Between the Lines (Between the Lines, #1) in Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge

Oct 16, 2020 Melissa rated it it was amazing

Over the past couple of months, I read two fabulous novels. I have always been a fan of Jodi Picoult (ever since a friend recommended The Pact in 2004), but I had held off on reading her young adult novels that were written with her daughter Samantha van Leer. My older son devoured both novels and told me I just had to read them, so I decided to give Between the Lines a chance. I was blown away by the sheer creativity and imaginativeness of this novel.

While I normally share the synopsis fro

Over the past couple of months, I read two fabulous novels. I have always been a fan of Jodi Picoult (ever since a friend recommended The Pact in 2004), but I had held off on reading her young adult novels that were written with her daughter Samantha van Leer. My older son devoured both novels and told me I just had to read them, so I decided to give Between the Lines a chance. I was blown away by the sheer creativity and imaginativeness of this novel.

While I normally share the synopsis from Amazon, I'm not going to do it this time, as to not spoil anything. Basically, Between the Lines is about a fairy tale where the characters are real people living inside a book and the story they are telling isn't the one that they are actually living. One day, a lonely teenage girl named Delilah picks up the book and finds that the main character, Oliver, is trying to communicate with her. The story takes off from there, connecting these two people in their quest for Oliver's freedom from the pages and his daily minutiae. Off the Page picks up where Between leaves off and there are many more adventures and complications for Oliver, Delilah, and everyone else in their lives.

These novels are perfect for fans of The Princess Bride and Enchanted. I loved them both so much. I had no idea what would happen in each book and was kept guessing the entire time. There were so many interesting surprises along the way. I could definitely relate to Delilah with being unpopular and obsessed with books. (Although, I read horror and V.C. Andrews novels in high school and would not want any of those coming to life!) Even now, I'm obsessed with something I'm probably too old for. Oliver sounded like he was really cute and the pictures said as much. I love how the book characters led these other lives when the story wasn't being read. Like the pirate who practiced orthodontia on the side. Or the queen who liked to cook and bake extravagant feasts. And the villain who was an artist.

There were funny moments, as well as a few sad parts. I hope there will be a third novel, as I feel more could still happen with this story. Even though I'm an adult, I was easily drawn in (no pun intended) and my husband enjoyed them too (but not to the same level that my son and I did).

I noticed an inconsistency at one point in Between, but it didn't take away from my overall enjoyment. I sometimes need to take off my editor glasses when I read!

I definitely recommend both novels to anyone who wants an escape, some humor, creativity, and adventure.

Movie casting suggestions:

Delilah: Jordyn Negri
Oliver: Alex Cowgill
Seraphima: Angourie Rice
Rapscullio: Sacha Baron Cohen
Jules: Maya Hawke

Queen Maureen: Saffron Burrows

Allie: Belle Shouse

Delilah's mom: Zoe McLellan

Originally featured at Merrylandgirl.

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Apr 07, 2013 Debbie rated it liked it

Shelves: fantasy, fairytale

Intriguing premise that didn't entirely fulfill the initial promise.

This is a cute juvenile fantasy/romance in which a 15 year old girl falls in love with the hero of her favorite fairytale. When he speaks to her one day, he is as surprised as she is that she heard him. Delilah, convinced that she and Oliver are destined to be together forever (ack!) goes on a quest to rescue him from the book.

I loved the idea of the characters in a book having lives of their own, beyond what the reader can see ...more

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Oct 29, 2011 Dina rated it it was amazing

Loved it of course!

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Sep 07, 2012 Rae rated it really liked it

Shelves: ya-childrens, 2012

"Just because it's fiction doesn't mean it's any less true," Oliver replies. (272)

"Just so you know," I begin, "when they say, 'Once upon a time'...they're lying. It's not once upon a time. It's not even twice upon a time. It's hundreds of times, over and over, every time someone opens up the pages of this dusty old book." (334)

What if the books we read actually take place in an alternate world, where the characters act out the plot line over and over again as the book is opened by us, the reade ...more

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Jun 19, 2014 Gayle rated it liked it

This book was unlike anything I've ever read before. It's YA and it reads that way, but the premise is an idea that is original and interesting. As an avid reader who often gets pulled into a story that I just don't (can't???) want to put down, the story line here is something similar to a thought I often have......."I wonder where the characters go after I read the last word." ...more

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