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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
I read this book ages ago but I remembered it again when I watch Limitless 2 year ago. I didn't find the name of the book until today! I remember loving this book and finding so interesting.
While I appreciate the awkward kid angle this book was coming from, and the miniature supercomputer is nerdy enough and out there enough to drive the story, it just fell flat for me. I picked this up because I liked It's Kind of a Funny Story so much. This book pales by comparison. I didn't feel any emotional attachment to the characters, and a lot of the things that happened under the influence of the squip were fairly awful, which is fine for the progression of the story, but I didn't feel like the awful stuff was resolved in any redeeming sense. The only reason I rated it a 2 star book is because before the squip, I could relate to the experiences of the main character. But the lack of resolution - or "moral of the story", if you will - is what killed this book for me.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Read it because I like the musical.
The musical is better.
But I did think Jesse Eisenberg was the perfect narrator.
The musical is better.
But I did think Jesse Eisenberg was the perfect narrator.
Be more chill is about high school junior, Jeremy Heere and how he, in his most fragile desperate teenage state, spent 600 dollars on a supercomputer called 'the SQUIP' that teaches him how to be cool…. or more appropriately chill.
This book is the most over exaggerated high school cliché popularity satire I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. It was so overdramatic it was hilarious. The SQUIP was also a super interesting concept, and Jeremy’s social awkwardness was amusing to read about, and his feelings of anxiety were relatable as heck. Solid book, entertaining enough, my only complaint was it ended too abruptly, and I was expecting more. More character development, more meaning??? More consequences for Jeremy’s actions.
All and all, a good book, nothing to rave about but also nothing to rant about. So, I’m calling this a success.
This book is the most over exaggerated high school cliché popularity satire I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. It was so overdramatic it was hilarious. The SQUIP was also a super interesting concept, and Jeremy’s social awkwardness was amusing to read about, and his feelings of anxiety were relatable as heck. Solid book, entertaining enough, my only complaint was it ended too abruptly, and I was expecting more. More character development, more meaning??? More consequences for Jeremy’s actions.
All and all, a good book, nothing to rave about but also nothing to rant about. So, I’m calling this a success.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
i think i would have enjoyed this book a lot more if i had read it back in in middle or high school... lol. ned vizzini's books would absolutely be in my future classroom library :) that being said, i still really like this story and the characters in it! especially michael, he's definitely my favorite. as someone who was somewhat familiar with the musical it was also really cool to experience the source material. might just have to go re-listen to the soundtrack now...
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Authentic early 2000s American cis/straight teen voices with universally recognized teen concerns, narrated by a nerdy, angsty outsider. The low-key sci-fi element gives a boost to the narration by humorously pointing out the typical misconceptions & misunderstandings of humans in general, and teenagers in particular.
Some microaggressions + barely acknowledged misogyny interrupt the redemption arc but overall this is a thoughtful & interesting story.
Some microaggressions + barely acknowledged misogyny interrupt the redemption arc but overall this is a thoughtful & interesting story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Rape, Alcohol
Minor: Bullying, Cursing, Racism, Self harm, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Classism
This book was funny. I liked it a lot. Made me laugh out loud a few times because it was well written and put me in a good mood. I didn't want it to end, yet did at the same time (cuz a neverending book is torture for a reader, no?) .. The ending was abrupt in a sense, and left me with a few questions that would no doubt have no answers. But I digress. A great read. And it was cool how it gave you a look at how people really work at it to become "Cool", but that with a few adjustments and different speech patterns and whatnot, any nerd or geek can become cool.