Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
Funny, but also a serious look at youth dv and it's iterations. I feel like an opportunity to examine more about how invisible disabilities impact people was missed (it's very subtle for YA)
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
This is not a humorous book. It is firmly planted in realistic fiction. I was hoping for a bit of teenaged snark, sarcastic insight, or sardonic witticisms if I am being honest. This is the story of Isabelle, Izzy, who unexpectedly and inadvertently finds herself called to improvise a stand up routine when she stumbles into an open mic night. This sets her on a path of self discovery, finding and choosing her voice, and making amends. This is fine for middle school readers although there is swearing, occasional drinking, and one edible gummy. There are triggers here. Izzy is in a relationship with someone who is very toxic and controlling. Naomi, her best friend, bounced when Izzy refused to see how seriously bad the relationship is and how much Izzy has given up of herself. Izzy is also struggling with labels and body image. She’s a beautiful girl and she knows it but hates the stereotypes, leers, jeers, and men who see her as nothing more than a body. Her new comedy friends are all in college and are a diverse crew. Izzy lies and says she’s in college too creating the set up for future conflict. Izzy’s parents work all the time and her older siblings are away at college. Within her family she feels like a square peg and mostly invisible. Lots of issues but also feels pretty authentic.
Esse livro foi uma grata surpresa. A sinopse no Scribd o descreve como "Marvelous Mrs Maisel goes to high school" e é exatamente isso que ele entrega: boas piadas, enredo interessante, críticas à sociedade machista (num nível de discussão meio raso, mas justificável considerando o publico-alvo) e no geral uma jornada bem divertida.
Escutei o audiobook e a narradora soube separar muito bem o tom de voz que a personagem usa no stand up do resto da narrativa, o que ajudou.
Escutei o audiobook e a narradora soube separar muito bem o tom de voz que a personagem usa no stand up do resto da narrativa, o que ajudou.
If I could, I would rate this 3.75ish - it's not your typical 3 stars ("it was okay") but not quite a 4 star ("it was great"). At times it was great, other times it was okay.
As with the last book I read (which also was a Young Adult fiction about a high school girl wanting to become a stand-up comic), this book is woke - but significantly less so. I felt like all the characters were much more realistic and down to earth, but the jokes fell flat for me. If I was in the audience and listening to Izzy V do standup I'd yawn a time or two and wonder when the next comic is coming up. Comparing her to CRYING LAUGHING's Winnie, I'd take Winnie as the funnier of the two.
That said, the arc between Izzy and her boyfriend Alex was riveting - and ironically, the book shines best when not focusing on stand-up or the jokes. Author Katie Henry had opportunities to take cliche shortcuts and chose not to, instead of focusing on the weight and reality of poor decisions. The authenticity of the relationships is the book's strongest trait.
Now I think I've cleaned out the YA high-schoolers-wanting-to-do-standup books.
As with the last book I read (which also was a Young Adult fiction about a high school girl wanting to become a stand-up comic), this book is woke - but significantly less so. I felt like all the characters were much more realistic and down to earth, but the jokes fell flat for me. If I was in the audience and listening to Izzy V do standup I'd yawn a time or two and wonder when the next comic is coming up. Comparing her to CRYING LAUGHING's Winnie, I'd take Winnie as the funnier of the two.
That said, the arc between Izzy and her boyfriend Alex was riveting - and ironically, the book shines best when not focusing on stand-up or the jokes. Author Katie Henry had opportunities to take cliche shortcuts and chose not to, instead of focusing on the weight and reality of poor decisions. The authenticity of the relationships is the book's strongest trait.
Now I think I've cleaned out the YA high-schoolers-wanting-to-do-standup books.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
This is exactly the type of book I would have loved as a teen! I still enjoyed it as an adult, but there was a lot going on so it turned out a bit uneven. However, I think young girls will really resonate with Isabel's story finding her confidence through stand-up comedy. It touches on a few issues, like her privilege as a young white woman while her comedy friends are all POC and some queer, her emotionally abusive relationship, the perceived neglect from her family, and misogyny in comedy. It's a lot, and I feel like they each get enough to breathe, but the metaphors don't always land as much as they could. Still, I had a lot of fun reading this.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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:
N/A
This book was amazing. It was such a good 'coming of age' story that I could relate to in some ways.
