{Review: 2019 Reread Edition} Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Hey, guys!

If you've followed me on social media for a while, you'll know about my adoration for Rainbow Rowell's work. Fangirl is one of my #1 favorite books and I cannot praise it enough. 

When rereading books -- especially with a massive chunk of time between reads -- I'm always afraid that I won't like my favorites as much as before. However, this wasn't the case when reading these again. Fangirl was even better than I remember. It was so much like revisiting a dear, dear friend. I honestly cannot wait to reread it again. When will the time come, I wonder?

If you're interested in reading my reviews from 2015, click the links below!
Fangirl {click here}

Page Count: 438

Published On: September 10, 2013

Published By: St. Martin's Griffin

Genre(s): Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Source: hardback - personally purchased (so many times)

Where To Find It: Amazon // Book Depository 

My Rating: 5 stars (all the stars, actually)

Goodreads synopsis:

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan..

But for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving. Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words... And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

~ ~ ~

When rereading Fangirl, it was as if I were being reunited with some of my closest friends. This book is so special to me because of the intense connection that I feel to the characters. 

I feel like this little review will be just a massive ramble that runs together, so bear with me. 

When I first read Fangirl in 2014, I felt so connected and represented by Rainbow Rowell. I cried so hard with Cath when the various points of conflict were occurring. I felt so heard and I felt seen as someone who struggled with anxious thoughts, someone who has a twin who is completely different from them, has a family ripped apart by divorce, and as someone who found so much comfort in fictional stories and fandom. This book was a safe haven that I felt so freaking blessed to have. 

When I reread the book for the second time in 2015, I loved it even more. I was further into my high school career and becoming really anxious about going into college. Reading about Cath and experiencing her struggles honestly really comforted me and helped me cope with my anxiety about college because if my fave can survive, surely I could too. Again, I am so blessed by Rainbow Rowell. I love her so much.

When I reread the book for the third time in 2019, I was about to go into my senior year of college. I had grown SO MUCH compared to 2015-Olivia. I had conquered the many many things that I had dreaded before and I've done exceeding well. Not to toot my own horn, but I'm flourishing in college and now...at 22, I saw myself even more in Cath. Revisiting this book was honestly so nerve-wracking. I was afraid that I wouldn't love it like I had 4 years ago, but that was definitely not the case. I think I love it even more. 

This past year, 2019, I was able to meet Rainbow at her stop in Cincinnati for her tour for Pumpkinheads with Faith Erin Hicks. Not only was I able to meet her and ask her to sign my books, but I also had two minutes to thank her for writing Fangirl and rambling about how much her words and her story meant to me. Honestly, I think we bonded a little bit because she thanked me and gave me a signed bookplate for my copy of Wayward Son. I'm so blessed to have met her. I cried a little bit and I cannot wait to potentially meet her again in the future. Fangirl means the world to me. You should definitely read it. (Here is a picture of a flustered and fangirling Olivia at the event.)

There are many reasons why I enjoy this book. The pacing, the characters, the fandom aspects, the representation for anxiety, twin sibling representation, discussions on writing and becoming a better writer, and more. 

First of all, the representation of anxiety is just fantastic. Some do not enjoy Cath's character or the representation, however, I think that it accurately encapsulates my own struggles. My anxiety, I feel, is so similar to Cath's and I found myself in the novel. For me, it perfectly encapsulated the feelings that I have felt for so many years.  

When I found books that featured twins as main characters, or even side characters, I found myself struggling to connect to their relationships because they never represented my sister and I. We are completely different people. Though we grew up really enjoying some of the same things and really bonding over our love for our fandoms and bands, we grew up to be so so so different people. When you're a twin and you meet someone who has never really met a set of twins, the person will often expect the twins to be two halves of a whole, rather than two separate people. My sister and I actively have sought out our own friends, interests, and scholarly pursuits. We don't really do things that are all that alike anymore. 

