After Reading: SECONDHAND MEMORIES by Takatsu

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow! Well, obviously those who are celebrating :) Here's a little review for those who might be sitting around, traveling, or otherwise needing a little break to think about books :)

Seiji and Aoi have been inseparable childhood friends and eventually, high school sweethearts. Believing in naive dreams and love, all seems well until a tragedy separates them with a chasm of frozen time. As one struggles with the aftermath, the world moves on, while the other remains still.
Battered by temptation and the pressure to grow up, he discovers that life is more complicated than he thought – and that the heart and mind is quite vulnerable to change. Secondhand Memories is an emotional young adult coming-of-age story: a journey about the meaning of growing up, love, loss and sacrifice. (Goodreads)

I've never actually read a cell phone novel before. I've heard of them, but this was a first for me, and in some ways this was a lot like reading a novel in verse, with short chapters (often only about a page), and quick and simple descriptions. It was interesting. And, honestly, I think the format is fun, and definitely makes for a quick read. Still, I had some issues with this novel. I wanted to enjoy it, and I definitely enjoyed reading about some of the awesome places I got to visit while in Japan, but I just had a hard time with the characters. They were a little more difficult to identify with than I cared for, which made things tedious. Their emotions rocketed all over the place and there was no firm grasp of their motivations. Which is probably more accurate for teens than I care to admit, but still, it made for trying reading. Anyhow, definitely a fun format, and it made me miss Japan (and the amazing food...what I wouldn't give for some good Japanese food, haha!), but just not a novel for me.

Have you read or heard of cell phone novels?