Brought to you by OBS reviewer Valerie
I waited for a long time before I got the guts to create a playlist for The Sky is Everywhere. Honestly, this novel is possibly the best book I’ve ever read. It’s heart wrenchingly beautiful and tragic and perfect. In The Sky is Everywhere, protagonist Lennie must come to terms with her sister Bailey’s death. Enter Joe Fontaine, gorgeous, smiling, trumpet-playing god of a boy. Lennie is faced with a decision: figure out herself once and for all, or forever stay the second chair clarinet looking at the past.
About The Sky is Everywhere:
Seventeen-year-old Lennie Walker, bookworm and band geek, plays second clarinet and spends her time tucked safely and happily in the shadow of her fiery older sister, Bailey. But when Bailey dies abruptly, Lennie is catapulted to center stage of her own life – and, despite her nonexistent history with boys, suddenly finds herself struggling to balance two. Toby was Bailey’s boyfriend; his grief mirrors Lennie’s own. Joe is the new boy in town, a transplant from Paris whose nearly magical grin is matched only by his musical talent. For Lennie, they’re the sun and the moon; one boy takes her out of her sorrow, the other comforts her in it. But just like their celestial counterparts, they can’t collide without the whole wide world exploding.
This remarkable debut is perfect for fans of Sarah Dessen, Deb Caletti, and Francesca Lia Block. Just as much a celebration of love as it is a portrait of loss, Lennie’s struggle to sort her own melody out of the noise around her is always honest, often hilarious, and ultimately unforgettable. (Goodreads)
- Fearless by Taylor Swift
This is what Lennie wants to be. She wants to be fearless and unstoppable, just like her sister Bailey was. (She also wants to have that type of romance that Taylor’s singing about.)
- Beethoven by Union J
While Union J doesn’t truly get Beethoven like I imagine Lennie and Joe would, I still love the unique musical aspect of the song. So yeah, Joe, I know you have Lennie and all, but let me be your Beethoven. Just kidding.
- I Believe by Christina Perri
This is not the end of me, this is the beginning. This is the lesson that Lennie’s struggling to learn, that every single moment is an opportunity to begin again. I’ve always been a fan of Christina Perri’s. This song makes me love her ever more.
- Hurricane by Bridgit Mendler
I recently started listening to Bridgit Mendler. (By listening, I mean, non-stop “I played her songs over hundred times last night” type of listening.) Hurricane is one of those catchy, cute, unbelievably great songs that you can’t stop listening. I think Hurricane describes Joe and Lennie’s relationship really well.
- Hold on For Dear Love by Bridgit Mendler
This title says it all.
- Toes by Lights
Lights is definitely one of my favorite singers. The lyrics of this song perfectly describe what Lennie feels for Joe.
- Come Back… Be Here by Taylor Swift
We all want that person to come back, for a second chance. Lennie desperately needs those people to come back during certain parts of the book.