When I first read this in 2014 and 2015, my sister and I were just beginning to find ourselves outside of twin-hood. It was so fun and liberating, but also really scary. I loved my sister, but I wasn't my sister. However, I still wanted to be besties with my sister. We weren't necessarily bestie besties with each other, but I knew I could confide in her and we could talk about the dumbest things at all hours of the day. What if she decided that she wasn't interested in being friends anymore? While reading Fangirl, I felt so seen. Cath's worries about her friendship with her sister made me feel so connected to her. 

While discussing Cath, I think it would be good to mention that I really resonate with her emotional capacity and her personality. We are honestly so similar that I felt like Rainbow Rowell had crawled into my vents and watched me for a few years or even just had a vision that saw how my freshmen year of college would go. It's crazy how similar Cath and I are. I just RESONATE WITH HER OKAY?

When I reread Fangirl this past year, I noticed more aspects that I hadn't fully comprehended when I read it in high school. I loved the realistic dynamic between Cath and Reagan. It's very true to some experiences in college. Additionally, I really loved Cath's relationship with her writing professor, especially toward the end. English professors and instructors are always the coolest and kindest people. I don't make the rules. That's just the facts.

I'm not sure how I can write a review without mentioning Levi. Levi. The love of my life. The best book boyfriend. The sweetest love interest ever. I love him so much. While rereading, I noticed how much he struggled with reading and it honestly broke my heart because he loves stories and he works so hard to succeed. I love the different measures he goes through and the support system around him that further helps him with his studies. I think it's so important to acknowledge that not everyone has the ability to read with so much vigor like Cath. I love how they bonded over Cath's writing and over books in general. They're such a wholesome couple and I love them forever and always. 

I'm not going to go into why Cath's family dynamic made me feel so seen, but full disclosure, my parents are divorced and I have dad issues. A lot of my mental health issues stem from the feelings that I felt when my parents split. That's life, my dudes. When I first read the book, I didn't realize how much her feelings about her parents resonated with me. Again, I'm not going to go into it, but it was powerful and it really helped me put my life and my mental health into perspective. Cath's mom-issues were just so valid and relatable to me. I could totally see myself in her struggles as she faced the feelings she didn't want to acknowledge growing up. When it comes to trauma that stems from parental issues like divorce or feelings of abandonment, I really love to see characters grapple with those struggles. Not because I want them to suffer, but so many people struggle with those issues. They're valid and unfortunately common. 

Overall, this book is just perfect to me. I highly recommend it to all of my nerdy fandom people, my people who love to write, my people who are grappling with big changes in their lives. I know that this book gets a lot of backlash because some people feel that the mental health issues aren't written well or accurately, but I don't think that's the case. Every person who struggles with their mental health interacts with their demons and struggles differently. No one handles them the same and no diagnosis or case is the same. To say that a character doesn't handle their mental health struggles correctly is so ridiculous to me. Now there are some books that absolutely do not handle things well. Either something is romanticized, trivialized, or misdiagnosed or misrepresented, but I don't think that Fangirl does this. I see so much of my own life in this book. It has helped me so much when it comes to working through my own anxieties and worries and struggles. 

I think it is such a wonderful book. I hope you give it a chance and I hope you love it. Either way, I'd love to discuss your opinions in the comments, via email, or even my Instagram DMs. Let's discuss!

Happy reading!
Olivia
~Liv the Book Nerd~
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{Review} Rebel With A Cupcake by Anna Mainwaring

Page Count: 216

Published on: April 3, 2018

Published by: KCP Loft

Genre(s): Romance, YA, Contemporary

Source: hardback via author

Age Rating: YA

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository

My Rating: 3 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Jesobel Jones is bold and brash, the daughter of a hand model and a washed-up rock star. Jess sees no need to apologize for her rambling house, her imperfect family, her single status ... or her weight. Jess is who she is. She makes her own cupcakes and she eats them, too. No regrets.

That is, until Own Clothes Day rolls around at school. Jess and her friends dedicate the requisite hours of planning to their outfits, their hair and their makeup for the one day they are free from school uniforms. But a wardrobe malfunction leaves Jess with a pair of leggings split open at the worst spot, and a mean girl calling her the one thing that's never bothered her before: fat.

