Adventures in Polishland

Author: Adventures in Polishland

Book Review | ‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King

Posted on May 10, 2016March 28, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King

Published by Signet on October 17, 1975

Genres: Adult, Horror, Paranormal

Format: Paperback

Pages: 427

Source: Purchased

Goodreads: ★★★★

Something strange is going on in Jerusalem’s Lot … but no one dares to talk about it. By day, ‘Salem’s Lot is a typical modest New England town; but when the sun goes down, evil roams the earth. The devilishly sweet insistent laughter of a child can be heard echoing through the fields, and the presence of silent looming spirits can be felt lurking right outside your window. Stephen King brings his gruesome imagination to life in this tale of spine-tingling horror.

REVIEW

I continued on with my Stephen King project in March by reading ‘Salem’s Lot, his second published work. I went into this book blind, and I’m glad I did because there is a big build-up to the story. ‘Salem’s Lot opens with a man and a boy escaping to Mexico from a town in Maine called Jerusalem’s Lot. The reader knows they are both scared, and that they must return to the Lot in order to solve a problem. The book then rewinds to the start of the story when the man goes to Jersulam’s Lot for the first time since his childhood. This is a haunted house book that turns into a paranormal story, and one in which the writing is excellent.

Here’s the thing about my experience with ‘Salem’s Lot – it took me nearly three weeks to read the book, which is three times my normal pace. I had to force myself to continue on with the story, and at times I felt downright bored. That’s because King is creating a new world. Jerusalem’s Lot is a fictional town, and the true protagonist of this book. King writes in exceptional detail, describing characters in the setting in such a realistic way. So even though I didn’t like how slow the pace of this novel is, I can appreciate the work it took. I am really amazed at King’s ability to write such a developed novel so early on in his career.

In regards to the characters, I did struggle a bit in keeping up with the large cast featured in ‘Salem’s Lot. It became more difficult because so many of the characters have similar names, such as Mike, Mark, and Matt. Nonetheless, once I got into the story I was better able to keep track of everyone. If you have trouble with names, I would recommend keeping a character list nearby when you read, and simply jot down a quick note of each character’s role in the story.

Moreover, I was a bit disappointed that I never felt scared by this book. King is known for his horror novels, but I just was never creeped out or on the edge of my seat. I did find some of the real life scenes quite disturbing, but none of the paranormal elements got to me. Perhaps King is trying to make a point here, as I did sit back and wonder what was happening in my own town. Not including the paranormal elements, I’m sure people go through the same things that the characters in Jerusalem’s Lot do, and that is disturbing in and of itself. I’m interested to see if King’s next book The Shining will incite fear in me.

Overall, I’m glad I pushed through the slow pace of ‘Salem’s Lot. I did enjoy the story, and I think the book got better and better as I continued reading. The third-person narration was very well done, and I’m very impressed with King’s writing. If you are looking to get into King’s novels, I do not recommend starting here as it is a very long book. However, if you are familiar with his work, or really enjoy adult paranormal, this is a good book to read. I would love to hear your thoughts on ‘Salem’s Lot if you’ve read it, too!

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

When you buy a book through the Amazon or Book Depository links above, I earn a small commission through each website’s affiliate program. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Valentina Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum Review + Coupon Code

Posted on May 9, 2016May 9, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a skincare review for all of you. I received the Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum from the brand Valentina, and was so excited because I was in desperate need of a new serum. My skin had a bad reaction to another serum I tried, and I wanted to get it back in shape as soon as possible. Valentina came to my rescue, and I’m excited to share my thoughts on this product with you. Let me jump right into the review!

The Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum is formulated to support natural circulation for an all over youthful and revitalized complexion. There are five claims listed by the brand, which are:

Renews texture and tone
Deeply moisturizes
Minimizes fine lines
Increases elasticity
Brightens and corrects

This serum is also 98% natural, and is cruelty free. I also love that this product is made in the USA.

