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rin_varga's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A new favorite that has shaken, taken, and stolen my whole heart!! I love both Ollie and Moritz so much, and you can't help but cheer, cry, or feel so damn proud of them for how much they grow over the course of their correspondence. It hits home the sentiment that just because you've never met someone doesn't mean they aren't real, and even if you may be physically isolated or feeling like a ghost in a sea of strangers, you're never as alone as you think or as unworthy of love/understanding/forgiveness as you believe. Even if all another person knows about you is what they've revealed to you, it doesn't mean that everything you've built is fabricated. Your words alone have the power to change lives, as they discover so vividly!
I'm not sure if I should say that this book has been on my TBR list for almost a decade now, but I do feel as if I've been waiting until just the right time in my life to finally pick it up, when it most needed to find me and when I could best appreciate its big-hearted wisdom the most.
I have a vivid memory of being in college and seeing its cover in the shelves of new arrivals of the Barnes & Noble a few minutes off-campus. I remember reading the synopsis and the premise struck me as so unique, I took a picture of the cover and made a note of the title on a phone I barely knew how to use so that I wouldn't forget it again--I never had to look at the note again, because it's been in my mind all this time and I remembered exactly what it looked like, what it was called, and what it was about.
I'm thirty this year, and I can't help but feel grateful that I put off reading this book until now. You know how some people talk about not feeling guilt over your TBR pile or not reading a new addition to your collection immediately, that books are like fine wine for you to open at the right occasion? I don't think I would have been able to truly appreciate "Because You'll Never Meet Me" as a teenager, or even at 22 when it was first published. But now, as a queer person who's forged a bond with someone almost exclusively through text/messaging halfway across the world, and as someone who's dealt with the pain of love, acceptance, sorrow and hardship that can't always be dealt with when there's an ocean between you, this book tugged on my heartstrings in the BEST ways!!
If you're someone (queer or not) who's ever felt the sting of feeling isolated from your peers even when they're right next to you/closed off from the world just because of who you are, then this book will be exactly the dose of serotonin and self-acceptance that you've been needing!
I'm not sure if I should say that this book has been on my TBR list for almost a decade now, but I do feel as if I've been waiting until just the right time in my life to finally pick it up, when it most needed to find me and when I could best appreciate its big-hearted wisdom the most.
I have a vivid memory of being in college and seeing its cover in the shelves of new arrivals of the Barnes & Noble a few minutes off-campus. I remember reading the synopsis and the premise struck me as so unique, I took a picture of the cover and made a note of the title on a phone I barely knew how to use so that I wouldn't forget it again--I never had to look at the note again, because it's been in my mind all this time and I remembered exactly what it looked like, what it was called, and what it was about.
I'm thirty this year, and I can't help but feel grateful that I put off reading this book until now. You know how some people talk about not feeling guilt over your TBR pile or not reading a new addition to your collection immediately, that books are like fine wine for you to open at the right occasion? I don't think I would have been able to truly appreciate "Because You'll Never Meet Me" as a teenager, or even at 22 when it was first published. But now, as a queer person who's forged a bond with someone almost exclusively through text/messaging halfway across the world, and as someone who's dealt with the pain of love, acceptance, sorrow and hardship that can't always be dealt with when there's an ocean between you, this book tugged on my heartstrings in the BEST ways!!
If you're someone (queer or not) who's ever felt the sting of feeling isolated from your peers even when they're right next to you/closed off from the world just because of who you are, then this book will be exactly the dose of serotonin and self-acceptance that you've been needing!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, Confinement, and Bullying
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Body shaming, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Physical abuse, Death, Eating disorder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Terminal illness, Torture, Child abuse, Confinement, and Grief
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Outing, Physical abuse, Gun violence, Grief, Animal cruelty, Gore, and Pregnancy
alissiachs3's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.5
mollywetta's review against another edition
2.0
I'm glad this was a Morris nominee, because I probably wouldn't have read it, otherwise, and it will be one I'll recommend to certain readers. The letter format and the voice didn't really resonate with me personally, but it's definitely got appeal.
eyu_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
momobsaywat's review against another edition
4.0
honestly loved this book. twas very natural but was confused at the lack of going over the whole "i love you" thing. not because im disappointed that they didn't get together, but because i feel like it either should've been talked about more (cuz thats a huge thing) or not mentioned at all
thebrofriends's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
imogenreads's review against another edition
3.0
I was enjoying this book... and then it took a pseudo-science turn and... nah.