Sometimes Never, Sometimes Always

by Elissa Janine Hoole

When Cassandra Randall's religious parents stifle her creativity in English class, she secretly creates a tarot-inspired advice blog. As her blog spirals into a cyber-bullying crisis, Cass wants to protect the victim, the way she protect her brother from the homophobes at church. But what will it take for her to tell the truth? For Cassandra Randall, there's a price to pay for being a secret atheist in a family of fundamentalists-she has nothing good to write on an online personality quiz; her best friend is drifting away; and she's failing English because she can't express her true self in a poem. But when she creates a controversial advice blog just to have something in her life to call her own, there's no way she can predict the devastating consequences of her actions. As her world fractures before her very eyes, Cass must learn to listen to her own sense of right and wrong in the face of overwhelming expectations. AGES: 12 to 18 AUTHOR: Elissa Janine Hoole bought her first deck of Tarot cards as a birthday gift to herself when she turned twenty, and even in the privacy of her own apartment, she felt like she should hide them. The three words she uses to describe herself are curious, caring, and contemplative. Suggestions from her husband and two sons include crazy and cantankerous. Elissa teaches middle school English and sometimes makes her students write poetry that celebrates and sings themselves. She also wrote the YA road trip novel, Kiss the Morning Star.

• ISBN13: 9780738737225
• Publish Date: 8 November 2013
• Publish Status: Out of Print
• Out of Print: 22 April 2021
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Flux
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 360
• Language: English

Reviews

[Joséphine]

I'm not so sure what to say about Sometimes Never, Sometimes Always. It certainly is interesting and I think the subject matters are very relevant in this day and age. Religion and technology were both integrated to form the backdrop to Cass's story.

Cass struggles with living in a family where she is the only one who doesn't believe in God. The church they attend is very fundamentalist but she attends anyway for fear of telling her parents that she doesn't believe. Then there's her brother. He is secretly gay but he still believes in God. As if she doesn't have enough conflict in her own home, Cass also has to deal with school and her best friend, whom she's starting to recognize less and less as the person she has known for years.

Through it all, she has to try and find herself, so she can complete that English assignment. Without knowing who she is, she has no idea how to portray herself in a poem. When she becomes enticed with tarot cards, she's inspired to start a blog. She does it anonymously, yet she has no way of predicting what kind of trouble this can bring her and others.

For the most part, Cass's struggles were believable. At 17, it surely must be tough to break to highly religious parents that one doesn't share their faith. Even for her brother, Eric, at 18 and still attending high school, facing up to his parents to come out must also seem impossible. Both are faced with obstinate parents who insist that their children attend not only Sunday services but bible studies and youth group as well. Their stories were what interested me. Sadly, the blogging part felt a little out of place. Well, maybe not so much the blogging but the consequences that came out of it. Those left me cold.

Anyone who is into books that explore faith, religion and spirituality is sure to derive enjoyment out of it. However, if you're into contemporary books that also consider the place of technology, such as the Internet and social media, then maybe this one might end up being a bit underwhelming.

This review is also available at dudettereads.com.

[Kelly]

http://www.divabooknerd.com/2013/09/sometimes-never-sometimes-always-by.html
Sometimes Never, Sometimes always could possibly be the coming of age novel that represents small town America. Cass is a follower but desperately wants to march to the beat of her own drum, she just doesn't know how. Her parents believe in the power of prayer, that supernatural novels are the devils work and that teenagers have no right to privacy. What happens when teens are forced into leading a life of sunshine and rainbows? They rebel, but Cass's rebellion is subtle, it's the influence of others and her lack of self confidence that are her undoing.

Elissa Janine Hoole has woven a story that incorporates fears that all teens will relate to, cyber bullying, finding independence, the loss of friendship and first crushes, the inclusion of small town bigotry and the church's extreme views against, well, basically everything that could be seen as fun, may leave staunch followers a little uncomfortable. I'm by no means religious, but do understand that religion should be based on forgiveness and respect for your fellow man, but the Joyful News Bible Church is extreme in their views. I really enjoyed it, it was engaging, and the supporting characters leave an impact, even the Gordon High mean girls. I would love to read Drew's story, she could be the inner voice of most struggling teens.