Friday, March 25, 2016

ARC Review: Dreamology by Lucy Keating Review & Playlist Part 1

Dreamology
Title: Dreamology
Author: Lucy Keating
Page Count: ~320
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Source: I won the book in the Epic Reads SDCC Giveaway a long time ago!
Rating: 4 Stars!
Release Date: April 12th, 2016
Goodreads  VRoman's Bookstore Barnes & Noble (The Grove LA location will have signed copies!)
Amazon The Book Depository
Synopsis: For as long as Alice can remember, she has dreamed of Max. Together they have traveled the world and fallen deliriously, hopelessly in love. Max is the boy of her dreams—and only her dreams. Because he doesn’t exist.

But when Alice walks into class on her first day at a new school, there he is. It turns out, though, that Real Max is nothing like Dream Max, and getting to know each other in reality isn’t as perfect as Alice always hoped.

When their dreams start to bleed dangerously into their waking hours, the pair realize that they might have to put an end to a lifetime of dreaming about each other. But when you fall in love in your dreams, can reality ever be enough?
 

Review:

"One day a nine-year-old girl is walking around the Museum of Modern Art. It's totally empty. There aren't even any guards. But she doesn't really mind, because it gives her more time to look around... Then suddenly, all the paintings started to disappear. Or rather, the images on the paintings, and eventually the canvases are all white. She hears a noise and realizes she isn't alone in the gallery after all. There's a boy there, and he's holding out a giant box of felt tip markers, in every shade. And they spend the rest of the day coloring in the paintings with whatever they want, and then they fall asleep on the roof in the sunshine. And even though when she wakes up he's gone, and she's back in her apartment, she somehow feels better. Stronger. Like someone was there to save her."  

^^ THAT QUOTE THOUGH. IT HAD ME SQUEALING IN PURE JOY!!!!

Dear lord this book is adorable. I read this fairly quickly, in a couple hours because it is such a quick and *mostly* light read. The back of the book says that it is like the romance of The Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and although I have not seen that movie, it is reminiscent of More Happy Than Not which was also compared to that. However, this is much much lighter of a book than More Happy Than Not (which I also loved, you can check out my review of it here.) Which is evident by it's comparison to Jenny Han (which I have also not read but I have heard very cute things about)

This story follows Alice, who has reoccurring dreams for as long as she can remember about Max, her perfect everything. In every way possible, Max is everything she could ever dream of (HA! I'm funny.) and at first, that's all he is, a dream, a figment of her overactive imagination...

Then Alice moves to Boston, and in her Psychology class, Max is there, and he is real. He isn't like Dream Max, but he looks like Dream Max. Alice attempts to figure out everything from there, which leads her to the CDD, Center for Dream Discovery (because her Nan happened to keep the cards from when she went there as a child)

When I began reading this book, I thought it was not going to be for me, and that I wasn't going to like it... but I really did! I was genuinely surprised because romance-y books aren't generally my favorites... but this book is something special.

Alice's dreams are spread out between the main storyline, and often bleed into the main storyline and I think the dreams were definitely the strongest point of the novel, besides the character relationships and dynamics. They were just so addictive. Keating weaved the dreams into the story so nicely, and I found myself being really drawn into those sections of the novel. I found myself looking forward to the dreams because even though I know they were dreams, they felt just as real as the reality (for the most part anyways,) and I think that was the point, and I love it.

This book was so adorable that I made a playlist for it (Which you'll be able to see in a little bit! ;) )

This is completely unorganized, but that's okay (right?) Lucy Keating's writing is very pretty, and bubbly and super enjoyable. I definitely was giggling while reading, and smiling even more often.

This book is light for the most part. And I highly recommend it after reading something heavier that destroyed your heart, because this can and will bring it back to life. However, it also deals with some heavy topics such as abandonment, and while I think it could have gone even further with it, I think what was done, was done super well. The feelings of each character were extremely palpable, and real. I loved seeing their feelings towards each and every thing. Alice's feelings toward her Mom being gone really gets explained throughout the story and I truly appreciated it. It also discussed a father that was there, but not really present. It was great.

Max, at the beginning, is confused about everything that is going on, and then we quickly understand why, and we get to see into his reality as well. And I loved seeing his reactions to everything. He was just as confused as we were, and it felt real.

Another great thing about this book is the way the romance folds together. The characters must learn to love each other outside of their dreams, and how dreams don't always transfer into reality like we all hope.

I loved ALL of the side character. Especially Oliver. He was such a humorous addition to this book, and at first I was rooting for him to end up with Alice (WHAT? How dare I?) I mean, when you read the book you'll understand why, because Oliver is just wonderful. He really cares behind his façade he puts up. Sophie, though a smaller part of the book, was also wonderful and her friendship with Alice is one that will stand the test of times, because she was always there for Alice, through every insanity that followed. She also offered some great advice that I really respected.

Another refreshing character was Celeste and the fact that she wasn't some throwaway character. She wasn't bitchy, and in fact, she probably was the most real character and had the clearest motivation out of everybody for her actions. A+.

