Tag: Contemporary

Book Review | Afterward by Jennifer Mathieu

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Afterward by Jennifer Mathieu

Published by Roaring Book Press on September 20, 2016

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

Format: eARC

Pages: 320

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads: ★★★★

When Caroline’s little brother is kidnapped, his subsequent rescue leads to the discovery of Ethan, a teenager who has been living with the kidnapper since he was a young child himself. In the aftermath, Caroline can’t help but wonder what Ethan knows about everything that happened to her brother, who is not readjusting well to life at home. And although Ethan is desperate for a friend, he can’t see Caroline without experiencing a resurgence of traumatic memories. But after the media circus surrounding the kidnappings departs from their small Texas town, both Caroline and Ethan find that they need a friend–and their best option just might be each other.

REVIEW

After reading Devoted by Jennifer Mathieu earlier this year, I knew I had to read her new release Afterward, and was very excited to receive a review copy from the publisher. Afterward immediately gripped me with its story. We follow a dual perspective between two teenagers, Caroline and Ethan. Caroline’s younger brother was kidnapped, and when the police find him, another boy, Ethan, who had gone missing four years ago was discovered in the same home. Caroline desperately wants to find out what happened to Dylan, her brother, during the days he was gone. Dylan is autistic, and cannot communicate with words, but it is clear he suffered from something very traumatic. Thus, Caroline makes it her mission to befriend Ethan to see if she can help Dylan.

When you pair this fascinating story with Mathieu’s writing style, you are in for a real treat. I really love how Mathieu’s writing captivates me as a reader. There is something so easy about the writing – it is not overly flowery, but it’s also not too simplistic. The writing flows really well and keeps me turning pages quickly to find out what happens next in the story. Plus, I was sucked into the plot from page one because I, just like Caroline, wanted to know what Ethan and Dylan went through with their kidnapper.

Moreover, I really appreciate the research that I can tell went into this novel. I can feel how the story comes to life with the careful attention to detail, and the effort Mathieu puts in to create an authentic story. For example, it meant a lot to me that Dylan has low-functioning autism, and that it is represented very well. It is rare to see autistic characters in books, and I think it is important to create awareness and build empathy through the stories we read. Similarly, I think it was great that we got to see how Ethan and his family are rebuilding their lives with the help of therapists. Although what Ethan goes through is extremely rare, getting a glimpse into his therapy sessions normalizes it for others who may be afraid to seek help.

The only thing I did not enjoy so much about Afterward is the ending. I was a bit underwhelmed with it, as I expected the story to go one way, but instead it focuses on something else. While I won’t discuss this in detail due to spoilers, I do want to mention that I wish the book went a bit deeper into what Ethan went through during his four years in captivity.

That being said, I really enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it. If you are looking for a gripping young adult contemporary that is not focused on romance, Afterward is a great choice. I fell in love with the characters and cared so deeply for them from page one. I know I will continue to pick up the books that Mathieu writes in the future, as they are truly something different in the young adult section today.

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. 

Book Review | Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum

Published by Delacorte Press on April 5, 2016

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Format: ARC

Pages: 336

Source: Giveaway

Goodreads: ★★★★

Everything about Jessie is wrong. At least, that’s what it feels like during her first week of junior year at her new ultra-intimidating prep school in Los Angeles. Just when she’s thinking about hightailing it back to Chicago, she gets an email from a person calling themselves Somebody/Nobody (SN for short), offering to help her navigate the wilds of Wood Valley High School. Is it an elaborate hoax? Or can she rely on SN for some much-needed help?

It’s been barely two years since her mother’s death, and because her father eloped with a woman he met online, Jessie has been forced to move across the country to live with her stepmonster and her pretentious teenage son.

In a leap of faith—or an act of complete desperation—Jessie begins to rely on SN, and SN quickly becomes her lifeline and closest ally. Jessie can’t help wanting to meet SN in person. But are some mysteries better left unsolved?

Julie Buxbaum mixes comedy and tragedy, love and loss, pain and elation, in her debut YA novel filled with characters who will come to feel like friends.

