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3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
I was given the opportunity via NetGalley to read an advanced copy of "Every Exquisite Thing" in exchange for an honest review. I couldn't be more thrilled, because I do love Matthew Quick's writing.
Nanette O'Hare doesn't feel she fits in with her peers. Although she is the star of the girls soccer team, she can't really stand the rest of the girls on the team and she spends her lunch periods with her English teacher. He gives her a copy of his favorite book, The Bubblegum Reaper. This book, no longer in print and with an underground cult following, changes Nanette's life. She meets the author, and through him meets Alex, a guy who loves the book as much as she does. Nanette's facing a lot of big choices in life as she faces graduation. The Bubblegum Reaper wakes something up in her, makes her realize she's not sure she knows what she wants out of life.
This book is a look at what it means to be human, how much of our life do we have to pretend and how much should we be authentic if we are to keep society ticking along harmoniously, if we are to be safe. How do we be true to ourselves, yet not be a harm to others? I also love the look at the relationships authors have with their books, as well as their fans.
Nanette O'Hare doesn't feel she fits in with her peers. Although she is the star of the girls soccer team, she can't really stand the rest of the girls on the team and she spends her lunch periods with her English teacher. He gives her a copy of his favorite book, The Bubblegum Reaper. This book, no longer in print and with an underground cult following, changes Nanette's life. She meets the author, and through him meets Alex, a guy who loves the book as much as she does. Nanette's facing a lot of big choices in life as she faces graduation. The Bubblegum Reaper wakes something up in her, makes her realize she's not sure she knows what she wants out of life.
This book is a look at what it means to be human, how much of our life do we have to pretend and how much should we be authentic if we are to keep society ticking along harmoniously, if we are to be safe. How do we be true to ourselves, yet not be a harm to others? I also love the look at the relationships authors have with their books, as well as their fans.
*3.5
I just needed a little bit more. But still a very important novel that I really related to.
I just needed a little bit more. But still a very important novel that I really related to.
Many thanks to Hachette Australia for providing me with a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review
4.5 stars
"Just because you're good at something doesn't mean you have to do it."
I had such a good time reading this book.
It was funny, sarcastic, smooth, sad, relatable, and most of all, inspiring.
A story about a girl trying to find her place in the world will always appeal to me, and straight off, this novel was something that I wanted to read.
The writing was absolutely brilliant, and I must say again, it flowed SO nicely, that I found myself racing through and finishing the book in a day. The characters were all so interesting and brought something bigger and different to the overall story, and their development, be good or bad, was something special to see.
MQ is such a talented writer, and I loved the fact that he incorporated a story into the story - The Bubblegum Reaper - and based the characters' relationships around that book. It was done so well, that I had myself Googling this story-in-the-story, thinking (and hoping) that it might be an actual novel out in the world, but discovering that he invented the whole thing. So not only did he write one book, he basically wrote two. And I admire that greatly.
'Every Exquisite Thing' has to be the first book that I have read this year that is equally tragic and inspiring - the journey that main protagonist, Nanette O'Hare, embarks on, is painful but in the end is super important to her views of the world and her own life and self. Sometimes, I was really mad at Nanette, but after putting myself in her position (something that I can relate to more than I thought), I came back to loving her bravery and courage that allows her to stand up to everyone that tries to change and make her into someone she does not want to be.
The message in this book is very clear and even better, a quote from one of my favourite characters in the story - "The point, Young Nanette, is not to wear a type like a set of prison shackles."
Matthew Quick takes you on a wild ride full of emotion and value, and I believe it is a lesson that every person, young or old, needs to learn, appreciate and accept.
**HIGHLY RECOMMEND**
Expected publication: May 10th 2016
4.5 stars
"Just because you're good at something doesn't mean you have to do it."
I had such a good time reading this book.
It was funny, sarcastic, smooth, sad, relatable, and most of all, inspiring.
A story about a girl trying to find her place in the world will always appeal to me, and straight off, this novel was something that I wanted to read.
The writing was absolutely brilliant, and I must say again, it flowed SO nicely, that I found myself racing through and finishing the book in a day. The characters were all so interesting and brought something bigger and different to the overall story, and their development, be good or bad, was something special to see.
