Beyond the Gardens by Sandra C. Lopez

This was a book that unexpectedly showed up from a giveaway from Crazy-for-Books (thanks again, Jennifer!!).  Even better was that this book is signed by the author, to me!! How very rad is that?!

Seriously rad.  That’s how rad it is.

This was a very quick and enjoyable read.  Young adult fiction is, I’m guessing, very much just like that.  It’s easy, it’s cute and sometimes romantic, and it’s a quick read.  I think I finished it in only a few days.

Lopez’s story comes across as a somewhat autobiographical fiction, and her character, Esperanza, is someone I really liked.  She’s neurotic (I can relate), an over-achiever (yep, got that one, too), and totally entertaining (at least I make myself laugh).  She’s a young Latina from the barrio, making a life for herself by breaking out of all expectations and stereotypes.  I love this about her because she reminds me so much of myself in that way.

This is a love story and an inspiration to young ladies who are less apt to try to be beauty queens and more likely to try and use their brains to better themselves.  Tomorrow, as soon as it’s light out, I intend on walking this over to the tween neighbor girl and telling her she has to read it — STAT!

I love books like this.  It’s been far too long since I’ve read young adult fiction, and really, maybe that’s a vein that I hadn’t considered.  Maybe I could be the next Judy Blume.  Or Sandra C. Lopez.  I suppose I won’t know until I try it!

Having finished the book in record time, I ended up feeling proud of Lopez and her accomplishment of writing not one but TWO books at such a young age.  She’s an inspiration to me.  I hope that I can find it within me to do the same, and soon.

Ranking:

I love that I have a copy of this book because it feels so personal.  Having it signed by the author is a really, really cool thing.  Knowing that this young lady has accomplished the very thing *I* want to accomplish gives me hope that there’s a place out there for me in the literary world, too.

And if you’re looking to support The Librarian book blog, buy your copy from Tattered Cover here.

Thanks for reading, ya'll.

Miss Ash