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A Straight Line to My Heart
A funny, poignant, realistic story of Tiffany's first love and first job, and the inevitability of change in the first summer out of school School is over, not just for the year, but forever. Tiff and Kayla are free, which is what they've always wanted, but now summer is nearly at an end and that means life decisions. Tiff is hoping her job at the local paper will lead to something more, but "The Shark" soon puts her straight on what it takes to become a hard-nosed reporter like him. At home, Reggie—the only grandad she's ever known—has quit smoking and diagnosed himself as a cactus, and then Kayla hits her with some big news. And into all this stumbles Davey, who plays rugby but quotes Truman Capote, and is the first boy who has ever really wanted to know her. Tiff is smart with words and rarely does tears, but in one short week she discovers that words don't always get you there; they don't let you say all the stuff from deep in your heart.
228 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2011
18 people are currently reading
3869 people want to read
About the author
Bill Condon
91 books28 followersBill Condon's young adult novels, Dogs (2001) and No Worries (2005) were Honour Books in the CBCA (Australian Book of the Year) Awards. No Worries was also short-listed for the Ethel Turner Prize in the 2005 NSW Premier's Literary Awards. In 2010 Bill's Confessions Of A Liar, Thief And Failed Sex God won the inaugural Prime Minister's Literary Award for young adult fiction. A Straight LineTo My Heart is Bill's most recent young adult novel. In 2012 it was a CBCA Honour Book, and was short-listed in the Prime Minister's Lterary Awards and the Ethel Turner Prize.
Before devoting himself to novels, Bill had a long and successful career as a writer of short stories, plays and poetry for young people. His work encompasses many genres and he has more than one hundred titles to his credit. He lives on the south coast of New South Wales with his wife, the well known children's author Di (Dianne) Bates.
Bill's latest book is the junior novel, The Simple Things, published in 2014.
Before devoting himself to novels, Bill had a long and successful career as a writer of short stories, plays and poetry for young people. His work encompasses many genres and he has more than one hundred titles to his credit. He lives on the south coast of New South Wales with his wife, the well known children's author Di (Dianne) Bates.
Bill's latest book is the junior novel, The Simple Things, published in 2014.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 177 reviews
May 19, 2012
I know, you're not supposed to judge books by their covers. But publishers need to quit false advertising their books too. You put a smiling girl in a rainbow shirt on the cover? Excuse me for expecting a smiling girl in a rainbow shirt inside the cover.
When there's a disconnect between the cover and the book, I usually feel a disconnect with the book itself. A Straight Line to My Heart, with that gorgeous cover and cutesy title and main character named Tiff, started off in line with my expectations. There's a meet-cute, a love interest, etc. However, it quickly veered away from the cute and toward a deeper, more poignant story that exceeded my expectations. This is the rare case where despite the misdirection of the cover, it didn't affect my enjoyment of the book at all and I found myself unexpectedly loving this book.
A Straight Line to My Heart is about Tiff, recent high school graduate and wannabe reporter. She's the type of girl who says things like,
What I really liked about this book is that there is such a strong sense of family, but "family" isn't a mother and a father. It's Reggie and Bull. Reggie isn't even Bull's biological father but his stepfather. However, a lack of bloodline or traditional roles doesn't mean there's less of a family dynamic. Tiff actually has one of the best relationships with her family that I've seen in YA. After Bull says good night to her one night, Tiff thinks,
Rating: 4/5 stars.
This review appears on Young Adult Anonymous.
When there's a disconnect between the cover and the book, I usually feel a disconnect with the book itself. A Straight Line to My Heart, with that gorgeous cover and cutesy title and main character named Tiff, started off in line with my expectations. There's a meet-cute, a love interest, etc. However, it quickly veered away from the cute and toward a deeper, more poignant story that exceeded my expectations. This is the rare case where despite the misdirection of the cover, it didn't affect my enjoyment of the book at all and I found myself unexpectedly loving this book.
A Straight Line to My Heart is about Tiff, recent high school graduate and wannabe reporter. She's the type of girl who says things like,
"If you can't get a boy, get a book, that's my motto."Basically, I instantly liked her and related to her. Her world consists of Reggie, her adoptive father, Bull, her adoptive brother/father figure, and Kayla, her best friend. I expected Davey, the boy she meets-cute at the library of all places, to quickly become the center of that world. Thankfully, Bill Condon takes my expectations and shoves them where the sun don't shine. (Forks?) Davey is a thought, for sure, but Tiff's reality is that she's a high school graduate without college prospects. Her one prospect is an internship at a local paper, where she's immediately schooled by a wizened oldtimer named Shark. This is a slice of life story about the different elements that affect your life: family, friends, colleagues, work, and yes, that person you want to be more than friends with.
What I really liked about this book is that there is such a strong sense of family, but "family" isn't a mother and a father. It's Reggie and Bull. Reggie isn't even Bull's biological father but his stepfather. However, a lack of bloodline or traditional roles doesn't mean there's less of a family dynamic. Tiff actually has one of the best relationships with her family that I've seen in YA. After Bull says good night to her one night, Tiff thinks,
"We must have had a thousand moments like this, being together and happy. Not one of them stands out from the rest. I suppose it's like eating chocolate. You love it at the time, but after you've licked the last trace from your lips, it's just gone.It's such a simple sentiment but is loaded with so much feeling. That's how I would characterize the whole book really. There were so many little moments throughout the book that I loved. The ending was another little moment, but a big one to Tiff, and it was perfect.
I turn on my computer and write about today in my journal, so I can keep it."
Rating: 4/5 stars.
This review appears on Young Adult Anonymous.
October 9, 2013
4.5 stars
“If you can’t get a boy, get a book, that’s my motto.”
(Believe me, the ‘meta’-ness of me using this quote is definitely not lost on me!)
From the very opening lines, Tiff’s voice is clear and distinct, flowing beautifully on the pages as she relates the events of Bill Condon’s heart-warming novel. I loved her as a narrator: she’s astute, self-deprecating, funny. With simple, succinct turns of phrase, her story is poignant, full of heart and humour. Tiff’s observations were so familiar and relatable, and I found myself identifying with her so much, that reading this book was a slightly achy experience.
Tiff has finished high school, and is about to start work experience at the local paper, which she hopes will lead to a cadetship as a journalist. She’s a book lover, a writer, and has spent her life in the tiny country town of Gungee with her patchwork family made up of surrogate grandfather and older brother figures, Reggie and Bull. Capable, strong, not really one for tears, Tiff is a deeply insightful character, treading the line between hope and doubt when it comes to her future, family and first love.
Distinctly Australian in humour, style and dialogue, ‘A Straight Line to My Heart’ is heavy on the colloquialisms. In this way it reminded me a little of Markus Zusak’s ‘I Am The Messenger’ or Cath Crowley’s ‘Chasing Charlie Duskin’ – there is a similar flavour to the characterisation and the speech. I found I actually really enjoyed this – I could completely visualise the characters and their interactions and I laughed out loud on more than one occasion. (It probably helps having come from a small town myself. Tiff’s description of the available entertainment options in Gungee was classic).
Reggie and Bull are brilliantly realised characters, typical Australian men, with clear affection for Tiff. The secondary characters were similarly authentic: Tiff’s new colleague ‘the Shark’, her best friend Kayla, Inky (oh my goodness – that nickname!), Bull’s girlfriend Zoe, Davey “Big Foot” Peters.. all of them bring a subtle texture to the story and context to Tiff’s world. A particular scene with Tiff and Kayla, where Tiff internalises her thoughts about the friendship, is just quietly heart breaking. It’s a good example of how Condon’s writing is quiet and spare, yet powerfully articulate.
Spanning just one week, events both small and large unfold that will change Tiff’s life. You can feel the subtle shifts taking place under the words, all gently building towards something. While not exactly a frenzied-page-turning type of book, it’s the investment in the characters makes it so compelling and compulsively readable. The further I read the more I genuinely cared about the characters and what was happening to them.
And the ending.. without giving anything away here: genius and beautiful.
‘A Straight Line to My Heart’ was a pleasure to read. It’s funny and sad, moving and unique. Perhaps it’s simply that the protagonist and her story really spoke to me; or Bill Condon’s way with words; or the genuine, developed characters – but I adored this book. I would recommend it anyone who enjoys well-written, contemporary Australian fiction. (And possibly humour in the style of ‘The Castle’ :D ...)
Finally, some quotes:
“Do you think I’m pretty?”
“No, mate”, he said, “I wouldn’t call you pretty at all. No way. You’re beautiful.”
It’s still near the top of my all-time favourite lies.
_
“I love Sylvia Plath, but I can only read her poetry in short bursts; stay too long in her world and the gloom seeps through by osmosis.”
_
“Yeah,” he says, nodding, “you are full-on weird.” But he says it with a smile.
“If you can’t get a boy, get a book, that’s my motto.”
(Believe me, the ‘meta’-ness of me using this quote is definitely not lost on me!)
From the very opening lines, Tiff’s voice is clear and distinct, flowing beautifully on the pages as she relates the events of Bill Condon’s heart-warming novel. I loved her as a narrator: she’s astute, self-deprecating, funny. With simple, succinct turns of phrase, her story is poignant, full of heart and humour. Tiff’s observations were so familiar and relatable, and I found myself identifying with her so much, that reading this book was a slightly achy experience.
Tiff has finished high school, and is about to start work experience at the local paper, which she hopes will lead to a cadetship as a journalist. She’s a book lover, a writer, and has spent her life in the tiny country town of Gungee with her patchwork family made up of surrogate grandfather and older brother figures, Reggie and Bull. Capable, strong, not really one for tears, Tiff is a deeply insightful character, treading the line between hope and doubt when it comes to her future, family and first love.
Distinctly Australian in humour, style and dialogue, ‘A Straight Line to My Heart’ is heavy on the colloquialisms. In this way it reminded me a little of Markus Zusak’s ‘I Am The Messenger’ or Cath Crowley’s ‘Chasing Charlie Duskin’ – there is a similar flavour to the characterisation and the speech. I found I actually really enjoyed this – I could completely visualise the characters and their interactions and I laughed out loud on more than one occasion. (It probably helps having come from a small town myself. Tiff’s description of the available entertainment options in Gungee was classic).
Reggie and Bull are brilliantly realised characters, typical Australian men, with clear affection for Tiff. The secondary characters were similarly authentic: Tiff’s new colleague ‘the Shark’, her best friend Kayla, Inky (oh my goodness – that nickname!), Bull’s girlfriend Zoe, Davey “Big Foot” Peters.. all of them bring a subtle texture to the story and context to Tiff’s world. A particular scene with Tiff and Kayla, where Tiff internalises her thoughts about the friendship, is just quietly heart breaking. It’s a good example of how Condon’s writing is quiet and spare, yet powerfully articulate.
Spanning just one week, events both small and large unfold that will change Tiff’s life. You can feel the subtle shifts taking place under the words, all gently building towards something. While not exactly a frenzied-page-turning type of book, it’s the investment in the characters makes it so compelling and compulsively readable. The further I read the more I genuinely cared about the characters and what was happening to them.
And the ending.. without giving anything away here: genius and beautiful.
