The Ninja Reader

Also found here: http://theninjareader.tumblr.com/post/15344527909/look-out-for-wanderlove-by-kirsten-hubbardThis book rips my heart out.I imagine it's a very unlikely statement to make, especially if you read the book, and know how it ends... especially if you know me. But there are those stories that hit the bullseye, and in my case, it was this one.Bria Sandoval is eighteen, and uncertain where to head in life. Not only has her ex made her lose her shot in an art school, she simply cannot draw. Her friends patronize her, and when they pull out of their planned vacation in Europe, she decides to stick it to them, and to escape the Cold War at home, by going on a trip to Guatemala. Things soon spirall out of control, and she realizes that running away won't fix things.The reason why this book hit so close to home for me was because one year ago, I was in the exact same place as Bria... well, not in Guatemala, but I was facing a huge change. I was going off to learn something practical, not something I was passionate about. I was about to go into a new country, in a new city, leaving my friends and hobbies behind. Needless to say I was feeling miserable.Wanderlove is a book about journeys. A lot of people will only see it as a tale of a summer romance, and yes, there is that too. It's what 13 Little Blue Envelopes should have been - a tale of a girl that goes off on a backpacking adventure, only Bria's troubles and adventures are a lot more real, thus making her a more relatable character than Ginny. On its own right, it's a wonderful romance story.But to me, its merits go way beyond those of a holiday read simply because it spoke to me as a person. One year ago, I was uncertain, and angry, and resentful. Why can't I be passionate about useful things? Why can't I fall in love with what I study? I was frustrated, throughout summer and most of the academic year. I still am, in a way. I was angry at the world for not taking my passion seriously, and I was angry at myself for giving it up as easily as I did, which was why reading about Bria was a little like looking in a mirror for me. And it's also why I find a great deal of comfort in the ending, and in the lessons learned. Wanderlove isn't just about finding love while trecking in Guatemala - it's about perspective, and realizing that life isn't, in fact, offering you an all-or-nothing deal. And sometimes, for some people, that's a nice thing to know.Note: A review copy was provided by the publishers via NetGalley.