REVIEW

Young adult contemporary novels are definitely one of my favorite genres to read, especially in the summer months. I absolutely loved the synopsis of Tell Me Three Things, and was beyond excited when I won a giveaway for a copy of the book. The story follows teenager Jessie as she starts at a new school. Her father recently remarried, and Jessie has to deal with moving across the country all while she is still coping with the death of her mother. Jessie begins receiving anonymous emails from a Somebody Nobody (SN) with advice on how to navigate her new high school, and she needs to decide whether to trust this mysterious person.

I really enjoyed my read of Tell Me Three Things. The story idea is a lot of fun, especially Jessie’s emails with SN. Unfortunately, I found the story to be extremely predictable. I knew who SN was the first time we meet him in the book, but I was still glad for Jessie to discover who he is. I also felt like Jessie trusted SN much quicker than she should have. At first she is quite hesitant, but then she suddenly begins texting him personal information. I wish we saw SN gain Jessie’s trust a bit more.

Moreover, I think the author does an excellent job of writing the high school experience, as it was done in a very realistic way. Bullying does play a role in the book, and I think it was handled really well. In addition, we see Jessie struggling to keep the relationship with her best friend from home alive all while making friends at her new school. Overall, Buxbaum handles high school culture well, and I think any reader of this book will notice and appreciate that.

My favorite part of Tell Me Three Things is definitely the relationships Jessie has with the people in her life, and how they grow and change over time. Jessie’s familial relationships with her dad, stepmom, and stepbrother all evolve over the course of the novel, and so do Jessie’s friendships. Of course, Jessie gets herself in some romantic situations as well. I loved seeing how she related to all the other characters.

All in all, Tell Me Three Things is a quick and enjoyable read, and one that I recommend if you like contemporary stories. While I do wish it wasn’t as predictable, I think the story is so cute and heartwarming. I will definitely keep my eye on any books that Buxbaum publishes in the future!

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. 

Book Review | When We Collided by Emery Lord

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

When We Collided by Emery Lord

Published by Bloomsbury USA Childrens on April 5, 2016

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 352

Source: Library

Goodreads: ★★★★ 1/2

We are seventeen and shattered and still dancing. We have messy, throbbing hearts, and we are stronger than anyone could ever know…

Jonah never thought a girl like Vivi would come along.

Vivi didn’t know Jonah would light up her world.

Neither of them expected a summer like this…a summer that would rewrite their futures.

In an unflinching story about new love, old wounds, and forces beyond our control, two teens find that when you collide with the right person at just the right time, it will change you forever.

REVIEW

My love for young adult contemporary prompted me to pick up When We Collided by Emery Lord shortly after its release this year. This book chronicles two teenagers and is written in a dual perspective format. Readers follow Vivi and Jonah as they meet one summer in Jonah’s hometown, and begin a whirlwind relationship unlike any other. I absolutely loved this book, and the characters we meet in the pages.

When We Collided is very character driven, and there is not much of a plot whatsoever. We know that Vivi is struggling with something that happened in her past, which is the mystery that kept me engaged throughout the book. While I did feel like I was wandering around without direction for much of the book, the story worked in the end. I especially enjoyed Lord’s writing style. She does an amazing job at capturing the voices of both Vivi and Jonah at all times throughout the book. I was very impressed when the tone of the writing changed to match each character’s current mental state.

In addition, I absolutely adored Vivi and Jonah’s relationship. I know it is critiqued by other readers as insta-love, but for me it was very realistic. Both characters need one another in this moment, albeit in different ways. They cling to one another naturally, and their romance progressed quickly because of their unique situation. I think many of us can relate to relationships that form immediately, whether they be romantic or not. Vivi and Jonah come together at the perfect time, and I love how it is portrayed in the book.

Similarly, I also really liked how family plays a role in When We Collided. We see how important it is to care for those around us, even when it seems too difficult to handle. All of the side characters in this book really help to round out the story, too. For example, Vivi befriends a rough-around-the-edges police officer that many townies avoid. It is nice to see how Vivi is affected by this friendship, and how she then encourages others to see the officer differently as well.

Of course, I also appreciate the mental health aspect of the book. It appears to be very highly researched and written in a realistic and sensitive way. I learned a lot about Vivi’s particular disorder, which is revealed later in the story, and it helps me empathize more with people in real life. I think it’s great that fictional stories can help shed light on issues that aren’t talked about much in everyday life.