The serum comes in a pump container, and should be applied after cleansing in the evening. I could tell right away that this would be a moisturizing serum, as it is a bit creamier than most serums I’ve used. I noticed the serum has a very slight smell that reminds me of Necco wafers! It’s not a powerful smell at all, and dissipates after the serum dries. I’ve now used the Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum for a few weeks, and I’m really happy with the results so far. My skin texture has definitely improved – the breakouts I was experiencing have cleared up almost completely. I also see some brightening and correcting going on, which is always good. I haven’t noticed a difference in my fine lines or skin elasticity yet, but I think that takes more than a few weeks of use. I will be sure to check in on my social media if I notice a change over time!

All in all, I am really enjoying the Clear Lift Revitalizing Serum from Valentina! I definitely recommend this serum if you are looking for a natural option with moisturizing properties. You can buy this on Amazon HERE for $35.00. While this is a bit of a splurge, I definitely think it is worth the money for a 1.18oz bottle. Valentina is also offering a special coupon code for all of you! Enter the code ZWJM8XKG at checkout to save 20% off your purchase. This coupon expires on April 9, 2016, so shop now! You can also check out Valentina online HERE, and on Instagram and Facebook.

The product in this post was provided for my unbiased review. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Dare to Compare | Wet ‘n Wild Fergie Miami Spirit vs Julep Lena

Posted on May 6, 2016April 6, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! Today’s Dare to Compare post is one featuring two nail polishes that I’ve absolutely loved for years. I never thought that they would be so similar until I held the bottles next to each other! Wet ‘n Wild Fergie Miami Spirit and Julep Lena are both teal polishes, and I knew they weren’t exact duplicates because one of these dries to a matte finish while the other does not. Nonetheless, I wanted to swatch them side-by-side to see if it was really necessary to keep both in my collection. Let me review each polish for you, and then share the comparison results!

First up is Wet ‘n Wild Fergie in Miami Spirit. This is a teal polish with teal and silver shimmer that dries to a matte finish. I applied two coats to achieve opacity, and really like the result. This line of polishes comes with a wide, flat brush that I enjoy using. Miami Spirit is a fun and affordable polish!

Next up is Julep Lena, a teal polish with gold and green shimmer that dries to a glossy finish. Lena has an excellent formula that is opaque in two coats. I absolutely love this polish, and I even did a full wear test on the blog HERE a few years back. I’m so glad I rediscovered Lena, because I forgot how great is.

Here is a side-by-side look at Miami Spirit and Lena. I am wearing Miami Spirit on my pinky and ring fingers, and Lena on my middle and pointer fingers. I did apply a glossy top coat over Miami Spirit so I could really see how these polishes compare. The teal shade is almost identical, but I find that in person Miami Spirit has a much stronger shimmer effect than Lena. I prefer creme polishes, and so I’ve decided to keep Lena in my nail polish collection and destash Miami Spirit.

All in all, I’m so glad I tested out these polishes side-by-side, because I might not have discovered how similar they are otherwise. I highly recommend both of these polishes, and have worn them both many times over the years. There is just no reason for me to keep both of them, especially as I’m paring down my collection. I would love to know in the comments what your favorite teal polish is, or if you’ve tried either of these!

Book Review | Magonia (Magonia #1) by Maria Dahvana Headley

Posted on May 5, 2016May 5, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Magonia (Magonia #1) by Maria Dahvana Headley

Published by HarperCollins on April 28, 2015

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 309

Source: Library

Goodreads: ★★★ 1/2

Aza Ray is drowning in thin air.

Since she was a baby, Aza has suffered from a mysterious lung disease that makes it ever harder for her to breathe, to speak—to live.

So when Aza catches a glimpse of a ship in the sky, her family chalks it up to a cruel side effect of her medication. But Aza doesn’t think this is a hallucination. She can hear someone on the ship calling her name.

Only her best friend, Jason, listens. Jason, who’s always been there. Jason, for whom she might have more-than-friendly feelings. But before Aza can consider that thrilling idea, something goes terribly wrong. Aza is lost to our world—and found, by another. Magonia.

