My Not-So-Still Life by Liz Gallagher
My Not-So-Still Life
Liz Gallagher
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Release Date: May 10, 2011
Pages: 192
Rating: 3 stars
Vanessa is wise beyond her years. She’s never really fit in at school, where all the kids act and dress the same. She’s an artist who expresses her talent in the wacky colors she dyes her hair, her makeup and clothes. She’s working on her biggest art project, and counting the days until she’s grown up and can really start living. That adult world seems closer when Vanessa gets her dream job at the art supply store, Palette, where she worships the couple who runs it, Oscar and Maye. And she’s drawn to a mysterious guy named James, who leads her into new, sometimes risky situations. Is she ready for this world, or not?
My Not-So-Still Life was an interesting read for me. I don’t really have that huge of an opinion about it, there were some things I liked and some things that I wasn’t as crazy about, with all the pieces falling in at about a perfect center.
I really liked Liz Gallagher’s writing, it was beautiful prose. Some of her descriptions got a bit lengthy though. I felt like so much of the book was Vanessa’s descriptions, which made sense, as she is an artist and I feel would see the world that way.
Not a lot happened in the book. My Not-So-Still Life felt like a lot of stiller moments, interspersed with touching, heartfelt moments. A lot of things weren’t fully explained. Events with Jewel were brought up numerous times, yet I never found out what those meant.
I had an issue connecting with Vanessa. She just wasn’t all that likable of a character to me. She seemed a bit selfish and acted without considering the consequences. That aside, I love Nick and Holly. They both had their oddities about them, and they were both super fun characters.
The cover is a lot of fun – I love all the colors between her eye makeup and hair. In the end, I really was fairly indifferent about this book. I wouldn’t be jumping up and down saying to go get it, but I definitely wouldn’t say I disliked it. I would recommend picking up a copy of this one from the library or something like that.
I love the cover, too cute, but I don't think I'll pick it up.
This seems like a short and fun read. Also love the cover.