Thursday 9 October 2014

Brief Book Review: Rule of Thirds

I got Rule of Thirds from my sister for Christmas, it was even signed by the author. It was part of my sister's Book Buzz event last November, so she asked what book I wanted and she would get it for me. Since Rule of Thirds piqued my interest the most (I do love photography) that's what I chose. I finally got around to reading it and I was happy I chose this book.




Sixteen-year-old Pippa Greene never goes anywhere without her camera. She and her best friend/supermodel-in-training Dace long ago mapped out their life plan: Pippa will be the noted fashion photographer, and Dace the cover girl. But ever since last spring, things have changed for Pippa — and her junior year at Spalding High proves to have its own set of challenges. Not only is Vantage Point, the statewide photography competition, in three short weeks, but her mandatory volunteer placement lands her at St. Christopher’s Hospital, a place Pippa never wanted to set foot in again. With humour and pluck, she navigates her new role as a candy striper (watch out for Code Yellows), her changing relationship with her best friend (goodbye Honesty Pact), and — perhaps most stressful of all — her new love interests (yes, love interests plural).

Will Pippa make it to Vantage Point without having a panic attack? Will either one of the guys prove less sketchy than her last boyfriend? Can she and Dace figure out a way to dream big and be best friends? One thing is certain: real life is a lot more complicated than a photograph.


Pippa (real name Philadelphia, who does that to a child?) is currently in high school and part of the photography club and is preparing for Vantage Point, a big photography competition. She also finds out she has to do volunteer hours at the hospital she spent a lot of time at when her dad was sick. This book is basically about Pippa trying to navigate life, love and friendship in high school, while trying to avoid her panic attacks.

Pippa has two boys she's interested in, Ben and Dylan. Ben she meets through school and photography, Dylan she met when her dad was in the hospital and then runs into him again while volunteering. You start off liking both of them, and then you're not so sure you like either. And then if you're like me, you figure out what's going to happen with both of them and who she's going to end up with.

What bothers me with teenagers in books today, is that they're only 16 and are talking about sex and getting so wrapped up in that. When I was 16 that was the farthest thing from my mind. Maybe I was just weird, or I'm just old now and that's how kids are these days.

I like that even though this book revolves around photography, it doesn't focus on the technical stuff or use too much jargon. I feel like people who do take pictures would understand and enjoy it, but people who don't might have been put off.

Reading this book made me really wish there had been a photography club when I was in school, or even just that the photography courses were a little better. They didn't get really good until a year or two after I graduated. It also really made me want to take more pictures, but made me feel totally inadequate in my photography skills. Guess I just need to practice more.

All in all, Rule of Thirds by Chantel Guertin is a great read for any young adult. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel, Depth of Field, so as soon as my sister finishes that I'll hopefully get it.

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