Overall, I really enjoyed When We Collided and highly recommend it. If you liked All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven, you will like this one as well because it has a similar storyline but is executed in a new way. I know I now plan to read Emery Lord’s other books, and look forward to giving this one a reread at some point in the future.

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.

Book Review | The Sound of Us by Julie Hammerle

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

The Sound of Us by Julie Hammerle

Published by Entangled Teen on June 7, 2016

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Coming of Age

Format: eARC

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads: ★★★ 1/2

Kiki Nichols might not survive music camp.

She’s put her TV-loving, nerdy self aside for one summer to prove she’s got what it takes: she can be cool enough to make friends, she can earn that music scholarship, and she can get into Krause University’s music program.

Except camp has rigid conduct rules—which means her thrilling late-night jam session with the hot drummer can’t happen again, even though they love all the same TV shows, and fifteen minutes making music with him meant more than every aria she’s ever sung.

But when someone starts snitching on rule breakers and getting them kicked out, music camp turns into survival of the fittest. If Kiki’s going to get that scholarship, her chance to make true friends—and her chance with the drummer guy—might cost her the future she wants more than anything.

REVIEW

When I heard that Entangled Teen was releasing a book that takes place at opera camp, I knew I had to read it. I love when music plays a role in the novels I read, and The Sound of Us by Julie Hammerle definitely piqued my interest. Readers follow teenager Kiki Nichols as she goes away to a prestigious opera camp to compete for one of seven scholarships to college. Kiki is a shy girl who spends most of her time watching TV and talking with her Twitter friends, and hopes to break out of her shell at camp.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Sound of Us. The story idea is great, and had me turning pages to find out what would happen next. I loved the competitive aspect of Kiki’s opera camp, and could relate to everyone vying for one of the seven scholarships. Plus, there was an added mystery element to the novel, because one of the students is a mole, and will tell the teacher if any of the kids break the rules. Of course, it is also great to see Kiki grow in the short time she is away at camp.

Similarly, I liked the writing style and think it is very well done. Hammerle does a great job at maintaining a realistic teenage voice, while at the same time not compromising the quality of her writing. I’ve read a lot of young adult books that speak just as a teenager would, and for me that detracts greatly from the reading experience. The Sound of Us is easy to read, but not cliché.

Unfortunately, there are several things about the book that I did not enjoy. First, I was very uncomfortable with the role of underage drinking in the novel. Yes, some teenagers do drink in real life, but I think the way it is handled in the book does not send a good message to the readers. Not only are the repercussions for the drinking very minor when the students are caught, but Kiki makes a statement that really caused me to take a step back. In one scene, Kiki says: “The beer is a license to make bad decisions.” Kiki never seems to realize why it is not okay to use alcohol as an excuse. While drinking does play a small role in The Sound of Us, it definitely impacted my enjoyment of the novel.

In the same way, I also felt very uncomfortable with how cheating is portrayed in the book. I won’t discuss this issue fully due to spoilers, but I did want to mention it because I know many people will not read a book if they know it involves cheating. Just as the drinking issue is not fully resolved, the cheating isn’t either. At the end of the book, it’s basically swept under the rug without being dealt with head on.

Moreover, there are a few little things about The Sound of Us that detracted from my reading experience. For example, I really loved how pop culture plays a role in the book. Kiki loves TV, and often talks about how the people she meets in real life remind her of actors or characters in pop culture. However, Kiki is a big fangirl for a fictional show called Planet Earth. At times I was confused between the fictional references versus the real life ones. There were some instances where I didn’t know if I just missed a reference, or if it was based on something fictional.

The author also uses a slang word quite often in the book that I had to look up to get the meaning. It turns out the word is British slang, which I found surprising, as the book is set in America and none of the characters in The Sound of Us are from the UK.

Finally, I got a bit annoyed with how often Kiki talks about how she doesn’t want to be seen as the ‘aunt’ in her friend group. Apparently, being seen as an aunt is a bad thing to her, as it seems to mean she is the side character that no one likes. As a proud aunt myself, I thought this was frustrating and quite insulting, especially because it is repeated so much in the book.

