Author: Liza Wiemer
Publisher: Spencer Hill Contemporary
Publication Date: 10.15.2015
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary
Series: N/A
Rating: 5 Stars
Summary (from Goodreads):
Late one night, in a moment of deep grief, Tricia places a call to her deceased grandmother’s old phone number. She expects the disconnect notice, but is thrown when another teen— also up late and coping with his own frustrations—answers. It’s Emerson, and though they're perfect strangers, Tricia senses an unexplainable, deeper connection between them.
When his phone rings, Emerson expects it to be his sometimes-overbearing girlfriend Angie, but instead ends up transfixed by Tricia’s tenderness and heartache. The two make a pact, thus setting the events of HELLO? in motion.
HELLO? is the story of five small town Wisconsin teens: Tricia, who has lost her family and is trying to find her way; her over-protective boyfriend Brian, a potter; the perfectionist Emerson; his girlfriend, the insecure and unpredictable Angie; and her tough best friend Brenda, an aspiring actress and screenwriter.
Told from all five viewpoints: narration (Tricia), narration (Emerson), free verse poetry (Angie), screenplay format (Brenda), narration and drawings (Brian), HELLO? offers a textured account of five lives and weaves together the stories of these teens into a compelling narrative of serendipity and a whole that is much greater than the sum of its parts.
When his phone rings, Emerson expects it to be his sometimes-overbearing girlfriend Angie, but instead ends up transfixed by Tricia’s tenderness and heartache. The two make a pact, thus setting the events of HELLO? in motion.
HELLO? is the story of five small town Wisconsin teens: Tricia, who has lost her family and is trying to find her way; her over-protective boyfriend Brian, a potter; the perfectionist Emerson; his girlfriend, the insecure and unpredictable Angie; and her tough best friend Brenda, an aspiring actress and screenwriter.
Told from all five viewpoints: narration (Tricia), narration (Emerson), free verse poetry (Angie), screenplay format (Brenda), narration and drawings (Brian), HELLO? offers a textured account of five lives and weaves together the stories of these teens into a compelling narrative of serendipity and a whole that is much greater than the sum of its parts.
Review:
From the very first page, Liza Wiemer draws the reader into HELLO? with her beautiful and sophisticated way of storytelling. Some authors have to try or build up to establishing a teenager voice, but Wiemer does it on page one and for 5 different teens in 5 different ways. It's rare that you can tell from the very beginning how special a book is - but HELLO? nails it.
Reminiscent of the Academy Award winning movie Crash, HELLO? is told in the perspective of 5 teens who lives wind up intersecting and tangling together in a way that can only be described as jaw-droppingly brilliant.
I know what you're saying - Hannah, aren't you a little biased because she's your friend?
No. Not at all. I will sadly admit that I probably wouldn't have picked up this book if Liza hadn't been my friend and I would have been missing out on an incredible book.
HELLO? is a special book because of the unique way it is told. From prose to verse to screen play format to visual art, Wiemer excels at each medium, layering the story in a way that makes it unique, captivating, and timeless.
Don't miss this book.
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | IndieBound | The Book Depository
I am the author of two non-fiction adult books, short stories, and newspaper and magazine articles. A pre-school to high school educator now writing YA fiction full time, which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! And I'm a diehard Green Bay Packers fan.
For my author posts on writing and my upcoming YA novel HELLO?: http://www.LizaWiemer.
Unique "job" experiences: I spent a summer selling popcorn in a Koepsell's popcorn wagon while listening to awesome music on the Summerfest grounds in Milwaukee. I also know my way around a fender and a quarter panel and under the hood of a car. I spent a few years driving to accident scenes, scrapyards, hospitals, auto repair shops as a claims adjuster for an insurance company.
For my author posts on writing and my upcoming YA novel HELLO?: http://www.LizaWiemer.
Unique "job" experiences: I spent a summer selling popcorn in a Koepsell's popcorn wagon while listening to awesome music on the Summerfest grounds in Milwaukee. I also know my way around a fender and a quarter panel and under the hood of a car. I spent a few years driving to accident scenes, scrapyards, hospitals, auto repair shops as a claims adjuster for an insurance company.
Tour Schedule:
Week 1:
Nov. 2: The Irish Banana Review - Review
Nov. 3: Book Rock Betty - Guest Post
Nov. 4: YA Bibliophile - Review
Nov. 5: Paperback Princess - Playlist
Nov. 6: Resch Reads & Reviews - Review
Week 2:
Nov. 9: No BS Book Reviews - Q&A
Nov. 10: Forever Bookish - Review
Nov. 12: Reading W/ABC - Review
Nov. 13: Stuck In Books - Top 10
Week 3:
Nov. 16: Mundie Moms - Review
Nov. 17: Fiction Fare - Guest Post
Nov. 18: Andi's ABCs - ABC Post
Nov. 19: Bookiemoji - Review
Nov. 20: A Book & A Latte - How I Write
Giveaway:
$25 Amazon Gift Card (Int) and 3 annotated copies of HELLO?
Oh wow. I love those six degrees of separation type storylines and this sounds so lovely and lyrical. Imagine that, in your moment of grief and finding that kind of lifeline, pardon the pun. I'm really excited to give this a read now, wonderful review Hannah <3
ReplyDeleteAmazing book! Finished last nigh Hannah... all the stars ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Hannah. For your tremendous support. For being a champion of HELLO?. For coordinating this amazing blog tour! And for the laughs and smiles and some of my most memorable "bookish" moments! With lots of love and best wishes for the very best for you. xx, Liza
ReplyDeleteMy favorite book of 2015!! This book left me speechless.
ReplyDelete