Forever…
Author: Judy Blume
Published: 1975
On Goodreads
My Rating: 
8/25
There’s a first time for everything…
Katherine and Michael can’t get enough of each other. They’re pretty sure it’s true love. After meeting at a small New Year’s get-together, they are inseparable. A second apart and it’s like the end of the world even though they haven’t been together for very long.
While it’s their senior year in high school, their relationship is tested in many ways. While there are many firsts for both of them, life-changing firsts, they will find out if this love is forever or just fleeting.
This book marks 8 out of 25 authors, from my New Year’s resolution, that I’ve never read from before. Even though this is the first time I’ve read Judy Blume, I can see why she’s such an icon. She’s got a way of approaching topics head on.
Though the story came as pretty straight forward, somehow managing to both wear and not wear those rose-colored glasses, this story held something quite special. I really wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it when I started, but by the end I really liked it. While realistic in its actions, it was also romantic for its characters’ feelings.
The story was raw and intense. I imagine all first loves are like that. You only see the person in front of you and it doesn’t matter who tells you to be careful because you are pretty sure it’s forever. That’s how it is for Katherine. From her POV, she’s more than head-over-heels for Michael. She dead sure he’s the one. They understand and have a deep hunger for each other. It’s something I’ve seen happen before and it’s like seeing and alien take over a person. While sweet and interesting, also gross and weird. Don’t tell my friends I said that…
When you build up something in your mind-really imagine is, wish for it, sometimes, when it actually happens, it doesn’t live up to your expectations.
I really like how real this story came across. The situations and results weren’t fluffed up or exaggerated at all. From understanding the importance of protected sex to understanding one’s feelings, it’s all relatable for people who have experienced their time of firsts. It’s clumsy, and half the time, awkward. It’s not like in the movies, and I really like that Blume addressed that. That’s really what kept me attached to the story. Otherwise, I might not have stuck with it. The tone had been a bit bland at some parts and I had to push through because I wasn’t getting a full grasp on it. There was a lack in emotional understanding, but I guess that’s teenagers. They’re like bipolar jumping beans. Uncontrollable.
I honestly think everyone should read this as a part of a health class curriculum. Before you start on me,
- No, I’m not a teacher.
- No, I’m not a parent.
- Yes, I am curious about experience and find this to be extremely beneficial.
- There are many subjects addressed in a way that I think teens will understand without feeling berated.
It’s not some sugarcoated book made for a fantasy that young humans will get a rise out of and then toss away. While the story is enjoyable, it gives you life lessons that you can carry with you and keep in mind as your own sexuality begins to bloom. From understanding your limits to understanding your feelings and more, I found this book to be enlightening, yet not pushy. The relationship between Katherine and Michael was realistic in that way. A true high school romance.
While this book didn’t reach out to me on a level of enjoyment, it did reach out to my need for knowledge on humans. You can easily sit down and read this in a few hours. I did. I’m glad, too. It may not have been the most exciting book, but it was sweet, and tender, and certainly a must-read.
Quotables:
“Oh wow…your generation is so hung up on sex.” (Jamie to Katherine, p. 39)
“You probably never took a chance in your life.” (Michael to Katherine, p. 87)
“So they’ll find out that separating us won’t change anything…and then maybe they’ll leave us alone.” (Michael to Katherine, p. 146)
“I think forever’s one hell of a long time for a kid like you.” (Theo to Katherine, p. 172)
“Have you thought about how the relationship will end?” (p. 189)
More to come soon…
-K.
P.S. Song today? That’s What You Get by Paramore.
Find Me:
Thoughts? Tell me the comments below.
The Scarlet Reader 
Leave a Reply