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What Light
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From Jay Asher, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Thirteen Reasons Why, comes a romance that will break your heart, but soon have you believing again. . . .
Sierra's family runs a Christmas tree farm in Oregon—it's a bucolic setting for a girl to grow up in, except that every year, they pack up and move to California to set up their Christmas tree lot for the season. ...more
Sierra's family runs a Christmas tree farm in Oregon—it's a bucolic setting for a girl to grow up in, except that every year, they pack up and move to California to set up their Christmas tree lot for the season. ...more
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Kayla
It begins with Thanksgiving, and ends with Christmas, focusing on all of the holiday traditions in between.
Savannah Lancaster
I wouldn’t say perfect but definitely close to that, it sure is unreliable though.
Community Reviews
Showing 1-30
Start your review of What Light
I was sent an early copy of this book because I can read. I read this book and LOVED it. You should definitely add it to your TBR list. I would talk more about the book and the characters now but I'm so terrible at reviews, I'm afraid anything I say might deter people from reading this rather than encourage them to read it because my reviews are that bad.
I should just stop here.
This is definitely where I should stop.
Stopping this review right now would be a good idea.
You know what else is a ...more
I should just stop here.
This is definitely where I should stop.
Stopping this review right now would be a good idea.
You know what else is a ...more
Dec 09, 2017
Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
favorites,
young-adult
Omg, y'all! I loved this book so much! I cried, good tears though.
I put off reading this book for a year and then one of my book groups is reading it this month and I jumped on board. I had NO IDEA that I would love it this much. Sometimes I just love those sentimental, sweet and wonderful books.
Sierra's parents own a tree farm. It's what Sierra has known all of her life. They live in Oregon but ever year they take trees out to California where they have had a lot for many moons. It was in the ...more
I put off reading this book for a year and then one of my book groups is reading it this month and I jumped on board. I had NO IDEA that I would love it this much. Sometimes I just love those sentimental, sweet and wonderful books.
Sierra's parents own a tree farm. It's what Sierra has known all of her life. They live in Oregon but ever year they take trees out to California where they have had a lot for many moons. It was in the ...more
I absolutely adored this book! My book bestie Laura sent me this one today and I finished it in 1 sitting. This had all the Christmas feels I was looking for and a bonus addition of some extra emotional moments involving daddy/daughter relationships. This was a super clean YA book as well, which makes it a nice option for parents looking for something more age appropriate for younger teens. Highly recommend reading this around Christmas, or at least during winter for the full experience.
And here is my first one star rating for 2017. Sadly, the cheese pill didn't work.
Think of all the terrible cheesy and cringe worthy things you can find in a contemporary novel.
That should sum up this book.
Honestly, I was expecting to like this book. I heard it was extremely cheesy and cringy, but I didn't think much of it and thought I would at least give this 3 stars because you know it might not be that bad, and it wasn't bad. It was so fucking terrible that I was tempted to repeatedly slam ...more
Think of all the terrible cheesy and cringe worthy things you can find in a contemporary novel.
That should sum up this book.
Honestly, I was expecting to like this book. I heard it was extremely cheesy and cringy, but I didn't think much of it and thought I would at least give this 3 stars because you know it might not be that bad, and it wasn't bad. It was so fucking terrible that I was tempted to repeatedly slam ...more
I know I say this all the time, but I really mean it: I wanted to like this book so badly. I saw good reviews from trusted sources, so I had faith...but I just had so many problems with this book.
https://emmareadstoomuch.wordpress.co...
Let’s start with the good stuff, though! I really liked the first part. I started reading this late last night/early this morning and stayed up even later to read it. I’m obsessed with the idea of Christmas tree farms, and the setting was done well. Most important ...more
https://emmareadstoomuch.wordpress.co...
Let’s start with the good stuff, though! I really liked the first part. I started reading this late last night/early this morning and stayed up even later to read it. I’m obsessed with the idea of Christmas tree farms, and the setting was done well. Most important ...more
A really sweet and quick Christmas romance.
Dec 28, 2016
Trina (Between Chapters)
added it
I was sent a copy of this book by Penguin.