The encounter shakes Jess's formerly iron-clad confidence, and she starts to wonder if she's been just a little too comfortable in her own skin. When the boy of her dreams invites her to a party, she must decide whether to try to fit in for the first time in her life or remain true to herself --- whoever that really is.

Debut author Anna Mainwaring is a teacher by day, and her understanding of teenage life shines through on every page. This book is laugh-out-loud funny and captures teen girl life with all its ironies and contradictions.

Rebel with a Cupcake also explores important questions around body image, fat shaming, and self-confidence.

~~~

Hey, guys!

    I was sent this book for an honest review by KCP Loft. Thank you KCP Loft for this lovely book! If you'd like to see me unbox packages and haul the books I acquire randomly, then follow me on Instagram! I post them live the day I get them! {click here to follow!}

     This debut by Anna Mainwaring was a roller coaster of sass and body positivity. Overall, I thought this was a cute summer-y contemporary, but there were some aspects that really let me down. There were some character issues, some pacing issues, and some personal opinions that got in the way of this books 5-star rating. 

      I originally really enjoyed Jess's character, but she kind of went downhill and annoying. However! I do think that her attitude throughout the book was a good representation of how young girls allow their insecurity get to them. I think that this was a good representation of how the opinions of others can lead the strongest and carefree girls to allow themselves to become something they aren't. However, the changes that Jess went through were just so fast. Because it was so fast, I felt like it was a bit counterproductive because the drastic changes that she went through were just so quick. 

      Granted, I'm sure some girls are capable of going through drastic and quick changes, but it almost seemed unrealistic in this book. If the changes to her physical self was actually over a longer period of time, I felt like the book didn't convey it well enough for me to actually figure that out. It just felt so fast.This book is just short enough that I thought that it would have been more clear if the time change had been more clear. I just found it really unrealistically paced. 

     I just want to put it out there that I loved Jess. I think she's a pretty great character. She's realistic, she's spunky, she has a fantastic sassy attitude, and she has great friends who care about her. Her narration style is so fun to read and I basically read Rebel With A Cupcake in a couple sittings. I loved her so I wanted to continue the story. She was just so fun to "be" with. I loved how she stood up for herself and how different she was from the YA contemporary MC mold. However, the other characters in the books were just so easy to forget. I actually forget all of their names. They weren't as fleshed out as Jess was and they were just there. I wish the charcters in the book were more memorable. I think that would have added to the story. They were just very cliche and two-dimentional. 

     Overall, this book was average but it had a great message about mental health and body positivity. It wasn't my favorite YA contemporary, but I'm glad that I read it. If you love books about body positivity, books with great sassy characters, and fun coming of age stories, then this is for you!

~ Rebel With A Cupcake is OUT NOW! ~

Happy reading!
Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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{Review} Someday Somewhere by Lindsay Champion

Page Count: 280

Published on: April 3, 2018

Published by: KCP Loft

Genre(s): Contemporary, Young Adult, Mental Health, Romance
Source: Paperback - provided by publisher

Age Rating: Young Adult

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Book Depository: {click here}

My Rating: 3 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Dominique is a high school junior from a gritty neighborhood in Trenton, where she and her mom are barely getting by. 

Ben is a musical prodigy from the Upper East Side, a violinist at a top conservatory with obsessive talent and a brilliant future.

When Dom's class is taken to hear a concert at Carnegie Hall, she expects to be bored out of her mind. But then she sees the boy in the front row playing violin like his life depends on it --- and she is transfixed. 

Posing as an NYU student, Dom sneaks back to New York City to track down Ben Tristan, a magnetic genius who whisks her into a fantasy world of jazz clubs and opera, infatuation, and possibility. Each sees something in the other that promises to complete them.

As Dom's web of lies grows, though, so does Ben's obsessive need to conquer Beethoven's famous Kreutzer Sonata. But Ben's genius, which captivates Dominique, conceals a secret, and the challenges of her life may make it difficult to help him.

Alternating perspectives and an unreliable narrator create suspense and momentum, romance and heartbreak. Author Lindsay Champion's deep roots in theater and music are evident on every page --- structured like a sonata with hints of West Side Story, her debut novel hits all the right notes.