Thus, while I did really enjoy The Sound of Us for the most part, there are definitely things along the way that I wish were not included in the novel, or were handled in a different way. This is Julie Hammerle’s debut novel, and I would definitely consider reading books from her in the future if the story sounds like something I would like. I do recommend this book if the premise sounds interesting to you. It is a quick and fun read, and great for music lovers.

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. 

Book Review | The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Published by Harlequin Teen on May 17, 2016

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 480

Source: Library

Goodreads: ★★★★

For some people, silence is a weapon. For Mallory “Mouse” Dodge, it’s a shield. Growing up, she learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it’s been four years since her nightmare ended, she’s beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime.

Now, after years of homeschooling with loving adoptive parents, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at public high school. But of all the terrifying and exhilarating scenarios she’s imagined, there’s one she never dreamed of—that she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day.

It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet the deeper their bond grows, the more it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with the lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory faces a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants, and the truths that need to be heard.

REVIEW

I was drawn to read The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout from the moment I saw its stunning cover. After hearing great reviews from bloggers that I trust, I decided to pick up the book from the library. I was in a bit of a reading slump, and needed to read something I knew would be quick, yet heartfelt. The Problem with Forever is definitely the book I wanted at just the right time.

The story is told from teenager Mallory’s point-of-view. Mallory grew up in an abusive foster home, but was adopted four years ago by a loving couple. After being homeschooled, Mallory decides to attend public high school for her senior year. It is there when she comes face to face with her hero and best friend from childhood, Rider. Mallory and Rider quickly rekindle their friendship, and perhaps become something more.

The Problem with Forever opens with a bang and creates a lot of tension in the reader. This shocking opening scene immediately sucked me into the story, and I read the book at a very quick pace. I really enjoyed that this book focuses on the foster care system in the United States, and also mental health. While I am not highly educated on these topics, it felt like they were handled very well and with respect. I admire that Armentrout chose to wrote a book about such difficult topics in a non-preachy way.

In addition to the book’s subject matter, I really enjoyed the characters. Mallory is a very sympathetic character, but so is Rider and many of the teenagers Mallory meets at school. They have flaws, but they try to be better people for themselves and those around them. It is so nice to see a young adult book with realistic characters in situations that many teenagers are facing on a daily basis.

My one critique of the novel is the writing style. The Problem with Forever has a cliché feeling that many of the romance novels I’ve read share. There is something about it that makes me cringe at some points. For example, there are a few times in the book where Mallory is “worrying her lower lip,” and many others where she spends a bit too much time describing Rider’s body. While there is nothing wrong with this writing style, it is just not my cup of tea. That being said, I read Obsidian by Jennifer L. Armentrout a couple years ago and I much preferred the writing in The Problem with Forever. 

All in all, I really enjoyed my read of The Problem with Forever, and definitely recommend this book if you are looking for an emotional read. I laughed, and I cried, and I fell in love with the characters. I know I read this book at the perfect time, but I think it is one I would enjoy even when not in a reading slump. I am definitely interested in reading some of Armentrout’s other work now, after having a good experience with this book.

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. 

Book Review | The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 519

Source: Library

Goodreads: ★★★★ 1/2

Andie had it all planned out.

When you are a politician’s daughter who’s pretty much raised yourself, you learn everything can be planned or spun, or both. Especially your future.

Important internship? Check.

Amazing friends? Check.

Guys? Check (as long as we’re talking no more than three weeks).

But that was before the scandal. Before having to be in the same house with her dad. Before walking an insane number of dogs. That was before Clark and those few months that might change her whole life.

Because here’s the thing—if everything’s planned out, you can never find the unexpected.

And where’s the fun in that?

REVIEW

I highly anticipated the release of Morgan Matson’s new book The Unexpected Everything, and made sure to read it as soon as I could. Matson is the queen of the young adult summer story, and this year she took it to the next level with a 500+ page book. The Unexpected Everything follows teenager Andie. She is the daughter of a congressman, and the book opens with her dad being caught in the middle of a political scandal. Andie is a planner, and at first she isn’t bothered by the scandal because she has arrangements to attend a summer program away from home. Of course, her plans unexpectedly change and she is forced to stay at home all summer with her dad and adjust her entire life in the process.