Above the clouds, in a land of trading ships, Aza is not the weak and dying thing she was. In Magonia, she can breathe for the first time. Better, she has immense power—and as she navigates her new life, she discovers that war is coming. Magonia and Earth are on the cusp of a reckoning. And in Aza’s hands lies the fate of the whole of humanity—including the boy who loves her. Where do her loyalties lie?

REVIEW

Magonia is one of those books that I kept hearing about, but had no idea of the plot before I picked it up at the library. The beautiful cover definitely sucked me in, and while perhaps I shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, Magonia’s does an excellent job representing the story.

This book follows teenager Aza, who has been sick with a mysterious lung disease her entire life. She is about to celebrate her sixteenth birthday when doctors find a feather in her lungs. Before she can have her exploratory surgery, Aza dies en route to the hospital. Her family and best friend Jason are left behind to pick up the pieces, and Aza may not be dead after all.

This book is truly baffling to me, and that is not necessarily a bad thing. Magonia is a very imaginative story written in a dual perspective between Aza and Jason. This format made the book a real page-turner, because I just had to find out what was going to happen next. There was never a time when I could predict the story, and I really appreciated that about Magonia.

The writing, however, was very difficult for me to adapt to reading. Headley has an almost stream of consciousness style, and there are some experimental aspects to the writing as well. Once I got into the flow of the story, I was able to follow along better, but I was still confused for the majority of the book. I found the world-building in this fantasy novel to be quite weak. I first thought the world would be revealed step-by-step, and in some ways it is. However, I never got a clear picture of the world, and struggled to keep up with what was happening.

Similarly, I think Magonia should come with a glossary! Headley uses a lot of vocabulary words that I’ve never heard before, and I had difficulty keeping up with the different creatures in her fantasy world, as well as the different places. I think a map would have also been extremely helpful to me as a reader.

My last thought on this book isn’t necessarily a critique, but something I wanted to mention because I think it would affect your decision on whether or not to pick up this book. I found Magonia to be quite preachy at times. It often discusses the environment, and how humans are polluting the Earth. I found this to be a bit too blatantly done, especially for a young adult novel. That being said, I did enjoy the discussion of what is good versus what is evil. I never knew which characters to trust, and there was never a ‘right’ answer.

Thus, Magonia was an okay read for me. While I did enjoy the interesting storyline and appreciated a unique fantasy world, I found the writing a bit confusing and the world-building lacking. This is the first book in a series, and I might continue on with the second book when it releases in October of 2016. The ending of Magonia does wrap up nicely, but there is definitely room for the story to continue, and I do have an interest in what happens next. I would recommend Magonia if you’re looking for a young adult fantasy unlike all the rest.

BUY THE BOOK

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

Dare to Compare | Sally Hansen Miracle Gel Wine Stock vs Madam Glam High Standards

Posted on May 4, 2016March 29, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Wednesday! I’m excited to share another nail polish comparison post with all of you. I didn’t find too many duplicate shades in my red stash, seeing as I don’t wear red nail polish often. However, I definitely am a fan of the oxblood trend that seems to take place every fall. Deep red nails are easy to pull off and look good on just about everyone! I own two oxblood shades, one from Sally Hansen and the other from Madam Glam, that look nearly identical in the bottle. I just had to test these out side-by-side to see if they are exact dupes! Let’s get swatching!

First up is Wine Stock from the Sally Hansen Miracle Gel line. Wine Stock has a great formula, but it is on the sheer side so I layered three coats for full opacity. I love the wide and flat brush that comes with all Miracle Gel polishes. It makes application a breeze once you get used to a bigger brush. Wine Stock is a stunning polish, and one that is a staple in my fall nail polish wardrobe.

Next up is Madam Glam High Standards, which is another oxblood creme polish. High Standards has a good formula, but it is a bit on the goopy side. I applied two coats for full opacity, and it does dry to a beautiful finish. High Standards is a bit messier to work with than Wine Stock, but it looks just as gorgeous.