MQ is such a talented writer, and I loved the fact that he incorporated a story into the story - The Bubblegum Reaper - and based the characters' relationships around that book. It was done so well, that I had myself Googling this story-in-the-story, thinking (and hoping) that it might be an actual novel out in the world, but discovering that he invented the whole thing. So not only did he write one book, he basically wrote two. And I admire that greatly.
'Every Exquisite Thing' has to be the first book that I have read this year that is equally tragic and inspiring - the journey that main protagonist, Nanette O'Hare, embarks on, is painful but in the end is super important to her views of the world and her own life and self. Sometimes, I was really mad at Nanette, but after putting myself in her position (something that I can relate to more than I thought), I came back to loving her bravery and courage that allows her to stand up to everyone that tries to change and make her into someone she does not want to be.
The message in this book is very clear and even better, a quote from one of my favourite characters in the story - "The point, Young Nanette, is not to wear a type like a set of prison shackles."
Matthew Quick takes you on a wild ride full of emotion and value, and I believe it is a lesson that every person, young or old, needs to learn, appreciate and accept.
**HIGHLY RECOMMEND**
Expected publication: May 10th 2016
This is maybe not be a five star book, but it's definitely a five star YA book.
It's definitely privileged white kid problems, but it's also aware of that in a way that isn't apologetic but that suggests that it doesn't matter because while the backdrop of the story may change, growing up is the largely the same struggle for everyone.
I loved how the author didn't rely on cheap plot tricks to keep me turning the page but instead on the richness and importance of his ideas - and yet I still kept turning the page...I read this in one evening.
I plan on recommending this to every kid I know in their junior or senior year of high school.
It's definitely privileged white kid problems, but it's also aware of that in a way that isn't apologetic but that suggests that it doesn't matter because while the backdrop of the story may change, growing up is the largely the same struggle for everyone.
I loved how the author didn't rely on cheap plot tricks to keep me turning the page but instead on the richness and importance of his ideas - and yet I still kept turning the page...I read this in one evening.
I plan on recommending this to every kid I know in their junior or senior year of high school.
I couldn't put it down for two days, so it must have been good. At the same time, it doesn't feel huge upon finishing. Thoughtful and satisfying? Yes.
This is a pretty good, quick read that I enjoyed immensely for the first half. It fell apart for me after that and the main character became one of the most unlikeable protagonists I've ever read.
This was a much less fun read than most of Quick's titles...but it was wonderful in many other ways. It was also very important for me to read, as it gave me an understanding of my son and his questions and how he comes to the answers in a very different way than others. As always, I am better for having read a Matthew Quick title.
I'd heard the Matthew Quick wrote quirky, outsider-ish, weirdo characters. Hearing this, I was prepared for smart characters, who would most likely remind me of a John Green book.
What I wasn't prepared for was that I'd actually love his writing, and the weirdo characters he writes. I usually see characters like Nanette or Alex as pretentious, but somehow Quick had me hooked and loving them from the beginning. I love that Nanette wanted to question everything. It was refreshing to see a teen girl going back and forth with her life choices. I know (or have known) very few teens who knew exactly what they want from life at 16/17 years old. Also have to say that I loved the 3rd person. It was pretty hilarious....
This is a great book that explores teen issues with absolutely no sugar-coating, and also happens to be full of some great and thought provoking quotes.
What I wasn't prepared for was that I'd actually love his writing, and the weirdo characters he writes. I usually see characters like Nanette or Alex as pretentious, but somehow Quick had me hooked and loving them from the beginning. I love that Nanette wanted to question everything. It was refreshing to see a teen girl going back and forth with her life choices. I know (or have known) very few teens who knew exactly what they want from life at 16/17 years old. Also have to say that I loved the 3rd person. It was pretty hilarious....
This is a great book that explores teen issues with absolutely no sugar-coating, and also happens to be full of some great and thought provoking quotes.
Quarantine quick read. I don’t even know how I came to this book but it did make me think for a little while there. However, somewhere along the words it gets messy and rushed and at the end, it leaves you wondering what was the point of it all and not in a good way. But because of the odes to literature and poetry that I deeply appreciate - including some Neruda - I give it 3 stars. It’s a quick reas that will make you think, but I doubt it will change your life.
However, I do appreciate TBR and everything it meant. I love when books are just so good they can change the way you think and see things. This is not one of them even though it tries.
However, I do appreciate TBR and everything it meant. I love when books are just so good they can change the way you think and see things. This is not one of them even though it tries.