The lost by Sarah Beth Durst

The lost by Sarah Beth Durst

Published by Harlequin MIRA

Genre fantasy contemporary(?)

Pages 350

It was only meant to be a brief detour. But then Lauren finds herself trapped in a town called Lost on the edge of a desert, filled with things abandoned, broken and thrown away. And when she tries to escape, impassable dust storms and something unexplainable lead her back to Lost again and again. The residents she meets there tell her she's going to have to figure out just what she's missing--and what she's running from--before she can leave. So now Lauren's on a new search for a purpose and a destiny. And maybe, just maybe, she'll be found...

Against the backdrop of this desolate and mystical town, Sarah Beth Durst writes an arresting, fantastical novel of one woman's impossible journey...and her quest to find her fate.

What I thought

Overall this book was great. I really enjoyed this book and I will most definitely continue reading this series. Sarah Beth Durst writing was good and funny. Eventhough this book does contain a serious subject, she carried it lightly. Whereas I cry reading John Greens "The Fault In Our Stars" <In which John Green obviously wants the reader to feel all emotions> I didn't cry reading the Lost.  Eventhough this book contains the same subject <only in the Lost it's not the main subject, it's a second story woven into the story itself>.

I gave this book four out of five stars, just because I'm still confused about the world Sarah Beth Durst has created. I really liked this book, the story and the characters, but I would have changed some tiny things. The first thing I wanted to talk about are the characters. 

Sarah Beth Durst has done an explicit job of creating characters and mapping out the world. In my imagination it just all makes sense as far as looks go. Lauren was a funny girl and not as naive as some girls can be in young adult books. The other main characters <Claire and Peter> where lovely decribed and seemed so nice aswell. 

The only thing that I found quite annoying was the way Lauren sometimes handled situations. Now I don't know how I would handle the situations and I'd probably react the same way Lauren does. But sometimes she could annoy me just slightly. Another thing I really can't get my head around is the world Sarah has created. As I said above, it made the mosts of sense in my head. But just as far as looks go. Don't get me wrong, but I just don't understand this world. 

// This part can contain spoilers //: 

Going through a dust storm Lauren somehow gets herself in the city Lost. She gets to know a lot of people, even almost having a relationship with the Finder called Peter. When Lauren is in this city <which she is for a long time>  I got the feeling this world was real. Eventhough I found myself wondering " How could there be a city in which people find what their lost and go to this special person 'the missing man' to get back to their lives out of the city.  And how would they do this, going into another city and returning.  Some people were there for a couple of years. Does their live stop when they end up in Lost?" When Lauren get's out of Lost and she ends up laying in a coma in the same hospital as her mother, I really didn't understand it anymore. Sarah Beth Durst makes us think that this city Lost is imaginary. Lauren would have been in a dream, a dream that seems so real. Maybe this city will make more sense in the second book? 

At the end of the book I really wanted to continue with the series, I wanted to know more about Lauren. About Peter and Claire. I recommend getting both book one "the Lost" and two "the Missing" when entering this new lovely world. Totally loved this book. The characters, the concept and the writing. Defenitely check this series out if you haven't already!

Have you read this book? What did you think? 

Let me know in the comments down below. 

                                                       x Zoë

Since you've been gone by Morgan Matson

Since you've been gone by Morgan Matson

Published by Simon & Schuster

Genre Contemporary

Pages 449

The Pre-Sloane Emily didn't go to parties, she barely talked to guys, she didn't do anything crazy. 

Enter Sloane, social tornado and the best kind of best friend—the one who yanks you out of your shell.But right before what should have been an epic summer, Sloane just... disappears. 

No note. No calls. No texts. No Sloane. 

There’s just a random to-do list. 

On it, thirteen Sloane-selected-definitely-bizarre-tasks that Emily would never try... unless they could lead back to her best friend. 

Apple Picking at Night? Ok, easy enough.

Dance until Dawn? Sure. Why not? 

Kiss a Stranger? Wait... what?

Getting through Sloane’s list would mean a lot of firsts. 

But Emily has this whole unexpected summer ahead of her, 

and the help of Frank Porter (totally unexpected) to check things off. 

Who knows what she’ll find?

Verdict 

What I thought

First of all I'd like to say that I totally loved this book! The writing was beautiful and the story was interesting. It felt as if I was Emily herself, probably because I can relate to her.

But, who would leave their friend behind without saying anything? I know I wouldn't be able to do so. The book is based on the idea that Sloane leaves Emily behind with this list she needs to complete. Even though I found this super interesting and I really wanted to complete the list myself. I kept thinking about Sloane, who'd left Emily behind without saying a word. If you're such close friends, why would you want to give that up? As Emily works her way through the list, she finds growth both socially and mentally.  

I have never connected so well with a character. Sometimes I felt as if I was Emily, as if I have known her all along. She is very passive, doesn't like to make small talk with strangers or do things out of her comfort zone. Contrary to her friend Sloane, as Sloane loves to talk and be noticed. Everytime Emily completed a task of the list, I felt so proud. Really seeing her grow was an eye opener for me. Thinking, if Emily could complete this list filled with some crazy things,  I could do it as well.

And Frank Porter! Do I need to say more? The over-achiever and good guy who helps Emily along the way with completing the list. Frank was such a sweet, caring and supportive guy. When Emily and Frank went for a run, I totally wish I was running next to him. 

Talking about running. Running was the activity that brought Frank and Emily together. Flipping through the book I saw these lists, and I was super excited to find out what they were. The book contains a lot of playlists filled with awesome songs! 

I loved this book so much, it was a real eye opener for me. It make me feel powerfull and energetic. It made me want to begin with stepping out of my comfort zone, making new friends and having wonderful,new experiences. I'm already making lists for what my friends and I can do this summer. One of them is definitely re-reading this book. It's such a light hearted, summer read, which yet contains a serious message. For me this message was: try to live your life to the fullest. 

I definitely recommend this book to everyone. Pick this book up as soon as you can. It was delightfull!

Morgan Matson did a great job once again! Thank you!