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morgarelibrare's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my goodness, I loved this book so so sooo much! I received a box of ARCs at work and this happened to be one of them. Upon digging it out of the box, my first thought was "oh, what a cute cover!" I love the pops of color and to me what appears to be an abstract take on the universe.
The synopsis sounded like something that would be right up my alley, especially since in the summer time I crave a good contemporary novel. Upon further research I realized that this is a sequel to a book Carolyn Mackler wrote fifteen years ago, of which I had not read. But, that's okay! While this is a sequel and appears to take place not long after where the first book concludes, Mackler does a very nice job of weaving in/rehashing (but in a good way) the key plot points of the original novel, The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things. It is 100 percent possible to go into this book completely blind and still understand what is happening in Virginia's life.
I loved Virginia! I felt so connected to her, and understood exactly what she was going through in regards to how she felt about herself and her weight and how other people perceived her. I struggled with my weight my entire adolescence and all through high school and part of college. It's difficult to be comfortable in your own skin when society is basically telling you that you're less of a person based on how you look, and Virginia has come to know that and move past it. She has so much confidence in this novel, and that's something I have found more recently in my life. I just wish I could have been as strong as her when I was her age. There are of course times where she still has self doubt and rags on herself, but she's human. She is however, also quick to find the positives in life and her doubt never spirals for long.
Sebastian is a sweet precious cinnamon roll and I LOVED him. The way he dealt with his own family drama and the way it connected to Virginia was handled so well. I really enjoyed their relationship and their ability to effectively communicate with each other. A dramatic revelation became apparent that affected both of them and instead of turning away and getting upset, they worked through it like actual human beings, so that was so nice to read. Miscommunication is my most loathed trope in literature, so I was quite happy to see it absent in a place it may have been used in other works.
Overall, this was a fantastic read that I flew through in one sitting. Funny, witty, adorable, and relatable, this is perfect for a summertime contemporary fix!
The synopsis sounded like something that would be right up my alley, especially since in the summer time I crave a good contemporary novel. Upon further research I realized that this is a sequel to a book Carolyn Mackler wrote fifteen years ago, of which I had not read. But, that's okay! While this is a sequel and appears to take place not long after where the first book concludes, Mackler does a very nice job of weaving in/rehashing (but in a good way) the key plot points of the original novel, The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things. It is 100 percent possible to go into this book completely blind and still understand what is happening in Virginia's life.
I loved Virginia! I felt so connected to her, and understood exactly what she was going through in regards to how she felt about herself and her weight and how other people perceived her. I struggled with my weight my entire adolescence and all through high school and part of college. It's difficult to be comfortable in your own skin when society is basically telling you that you're less of a person based on how you look, and Virginia has come to know that and move past it. She has so much confidence in this novel, and that's something I have found more recently in my life. I just wish I could have been as strong as her when I was her age. There are of course times where she still has self doubt and rags on herself, but she's human. She is however, also quick to find the positives in life and her doubt never spirals for long.
Sebastian is a sweet precious cinnamon roll and I LOVED him. The way he dealt with his own family drama and the way it connected to Virginia was handled so well. I really enjoyed their relationship and their ability to effectively communicate with each other. A dramatic revelation became apparent that affected both of them and instead of turning away and getting upset, they worked through it like actual human beings, so that was so nice to read. Miscommunication is my most loathed trope in literature, so I was quite happy to see it absent in a place it may have been used in other works.
Overall, this was a fantastic read that I flew through in one sitting. Funny, witty, adorable, and relatable, this is perfect for a summertime contemporary fix!
thorwantsanotherletter's review against another edition
4.0
It took me about five hours to finish this, and I almost thought I wasn't going to be able to do this. It was right after 150 I was like, "I freaking hate this book." By the time I finished though, I liked it and I want a third one.
brittmariasbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book.
The Universe Is Expanding and So Am I is the sequel to The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things. Both books follow Virginia Shreves who mostly learns to deal with her judgy family and the almost daily criticism she gets because of the weight and body type.
What I like about this duology is that the Shreves family is very much imperfect. Virginia's parents very much fat-shamed her in the first book and still have some of the habit left in this book although I believe they do get better. I really like the family dynamic. Especially, the grey area Virginia's relationship with her brother Byron. I don't know how I would feel if my brother would have to stand trial. I think I'd want him to be punished for what he did but I think I'd also feel conflicted just like Virginia.
