~September's Pick~

I can’t believe that it’s already October! Did anyone feel like September went by remarkably fast?

I got to read two incredible books by Caitlin Miller this month, and it was so difficult choosing which one to write about! After some thinking, I’ve decided to go with Our Yellow Tape Letters, but wanted to include a shout-out to the other novel, The Memories We Painted. That book was just as incredible, moving, and delightful to read. I wish I read them in different months so I could feature them both, but I will leave saying that I highly recommend that one as well!

Now, about Our Yellow Tape Letters by Caitlin Miller…

This book is an epistolary novel that takes place in WW2. If you’re like me and are immediately turning to google what that means, I’ll save you the time :) An epistolary novel is a novel consisting only of letters and other documents, with no narrative text.

With WW2 drawing to a close, the last thing Lucy Skyes expects is to receive notice of her brother, Ben’s, death. Utterly crushed by the news, it comes as a painful surprise when a letter arrives from one of Ben’s closest friends, begging for her forgiveness, something she’s unwilling to give.

Jeremiah Sparrow spends the last days of WW2 recovering in an army hospital, while reeling from the death of his best friend. Determined to stay true to the last thing he promised Ben, he begins to write to Lucy. Soon, their letters start crossing the ocean, painfully recalling the moments that lead up to Ben's tragic death. The question of reconciliation looms, but loss is a difficult path to walk through, especially when painful secrets and stories emerge within these impactful letters.

This book was phenomenal. Utterly phenomenal. Truly, I couldn’t put it down. It was one of those books that you can't stop reading, and as the pages you have left to read start to dwindle, you feel sad that it's almost finished.

Not only was the story beautiful and engaging, but it was also raw and honest. You got to walk through this heart-aching journey of grief that these characters were forced to travel. The pain, the anger, the questions. Additionally, you’re exposed to the memories of who they lost, and suddenly the pain becomes so real as you read about their experiences. There were a few times I was unable to hold back my tears as the book was so honestly heart-breaking.

Having never read an epistolary novel before, I was unsure how it would all work in the end with letters being the only dialogue, but it was perfectly done the whole way through. The style hooked me right away. Never once was I confused, but simply enraptured by the storytelling in such a unique and creative way. This is without a doubt a novel I'll be re-reading for years to come.

Truly a breathtaking read, Our Yellow Tape Letters will be making it on my list of favourites for this year. Getting a 10/10 from me, I would highly recommend!