~~~

Hey, guys!

     This book was sent to me by KCP Loft for an honest review. All opinions are my own. Thank you, KCP Loft, for sending me this book. 

      When first starting this book, I had no idea how much mental health would play into this story. I thought this would be a cutesy and artsy little contemporary that follows fun musicians as they fall in love in New York. This was not the fluffy romance that I anticipated. I was actually hoping to get some Your Lie in April vibes, but oh my gosh I got the heavier end of that stick. This book was much heavier and I really did not know what I was going into when I started this book. After reading this, I had one of my friends read this book to see if my opinions were just insensitive or something, but she thinks that my feelings are valid and her thoughts on this book really helped me put the events of the book into perspective. 

     Initially, I really did not like this book all that much. I thought the characters were obnoxious and annoying. I thought that Dom was kind of fake and manipulative and I thought that Ben was pretentious and crazy. After reading the book, I realize that those generalizations were flawed and close-minded. I was being bitter and mean towards a situation that I didn't know much about. Above in the synopsis, it says that the narrators are purposefully unreliable, but I really did not know that, to begin with. I feel like there should have been a way for me to know that they were kind of unreliable going in? Maybe? Then again, not knowing much added to the confusing aspect of the book. Maybe I'm wrong. 

Let's just get into my thoughts.

    Let's talk about the characters. At first, I really liked Dom. I thought she had an interesting perspective and I liked that she was a kind of underdog that could represent those who have to work really hard to move up in life. I thought that would be a great message to incorporate into YA. She and her mom's situation was so raw and real. I really loved their initial dynamic. Not to mention, Dom and her friend Cass' friendship. I loved Cass. He was probably the best character in the book. I adored him. I'd read a book all about Cass if I could. Overall, Dom had the potential to be a fantastic character. She's smart, she's beautiful, and she has the capability to be so much more than she is....but then she started lying...about everything. I just could not get behind it. 

    Ben was an even bigger piece of work. He could have been so sweet and romantic, but he became obsessive and strange and intense. Dom didn't see it. She was so caught up in the romanticism of it instead of following her instincts. He started to get scary and his behavior literally made me sit at the edge of my seat and actively worry about his and Dom's well being. After reading the last few chapters of the book, we find out why he's acting the way he is, but while reading the events as they were happening I was getting so mad at him for what he was doing. He wasn't taking care of himself, he was constantly lying and being mean to his family and friends and classmates. He was being super sketchy and weird. I just didn't like him. After reading the last bits of the book, I just worried about him. I wouldn't wish that kind of mania on anyone. It's not that I pity him, it's that I can empathize with him. I feel like he and Dom are actual people. 

     These characters have left a mark on me. I didn't like the book very much, but boy do I appreciate the message and representation. This was a beautifully written debut. Champion did a great job at representing these teens. They were so real and...annoying. I think in the best way. I'm still salty about their recklessness and I don't condone their behavior at all, but wow... it was a ride. 

Happy reading!
Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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{Review} Night Shift by Debi Gliori

Page Count: 32

Published on: January 12, 2017

Published by: Hot Key Books

Genre(s): Sequential Art, Graphic Novel, Children's, Picture Book, Mental Health

Source: Hardback - via publisher

Age Rating: YA

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Twitter: @

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

'Debi Gliori is amazing. Her pictures offer people an insight into depression that words often struggle to reach. She makes visible the invisible. And I for one want to thank her for that.'
- Matt Haig, bestselling author of Reasons to Stay Alive

A groundbreaking picture book on depression with stunning illustrations.

With stunning black and white illustration and deceptively simple text, author and illustrator Debi Gliori examines how depression affects one's whole outlook upon life, and shows that there can be an escape - it may not be easy to find, but it is there. Drawn from Debi's own experiences and with a moving testimony at the end of the book explaining how depression has affected her and how she continues to cope, Debi hopes that by sharing her own experience she can help others who suffer from depression, and to find that subtle shift that will show the way out.

