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2.81 AVERAGE
2.81 AVERAGE
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book gave me almost as many warm fuzzies as the first Weetzie Bat book.
Not sure where my review went!
I picked up this one because it has an ace character and , and it had an unexpected polyamorous aspect that I was pleasantly surprised about. I loved all three of the main characters and their individual POVs. The way the relationship played out between all three characters was so interesting. I loved seeing how they grew closer and how Ramona and Sam's dynamic changed as they added Tom into their small friend group and band. I highly recommend picking this one up!
I picked up this one because it has an ace character and , and it had an unexpected polyamorous aspect that I was pleasantly surprised about. I loved all three of the main characters and their individual POVs. The way the relationship played out between all three characters was so interesting. I loved seeing how they grew closer and how Ramona and Sam's dynamic changed as they added Tom into their small friend group and band. I highly recommend picking this one up!
This was a quick, fun book.
In terms of ace representation, one of the main characters is ace, although the word "asexual" is never used. The ace character does experience romantic attraction (I would argue that he is biromantic, although that's not technically canon I guess). There is a bit of "what if I'm broken how can I be 'normal'" narrative although by the end of the novel the character and those he is closest to have accepted him. In addition, there is some aphobia from other secondary characters.
In terms of ace representation, one of the main characters is ace, although the word "asexual" is never used. The ace character does experience romantic attraction (I would argue that he is biromantic, although that's not technically canon I guess). There is a bit of "what if I'm broken how can I be 'normal'" narrative although by the end of the novel the character and those he is closest to have accepted him. In addition, there is some aphobia from other secondary characters.
This review was first published on Life and Other Disasters.
I was kindly provided with an eArc by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
I practically flew through this book, I read it all within a couple of hours and that does not happen when I don't like a book. I think Nowlin's style of writing is very easy to get into. Her language is relatable and her chapters short, funny and succinct. All her characters, Ramona, Sam and Tom, are equally passionate about what they do and that's what I liked most about them. It really goes a long way when an author can portray people who truly care about something or someone, because it's almost as if those characters can infect you with their passions.
However, the book wasn't a 5-star read and that was for a couple of reasons. Sam was probably the character I could relate to most, Ramona was a bit of a selfish drama queen and Tom just too extreme in his art for me sometimes. As I said above, I can appreciate passion, but I don't like hypocrites. A lot of the time I felt like it was them against the world, but they did all the things they hated about other people. They were a very exclusive clique - like the rebel version of the popular kids - and they were very snobbish about their music. Not everyone has the same tastes, but they were judging the people because of it, even if they didn't want to be judged themselves. Also, I did not get Ramona's feud with Emmalyn, because in my eyes she started ridiculing that girl first.
But that was enough of a rant, because in the end, I really enjoyed reading This Song Is (Not) For You, even if it had some flaws. I've rarely encountered such an open and unique view on what love is supposed to be like, especially with characters this young. I definitely don't want to give away the ending, let's just say that I am not entirely sure that the band is mature enough to make it work over the long run, but I truly and sincerely hope it for them. Also, I very much enjoyed reading about an asexual character for once and having that person be depicted in such an honest and positive way.
Last but not least, I just want to appreciate what an awesome band name "Vandalized by Glitter" is! I love it!
Fazit: 3.6/5 stars! Very fast paced read with an interesting perspective on love!
I was kindly provided with an eArc by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!
I practically flew through this book, I read it all within a couple of hours and that does not happen when I don't like a book. I think Nowlin's style of writing is very easy to get into. Her language is relatable and her chapters short, funny and succinct. All her characters, Ramona, Sam and Tom, are equally passionate about what they do and that's what I liked most about them. It really goes a long way when an author can portray people who truly care about something or someone, because it's almost as if those characters can infect you with their passions.
However, the book wasn't a 5-star read and that was for a couple of reasons. Sam was probably the character I could relate to most, Ramona was a bit of a selfish drama queen and Tom just too extreme in his art for me sometimes. As I said above, I can appreciate passion, but I don't like hypocrites. A lot of the time I felt like it was them against the world, but they did all the things they hated about other people. They were a very exclusive clique - like the rebel version of the popular kids - and they were very snobbish about their music. Not everyone has the same tastes, but they were judging the people because of it, even if they didn't want to be judged themselves. Also, I did not get Ramona's feud with Emmalyn, because in my eyes she started ridiculing that girl first.
But that was enough of a rant, because in the end, I really enjoyed reading This Song Is (Not) For You, even if it had some flaws. I've rarely encountered such an open and unique view on what love is supposed to be like, especially with characters this young. I definitely don't want to give away the ending, let's just say that I am not entirely sure that the band is mature enough to make it work over the long run, but I truly and sincerely hope it for them. Also, I very much enjoyed reading about an asexual character for once and having that person be depicted in such an honest and positive way.
Last but not least, I just want to appreciate what an awesome band name "Vandalized by Glitter" is! I love it!
Fazit: 3.6/5 stars! Very fast paced read with an interesting perspective on love!