I really wish we could have had a little more explanation about the dreams and how they worked exactly, but I can easily overlook that for this book as it was, an utterly adorable romance that allows some heavy topics to seep into the words and leave a meaningful impact on our lives.

Such a great book! (Also, I have realized it is impossible for me to form actual coherent thoughts about this book, but I loved it, so buy it, read it, love it.)

P.S Jerry deserves to be mentioned as the most adorable bulldog ever. I love him. Especially the scene with Oliver, Alice and the swans. <3

P.P.S I honestly cannot recommend this book enough. Yes, there are things I would have liked to see but... that's okay. If you like contemporary, read this book. If you like romance, read this book. If you like to smile, read this book. If you are human, read this book. If you aren't human read this book. The point is, READ THIS BOOK.



And now, without further ado...

Cherry blossoms! Because I love them and they are cheerful and also remind me of this story for whatever reason! :)
Okay, now I will provide you with my playlist <3 <3 <3 <3



DREAMOLOGY PLAYLIST PART 1

The playlist below is in no particular order for the novel, just various songs that reminded me of DREAMOLOGY for whatever reasons :)
1. Do You Love Me Too by Tessa Violet and Rusty Clanton
This song is adorable, and the entire time while reading this book and seeing the budding romance between Alice and Max, I thought of this song. Do you like me in a suit? I always think your cute. <3

2. Haven't Met You Yet by Michael Buble
This song is on the playlist because this is how I feel Alice and Max are before Alice moves to Boston, because they have met, but not in real life. They love each other, but they haven't met yet, in fact they didn't even know the other was real until quite recently! I promise you kid, I'll give so much more than I get... I just haven't met you yet <3

3. You And Me by Lifehouse

This is probably one of my favorite songs of all time, and I performed it in the talent show my 8th grade year, so it holds a special place in my heart... And it's such a wonderful love song, how could I not include it? It's you and me, and all other people and I don't know why, I can't keep my eyes off of you <3
4. All About Us by He Is We feat. Owl City
My god, do I LOVE this song. It's a given that it would be on this list... Just listen.
Take my hand, I'll teach you to dance.
I'll spin you around, won't let you fall down. :)
Literally the entire song is perfect.

5. Kiss Me Slowly by Parachute  
Hold my breath as you're moving in,
Taste your lips and feel your skin.
When the time comes, baby don't run, just kiss me slowly

6. Synesthesia by Andrew McMahon
I feel like their dreams are definitely similar to synesthesia.
And I've known you all my life
But I knew you long before that tune
Let's go dancing to the songs we wrote
When we lived in the shadow of the moon

7. Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol
Well, duh. Of course.
If I lay here
If I just lay here
Would you lay with me and just forget the world?
Forget what we're told
Before we get too old
Show me a garden that's bursting into life


8. Oh Ms Believer by Twenty One Pilots
Only some of this song fits and this line in particular...
I will tell you I love you
But the muffs on your ears will cater your fears

9. Lovesong by Adele (originally by The Cure)
Hehehehe <3
However far away I will always love you
However long I stay I will always love you
Whatever words I say I will always love you
I will always love you

10. Dream by Imagine Dragons
This song is more melancholic than this book actually is, but I think it still fits. When I originally found it I wrote that it was "Alice's Anthem when first meeting Real Max"
We all are living in a dream,
But life ain’t what it seems
11. Bright by Echosmith

This song is just overwhelmingly adorable and fits this so well <3
I think the universe is on my side
Heaven and Earth have finally aligned

12. Some Type of Love by Charlie Puth
There is something about this song.
When we're old and gray
And our faces changed
There won't be a moment when my heart don't feel the same
That's some type of love <3

13. Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran
No explanation needed really.
Take me into your loving arms
Kiss me under the light of a thousand stars <3

14. I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz
I won't give up on us
even if the skies get rough
I'm giving you all my love
I'm still looking up

15. Rhythm of Love by Plain White T's
She begs me to come down
Says boy quit fooling around <3

16. I Was Made For Loving You by Tori Kelly feat. Ed Sheeran
I was made for loving you
Even though we may be hopeless hearts just passing through <3

17. Your Hand In Mine by Explosions in the Sky
 
Completely instrumental but beautiful <3



I realize there are a lot of deeper songs on here... and I believe it fits this book, although the first song I shared with you really encompasses the story in my mind. They each remind me of the story in there own ways, and some more than others. I hope you all enjoyed this review and playlist! I had such a joy creating it for all of you! I'll have a second half to this playlist up sometime within the next week (most likely) so look out for that!

Don't forget to buy this book!

What do you guys think? Do you want to read DREAMOLOGY? Do you enjoy my playlist? With PART 2 of my playlist, I'm considering sharing one of my wildest dreams I have ever had, would you be interested in hearing it? I'd love to hear what you all think! :)





2 comments:

  1. What an awesome review Cody! I highly enjoyed this book as well :D I thought that the author really has a way with bringing the characters alive. Their banter was so witty and adorable- definitely one of the unforgettable contemporaries out there. Awesome review and playlist!

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    1. Thank you Aila! I completely agree on all points! Especially how witty and adorable the characters were! I'm so glad you enjoyed it :)

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