A Librarian's Take on "I Kissed Shara Wheeler" by Casey McQuiston: What I Liked and Disliked

The Allure of the Narrative

Casey McQuiston's "I Kissed Shara Wheeler" is a compelling read that delves into the complexities of young love, identity, and the pursuit of self-discovery. The narrative is imbued with a sense of urgency and emotional depth that captures the reader's attention from the get-go. McQuiston's storytelling prowess shines through, making it a standout in the young adult romance genre.

One of the most commendable aspects of the book is its nuanced portrayal of characters. Shara Wheeler is not just another love interest; she's a multi-dimensional character with her own dreams, fears, and complexities. This adds a layer of realism to the story, making it relatable to a broad spectrum of readers.

The Challenges: A Double-Edged Sword

However, the book is not without its challenges. The pacing can be a bit uneven, with some sections dragging on longer than necessary. This can be particularly taxing for readers who prefer a more streamlined narrative. Additionally, the book employs a series of flashbacks that, while enriching the story, can sometimes disrupt the flow and make it harder to follow.

Real-Life Relevance

What sets "I Kissed Shara Wheeler" apart is its relevance to real-life situations. The story tackles issues like identity, societal expectations, and the complexities of young love, which resonate with many readers. It serves as a mirror reflecting the trials and tribulations that come with navigating relationships and personal growth during one's formative years.

Comparative Analysis

When compared to other books in its niche, such as "To All the Boys I've Loved Before" by Jenny Han or "Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda" by Becky Albertalli, "I Kissed Shara Wheeler" holds its own. While the aforementioned titles focus more on the lighter aspects of young love, McQuiston's work delves deeper into the emotional and psychological facets of relationships. This gives it a unique edge, making it a must-read for those who appreciate depth in their romantic reads.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, "I Kissed Shara Wheeler" is a compelling narrative that offers a balanced mix of romance, drama, and real-life relevance. Its strengths lie in its well-developed characters and emotional depth, although it does suffer from some pacing issues and narrative complexities. Nonetheless, it's a book that leaves a lasting impression, making it a worthwhile addition to the young adult romance canon.

I hope you find this review insightful and engaging. Whether you're a college student looking for a relatable read or a parent seeking to understand the literary tastes of the younger generation, "I Kissed Shara Wheeler" offers something for everyone.

Your City Needs Its Writers: 3 Steps to Improve the Writing Culture in Your City

There is a La Union Books and Arts Exhibit right now at the SM City La Union, and this got me thinking. Every city has its share of storytellers. Some write novels. Some write long social media captions that probably should have been novels. I personally think a city with no active writers feels a bit empty, like a place that only knows traffic and billboards but has no imagination. A writing culture is not optional. It is the difference between a town that thinks and a town that merely exists. If you want to encourage a writing culture where you live, start by following these 3 steps: Step 1: Make writers visible. Invite local authors to your library, schools, community centers, and yes even your neighborhood book clubs. In fact, book clubs are one of the easiest groups to involve, because they already read, already discuss stories, and usually already have snacks. A sponsored book club event featuring a hometown author can do more for visibility than a month of posters. And honestly,...

Better Library Shelfing by Colocation: Grouping Similar Items

As librarians, we've all faced the challenge of making the most of our shelf space. It's like a puzzle, figuring out where each book belongs so that people can find what they need without a treasure map. This is where colocation – or putting similar things together – comes into play. It's a simple idea, but it can make a huge difference in how we manage our shelves and help our library users find their way around. Let's talk about how this approach can make our libraries more user-friendly and efficient. Why Colocation Matters Imagine you're looking for a cookbook. You go to the section where cookbooks are supposed to be, but instead of finding them all in one spot, they're scattered all over. Some are with the gardening books, others are near the science fiction. Frustrating, right? That's the problem colocation solves. By keeping similar items together – all the cookbooks in one place, all the science fiction in another – we make life easier for everyone....

Simple Way to Ask Library Users to Rate the Library Service

Library users do not always share their thoughts on how the librarian or school can improve their library service. In fact, some won't ever, unless prompted. Soliciting their thoughts using a suggestion box is also not as good a strategy as it is predicted to be. After all, the blank piece of paper near the suggestion box doesn't really guide the user. I also noticed that users would only use the suggestion box if they have a complaint, but not if they just want to go about their business and leave. There must be a more pro-active way to solicit users' opinion. A simple solution would be to offer a short survey to measure how successfully users were able to complete some common activities in the library. This assessment uses the Likert scale, which is typically a five, seven, or nine-point agreement scale used to measure respondents' agreement with various statements. For example, the scale can range from "very unsuccessful" to "very successful."...

Short Story: Backward Day

ASIAN AMERICAN HOLIDAY PEOPLE OF COLOR A young twenty-something man was waving at people gawking at him in the parking lot while loading several pounds of burgers, loaves of bread, and cartons of beer into the trunk of our car. My boyfriend Tony was a sight to behold in any crowd, with his blonde hair and muscular build. But today, what was catching the crowd’s attention was his inside-out shirt, pants, and canvas hat. I’m not too worried about people reporting my eccentrically clad hunny-bunny to the police. Rambling, crazy locals were normal for the day before the Superbowl when every adult in our town was on shopping duty. The crazier you looked, the less likely anyone would disturb you while you were taking all the beer. Only, today wasn’t a normal one for my crazy family, who we’re visiting for the Superbowl weekend. It’s Backward Day, a tradition that our family kept going for as long as I could remember. Despite its name, it was not just one ...