'I have used dragons to represent depression. This is partly because of their legendary ability to turn a once fertile realm into a blackened, smoking ruin and partly because popular mythology shows them as monstrous opponents with a tendency to pick fights with smaller creatures. I'm not particularly brave or resourceful, and after so many years battling my beasts, I have to admit to a certain weariness, but I will arm-wrestle dragons for eternity if it means that I can help anyone going through a similar struggle.' 

~~~

Hey, guys!

      I was sent this stunning picture book for an honest review from Hot Key Books and I'm so glad that they contacted me to read this. This book is so inspirational and it revolves around such an important topic that should be discussed with all age groups. 

      Night Shift is a gorgeous picture book about the author, Deb Gliori's, struggle with depression. Throughout the book, Gliori's illustrations and story personify her struggles in order to explain the impact that depression can have on a person. Through her art and her testimony at the end of the book, Gliori captures how mental illness can impact a person psychologically, physically, and emotionally. 

     I really thought this book was beautiful. Gliori's illustrations were not only beautiful, they were impactful and inspiring. As someone who does not have depression and has never experienced the full impact of what it can do, I thought this book really informed me of what others face everyday. Her journey through her hardships really spoke to me and her message of hope and healing was so beautiful.

I highly recommend this book to everyone. This revolves around such an important topic that I think children of all ages are capable of understanding. I'm so excited to share this book with everyone. 

Happy reading!
Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~

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{Review} The Summer of Chasing Mermaids by Sarah Ockler

Page Count: 416

Published on: June 2, 2015

Published by: Simon Pulse

Genre(s): YA, Contemporary, Romance, Diverse, TW: Trauma

Source: Hardback - personally purchased

Age Rating: YA

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon // Book Depository

Twitter: @sarahockler

My Rating: 3.75 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

The youngest of six talented sisters, Elyse d'Abreau was destined for stardom - until a boating accident took everything from her. Now, the most beautiful singer in Tobago can't sing. She can't even speak.

Seeking quiet solitude, Elyse accepts a friend's invitation to Atargatis Cove. Named for the mythical first mermaid, the Oregon seaside town is everything Elyse's home in the Caribbean isn't: an ocean too cold for swimming, parties too tame for singing, and people too polite to pry - except for one.

Christian Kane is a notorious playboy - insolent, arrogant, and completely charming. He's also the only person in Atargatis Cove who doesn't treat Elyse like a glass statue. He challenges her to express herself, and he admires the way she treats his younger brother, Sebastian, who believes Elyse is the legendary mermaid come to life.

When Christian needs a first mate for the Cove's high-stakes Pirate Regatta, Elyse reluctantly stows her fear of the sea and climbs aboard. The ocean isn't the only thing making waves, though - swept up in Christian's seductive tide and entranced by the Cove's charms, Elyse begins to wonder if a life of solitude isn't what she needs. But changing course again means facing her past. It means finding her inner voice. And scariest of all, it means opening her heart to a boy who's best known for breaking them...

~~~

Hey, guys!

    I managed to pick this book up on one of the BookOutlet sales. The synopsis of this book really sucked me into purchasing it, but the $1.50 price also helped. This book was surprisingly beautiful and dark. I adored the representation in this book and I really enjoyed Elyse, the main character. Unfortunately, once I finished the prologue, I had a hard time getting into this book. I was hoping for a haunting and beautiful contemporary, but this book was much heavier than anticipated. That's not a bad thing, but in that moment, it wasn't what I was looking for. 

     The diversity in this book is fantastic. Elyse is from Trinidad and Tobago and she was an up and coming singer. When she gets into a boating accident, she loses the capability to speak and sing. She is mute. Elyse becomes distraught and depressed. She moves to live with her aunt and cousin in a seaside town in Oregon. I loved how this book handled racism and equality. It was perfectly done and I would love to read more books like this. I loved the representation of those who have experienced trauma. I've never read a book with a mute main character. (In the Magnus Chase books, one of the side characters is deaf and mute, but he's not the main character.) There's not enough representation when it comes to this. 

