After seeing Jeff Zentner speak last month, I figured it’s time I reviewed his books! I might have a review for Goodbye Days somewhere in my blog archives, but oh well. Having them all in one place makes it easier! Being able to see him speak was such a great experience, and he’s such a genuinely nice human being. And a great public speaker! That was a fantastic surprise. Here are some of my favorite quotes from his books!
Originally, I was planning on reviewing Bridge of Clay today, but I haven’t finished it yet. It’s a long book! And I haven’t set aside as much time for reading as I should have. Hopefully I can have a review for it up next week. For now, enjoy my thoughts on the works of Jeff Zentner, YA author extraordinaire!
Jeff Zentner: Mini Reviews
The Serpent King
Dill’s struggled with the shadow of his father his whole life, especially in his small Tennessee town. His only escapes are music and his best friends, Lydia and Travis. Lydia, with her fashion blog, can’t wait to escape. Travis is content living in his fictional worlds. When tragedy strikes their town, Dill isn’t sure he can handle any more endings.
My friend Alyssa first introduced me to this book, and I’m so glad she did. Zentner creates such amazing, character driven stories that you can’t help but get sucked up into their world. And you’re guaranteed to feel a whole range of emotions, from sadness to hope. Zentner set the standard for this first book, and he only builds off of this.
Goodbye Days
One day, a text from Carver to his friends could be what killed them. After all, one of them was looking at his phone when he crashed into that semi. Now, Carver has to live with the guilt of the accident, furthered by a criminal investigation into his involvement. In order to move passed his guilt, Carver has a series of Goodbye Days with the families of his friends. They help with closure.
In the vein that Zentner set with The Serpent King, there are so many emotions presented within this book. At the core of the book is how teenagers cope with incredible tragedy and grief. A lot of people say that these subjects are too dark for a young adult book, but teens deal with these subjects all the time. A realistic portrayal of what it means to move passed a tragedy.
Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee
Josie and Delia run their own public access television show every weekend, commenting on cheesy horror movies. As senior year comes to an end, the two have to figure out the future of their show. Josie wants to move forward in her television career, while Delia wants to focus on making their show better. A trip to a horror conference might decide the future of their show–and their friendship.
Okay, this might actually be my favorite of Zentner’s books. It was so funny! I found myself laughing out loud on multiple occasions, which I loved. It’s been too long since I read a funny book. Even then, Zentner still managed to make me cry by the end. Change and moving forward and changing relationships. Hits you right in the feels.