Here is a look at Wine Stock and High Standards side-by-side. I’m wearing Wine Stock on my pinky and ring fingers, and High Standards on my middle and pointer fingers. I cannot see any difference whatsoever between these two polishes. I can definitely say these are dupes! Personally I prefer Wine Stock by Sally Hansen because of the brush and smooth formula. High Standards is still an excellent polish, but I will be destashing it because of the goopy formula. Thankfully, Wine Stock is part of Sally Hansen’s permanent line, and available for purchase for under $10 at your local drugstore or online HERE. High Standards is currently out of stock on Madam Glam’s website.

All in all, I’m so glad to have found another dupe in my collection. I’m so excited to wear Wine Stock more in the fall months, as it truly is a perfect oxblood shade. I’m also excited that I can recommend it as the more affordable and available option. The Sally Hansen Miracle Gel line is a bit more expensive than most drugstore nail polishes, but keep an eye out for sales and coupons. There is almost always a way to save! Definitely let me know your favorite oxblood nail polish in the comments!

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post includes an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

April Favorites | 7 Springtime Loves

Posted on May 3, 2016April 25, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Tuesday! May is here, and that means it’s time to share all of the things I loved in April with all of you. I’ve been trying a lot of new products lately, and thankfully many of them turned out to be amazing. I always love discovering new products and sharing them with you. In addition to the products, another favorite of mine has been the warm weather. I’m so glad spring is here! Let me share some of my springtime loves from the month of April!

MAKEUP

L’Oreal Power Volume 24-Hour Mascara in Black – [BUY]

I’ve had really bad luck with mascaras lately, but thankfully this one from L’Oreal is amazing! I typically don’t like thick brush applicators, but this one is fabulous. I can see my lashes grow as I apply this mascara. It gives a really full look to my lashes, and wears all day. I got this during the CVS clearance sale back in December, and am glad I did. L’Oreal has some of my favorite drugstore mascaras for sure!

Rimmel London Natural Bronzer – [REVIEW] [BUY]

I can’t believe it, but I’m finally using bronzer! I’ve slowly started adding this bronzer into my daily routine, and I’m really enjoying it. If you have very fair skin, this bronzer is the way to go. It is very light, and perfect for beginners like me, because if you mess up a little you don’t need to redo your entire face of makeup. I’m so glad I finally gave this a try!

MAKE Matte Finish Eyeshadow in Alabaster [REVIEW] [BUY]

I’ve also been loving this eyeshadow from MAKE. Alabaster is perfect for cancelling out all the discoloration in my eyelids, and giving the eye a nice brightening effect without needing a full eyeshadow look. Feel free to read my full review by clicking the link above, where I include swatches as well. This is a high end product, but definitely worth the price!

NAIL CARE

Julep Conditioning Nail Polish Remover [BUY]

I went back to my all-time favorite nail polish remover this month, and that is this acetone free one from Julep. This remover is amazing. Not only does it not have a strong smell, but it removes my nail polish easily and it does condition my nails. It is on the expensive side, so I don’t buy it often. Luckily I’ve received a few as gifts lately! I highly recommend this!

BODY CARE

Bath & Body Works Shower Gel in Beautiful Day [BUY]

I got this shower gel for free last spring thanks to a coupon, but am just opening it up this year. I love to have seasonal scents going in the shower, and Beautiful Day is fruity and fresh. I absolutely love it! Plus, my bathroom smells great for a while after I get out of the shower. I do wish this product had more natural ingredients, but I still love Bath & Body Works.

TELEVISION

Dancing with the Stars

I am really loving this season of DWTS! I thought I would be rooting for Jodie Sweetin, since I am such a huge Full House fan, but I’m also loving Wanyá and Nyle DiMarco! I’m excited to see how the competition continues, and I am really glad Len is back as a judge this season.

FOOD & DRINK

Dunkin’ Donuts Cookie Dough Iced Coffee

My last favorite this month is Cookie Dough iced coffee! I typically drink my coffee black every morning, but in the warmer months I love a nice, sweet iced coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts. I’ve been treating myself to the Cookie Dough flavor recently, and I’m obsessed with it. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, I definitely recommend it!