‘A Straight Line to My Heart’ was a pleasure to read. It’s funny and sad, moving and unique. Perhaps it’s simply that the protagonist and her story really spoke to me; or Bill Condon’s way with words; or the genuine, developed characters – but I adored this book. I would recommend it anyone who enjoys well-written, contemporary Australian fiction. (And possibly humour in the style of ‘The Castle’ :D ...)
Finally, some quotes:
“Do you think I’m pretty?”
“No, mate”, he said, “I wouldn’t call you pretty at all. No way. You’re beautiful.”
It’s still near the top of my all-time favourite lies.
_
“I love Sylvia Plath, but I can only read her poetry in short bursts; stay too long in her world and the gloom seeps through by osmosis.”
_
“Yeah,” he says, nodding, “you are full-on weird.” But he says it with a smile.
August 31, 2012
I want to write a review of this book, truly I do, but all I keep doing is singing "Groovy Kind of Love" by Phil Collins and thinking about Aussie contemporary YA lit. "When I'm feeling blue, all I have to do, is take a look aaaaat you, then I'm not sooo blue." That's where I stop singing, lest this turn into some sort of awkwardly sexual booklove situation. It is true that Aussie YA books and I have a groovy kind of love, though. Raw Blue, The Piper's Son, A Little Wanting Song, Six Impossible Things, Holier Than Thou; these books all just knocked it out of the park for me, and my favorite thing about them is that they aren't really about anything but living. While slice-of-life stories are common for every age group, young adult books can very quickly become angst-ridden "no one can understand me, my pain is so singular" types of stories, which really alienates me as a reader. Somehow many Australian authors seem to be successful at conveying the depressing bits of life, all the while with the undertones of the familial and friendship connections as an anchor that keep the narrative from getting to negative.
In A Straight Line to My Heart, Tiff(any) is trying to enjoy her summer after finishing high school. She has an internship lined up at her local newspaper and a new crush on a footballer from a nearby town, but the story doesn't dwell on one plotline throughout. Instead, it basically just follows Tiff through about a week of her summer. The cast of characters is fairly controlled and there are not a lot of random mentions, which allowed me to really get the feel of several of the central players--Tiff, her family (who are actually more a surrogate brother/uncle, Bull, and grandfather, Reggie), Bull's girlfriend Zoe, her supervisor at the newspaper, and Tiff's new love interest, Davey. In addition, the setting is contained to only around three or four locations. While I do appreciate lots of action and plot twists in most genres, contemporary fiction is the place where I'll give up basically everything for the characters and a connection. I loved Tiff's voice from the initial library scene opening where she is annoyed to be rudely interrupted while she is lost on the moors with Heathcliff, and I couldn't help but laugh at the note that Davey gave her later in the book:
I like you but you mightn't feel the same way about me, and I wouldn't blame you. To save us both from any awkward moments I've figured out an easy way to do this. Nod if you're even slightly interested in getting to know me. Write a ten page explanation if you're not.
"Write a ten page explanation if you're not?" That is so classic, and I really hope I remember to use it on someone in the future. Because I loved Tiff so much, it was lovely to see everyone else through her eyes. She thought about people's motivations for their actions--what did Bull's girlfriend want to hang out with her for? Why was Reggie trying to avoid going to the doctor? I wish I could contemplate and remind myself that there are usually reasons for everyone's bad attitudes or, alternatively, for their acts of kindness. Quite surprisingly, this book did not make me cry, but I believe that Tiff is so lucky to have the family relationship she has (and likewise, her family is lucky to have her), and I think she makes a few more valuable connections with people during her summer. Tiff would be a very hard person to dislike, but I could totally see her just fading into the background. I'm so happy that Condon picked her out of the crowd and decided to tell her story.
The list of people who might love this book is pretty long. I'd recommend it for fans of the books I mentioned earlier, though I think the style most resembled a mixture of Cath Crowley and Fiona Wood. Bill Condon did a fabulous job of making me totally forget that he was a male writer with a female narrator, so I'd add anyone who is looking for a successful example of writing a main character, in first person, of the opposite sex. Also, this book is for anyone who is a fan of slice-of-life stories full of heart and a bit of humor.
4.5/5 stars.
Thanks to Arlene from WinterHaven Books for lending me her copy. You're a star.
Read this review and many others at The Readventurer.
In A Straight Line to My Heart, Tiff(any) is trying to enjoy her summer after finishing high school. She has an internship lined up at her local newspaper and a new crush on a footballer from a nearby town, but the story doesn't dwell on one plotline throughout. Instead, it basically just follows Tiff through about a week of her summer. The cast of characters is fairly controlled and there are not a lot of random mentions, which allowed me to really get the feel of several of the central players--Tiff, her family (who are actually more a surrogate brother/uncle, Bull, and grandfather, Reggie), Bull's girlfriend Zoe, her supervisor at the newspaper, and Tiff's new love interest, Davey. In addition, the setting is contained to only around three or four locations. While I do appreciate lots of action and plot twists in most genres, contemporary fiction is the place where I'll give up basically everything for the characters and a connection. I loved Tiff's voice from the initial library scene opening where she is annoyed to be rudely interrupted while she is lost on the moors with Heathcliff, and I couldn't help but laugh at the note that Davey gave her later in the book:
I like you but you mightn't feel the same way about me, and I wouldn't blame you. To save us both from any awkward moments I've figured out an easy way to do this. Nod if you're even slightly interested in getting to know me. Write a ten page explanation if you're not.
"Write a ten page explanation if you're not?" That is so classic, and I really hope I remember to use it on someone in the future. Because I loved Tiff so much, it was lovely to see everyone else through her eyes. She thought about people's motivations for their actions--what did Bull's girlfriend want to hang out with her for? Why was Reggie trying to avoid going to the doctor? I wish I could contemplate and remind myself that there are usually reasons for everyone's bad attitudes or, alternatively, for their acts of kindness. Quite surprisingly, this book did not make me cry, but I believe that Tiff is so lucky to have the family relationship she has (and likewise, her family is lucky to have her), and I think she makes a few more valuable connections with people during her summer. Tiff would be a very hard person to dislike, but I could totally see her just fading into the background. I'm so happy that Condon picked her out of the crowd and decided to tell her story.
The list of people who might love this book is pretty long. I'd recommend it for fans of the books I mentioned earlier, though I think the style most resembled a mixture of Cath Crowley and Fiona Wood. Bill Condon did a fabulous job of making me totally forget that he was a male writer with a female narrator, so I'd add anyone who is looking for a successful example of writing a main character, in first person, of the opposite sex. Also, this book is for anyone who is a fan of slice-of-life stories full of heart and a bit of humor.
4.5/5 stars.
Thanks to Arlene from WinterHaven Books for lending me her copy. You're a star.
Read this review and many others at The Readventurer.
October 11, 2011
A Straight Line To My Heart is a cute, little book.
It's a snapshot of a week of Tiff's life, right after she graduates. She lives in Gungee Creek - a place where nothing ever happens - together with her foster father, Reggie, and her foster brother, Bull. For the foreseeable future, Tiff is going to start a sort of internship at a local newspaper, hoping it will lead to a cadetship and then to a proper job.
But it's not so much what happens in this book that really matters because truly, you might find the plot too simple, even a bit banal and certainly predictable.
What makes this book worth reading are the clever dialogues and the characters we meet in the course of the story.
Case in point: the dialogue.
I originally wanted to rate this book 3 stars until I got to this passage where one of the characters shows up at the MC's door and gives her this note:
I like you but you mightn't feel the same way about me, and I wouldn't blame you. To save us both from any awkward moments I've figured out an easy way to do this. Nod if you're even slightly interested in getting to know me. Write a ten page explanation if you're not.
I laughed for half an hour and I think it's brilliant. I wish it had happened to me.
Also, even though I am not Australian - but I have read my fair share of Aussie YA lately - I can feel this book as truly Australian. Not only in the settings, but mainly in the dialogue, the banter and the sense of humor. It's not about kids who plan to go to Harvard, it's about kids who finish high school and don't have a clue about what job they'll end up getting.
Or, in Tiff's words,
I'm not into class, I'm into people.
As is this book.
It's into people. It focalizes mainly on family, friendship and love with a pleasantly realistic insight and with a good sense of humor. It's a light read, but definitely not shallow in any way. Tiff's voice is very distinctive and real and what is all the more interesting is that the author of this voice is a man. I don't think I have read many books where a male author was successful in portraying a female voice like in this one.
My main complaint with A Straight Line To My Heart is that it's far too short. I loved the characters and I wish I'd spent more time with them and got to known them a bit better. It definitely left me wanting for more, even though I have to confess, the ending is just brilliant as it is.
Definitely recommended, as far as Aussie YA goes, this is one of the good ones.
It's a snapshot of a week of Tiff's life, right after she graduates. She lives in Gungee Creek - a place where nothing ever happens - together with her foster father, Reggie, and her foster brother, Bull. For the foreseeable future, Tiff is going to start a sort of internship at a local newspaper, hoping it will lead to a cadetship and then to a proper job.
But it's not so much what happens in this book that really matters because truly, you might find the plot too simple, even a bit banal and certainly predictable.
What makes this book worth reading are the clever dialogues and the characters we meet in the course of the story.
Case in point: the dialogue.
I originally wanted to rate this book 3 stars until I got to this passage where one of the characters shows up at the MC's door and gives her this note:
I like you but you mightn't feel the same way about me, and I wouldn't blame you. To save us both from any awkward moments I've figured out an easy way to do this. Nod if you're even slightly interested in getting to know me. Write a ten page explanation if you're not.
I laughed for half an hour and I think it's brilliant. I wish it had happened to me.
Also, even though I am not Australian - but I have read my fair share of Aussie YA lately - I can feel this book as truly Australian. Not only in the settings, but mainly in the dialogue, the banter and the sense of humor. It's not about kids who plan to go to Harvard, it's about kids who finish high school and don't have a clue about what job they'll end up getting.
Or, in Tiff's words,
I'm not into class, I'm into people.
As is this book.
It's into people. It focalizes mainly on family, friendship and love with a pleasantly realistic insight and with a good sense of humor. It's a light read, but definitely not shallow in any way. Tiff's voice is very distinctive and real and what is all the more interesting is that the author of this voice is a man. I don't think I have read many books where a male author was successful in portraying a female voice like in this one.
My main complaint with A Straight Line To My Heart is that it's far too short. I loved the characters and I wish I'd spent more time with them and got to known them a bit better. It definitely left me wanting for more, even though I have to confess, the ending is just brilliant as it is.
Definitely recommended, as far as Aussie YA goes, this is one of the good ones.
September 21, 2011
“There's nothing quite as good as folding up into a book and shutting the world outside. If I pick the right one I can be beautiful, or fall in love, or live happily ever after. Maybe even all three.”
4.5 stars.
What an opening line! I knew this book was going to be a good one.
Let me just say, first up - I love the cover of this one! It's simple and pretty and indented. When you hold the cover, the writing feels as if it's been punched with a Typewriter. Just a little quirk. Something unique.
Our protagonist, Tiff, has just graduated from high school. Passionate about writing, Tiff has applied to start work experience at the local paper in the hope that it will lead to a cadetship, if she's any good. Set in a small country town, Gungee, we learn that Tiff has been raised, after the death of her mother (when she was left with a non-present father), by two men she affectionately compares to a grandfather and brother/father - Reggie and Bull.
