edited by Stephanie Perkins
Young Adult Fiction // Categories: Contemporary, Fantasy, Romance
Release Date: October 14, 2014
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (Macmillan)
Format: e-ARC • 336 pages
Rating: 4 stars
My True Love Gave to Me was everything that I expected (which, if you didn't know, was AWESOME.) All twelve stories were focused on some sort of love connection, but I found them to be pretty unique from each other and (for the most part) easy to get into.
For some reason, I was surprised to find magical elements woven into some of the stories (although it doesn't make sense because we're talking about Laini Taylor, author of the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy, here ...) It was tough for me to read her story (The Girl Who Woke the Dreamer) and Kelly Link's (The Lady and the Fox) because it was fantastical, but I ended up appreciating how both were written.
Each story is pretty short, but there was so much to learn about each character. In terms of culture and ethnicity, there was such a great mixture of everything. It was beautiful :)
If I had to choose a favorite ... I think it'd be "It's a Yuletide Miracle, Charlie Brown" by Stephanie Perkins. Not only can she write in a way where I fall in love with the boy, but it's just one of those stories where I HAD to find out what happened next.
If you are looking for something to get you into the holiday spirit and enjoy love stories, this book is for you! This was such a fun read. There's just something about short stories that make me feel like superwoman—done with the first? ONTO THE NEXT!—and keep me reading.
Will you pick this book up during the holiday season?
Is there an author you are particularly looking forward to reading from?
If you could compile an anthology, who would be on your top five list of authors?
The Charlie Brown story already makes me want to read it! I love that Stephanie references Peanuts (I'm assuming the story isn't really about them though?) This sounds like a great holiday read with some totally awesome authors! How did you like the Rainbow story btw? I'm very curious about that one!
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of quite a few of the contributing authors, so I'm definitely going to pick this up sometime next month to get me in the mood for the holidays. I didn't think there would be any fantastical elements, so I'm looking forward to reading those stories in particular!
ReplyDeleteAw, I can't wait to read this! I don't normally read anthologies, for some reason, but the number of awesome authors made me make an exception. I have to admit, I like the UK cover way better and kind of just want to buy that one... :) I have a feeling Stephanie's is going to be my favorite, too. She has that knack!
ReplyDeleteStephanie Perkins' was my favorite too! Such a cute story. I wish we could get more of those two. I also really liked Gayle Forman's, Rainbow Rowell's, Laini Taylor's, and Kiersten White's. :) Great review!
ReplyDeleteSeeing "Charlie Brown" makes me really want to read the comics from start to finish now :p It really put me in the holiday spirit — I'm ready for all the wintery books! I did love the Rainbow Rowell story but it was written in a way that I don't normally like, so it kind of put me off a bit. Don't get me wrong though, it was lovely :)
ReplyDeleteJust the thought of having to read through a bunch of stories written by different authors is a little bit daunting (are you allowed to skip some? Do you have to read them in order?) but I didn't feel that way with this one. It's probably because I recognized most of the authors before I started reading :) Tons of people are saying that they like the UK cover better! I love this one because of the illustration on this cover (as opposed to nothing!) but the UK one is pretty. Let me know which one is your favorite when you read it!
ReplyDeleteShe just has that kind of writing that makes you swoon :) I loved Kiersten White's as well! It surprised me because I've only read her Mind Games duology and the short story she wrote was in such a different voice.
ReplyDeleteI was really excited before reading this one because I was familiar with the authors (or have heard good things about them!) Yes, some of the stories really were magical :p
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