Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell (2012)

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell (2012)

“He made her feel like more than the sum of her parts.” Sigh. 

Laura’s Rating: 4/5 Stars

Plot: Awkward Eleanor has nowhere to sit on the bus. Until Park, the semi-outsider, reluctantly scoots over and shares his seat. What follows is a story of first time love among two misfits.

Analysis: The adolescent yearning is absolute perfection. The love story is so simple, but so effective. Author Rainbow Rowell perfectly captures the awkwardness and uncertainty of two young people navigating an attachment to one another in a world that is too complicated for their pure feelings. This book is YA, but doesn’t feel stereotypical “young adult”. It just feels like a story about two young adults.

I knew this book would break my heart. And it did. But in the most gentle way possible. I recommend Eleanor & Park.