Reggie was adorable. I'm sorry if that sounds silly, but it's the only way I could see him. A gruff man, born and bred in the country, Reggie wasn't one to be overly cuddly or affectionate, yet the love he had for Tiff was heartwarming.
"I smile at the phone, wishing Reggie could see me.
'You're alright then, luv? No dramas?'
'Not a one.' I reach the kitchen. 'Thanks for thinking about me.'
'Gotta look after my girl. Only one I got.'
My smile gets even bigger.
Bull, Tiff's best friend Kayla, Kayla's mum Inky, Bull's girlfriend Zoe and Tiff's 'mentor', the Shark, were great secondary characters. They all had me laughing, swooning, tearing up... you name it. There were a few more in there, but they didn't really add much to the story, in mu opinion.
The language and humour throughout this book was so distinctly "Aussie", and I loved it. The characters' voices were so real, it was almost disconcerting - they sounded remarkably like that of my relatives in New South Wales.
A Straight Line To My Heart was heartwarming and funny, yet full of emotion and sadness. It was, as one of my fellow readers Reynje (awesome review hun!) has said, a pleasure to read.
Now, off to add a bundle of quotes... only my favourites, of course.
4.5 stars.
What an opening line! I knew this book was going to be a good one.
Let me just say, first up - I love the cover of this one! It's simple and pretty and indented. When you hold the cover, the writing feels as if it's been punched with a Typewriter. Just a little quirk. Something unique.
Our protagonist, Tiff, has just graduated from high school. Passionate about writing, Tiff has applied to start work experience at the local paper in the hope that it will lead to a cadetship, if she's any good. Set in a small country town, Gungee, we learn that Tiff has been raised, after the death of her mother (when she was left with a non-present father), by two men she affectionately compares to a grandfather and brother/father - Reggie and Bull.
Reggie was adorable. I'm sorry if that sounds silly, but it's the only way I could see him. A gruff man, born and bred in the country, Reggie wasn't one to be overly cuddly or affectionate, yet the love he had for Tiff was heartwarming.
"I smile at the phone, wishing Reggie could see me.
'You're alright then, luv? No dramas?'
'Not a one.' I reach the kitchen. 'Thanks for thinking about me.'
'Gotta look after my girl. Only one I got.'
My smile gets even bigger.
Bull, Tiff's best friend Kayla, Kayla's mum Inky, Bull's girlfriend Zoe and Tiff's 'mentor', the Shark, were great secondary characters. They all had me laughing, swooning, tearing up... you name it. There were a few more in there, but they didn't really add much to the story, in mu opinion.
The language and humour throughout this book was so distinctly "Aussie", and I loved it. The characters' voices were so real, it was almost disconcerting - they sounded remarkably like that of my relatives in New South Wales.
A Straight Line To My Heart was heartwarming and funny, yet full of emotion and sadness. It was, as one of my fellow readers Reynje (awesome review hun!) has said, a pleasure to read.
Now, off to add a bundle of quotes... only my favourites, of course.
March 22, 2012
Opening Paragraph:
There’s nothing quite as good as folding into a book and shutting the world outside. If I pick the right one I can be beautiful, or fall in love , or live happily ever after. Maybe even all three. If you can’t get a boy, get a book. That’s my motto.
With a start like that, I knew there was no doubt I wasn’t going to love this book to such crush-worthy proportions. This story made me laugh and sigh and giggle and almost cry so sincerely that I want to give it a review that it truly deserves, but alas I’ve accepted that the best I can do for A Straight Line to My Heart is simply gush about it and hope you’ll take my word that this book needs to be read and enjoyed. It’s that good in my opinion.
When I started reading Tiff’s story that was shared in a first person narrative, I swear I actually felt like we were having a conversation and speaking the same language. Have you ever done that? Fallen into a book so hard that you actually feel like you’re conversing with the characters? Well that’s what happened to me. Tiff is snarky and funny and so unabashedly honest that I would have loved about a hundred more pages of her story. And if I have any complaint about this book, it’s exactly that… I didn’t get enough. I selfishly wanted more.
This book is Aussie-awesome just like the other stories that come from this magical land of literary greatness. And truly, there’s nothing particularly grand or explosive about these stories, but that’s what makes them so perfectly unique and splendid. A Straight Line to My Heart is a simple, honest and very real story about life… a glimpse into someone’s life for such a short period of time that you feel so connected in that moment that you struggle to let go when the story ends. It’s about friendship, about life, about love and wondering if it is all worthwhile and hoping it actually is. So I think that’s what makes it so perfect for me, I can relate and I want to hang on so much longer than the length of the book.
Now I’ve included quotes in my reviews before, you know pieces of the story I don’t want to forget. Well, there’s one scene in this book that just amazed me with how truly adorable it felt. See, there’s a boy in this book and he’s not perfect or hunktastic by any means but there’s something about this guy that holy hale I just wanted to hug him. I want to share with you a note that he wrote to Tiff. I’m telling you that moment was just so perfect that I read it a few times and smiled like the biggest dork for that entire scene and longer to tell you the truth. See he hands her this note that reads:
Tiffany,
I like you but you mightn’t feel the same about me, and I wouldn’t blame you. To save us both from any awkward moments, I’ve figured out an easy way to do this. Nod if you’re even slightly interested in getting to know me. Write me a ten page explanation if you’re not.
Davey.
With that, here’s something I haven’t done for a while. That moment remind me of this song. That note and the last scene will be branded in my brain for quite some time. So, I hope others read this gem and enjoy it as much as I did. It really ranks up there with the other great Aussie books I’ve raved about. Loved it!!
Two more favorite quotes:
You take away her pretty and my plain and what you get underneath is about the same: a couple of girls looking to be found.
I’m not into class. I’m into people.
There’s nothing quite as good as folding into a book and shutting the world outside. If I pick the right one I can be beautiful, or fall in love , or live happily ever after. Maybe even all three. If you can’t get a boy, get a book. That’s my motto.
With a start like that, I knew there was no doubt I wasn’t going to love this book to such crush-worthy proportions. This story made me laugh and sigh and giggle and almost cry so sincerely that I want to give it a review that it truly deserves, but alas I’ve accepted that the best I can do for A Straight Line to My Heart is simply gush about it and hope you’ll take my word that this book needs to be read and enjoyed. It’s that good in my opinion.
When I started reading Tiff’s story that was shared in a first person narrative, I swear I actually felt like we were having a conversation and speaking the same language. Have you ever done that? Fallen into a book so hard that you actually feel like you’re conversing with the characters? Well that’s what happened to me. Tiff is snarky and funny and so unabashedly honest that I would have loved about a hundred more pages of her story. And if I have any complaint about this book, it’s exactly that… I didn’t get enough. I selfishly wanted more.
This book is Aussie-awesome just like the other stories that come from this magical land of literary greatness. And truly, there’s nothing particularly grand or explosive about these stories, but that’s what makes them so perfectly unique and splendid. A Straight Line to My Heart is a simple, honest and very real story about life… a glimpse into someone’s life for such a short period of time that you feel so connected in that moment that you struggle to let go when the story ends. It’s about friendship, about life, about love and wondering if it is all worthwhile and hoping it actually is. So I think that’s what makes it so perfect for me, I can relate and I want to hang on so much longer than the length of the book.
Now I’ve included quotes in my reviews before, you know pieces of the story I don’t want to forget. Well, there’s one scene in this book that just amazed me with how truly adorable it felt. See, there’s a boy in this book and he’s not perfect or hunktastic by any means but there’s something about this guy that holy hale I just wanted to hug him. I want to share with you a note that he wrote to Tiff. I’m telling you that moment was just so perfect that I read it a few times and smiled like the biggest dork for that entire scene and longer to tell you the truth. See he hands her this note that reads:
Tiffany,
I like you but you mightn’t feel the same about me, and I wouldn’t blame you. To save us both from any awkward moments, I’ve figured out an easy way to do this. Nod if you’re even slightly interested in getting to know me. Write me a ten page explanation if you’re not.
Davey.
With that, here’s something I haven’t done for a while. That moment remind me of this song. That note and the last scene will be branded in my brain for quite some time. So, I hope others read this gem and enjoy it as much as I did. It really ranks up there with the other great Aussie books I’ve raved about. Loved it!!
Two more favorite quotes:
You take away her pretty and my plain and what you get underneath is about the same: a couple of girls looking to be found.
I’m not into class. I’m into people.
January 28, 2012
So check it. This is how it is in Australia, apparently. There is ONE school where all the writers go and learn how to write the most heartfelt, realistic stories of the human element. Seriously, authors like, Melina Marchetta, Fiona Wood, Leanne Hall, Cath Crowley...etcetera...etcetera...Well, I just found out that Bill Condon also went to the same school! Imagine that. And you know what? I soooo could tell he went to the same school. His story telling style kind of follows the same formula as all the other Aussie authors I've discovered before him. Their final exams goes like this: Take the most banal character you could ever conceive out of your creative mind and then make your readers fall in love with them. How? Well, that's the tricky part. Mundane characters tend to be boring and painfully introverted...well, Tiffany is both. But what separates Tiffany from the rest of the poor heroines that forever be nicknamed as, Mary Sue? Well let me try and break it down for you if you're interested.
It's quite simple, actually: You have an orphaned girl taken in by Reggie, her sort of grandfather who also happens to be living with his stepson Bull. Tiff considers him as his uncle (but not really). These three remind me of a group of riff-rafts but their family unit is one that is the most tightly-knittted, supportive, and loving familial relationships I've ever had the privilege to read. So there's Tiff, cruising on to the highway of life when some barricades started sprouting out of nowhere. Poor Tiff. First, there was this giant of a boy who seemed to have developed quite an interest on her. He's a footie...er, footy...er...can I just call him a football player? Anyway, for some strange reason, this boy started talking to her...say what?! Tiffany? Plain, boring Tiffany whose nose is permanently glued to a book? Yes. That Tiffany! Well, there's gotta be something wrong with this boy, right? Actually, he's not that bad. He's quite cute and he appears to be well read, judging by his penchant for quoting Truman Capote. Tiffany figured that she could handle the boy, considering they don't even live in the same town. Besides, she's got other things she has to worry about. Like the fact that Reggie's acting extra weirder ever since he quit smoking. He's been talking more about funeral arrangements and tidying up loose ends. Oh! and she's about to start an internship at a local paper where her direct boss is called The Shark. So really, she doesn't need any more challenges in her life. But life is a meddling bitch who can't leave things well enough alone. Anywho, that's the gist of the story.
This book is patently Australian. The slang, the landscapes, the personalities. Seriously. I'm now more inclined to fall all over myself to meet an Aussie. There is a uniformity in the way these authors write about their folks and their country. The characters are all heart and the landscapes, no matter how extreme, becomes a work of art off the pages. One of the things that I enjoyed about these books is that there isn't a shortage of perfectly realistic characters. They're the type that I want to meet in real life. No frills, they'll tell you how it is and with not a single iota of pretentiousness.
I love that Bill Condon plied me with humour till I was comfortable enough to think that he wasn't going to go where he went. The best thing about it is he was consistent with the funnies even though you're supposed to be crying and it was great because I ended up tearing up and incongruously laughing at the same time.
