Author: Stasia Ward Kehoe
Published: February 6, 2014
Source: ARC from the author for blog tour (catch-up on the tour here!)
A review copy was provided. All thoughts are my own and I have not been persuaded in any way.
Summary & Cover
For sixteen years, Daisy has been good. A good daughter, helping out with her autistic younger brother uncomplainingly. A good friend, even when her best friend makes her feel like a third wheel. When her parents announce they’re sending her brother to an institution—without consulting her—Daisy’s furious, and decides the best way to be a good sister is to start being bad. She quits jazz band and orchestra, slacks in school, and falls for bad-boy Dave.
But one person won’t let Daisy forget who she used to be: Irish exchange student and brilliant musician Cal. Does she want the bad boy or the prodigy? Should she side with her parents or protect her brother? How can she know when to hold on and when—and how—to let go?
Purchase The Sound of Letting Go
Author Interview
HOW LIFE GOES WHEN A BOOK PUBS
My novel, THE SOUND OF LETTING GO, has been on shelves for a dozen days. In that time, I have traveled to Seattle, Portland and Houston to talk about the book. I have ordered take-out dinners (Chinese--twice; Thai; Indian) and taken my kids for meals at Fatburger and MOD Pizza (naughty but...YUM!). The dirty laundry sits in the hall--a towering reminder of my housekeeping incompetence. And, I'm working on a new manuscript because inspiration always strikes at the lousiest of times.
Am I complaining? Gosh, no! My family loves take-out food and we're not too particular about housekeeping. Plus, I've published my second book. So, yeah.
However, I did want to mention these things because people often say to me, "You do so many things. How do you manage?" And the answer is: I don't. It's not pretty. The life of a writer-mom is about choices. And forgiving yourself. And knowing when to laugh. Even if nobody around you really gets the funny.
And, oh, that's right...the BOOK. THE SOUND OF LETTING GO is a contemporary YA about growing up, and family, and small town gossip, and best friends, and the difference between loving someone and having them love you back. I worked hard to write it and I hope that it finds the readers for whom it will make a difference.
Another thing I did instead of housework this month was custom-decorate a pair of Keds to give away--along with a signed copy of the book and lots of fun swag. So, enter below to win some stuff or drop me a tweet @swkehoe and we can chat about, you know, dust ;)
Find Stasia around the Internet
Review
This book was, in one word, AMAZING! I still haven't read too many books in verse, so I don't know if they're all as great and flow as flawlessly as The Sound of Letting Go. I'm going to say it's all in Stasia's story-telling. I also loved her debut novel, Audition.
The story follows Daisy. She has always been a good daughter, student, trumpet player, and sister. Her parents, after a few years of an uncontrollable autistic son, decide to put him in an establishment to help him and his special needs. Daisy, after all of the years of hurrying home and being a caregiver, feels as if they are just abandoning her brother.
The Sound of Letting Go is a great story told how our young MC struggles with the changes in her family, a budding romance, and keeping secrets from her best friend. Daisy struggles and decides to let everything "good" about her go and does non-Daisy-like things: not showing up to jazz band, not helping her mom, staying out late, and make-out sessions HBO thought-filled moments with Dave.
Along the way, an exchange student from jazz band, Cal, reminds Daisy about her love of music -- of what it's always meant to her.
My favorite excerpt from this book is on Page 329 in the ARC, which is subject to change...but I hope it's not!
"I run to the basement like a programmed robot,
and it's not until my second time through "Hallelujah"
that I realize I could have played the song upstairs.
The song about the imperfection of love,
the way it can hurt you, break you, terrify you,
the way it can fall apart; and yet,
the title is a hymn, a word of praise."
I felt this part clearly defined Daisy and her whole story. Knowing the song "Hallelujah," I honestly broke down in tears at this point.
The closure and ending of The Sound of Letting Go was fantastic. The characters, their trials and tribulations, friendships, and emotions were so well-written by Kehoe. I felt for them. I felt as if I was sitting at the dinner table with them at the end.
Also, if you don't know what "Hallelujah" is, let me point you right below. Go ahead and cry and feel every single emotion with me. (This is posted on VEVO, so you may need to click to watch and listen to it on YouTube.) This is THE version for me. Every. single. time. Tears.
Rating
When I closed the book, I gave it a hug. The ARC will have a permanent position on my bookcase and I have a beautiful hardback heading my way. This is one that I will recommend as often as possible.
Giveaway
ENTER TO WIN…a signed first edition of THE SOUND OF LETTING GO, one of four different TsoLG Swag Packs, or a pair of author-designed custom Keds sneakers (size 8)
Thank you so much for hosting me here, Lisa. Thrilled that you enjoyed TSoLG!
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