It took me quite a while to get into The Unexpected Everything. I found the writing to be quite clunky, as the dialogue was broken up by large chunks of text. However, once I got into the groove of the story, I began to enjoy it much more. While I wasn’t sure how I felt about the story for much of the book, everything comes together in the last 100-150 pages, and I was blown away with how Matson crafted Andie’s summer.

What I really love about this book is how Matson is able to realistically capture the teenage experience. The emotions are really well written, and the events play out as they would in reality even though things are played up in the book for the entertainment value. For example, Andie has a great group of friends and spends nearly all of her time with them. While inseparable at the beginning of the book, this friend group must learn to deal with the unexpected events life throws at you. I admired how Matson chose to deal with these events, and I think the book is very relatable both for the young adult audience, but older readers as well.

Moreover, there were also some great additions to The Unexpected Everything that I really loved. My favorite scene in the novel is an epic scavenger hunt that Andie competes in with her friends. I love a good competition, and having one in the book was a lot of fun. Not only did it focus on the game, but it provided an opportunity for character development. Similarly, if you are a dog lover you are really going to enjoy this book! Andie ends up finding a summer job as a dog walker, and we get to go along on some of her walks and other dog-filled adventures. The dog element was such an added bonus!

Finally, my favorite part of any Morgan Matson book is the character development. The Unexpected Everything is light and fun, while still being emotionally charged. For instance, Andie’s mother died of cancer five years ago, and Andie and her father have had a strained relationship ever since. I love how the father-daughter relationship played a role in the novel. Of course, I also really enjoyed the romance that played out as well. Andie meets a boy named Clark while dog-walking, and I think their relationship was realistic and super cute at the same time.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed The Unexpected Everything, and highly recommend you picking it up if you are looking for the perfect summer read. This book truly did make me laugh and make me cry, and I know it will be one I reread again in the future. I plan on completing my read of all of Morgan Matson’s work by the end of the summer with Second Chance Summer, her only book I’ve yet to read.

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. 

Book Review | Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson

Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers on May 3, 2011

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Format: Paperback

Source: BookMooch

Goodreads: ★★★★ 1/2

Amy Curry is not looking forward to her summer. Her mother decided to move across the country and now it’s Amy’s responsibility to get their car from California to Connecticut. The only problem is, since her father died in a car accident, she isn’t ready to get behind the wheel. Enter Roger. An old family friend, he also has to make the cross-country trip – and has plenty of baggage of his own. The road home may be unfamiliar – especially with their friendship venturing into uncharted territory – but together, Amy and Roger will figure out how to map their way.

REVIEW

When it comes to the perfect summer read, it’s always safe to reach for a Morgan Matson book. Last summer I picked up Since You’ve Been Gone, and I was excited to pick up her first book this year. Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour follows teenager Amy. Her father recently passed away, and her mom decides to move the family from California to Connecticut. Amy is tasked with getting the family car across the country, but since she’s not driving, family friend Roger steps in to help. Readers follow Amy and Roger as they road trip across America and take a few detours along the way.

I absolutely love road trip books, especially when they take place in America. I feel like I am wandering throughout the country with Amy and Roger, and that is a lot of fun. This book includes a mixed media element, with photographs, scrapbook pages, and playlists being mixed in with the story. I loved this element, but I do wish they were placed better within the book. For instance, sometimes a scrapbook page featuring a state would appear before Amy and Roger got to that state. That is a very minor critique, and overall I really liked the inclusion of the mixed media elements.

My other critiques of the novel are quite small as well. I did find a few copyediting issues, which is surprising in a paperback reprinting. There is also a small plot hole in the novel. At the end of the book, Amy mentions that she can trust Roger because he hasn’t lied to her on their road trip. However, Amy mentions much earlier in the story that Roger does lie to her. While this is a very small hole, it does affect my rating a bit. My only other critique is that I wasn’t the biggest fan of how the romance played out. It felt a bit awkward, even though I was rooting for it.

Otherwise, I really loved Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour. The book is fun, but it is also very emotional, especially for anyone who has a special bond with her father. I loved how this book takes readers not only on a physical road trip, but an emotional journey as well. Amy and Roger both have things to work through, and they are able to confide in each other after spending so much time in the car together.

