still liked Where I Want to Be. Maybe because it's about two sisters, and since I'm so close to my own sister it really spoke to me, or maybe because it's about mental illness, and that, too, speaks to me, as a psychology major.
Where I Want to Beis about two sisters, narrated in alternating POVs. Lily is the younger sister, the golden child. She is in love wit...more
Even though this is one of those typical "dead girl can't move on" novels, I still liked Where I Want to Be. Maybe because it's about two sisters, and since I'm so close to my own sister it really spoke to me, or maybe because it's about mental illness, and that, too, speaks to me, as a psychology major.
Where I Want to Beis about two sisters, narrated in alternating POVs. Lily is the younger sister, the golden child. She is in love wit...more
2 likes · like · see review
When I was at the library, I was looking around for a shortish book because technically I'm supposed to be focusing on my ebooks. I thought I'd see what Adele Griffin books were on the shelf since I'd already read two and enjoyed them a lot. When I saw that this book focused on two sisters, I was sold.
It alternated between third-person perspective about older, now dead sister Jane and first-person perspective from younger, still living Lily. The sisters are just a year apart in age but are world...more
It alternated between third-person perspective about older, now dead sister Jane and first-person perspective from younger, still living Lily. The sisters are just a year apart in age but are world...more
Griffin's books are strange and haunting and this one is no exception. Jane and Lily are sisters and were always very close until it became clear that Jane was not like everyone else. For Jane the boundary between make-believe and reality is cloudy at best. When Jane dies Lily must learn to cope with her memories and a world that has changed. But is Jane really gone, or is she still watching from the other side? A poignant tale of living with a sibling who has a mental illness. The point of view...more
Jane and Lily are two sisters who couldn't be more different. Lily is outgoing and popular was Jane is not quite sure where the line crosses between reality and fantasy. Lily is and ordinary teenager trying to get over Jane's death, while Jane is trying to except what happened to her and her life and move on. People were always judging Jane comparing her to Lily wondering how such a great girl like Lily could be related to a "freak" (Jane has a mental illness) like Jane. Lily was always trying...more
I didn't like the book that much in the beginning. I found it a little bit superficial, like the author wasn't deep enough. But after a while, I realized that she did accomplished something, not sure if it was what she really wanted to do. The story sounds simple, but I really enjoyed the way she chosen to tell it. At first, it was a bit confusing, but eventually you get the idea. The end is sad, and I really liked it, 'cause it seemed real. And the fact that I could see some similarities with o...more
Apr 14, 2012
Linda Lipko
added it
Two sisters, Jane and Lily. Jane suffers from severe depression, and while the author doesn't mention schizophrenia, it appears that Jane also is in the throes of hearing voices and slipping in and out of reality.
The family is loving and understanding and tries to the best of their ability to help Jane. When she dies in an accident, they are left wondering if it was purposeful. Lily is left with grief.
The subject matter is intense, but somehow the writing style lacked depth.
I cannot recommend th...more
The family is loving and understanding and tries to the best of their ability to help Jane. When she dies in an accident, they are left wondering if it was purposeful. Lily is left with grief.
The subject matter is intense, but somehow the writing style lacked depth.
I cannot recommend th...more
2 likes · like · see review
Outside my comfort zone
I must be a masochist because Adele Griffin keeps kicking me in the gut and I keep coming back for more. I mean this as a compliment. Her books make me feel on a gut-wrenchingly real level. Don’t be deceived by the tiny page counts: Adele knows how to make every single word count and come together to create a powerful story. Her choice to use alternating narratives (one first person, one third person) was a stroke of genius, subtly adding incredible depth, characterization...more
I must be a masochist because Adele Griffin keeps kicking me in the gut and I keep coming back for more. I mean this as a compliment. Her books make me feel on a gut-wrenchingly real level. Don’t be deceived by the tiny page counts: Adele knows how to make every single word count and come together to create a powerful story. Her choice to use alternating narratives (one first person, one third person) was a stroke of genius, subtly adding incredible depth, characterization...more
Jane and Lily are sisters who are very close as children, but start to grow apart as teenagers. Jane creats vivid imaginary worlds and prefers her imagination to real life. Lily prefers the real world and is popular and outgoing.
When her family finally realizes that Jane is mentally ill, she starts taking antipsychotics and talks with a therapist. The diagnosis was not explicit, but I thought her symptoms sounded like schizophrenia.
