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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
Ah what a great read. Funny, heartwarming, encouraging and well written.
enjoyed
turns out i like reading about creating fictional stand up as much as watching actual stand up
turns out i like reading about creating fictional stand up as much as watching actual stand up
For a first read of this author, I am truly blown away and can’t wait to pick up more Katie Henry! This book was unputdownable for me.
While there are definitely trigger warnings with this book, it truly is a journey of growth and learning for Izzy.
Izzy is 16 and dealing with a lot of issues including neglectful (but not maliciously) parents, a gaslighting, emotionally (and sometimes physically) abusive boyfriend, and a general feeling of never being heard. When she stumbles into a comedy open mic night in an effort to avoid her boyfriend, she finds a group of supportive friends that encourage her to speak up and find her voice. Mo, Jonah, and Will are complex (each a minority that expresses how they are tokenized in comedy, marginalized in life and still speaking loudly to be heard as fully realized individuals) and being out a side of Izzy that she never knew before. As Izzy starts to speak out, she starts to approach her problems head on and finally discovers who she wants to be.
I loved the unique traits of Izzy, from the auditory disorder to her love of plants and Shakespeare to her inner voice. The writing is a huge help to discovering Izzy as everything feels very conversational.
Overall, loved the characters, loved the writing, loved the book!
While there are definitely trigger warnings with this book, it truly is a journey of growth and learning for Izzy.
Izzy is 16 and dealing with a lot of issues including neglectful (but not maliciously) parents, a gaslighting, emotionally (and sometimes physically) abusive boyfriend, and a general feeling of never being heard. When she stumbles into a comedy open mic night in an effort to avoid her boyfriend, she finds a group of supportive friends that encourage her to speak up and find her voice. Mo, Jonah, and Will are complex (each a minority that expresses how they are tokenized in comedy, marginalized in life and still speaking loudly to be heard as fully realized individuals) and being out a side of Izzy that she never knew before. As Izzy starts to speak out, she starts to approach her problems head on and finally discovers who she wants to be.
I loved the unique traits of Izzy, from the auditory disorder to her love of plants and Shakespeare to her inner voice. The writing is a huge help to discovering Izzy as everything feels very conversational.
Overall, loved the characters, loved the writing, loved the book!
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a hidden gem.
Henry did such a great job balancing heavy topics with personable, funny, complicated characters in a way that didn’t feel forced or preachy. The dynamics between Izzy and her family, her friends, her partner, and the audience were vivid and whole. Absolutely recommend reading if you’re looking for a solid and realistic YA read.
Henry did such a great job balancing heavy topics with personable, funny, complicated characters in a way that didn’t feel forced or preachy. The dynamics between Izzy and her family, her friends, her partner, and the audience were vivid and whole. Absolutely recommend reading if you’re looking for a solid and realistic YA read.
An insecure, Shakespeare-reading, plant-loving, teen stumbles upon the world of stand-up comedy. Yes, please! This latest offering by Katie Henry, which comes with a trigger warning about emotions abuse, packs in a lot. Family dynamics, toxic relationships, the longing to escape high school, and oh so much awesome feminism. This book is funny and serious and completely relatable. Loved it.
stand-up comedy meets serious issues for isabel! i feel like this novel reflects the saying, "check in on your 'easy kid' -- they may actually be struggling." isabel has A LOT going on and henry does a great job of representing a controlling boyfriend, sibling dynamics, friendships, and mothers-working-a-demanding-job really well. i also appreciated that isabel faced some consequences for her actions, but that it wasn't too TOO harsh. and most of all, i LOVED that isabel learned to "stand up" for herself.
3.75 i think. maybe more.
ok so i didn’t really know what to expect, i feel like this book needs a different cover, but it was genuinely good!! not only was it funny and hard hitting, it also managed to combine light hearted topics with elements that were a lot darker.
i’m rounding this up to a four star because i feel like it deserves that (and although a three star rating is not bad, it is just too low for this book).
—— *MINOR SPOILERS* BELOW THIS LINE DO NOT READ ——
this book also managed to portray an abusive relationship exceptionally well. made my blood boil and i had my fair share of hypothetical murder thoughts, but very well written
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—— EYO *SPOILERS* ABOVE HERE!!! ——
ok so i didn’t really know what to expect, i feel like this book needs a different cover, but it was genuinely good!! not only was it funny and hard hitting, it also managed to combine light hearted topics with elements that were a lot darker.
i’m rounding this up to a four star because i feel like it deserves that (and although a three star rating is not bad, it is just too low for this book).
—— *MINOR SPOILERS* BELOW THIS LINE DO NOT READ ——
this book also managed to portray an abusive relationship exceptionally well. made my blood boil and i had my fair share of hypothetical murder thoughts, but very well written
-
-
—— EYO *SPOILERS* ABOVE HERE!!! ——