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liralen's review
3.0
I may have to revise my less-than-flattering view of books done in verse.
I'd had this one on my to-read list for a while, but had put it off because...well, I've read some verse novels done exceptionally well (Ellen Hopkins, anyone?) and some done...less well...and overall find them more miss than hit. But Corrigan had an essay in [b:Does This Book Make Me Look Fat?|3558938|Does This Book Make Me Look Fat?|Marissa Walsh|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348275252s/3558938.jpg|3601099] (actually, Ellen Hopkins also had a story in verse in that book...), and when I closed the back cover of that book I turned straight to the computer to put Corrigan's memoir on hold at the library.
Now, none of this is to say that the book is perfect. I can't judge it from a poetry perspective, because, well, I am not a good judge of whether poetry is good or not. But I do think that the framing sometimes made it difficult to place the author in time and space, separated her a little from what was going on in her life. The style isn't particularly spare, and there are some really beautiful lines (116: "People also use the word recovery to describe/gathering the shards of the broken./Divers swimming circles around the shipwreck and taking./Meaning: to salvage.") -- it was just hard in places to understand what was going through her mind.
I have no great insights into this book, but it's one that I expect to end up in possession sooner or later.
I'd had this one on my to-read list for a while, but had put it off because...well, I've read some verse novels done exceptionally well (Ellen Hopkins, anyone?) and some done...less well...and overall find them more miss than hit. But Corrigan had an essay in [b:Does This Book Make Me Look Fat?|3558938|Does This Book Make Me Look Fat?|Marissa Walsh|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1348275252s/3558938.jpg|3601099] (actually, Ellen Hopkins also had a story in verse in that book...), and when I closed the back cover of that book I turned straight to the computer to put Corrigan's memoir on hold at the library.
Now, none of this is to say that the book is perfect. I can't judge it from a poetry perspective, because, well, I am not a good judge of whether poetry is good or not. But I do think that the framing sometimes made it difficult to place the author in time and space, separated her a little from what was going on in her life. The style isn't particularly spare, and there are some really beautiful lines (116: "People also use the word recovery to describe/gathering the shards of the broken./Divers swimming circles around the shipwreck and taking./Meaning: to salvage.") -- it was just hard in places to understand what was going through her mind.
I have no great insights into this book, but it's one that I expect to end up in possession sooner or later.
kaitlinshafer's review
1.0
I feel awful, but I really didn't like to poetry in this book. It was hard for me to follow. And I sometimes I had no idea what she was talking about.
I actually didn't read the last 15 pages because I couldn't push myself to read them.
I really liked the idea of this book and I'm sad that I didn't enjoy it. Don't let my bad review deter you from reading it. Who knows, you might actually like it.
I actually didn't read the last 15 pages because I couldn't push myself to read them.
I really liked the idea of this book and I'm sad that I didn't enjoy it. Don't let my bad review deter you from reading it. Who knows, you might actually like it.
margaretann84's review
2.0
Some of the poetry was sharp, but a good deal of the book was hard to follow and felt significantly longer than the page total.
kelsokake's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
3.25
a non-linear story written in verse, you remind me of you is a story of mental illness, recovery, and codependence. I remember reading this when I was younger and finding it romantic. Rereading as an adult I found their reliance on each other to be unhealthy and lowkey toxic. But I found her growth and recovery inspiring. I hope they’re both doing well and thoroughly enjoyed this reread, though I don’t know if I would read it again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Eating disorder, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Body shaming, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Self harm
Minor: Car accident and Drug use
This book is about a woman recovering from an eating disorder dealing with her boyfriend’s suicide attempt. Please read safely.aprilbooksandwine's review
4.0
This was a quick read. Basically it is a book of poems which form a memoir of this girl's eating disorder/love for this one boy. Basically brings me back to high school, minus the eating disorder and drugs.
mc900ft's review
4.0
deeply personal poetry/prose. intense poems stream together dealing with her eating disorder and her boyfriend's attempted suicide. targeted towards a younger audience, but still was a powerful read for me. her word choice ...
juliahope's review
4.0
A beautifully written, sad memoir about a girl with an eating disorder whose boyfriend attempts suicide. I can imagine this was an extremely difficult book to write but Corrigan succeeds in portraying an honest yet not cliche story. It did take me a little longer than I thought to read this small book because Corrigan's writing is deep and thoughtful. I wouldn't breeze through this one or else you'll miss some beautifully crafted thoughts.