Over all, A Straight Line to My Heart was a fantastic read. It's a story about an unconventional family with the most unconditional love for each other. Bill Condon truly captured all the qualities that I've grown to love about these books from Down Under; heartfelt, humorous and above all, realistic.
DISCLAIMER:
The first paragraph of this review is a complete BS...well, not all of them. The part of Australia having ONE school for writers is. :D
It's quite simple, actually: You have an orphaned girl taken in by Reggie, her sort of grandfather who also happens to be living with his stepson Bull. Tiff considers him as his uncle (but not really). These three remind me of a group of riff-rafts but their family unit is one that is the most tightly-knittted, supportive, and loving familial relationships I've ever had the privilege to read. So there's Tiff, cruising on to the highway of life when some barricades started sprouting out of nowhere. Poor Tiff. First, there was this giant of a boy who seemed to have developed quite an interest on her. He's a footie...er, footy...er...can I just call him a football player? Anyway, for some strange reason, this boy started talking to her...say what?! Tiffany? Plain, boring Tiffany whose nose is permanently glued to a book? Yes. That Tiffany! Well, there's gotta be something wrong with this boy, right? Actually, he's not that bad. He's quite cute and he appears to be well read, judging by his penchant for quoting Truman Capote. Tiffany figured that she could handle the boy, considering they don't even live in the same town. Besides, she's got other things she has to worry about. Like the fact that Reggie's acting extra weirder ever since he quit smoking. He's been talking more about funeral arrangements and tidying up loose ends. Oh! and she's about to start an internship at a local paper where her direct boss is called The Shark. So really, she doesn't need any more challenges in her life. But life is a meddling bitch who can't leave things well enough alone. Anywho, that's the gist of the story.
This book is patently Australian. The slang, the landscapes, the personalities. Seriously. I'm now more inclined to fall all over myself to meet an Aussie. There is a uniformity in the way these authors write about their folks and their country. The characters are all heart and the landscapes, no matter how extreme, becomes a work of art off the pages. One of the things that I enjoyed about these books is that there isn't a shortage of perfectly realistic characters. They're the type that I want to meet in real life. No frills, they'll tell you how it is and with not a single iota of pretentiousness.
I love that Bill Condon plied me with humour till I was comfortable enough to think that he wasn't going to go where he went. The best thing about it is he was consistent with the funnies even though you're supposed to be crying and it was great because I ended up tearing up and incongruously laughing at the same time.
Over all, A Straight Line to My Heart was a fantastic read. It's a story about an unconventional family with the most unconditional love for each other. Bill Condon truly captured all the qualities that I've grown to love about these books from Down Under; heartfelt, humorous and above all, realistic.
DISCLAIMER:
The first paragraph of this review is a complete BS...well, not all of them. The part of Australia having ONE school for writers is. :D
April 21, 2013
While I wish
A Straight Line to My Heart
was a little longer, it was perfect in its own way and utterly adorable. Seriously, don't let it's simplistic cover fool you - it's a novel that is deep in its subtlety, beautiful in its originality, and heart-wrenching in its happiness. I'm glad I took the time to savor this quick read - not to mention underline half the phrases in it! - and I know this is one I'll be thrusting upon others because it is
just that good.
Although a small book, A Straight Line to My Heart packs a punch. It is a story of people; of reality; of life. It doesn't have too much of a plot, revolving around Tiffany working as a journalist intern over the summer and her relationship with her adoptive brother Bull, adoptive father Reggie, and best friend Kayla. Yet, despite the fact that it charts the events of a typical summer holiday, it is an unassuming little tale of growing up.
What I love the most about A Straight Line to My Heart is that it's such an intelligent novel. I couldn't help but go highlighter-crazy with phrases that made me both laugh out loud and mull over them for minutes. Tiffany's voice is fresh and realistic, wise and amusing, making you instantly fall in love with her tale. Even better, though, is the fact that so much of her life is focused on family, despite the fact that Tiffany isn't related by blood to those she considers to be her own. Each one of these characters truly come alive on the page; their problems and worries, dreams and aspirations, heart-aches and joint pains burying themselves deep inside you. Condon, proving to live up to the ideal that Australian authors really are better than everyone else out there, ensures that despite their likability, his characters remain realistic...authentic, really, to both their role in Tiffany's life and their role as humans too.
I just want to say for a minute that Condon's writing is different from most I've come across. It is a quiet, almost hidden kind of prose, one that is slow and soothing, lullaby-like but engaging. It is extremely thoughtful and combined with his writing style, the ordinary events of these extraordinary characters become momentous journeys. Whether it be the growing together and apart of the friendship, the meets-cute of the romance, or just the tender affection felt between family, each of these seems so much more special and realized in this tale. A Straight Line to My Heart is truly a tale I can't say much about because more than anything else, I feel so much for it. It is genuine, heart-breaking, and compelling and even if you're the most cold-hearted person in the world, this book will melt even your heart.
You can read this review and more on my blog, Ivy Book Bindings.
Although a small book, A Straight Line to My Heart packs a punch. It is a story of people; of reality; of life. It doesn't have too much of a plot, revolving around Tiffany working as a journalist intern over the summer and her relationship with her adoptive brother Bull, adoptive father Reggie, and best friend Kayla. Yet, despite the fact that it charts the events of a typical summer holiday, it is an unassuming little tale of growing up.
What I love the most about A Straight Line to My Heart is that it's such an intelligent novel. I couldn't help but go highlighter-crazy with phrases that made me both laugh out loud and mull over them for minutes. Tiffany's voice is fresh and realistic, wise and amusing, making you instantly fall in love with her tale. Even better, though, is the fact that so much of her life is focused on family, despite the fact that Tiffany isn't related by blood to those she considers to be her own. Each one of these characters truly come alive on the page; their problems and worries, dreams and aspirations, heart-aches and joint pains burying themselves deep inside you. Condon, proving to live up to the ideal that Australian authors really are better than everyone else out there, ensures that despite their likability, his characters remain realistic...authentic, really, to both their role in Tiffany's life and their role as humans too.
I just want to say for a minute that Condon's writing is different from most I've come across. It is a quiet, almost hidden kind of prose, one that is slow and soothing, lullaby-like but engaging. It is extremely thoughtful and combined with his writing style, the ordinary events of these extraordinary characters become momentous journeys. Whether it be the growing together and apart of the friendship, the meets-cute of the romance, or just the tender affection felt between family, each of these seems so much more special and realized in this tale. A Straight Line to My Heart is truly a tale I can't say much about because more than anything else, I feel so much for it. It is genuine, heart-breaking, and compelling and even if you're the most cold-hearted person in the world, this book will melt even your heart.
You can read this review and more on my blog, Ivy Book Bindings.
April 11, 2012
This has so many great reviews, 4 and 5 stars all around it seems, so I almost feel bad rating it a 3.5.
Yes, it was cute. I adore the cover. I adore Reggie. But, something fell a little flat for me.
1. Maybe it was the whole Davey thing? He just swoops in and seems like he is going to be involved in the story, but he only makes brief appearances. I don't have to have a huge Love story, but I needed just a bit more.
2. The whole news-paper/shark thing. I didn't mind her getting the job or talking about it, but there for a while Tiff seemed to go on and on and on about it. I mean a good chunk of the story was about her 1st day of work.... and repeating the same story over again. Ugh. No.
3. Tiff. For me, she was a little hard to connect with. At times, she was a baby. At times, she was very whoa is me, let's have a pitty party..... Her work ethic at the paper bothered me, she was willing to give up after a day??? Seriously??
4. Kayla and Tiff's relationship. Most of the time it seemed like Tiff couldn't really be herself around her "best friend". Numerous times, Tiff thought things to say, but didn't want to say them out loud to her friend, it was like she wasn't comfortable???
While I am giving you all that negative, there was definitely some very great moments in this book. Most of them, in my opinion involved Reggie. I absolutely love him.
Also, there are TONS of amazing quotes in this book.
"It's the most sniffly, weepy, nose-blowing version I've ever heard. Reggie's going to be doing a lot of haunting."
"So to use his own words, "if you feel like saying somthin'-put a sock in it.""
"I'm not into class, I'm into people."
"Nod if you're even slightly interested in getting to know me. Write me a ten page explanation, if you're not."
"If you can't get a boy, get a book, that's my motto."
Like I said, 3.5 stars from me, but there are a lot of very high reviews out there... so maybe it's just me????!?!?!?!?
Yes, it was cute. I adore the cover. I adore Reggie. But, something fell a little flat for me.
1. Maybe it was the whole Davey thing? He just swoops in and seems like he is going to be involved in the story, but he only makes brief appearances. I don't have to have a huge Love story, but I needed just a bit more.
2. The whole news-paper/shark thing. I didn't mind her getting the job or talking about it, but there for a while Tiff seemed to go on and on and on about it. I mean a good chunk of the story was about her 1st day of work.... and repeating the same story over again. Ugh. No.
3. Tiff. For me, she was a little hard to connect with. At times, she was a baby. At times, she was very whoa is me, let's have a pitty party..... Her work ethic at the paper bothered me, she was willing to give up after a day??? Seriously??
4. Kayla and Tiff's relationship. Most of the time it seemed like Tiff couldn't really be herself around her "best friend". Numerous times, Tiff thought things to say, but didn't want to say them out loud to her friend, it was like she wasn't comfortable???
While I am giving you all that negative, there was definitely some very great moments in this book. Most of them, in my opinion involved Reggie. I absolutely love him.
Also, there are TONS of amazing quotes in this book.
"It's the most sniffly, weepy, nose-blowing version I've ever heard. Reggie's going to be doing a lot of haunting."
"So to use his own words, "if you feel like saying somthin'-put a sock in it.""
"I'm not into class, I'm into people."
"Nod if you're even slightly interested in getting to know me. Write me a ten page explanation, if you're not."
"If you can't get a boy, get a book, that's my motto."
Like I said, 3.5 stars from me, but there are a lot of very high reviews out there... so maybe it's just me????!?!?!?!?
March 14, 2017
I enjoyed A Straight Line to My Heart. The plot is simple, essentially following Tiff's life for a week or so. She has recently started a job/internship at the local newspaper, her grandpa (technically not, but he helped raise her) is unwell, a boy comes along and then her best friend reveals some big news. Just everyday sort of things, but I liked reading about it all. I also really liked the cover, the characters and the fact that it is set in a small Australian town. However, it's not particularly memorable.. It's the kind of book that is nice to read once, but that's about it. I'd recommend it to readers aged 12-16.
August 7, 2011
This book is in my top 5 favourites of all time, easily.
Just... brilliant.
Just... brilliant.
July 31, 2011
This review is also posted on my blog, In The Good Books.
A Straight Line To My Heart is a distinctly Australian coming-of-age story.
Tiff describes herself best as plain. She lives with elderly and tough Reggie and Bull, his son; neither are related to her. Apart from her odd living situation, she leads a fairly unremarkable life. That, however, changes dramatically over the summer after high school finishes forever for her.
Tiff will deal with the loss of loved ones, find new loved ones, puzzle over what to do with her life, but come out the other side a new, stronger person. Her voice is clear, her emotions impossible not to sympathise with, her journey both inspiring and very relatable.