*SPOILERS AHEAD*
I was worried about the abusive boyfriend plot line, but Henry handled and wrote it very well. It was believable and I feel as though she captured the mind of the victim in the relationship quite well. Nothing made me happier than when Isabel finally let it all out and stood up for herself to Alex. That and when she stood up for Naomi against Jack were some of my absolute favorite parts of the book.
*SPOILERS AHEAD*
I was worried about the abusive boyfriend plot line, but Henry handled and wrote it very well. It was believable and I feel as though she captured the mind of the victim in the relationship quite well. Nothing made me happier than when Isabel finally let it all out and stood up for herself to Alex. That and when she stood up for Naomi against Jack were some of my absolute favorite parts of the book.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-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
I had mixed feelings when I started reading this as the MC felt unrealistically weak to me, but that was too unfair a judgement as I quickly realised I would have dealt with some of the situations posed to her in exactly the same way.
A lot of the book is frustrating because the MC is working through her character in what feels like agonising detail, but in the end, it pays off.
This book is, at its core, the story of someone finding their voice and standing up for themselves after a lifetime of not doing so. If that doesn't convince you, there's also this -the showdown at the end of chapter 21 will be ridiculously satisfying to anyone who's been belittled/bullied in high school , and almost that alone makes this book worth a read.
A lot of the book is frustrating because the MC is working through her character in what feels like agonising detail, but in the end, it pays off.
This book is, at its core, the story of someone finding their voice and standing up for themselves after a lifetime of not doing so. If that doesn't convince you, there's also this -
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting
I wasn't sure how I felt about this book when I first started reading it. In the beginning, I thought it was unclear what the ages of the characters were. If we weren't told, I would have guessed 12 or 13, not 16.
But, halfway through, I got really, REALLY, into it.
This Will Be Funny Someday tackles quite a few difficult topics including controlling relationships, abuse and discrimination, but it is done so tastefully. Everything is handled with care, so as not to offend anyone and to limp triggering to many people, but it is not sugar-coated.
There are relatable family issues which I think every teenager goes through one way or another.
Mo and Izzy's friendship is my favourite aspect of the novel. I loved them together and seeing the friendship develop. I think Katie Henry captured young friendships incredibly well.
I also loved the dynamics of that whole friendship group. I would say that some of the characters were underdeveloped and I would have loved to have seen more from them. However, I know they were not the main focus of the story so understand why we didn't get more.
The plot is well-paced and the story keeps the reader engaged. I have never read a book where the MC does standup and was a bit worried the jokes would be cringy and unfunny. There was no need to worry. The tone was perfect and I can imagine all the teenagers who read this book saving the jokes for later. Henry has created a whole new generation of comedians.
All in all, This Will Be Funny Someday is worth a read. It a beautiful story about transformation, growth and standing up for yourself. I particularly love that the MC is female as not enough female leads are funny; that personality trait seems to be reserved for males.
I would handle with care if you think you could be triggered by some of the sensitive subjects.
Despite some darker elements, this book will make you laugh.
I have rated this a 4-star book, only because it took me a little while to get into, but once I was in, I was in.
Thank you to the publishers for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.
But, halfway through, I got really, REALLY, into it.
This Will Be Funny Someday tackles quite a few difficult topics including controlling relationships, abuse and discrimination, but it is done so tastefully. Everything is handled with care, so as not to offend anyone and to limp triggering to many people, but it is not sugar-coated.
There are relatable family issues which I think every teenager goes through one way or another.
Mo and Izzy's friendship is my favourite aspect of the novel. I loved them together and seeing the friendship develop. I think Katie Henry captured young friendships incredibly well.
I also loved the dynamics of that whole friendship group. I would say that some of the characters were underdeveloped and I would have loved to have seen more from them. However, I know they were not the main focus of the story so understand why we didn't get more.
The plot is well-paced and the story keeps the reader engaged. I have never read a book where the MC does standup and was a bit worried the jokes would be cringy and unfunny. There was no need to worry. The tone was perfect and I can imagine all the teenagers who read this book saving the jokes for later. Henry has created a whole new generation of comedians.
All in all, This Will Be Funny Someday is worth a read. It a beautiful story about transformation, growth and standing up for yourself. I particularly love that the MC is female as not enough female leads are funny; that personality trait seems to be reserved for males.
I would handle with care if you think you could be triggered by some of the sensitive subjects.
Despite some darker elements, this book will make you laugh.
I have rated this a 4-star book, only because it took me a little while to get into, but once I was in, I was in.
Thank you to the publishers for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.