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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
I loved this book! I almost gave up on it early on because I thought the premise (three teenagers in different cities all go to see the same movie on opening night) was silly but I saw a glimmer of better things to come, so I stuck with it and I'm glad I did. It had several things that I really like: intertwining lives of various characters who at first seem to have no connection (besides that dumb movie) and then following those characters for many years. All in all, very cute, and I'm glad I stuck with it!
I'm not sure why I'm so surprised by my enjoyment of this book. For some reason I went in with the expectation that it would be "okay-but-forgettable," and I was really pleased that it wasn't mediocre, but a well-written, interesting read. I liked the characters and loved the criss-crossing storylines and "what-ifs."
I enjoyed this book, but disliked how each chapter left me wishing for more intimacy, more effective communication among characters, and less guarded personalities overall. But in that way, it's quite a lifelike novel.
The historical events were a nifty shorthand for establishing setting and timeline information, yet those events played a miniscule role in the plot. I suppose that this, too, is a lifelike aspect of the novel.
The author steers clear of predictability (mostly), and does an admirable job of maturing her characters through different seasons of life without being overt about it.
Lingering affections and what ifs comprise the consistent threads that wrapped me up in this story.
The historical events were a nifty shorthand for establishing setting and timeline information, yet those events played a miniscule role in the plot. I suppose that this, too, is a lifelike aspect of the novel.
The author steers clear of predictability (mostly), and does an admirable job of maturing her characters through different seasons of life without being overt about it.
Lingering affections and what ifs comprise the consistent threads that wrapped me up in this story.
This book was pretty good. It followed a good amount of characters, and they were all connected enough (the whole point of the book) that I got them confused sometimes — but once again that’s more on me. The mix of characters kept the book at a good pace. It took me awhile to read, but I think part of that is the adjustment from res to real life. There’s not as much reading time (though I’m not back at school or work yet, so not really sure why I don’t read more). It was an interesting read and I’m glad I read it, but it’s definitely not a must read. If you want something more chill and laid back plot wise this would be a good book to grab.
I loved this book! I almost gave up on it early on because I thought the premise (three teenagers in different cities all go to see the same movie on opening night) was silly but I saw a glimmer of better things to come, so I stuck with it and I'm glad I did. It had several things that I really like: intertwining lives of various characters who at first seem to have no connection (besides that dumb movie) and then following those characters for many years. All in all, very cute, and I'm glad I stuck with it!
3.5 stars
The book begins as the characters are teenagers, each of them are going to see a movie based on a series of graphic novels called Eons and Empires.
Adam: He wants out of the small town that he has grown up in but before he leaves he wants that one date with the guy he has had a crush on for years. He accepts her invitation to go see the movie.
Sharon: A painfully shy introvert sneaks out of school to go to the movie by herself. She has been reading the books in secret at her babysitting job.
Phoebe: Wants that first date with her friend Ollie. Her friends want to tag along and it ends up that her younger brother Chase sneaks his way into accompanying her on the ride.
These characters are complex, there are times you like them and times you really almost hate them. The author does a really great job on making them real. The reason for the 3.5 star? The book does lag at times and I wanted it to move on faster than it did.
The story was well done with each of the characters and supporting characters interweaving throughout each others lives.
I received an arc copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book begins as the characters are teenagers, each of them are going to see a movie based on a series of graphic novels called Eons and Empires.
Adam: He wants out of the small town that he has grown up in but before he leaves he wants that one date with the guy he has had a crush on for years. He accepts her invitation to go see the movie.
Sharon: A painfully shy introvert sneaks out of school to go to the movie by herself. She has been reading the books in secret at her babysitting job.
Phoebe: Wants that first date with her friend Ollie. Her friends want to tag along and it ends up that her younger brother Chase sneaks his way into accompanying her on the ride.
These characters are complex, there are times you like them and times you really almost hate them. The author does a really great job on making them real. The reason for the 3.5 star? The book does lag at times and I wanted it to move on faster than it did.
The story was well done with each of the characters and supporting characters interweaving throughout each others lives.
I received an arc copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was one of those books that I couldn't decide if I liked or not. I finally decided that I did.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In December 1992 four teenagers head to the movies to see the blockbuster film version of the Eons & Empires comics.
Adam is counting the days until he graduates. When his long-time crush invites him to the movies, he figures it's his last chance to get the one thing he's ever wanted in the town he can't wait to leave.
In Cincinnati, Sharon can barely explain how much Eons & Empires means to her. She can't imagine the horror of watching the movie with people who don't understand her passion. Sharon's decision to skip school to watch the movie on her own leads to potentially devastating consequences.
Technically, Phoebe kisses Oliver first in the cafeteria of their suburban Chicago high school. But it's Ollie who asks Phoebe on a date and suggests they go see the big new release. Neither of them knows much about the comics but the movie should be a nice setting for their first date (and maybe more kissing). Or it would be if Phoebe's kid brother would stop following them around and they could avoid everyone they know.