A Straight Line To My Heart sang to the part of me who loves out-of-the-ordinary, non-traditional relationships. Tiff's connections with her family and her friends and one Davey (swoony in how relatable, awkward and goofy he is) were heart-warming and touching. The relationships, like the rest of the novel, was refreshingly original.
Written in such an expert fashion, so easily incorporating realistic Australian colloquial language, this book made me, notorious hater of Aussie slang, warm to the characters. It also created a three-dimensional setting that never resigned to the background, but stayed in the forefront of the story.
Concluded with a sweet ending that will make you take turns crying and grinning, this was a simply lovely contemporary novel.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes their books short and sweet, and especially to fellow Australians (and extra-especially to non-Australians who enjoy Australian books -- it gives a very realistic look into a typical Australian lifestyle).
I give A Straight Line To My Heart a 5 out of 5.
A Straight Line To My Heart is a distinctly Australian coming-of-age story.
Tiff describes herself best as plain. She lives with elderly and tough Reggie and Bull, his son; neither are related to her. Apart from her odd living situation, she leads a fairly unremarkable life. That, however, changes dramatically over the summer after high school finishes forever for her.
Tiff will deal with the loss of loved ones, find new loved ones, puzzle over what to do with her life, but come out the other side a new, stronger person. Her voice is clear, her emotions impossible not to sympathise with, her journey both inspiring and very relatable.
A Straight Line To My Heart sang to the part of me who loves out-of-the-ordinary, non-traditional relationships. Tiff's connections with her family and her friends and one Davey (swoony in how relatable, awkward and goofy he is) were heart-warming and touching. The relationships, like the rest of the novel, was refreshingly original.
Written in such an expert fashion, so easily incorporating realistic Australian colloquial language, this book made me, notorious hater of Aussie slang, warm to the characters. It also created a three-dimensional setting that never resigned to the background, but stayed in the forefront of the story.
Concluded with a sweet ending that will make you take turns crying and grinning, this was a simply lovely contemporary novel.
I recommend this book to anyone who likes their books short and sweet, and especially to fellow Australians (and extra-especially to non-Australians who enjoy Australian books -- it gives a very realistic look into a typical Australian lifestyle).
I give A Straight Line To My Heart a 5 out of 5.
August 30, 2012
Definitely more towards three and a half stars, but not quite four. Lovely, quirky characters and a story line that just followed the every day life of Tiff, journalist-to-be. I might not have been in the perfect mood for this, but it was still a good read.
Read
September 25, 2020I am so in love with this book it's unreal.
So, Tiff and her BFF Kayla are free! FOREVER! Schools out and summer is almost over, which means they need to go do grown up things. For Tiff this means working for a local newspaper and dealing with "the shark" who is a tough guy reporter, on the front lines every day to bring the all important news to the town of Gungee. The Shark totally shoots her down. Because he is a cold hearted journalist! Or is he??
Meanwhile, back at home, Reggie, aka the best grandad in the whole world aka the reason why I love this book has quit the smokes. He's gone cold turkey. He's leaving all his belongings to the dog wolfie and has self diagnosed himself. He has come to the conclusion he is a cactus. Oh Reggie, ILY. Then to top the crazy off, Kayla drops a bombshell and some vertical beanbag of a boy called Davey topples onto the pile. And in a week all this gets smushed together and mixed up into a book of awesome and you swallow it down on a straight line to your heart (get it? i'm SO CLEVER)
Oh Condon. You word GENIUS! Slaying me with your words and humor and small town Australia! I loved Gungee and all the people it contains. I love how it was so full of heart and soul and that it made me laugh! out loud! in public! alone! and my laugh is REALLY loud. Tiff is funny and reserved, and caring in a way that warms your heart right up without being too sweet. Her story is the shit.
This book is SO authentically Australian it's hard not to BIG GRIN at all the lingo, which is very much like British lingo. You know, full of colloquialisms and such. Like so -
"'I'll save me money, thanks. Already diagnosed meself, anyway. I'm cactus.'
'Cactus? Right. great work, there, Doc. I'm glad you're not my bloody doctor.'
'Well what do you want me to say? That's how I feel.'
'You're a misery guts, that's what's wrong with you. Ever since Rupes died you've been like this.'
'He was me best mate, Bull'
'He was a rabbit'
'Still me best mate'"
Oh Reggie. Can I keep you. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease?
Check this out for size....I know!!!
"That day I think we really saw each other for the first time. I mean, saw beyond the bag of bones on the outside. You take away her pretty and my plain and what you get underneath is about the same: a couple of lost girls looking to be found."
And it's really bizarre because this is such a quiet story and the magical thing about it is its ability to sneak up on you and settle like dust into your skin, so much so that you only realise it once you hook like and sinker'd.
Y'know maybe thats Condon and his own distinct way of writing, because he has a way of making all the small inconsequential things that go through our heads, into heart breaking material. And it's in this sneaky way. SUCH A SNEAK! It's really amaze when a book can make you feel so much for so little. How just one thought from one character can send you into a tailspin so fast and hard you feel dizzy.
And that takes talent. It takes a lot of talent to make a reader feel so much for a book in which not all that much happens. It take a lot to make something so unobtrusively quiet seem so obtrusively loud. This isn't a book where you will be tearing through the pages to get to the end. It's one of those where it builds and builds on it's characters development, so that you are compelled to see what becomes of them. You CARE what happens to them. You WANT them to be real (Cap you GET this right?), because you invest in them. Because Condon is a word magician.
Also, can I please get a OMG YES! for a book that is all about family relationships? Oh BULL. Oh Reggie! Yes! even you Zoe! I loved that the focus of this book was all about Tiff and her eccentric family. Reggie deserves an award for the best grandad in literature. I wanted to diagnose myself as a cactus with him! I wanted to hug him till he swatted me away! I wanted to quit the smokes that I don't even smoke for emotional support! And it was all done just so achingly beautifully well. Really, I feel like these people are my fictional family. Bill Condon. Oh man.
And the ending? Perfect. PERFECT.
So, Tiff and her BFF Kayla are free! FOREVER! Schools out and summer is almost over, which means they need to go do grown up things. For Tiff this means working for a local newspaper and dealing with "the shark" who is a tough guy reporter, on the front lines every day to bring the all important news to the town of Gungee. The Shark totally shoots her down. Because he is a cold hearted journalist! Or is he??
Meanwhile, back at home, Reggie, aka the best grandad in the whole world aka the reason why I love this book has quit the smokes. He's gone cold turkey. He's leaving all his belongings to the dog wolfie and has self diagnosed himself. He has come to the conclusion he is a cactus. Oh Reggie, ILY. Then to top the crazy off, Kayla drops a bombshell and some vertical beanbag of a boy called Davey topples onto the pile. And in a week all this gets smushed together and mixed up into a book of awesome and you swallow it down on a straight line to your heart (get it? i'm SO CLEVER)
Oh Condon. You word GENIUS! Slaying me with your words and humor and small town Australia! I loved Gungee and all the people it contains. I love how it was so full of heart and soul and that it made me laugh! out loud! in public! alone! and my laugh is REALLY loud. Tiff is funny and reserved, and caring in a way that warms your heart right up without being too sweet. Her story is the shit.
This book is SO authentically Australian it's hard not to BIG GRIN at all the lingo, which is very much like British lingo. You know, full of colloquialisms and such. Like so -
"'I'll save me money, thanks. Already diagnosed meself, anyway. I'm cactus.'
'Cactus? Right. great work, there, Doc. I'm glad you're not my bloody doctor.'
'Well what do you want me to say? That's how I feel.'
'You're a misery guts, that's what's wrong with you. Ever since Rupes died you've been like this.'
'He was me best mate, Bull'
'He was a rabbit'
'Still me best mate'"
Oh Reggie. Can I keep you. Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeease?
Check this out for size....I know!!!
"That day I think we really saw each other for the first time. I mean, saw beyond the bag of bones on the outside. You take away her pretty and my plain and what you get underneath is about the same: a couple of lost girls looking to be found."
And it's really bizarre because this is such a quiet story and the magical thing about it is its ability to sneak up on you and settle like dust into your skin, so much so that you only realise it once you hook like and sinker'd.
Y'know maybe thats Condon and his own distinct way of writing, because he has a way of making all the small inconsequential things that go through our heads, into heart breaking material. And it's in this sneaky way. SUCH A SNEAK! It's really amaze when a book can make you feel so much for so little. How just one thought from one character can send you into a tailspin so fast and hard you feel dizzy.
And that takes talent. It takes a lot of talent to make a reader feel so much for a book in which not all that much happens. It take a lot to make something so unobtrusively quiet seem so obtrusively loud. This isn't a book where you will be tearing through the pages to get to the end. It's one of those where it builds and builds on it's characters development, so that you are compelled to see what becomes of them. You CARE what happens to them. You WANT them to be real (Cap you GET this right?), because you invest in them. Because Condon is a word magician.
Also, can I please get a OMG YES! for a book that is all about family relationships? Oh BULL. Oh Reggie! Yes! even you Zoe! I loved that the focus of this book was all about Tiff and her eccentric family. Reggie deserves an award for the best grandad in literature. I wanted to diagnose myself as a cactus with him! I wanted to hug him till he swatted me away! I wanted to quit the smokes that I don't even smoke for emotional support! And it was all done just so achingly beautifully well. Really, I feel like these people are my fictional family. Bill Condon. Oh man.
And the ending? Perfect. PERFECT.
July 9, 2012
I love how Condon writes, the fluidity of his chapters of his dialogue.
I love the topic of the book, and the clever way the cover and the blurb present the story.
However, I did not enjoy the book.
The plot never developed conflict. Everything resolved itself within seconds of being introduced, which didn't make for alluring reading. You knew what happened a little too soon, and a little bit too nicely. The book started out good, but soon there were too many characters and too many plot lines, and not enough interesting drama or conflict to live up to it's quirky, cute cover design.
I liked reading it. I am glad I bought it on that lovely day in Wangaratta, which is why I gave it a star. Sadly, it did not live up to my expectations, or its quirky promises, and it is not an amazing book.
I love the topic of the book, and the clever way the cover and the blurb present the story.
However, I did not enjoy the book.
The plot never developed conflict. Everything resolved itself within seconds of being introduced, which didn't make for alluring reading. You knew what happened a little too soon, and a little bit too nicely. The book started out good, but soon there were too many characters and too many plot lines, and not enough interesting drama or conflict to live up to it's quirky, cute cover design.
I liked reading it. I am glad I bought it on that lovely day in Wangaratta, which is why I gave it a star. Sadly, it did not live up to my expectations, or its quirky promises, and it is not an amazing book.
September 5, 2011
If you're looking for a short and sweet novel that is completely down-to-earth than you've hit the nail on the head with A Straight Line To My Heart.
While the title may be a little cringe-worthy, it's worth pushing past if you're in the need for a refreshing read that steers clear of many of the cliche topics often seen in American YA such as cheerleading and high school cliques.
Tiffany hasn't had the easiest life but she's making the best of it with her beloved grandfather figure and his son who treats her like the best little sister he never had. The relationship between this makeshift family is so adorable that the author has you in the palm of your hand for the tearjerker ending.