As Lily becomes more and more a part of the outside world, Jan...more
When her family finally realizes that Jane is mentally ill, she starts taking antipsychotics and talks with a therapist. The diagnosis was not explicit, but I thought her symptoms sounded like schizophrenia.
As Lily becomes more and more a part of the outside world, Jan...more
I have read two of Adele Griffin's other novels, Tighter and Picture the Dead. Both are ghost stories with a twist. I enjoyed both, but this one. . . .not so much. The story was insightful, but I think YA will find the organization difficult. The ending is also unsatisfying. It's hard to pinpoint what I disliked about it really. It wasn't a romance. It wasn't a true ghost story, but it wasn't totally realistic. Not her best work
This was a very intense book, what i really liked was the point of view changes. One chapter would be jane, the other lily. I thought is was so sad that jane felt the way she did, i wonder what illness she had exactly, but if i was the mom, i would have to see with my own eyes that she took her pill. Their grandparents seem so awesome, they love Jane so much, and i am so happy that she had them in her life.
I listened to this book on CD. It takes place in alternating chapters, each one narrated by a different sister. Jane has recently died in a terrible accident and it takes awhile to understand that her chapters are written in the present tense, as she recreates daily the "perfect day", visiting their grandparents. Lily is younger and she has always had a difficult time being Jane's sister. Jane had mental and emotional problems that embarrassed her and that now cause her lots of guilt.
The narrato...more
The narrato...more
By the discussion questions at the end, I gather that this is a book aimed primarily at teens and preteens. It was a short, quick read and well-written to boot. The author is particularly good at subtly fleshing out a setting so that you can "see" it. While I enjoyed it, I doubt that I will read it again so that is why the three stars instead of four.
Beautiful and powerful book. The writing is superb and the story is wonderful. It took me a while to figure out what was going on with the alternate voices each chapter since one of the main characters was dead, but it was definitely worth it. I'd recommend this book to anyone who wants a deeper read at a shorter length.
Jun 23, 2011
Ava Johnson
added it
made me cry at the end.. i felt really bad for lily and caleb, since they seemed to work so well with each other. but i did understand their love for each other. though i think i understand jane a little better than i understand lily. i can kind of connect with her. a little.
The major and tragic events in the book happen so fast, but the reader is not sure how or why these events take place. Through reading the story the reader can place the pieces in order. The story is well written, but it is a sad tale.
this is one of my favourite books in the world i loved it so much im on the verge of tears every time i remmber it it was a super loving lovely book i hope to read it againe some day and i recomend it to evryone.
this book was probably ONE of the best books i've ever read(besides the gallagher girls and Twilight series) it was a tale about two sisters living in their own worlds until they collide(the worlds)
I finished this short novel with so many questions unanswered. It bothers me that in the end, there really isn't a deeper meaning to it; or maybe there is but I'd have to go back and reread it again and take notes to find it.
This is a beautifully written book about two sisters who were close as small children then grew apart as the younger began to develop a life of her own. I recommend this book highly!
I literally read this book in an hour and a half. It has an interesting plot and is well written. I really enjoyed this quick read! It was dark but very engrossing.
I was pretty "meh" until the end, but the end was good, so I turned out liking the book. It was an interesting story, and I felt bad for both sisters.
Love love love this book. Mesmerizing story--complicated and beautifully written--about two sisters and the summer after one's death.
Story of two sisters on opposite sides of life...one has a disability the other has it all. Very realistic.
Not too shabby for a debut novel. I appreciated her portrayal of a schizophrenic teenager. Granted, I have no idea how accurate it is, but it seemed realistic enough. Switching from first person POV for Lily to third person omniscient for Jane was effective, especially when their "tellings" overlapped. I was particularly engaged when Lily would describe Jane's episodes and how they effected her (Lily). It was reminicent of (though I hate this expression) a poor man's Skin by Vrettos.
A decent 2 d...more
A decent 2 d...more
I liked how the book jumped from one girl to the other. But I didn't like some of the ambiguity.
i found myself connecting with the characters in this book so much it was scary.
Good read about two very different sisters dwelling on opposite sides of life and death who bravely try to overcome the void and bring light to each other.
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More about Adele Griffin...
You can also find me on twitter: http://twitter.com/adelegriffin
and Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Adele-G...
and
http://www.tighterthebook.com
and
http://www.picturethedead.com
and
http://www.thejuliangame.com
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“It's strange how so much life can be lived without speaking”
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21 people liked it
“Fears are to be faced, not denied, and life is to be lived, not mourned.”
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Jan 31, 2013 05:44pm