This book ended in a way that I absolutely did not expect from the beginning. The beginning is kinda rocky and a little hard to get through, especially with Tom. However, if you stick with the book (which I HIGHLY recommend), you see each character shine and mature and all three main characters become real and three dimensional. It's wonderful.
I was really surprised by Tom, because at first he was the one dimensional Edgy Obnoxious guy who's Too Cool for Anything Mainstream. But you start to see something real in him, and you realize he's just legitimately of an older soul, one that doesn't understand the weird rules of society. He's extremely kind, sweet, and wants to make an impact on the world, but in his own weird, glitter-fueled way.
He's also asexual, which is great representation.
Overall, this was a really fun book to read. I'm a sucker for YA lit that involves music, and it was really cool to see this book progress and see the characters progress over the course of a year. I don't want to give the ending away, but please read it because this book will NOT end the way you expect, and it's so perfect and refreshing for the age old "oh no pretty girl has T W O boys she like??? How to choose?!?!?!"
Read it, y'all. It's good. It's refreshing. And this song is not for you.
I was really surprised by Tom, because at first he was the one dimensional Edgy Obnoxious guy who's Too Cool for Anything Mainstream. But you start to see something real in him, and you realize he's just legitimately of an older soul, one that doesn't understand the weird rules of society. He's extremely kind, sweet, and wants to make an impact on the world, but in his own weird, glitter-fueled way.
He's also asexual, which is great representation.
Overall, this was a really fun book to read. I'm a sucker for YA lit that involves music, and it was really cool to see this book progress and see the characters progress over the course of a year. I don't want to give the ending away, but please read it because this book will NOT end the way you expect, and it's so perfect and refreshing for the age old "oh no pretty girl has T W O boys she like??? How to choose?!?!?!"
Read it, y'all. It's good. It's refreshing. And this song is not for you.
Read full review HERE
I have to tell you that I did not expect most of the things about this book, and that is a good thing.
First, the writing is pretty great. The story is told in three different POVs, Ramona, Sam and Tom, and each has their own voice and that translated well into the book. Each one has its own characteristics and it felt like they were writing is their own diaries and I liked that.
I really liked the characters too, though I had a hard time identifying with Tom and Ramona most of the times, Sam was easy enough, and I was rooting for the three of them, and I really wanted them ALL to be happy.
This book also talks about issues that I had never seen depicted before in writing, it has an asexual character and a kind of polyamorous relationship, and I felt that it was well written and captivating.
The plot is where this book kind of lost me, I felt that it had no real plot, but it was more of a coming of age and accepting and dealing with diferent things kind of thing. Though neither character had any problem dealing with any of the changes in their lives, so… I also felt that these 3 almost adults read kind of young.
All in all, good read, and the only reason this books doesn’t get a higher rating was because I didn’t really connects with some of the characters and its lack of plot.
I have to tell you that I did not expect most of the things about this book, and that is a good thing.
First, the writing is pretty great. The story is told in three different POVs, Ramona, Sam and Tom, and each has their own voice and that translated well into the book. Each one has its own characteristics and it felt like they were writing is their own diaries and I liked that.
I really liked the characters too, though I had a hard time identifying with Tom and Ramona most of the times, Sam was easy enough, and I was rooting for the three of them, and I really wanted them ALL to be happy.
This book also talks about issues that I had never seen depicted before in writing, it has an asexual character and a kind of polyamorous relationship, and I felt that it was well written and captivating.
The plot is where this book kind of lost me, I felt that it had no real plot, but it was more of a coming of age and accepting and dealing with diferent things kind of thing. Though neither character had any problem dealing with any of the changes in their lives, so… I also felt that these 3 almost adults read kind of young.
All in all, good read, and the only reason this books doesn’t get a higher rating was because I didn’t really connects with some of the characters and its lack of plot.
I received this ebook in exchange for my honest review via NetGalley.
I enjoyed this book. The characters are very unique, I have never come across any quite like them before. Ramona is a very hyperactive girl who doesn't want to fit in anywhere, she enjoys being different. I like how she developed of the course of the story along with Sam and Tom, her bandmates.
One of my favourite things about it is the wide range of issues addressed. From what they want to do with their lives to Tom's sexuality, there are many which most teenagers can relate to, and some which only a few could relate to.
I would highly recommend this book, especially to teenagers who are at a similar stage in their life, questioning who they are and who they want to become.
I enjoyed this book. The characters are very unique, I have never come across any quite like them before. Ramona is a very hyperactive girl who doesn't want to fit in anywhere, she enjoys being different. I like how she developed of the course of the story along with Sam and Tom, her bandmates.
One of my favourite things about it is the wide range of issues addressed. From what they want to do with their lives to Tom's sexuality, there are many which most teenagers can relate to, and some which only a few could relate to.
I would highly recommend this book, especially to teenagers who are at a similar stage in their life, questioning who they are and who they want to become.
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Acephobia/Arophobia
Moderate: Death of parent
On the page acephobia in response to a character sharing they don’t have a sexuality and aren’t sexually attracted to anyone.