That wraps up my monthly favorites for April! I hope you enjoyed learning more about my springtime loves. Definitely share your favorites with me in the comments, or use the hashtag #PolishlandFaves on social media so I can find your posts! If you’re watching DWTS, definitely let me know who you think will win the mirrorball trophy this season, too.

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Dare to Compare | Milani Color Statement Red Label vs KBShimmer Chilly Pepper

Posted on May 2, 2016March 26, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Monday! Today I have a nail polish comparison for you, and I’m excited to share the results. I’ve never been a big fan of the classic red nail polish, but every once in a while I find a shade of red that does work with my fair skin tone. In late 2015 I received KBShimmer’s Chilly Pepper for review and immediately knew this was a red made for me. As it turns out, I also own Milani Color Statement in Red Label, a shade that looks nearly identical to Chilly Pepper in the bottle. Now, I knew I would keep Chilly Pepper because it is one of my most used nail polishes, but I wanted to see if these polishes were dupes. Let me share the results with you!

First up is Milani Color Statement Red Label. This is a true red nail polish with a creme formula. Red Label has a great formula that is opaque in two coats. My only issue with the formula is that it is just a touch watery, but that is me nitpicking this polish. Red Label is an amazing red, and it’s a fabulous and affordable polish.

KBShimmer Chilly Pepper is also a bright red creme polish, but it does feel more like a ‘crelly,’ or creme and jelly formula. Chilly Pepper has a perfect formula. It applies with ease, looks beautiful in two opaque coats, and dries to a glossy finish with no top coat needed. I’ve used this polish so much since I received it, and you can tell by the messy state of the bottle. This is one loved polish!

Here is a look at Red Label and Chilly Pepper side-by-side. Red Label is on my pinky and ring fingers with Chilly Pepper on my middle and pointer fingers. Can you tell a difference between the two? It is very, very slight, but Red Label is a tad brighter. However, there is no reason for me to own both of these polishes. I knew I’d be keeping Chilly Pepper, so I’m saying goodbye to Red Label.

All in all, I’m glad I swatched these side-by-side so I could alert you to this dupe! I know KBShimmer is a higher end brand, and that Milani is more accessible for many of you at your local drugstore. If you can get your hands on Chilly Pepper, I highly recommend picking it up on Amazon HERE. That being said, I also recommend Red Label. It’s all up to how much you want to spend! Definitely let me know in the comments what your favorite red nail polish is. I would love to know!

The products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post includes an affiliate link. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Upcoming Adventures | May Blog Chat

Posted on May 1, 2016March 26, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Sunday! I can’t believe we are already into the month of May! It seems like 2016 is flying by. Today I’m here to share my Upcoming Adventures with all of you. This is where I share a sneak preview of what you can expect to see here on Adventures in Polishland this month. April was a great month here on the blog. I went back to my normal blog schedule after a themed month in March, and caught up with a lot of new nail polish releases and book reviews. It was fun to write about a lot of the different things I’ve been loving in my life lately, and I hope you enjoyed the posts as well! Let me share more about what you can expect during May!

May is going to be a bit different here at Adventures in Polishland. While I am not doing a themed month, it just so happens that the majority of my blog posts will be nail polish comparisons. As you may know, I am currently doing a major destash of my nail polish collection. I am now in the stage where I am comparing shades to get rid of dupes and also find the best formulas. As a result, I have a ton of nail polishes to swatch and thought it would be fun to do a lot of Dare to Compare posts. I asked on my Facebook Page HERE if you were interested in seeing so many comparisons, and I was happy so many of you wanted them! Thus, almost all of my beauty posts this month will be Dare to Compare posts!

In addition to comparison posts on beauty days, I will be keeping up with lifestyle posts on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Right now I am anticipating a good amount of book reviews, but I’m not yet sure what else will make its way onto the blog. If you ever have a request, you can use my Request Form HERE and I might write about your idea! If there is a specific aspect of my life you would like to learn more about, please let me know. Of course, I don’t share everything, but I always entertain your ideas.

