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lizlikesfrogs's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
3.0
thesuperkim's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. [a:Ned Vizzini|11672|Ned Vizzini|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1341737392p2/11672.jpg]'s adolescent years seems, for me, on the range of normal to completely awesome. What with his weird friends, cool family, odd jobs, random acquaintances - it comes as a shock that he died of suicide. Maybe that's really that thing about depression - it hits whoever, whenever, wherever?
On the afterword by the author, Vizzini mentions his brief stay in a psychiatric hospital which gave him the idea to write [b:It's Kind of a Funny Story|248704|It's Kind of a Funny Story|Ned Vizzini|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1420629730s/248704.jpg|240980], I didn't know that was also quasi-autobiographical?
This book is actually a collection of essays re: Vizzini's high school life. His dedication to Stuy made me want to go back to school. I mean, not just come back but to redo my whole school life. But I guess, that's out.
The thing is, I'm really glad he had this book published before he died. It gives us fans and readers a rare glimpse in his personal life and somehow a comfort that despite what ended it, it was a happy life.
On the afterword by the author, Vizzini mentions his brief stay in a psychiatric hospital which gave him the idea to write [b:It's Kind of a Funny Story|248704|It's Kind of a Funny Story|Ned Vizzini|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1420629730s/248704.jpg|240980], I didn't know that was also quasi-autobiographical?
This book is actually a collection of essays re: Vizzini's high school life. His dedication to Stuy made me want to go back to school. I mean, not just come back but to redo my whole school life. But I guess, that's out.
The thing is, I'm really glad he had this book published before he died. It gives us fans and readers a rare glimpse in his personal life and somehow a comfort that despite what ended it, it was a happy life.
ryyzap's review against another edition
3.0
I may have been generous with a 3.
Nothing happens in this book, its just random stories from his childhood. Nothing connects, there is no relevance, barley any reoccuring characters and the ending, just ends with no conclusion.
It was interesting hearing these things about Vizzini, but it didn't go anywhere.
I couldn't feel anything for any of the people in his life because probably other than his father he didn't tell us much about any of them.
This just didn't do it for me
Nothing happens in this book, its just random stories from his childhood. Nothing connects, there is no relevance, barley any reoccuring characters and the ending, just ends with no conclusion.
It was interesting hearing these things about Vizzini, but it didn't go anywhere.
I couldn't feel anything for any of the people in his life because probably other than his father he didn't tell us much about any of them.
This just didn't do it for me
escapelifeinthepages's review against another edition
3.0
While reading this, I can't picture ned having depression. Ugh this book broke my heart.
http://bookishwonder.blogspot.com/2014/01/teen-angst-naaah-by-ned-vizzini.html
http://bookishwonder.blogspot.com/2014/01/teen-angst-naaah-by-ned-vizzini.html
mangobox's review against another edition
3.0
After I read the 444 pages of It’s Kind of a Funny Story (which I feel obliged to defend, because the movie is nothing more than a snooze-fest), I made it a point to read more by Vizzini. I tried Be More Chill last spring. Needless to say, it didn’t work out — perhaps I will allow a second chance some other time. Instead, I took this as an opportunity to explore the pages of Teen Angst. I had no expectations for it to yank a riot of laughter from my lungs, but I hoped it could produce moderate ha-haing.
This book is for anybody who relates to the woes and mortification one can only endure by living through a misery called high school. I suspect, however, that Teen Angst more closely resonates among “nerds” — kids who sacrifice a night of sleep for a Magic card game, for example. In other words: this book is anyone who knows the awkward horrors that accompany puberty. This includes pre-teens, teens, and adults. All that you require is a sense of humor.
I can’t say I have had an addiction to Magic: The Gathering, but I think many of us can present a portion of ourselves that own a nerd-like label. Labels are for soup cans, Raya! OH, shut up. Labels are so integrated into our schools that I say labels are practically fused into the infrastructure. Which label you were or are coined in high school is beside the point, because I have no doubts we share qualities that dip into several: jock, loner, or stoner — it doesn’t matter. We all have some geekdom in us; albeit, some more than others (and some prouder to show it).
Starting with the year before Vizzini’s entrance into Stuyvesant, Teen Angst? Naaah… chronicles his high school years. From failed encounters with the opposite sex, a trip to The View, rock bands, Magic cards, Ninetendo, beer, to playing Jesus, Vizzini documents it all. (That is not the entire list, of course, but it has to end somewhere.) The illustrations that join the text are too dull for my taste, resembling simplistic computer graphics. Frankly, I could do without them, as the images don’t add to the humor. They don’t necessarily take away from the humor, either, but I’d prefer an all-text copy. The humor, while not exactly my taste, is “clean,” self-deprecating, and relatable. If this book can’t stir some memories of your own funny moments, you’re a nut!
This book is for anybody who relates to the woes and mortification one can only endure by living through a misery called high school. I suspect, however, that Teen Angst more closely resonates among “nerds” — kids who sacrifice a night of sleep for a Magic card game, for example. In other words: this book is anyone who knows the awkward horrors that accompany puberty. This includes pre-teens, teens, and adults. All that you require is a sense of humor.
I can’t say I have had an addiction to Magic: The Gathering, but I think many of us can present a portion of ourselves that own a nerd-like label. Labels are for soup cans, Raya! OH, shut up. Labels are so integrated into our schools that I say labels are practically fused into the infrastructure. Which label you were or are coined in high school is beside the point, because I have no doubts we share qualities that dip into several: jock, loner, or stoner — it doesn’t matter. We all have some geekdom in us; albeit, some more than others (and some prouder to show it).
Starting with the year before Vizzini’s entrance into Stuyvesant, Teen Angst? Naaah… chronicles his high school years. From failed encounters with the opposite sex, a trip to The View, rock bands, Magic cards, Ninetendo, beer, to playing Jesus, Vizzini documents it all. (That is not the entire list, of course, but it has to end somewhere.) The illustrations that join the text are too dull for my taste, resembling simplistic computer graphics. Frankly, I could do without them, as the images don’t add to the humor. They don’t necessarily take away from the humor, either, but I’d prefer an all-text copy. The humor, while not exactly my taste, is “clean,” self-deprecating, and relatable. If this book can’t stir some memories of your own funny moments, you’re a nut!
ladofletters's review against another edition
5.0
It was unlike anything I've ever read. It was comical, engaging, just a great read.
williameldon's review against another edition
4.0
In respect to Ned's passing, the new afterword in this book leaves me feeling sad as he describes his up and down suicidal issues. A great book told very honestly.
tomissa's review against another edition
5.0
This book is my version of a comfort blanket.
I really wish Ned were around to see how impactful his work has been on the world.
I really wish Ned were around to see how impactful his work has been on the world.
claudiaswisher's review against another edition
4.0
I've read all three Vizzini books, and this, his first, is my favorite. I laughed out loud in class, and my students got more than a little annoyed. But several were very interested in reading it next. Vizzini, as a 17-year-old, had an amazing voice and a control over his talent. His stories could be laugh-out-loud funny, and heartbreaking. I'm just sorry I waited so long to read this one. Great stuff. Teen Angst? You bet!
thedandybrambler's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, and Sexual content