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angelasunshine's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. I just finished this book today. It feels like a LHA novel (a la Twisted maybe) with a serious topic lightened with a bit of humor. It's definitely grittier though, and there are 87 instances of the F word. (Hannah herself told me that, haha) So I'd say definitely for high schoolers....
It's interesting to read a book about high school kids written BY a high schooler. Hannah was in high school when the book was published.
I thought she did a great job of capturing the co-dependence and sometimes vicious cycle of a family facing an illness.
It's interesting to read a book about high school kids written BY a high schooler. Hannah was in high school when the book was published.
I thought she did a great job of capturing the co-dependence and sometimes vicious cycle of a family facing an illness.
cem_214's review against another edition
4.0
Loved it. Really loved it. Barely put it down and finished it almost in one sitting. I love the complicated relationships and the impact friends, family and life can have on people. What keeps this from being a 5 star read for me is I found it almost too 'out there' near the end. That said, I still loved the whole book, and the very end was fantastic. I admit I half expected things to go a different way with certain relationships and I'm slightly disappointed with how certain ones did end up. But that's just me. Seriously, this is a fantastic book and the issues it deals with, are dealt with sensitively and with a realisim that's completely compelling.
sofiadegradabile's review against another edition
4.0
Okay. Dopo più di una settimana di raccoglimento di pensieri, posso dichiarare che ho amato questo libro alla follia.
Il protagonista sta male. Lo so capisce non solo dalle sue azioni e dai suoi pensieri ma anche dallo stile di scrittura dell'autrice. Il dolore lo si può sniffare dalle pagine, senti tutto il peso della sua angoscia sulle spalle. Lo si capisce ,anche se è una cosa impensabile.
Il libro è insolito e a volte è quasi impossibile trattenersi da tutte le emozioni da cui veniamo investiti. Non si può essere impassibili davanti a questo libro.
I genitori sono esasperati. E capisco anche loro. Li sento una parte di me, come se fossero reali. Jesse, Jonah, Will, Charlotte.
Naomi è l'unico neo in questo viso perfettamente imperfetto. Naomi è una persona orribile e penso che l'autrice volesse ciò. Volesse che i lettori la disprezzassero.
Lo stile di scrittura va dritto al punto senza giri di parole, crudo e brutale
Un libro che mi rimarrà impresso nella mente per molto tempo
Il protagonista sta male. Lo so capisce non solo dalle sue azioni e dai suoi pensieri ma anche dallo stile di scrittura dell'autrice. Il dolore lo si può sniffare dalle pagine, senti tutto il peso della sua angoscia sulle spalle. Lo si capisce ,anche se è una cosa impensabile.
Il libro è insolito e a volte è quasi impossibile trattenersi da tutte le emozioni da cui veniamo investiti. Non si può essere impassibili davanti a questo libro.
I genitori sono esasperati. E capisco anche loro. Li sento una parte di me, come se fossero reali. Jesse, Jonah, Will, Charlotte.
Naomi è l'unico neo in questo viso perfettamente imperfetto. Naomi è una persona orribile e penso che l'autrice volesse ciò. Volesse che i lettori la disprezzassero.
Lo stile di scrittura va dritto al punto senza giri di parole, crudo e brutale
Un libro che mi rimarrà impresso nella mente per molto tempo
galaxies's review against another edition
The last third of the book is what I imagine having a nightmare on speed feels like. The entire time I was hoping it was just hallucinations while Jonah had but sadly, no.
Spoiler
when Jonah is put into an institution for evaluationSpoiler
the fever from the infectionitssored's review against another edition
challenging
dark
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
hezann73's review against another edition
4.0
I've read books about eating disorders, drinking, drug abuse and cutting, but never about "breaking". Jonah is on a mission to break every bone in his body - not because he enjoys the pain, but because broken bones grow back stronger than before. With his family falling apart, Jonah thinks he needs all the strength he can get.
I don't get the "appeal" of breaking, but Jonah was a very sympathic character. I can understand his compelling urge to try and make things, right, better and stronger. The only part of the book that didn't really work for me was when he was at the institution. I found it hard to belive that the other kids/patients would be so open to the power of suggestion.
Reccommended for middle/high school (although there is a lot of use of the f-word)
I don't get the "appeal" of breaking, but Jonah was a very sympathic character. I can understand his compelling urge to try and make things, right, better and stronger. The only part of the book that didn't really work for me was when he was at the institution. I found it hard to belive that the other kids/patients would be so open to the power of suggestion.
Reccommended for middle/high school (although there is a lot of use of the f-word)
ndxrm10's review against another edition
5.0
It will destroy your brain and you will love it.
Just that.