Seeing the movie on opening night will shape all of their lives in unpredictable ways over the next twenty years as their paths cross around the world and across the country. Their lives will entwine as they become friends and lovers, leaving indelible marks on each other. One small decision will have countless ramifications for each of them in In Some Other World, Maybe (2015) by Shari Goldhagen.
In Some Other World, Maybe alternates point of view between Adam, Phoebe, Sharon, and Oliver. Except for Oliver all of the narratives are written in third person. Oliver's, by contrast, is a second person narration which lends a strange sense of foreboding to his passages.
These characters lives play out and intersect over twenty years against a backdrop of world events ranging from 9/11 to Sully Sullenberger landing his plane in the Hudson. The scope and reach of this story belies the relatively short length of the book.
Goldhagen explores the significant and seemingly meaningless ways people can pass through each others' lives in this deceptively straightforward novel. Hypotheticals and alternate possibilities loom large for each character--a motif that contrasts well with the idea of parallel worlds which are key to the premise of Eons & Empires.
None of the characters are perfect here. Mistakes are made, lives are messy, and sometimes there is no way to fix that. Just like in real life. Adam, Phoebe, Sharon and Oliver aren't always likable. They are not always at their best. But who is? In this complicated and confusing world, sometimes all you can do is keep waking up and keep trying. Which these characters do as best they can.
This story offers thoughtful commentary on the ways in which compromising and striving can start to look a lot alike. An introspective meditation on growing up and growing apart filled with characters who are shockingly memorable and utterly authentic, In Some Other World, Maybe is a novel guaranteed to leave a lasting impression. Highly recommended.
Possible Pairings: Invincible Summer by Alice Adams, The Decent Proposal by Kemper Donovan, The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie Sue Hitchcock, Infinite In Between by Carolyn Mackler, Parallel by Lauren Miller, Where Futures End by Parker Peeveyhouse, The Square Root of Summer by Harrier Reuter Hapgood, Pivot Point by Kasie West
*A copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*
Adam is counting the days until he graduates. When his long-time crush invites him to the movies, he figures it's his last chance to get the one thing he's ever wanted in the town he can't wait to leave.
In Cincinnati, Sharon can barely explain how much Eons & Empires means to her. She can't imagine the horror of watching the movie with people who don't understand her passion. Sharon's decision to skip school to watch the movie on her own leads to potentially devastating consequences.
Technically, Phoebe kisses Oliver first in the cafeteria of their suburban Chicago high school. But it's Ollie who asks Phoebe on a date and suggests they go see the big new release. Neither of them knows much about the comics but the movie should be a nice setting for their first date (and maybe more kissing). Or it would be if Phoebe's kid brother would stop following them around and they could avoid everyone they know.
Seeing the movie on opening night will shape all of their lives in unpredictable ways over the next twenty years as their paths cross around the world and across the country. Their lives will entwine as they become friends and lovers, leaving indelible marks on each other. One small decision will have countless ramifications for each of them in In Some Other World, Maybe (2015) by Shari Goldhagen.
In Some Other World, Maybe alternates point of view between Adam, Phoebe, Sharon, and Oliver. Except for Oliver all of the narratives are written in third person. Oliver's, by contrast, is a second person narration which lends a strange sense of foreboding to his passages.
These characters lives play out and intersect over twenty years against a backdrop of world events ranging from 9/11 to Sully Sullenberger landing his plane in the Hudson. The scope and reach of this story belies the relatively short length of the book.
Goldhagen explores the significant and seemingly meaningless ways people can pass through each others' lives in this deceptively straightforward novel. Hypotheticals and alternate possibilities loom large for each character--a motif that contrasts well with the idea of parallel worlds which are key to the premise of Eons & Empires.
None of the characters are perfect here. Mistakes are made, lives are messy, and sometimes there is no way to fix that. Just like in real life. Adam, Phoebe, Sharon and Oliver aren't always likable. They are not always at their best. But who is? In this complicated and confusing world, sometimes all you can do is keep waking up and keep trying. Which these characters do as best they can.
This story offers thoughtful commentary on the ways in which compromising and striving can start to look a lot alike. An introspective meditation on growing up and growing apart filled with characters who are shockingly memorable and utterly authentic, In Some Other World, Maybe is a novel guaranteed to leave a lasting impression. Highly recommended.
Possible Pairings: Invincible Summer by Alice Adams, The Decent Proposal by Kemper Donovan, The Smell of Other People's Houses by Bonnie Sue Hitchcock, Infinite In Between by Carolyn Mackler, Parallel by Lauren Miller, Where Futures End by Parker Peeveyhouse, The Square Root of Summer by Harrier Reuter Hapgood, Pivot Point by Kasie West
*A copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*
This book is a good reminder that there are endless possibilities in this world and that you never know where the twists and turns will take you - people that come into your life, people that leave, and people that reappear.