I’ve been so busy with my own writing and working a lot that I haven’t really had the time to sit down and read a good book. Ironic because during the school year that is what I was looking forward to the most during the summer: freedom to read!

I read “Chasing Brooklyn” by Lisa Schroeder and I loved it. I especially like that this book was written in prose. For those of you that don’t know what prose is, you can compare it to poetry. Instead of long and wordy pages, you have stanzas. Sometimes this style of writing rhymes, and other times it doesn’t. I love prose novels because you know that the author chose those words for a reason. Writing in prose causes you to be very selective with your writing and in my opinion makes it stronger sometimes. Ellen Hopkins, another favorite author of mine, writes in prose as well and even does “shape poetry” (poems in a form of a certain shape) in her novels.

This YA novel is beautifully written and is about a young girl Brooklyn whose boyfriend Lucca and good friend Gabe died. Nico, Lucca’s brother, is being haunted by Lucca’s ghost to help Brooklyn as she is being haunted by Gabe’s ghost. This emotional journey of healing for both Nico and Brooklyn really tugs at your heart strings. Throughout the novel they both are too scared to let the other know about the hauntings, but until they do they will not find peace.

This story is something that anyone can relate to because unfortunately everyone has lost somebody important in their lives. We’ve all needed to find our ways back to ourselves eventually and go through a healing process. This was also an extremely enjoyable and easy read, perfect for some light summer beach reading. Just remember, if you are emotional and sensitive like I am you may want to keep some tissues handy .

Before I go, I will leave you all with one of my favorite quotes from the book:

“Some thought it was impossible after only two months. I’d reply, love doesn’t tell time. Love is simply there or it isn’t. Everyday, in every way, it was there” (2).

As always, leave your comments and share if you have read! Happy reading!