Rating & review redacted.
Rating & review redacted.
I’m so utterly in love with this books it’s nauseating.
Note: this review may be slightly biased because winter is my favourite time of the year and so this book just made me feel really nostalgic – and that’s probably why I love it so much – judge me!
What Light is a contemporary written by Jay Asher. Now, I know his previous book, Thirteen Reasons Why was highly controversial and got a lot of negative feedback, but I loved it, so naturally hearing that he published another book got me a ...more
Beautifully written, this sweet & simple story enveloped me. While aptly addressing very real struggles many teens may face, Mr. Asher also captures and conveys the pure joy that young folks experience, create & selflessly share.
I'll definitely be donating a couple of copies to my favorite high school students' classroom library, and in plenty of time for the winter holidays. ...more
I'll definitely be donating a couple of copies to my favorite high school students' classroom library, and in plenty of time for the winter holidays. ...more
Oct 16, 2016
Sarah Elizabeth
rated it
liked it
Shelves:
netgalley-edelweiss,
r2r-read,
read-2016,
as,
romance,
contemporary,
young-adult,
read-with-abbie,
christmas
(I received an advance copy of this book for free. Thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley.)
This was a YA contemporary romance set at Christmas.
Sierra was an okay character and it was good of her to help her parents out selling trees at Christmas. I did feel a bit sorry for her the way her life was split between two places though.
The storyline in this was about Sierra going down ...more
“Maybe it doesn’t make sense,” I say. “And I’m fully aware that I’m not usually like this, but… I like him.”
This was a YA contemporary romance set at Christmas.
Sierra was an okay character and it was good of her to help her parents out selling trees at Christmas. I did feel a bit sorry for her the way her life was split between two places though.
The storyline in this was about Sierra going down ...more
***2 disappointed stars***
I came to realize that some YA books are just too...young adult-y for my taste. Frankly, I wanted to read this book because I thought the cover was really cute and because it's a Christmas book. But after the first few chapters it felt so, idk, immature.
Either I'm getting too old for YA, or this story just wasn't so great... All the characters felt too much like teenagers and I know that that's the whole point of the genre, for it too be for and about young people, but ...more
I came to realize that some YA books are just too...young adult-y for my taste. Frankly, I wanted to read this book because I thought the cover was really cute and because it's a Christmas book. But after the first few chapters it felt so, idk, immature.
Either I'm getting too old for YA, or this story just wasn't so great... All the characters felt too much like teenagers and I know that that's the whole point of the genre, for it too be for and about young people, but ...more
2017 F.A.B. Bookclub pick # I.❤️. F.A.B.
Very quick little read about teen life and romance. I was a little disappointed, as I was expecting greatness given this authors other work. It was a little boring at parts. Overall it wasn’t bad. I just don’t think it was good enough to read again, or suggest as a ‘must read’ to anyone.
Very quick little read about teen life and romance. I was a little disappointed, as I was expecting greatness given this authors other work. It was a little boring at parts. Overall it wasn’t bad. I just don’t think it was good enough to read again, or suggest as a ‘must read’ to anyone.
The Heart Knows Best
Follow your heart even when the whole world is conspiring against your choices!
Unlike brain, which is always diverging, dwelling on options, the heart knows Just One Way — the right one 👍
Follow your heart even when the whole world is conspiring against your choices!
Unlike brain, which is always diverging, dwelling on options, the heart knows Just One Way — the right one 👍
I've been a fan of Jay's words for a while, so I greedy grabbed this book off of his name alone.
Love love loved Sierra. She's smart and a genuinely nice person. I loved that she struggled to deal with the two parts of her life, but could recognize that each one was special. That one wasn't better than the other. Of course I'm infatuated with Caleb and I firmly believe there's a gift exchange scene that tops every single other one ever written. Ever.
The story was heartbreaking and hopeful and a ...more
Love love loved Sierra. She's smart and a genuinely nice person. I loved that she struggled to deal with the two parts of her life, but could recognize that each one was special. That one wasn't better than the other. Of course I'm infatuated with Caleb and I firmly believe there's a gift exchange scene that tops every single other one ever written. Ever.
