1. Not unique... but distinct
Jen's (we're tight like that) books, at least the three I've read so far, have concepts that are not unique, not new. In fact, you may think these are all very cliche. Love at first sight. Long distance relationship. A movie star falling for an ordinary girl. Fate and destiny. These are not only common but also relatively unrealistic. But Jen has a way of writing that is so distinct that I can't even think of any other author who writes this way. Sure, it might be a little similar to Rainbow Rowell's or even John Green's writing sometimes but not really. I can't explain it. Even when she's writing about something that is so cliche, it's still beautiful and special and believable. She has mastered the art of turning the impossible into possible. Ha!
2. Another kind of happy endings
All three books I've read so far (Statistical, Geography, and Happy) all have happy endings. And some would say that these are all light and fun reads and I agree on the "fun" part but not so much on the "light". Jen writes about teenagers who have problems, and whose relationships are not easy. There's always these subtle hints of trouble, of sadness, in the parts of the books before their endings. And even the endings are not your conventional jump-for-joy-let's-celebrate happy endings. No, these are contented type of happy endings, the ones where you close your book with a sigh and secretly smile to yourself. It's still happy but quiet happy. One can argue that Jen's books are open-ended (happy endings but you don't know if the main characters stay together forever) but for me, as long as there is no sequel, I'm gonna assume that the couples are happily together.
3. Matured teenagers + family drama
Another thing I love about the Jen E. Smith books is they don't just focus on the romance aspect. They also tackle the main characters' relationships with their parents. It is so refreshing to read about teenagers who care about their parents. These books emphasize the importance of family and i like that it's an integral part in Jen's works. It's like she's saying that everything begins at home, and I totally agree with her. That said, I admire how the main characters handle whatever's going on in their families. Hadley, Oliver, Lucy, Owen, Ellie, and Graham -- they know how to take it in stride and be calm and collected even when in not-so-good situations. I love that, because I definitely wasn't like that in my teenage years.
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Great excuse to use a Logan Lerman GIF. Hihihi[/caption]I love that after three books, Jen Smith still hasn't disappointed me. And I am very much looking forward to reading her other works.
How about you? Have you read Jen's books? Love it or hate it? And who's your current favorite author?
yay! it's nice that you featured JES books...at first read they are not the kind of romance i was hoping for but as you go deeper into each book that yes she does tackle other issues like family relationships...that even though other unexpected things are going on in your life and around you there is also the sense of things falling into place like it's fated to be...it's what made her writing distinct as you put it :)
ReplyDeleteI like how her books are so laid-back, perfect for lazy afternoons. :)
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