All in all, I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a summer read. It’s quick to get through, and will be perfect whether you are traveling this summer, or simply sitting out in the backyard. You get to meet a great cast of characters, and have a lot of fun! I know I will be reading Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour again, and all of Morgan Matson’s other books, in the future.

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. 

Book Review | The Haters by Jesse Andrews

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

The Haters by Jesse Andrews

Published by Amulet Books on April 5, 2016

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Adventure

Format: ARC

Pages: 352

Source: #BooksforTrade

Goodreads: ★★★★

From Jesse Andrews, author of the New York Times bestselling Me and Earl and the Dying Girl and screenwriter of the Sundance award–winning motion picture of the same name, comes a groundbreaking young adult novel about music, love, friendship, and freedom as three young musicians follow a quest to escape the law long enough to play the amazing show they hope (but also doubt) they have in them.

Inspired by the years he spent playing bass in a band himself, The Haters is Jesse Andrews’s road trip adventure about a trio of jazz-camp escapees who, against every realistic expectation, become a band.

For Wes and his best friend, Corey, jazz camp turns out to be lame. It’s pretty much all dudes talking in Jazz Voice. But then they jam with Ash, a charismatic girl with an unusual sound, and the three just click. It’s three and a half hours of pure musical magic, and Ash makes a decision: They need to hit the road. Because the road, not summer camp, is where bands get good. Before Wes and Corey know it, they’re in Ash’s SUV heading south, and The Haters Summer of Hate Tour has begun.

In his second novel, Andrews again brings his brilliant and distinctive voice to YA, in the perfect book for music lovers, fans of The Commitments and High Fidelity, or anyone who has ever loved—and hated—a song or a band. This witty, funny coming-of-age novel is contemporary fiction at its best.

REVIEW

If you’re looking for a fun and entertaining read this summer, make sure to pick up The Haters by Jesse Andrews. This young adult contemporary follows Wes and his best friend Corey as they arrive at jazz band summer camp. The two quickly find out that jazz camp isn’t what they expected, and when Ash, the girl they just met, invites them to ditch camp and go on tour as a band, they jump at the chance. The Haters follows Wes, Corey, and Ash as they road trip throughout the southern United States, and all of the crazy situations in which they find themselves.

First things first, I wanted to talk about the book’s content. The advance copy I was reading states that this book is recommended for ages 13 and up, but I would personally recommend this for ages 17 and up. The Haters is extremely raunchy, complete with swear words galore. It truly lives up to the “sex, drugs, and rock and roll,” theme as well. While this content fits well into the storyline, and I wouldn’t edit any of these things out, I definitely recommend the book for older readers. If this book were a film, I’m guessing it would be rated R.

Speaking of which, The Haters would make an excellent movie. It reminds me of The Hangover, because the characters get into one crazy adventure after another. This is definitely the kind of book where the reader needs to suspend disbelief in order to enjoy it. This story would never happen in real life, but that’s what makes it a ton of fun.

What makes The Haters even more unique is the writing style. I haven’t read Jesse Andrews’s other book, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, so I’m not sure how it compares. Nonetheless, The Haters is written in first person from Wes’s point of view. The voice is almost stream of consciousness, and Wes is aware that he is telling the story to the reader. Some parts of the dialogue are written as if this were a movie script, or perhaps text messages, since proper capitalization wasn’t followed. There were also some charts, checklists, and other things sprinkled into the novel, too. At first I found the writing a bit difficult to adapt to, but once I was about 50 pages in I began to love the unique cadence, and the book flew by very quickly.

My main critiques of the book are in regards to the plot and the character development. The plot was a “whatever happens, happens” storyline, and while that worked on one level because anything could happen in the next chapter, I did wish we had a bit more direction for the story. Similarly, I wish the character development was a bit stronger. We get to learn more about Wes, Corey, and Ash as the road trip continues, and I was really intrigued by each character’s backstory. Each has a really interesting home life, and I would love to know more about them. Whenever I got to know a character more, I liked the book more.

