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shinychick's review
4.0
The first Virginia Shreves book is one of my absolute favorites, and I was shocked and delighted that there was a sequel I missed. It's a lovely, quick, engrossing read, and I feel like we could see Virginia in college soon, and that would be awesome, too.
saradubs's review
4.0
I enjoyed this series, but the second book came out 15 years after the first (which is fine) and is supposed to take place in the same school year, but they are not written that way. In the first novel, Virginia has to rely on emails and landline calls to communicate with her friends (because it’s circa 2003) and is watching TRL on MTV, but in the sequel, which begins a couple months after the first book wraps, she’s got a smartphone and is using hashtags. I didn’t see the need for this. It would have been a better read if there had been more continuity in the timeline.
paisleypikachu's review
1.0
Wow.
I loved the first book when I was in middle school. Loved it so much.
I can’t even bring myself to finish this one.
And I really hate that, because Virginia could be such a great protagonist. But she isn’t.
The first thing to bother me was when her boyfriend and friend are playing Minecraft, she’s on her phone ignoring them because she doesn’t “get it.” Um. No. How about when the people you care about are into a thing, you support them and don’t act like a brat who talks about how they don’t see the point of said thing?
Then it got worse. Constant, veiled, shaming comments about skinny girls, about clothes and shoes other people wear. For a book trying to portray itself as body positive it really missed the mark. Body positivity includes not shaming ANY body type.
I finally gave up when Virginia referred to her parents’ gym, Whole Fitness, as Whole Fakeness. Excuse me? Since when is it cool to shame people for exercising?
So yeah, I’m sure there are good parts to this book, but there was way too much negative for me to keep reading. And I probably won’t go back and reread the first book ever now. Very disappointed as I was really looking forward to this one.
I loved the first book when I was in middle school. Loved it so much.
I can’t even bring myself to finish this one.
And I really hate that, because Virginia could be such a great protagonist. But she isn’t.
The first thing to bother me was when her boyfriend and friend are playing Minecraft, she’s on her phone ignoring them because she doesn’t “get it.” Um. No. How about when the people you care about are into a thing, you support them and don’t act like a brat who talks about how they don’t see the point of said thing?
Then it got worse. Constant, veiled, shaming comments about skinny girls, about clothes and shoes other people wear. For a book trying to portray itself as body positive it really missed the mark. Body positivity includes not shaming ANY body type.
I finally gave up when Virginia referred to her parents’ gym, Whole Fitness, as Whole Fakeness. Excuse me? Since when is it cool to shame people for exercising?
So yeah, I’m sure there are good parts to this book, but there was way too much negative for me to keep reading. And I probably won’t go back and reread the first book ever now. Very disappointed as I was really looking forward to this one.
bethwyant's review
5.0
Cutest YA I've read this year...and as a high school librarian, I read lots! Loved her voice and the subject matter made me think about issues like body shaming and date rape in a whole new way. Sounds like it would be depressing, but it was instead adorable and thoughtful. The ending was kind of abrupt and seemed to be coming from people I didn't know, but that's my only criticism.
emilydittmar's review
5.0
It has been a very long time since I've read "The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things." The beginning gave enough detail to spark my memory. Mackler was well timed to revisit Virginia and her story. I remember identifying with Virginia when it first came out, and now Bryon's story fits in well with social discourse. I thought that all topics were handled well. It took about three chapters for me to get fully invested and hate to stop reading.
babyleo's review
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Sexual assault, Eating disorder, and Fatphobia
Minor: Self harm
ladyida1's review
2.0
There were soooo many words and not getting to the point.
It was driving me crazy.
This series was a book and a half to long.
It was driving me crazy.
This series was a book and a half to long.
kyliieamberr's review
5.0
** I received an ARC from NetGalley and publisher Bloomsbury USA Children in exchange for my honest review**
“But you gave me two eyes.” I say gesturing at his drawing. He looks up for a second. “You’re two pretty to have one.”
I rated this book at 5/5 stars because it shows so many different aspects that should be shown more in novels today. Such as an overweight character and an LGBTQ Character. This novel is sending out a lot of messages that are really needed to be seen especially by teens these days, Love is Love is Love. I would recommend for everybody to pick this up because it helps you realize you aren’t alone in feeling like an outcast or feeling unwanted for whatever reason. The main character opens you up to understand how to make the best of a crappy situation and turn it into something you can grow from.
#BeTrueToYourself
“But you gave me two eyes.” I say gesturing at his drawing. He looks up for a second. “You’re two pretty to have one.”
I rated this book at 5/5 stars because it shows so many different aspects that should be shown more in novels today. Such as an overweight character and an LGBTQ Character. This novel is sending out a lot of messages that are really needed to be seen especially by teens these days, Love is Love is Love. I would recommend for everybody to pick this up because it helps you realize you aren’t alone in feeling like an outcast or feeling unwanted for whatever reason. The main character opens you up to understand how to make the best of a crappy situation and turn it into something you can grow from.
#BeTrueToYourself
kitty_litter's review
2.0
SO PROBLEMATIC UGH. I can’t STAND the main character she needs to shut tf up
kiyannaloves's review
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Fatphobia