Just that.
ashleynichole's review against another edition
3.0
This book surprised me. Mostly because it wasn't the kind of book I'd pick up on my own but because I, well I don't want to say I enjoyed reading a book about a boy who's addicted to breaking his bones but I didn't hate it. I thought his addiction was rooted in self improvement which made me almost see the logic in what he was doing but when it was revealed that he was doing it to try to make his whole family stronger than I felt I lost a part of the understanding I had for him. It made him seem crazier where before there was still sanity in him, granted some very confused sanity but still. There were parts of this book that were hard for me to read I was so nervous/uncomfortable/scared for Jonah but I'm glad I read (and enjoyed) something so out of my comfort zone.
I really couldn't believe Naomi was actually encouraging him, breaking down his determination to quit. That to me isn't the sign of a good friend, it's the sign of someone who might be as messed up as you are. (Yet no one got her help which disappoints me considering who she ends up dating.) And the way his fellow patients at the psych ward started copying him? That made Jonah seem very normal all of a sudden.
I liked the end and how he decided he wanted to get better for his girlfriend and his family. Love can solve most anything. And revelation that you can't fix every problem and have to sometimes just let them go was a really powerful message to end on.
I really couldn't believe Naomi was actually encouraging him, breaking down his determination to quit. That to me isn't the sign of a good friend, it's the sign of someone who might be as messed up as you are. (Yet no one got her help which disappoints me considering who she ends up dating.) And the way his fellow patients at the psych ward started copying him? That made Jonah seem very normal all of a sudden.
I liked the end and how he decided he wanted to get better for his girlfriend and his family. Love can solve most anything. And revelation that you can't fix every problem and have to sometimes just let them go was a really powerful message to end on.
unaestheticbooks's review against another edition
1.0
WARNING: This contains spoilers, and a lot of anger. You have been warned.
I’ll admit, the premise of the novel intrigued me. After I saw my friend reading it, and carrying it around, she let me borrow it for several weeks.
For weeks, the novel sat on my desk, waiting to be read. Finally, I gave in to my shitty urges, and read the book.
Long story short, I hated this book. The characters were dull, repetition was present, and the idea was basically turned to shit.
My most hated character, however, has to be Naomi, Jonah’s best friend who films him every time Jonah breaks a bone.
As you can imagine, breaking bones on purpose is not mentally healthy. Okay? Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s move on.
1. About halfway through the book, Jonah decides he wants to stop breaking his bones. In the instant, I almost considered giving this book a 3 stars. Almost.
Then, that Naomi bitch decides, “You know what? Fuck friendship! I’m going to encourage Jonah to continue breaking his bones!” Jonah agreed with her.
2. There was a scene in the book where Jonah decides to jump into an empty pool to break a bone. Naomi films it. When Jonah starts to cry out in pain, like any normal human being, Naomi flat out makes fun of him, and REFUSES to take him to the hospital. What. The. Fuck.
3. At the beginning of the book, I liked Jesse. He was tolerable. I want you to keep in mind, however, that he’s allergic to many things, including certain seasonings, molecules in the air, certain spit, anything. During the last 20 pages or so, he’s seen with his tongue down Naomi’s throat.
Jonah, using common sense, stops them, as anything can make Jesse sick. What does Naomi do?
She breaks his fucking collarbone.
Mind you, if Jesse had been sympathetic towards Jonah in that moment, it could’ve been slightly better. But no. Jesse turns into a fucking asshole, and blames Jonah.
4. There were so many unnecessary characters. For example, Charlotte. She’s only there for Jonah to make out with, and make comments on how pretty and sexy she is.
Other characters would be Max and Antonia. Every time they’re brought up, they’re against the wall, horny, and not able to control themselves:
5. I hated the bad mental health representation. I hate how it was never resolved.
6. I’m fine with cursing, as it would be hypocritical of me if I didn’t (hence my whole review). But there’s a difference between sprinkling a “fuck” here and there, and using it twenty times on every fucking page of the fucking book. Fucking using fuck gets shitty and annoying over fucking time, right?
Overall, this book was just bad. It dragged, had many plot holes, and just felt messy. I’ll admit, the idea was good. The way it was delivered wasn’t good at all.
I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.
I’ll admit, the premise of the novel intrigued me. After I saw my friend reading it, and carrying it around, she let me borrow it for several weeks.
For weeks, the novel sat on my desk, waiting to be read. Finally, I gave in to my shitty urges, and read the book.
Long story short, I hated this book. The characters were dull, repetition was present, and the idea was basically turned to shit.
My most hated character, however, has to be Naomi, Jonah’s best friend who films him every time Jonah breaks a bone.
As you can imagine, breaking bones on purpose is not mentally healthy. Okay? Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s move on.
1. About halfway through the book, Jonah decides he wants to stop breaking his bones. In the instant, I almost considered giving this book a 3 stars. Almost.