The story was heartbreaking and hopeful and a ...more
Cute and set on a Christmas tree farm. Sierra’s parents uproot the family every year at Christmas tree season so they can all work on the farm selling trees. I thought one thing that was especially cool was how this painted a different picture of how farming kids may have to miss school/make sacrifices than other books I’ve read depict.
Sierra meets Caleb when he shows up at the Christmas tree tent to purchase trees and there are definite sparks, but there are also rumors circulating about Caleb ...more
Sierra meets Caleb when he shows up at the Christmas tree tent to purchase trees and there are definite sparks, but there are also rumors circulating about Caleb ...more
2 1/2 out of 5.
I wanted more from this book. I felt the characters & overall story fell flat.
I will say if your looking for a quick, light, Christmasy read this is perfect but I just wanted more depth from it.
I wanted more from this book. I felt the characters & overall story fell flat.
I will say if your looking for a quick, light, Christmasy read this is perfect but I just wanted more depth from it.
Super adorable read that is perfect for the holidays. It was exactly what I hoped for and wanted, which was very comforting.
Edit:
Last year I read the "sneak peek" version of this, but I had bought a hard copy for someone younger, and likely to be more appreciative of it - but, being a bit cautious on the "romance" part of this, I wanted to make sure it was something both appropriate for a 13 year old, and something she would enjoy. That's the only edit I will make to my previous review, except to say this is a sweetly innocent look at young love.
Original review below:
--------------------
I read a “Sneak Peek” edition ...more
Last year I read the "sneak peek" version of this, but I had bought a hard copy for someone younger, and likely to be more appreciative of it - but, being a bit cautious on the "romance" part of this, I wanted to make sure it was something both appropriate for a 13 year old, and something she would enjoy. That's the only edit I will make to my previous review, except to say this is a sweetly innocent look at young love.
Original review below:
--------------------
I read a “Sneak Peek” edition ...more
The book was okay.
But what's not okay is the author sexually harassing women and then writes about them as if he knows how hard life for us is. ...more
But what's not okay is the author sexually harassing women and then writes about them as if he knows how hard life for us is. ...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
2.5 stars.
This story was cute, but that's about it. ...more
This story was cute, but that's about it. ...more
Few thoughts after reading this novel:
- This is quite shorter than what I expected.
- But this is the cheesefest I definitely expected.
- This is instalove, and I kinda love/hate it.
- This is also the type of YA Contemporary I normally would dislike, but maybe the Christmas-y vibes made me like it a bit more?
- Thirteen Reasons Why was a major love for me. I remember reading it in college freshman year (2010 or 2011) and I was moved and amazed and in awe of Jay Asher's writing. This made me feel li ...more
- This is quite shorter than what I expected.
- But this is the cheesefest I definitely expected.
- This is instalove, and I kinda love/hate it.
- This is also the type of YA Contemporary I normally would dislike, but maybe the Christmas-y vibes made me like it a bit more?
- Thirteen Reasons Why was a major love for me. I remember reading it in college freshman year (2010 or 2011) and I was moved and amazed and in awe of Jay Asher's writing. This made me feel li ...more
edit: okay. i've thought more about it, and there's nothing holding me back from giving this one star except for the fact that i don't like giving books one stars. so i'm lowering it.
meh.
can't decide between 1 and 2 stars, so i'll say 1.5 and round up to 2 for the click-rating.
okay. this wasn't a "bad" book, per se. it was just entirely unoriginal. it reminded me a lot of the last crappy jennifer e. smith book, the pink one. you know that clichéd statement about using "every cliché in the book"? ...more
meh.
can't decide between 1 and 2 stars, so i'll say 1.5 and round up to 2 for the click-rating.
okay. this wasn't a "bad" book, per se. it was just entirely unoriginal. it reminded me a lot of the last crappy jennifer e. smith book, the pink one. you know that clichéd statement about using "every cliché in the book"? ...more
Maybe some would say this was cheesy but frankly we could all use more cheese. While being a YA book this still struck a chord with me & I loved it. Sometimes you really just need a cheesy Christmas story to make your heart feel full.