I also liked seeing Virginia's self-confidence grow. I just think it is nice to see characters grow and accept themselves more and more.
Lastly, I liked her relationship with Sebastian. It gave me those nice YA Contemporary Romance vibes.
The Universe Is Expanding and So Am I is the sequel to The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things. Both books follow Virginia Shreves who mostly learns to deal with her judgy family and the almost daily criticism she gets because of the weight and body type.
Spoiler
The Universe Is Expanding and So Am I takes place five months after The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things and Virginia still has some struggles in her life. Especially when her brother's sexual assault of Annie Mills shakes up the Shreves family. Virginia's relationship with Froggy also comes to a halt as Virginia has fallen out of like with Froggy. There is another shock when Virginia meet a boy who turns out to be Annie Mills's little brother.What I like about this duology is that the Shreves family is very much imperfect. Virginia's parents very much fat-shamed her in the first book and still have some of the habit left in this book although I believe they do get better. I really like the family dynamic. Especially, the grey area Virginia's relationship with her brother Byron. I don't know how I would feel if my brother would have to stand trial. I think I'd want him to be punished for what he did but I think I'd also feel conflicted just like Virginia.
I also liked seeing Virginia's self-confidence grow. I just think it is nice to see characters grow and accept themselves more and more.
Lastly, I liked her relationship with Sebastian. It gave me those nice YA Contemporary Romance vibes.
federo999's review against another edition
5.0
I liked that not only was this a love story, but also a story about finding yourself and where you fit in with your family and your world.
vannababes's review against another edition
4.0
4/5
A bit of a disappointed compared with the first book. It felt like all the progress we had made in the first had just quickly went away, especially with the dad, and that was disappointing. The whole plot was kinda lame in a sense, like Virginia falls in love with her brother's victim's brother and its like wow, didn't see that coming (lie).
But like, the guy was fine. I just really liked Froggy in the first. Maybe if Sebastian had been introduced in the first book so it gave Virginia more of a choice in love, my opinion would be different.
Also, I hated how the cute guy (ya know, who Virginia had a crush on) just became the bad guy because he got embarrassed by his friends, like we never saw him again after that and it seemed like he wasn't bother by Virginia but what his friends were saying about her.
Another thing, Brie. My f-ing god, I hated her. Like why was she there. She had no substance at all.
A bit of a disappointed compared with the first book. It felt like all the progress we had made in the first had just quickly went away, especially with the dad, and that was disappointing. The whole plot was kinda lame in a sense, like Virginia falls in love with her brother's victim's brother and its like wow, didn't see that coming (lie).
But like, the guy was fine. I just really liked Froggy in the first. Maybe if Sebastian had been introduced in the first book so it gave Virginia more of a choice in love, my opinion would be different.
Also, I hated how the cute guy (ya know, who Virginia had a crush on) just became the bad guy because he got embarrassed by his friends, like we never saw him again after that and it seemed like he wasn't bother by Virginia but what his friends were saying about her.
Another thing, Brie. My f-ing god, I hated her. Like why was she there. She had no substance at all.
sophshai's review against another edition
3.0
Another fantastic book up until the last twenty pages. I understand that Mackler wanted this book to be very “feel-good” towards the end, but it turned not-so-realistic in her doing so. Byron’s storyline was not wrapped up at all, which was very frustrating. Sebastian and Virginia’s parents suddenly becoming friends at the end of the novel? The development happened far too quickly. This book easily could have had another few chapters to aid in the ending, but the rest of the story was so enthralling that I rate the book a strong 3/5.
sonalipawar26's review against another edition
3.0
This is a sequel but I didn't feel like one needs to read the first book to understand this one. A fun, witty read from the POV of a 16-year-old who falls in love with a guy she isn't even supposed to meet with. This book is about how she navigates her life while being fat-shamed by her schoolmates and, to some extent, her parents.
~
The story was predictable but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I rarely read YA but it was much-needed as I had read 4-5 heavy books in a row. And this was such a breath of fresh air. It wasn't over-the-top or even slightly cringeworthy. In fact, it dealt with a serious issue—rape—as well and how the respective families deal with it.
~
This was such a feel-good book that I'll recommend it to anyone looking for a light, fun, and enjoyable read; definitely something you can finish over the weekend.
