A Gathering Light.

Another book to hit as my favorite - A Gathering Light. ( Jennifer Donnelly)

 I won't review it because I just can't do enough justice! The way I explained it to one of my friends - she wouldn't read it EVER.So I'd better save others :D

However ...I'd say its the BEST I've read in recent times. The kind of novel that  feels so real..so close to you , that you start living with the characters. For their sorrow , happiness et al.

Mattie Gokey , a girl in her early teens finds the huge responsibility of taking care of her younger siblings as a promise she'd made to her dying mother.
At the cost of her dreams. To become a writer.
A drunk non-supportive father , lesser money & too many mouths to feed only adds to her woes.And then all it comes down to is her ambitions. It keeps flipping between the two until she makes her decision.
Its about choices , friendships , responsibility , family , love  , passion & the big question - What you want for yourself ?  And whether you've made the right decision ?
Anybody whose family's proving to be a huge obstruction in achieving his/her dreams will relate A LOT with the protagonist. I loved the way she found her answer which is a parallel story linking hers.  A girl named Grace Brown dies under mysterious circumstances in a lake near a hotel where Mattie works.And a day before her death - Grace gives her letters to Mattie requesting her to burn them.But Mattie keeps them & figures that Grace has been killed. Through her letters  Mattie connects & finds inspiration which helps her way out.

You can so find a part of yourself in her.Almost everyone goes through choice making.Its tough. And it all comes down to YOU. Good or bad.Fears.Love.Family. Lastly - The final call.

The writing style is different & refreshing - going in flashbacks & present - to cross at a point.I also liked how the 'chapters' or parts have been distinguished ..not with another subtitle but 'word of the day' which Mattie learns & eventually finds something in her life to give her the best example for usage of that word.
The murder is based on a true story.The author was touched by the letters & wanted something good to happen out of them.Which is why it has been linked to Mattie's story.
 All in all - A gathering light makes for a delightful read.Its as if the book title speaks for itself :)
___________________________________________________________________________

I can now draw a common element between three of my fav novels.
To kill a mockingbird.
The Kite runner.
A Gathering Light.

All three novels have a kid/teenager telling their story in their words.Learning the world around them as they are growing. Going through the bitterness of life. And their stories not necessarily ending with a happily ever-after...but with lots of hope , smile & wisdom.

The way real life is.