What readers think of The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors, plus links to write your own review.

Overall I liked this book. Raised by my single mom on the Texas Gulf Coast in the 50's and 60's I immediately identified with Buckley. Reading about Buckley's trials and tribulations growing up and writing his handbook was like seeing a video of my own life. The insertion of excerpts from Buckley's Handbook tended to distract; I skimmed over these in a hurry to get back to the meat of the story. I would like to see more from this obviously talented young author.

Lightning strikes are scary and something I knew very little about. This book focuses on the stories of two individuals whose lives are changed by lightning strikes. The chapters go back in forth in time and between the two characters; the time shifts were a little confusing at first, but Young-Stone does a great job of making the character’s chapters different enough that this wasn’t a problem for long. The book also follows the characters from the time they are children to the time they are adult. Being a young adult librarian, at the beginning of the book, I thought this may be a read for young adults, but because of some of the issues that are addressed in the book, this may be one for adults to preview before passing it along to a mature teen. A great read.

Each chapter had an interesting introduction. Sometimes more interesting than the chapter itself. I didn't really relate, much less understand most of the characters. The novel is too long. There are too many lightening damaged people in it, maybe that was MY problem with it. In the beginning of the book it all worked. The last third was nonsense to fill up a prescribed length necessary to submit it. I chose to read this on my computer with the Adobe Digital Editions program. Didn't care for the format. I own a Kindle but was interested in the "newer" way of doing things. I still love my Kindle. But I didn't really like the book.

I am aware that some people love this book. i can't imagine why. I managed to finish the book only because I agreed to review it. The author may have some talent, but she has a lot of work to do.

The plot is complex, to the point of being contrived. Everything else about it is shallow. Characters are sketched without depth. There is little sense of place. Rather than offering descriptions or evoking the feel of a place or person or time, the author simply names a landmark, or a personality or a storm.

I suppose if Nancy Drew is your idea of a good book, have at it.

Additionally, I am deeply offended by the author's glancing references to the Terezin concentration camp, which feels more like a marketing ploy than a plot element.

This book captures you from the very beginning and does not let go until you finish. I enjoyed the author's writing style - she moved the story along nicely and moved the characters very real and unforgettable. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a good, quick read and it would be a great book club book as there is much to discuss.

The Handbook for Lightning Strike Survivors is a strange book, with odd characters, all damaged in some way and in the end, all connected.

The story ebbs and flows as does the ocean tide, sometimes overwrought with emotion but always compelling the reader along. As a reader, you want to know if and how the lightning-strike survivors and their families survive. The descriptions of Becca’s artwork were exquisitely detailed, enough so that as I turned each page, I expected to see the actual painting. The use of the text for an actual handbook was an excellent method to keep the reader grounded (no pun intended) in reality. A good fast read. But if you’re reading this story outside – keep your eyes out for any lightning!

The Handbook for Survivors of Lightning Strike Survivors is a well written, sympathetic but not sentimental, book about the coming of age of two distinctly different people. Lighting strikes, both real and metaphorical, provide the structure of the book. Lighting strikes can happen to anyone at anytime and it is not only the direct victim who suffers the consequences. It all adds up to a compelling read. This book will be a great Book Club selection with so many points of view to explore.

This is a wonderful love story, but not in the traditional sense. The story is told through the lives of the two main characters, Buckley and Becca. It is the story of these two trying to fit into their particular world and how they come together to find their place. The handbook is interwoven through the book and at times is distracting, however for the most part it works well. If you are looking for a good book discussion book, this will work beautifully. I fell in love with these characters and would love to read about them in another book.