The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder (Beach Video, and lots of pictures!)

Today is a big day!  It's the release day for The Day Before by Lisa Schroeder! WOO HOO!  I read this book a few months ago courtesy of Simon & Schuster Galley Grab and I actually read it twice in a row.  It's a fast read, only taking me about an hour, and I loved it so much that I flipped to the beginning and read it again!  Lisa Schroeder is a brilliant verse writer and so it's my pleasure to share a bit of this book.

Over this last weekend I went to Newport Oregon where the book takes place.  If you've read the book you'll understand, but if you haven't then I'll briefly fill you in.  The book takes place in several places in Newport.  One is the aquarium where they meet (jellyfish tank) and the beach.  They went some other places as well but this is going to be pic heavy enough as it is.

Not familiar with the book?  Here's the description:

Amber’s life is spinning out of control. All she wants is to turn up the volume on her iPod until all of the demands of family and friends fade away. So she sneaks off to the beach to spend a day by herself.  Then Amber meets Cade. Their attraction is instant, and Amber can tell he’s also looking for an escape. Together they decide to share a perfect day: no pasts, no fears, no regrets.

The more time that Amber spends with Cade, the more she’s drawn to him. And the more she’s troubled by his darkness. Because Cade’s not just living in the now—he’s living each moment like it’s his last.

A short review:
This is my favorite of Lisa Schroeders books so far.  I'm a huge fan and really hesitate to say it this, but I'm pretty certain that she blew me away even more with this book.  It was beautiful and planned out perfectly.  She left us guessing as to what it was the day before OF, with only hints thrown in for the first while.  We can finally piece it all together but still don't know EXACTLY what's going to go down.  We get the pieces at the perfect moments and it was brilliant.  The romance in this book was amazing.  I could just imagine all of it happening and it brought me back to when I was a teenager.
I love verse novels and I read  any I can find but Lisa's are my favorite.  Her technique, her writing style, the emotion she puts in, her characters... she has it all down perfect.  And when I read her books they inspire me to write.  I use to write ALL the time.  Now as a mom I tend to use my time to read because it's easier to deal with interruptions (which are frequent).  But when I read Lisa's books I tend to feel a strong need to get some of my own emotions out and to create my own stories.  So that is huge to me and I have to say a big thank you to Lisa for being able to write a book that moves me like that.
I, of course give this book the full 5/5 stars, but I would give it more if it were possible.

Here's a video from a beach near Newport Oregon where the book takes place:

Now I said I would be doing more videos but they didn't turn out very good so you'll have to settle for some pictures.

Yaquina Bay Bridge in Newport Oregon.  The aquarium is right on the other side of this bridge.

Starfish at the aquarium.

A seahorse.  It wouldn't hold still so it's head is a little blurry.

A stingray, also a bit blurry because it was moving so quickly.  They have tunnels you walk through so the water is all around you (except under your feet).

This tank of jellyfish was my favorite.

But this next one is from the tank where Amber and Cade actually see each other the first time (I believe).

This was just too cool of a picture not to share...

I have many many more awesome pictures so maybe we'll need to have a part two.  You know, if you want to see more ;)