Quarantine Read-Along Time + First Pages: To All the Boys

I’ve had a special request for our next read-along for Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. I’ve mentioned that I (like many people) have been having a hard time focusing. So i’ve turned to re-reading some old favorites for distraction. I’m in the middle of the second TATB book, P.S. I Still Love You, but I’ll start over for the sake of our read-along.

If you haven’t seen the films yet (1 and 2 are out, 3 is due to be released later this year, I advise you to read the books first. ALWAYS READ THE BOOKS FIRST.

<MINOR SPOILER ALERT> The second film veers off from the book, which often happens in new interpretations.

TATB is the perfect quarantine read—light and funny and full of heart. The films are also the perfect quarantine movies to stream. Though they will make you want to bake cookies so I hope you have some supplies on hand. For book versus movie discussion of TATB, see here.

We will discuss TATB with surveys and questions next week. As a bonus, I’ve posted the first pages of TATB up top with discussion below. Scroll down for the first pages of P.S. I Still Love You but be aware of MAJOR SPOILERS.

First Pages of TATB discussion: Jenny Han pulls us in right away with the immediacy of Lara Jean’s voice. She’s relatable, she’s earnest, and she’s endearing. And she piques our curiosity right away with what is going to happen with these precious letters that she’s poured her heart into. Typical teenage romance angst ensues, but in the most charming ways. It’s a combo of rom-com sitcom that’s as sweet as Lara Jean’s cookies. Throw in the boy next door and a triangle (square?) and we’re all in.

[Featured photo: my attempt at cosplaying Lara Jean. Yes, I do believe she’d be Smiths fan. And is there any doubt she’s Hufflepuff?]

First Pages P.S. I Still Love You discussion: I love that Jenny Han starts this sequel off with a letter. A sequel letter to the first love letter that Lara Jean sent Peter Kavinsky in 7th grade. It’s a great way to give an overview of what the reader has missed so the book can stand alone. Though I NEVER recommend reading books in a series out of order. Unless you do it by accident because the librarian tells you the wrong order (Sorry, D!). Han then begins the actual novel with LJ at New Year’s with hearts in her eyes. Yup, Lara Jean is completely relatable even as she so thoroughly messes up her first real relationship. The reader must read on to find out more—a sure way to pull a reader through a sequel. I’ll also add that I love that Han sprinkles Korean traditions and cultures throughout the novels in homage to the Song girls’ mom.

Tell Dr. Bookworm!

Have you read TATB already? Or all three books? Come join us on this fun read-along or RE-read-along! I’d love to hear your thoughts about which book was your favorite or whether you prefer to books to the movies.