What Light is a standalone, contemporary young-adult novel set during Christmastime. It's hard not to compare the author Jay Asher's previous work to this one, and just so you know, there's no comparison. But What Light offers perspective and an inspiring message all its own. The themes incorporated in this story include self-forgiveness, allowing others to move on from their mistakes, second chances, and not casting judgment on others because you never know what you would do when confronted wit
...more
Too much fluff and melodrama for me, but I did like the Christmas atmosphere.
Oct 12, 2016
Jaime Arkin
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
ya,
galley-arc,
read-in-2016,
stand-alone-books,
2016,
contemporary,
razorbill,
holiday-reads
3.5 stars
If you’re looking for a cute YA holiday read then look no further. Jay Asher has written a sweet, light-hearted story of friendship, family and falling in love for the first time.
Sierra’s family owns a Christmas tree farm in Oregon where she spends 11 months of the year. Come Thanksgiving, her parents and her are off to California to set up on a lot that’s been a part of her family for ages and sell their trees. For one month Sierra is in a different life, not quite forgetting her frie ...more
If you’re looking for a cute YA holiday read then look no further. Jay Asher has written a sweet, light-hearted story of friendship, family and falling in love for the first time.
Sierra’s family owns a Christmas tree farm in Oregon where she spends 11 months of the year. Come Thanksgiving, her parents and her are off to California to set up on a lot that’s been a part of her family for ages and sell their trees. For one month Sierra is in a different life, not quite forgetting her frie ...more
Okay seriously if this wasn't perfect then I just don't know what is. I'm so full of happiness right now, my Christmas spirit is at a all time high and it's not even Halloween yet. I've never read a Christmas novel before and I'm entirely thrilled this was my first one. This is a story about a family who owns a Christmas tree farm in Oregon, yet spends every year selling Christmas trees for a month leading up to the big day in California. The main character, Sierra, had one of the greatest perso
...more
Cute holiday fluff!!! I haven't read YA in a while, but this gave me the hope of Christmas preparations and the joy of the season!! It was a light and happy read, which I enjoyed, knowing I haven't read a Christmas book for the longest time!! :)
I didn't like the fact that the story was predictable, which took away my excitement during reading. All the well though, it was fuzzy fluff. ...more
I didn't like the fact that the story was predictable, which took away my excitement during reading. All the well though, it was fuzzy fluff. ...more
I started this book only because I've read Thirteen reasons why and I absolutely loved it, but this book...it's a pure no from me. I was expecting a lot so maybe that was the problem but it was so disappointing for me. I'll write a review soon.
...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YA Buddy Readers'...: What Light by Jay Asher - GBR - Starting December 1st 2020 | 3 | 145 | Dec 02, 2020 03:20AM | |
| What's the Name o...: SOLVED. YA - girl travels with her family to sell Christmas trees and she meets a boy who has a troubled past. [s] | 3 | 15 | Jan 09, 2020 02:31PM | |
| Kathryn Flink: Review 9 | 1 | 4 | Apr 19, 2019 02:46PM | |
| Play Book Tag: What Light by Jay Asher - 3 stars | 4 | 13 | Dec 12, 2018 08:17PM | |
| YA Buddy Readers'...: What Light by Jay Asher - Restarting January 7th 2018 | 43 | 115 | Jan 10, 2018 07:48PM | |
| Crazy for Young A...: What Light by Jay Asher → Start Date: October 1st, 2017 | 9 | 20 | Oct 04, 2017 10:58AM | |
| ..: What Light | Discussion | 7 | 63 | Jan 14, 2017 01:33PM |
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Jay Asher was born in Arcadia, California on September 30, 1975. He grew up in a family that encouraged all of his interests, from playing the guitar to his writing. He attended Cuesta College right after graduating from high school. It was here where he wrote his first two children’s books for a class called Children’s Literature Appreciation. At this point in his life, he had decided he wanted t
...more
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