While the title may be a little cringe-worthy, it's worth pushing past if you're in the need for a refreshing read that steers clear of many of the cliche topics often seen in American YA such as cheerleading and high school cliques.
Tiffany hasn't had the easiest life but she's making the best of it with her beloved grandfather figure and his son who treats her like the best little sister he never had. The relationship between this makeshift family is so adorable that the author has you in the palm of your hand for the tearjerker ending.
August 14, 2011
In A Nutshell:
A great new Aussie contemporary read that looks at what happens when you are faced with the fact that everything in your life might change and how you cope when there is nothing you can do to stop it. A fabulous story of growing up and going with the flow.
For my full review, please visit my blog:
http://www.thetalescompendium.com/201...
A great new Aussie contemporary read that looks at what happens when you are faced with the fact that everything in your life might change and how you cope when there is nothing you can do to stop it. A fabulous story of growing up and going with the flow.
For my full review, please visit my blog:
http://www.thetalescompendium.com/201...
May 30, 2013
3.5/5
I've had this book for about 2-3 years, and I *finally* finished it.
It's a nice coming-of-age story. The characters were nuanced and loveable, but the overall plot arc felt slightly too short or too shallow. Everything that happened felt "almost, but not quite" despite me enjoying it.
It's a quiet read. It's got some lovely Aussie flair to it, solid prose, and great character relationships. Tiff (our main character) gives interesting insights into people and life, and well, I'm pretty sure there wasn't a single character that I disliked.
But really, this is the good stuff:
I lean back against the gold stone and gaze around me. In among the dead there must be girls who were once like me and Kayla. They probably lived this very scene before us; asked the same questions about friendship, about life; wondered if it was all worthwhile. I think it is. Hope it is.
-
We must have had a thousand moments like this, being together and happy. Not one of them stands out from the rest. I suppose it's like eating chocolate. You love it at the time, but after you've liked the last trace from your lips, it's just gone.
-
Tiffany,
I like you but you mightn't feel the same about m, and I wouldn't blame you. To save us both from any awkward moments I've figured out an easy way to do this. Nod if you're even slightly interested in getting to know me. Write me a ten page explanation if you're not.
Davey
-
If you can't get a boy, get a book, that's my motto.
Mine too, Tiff, mine too.
I've had this book for about 2-3 years, and I *finally* finished it.
It's a nice coming-of-age story. The characters were nuanced and loveable, but the overall plot arc felt slightly too short or too shallow. Everything that happened felt "almost, but not quite" despite me enjoying it.
It's a quiet read. It's got some lovely Aussie flair to it, solid prose, and great character relationships. Tiff (our main character) gives interesting insights into people and life, and well, I'm pretty sure there wasn't a single character that I disliked.
But really, this is the good stuff:
I lean back against the gold stone and gaze around me. In among the dead there must be girls who were once like me and Kayla. They probably lived this very scene before us; asked the same questions about friendship, about life; wondered if it was all worthwhile. I think it is. Hope it is.
-
We must have had a thousand moments like this, being together and happy. Not one of them stands out from the rest. I suppose it's like eating chocolate. You love it at the time, but after you've liked the last trace from your lips, it's just gone.
-
Tiffany,
I like you but you mightn't feel the same about m, and I wouldn't blame you. To save us both from any awkward moments I've figured out an easy way to do this. Nod if you're even slightly interested in getting to know me. Write me a ten page explanation if you're not.
Davey
-
If you can't get a boy, get a book, that's my motto.
Mine too, Tiff, mine too.
February 8, 2014
Wow, I expected a lot more out of this book. Bill Condon why did you let me down?? I was excited to read this because I've seen Bill Condon books around for years. Aussie YA sections of bookstores, my high school library, yet I had never read one.. I don't know if I picked the wrong one of his books to start off with, but I just didn't enjoy this as much as I thought I would.
I feel like certain relationships in the book weren't explored thoroughly enough, especially the friendship between the protagonist and her best (and only) friend. There was potential for more hilarity and character development there.
The romantic plot does not consume the book at all, and it's quite an unconventional portrayal which I liked a lot. I liked Davey. He's one of the more realistic boys I've read in YA because no way are teenage boys as eloquent/witty around girls as I've read in other books! As for plot - I could forgive this book for its slow plot if there was good character growth, but there wasn't much of that either. Overall.. a quick read, but not particularly riveting. Throughout reading I felt like the author/narrator was constantly holding back.
I feel like certain relationships in the book weren't explored thoroughly enough, especially the friendship between the protagonist and her best (and only) friend. There was potential for more hilarity and character development there.
The romantic plot does not consume the book at all, and it's quite an unconventional portrayal which I liked a lot. I liked Davey. He's one of the more realistic boys I've read in YA because no way are teenage boys as eloquent/witty around girls as I've read in other books! As for plot - I could forgive this book for its slow plot if there was good character growth, but there wasn't much of that either. Overall.. a quick read, but not particularly riveting. Throughout reading I felt like the author/narrator was constantly holding back.
March 10, 2013
That three is generous, as I really didn't get on with this one. I was underwhelmed enough that it stayed my reading-while-brushing-teeth pb when I was reading ebooks or library loans I didn't want to risk in the bathroom, which is why I was so long reading it. I never thought Tiffany's voice was particularly interesting, and she did *not* come off as someone who wanted a career with writing. (One example was when she said Reggie, her grandfather-figure, who'd been with the local football team for years: "He's an institution - or he should be in one - it's one of the two." That is so old it creaks.) Nothing really happens, except actually two rather major things do happen, but neither seemed to be worked in or through well enough for me. And the romance consists of about three conversations, two of them dull as dish-water. Disappointing all round.
January 23, 2024
3⭐️
I enjoyed this book to a certain degree. I have just been reading it in the mornings when I’m waiting, but I haven’t had any motivation to read it before bed etc.
the story was alright, but the ending...? I was legitimately so confused as I was sure there had to be another page. They couldn’t just finish like that. But they did. The whole Davey thing was just weird, and other then their walk, they didn’t really do much to warrant her reaction to seeing him at the end. Anyway, I was tempted to rate this book 3 stars, but there were genuinely parts that I enjoyed, so that seemed a bit harsh.
I enjoyed this book to a certain degree. I have just been reading it in the mornings when I’m waiting, but I haven’t had any motivation to read it before bed etc.
the story was alright, but the ending...? I was legitimately so confused as I was sure there had to be another page. They couldn’t just finish like that. But they did. The whole Davey thing was just weird, and other then their walk, they didn’t really do much to warrant her reaction to seeing him at the end. Anyway, I was tempted to rate this book 3 stars, but there were genuinely parts that I enjoyed, so that seemed a bit harsh.
October 4, 2012
This book was so sweet. I made the mistake of reading it during class; laughed out loud 4 times and cried in the end. If people didn't think I was crazy before....
April 15, 2018
Celé zle. Vôbec žiadne emócie to vo mne nevyvolalo. Čakala som, že to bude romantické. Nič. Čakala som, že tam bude nejaký super príbeh, keďže ona chce byť novinárka, možno sa do niečoho zapletie alebo tak. Nič z toho.
Ach, čisté sklamanie.
Ach, čisté sklamanie.
January 23, 2016
Bill Condon is one my absolute favourite writers and it's been a while since i read his work, so i was really looking forward to this one. i've been a bit dissappointed in his recent work, to be honest. this one too, also falls short of my favourite Condon books. on a scale from Daredevils and No Worries to Give Me Truth, it luckily falls further away from Give Me Truth, which for me was a terrible book. (so much that i can't remember what happened in it.) Maybe it's a little closer to Dogs and Confessions? either way, it's a fairly decent read, but not his best stuff.
things i liked:
Tiff. Bill Condon writing from a girl's POV. also, the fact that this was a likeable girl and a strong character. and what self-respecting reader could pass up that line: "If you can't get a boy, get a book, that's my motto."
the insanely aussie-ness of it all. it's just so beautifully Australian. slang and accents and everything. bloody love it.
the characters. there are so many lovely and interesting characters here. i think the picture of the small town of Gungee was done beautifully, from the descriptions of Tiff's neighbours to the Gunners, their local footy team which sucks. i especially loved Kayla, i found her really likeable, she was funny and real.
i also adored Bull and Reggie. especially Bull. i loved their slang, their care for Tiff and their gruff and true-blue aussie spirit.
things i didn't like:
...sigh. does every YA book have to make a stab at Twilight? we know it's crap already, we don't need to see it voiced in your book. i thought the same thing in John Green's The Fault in Our Stars and once again in this book- we don't need to know it. does it make your book any cooler- dissing another? no, it doesn't. it's not even funny.
the badly thrown in character of Davey. he was all right actually, awkward as hell, weirdest meeting with the main character as possible. character-wise, he's not half-bad. but he vanished in pretty much the whole middle of the book, and only appears in the very beginning and the very end. you almost forget who he is by then, which really doesn't work for the minimal romance side of this book.
also, there iis little to no development between him and Tiff, which doesn't make me care for him any more than i did before. the ending, which is technically strong and very cute, fails because it missed so much vital development between the two. when Tiff needs him there, i didn't understand why she was so upset without him, because THERE WAS NO DEVELOPMENT. bloody hell. for some reason, that really annoys me, i find the Davey/Tiff thing in this book to be one of its greatest failings. if Bill Condon devoted more pages and time to the two, we could wrap up this story well. it's the what-could-have-been that infuriates me so much.
besides, the romance aspect of this book isn't the strong point, because there is hardly any, despite the misleading cover. this book is essentially about family and friendship and a different kind of love. the focus is on Tiff's odd family unit and Kayla's struggling one. the strength is in this focus, why Condon needed to squeeze in the romance is really beyond me. as said before, it's really the weakest point in this book.
as i mentioned, the strength is in the characters. it's particularly at its best when it's focused on the different kinds of families in the book. Tiff's is especially strange, she doesn't live with anyone who's related to her, yet somehow they complete each other. we never know what happened to her dad, it's never even mentioned. kayla's family is brutal and real. it's beautiful, but painful to imagine, because it seems real and believable.
the whole newspaper thing was a bit dull. i didn't entirely understand it in terms of Tiff's character development. the Shark is there, kind of. it seems to miss where it could've made a bold statement about him, something that connects us as readers to him.
the thing with Joan and Dusty at the end seemed tacky. like the thing you see at the end of corny movies where side character gets with side character and we're supposed to be happy about it. truth is, i forgot who Dusty was. HE WAS THE POSTMAN! he was mentioned only once at the very beginning, and that is probably why it didn't work.
basically, i feel that this story, while it has such a great premise and characterization of these different families wastes such great potential and ultimately focuses on something else which leads to its downfall. i'm just upset that there was so much else that could've been done with it, but it wasn't. i rarely think this, but this is a book that could've benefitted with a couple more chapters, and more building up of the strengths of the book. it was almost there, but it didn't make me hurt along with Tiff the way I did with Jack in Daredevils.
things i liked:
Tiff. Bill Condon writing from a girl's POV. also, the fact that this was a likeable girl and a strong character. and what self-respecting reader could pass up that line: "If you can't get a boy, get a book, that's my motto."