That wraps up my May Blog Chat! As always, thank you for your continued support! It was so exciting to celebrate my 4-year Blogiversary in April. I truly love sharing with you, and I’m glad people share in my passions along with me. Here’s to a great May!

April Empties | #365DaysofEmpties Update

Posted on April 29, 2016April 25, 2016 by Adventures in Polishland

Happy Friday! April is coming to a close, and that means it’s time to share with you all of the products I used up this month. I used up a lot of big products in April, which is always a lot of fun. I’ve decided that once I use up a big bottle of something, I’m going to reach for a sample next so I can really focus on emptying those, too. Let me share with you all of my empties for April, and give an update on my #365DaysofEmpties project!

SKINCARE

GlamGlow Powermud Dualcleanse Treatment – 1 Sample [BUY]

Mini Review: I was so excited to finally try a product from the high end brand GlamGlow. I only got one use of this face mask from this sample, and to be honest, I wasn’t blown away. My skin felt really clean, but I didn’t have any amazing results. I would need to try this a few more times to see any changes in my skin.
Would I Buy it Again? No. It’s too expensive!

NAIL CARE

Berkley Jensen Premium 100% Pure Cotton Rounds – 1 Pack [BUY]

Mini Review: I primarily use cotton rounds to remove my nail polish, and I’ve been doing a lot of swatching lately. I purchase these in bulk from BJ’s to save money, but any pure cotton rounds are excellent. I also use them to cleanse my face sometimes.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

HAIR CARE

L’Oreal Advanced Haircare Triple Resist Reinforcing Shampoo & Conditioner – 2 Bottles [BUY] & [BUY]

Mini Review: I absolutely love the Advanced Haircare collection from L’Oreal. I’ve tried several different lines, and the Triple Resist is a great one. It’s designed to help strengthen fragile, breaking hair. It definitely lives up to its name, and my fine hair loved it. Keep an eye out for coupons and sales!
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! I’m currently using a different line from this collection, though.

Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk – 1 Can [BUY]

Mini Review: Friends, this is my holy grail dry shampoo. I purchase it whenever I can because it gets the job done better than any of the other dry shampoos I’ve tried. It truly zaps the oil right out of my hair, giving it a fresh and clean feeling. It is super expensive, but worth every penny.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes! Yes! Yes!

BODY CARE

Dove Advanced Care Cool Essentials 48-Hour Antiperspirant – 1 Tube [BUY]

Mini Review: This is my favorite deodorant from the drugstore, and really the only one that works for me. I would love to find a natural deodorant that works, but so far I haven’t had any luck. I prefer the unscented version, but this Cool Essentials was nice, too.
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

Olay Ultra Moisture with Shea Butter Moisture Outlast Body Wash – 1 Bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: I received this travel size bottle of body wash from PinchMe for review, and I am pleasantly surprised with how much I love it! This body wash truly does add moisture to the skin while still cleansing. I noticed a big difference when I switched back to my other body wash – my skin was a lot drier. Plus, I love the soothing scent of Shea butter.
Would I But it Again? Yes, but I’m currently using up the other body washes in my stash.

MAKEUP

Covergirl truBLEND Liquid Makeup in L2 Classic Ivory – 1 Bottle [BUY]

Mini Review: This is one of my favorite foundations from the drugstore! It is a light-medium coverage for everyday wear, and is buildable for sure. My bottle looks disgusting here, because once the pump stops working I take it out and flip the bottle upside down so the last bits of foundation fall into the cap. It helps me use up all the product!
Would I Buy it Again? Yes!

APRIL EMPTIES: 8

TOTAL 2016 EMPTIES: 34

I’m glad I used up so many big products in April, but I am a bit nervous looking at my total number of empties for the year! I am still on track to reach my goal of 100 empties in 2016, but I am now only one product ahead of that number. I’m going to work really hard in May to focus on products, and hopefully I can maintain a steady pace. Definitely let me know in the comments if you’ve used any of the products I mentioned today, and your mini review of them!

