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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was absolutely what I needed as I'm still stuck at home during this pandemic. I felt like I was traveling with Marty the whole time. There were times throughout the book where I grew jealous that he was able to travel through Europe. It's a great coming of age story, and sheds light on some mental illnesses that teens go through now a days. Overall I very much enjoyed this book even though Pierce drove me insane!
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Sweet; definitely the kind of YA that's aimed toward the wide eyes of youth, rather than aimed to be universally appealing to adults of all ages. It also depicts anxiety and disordered eating, in ways that felt very honest at times, but professional help or medication as viable options weren't seriously mentioned (despite being in a country with universal healthcare) -- instead there was a breakthrough moment in coping with these disorders that strained credulity. As someone who's dealt with depressive anxiety for years in many differing ways, I was disappointed with that "going it alone" mental health approach, which isn't likely to be effective and can actually cause more harm.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As far as you'll take me focuses on Marty who leaves Kentucky for London under a false pretence of a music school. We follow his struggles with relationships, anxiety and his future.
The book is mainly set in the present but incorporates diary entries from Marty's first trip to London 6 months earlier. I loved this layout as it slowly reveals more about events that are mentioned in passing in the current timeline and allows the reader to reflect on his personal growth. I found the portrayal of London and Cardiff a nice change and showed a more realistic non tourist look considering it was written from an American's perspective.
The novel references many heavy topics that our main character has to process and grow from. I would say there is some triggering content, the book contains an eating disorder, homophobia, toxic relationship and religious bigotry. I would say the majority of this content is explored and explained, but I believe the eating disorder was only surface level. I would of preferred to see Marty seek help to recover.
Overall, I loved this book as it combined my two favourite things queer and music.
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
The book is mainly set in the present but incorporates diary entries from Marty's first trip to London 6 months earlier. I loved this layout as it slowly reveals more about events that are mentioned in passing in the current timeline and allows the reader to reflect on his personal growth. I found the portrayal of London and Cardiff a nice change and showed a more realistic non tourist look considering it was written from an American's perspective.
The novel references many heavy topics that our main character has to process and grow from. I would say there is some triggering content, the book contains an eating disorder, homophobia, toxic relationship and religious bigotry. I would say the majority of this content is explored and explained, but I believe the eating disorder was only surface level. I would of preferred to see Marty seek help to recover.
Overall, I loved this book as it combined my two favourite things queer and music.
I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Toxic relationship
Moderate: Homophobia
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy of this to review! Gravity of Us was a standout for me last year, so I was super excited to read Stamper’s follow up novel. And it definitely didn’t disappoint!
This book excels in the way it portrays anxiety and panic attacks. Marty struggles with this a lot in the book, and I really appreciated the way Stamper included it in Marty’s story. It felt authentic and true to what happens in real life.
The relationships are also where this book excels. This is definitely a character driven book, as it’s more about Marty’s journey than where he’s going. The relationships throughout help propel him on this journey. He has struggles with his best friend back home, realizing their relationship wasn’t what he thought it was. He also jumps into his first romantic relationship, which isn’t what it seems on the surface. Both of these experiences help Marty get to where he is at the end of the book, becoming a stronger person.
One of the reasons this isn’t getting 5 stars from me is due to the way the text deals with eating disorders. While Stamper nails anxiety and panic attacks on the head, Marty’s struggle with eating feels like it was a little brushed under the rug. The two do go hand in hand, and I wish that Marty’s eating disorder was given a little more page time in the book. He seems to get over it rather quickly, despite his continual struggles with anxiety.
Despite that, I had a difficult time putting this book down. Stamper has created a story that is filled with music, found family, and learning your place in the world. It definitely grabs onto your heart and doesn’t let go.
----
I loved Marty and his journey. I actually read this entire book in one sitting! Stay tuned for a full review tomorrow!
I loved Marty and his journey. I actually read this entire book in one sitting! Stay tuned for a full review tomorrow!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Religious bigotry
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I received an e-galley of As Far As You’ll Take Me by Phil Stamper from Bloomsbury YA via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Marty is a seventeen year old boy who has decided to escape his small town in Kentucky in hopes of living out his real and authentic life in London, with the help of his cousin. A year ago, he came out to his parents and were met with less-than-pleased reactions to say the least. Since then - though really starting since his childhood - he’s been longing for nothing for to get away to find a place where he can belong and breath. While he’s finally set out to do this, arriving in a new country with a lack of a plan, and a lot of anxiety can not be easy. With his cousin and a few new friends along the way, Marty will discover new experiences, new friends, new loves, and new hope for his future.