    One of the issues that I had with this book was that I did not ship Elyse and Christian. They have some chemistry, but I really wasn't feeling it. I think that Christian is a d-bag and I didn't see enough character development for me to like him much. 98% of the time, I really didn't like him. I loved how he interacted with his little brother, Sebastian, but most of the time he was a turd. Sometimes I liked how he interacted with Elyse, but I just couldn't get past his playboy reputation. I knew he just wanted to get into the "mysterious mute girl"'s pants. That's annoying. No thank you. I could appreciate how hard working he was, but he was just so "meh" to me.

     My favorite character, by far, was little Sebastian. He's such a cutie. I loved his fascination with mermaids. He definitely knew what he was looking for. For a youngling, he really knew his stuff. Mermaids, I guess, typically fascinate young girls, but Sebastian loves them. Throughout the book, his parents and the "manly men" of the story discourage him from his passion. SO ANNOYING! I loved how the gang of friends stood up for him and encouraged him to follow his passion. Sebastian's part of the book was probably my favorite part. He's just so sweet and wholesome.

      I'm still not sure if this book is a retelling, an urban fantasy novel, or if it just has magical realism elements to it. This book really baffled me. The writing was dark, mysterious, and beautiful; but I'm still ...not confused, but ...I'm baffled. I've already used that word, but we'll go with it.


Other Awesome Contemporaries:

• Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
• All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
• This Adventure Ends by Emma Mills
• Anna & the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
• Eliza & Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

Happy reading!

Olivia
~LivTheBookNerd~

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Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

Page Count: 307

Published on: September 1, 2015

Published by: Delacorte Books For Young Readers

Genre(s): Contemporary, YA, Romance, Realistic Fiction

Source: Paperback -personally purchased

Age Rating: Young Adult

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Book Depository: {click here}

Twitter: @NicolaYoon

My Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

~~~

Hey, guys!

      I am so late in the Everything Everything bandwagon, but I'm so glad that I read this finally. Everything Everything it was super cute and I thought it was a pretty good contemporary novel, but there were still many aspects that I didn't like at all. This book has been raved about for the past couple years, so I was expecting the book that was raved about, but it didn't live up to the hype. This book wasn't awful! It was really entertaining and addicting to read. I really enjoyed the characters and the premise was very interesting and I really wanted to see where the story would go. However, there was one aspect to the story that wasn't executed very well.

      Maddie is basically allergic to the world, so she doesn't get to leave her house. One day, Maddie's world is turned upside when her new neighbor tries to befriend her. Maddie is instantly intrigued by her new friend. They begin to create a friendship online and Maddie begins to fall for him. What she doesn't realize is that their attraction could change her life forever. 

     This book overall was really entertaining. I really loved Maddie's character. Maddie is biracial --African American/Japanese -- which was really great to read about. I've rarely read any kind of book lately with a biracial main character or even many side characters. I was really excited to read about her story. Maddie is such a sweet character. She was so sweet and I loved her relationship with Carla, her mother, and Olly. Even with her condition, Maddie was so passionate about the things she loved and she is a beautiful dreamer. I loved her passion for her projects in school. Maddie really does grow as the book progresses. Her character arc is really tragically beautiful. I actually want a sequel or at least a novella.

     I really didn't like that there was such a large focus on Maddie and Olly's relationship. I didn't like that the book made it seem like Maddie's drive to actually live life was caused by her attraction to Olly. I liked that she took control of her life, but I really didn't like the way she did it. I felt like she put herself in too much danger for *love*. I wasn't buying it. Her desire to be free and normal girl was just overshadowed by the wrong things. 

     I actually really liked Olly's character and I really liked thier relationship. I thought they complimented each other really nicely and I thought they were great together. I thought they were both really quirky and adorable and sweet. Their interactions made me feel all emotions. I literally laughed and cried a bit. They were so sweet. Olly's character was so interesting and I really wish his story had been touched on a bit more. I would love to read more about him before he met Maddie. 

Overall, Everything Everything was really entertaining. I'll definitely have to pick up more by Nicola Yoon. Her writing style is so beautiful and addicting. I recommend this book to just about everyone.

My Favorite Contemporaries:

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Anna & the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell 

Eliza & Her Monsters by Francesca Zappia

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

I hope you enjoyed this review! 
Happy reading!
Olivia 

~LivTheBookNerd~

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Playlist For the Dead by Michelle Falkoff

Page Count: 288

Published on: January 27, 2015

Published by: HarperTeen

Genre(s): YA, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction
Source: Print: Paperback borrowed from Alex

Age Rating: YA

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

Book Depository: {click here}

Twitter: @MFalkoff

My Rating: 2 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Here’s what Sam knows: There was a party. There was a fight. The next morning, Sam’s best friend, Hayden, was dead. All he left Sam was a playlist of songs—and a note, saying that he took his own life. But what Sam doesn’t know is: Why?

To figure out what happened, Sam has to rely on the playlist and his own memory. But the more he listens, the more he realizes that his memory isn’t as reliable as he thought. Especially when someone claiming to be Hayden starts sending him cryptic messages, and a series of violent attacks begins on the bullies who made Hayden’s life hell.

Sam knows he has to face up to what happened the night Hayden killed himself. But it’s only by taking out his earbuds and opening his eyes to the people around him—including an eccentric, unpredictable girl who’s got secrets, too—that Sam will finally be able to piece together his best friend’s story.

And maybe have a chance to change his own.