Some of the products in this post were provided for my unbiased review. This post includes affiliate links. All opinions are my own. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Book Review | More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

Posted on April 28, 2016September 19, 2025 by Adventures in Polishland

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

Published by Soho Teen on June 2, 2015

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Science Fiction

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 293

Source: Library

Goodreads: ★★★★

In his twisty, gritty, profoundly moving debut—called “mandatory reading” by the New York Times—Adam Silvera brings to life a charged, dangerous near-future summer in the Bronx.

In the months after his father’s suicide, it’s been tough for 16-year-old Aaron Soto to find happiness again–but he’s still gunning for it. With the support of his girlfriend Genevieve and his overworked mom, he’s slowly remembering what that might feel like. But grief and the smile-shaped scar on his wrist prevent him from forgetting completely.

When Genevieve leaves for a couple of weeks, Aaron spends all his time hanging out with this new guy, Thomas. Aaron’s crew notices, and they’re not exactly thrilled. But Aaron can’t deny the happiness Thomas brings or how Thomas makes him feel safe from himself, despite the tensions their friendship is stirring with his girlfriend and friends. Since Aaron can’t stay away from Thomas or turn off his newfound feelings for him, he considers turning to the Leteo Institute’s revolutionary memory-alteration procedure to straighten himself out, even if it means forgetting who he truly is.

Why does happiness have to be so hard?

REVIEW

After hearing a good amount of buzz for More Happy Than Not, I picked it up from the library without knowing much about the plot. I highly recommend going into this book without knowing too much, and my summary will be purposefully vague. More Happy Than Not follows teenager Aaron Soto. He lives in the Bronx, and when the book opens readers find out that his father recently committed suicide, and Aaron attempted suicide. Now we are following his life in his apartment complex, and seeing how Aaron is dealing with the life he’s been dealt.

More Happy Than Not is a contemporary novel with a science fiction twist. Aaron lives in our time, but there is a new medical procedure called Leteo that can alter our memories. If you get Leteo, you will be able to forget something in your life, and you’ll never know you even got the procedure. Aaron’s neighbor had Leteo before he moved away, and Aaron’s not sure if he believes the procedure even works. I really enjoyed this sci fi element in the book, as it really made things interesting.

As for my critiques of the novel, I will begin by saying that the first 100 or so pages were quite boring for me. There was no clear direction for the novel, and I even considered putting the book down without finishing it. That all changed at a certain point in the book. Things begin happening quickly, and I was sucked into the story. The slow beginning does make sense as the book continues, so I didn’t detract from my rating because of it. However, I tell you so that you can push through the beginning if you find it boring at first. Trust me – it’s worth it!

I also found that the ending of the novel was a bit rushed and not explained as fully as I would have liked. More Happy Than Not is a short novel under 300 pages, and I think expanding the ending a bit would have really helped the story. I also noticed some editing mistakes and grammar issues throughout the book, which will hopefully be fixed in later editions.

Nonetheless, I absolutely loved the story within More Happy Than Not. I know it might not seem that way based on this review, but I really don’t want to give anything away. Trust me when I say that Silvera creates a plot that is detailed and carefully constructed. This is the kind of book I want to read over and over to catch his hints for a later reveal along the way. More Happy Than Not makes an excellent book for a book club, because there are so many elements to be discussed, including memory, mental health, and whether we can change who we are.

I also wanted to quickly mention that I loved the setting of the book. I did live in the Bronx for a semester in college, so I was a bit familiar with where the book took place. However, I really enjoyed being taken inside Aaron’s community. His neighborhood functions in a really interesting way. I loved how Silvera incorporated all of the neighborhood games into the novel, and showed Aaron’s so-called friends as familial yet toxic at the same time.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed More Happy Than Not, and highly recommend it. This is Silvera’s debut novel, and I am impressed with how well his writing is already. I will be picking up his other books for sure, and I hope you’ll give this one a try. If you’ve already read it, please discuss it with me! There are many interesting conversations that may be had from reading this book.

Buy the Book at Bookshop.org HERE (affiliate link)