the insanely aussie-ness of it all. it's just so beautifully Australian. slang and accents and everything. bloody love it.
the characters. there are so many lovely and interesting characters here. i think the picture of the small town of Gungee was done beautifully, from the descriptions of Tiff's neighbours to the Gunners, their local footy team which sucks. i especially loved Kayla, i found her really likeable, she was funny and real.
i also adored Bull and Reggie. especially Bull. i loved their slang, their care for Tiff and their gruff and true-blue aussie spirit.
things i didn't like:
...sigh. does every YA book have to make a stab at Twilight? we know it's crap already, we don't need to see it voiced in your book. i thought the same thing in John Green's The Fault in Our Stars and once again in this book- we don't need to know it. does it make your book any cooler- dissing another? no, it doesn't. it's not even funny.
the badly thrown in character of Davey. he was all right actually, awkward as hell, weirdest meeting with the main character as possible. character-wise, he's not half-bad. but he vanished in pretty much the whole middle of the book, and only appears in the very beginning and the very end. you almost forget who he is by then, which really doesn't work for the minimal romance side of this book.
also, there iis little to no development between him and Tiff, which doesn't make me care for him any more than i did before. the ending, which is technically strong and very cute, fails because it missed so much vital development between the two. when Tiff needs him there, i didn't understand why she was so upset without him, because THERE WAS NO DEVELOPMENT. bloody hell. for some reason, that really annoys me, i find the Davey/Tiff thing in this book to be one of its greatest failings. if Bill Condon devoted more pages and time to the two, we could wrap up this story well. it's the what-could-have-been that infuriates me so much.
besides, the romance aspect of this book isn't the strong point, because there is hardly any, despite the misleading cover. this book is essentially about family and friendship and a different kind of love. the focus is on Tiff's odd family unit and Kayla's struggling one. the strength is in this focus, why Condon needed to squeeze in the romance is really beyond me. as said before, it's really the weakest point in this book.
as i mentioned, the strength is in the characters. it's particularly at its best when it's focused on the different kinds of families in the book. Tiff's is especially strange, she doesn't live with anyone who's related to her, yet somehow they complete each other. we never know what happened to her dad, it's never even mentioned. kayla's family is brutal and real. it's beautiful, but painful to imagine, because it seems real and believable.
the whole newspaper thing was a bit dull. i didn't entirely understand it in terms of Tiff's character development. the Shark is there, kind of. it seems to miss where it could've made a bold statement about him, something that connects us as readers to him.
the thing with Joan and Dusty at the end seemed tacky. like the thing you see at the end of corny movies where side character gets with side character and we're supposed to be happy about it. truth is, i forgot who Dusty was. HE WAS THE POSTMAN! he was mentioned only once at the very beginning, and that is probably why it didn't work.
basically, i feel that this story, while it has such a great premise and characterization of these different families wastes such great potential and ultimately focuses on something else which leads to its downfall. i'm just upset that there was so much else that could've been done with it, but it wasn't. i rarely think this, but this is a book that could've benefitted with a couple more chapters, and more building up of the strengths of the book. it was almost there, but it didn't make me hurt along with Tiff the way I did with Jack in Daredevils.
Read
June 2, 2012I've been wanting to read this book for a while.
It is certainly a lovely, light read, but I felt that there was something lacking.
The premise of this story is great, but I think it could have been executed much, much better through deeper character development and perhaps a more intriguing plot. Clearly, this book is more character-based rather than plot-based, but even so I felt that the plot really needed something more. It basically revolved around things such as problems with her best friend, and her job at a local newspaper, but nothing really happened and I found it a little disconnecting. And unfortunately the character development did not make up for this. Tiff is an interesting character; she doesn't always say the right thing, is fairly witty and has a passion for books and reading, which was evident in the first sentence:
'There’s nothing quite as good as folding up into a book and shutting the world outside.'
But I still felt somehow disconnected from her. I'm not really sure why. There was just something missing.
The characters of Bull and Reggie were so typically Australian, and this was a nice element to the story that I could relate to. Reggie's voice, in particular was very clear, particularly through Condon's use of words like 'yers' etc. This is where Condon's character development was better; both Reggie and Bull were really believable and well-constructed.
The development between Tiff and Davey was excruciatingly thin. Firstly, the way Tiff seemed so won over (though she pretended to suppress it) by this one boy who happened to walk into the library seemed really desperate and unappealing. Throughout the book Tiff feels that she will never have a boyfriend or find love, and maybe I'm just being picky with this book, but I really, really despise that sort of female character in YA. They get so darn hung up on thinking they are social oddballs that no-one will love, and it just gets really tiring.
Of course, YA doesn't always need romance; the emphasis on romance and the idea that girls need boys or male characters in order for their lives/the plot to be interesting is not a good message. However, the development of a relationship (which I thought was promised by the title and love hearts on the cover) was really quite poor in this novel. Davey (love interest) shows up at the very beginning of the book, and we see very, very little of him throughout (he practically disappears) and then he shows up towards the end, but nothing was really developed between the two. There was no real insight into Davey's character. This book certainly didn't need to include the romance element, but because it did, it needed to be a lot stronger to at least seem viable or believable.
The cover is nice--I particularly love the typerwriter font and the way the words are pressed into the page. The title, perhaps, is slightly too cutesy. Maybe even a little misleading.
Some clear issues with plot and character, but nonetheless an overall light and charming Aussie YA novel.
It is certainly a lovely, light read, but I felt that there was something lacking.
The premise of this story is great, but I think it could have been executed much, much better through deeper character development and perhaps a more intriguing plot. Clearly, this book is more character-based rather than plot-based, but even so I felt that the plot really needed something more. It basically revolved around things such as problems with her best friend, and her job at a local newspaper, but nothing really happened and I found it a little disconnecting. And unfortunately the character development did not make up for this. Tiff is an interesting character; she doesn't always say the right thing, is fairly witty and has a passion for books and reading, which was evident in the first sentence:
'There’s nothing quite as good as folding up into a book and shutting the world outside.'
But I still felt somehow disconnected from her. I'm not really sure why. There was just something missing.
The characters of Bull and Reggie were so typically Australian, and this was a nice element to the story that I could relate to. Reggie's voice, in particular was very clear, particularly through Condon's use of words like 'yers' etc. This is where Condon's character development was better; both Reggie and Bull were really believable and well-constructed.
The development between Tiff and Davey was excruciatingly thin. Firstly, the way Tiff seemed so won over (though she pretended to suppress it) by this one boy who happened to walk into the library seemed really desperate and unappealing. Throughout the book Tiff feels that she will never have a boyfriend or find love, and maybe I'm just being picky with this book, but I really, really despise that sort of female character in YA. They get so darn hung up on thinking they are social oddballs that no-one will love, and it just gets really tiring.
Of course, YA doesn't always need romance; the emphasis on romance and the idea that girls need boys or male characters in order for their lives/the plot to be interesting is not a good message. However, the development of a relationship (which I thought was promised by the title and love hearts on the cover) was really quite poor in this novel. Davey (love interest) shows up at the very beginning of the book, and we see very, very little of him throughout (he practically disappears) and then he shows up towards the end, but nothing was really developed between the two. There was no real insight into Davey's character. This book certainly didn't need to include the romance element, but because it did, it needed to be a lot stronger to at least seem viable or believable.
The cover is nice--I particularly love the typerwriter font and the way the words are pressed into the page. The title, perhaps, is slightly too cutesy. Maybe even a little misleading.
Some clear issues with plot and character, but nonetheless an overall light and charming Aussie YA novel.
November 14, 2011
This book reminded me a little of Jerry Spinelli's Stargirl - it's not quite as refined but seems to be built upon a similar kind of optimistic good will. Tiffany is an independent, kind-hearted girl who has just finished her final year of school. Her character has a beautiful simplicity that makes her seem younger, not quite naive but endearingly uncomplicated as though she hasn't been tarnished by life.
She has an unusual family setting: when her mother passed away her aunt couldn't look after her, so she asked an older neighbour couple to take her in. As part of the bargain she inherited a 20-year-older big 'brother' who has looked out for her her whole life. There are a lot of caring people in this story, and it's nice to read about difficult situations that are held together through the simple love of people who will do anything to help each other. Tiff's best friend Kayla has an irregular family situation too, her mother is still single and has 5 kids, and in the course of the story she has met someone new and is pregnant again. But even here the situation is improved with love and optimism, they all love the kids a lot and will do anything for them even though it's sometimes hard, and in the end Kayla's mum gets her own happy ending by marrying the nice guy.
Tiffany is not pretty or concerned with fashion or boys... she doesn't think they'd be interested in her. And yet this book is in part a romance, and it's good: not overdone, not overly idealising and unreal, and not too fast. Davey is interested in Tiff because she's so different - she cares about life and people, and he's never met anyone like that. Tiff and Davey enjoy getting to know each other, and even though the book is short and we don't see them spend a lot of time together it has a good start with respect and interest in the other person, and it's not at all based on what they look like (though I like how she thinks he's 'cute', because it means that he could look like anything but comes across in a pleasing way, partly from the nice way he acts towards her).
There's an interesting sub-plot with Tiff's work experience on the local newspaper. Journalism is a lot tougher than Tiff thought it would be, and she's not sure she can go through with her dream because when she's supposed to be 'seeking a story' she cannot be insensitive to people's grief. It works out when she learns that she can be her own kind of journalist and doesn't have to be as cut-throat as some of the others.
The style is a little rough - with plenty of that Aussie down-to-earth-ness - but it's not full of trash talk like many teen books. Readers will need to tolerate a bit of dry Aussie humour though. It's not a wholesome classic by any means, there are some complicated background situations to deal with and a little drinking, but Tiff isn't afraid to be the steady one who has far more coke than bourbon. Overall it gives a basically positive insight into some quirky, down-to-earth, good hearted characters, which makes it a quick, easy read that should be fine for those with a little reading maturity.
She has an unusual family setting: when her mother passed away her aunt couldn't look after her, so she asked an older neighbour couple to take her in. As part of the bargain she inherited a 20-year-older big 'brother' who has looked out for her her whole life. There are a lot of caring people in this story, and it's nice to read about difficult situations that are held together through the simple love of people who will do anything to help each other. Tiff's best friend Kayla has an irregular family situation too, her mother is still single and has 5 kids, and in the course of the story she has met someone new and is pregnant again. But even here the situation is improved with love and optimism, they all love the kids a lot and will do anything for them even though it's sometimes hard, and in the end Kayla's mum gets her own happy ending by marrying the nice guy.
Tiffany is not pretty or concerned with fashion or boys... she doesn't think they'd be interested in her. And yet this book is in part a romance, and it's good: not overdone, not overly idealising and unreal, and not too fast. Davey is interested in Tiff because she's so different - she cares about life and people, and he's never met anyone like that. Tiff and Davey enjoy getting to know each other, and even though the book is short and we don't see them spend a lot of time together it has a good start with respect and interest in the other person, and it's not at all based on what they look like (though I like how she thinks he's 'cute', because it means that he could look like anything but comes across in a pleasing way, partly from the nice way he acts towards her).
