The Great Novels By: Ann Brashares

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The Great Novels By: Ann Brashares

List of Books I’ve Read:

- The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

- The Second Summer of the Sisterhood

- Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood

- Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood

- Sisterhood Everlasting (latest book in the series)

- My Name is Memory

The first book I had ever read by Ann Brashares was The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I had actually seen the film first (came out in 2005). I loved the cast and the story and one summer read all four of them. How do I summarize all of them in just a couple of sentences? hmm... Well it all started when four pregnant mothers went to the same fitness studio and from then on remained friends throughout the years, as their daughters became best friends: Lena, Bridget, Tibby, and Carmen. The story actually begins when they are sixteen years old, and are about to embark their summers but will not see much of each other as they all have different things going on, but don’t want to lose touch. So they think of a brilliant plan. A pair of normal jeans are bought and interestingly they each fit perfectly in them regardless of their different shapes. With this one pair of jeans, they will send it to each other when they need it the most. This exchange goes on for about four summers, to the fourth book, and there once something precious is lost, they realize that the only thing keeping them going was themselves, and the inner persona that was always there but was hidden. Well that was more than a few sentences. I love these characters, but must admit my favorite one is Lena Kaligaris. I found myself identifying with her the most on: personal identity, trust, and love. It just never seemed the right time for her and Kostos (love interest), and that situation increases with the next and newest novel in this series that came out this summer, Sisterhood Everlasting. Here the story moves ten years from the last time we read these characters on paper. The best friends are about twenty-nine now and each are finding it hard to see one another as they all live in different cities, states, and Tibby even lives out of the country in Australia. I believe this was a good conclusion to the series, but maybe it’s not the last one? (fingers crossed)? Anyways Lena, Carmen, and Bridget all go through their different withdrawals when something happens to Tibby (Not saying what). These three young women who thought they were happy with their current lives realize they are not where they want to be. With help from Tibby, these three find their destinies, and I must say and yes I am bias here, I love what happens to Lena. She finally discovers herself and shuts the door to all of her insecurities that were shadowing her from finding true happiness. This was a great story to the series, hopefully you will read them if you had not before. 

Another novel that I read this past spring was, My Name Is Memory. This was very well written, I recommend it! It was so interesting! I loved this different type of story, and am so glad it’s written. This story made me wonder about the subject: soul mates and finding that one you were meant to be with. The main character Daniel knows that this love exists as he has loved the same girl for centuries, but they actually have never been an exclusive couple. Daniel has a really good memory, some sort of gift. He remembers all of his past lives and even recognizes souls he has known before, and are now reincarnated. What a gift! He has lived through history in different countries. Somehow he and Lucy do cross paths in some of their past lives, their souls cross paths as of course they look different in each life. Daniel knows he is meant to be with Lucy, but there are always obstacles from making that happen. Even in the present life in the present time, Lucy doesn’t understand why she always feels connected to Daniel when around him, but doesn’t really know who he is. I was immediately surprised how much I loved this book, and have heard rumors that it might become a series. If that is true, I along with many others would be extremely happy, as the end of this story made me feel there is more to this fantastic story.