Moreover, the ending was a bit hot and cold for me as well. While I enjoyed the ending in terms of what happens, I didn’t so much like how it happens. Wes gives the reader an info-dump in the last 10 pages, and I would have liked a bit more meat there. Nonetheless, I loved how the story comes to a close. It was realistic, and I think fit the tone of the book well.

I had a ton of fun reading The Haters and highly recommend it so long as you are comfortable reading quite a raunchy book. This is a quick read and perfect for the beach this summer. I will be definitely be checking out Jesse Andrews’s other books in the future!

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. 

 

Book Review | More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

Posted on 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

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. 

Book Review | Sugar by Deirdre Riordan Hall

Posted on by Adventures in Polishland

Sugar by Deirdre Riordan Hall

Published by Skyscape on June 1, 2015

Genres: Young Adult, Contemporary, Coming of Age

Format: eARC

Pages: 276

Source: NetGalley

Goodreads: ★★★★

I’m the fat Puerto Rican–Polish girl who doesn’t feel like she belongs in her skin, or anywhere else for that matter. I’ve always been too much and yet not enough.

Sugar Legowski-Gracia wasn’t always fat, but fat is what she is now at age seventeen. Not as fat as her mama, who is so big she hasn’t gotten out of bed in months. Not as heavy as her brother, Skunk, who has more meanness in him than fat, which is saying something. But she’s large enough to be the object of ridicule wherever she is: at the grocery store, walking down the street, at school. Sugar’s life is dictated by taking care of Mama in their run-down home—cooking, shopping, and, well, eating. A lot of eating, which Sugar hates as much as she loves.

When Sugar meets Even (not Evan—his nearly illiterate father misspelled his name on the birth certificate), she has the new experience of someone seeing her and not her body. As their unlikely friendship builds, Sugar allows herself to think about the future for the first time, a future not weighed down by her body or her mother.

Soon Sugar will have to decide whether to become the girl that Even helps her see within herself or to sink into the darkness of the skin-deep role her family and her life have created for her.

REVIEW

As a lover of young adult contemporary novels, I can safely say I’ve never read a young adult book quite like this. Sugar follows teenager Sugar, an overweight girl who is the subject of bullying. She lives in a toxic and abusive home, and copes by binging on junk food. One day a new kid moves to town. His name is Even, and he soon befriends Sugar when no one else will. Sugar follows their relationship and how it helps to change Sugar as she grows into her own woman.

I found Sugar to be very impressive because it deals with a plethora of important issues in an honest way. This book touches on eating disorders, mental health, physical and emotional abuse, bullying, family issues, poverty, and diversity. Yet even though these topics are all packed into one novel, they all fit well. Never did I feel like Hall was trying to accomplish too much within one book. It takes a skilled writer to make these difficult topics feel so real and genuine in a fiction novel.

In fact, there are some scenes in this novel that were particularly difficult for me to read. Sugar suffers from a binge eating disorder, and there are scenes of her binging in the book. Hall describes in detail how Sugar is eating her junk food, and it made me feel queasy and almost want to take a break from reading. Even though these scenes were hard to read, I think they are very important because they helped me see why Sugar ate emotionally.

Similarly, Sugar is a very sympathetic character. She begins the novel a very passive person, and it was quite frustrating to see her let everyone walk all over her. However, it was understandable that she almost acted as a shell of a person because she was treated so poorly both at home and in her community. I was really glad when Even came into her life, but he did make me nervous. Sugar develops romantic feelings for him, and I didn’t want Even to break her heart.

I do have a few small critiques of Sugar for which I deducted a star from my rating. Mainly, there is a scene that takes place in New York City later in the novel. I won’t describe it in detail so as to avoid spoilers, but this scene would never happen in real life. Two teenagers would not be able to find a hotel room, nor be able to afford one, on New Year’s Eve on short notice. Because this just wasn’t plausible, it detracted from my believability of the story as a whole.

All in all, I really enjoyed Sugar and was very impressed with Hall’s ability to write such an honest young adult book. I would love to see more books take on these difficult topics, as I think they are helpful both for people who have gone through similar struggles, or to those of us who simply want to learn more about our fellow humans. I highly recommend Sugar, and I look forward to picking up more books by this author in the future!

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.