There's an interesting sub-plot with Tiff's work experience on the local newspaper. Journalism is a lot tougher than Tiff thought it would be, and she's not sure she can go through with her dream because when she's supposed to be 'seeking a story' she cannot be insensitive to people's grief. It works out when she learns that she can be her own kind of journalist and doesn't have to be as cut-throat as some of the others.
The style is a little rough - with plenty of that Aussie down-to-earth-ness - but it's not full of trash talk like many teen books. Readers will need to tolerate a bit of dry Aussie humour though. It's not a wholesome classic by any means, there are some complicated background situations to deal with and a little drinking, but Tiff isn't afraid to be the steady one who has far more coke than bourbon. Overall it gives a basically positive insight into some quirky, down-to-earth, good hearted characters, which makes it a quick, easy read that should be fine for those with a little reading maturity.
March 12, 2013
I chose to read "A straight line to my Heart" by Bill Condon, because it
seemed like an interesting book, because it follows the life of a teenage
girl, which I can relate to. I enjoy reading books that I can relate to
because it makes it more personal and I feel more connected to the story.
This novel is about a young girl called Tiff who lives with a foster family. She has just finished high school and is about to start her first internship at a newspaper journalism place. Her passion is writing and reading, and she feels that she will never cope when she finds out that her best friend is moving to Perth.
The category that this novel relates to on the bingo board is "A book with a female main character." I think this is a very broad category and a lot of books would fit into this category, so I didn't have to look hard to find one that fitted the requirements. I thought this category wasn't very interesting because it did not have very specific "qualifications" which is good and bad, good because there is a HUGE variety of books I can choose from. But is bad because I had so much to choose from, it was hard to decide!
I didn't particularly enjoy this book, because there wasn't really
anything big that happened and so I wasn't very enthusiastic about
continuing to read on. The book was more character based rather than
focused on the plot. This helped to develop a better understanding of the
characters personality, but it didn't keep me very intrigued.
My favourite quote from this book is “There's nothing quite as good as folding up into a book and shutting the world outside. If I pick the right one I can be beautiful, or fall in love, or live happily ever after. Maybe even all three.” This is the first line in the novel and it is also my favourite line. It's my favourite line because it tells you so much about the main character in just a few sentences and it gives a powerful idea to the reader about who Tiff is as a person.
Something new I learned from this is book is that anyone can be friends. I think that this was portrayed well in the novel because Tiff and her best friend, Kayla are two very different people but are still great friends. Tiff likes reading, Kayla likes boys. Tiff likes writing. Kayla likes partying. I think that this shows that if you both put effort into the friendship, then it will get better and better each day.
A character in this book that interested me was Reggie. He was like Tiff's "foster father" and he is very old and sick. He loves to work on his car to fix it and he is determined to get it up and running. Reggie is an interesting character because he is not really afraid to say what he thinks and he is quite proud about who he is. At the end of the story, he passed away and the last scene in the book is his funeral.
I give this book 3 stars, because although the characters well developed well, the plot was boring and nothing really happened to keep me intrigued.
seemed like an interesting book, because it follows the life of a teenage
girl, which I can relate to. I enjoy reading books that I can relate to
because it makes it more personal and I feel more connected to the story.
This novel is about a young girl called Tiff who lives with a foster family. She has just finished high school and is about to start her first internship at a newspaper journalism place. Her passion is writing and reading, and she feels that she will never cope when she finds out that her best friend is moving to Perth.
The category that this novel relates to on the bingo board is "A book with a female main character." I think this is a very broad category and a lot of books would fit into this category, so I didn't have to look hard to find one that fitted the requirements. I thought this category wasn't very interesting because it did not have very specific "qualifications" which is good and bad, good because there is a HUGE variety of books I can choose from. But is bad because I had so much to choose from, it was hard to decide!
I didn't particularly enjoy this book, because there wasn't really
anything big that happened and so I wasn't very enthusiastic about
continuing to read on. The book was more character based rather than
focused on the plot. This helped to develop a better understanding of the
characters personality, but it didn't keep me very intrigued.
My favourite quote from this book is “There's nothing quite as good as folding up into a book and shutting the world outside. If I pick the right one I can be beautiful, or fall in love, or live happily ever after. Maybe even all three.” This is the first line in the novel and it is also my favourite line. It's my favourite line because it tells you so much about the main character in just a few sentences and it gives a powerful idea to the reader about who Tiff is as a person.
Something new I learned from this is book is that anyone can be friends. I think that this was portrayed well in the novel because Tiff and her best friend, Kayla are two very different people but are still great friends. Tiff likes reading, Kayla likes boys. Tiff likes writing. Kayla likes partying. I think that this shows that if you both put effort into the friendship, then it will get better and better each day.
A character in this book that interested me was Reggie. He was like Tiff's "foster father" and he is very old and sick. He loves to work on his car to fix it and he is determined to get it up and running. Reggie is an interesting character because he is not really afraid to say what he thinks and he is quite proud about who he is. At the end of the story, he passed away and the last scene in the book is his funeral.
I give this book 3 stars, because although the characters well developed well, the plot was boring and nothing really happened to keep me intrigued.
August 23, 2012
3-4/5
Here’s another story of family and friends that simple but ends on a note that leaves me hopeful.
With an opening line that goes, “There’s nothing quite as good as a folding up into a book and shutting the world outside. If I pick the right one I can be beautiful, or fall in love, or live happily ever after. Maybe even all three... If you can’t get a boy, get a book, that’s my motto,” I knew I had something. And I did because with each page, there was always something to grin about.
She's ready to take on the world, Tiff and her little comebacks. She’s funny, not-so sweet, and has got a smart mouth. It's all these little notions that she had that made me laugh; it's her running commentary over things that she’d encounter that had me me grinning more. Her initial run in with Big Foot only made her more interesting simply because she could be so awkward! (In a sweet way, for sure). Come to think of it, Big Foot, that is Davey, could get pretty awkward too. But their part of all this is but a minor thing in a story that’s mostly about a girl figuring out her place with her family or her place in bigger things.
Still it’s the way she was with her family that worked best for me. Her men, Reggie and Bull, read so different from what I'm used to. Maybe they're just a little bit out there because there's this genuine connection from them to her. I especially liked them ribbing each other, because with each thing they’d say it came clear across that what they had was a unit, just not the most typical one.
The other part of her and learning the ropes... not knowing what to do, being bored out of her mind, and doing things that were new and unexpected only showed what kind of girl she was some more - a girl who's all heart.
A lot of the sweet and some of the sad… I enjoyed this
Here’s another story of family and friends that simple but ends on a note that leaves me hopeful.
With an opening line that goes, “There’s nothing quite as good as a folding up into a book and shutting the world outside. If I pick the right one I can be beautiful, or fall in love, or live happily ever after. Maybe even all three... If you can’t get a boy, get a book, that’s my motto,” I knew I had something. And I did because with each page, there was always something to grin about.
She's ready to take on the world, Tiff and her little comebacks. She’s funny, not-so sweet, and has got a smart mouth. It's all these little notions that she had that made me laugh; it's her running commentary over things that she’d encounter that had me me grinning more. Her initial run in with Big Foot only made her more interesting simply because she could be so awkward! (In a sweet way, for sure). Come to think of it, Big Foot, that is Davey, could get pretty awkward too. But their part of all this is but a minor thing in a story that’s mostly about a girl figuring out her place with her family or her place in bigger things.
Still it’s the way she was with her family that worked best for me. Her men, Reggie and Bull, read so different from what I'm used to. Maybe they're just a little bit out there because there's this genuine connection from them to her. I especially liked them ribbing each other, because with each thing they’d say it came clear across that what they had was a unit, just not the most typical one.
The other part of her and learning the ropes... not knowing what to do, being bored out of her mind, and doing things that were new and unexpected only showed what kind of girl she was some more - a girl who's all heart.
A lot of the sweet and some of the sad… I enjoyed this
June 10, 2012
Tif is a weird kid, she has only one friend and lives with Reggie, kinda her grandfather, and with Bull, two very peculiar guys. Tif does not feel special, she knows it and knows little about her story, but she´s a strong girl and even when there are obstacles she deals with them.
We get to know her more with every page we read, she´s clever, she´s funny and she´s a character you can really connect with, or at least I did.
A Straight Line to My Heart was a great book. With really cool characters, a witty and gripping writing style we take Tif´s hand and enter this journey, her journey to really find out who she really is and what she really wants. But there are things she wasn’t planning that will drive her to the edge...will she know how to deal with it?
Tif will have to deal with love, friendship, family and even professional issues and she will learn that life is not as easy as she might think.
I really liked the book, it was a nice story you can relate to in a lot of aspects but it was managed with humor, cleverness and it was very easy to read with a fast pace and I enjoyed it a lot.
A Straight Line to My Heart is a lovely story with great characters…a charming, different book that I truly enjoyed. A poignant, sweet story with a deep simplicity that really captivates you.
We get to know her more with every page we read, she´s clever, she´s funny and she´s a character you can really connect with, or at least I did.
A Straight Line to My Heart was a great book. With really cool characters, a witty and gripping writing style we take Tif´s hand and enter this journey, her journey to really find out who she really is and what she really wants. But there are things she wasn’t planning that will drive her to the edge...will she know how to deal with it?
Tif will have to deal with love, friendship, family and even professional issues and she will learn that life is not as easy as she might think.
I really liked the book, it was a nice story you can relate to in a lot of aspects but it was managed with humor, cleverness and it was very easy to read with a fast pace and I enjoyed it a lot.
A Straight Line to My Heart is a lovely story with great characters…a charming, different book that I truly enjoyed. A poignant, sweet story with a deep simplicity that really captivates you.
March 21, 2016
I feel like I missed something and I don't know what. There's a lot of great reviews about this book and I just honestly feel like I might've missed something, but truth of the matter is that I was bored.
I don't really have anything against this book, but the only reason I finished it was because it was quick—at 77% into it, I was just sorta skimming/floating through the book because I wasn't invested in it. I could've just left it as a DNF (and probably would have if the book were longer) but like I said, it was a relatively quick and somewhat painless read, albeit also boring more often than not.
There wasn't really anything bad about it—the writing style wasn't bad (though it wasn't anything grand either) and the characters were alright, kind of bland in the grand scheme of things. I was amused with some of the banter between the characters, the relationships were cute and heartwarming, but I just wasn't feeling it? I 100% understood what this book was about and I even related, I just didn't connect. Which probably makes as much sense as a donkey wearing a tutu but oh well.
It wasn't a bad book—there's generally a reason behind a book having a lot of good reviews; it just wasn't for me personally.
I don't really have anything against this book, but the only reason I finished it was because it was quick—at 77% into it, I was just sorta skimming/floating through the book because I wasn't invested in it. I could've just left it as a DNF (and probably would have if the book were longer) but like I said, it was a relatively quick and somewhat painless read, albeit also boring more often than not.
There wasn't really anything bad about it—the writing style wasn't bad (though it wasn't anything grand either) and the characters were alright, kind of bland in the grand scheme of things. I was amused with some of the banter between the characters, the relationships were cute and heartwarming, but I just wasn't feeling it? I 100% understood what this book was about and I even related, I just didn't connect. Which probably makes as much sense as a donkey wearing a tutu but oh well.
It wasn't a bad book—there's generally a reason behind a book having a lot of good reviews; it just wasn't for me personally.
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