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Wednesday, January 16, 2013

On the Island by Tracey Garvis Graves

 
Release Date: July 17th, 2012
Publisher: Plume
Format: Paperback
 
Anna Emerson is a thirty-year-old English teacher desperately in need of adventure. Worn down by the cold Chicago winters and a relationship that’s going nowhere, she jumps at the chance to spend the summer on a tropical island tutoring sixteen-year-old T.J.

T.J. Callahan has no desire to go anywhere. His cancer is in remission and he wants to get back to his normal life. But his parents are insisting he spend the summer in the Maldives catching up on all the school he missed last year.

Anna and T.J. board a private plane headed to the Callahan’s summer home, and as they fly over the Maldives’ twelve hundred islands, the unthinkable happens. Their plane crashes in shark-infested waters. They make it to shore, but soon discover that they’re stranded on an uninhabited island.

At first, their only thought is survival. But as the days turn to weeks, and then months, the castaways encounter plenty of other obstacles, including violent tropical storms, the many dangers lurking in the sea, and the possibility that T.J.’s cancer could return. As T.J. celebrates yet another birthday on the island, Anna begins to wonder if the biggest challenge of all might be living with a boy who is gradually becoming a man.
 
I so wish that I'd found this book sooner. I'd only really seen it mentioned once or twice, but didn't really know or think much about it. I happened to find it on sale for 50% off at the bookstore, so I picked it up and read the back and decided it sounded like something worth giving a shot. I started it the next week and 24 hours later I was finished, and I was also in love with every single page.
 
Who hasn't thought of what it would be like to be stranded on a deserted island? Tracey Garvis Graves has definitely written a book where you can completely picture yourself right there on that island with Anna and T.J. The story takes place over the course of many years, so there are quite a few time jumps, but they never made the story feel bumpy or rushed. The two of them encounter such an array of hardships on that island, things it would be hard to deal with under normal circumstances, but Anna and T.J. always seem to come out on the other side.
 
I loved how things unfolded between the two of them. When they landed on that island they were complete strangers, but being stranded together and relying on each other for support and companionship, the bond they form was so incredible. Gosh, there are so many things I want to say about this book, but I absolutely can't because I don't want to spoil things.
 
Just trust me when I say that this book is so amazing and it has stuck with me ever since I turned the last page. I'm so glad I decided to pick this one up and I keep telling everyone I know to read it. Beautifully written, compelling storyline, and a fantastic conclusion. This is definitely a winner and I am eagerly awaiting Tracey's next novel :0)

6 comments:

  1. I really want to read this book. It's just so original, and I love the premise. I hope I like it as much as everyone else seems to.

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    1. It was kind of a surprise love for me. I thought it sounded really interesting, but I didn't expect it to become one of my all time favorites. Definitely give this one a go!

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  2. I have this book at home waiting to be read and you are making me want to pick it up right now. Awesome review!! I hadn't seen any other bloggers talk about this one so it's good to see it get such a great review!

    Amy @ Following the Reader

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    1. Yes, Amy, you must read it! You won't be sorry. I didn't expect to fall for it the way I have, but I am definitely planning a re-read soon. It's so engrossing and just all around amazing :0)

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  3. I flew through this one too! Could not put it down for the life of me. I love the stranded on a deserted island storyline and I love the relationship and character progression. Such a great read. I'm glad you enjoyed it too! :)

    ~Sara @ Forever 17 Books

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  4. i loved this book also.. read it in 2 nights..it is a book that you can not put down!!!

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