Happy Friday, Booklovers! I am thrilled today to be on the blog tour for the epic Wing Jones.
Wing Jones is the much anticipated debut novel from Katherine Webber, which published yesterday and it is amazing.
Throughout January, over 40 bloggers will be participating in the #WJphototour – a photo blog tour documenting Katherine’s path to publishing her debut novel. From childhood memories that inspired her writing to her time living in Atlanta and Asia that influenced the book to authors she’s met over the years right up to receiving her first finished copy of the book, follow along to see Katherine’s author life unfold! Keep an eye on the hashtag to see the latest photos!
I also have my review of this incredible YA novel at the bottom of this post to hopefully give you more of a reason to pick this book up!
Living in Atlanta- Katherine Webber
The majority of Wing Jones is set in Atlanta, but a few chapters take place at the South Carolina seaside town Hilton Head. I’m originally from California, but when I was little my family used to vacation in Hilton Head. I’d play all day with my brother on the beach and watch for dolphins and ride my bike down the boardwalk. Hilton Head is still one of my favorite places in the world, and I’m so glad I was able to include it in WING JONES!
This book is really something special, prepare to fall completely in love with Wing Jones.
Wing has always been in the shadow of her brother Marcus, the football star and all round nice guy. Wing on the other hand is awkward, doesn't fit in and spends her weekends at home while her brother is out with his friends and girlfriend. However when tragedy strikes, Wing and her family are left reeling in the aftermath with a lot of pieces to be picked up.
Wing Jones is a stunning book, Katherine Webber writes in the most perfect way and in such a way to make you feel part of the story. I delighted in getting back to this book and completely losing myself in Wing's story. Despite how deeply saddening parts of this story are, there is so much positivity in this book! It encompasses family, friendship and love and Katherine conveys it with such emotion and feeling. I just loved Wing so much and could actually see a lot of myself in her, making me feel even more connected to her as a character. I felt like I was watching her grow, slowly coming out from the shadow of her brother and creating an identity for herself. Wing is in an impossible and horrible time, but she comes through it all with such stoicism and bravery-without even realising it, that I deeply admired her.
Wing's Grandmothers are two characters I can't not mention. Both forces to be reckoned with and I highly adored them both. There's LaoLao, who is Chinese and Granny DeeDee from Ghana, although Wing is the star of the book, it's the Grandmother's that bring heart and light relief to the story. Can I be their adoptive Grandaughter?
I was pleasantly surprised to see that this was set in 1995, I liked the absence of technology that would have been found if set today. I just found the whole story utterly captivating and it was a real joy to pick up and keep going back to when I could. There are some books that don't leave you once you have finished them and that's exactly the case with Wing Jones. I am almost speechless with just how good this was and I know my review has not done this book justice.
Best contemporary YA I have read in a long while, right up there with Jandy Nelson and Rainbow Rowell. An incredible debut.
Brilliant review! I'm so excited to get reading this! x
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Chelley and I was really worried with this review as there are so many amazing ones out there, was worried mine would fall flat. Read as soon as you can :) x
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