~~~

Hey, guys!

      Well, it's been a couple months since I've read this book. My boyfriend Alex bought this book right after Christmas and we both read it within a couple weeks of each other. This book wasn't the greatest, in my opinion. It didn't pick up until about three quarters in. Even though there were some pretty great songs featured in the chapter headings, there wasn't really any insight to how the playlist was supposed to explain Hayden's death. The characters weren't very impactful either. I remember some specific moments that will help me write this review, but overall this book wasn't very memorable. 

      I really did enjoy Sam's voice in the beginning, but as the book progressed, his voice became much younger and it gave me a middle-grade vibe. On top of that, there was a lot going on throughout the book. Sometimes it felt like a bit much, and as I mull over the book as a whole....it was a bit much. Considering Sam didn't even solve the mystery behind the playlist (he did for some songs but not really), you'd think that at least some would be solved. 

      I had to research some of the stuff that happened in the book. There were some instances where some weird stuff was happening to Sam. I thought he was just hallucinating, but reviews from other readers have convinced me that those moments were supposed to be something like magical realism. I don't think those moments were done as well as they could be. I guess I have a hard time understanding or grasping the whole magical realism concept. I haven't read a book that I've absolutely loved that featured magical realism. (Comment below if you know of any fantastic ones.)

      This book was somewhat engaging, but it definitely wasn't fast paced. It was very well thought out and psychological. I liked that Sam's voice was very genuine. He was easy to understand, but he wasn't my favorite character. I don't think I have a favorite character in this novel anyway. No one really made an impact on me. It was just very anticlimactic in my opinion. 

     My favorite aspect of this novel, however, is that it focused on how the character's suicide affected the family and friends of the victim. Unfortunately, I honestly think that Hayden's suicide was used as a plot device. There was no character growth, the grief that the characters felt was very understated. I didn't feel like Sam's character wasn't developed enough for this book. The whole suicide element was used to drive the mystery. Suicide is a very serious topic that shouldn't be used for those means. 

     I really thought this book would be about how a young man coped with his best friend's death, but it just turned into huge drama-fest. It just was not good.

Overall, I would not recommend this book to anyone. It just wasn't well done. The whole subject of suicide was used for all of the wrong reasons, the characters weren't developed, and it tried too hard to be a literary fiction piece rather than the YA contemporary it was marketed as. I'm not a fan. 

Books You Could Read Instead:

• All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven {4 stars}
• The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon {4 stars}
• Deadline by Chris Crutcher {4 stars}
• Love Letters To the Dead by Ava Dellaria {4 stars}

Happy reading, all!

Olivia

~LivTheBookNerd~

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