Then, that Naomi bitch decides, “You know what? Fuck friendship! I’m going to encourage Jonah to continue breaking his bones!” Jonah agreed with her.
2. There was a scene in the book where Jonah decides to jump into an empty pool to break a bone. Naomi films it. When Jonah starts to cry out in pain, like any normal human being, Naomi flat out makes fun of him, and REFUSES to take him to the hospital. What. The. Fuck.
3. At the beginning of the book, I liked Jesse. He was tolerable. I want you to keep in mind, however, that he’s allergic to many things, including certain seasonings, molecules in the air, certain spit, anything. During the last 20 pages or so, he’s seen with his tongue down Naomi’s throat.
Jonah, using common sense, stops them, as anything can make Jesse sick. What does Naomi do?
She breaks his fucking collarbone.
Mind you, if Jesse had been sympathetic towards Jonah in that moment, it could’ve been slightly better. But no. Jesse turns into a fucking asshole, and blames Jonah.
4. There were so many unnecessary characters. For example, Charlotte. She’s only there for Jonah to make out with, and make comments on how pretty and sexy she is.
Other characters would be Max and Antonia. Every time they’re brought up, they’re against the wall, horny, and not able to control themselves:
5. I hated the bad mental health representation. I hate how it was never resolved.
6. I’m fine with cursing, as it would be hypocritical of me if I didn’t (hence my whole review). But there’s a difference between sprinkling a “fuck” here and there, and using it twenty times on every fucking page of the fucking book. Fucking using fuck gets shitty and annoying over fucking time, right?
Overall, this book was just bad. It dragged, had many plot holes, and just felt messy. I’ll admit, the idea was good. The way it was delivered wasn’t good at all.
I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone.
thebookishkitten's review against another edition
2.0
Okayyy. So, when I finished this book I seriously thought I liked it. I even went straight to GR to update that I had finished it, hit it with 4 stars, and then got in bed. That’s when it all changed. This might get a bit spoilerish, so if you plan on reading this ever and might get pissed that I spoiled something for you…mosey on past.
Okay, so, what I did like first:
1. The writing style. I tend to gravitate towards a writing style that feels like a friend of mine is just telling me a story. It just feels real. And after reading her blog sort of obsessively this morning…she writes books like she writes thoughts. I like that.
2. She wrote this while she was in high school. So, kudos to her. That’s pretty bad ass.
3. I liked the first part of it a lot. It was witty, intense. It was fast-paced. All of the characters were horrifyingly relatable. Jesse is wonderful and beautiful and ugh. Charlotte…wonderful and probably should have ran like the wind. Naomi is frustrating and sort of awful.
4. And I liked the actual idea for the book. I think it was great and I think it could have really been great.
But…I think that’s where the whole “she wrote this while she was in high school” was a huge downfall. When it came to the part where the characters had to finally address the mental illness Jonah was struggling with… it was horrific. The writing of the scenes of Jonah while he was under observation in the hospital were just horrific. How the characters also in that hospital were portrayed…awful. She showed them as being so weak and so easily manipulated simply because they all were suffering from some sort of mental illness. It made me so uncomfortable.
The ending also felt insanely rushed. And, frankly, it was a bit weird and unbelievable.
Just…the more I thought about the book the more I just kept wondering “why” about so many things. And the more frustrated I became with it. I dropped the rating from a 4 to a 3. And then from a 3 to a 2. So, that’s where I’m currently standing with it. A 2.
Okay, so, what I did like first:
1. The writing style. I tend to gravitate towards a writing style that feels like a friend of mine is just telling me a story. It just feels real. And after reading her blog sort of obsessively this morning…she writes books like she writes thoughts. I like that.
2. She wrote this while she was in high school. So, kudos to her. That’s pretty bad ass.
3. I liked the first part of it a lot. It was witty, intense. It was fast-paced. All of the characters were horrifyingly relatable. Jesse is wonderful and beautiful and ugh. Charlotte…wonderful and probably should have ran like the wind. Naomi is frustrating and sort of awful.
4. And I liked the actual idea for the book. I think it was great and I think it could have really been great.
But…I think that’s where the whole “she wrote this while she was in high school” was a huge downfall. When it came to the part where the characters had to finally address the mental illness Jonah was struggling with… it was horrific. The writing of the scenes of Jonah while he was under observation in the hospital were just horrific. How the characters also in that hospital were portrayed…awful. She showed them as being so weak and so easily manipulated simply because they all were suffering from some sort of mental illness. It made me so uncomfortable.
The ending also felt insanely rushed. And, frankly, it was a bit weird and unbelievable.
Just…the more I thought about the book the more I just kept wondering “why” about so many things. And the more frustrated I became with it. I dropped the rating from a 4 to a 3. And then from a 3 to a 2. So, that’s where I’m currently standing with it. A 2.