What Librarians Do in 2024: Keeping Up with Everyone's Needs

Libraries are accessible to everyone... and we mean EVERYONE! Hey there! I'm a librarian, and if there's one thing I know, it's that libraries are not just about books anymore. They're about people – all kinds of people. And in 2024, our job is to make sure we're keeping up with what everyone needs, even as those needs keep changing. So, how do we do that? Let's dive in. Getting to Know You First up, we need to really understand who's using the library. This means looking beyond just the numbers and getting to know the community. What languages do they speak? What kind of information are they looking for? Do they need places to study, meet, or even just hang out? The more we know, the better we can be at making the library a welcoming place for everyone. Technology is Our Friend These days, almost everyone uses some form of technology, whether it's smartphones, tablets, or laptops. As librarians, we're jumping on this tech train too. We'r...

Library Management Brainstorming: Get Patrons Involved

Brainstorming is a dynamic and flexible tool that can be applied to library management. By engaging a diverse group of stakeholders in the brainstorming process, libraries can tap into a wealth of ideas that pave the way for innovative services, enhanced user experience, and efficient operations. The structured approach to brainstorming, from idea generation to selection, ensures that libraries can systematically explore and implement solutions that meet the evolving needs of their communities. Through continuous innovation and adaptability, libraries can remain vital centers for learning, creativity, and community engagement. Librarians don't need to do it alone. After all, patrons are also the ones who would benefit from improvements in the library. Hence, tapping them for ideas is a good call. Topics for Library Management Brainstorming Improving User Engagement: A library looking to increase patron visits might brainstorm ideas leading to initiatives like a community bo...

Weekly Facebook Reel Plan 006 Thrifting

F ocusing on a single theme like "Thrifting" for a week can provide a cohesive and engaging experience for your audience. Here's a that outlines a one-week Reel plan centered around thrifting: Day of the Week Concept Execution Monday Thrift Store Tour Move through different sections of a thrift store, highlighting unique finds. Tuesday DIY Thrift Flip Transform a thrifted item into something new. Move from the before state to the after state. Wednesday Budget Thrifting Set a budget and move through the store, showing what you can get within that budget. Thursday Thrifting for Different Styles Move between racks and sections, picking out items that fit various fashion styles. Friday Thrifted Outfit Challenge Create an outfit entirely from thrifted items. Move from the selection process to the reveal. Saturday Thrifting Tips Share tips for effective thrifting. Move from general advice to specific examples. Sunday Thrift Haul Showcase your week's finds. Move from unbaggi...

Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay also Known as the Taoist Ma-Cho Temple in San Fernando, La Union

I am a native of San Fernando and am very familiar with Macho Temple, yet I'm as confused as most tourists when it comes to the image of the holy lady enshrined there. Yes, it's a CHINESE temple, but... Many Taoist and Catholic devotees have accepted without question that mama deity Ma-Cho and our Lady of Caysasay are the same person. As the Chinese deity, she sacrificed her life while trying to save seafarers endangered by rough seas. She died at the young age of 28. However, she is also recognized as a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary by the Catholic church. All these baffling thoughts converge and don't really require any clarification as tourists and locals simply enjoy the seabreeze that permeates the hill where this lady's temple is located. Ma-Cho Temple, the first Taoist temple in the Philippines and one of the largest outside of China. Perched on a hill in downtown San Fernando, it offers breathtaking views of the South China Sea, making it an ideal h...

Weekly Facebook Reel Plan 008: Pretending to be Tourists for a Day

Creating a one-week reel plan around the theme "Pretending to be Tourists for a Day" sounds like a fun and engaging way to connect with your audience. Here's a table that outlines the plan: Day of the Week Concept Execution Monday Local Landmarks Visit local landmarks and take photos as if you're seeing them for the first time. Tuesday Food Tour Sample local cuisine from various eateries and discuss the flavors and textures. Wednesday Public Transport Adventure Ride the local public transport and show the experience, including buying tickets. Thursday Street Performers Find street performers and capture their acts, maybe even join in for a collaborative moment. Friday Souvenir Shopping Visit local souvenir shops and showcase unique items, discussing their cultural significance. Saturday Museum Hopping Go to a local museum and take photos of interesting exhibits, discussing their history. Sunday Scenic Spots Visit a local park or beach and capture the natural beauty, p...

Weekly Facebook Reel Content Plan (#003): Being a Good Samaritan

With a theme like "Being a Good Samaritan," you can create a powerful way to engage your audience while promoting kindness and community involvement. Here's a table to guide you through a week of such content: Day of the Week Concept Execution Monday Helping the Homeless Show yourself preparing care packages and distributing them to homeless individuals. Tuesday Animal Welfare Visit an animal shelter and spend the day volunteering. Highlight ways others can help too. Wednesday Environmental Cleanup Organize or participate in a local area cleanup. Share tips on how to keep communities clean. Thursday Food Donation Collect food items and donate them to a local food bank. Encourage viewers to do the same. Friday Elderly Care Spend time with elderly people in a care home or virtually. Share their stories and needs. Saturday Acts of Kindness Perform random acts of kindness like paying for someone's coffee. Challenge your audience to do the same. Sunday Community Awar...

Ruby Galvez, RL

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