The Fountains of Silence Blog Tour: 10 Reasons to Read It

So, if you know me, you know I am a HUGE fan of Ruta Sepetys. I think she is one of the best, if not THE best writers of young adult historical novels.  As part of Penguin Teen's blog tour for The Fountains of Silence, I'm going to share my ten reasons why you should read this book:

1.  Crossover Appeal - All of Ruta's books have a crossover appeal; her books aren't just for the young adult audience. I know so many adults will appreciate her books and that is the case here with The Fountains of Silence.

2.  Dan - Dan is the American character in The Fountains of Silence and many of the chapters are from his point of view. At first, it took me awhile to warm up to him, because I thought he might just be another spoiled rich kid since he is the son of a Texas oil tycoon, but, boy, was I wrong. As I read more of the novel, I truly enjoyed him.  Dan's bravery, his kindness, his ability to love, and even his downfalls all really captivated me.

3.  Seeker of Lost Stories - Ruta's website has this slogan on it and it is *so* very true.  Ruta has a way of highlighting lesser known aspects of history and in this case, she is focusing on Spain in the late 1950s after the Spanish Civil War in The Fountains of Silence. During this time period, Spain was under the dictatorship of Francisco Franco.  What a wild, cruel and heartbreaking time!  Ruta opened my eyes to this time in history that I knew little to nothing about.  

4.  Connections - Even though the characters lived in the late 1950s, I think many young adults can relate to their wishes, their struggles, their courage, their silence, their desires, their conflicts, and so much more. The themes of the novel are still applicable to present day.

5.  Well-researched - You know when you read a historical novel and you think did this *actually* happen? Then you come to find that the author took not just some, but a lot of liberties. That is never the case with Ruta's novels. She is a meticulous researcher and took over seven years to research this novel including many back and forth trips to Spain.  She includes excerpts from primary sources within The Fountains of Silence and that made the novel even more realistic and powerful.

6.  Google - The Fountains of Silence is so well researched; reading it made me want to learn more.  I find that all really great historical fiction has the power to do this and that is the case here. I found myself looking up information about the the Spanish Civil War, Franco, and other aspects of the novel.  When I find myself doing this then I know I am reading something very compelling and thought provoking.

7.  Believable - Oftentimes there are young adult characters in historical novels that simply aren't believable. That isn't the case here. Dan, Ana, and the others felt so real to me.  As Ruta jumps from different characters' points of view, I never once dreaded a particular character; I cared about all of them.  

8.  Discussion - I bet many schools will be adding this book to reading lists, especially to complement studying the Spanish Civil War and its aftermath.  I think The Fountains of Silence truly lends itself to some great discussions; it would be a perfect supplement in a high school classroom.  Check out the discussion guide here. 

9. All the Emotions - Ruta's novels always leave me blubbering like a fool and that is the case here too with The Fountains of Silence.  All.the.feels!

10. Smart Read - If you want a novel that makes you think, makes you truly feel, and makes you want to call your best friend to discuss it, The Fountains of Silence is it.  I love immersing myself in a smart read that leaves me with so much to think about and I can always count on Ruta Sepetys to deliver.

Learn More About Ruta Sepetys:

"Ruta Sepetys (www.rutasepetys.com) is an internationally acclaimed, #1 New York Times bestselling author of historical fiction published in over sixty countries and forty languages. Sepetys is considered a "crossover" novelist, as her books are read by both teens and adults worldwide. Her novels Between Shades of Gray, Out of the Easy, and Salt to the Sea have won or been shortlisted for more than forty book prizes, and are included on more than sixty state award lists. Between Shades of Gray was adapted into the film Ashes in the Snow, and her other novels are currently in development for TV and film. Winner of the Carnegie Medal, Ruta is passionate about the power of history and literature to foster global awareness and connectivity. She has presented to NATO, to the European Parliament, in the United States Capitol, and at embassies worldwide. Ruta was born and raised in Michigan and now lives with her family in Nashville, Tennessee. Follow her on Twitter @RutaSepetys and Instagram @RutaSepetysAuthor."

Learn More About The Fountains of Silence:

"From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Salt to the Sea and Between Shades of Gray comes a gripping, extraordinary portrait of love, silence, and secrets under a Spanish dictatorship.  Madrid, 1957. Under the fascist dictatorship of General Francisco Franco, Spain is hiding a dark secret. Meanwhile, tourists and foreign businessmen flood into Spain under the welcoming promise of sunshine and wine. Among them is eighteen-year-old Daniel Matheson, the son of an oil tycoon, who arrives in Madrid with his parents hoping to connect with the country of his mother's birth through the lens of his camera. Photography--and fate--introduce him to Ana, whose family's interweaving obstacles reveal the lingering grasp of the Spanish Civil War--as well as chilling definitions of fortune and fear. Daniel's photographs leave him with uncomfortable questions amidst shadows of danger. He is backed into a corner of difficult decisions to protect those he loves. Lives and hearts collide, revealing an incredibly dark side to the sunny Spanish city.  Master storyteller Ruta Sepetys once again shines light into one of history's darkest corners in this epic, heart-wrenching novel about identity, unforgettable love, repercussions of war, and the hidden violence of silence--inspired by the true postwar struggles of Span.  Includes vintage media reports, oral history commentary, photos, and more."

You can purchase The Fountains of Silence from Amazon and Barnes and Noble.  

Hopefully I have convinced you to pick up a copy of The Fountains of Silence this fall.  If you do, be sure to let me know what you think.  It's one of my favorite books of the year; keep your eye out for my full review soon.  

Is The Fountains of Silence on your TBR list?  Are you a fan of Ruta Sepetys as well? Let me know in the comments below.