A Map of the Known World

It happens every once in a while. A book that is outside my typical genre and interest sneaks up on me, grabs hold, and refuses to let go. These are the books I cherish, the ones I think of when I can't sleep or when I'm sitting in traffic. These are the books I tell everyone to read right away. I've been lucky in books this year, it wasn't that long ago that I read just such a book, and now, I've finished another.

Title: A Map of the Known World
Author: Lisa Ann Sandell
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Genre: YA Contemporary Fiction
Pages: 272
On Sale: April 15, 2009
Authors Website

IndieBound




Synopsis:

Cora Bradley dreams of escape. Ever since her reckless older brother, Nate, died in a car crash, Cora has felt trapped in her small town. Her parents are increasingly overprotective, and even her best friend, Rachel, has begun to slip away.

So Cora seeks solace in art, drawing elaborate maps and envisioning herself in exotic locales. Then Cora’s maps lead her to something unexpected: to Damian, the handsome, brooding boy who was in the car with Nate the night he died. Cora forms a tentative bond with Damian—himself an artist—who reveals to her the truth about who her brother really was. As Cora begins to piece together the fragments of her life, she finds herself falling for Damian. But will she have the courage to follow the chart of her heart?

My Review:
I've had to sit with this book for more than a week to try and find some way to put into words how amazing this book was. A powerful and gripping story that reveals lifes truths and emotions in an effortless manner, it transcends age and should be read by anyone and everyone. Fantastic! Just make sure you have a few tissues handy.

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Disclosure: In exchange for reading and reviewing this book I received a copy from the publisher through GoodReads