I really enjoyed this coming-of-age novel and I was able to relate to Marty in his overseas experience. I could relate to those anxieties that he had. Reading through his inner monologues, I could really empathize with him as he struggled to find acceptance with his identity. I think that the story goes to show Marty - and readers - that it takes more than just physically moving away to a new country to get a new start. Sometimes the change is really necessary from within - from believing in yourself and your worth - which is something that no place or person can ever do for you really. Aside from all the emotional growth in this story, I also enjoyed the descriptions of the cities that Marty would be in and felt truly transported to Europe. I would love to return to London myself one day and to see London through fresh eyes again, with some of Marty’s perspectives playing on my mind.
Thank you to Bloomsbury YA for the e-galley.
Marty is a seventeen year old boy who has decided to escape his small town in Kentucky in hopes of living out his real and authentic life in London, with the help of his cousin. A year ago, he came out to his parents and were met with less-than-pleased reactions to say the least. Since then - though really starting since his childhood - he’s been longing for nothing for to get away to find a place where he can belong and breath. While he’s finally set out to do this, arriving in a new country with a lack of a plan, and a lot of anxiety can not be easy. With his cousin and a few new friends along the way, Marty will discover new experiences, new friends, new loves, and new hope for his future.
I really enjoyed this coming-of-age novel and I was able to relate to Marty in his overseas experience. I could relate to those anxieties that he had. Reading through his inner monologues, I could really empathize with him as he struggled to find acceptance with his identity. I think that the story goes to show Marty - and readers - that it takes more than just physically moving away to a new country to get a new start. Sometimes the change is really necessary from within - from believing in yourself and your worth - which is something that no place or person can ever do for you really. Aside from all the emotional growth in this story, I also enjoyed the descriptions of the cities that Marty would be in and felt truly transported to Europe. I would love to return to London myself one day and to see London through fresh eyes again, with some of Marty’s perspectives playing on my mind.
Thank you to Bloomsbury YA for the e-galley.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Trigger Warnings for:
Bullying, manipulation, homophobia, religious bigotry, toxic relationships body dysmorphia eating disorder and calorie counting.
As Far As you Take Me is a challenging and necessary story of Marty, a high school graduate, escaping his bigoted home town of Kentucky. To travel to London England in search of new opportunities. A place to be free, and to explore not only his music, but his life.
But Marty has high anxiety, that is triggered by all things new. He is about to be thrust into a new life and lots of experiences. He discovers exactly what he can cope with and what true friendship looks like.
Like Phil Stampers debut The Gravity of Us, this book hits hard on mental health and more specifically, anxiety and how that manifests itself.
Through the course of the book Marty comes in contact with many damaging triggers, such as distorted eating and body dysmorphia. These are talked about head on in the book and explored from inside Marty's head as he spirals straight into distorted eating patterns.
Peppered throughout the book are diaries entries from 12 months earlier. Explaining exactly how Marty came to hos decision to move to London.
I found these very distracting and put in awkward places. Something big would be happening in present day. And then you would suddenly be transported back 12 months.
To me this upset the flow of the story, i would have much preferred the book in chronological order. Plotting out what happened and then moving on.
That being said, the present day story is strong and chock-full of ongoing relationships. From bigoted parent, abusive best friends and flaky love interests.
I did enjoy this book but it was hard reading at times, especially as someone in ED recovery. The triggers are very strong, but essential to the story.
Bullying, manipulation, homophobia, religious bigotry, toxic relationships body dysmorphia eating disorder and calorie counting.
As Far As you Take Me is a challenging and necessary story of Marty, a high school graduate, escaping his bigoted home town of Kentucky. To travel to London England in search of new opportunities. A place to be free, and to explore not only his music, but his life.
But Marty has high anxiety, that is triggered by all things new. He is about to be thrust into a new life and lots of experiences. He discovers exactly what he can cope with and what true friendship looks like.
Like Phil Stampers debut The Gravity of Us, this book hits hard on mental health and more specifically, anxiety and how that manifests itself.
Through the course of the book Marty comes in contact with many damaging triggers, such as distorted eating and body dysmorphia. These are talked about head on in the book and explored from inside Marty's head as he spirals straight into distorted eating patterns.
Peppered throughout the book are diaries entries from 12 months earlier. Explaining exactly how Marty came to hos decision to move to London.
I found these very distracting and put in awkward places. Something big would be happening in present day. And then you would suddenly be transported back 12 months.
To me this upset the flow of the story, i would have much preferred the book in chronological order. Plotting out what happened and then moving on.
That being said, the present day story is strong and chock-full of ongoing relationships. From bigoted parent, abusive best friends and flaky love interests.
I did enjoy this book but it was hard reading at times, especially as someone in ED recovery. The triggers are very strong, but essential to the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Religious bigotry
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
it was pretty good, but it didn’t really flow that well
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Homophobia
marty was outed as gay to everyone