This was such a beautiful story. I honestly do not know what kept me from reading it.
I think every book has a purpose and audience that it is dying toThis was such a beautiful story. I honestly do not know what kept me from reading it.
I think every book has a purpose and audience that it is dying to get into the hands of. This book is just dying to have artists, introverts, gamers, and technophiles pick it up and devour it in one sitting. Eliza is such a real character. She might be this big artist, but the rest of her character profile is something that you would see out of many high school students that are just struggling to find their place in the world....more
There are some books that are good, there are some books that are great, and there are some books that make you wonder if they were written just for yThere are some books that are good, there are some books that are great, and there are some books that make you wonder if they were written just for you. This book was that for me. It checked off most of the boxes that make a book wonderful for me, but on top of that, it was like it was listening to my conversations from the past few months. Everything I talked/read about was in this book. It was almost upsetting how much was in there.
I had heard a lot about this book. 18th century bi-sexual guy in love with his best friend. They take a major European tour and something goes awry. This sounds enticing enough, but it doesn't seem like the great book I've heard everyone talk about. It just sounds fun and adventurous.
This book is fun and adventurous, but it is also witty and important. It deals with subjects that were very real in the 18th century, but some of those difficulties can translate into today's society as well: racism, feminism, sexuality, and corrupt politicians. I also did not expect to laugh so hard at a historical fiction novel, but it was extremely funny. I am not sure who was funnier Felicity or Monty.
If Mackenzi Lee can deliver like this every time, I will forever be a fan of her work....more
This is the book that I have been dreading to review. It isn't because it is a bad book but because I have been such a die-hard Albertalli fan, and I This is the book that I have been dreading to review. It isn't because it is a bad book but because I have been such a die-hard Albertalli fan, and I wanted to extend my absolute love of Simon on to this book.
I will skip the synopsis and dive into the meat of this book. This book had a lot to offer, and I think it is a book that has some messages that will help some teens, but I also think the overall message worries some readers. I am not sure where I stand, but I will try to work out my thoughts with this review.
First, I loved the diversity in this book. I liked that even characters that made no more than a cameo were talked about as being diverse. I heard many people say this was a cheap ploy to add diversity to a book. FALSE! This book had enough diversity with the main characters: a self proclaimed fat girl, her lesbian twin sister and her Asian girlfriend, her two moms (one of which is black), and a Jewish love interest. Adding more diversity throughout just shows the world we live in.
I loved that this book not only focused on the fact that teens have crushes and first loves, but it also shows that parents and teens can have a relationship that resembles more than just a drill sergeant commanding his troops. Molly and her moms love each other and notice each other and respect each other. It is something that I think YA authors forget to include in books to make them more realistic.
I also loved the cameo from Abby and Simon. I love them.
Now, about the things I did not really enjoy with this book. I think if you are going to go into depth on how self-deprecating a teen can be, and how their self-esteem is complete shit, you really need to work on how you pace and present the novel. It became tiresome at times to read Molly's thoughts. I might've broken it up by adding another POV. I think the story is one that needs to be told. Not only the pretty girls want boyfriends/girlfriends. It is part of identity when you are a teen: dating, sexuality, sensuality, and crushes. I just think it might've been a little too much angst.
Now the part lots of people do not like: she found a boyfriend and found her self-worth. I don't know if I agree with this. I mean, she did find a boyfriend, and her self-esteem did start to rise. I just don't know if she found that self-worth because of a boyfriend. I do think it helped though, and you know what, that's okay. I think if the book never mentioned that cliche it might be troublesome, but it mentions in the book that she shouldn't be the girl that has to have a boyfriend to feel better about herself, but she still really wants a boyfriend. Sometimes hearing that you are beautiful from a crush is just what you need to help you open your eyes to your own beauty.
Now, I do not have any expertise on this. I am male, and I have never had my self-worth attached to finding a mate, but I think since this is an #ownvoices book, maybe we should trust the author's feelings....more
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