~
The story was predictable but I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I rarely read YA but it was much-needed as I had read 4-5 heavy books in a row. And this was such a breath of fresh air. It wasn't over-the-top or even slightly cringeworthy. In fact, it dealt with a serious issue—rape—as well and how the respective families deal with it.
~
This was such a feel-good book that I'll recommend it to anyone looking for a light, fun, and enjoyable read; definitely something you can finish over the weekend.
mybestfriendsarefictional's review against another edition
4.0
★★★★☆/★★★★★
Book Review: The Universe is Expanding and So Am I by Carolyn Mackler
Positives
🥠 Virginia
🥠 All the book references
🥠 Sea-glass-eyed, long haired artists who definitely do not skateboard, because no coordination
🥠 Growing up/growing some balls
Negatives
🥠 Somewhat predictable, but it didn't detract from the story
This super cute first person YA contemporary wasn't just fluff for the brain. Virginia is a fantastic protagonist and I can totally see her as a purple haired, kick-boxing curvaceous superhero. I loved all of the reading/book references, especially this one which had me laughing out loud:'I glance longingly at my bedside table , at the cover of Fates and Furies. I wish I could be reading right now.' Throw in a sea-eyed-eyed, long haired artist and some forbidden lust and we have a fun romp through New York as Virginia navigates her summer break (which is not going to plan) and some fairly serious issues involving her brother which could have serious ramifications for the future of her family.
Really enjoyed this, read it in two sittings - perfect summer YA read.
Book Review: The Universe is Expanding and So Am I by Carolyn Mackler
Positives
🥠 Virginia
🥠 All the book references
🥠 Sea-glass-eyed, long haired artists who definitely do not skateboard, because no coordination
🥠 Growing up/growing some balls
Negatives
🥠 Somewhat predictable, but it didn't detract from the story
This super cute first person YA contemporary wasn't just fluff for the brain. Virginia is a fantastic protagonist and I can totally see her as a purple haired, kick-boxing curvaceous superhero. I loved all of the reading/book references, especially this one which had me laughing out loud:'I glance longingly at my bedside table , at the cover of Fates and Furies. I wish I could be reading right now.' Throw in a sea-eyed-eyed, long haired artist and some forbidden lust and we have a fun romp through New York as Virginia navigates her summer break (which is not going to plan) and some fairly serious issues involving her brother which could have serious ramifications for the future of her family.
Really enjoyed this, read it in two sittings - perfect summer YA read.
mybestfriendsarefictional's review against another edition
4.0
★★★★☆/★★★★★
Book Review: The Universe is Expanding and So Am I by Carolyn Mackler
Positives
🥠 Virginia
🥠 All the book references
🥠 Sea-glass-eyed, long haired artists who definitely do not skateboard, because no coordination
🥠 Growing up/growing some balls
Negatives
🥠 Somewhat predictable, but it didn't detract from the story
This super cute first person YA contemporary wasn't just fluff for the brain. Virginia is a fantastic protagonist and I can totally see her as a purple haired, kick-boxing curvaceous superhero. I loved all of the reading/book references, especially this one which had me laughing out loud:'I glance longingly at my bedside table , at the cover of Fates and Furies. I wish I could be reading right now.' Throw in a sea-eyed-eyed, long haired artist and some forbidden lust and we have a fun romp through New York as Virginia navigates her summer break (which is not going to plan) and some fairly serious issues involving her brother which could have serious ramifications for the future of her family.
Really enjoyed this, read it in two sittings - perfect summer YA read.
Book Review: The Universe is Expanding and So Am I by Carolyn Mackler
Positives
🥠 Virginia
🥠 All the book references
🥠 Sea-glass-eyed, long haired artists who definitely do not skateboard, because no coordination
🥠 Growing up/growing some balls
Negatives
🥠 Somewhat predictable, but it didn't detract from the story
This super cute first person YA contemporary wasn't just fluff for the brain. Virginia is a fantastic protagonist and I can totally see her as a purple haired, kick-boxing curvaceous superhero. I loved all of the reading/book references, especially this one which had me laughing out loud:'I glance longingly at my bedside table , at the cover of Fates and Furies. I wish I could be reading right now.' Throw in a sea-eyed-eyed, long haired artist and some forbidden lust and we have a fun romp through New York as Virginia navigates her summer break (which is not going to plan) and some fairly serious issues involving her brother which could have serious ramifications for the future of her family.
Really enjoyed this, read it in two sittings - perfect summer YA read.