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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
Sounded amazing, exactly like my dating life, but my expectations must have been too high for this, just like my expectations were for my dating life.
I picked up (downloaded) this book as a respite from some more heavy-handed psychology reading.
At first, I hated it.
This book really is nothing more than detailed descriptions of situations involving boys that the author has crushed on or almost-dated at one point in her life. It begins in elementary school, and this is where I almost gave up on the book before it really started. It repulsed me to read a self-described independent feminist detailing her desire for a boyfriend at the age of (I think) 6.
But Katie Heaney's humour and wit is what makes this memoir worth reading. There is insight here, and combined with an ability to laugh at herself and a propensity to make comments that are worth laughing at, this book stole my affection despite my initial misgivings.
At first, I hated it.
This book really is nothing more than detailed descriptions of situations involving boys that the author has crushed on or almost-dated at one point in her life. It begins in elementary school, and this is where I almost gave up on the book before it really started. It repulsed me to read a self-described independent feminist detailing her desire for a boyfriend at the age of (I think) 6.
But Katie Heaney's humour and wit is what makes this memoir worth reading. There is insight here, and combined with an ability to laugh at herself and a propensity to make comments that are worth laughing at, this book stole my affection despite my initial misgivings.
This book was charming and easy to relate to, although occasionally boring and juvenile. I loved the idea of a book of anecdotes about a dateless twenty-something, but not all of the stories were interesting, and some just came off as boy crazy. There were several blocks of text that I felt were good advice or reminders, especially regarding platonic relationships, having a best friend, sex and not needing to date. It wasn't exactly what I hoped it would have been, but it was an enjoyable read.
As the title of her book suggests, Katie Heaney is a 25-year-old woman who has never been in a relationship. Beautiful and highly-educated with a great sense of humor, Katie has everything going for her in every other aspect of her life but has spent a quarter of a lifetime on her own. Never Have I Ever recounts Katie’s experiences (or lack thereof) with men.
My relationship with this book has lasted longer than any of my relationships (or Katie’s) - combined. I first heard of Never Have I Ever through one of my favorite bloggers on the planet, Sarah from The Nomad’s Land. She loved it, so I decided to try it in audiobook form. I don’t know how audiobooks narrators are chosen (via auditions, a la a high school play? Do narrators bid on projects? Is there a high-drama competition akin to something one might watch in a reality TV program like The Voice?), but the narrator for Never Have I Ever was so whiny and overacted her part so much that I wound up returning the book on Audible. Then I sat wracked with guilt for months because I knew Sarah, with her good taste in travel destinations and Japanese breakfast foods, would never lead me astray. When I found a copy in print form at my local charity shop, I started reading Never Have I Ever in my own voice, and I quickly came to the same conclusion as Sarah: it rocked.
It’s hard to read Never Have I Ever without wanting to be Katie’s best friend. I’m 24 and have had my own lifetime of awkwardness with men, and I found myself relating to Katie immensely. One minute she had me laughing out loud, the next, I’d be sending full sentences from her book to my friends; I honestly think half of the time she was describing my own experiences as well as her own. Despite her young age and lack of dating experience, she has a sublime talent at putting her feelings into words which I cannot help but envy; personally, when I’m going through something with a guy, I usually express myself with adlkjf;alsjkfd.
For example: “It had never occurred to me to think that something inherent to me was to blame for the things that went wrong (or the things that never even happened at all) with the other guys before him. Maybe it was all that time I’d had to decide I was cool and good and worthy without anyone else’s help, I’m not sure. It wasn’t a transition I noticed happening… I always liked me. And I didn’t realize I’d never felt badly about myself until that was all I could do.” There were so many times I would read a passage like this in the book and nod my head enthusiastically while whispering “Yessssssss” under my breath.
I’d recommend Katie’s story to any girl in her 20’s; even if you’re not as unlucky in love as we are, you’d definitely appreciate the cultural references and humor. And if you are, in fact, as awkward around men as Katie or I, you’d appreciate the comradeship. Altogether, it was a fantastic read!
My relationship with this book has lasted longer than any of my relationships (or Katie’s) - combined. I first heard of Never Have I Ever through one of my favorite bloggers on the planet, Sarah from The Nomad’s Land. She loved it, so I decided to try it in audiobook form. I don’t know how audiobooks narrators are chosen (via auditions, a la a high school play? Do narrators bid on projects? Is there a high-drama competition akin to something one might watch in a reality TV program like The Voice?), but the narrator for Never Have I Ever was so whiny and overacted her part so much that I wound up returning the book on Audible. Then I sat wracked with guilt for months because I knew Sarah, with her good taste in travel destinations and Japanese breakfast foods, would never lead me astray. When I found a copy in print form at my local charity shop, I started reading Never Have I Ever in my own voice, and I quickly came to the same conclusion as Sarah: it rocked.
It’s hard to read Never Have I Ever without wanting to be Katie’s best friend. I’m 24 and have had my own lifetime of awkwardness with men, and I found myself relating to Katie immensely. One minute she had me laughing out loud, the next, I’d be sending full sentences from her book to my friends; I honestly think half of the time she was describing my own experiences as well as her own. Despite her young age and lack of dating experience, she has a sublime talent at putting her feelings into words which I cannot help but envy; personally, when I’m going through something with a guy, I usually express myself with adlkjf;alsjkfd.
For example: “It had never occurred to me to think that something inherent to me was to blame for the things that went wrong (or the things that never even happened at all) with the other guys before him. Maybe it was all that time I’d had to decide I was cool and good and worthy without anyone else’s help, I’m not sure. It wasn’t a transition I noticed happening… I always liked me. And I didn’t realize I’d never felt badly about myself until that was all I could do.” There were so many times I would read a passage like this in the book and nod my head enthusiastically while whispering “Yessssssss” under my breath.
I’d recommend Katie’s story to any girl in her 20’s; even if you’re not as unlucky in love as we are, you’d definitely appreciate the cultural references and humor. And if you are, in fact, as awkward around men as Katie or I, you’d appreciate the comradeship. Altogether, it was a fantastic read!
A quick and easy read that I found at least somewhat relatable and funny. Her chapters on online dating are so funny because they are so true. Is this a masterpiece?! Certainly not. But I found myself really empathizing with Katie and her journey to find a boyfriend or at least go on a date. And as a newly single person, this was actually a good book for me to read right now. I appreciated what she had to say and enjoyed following her on her journey. Some reviews have painted her as vapid and shallow. I didn’t see that at all. Then again, I’m also her age so maybe that made a difference. Regardless, this one is one that I’ll be recommending to anyone who wants to read about the struggles of dating. It certainly made me cringe and laugh all at the same time!
I related to 90% of what what Katie was describing in this book. Maybe I didn't find it as laugh out loud funny as I had initially thought (though there were some moments that I was in tears from laughing), but it was still one of the most fantastic books I've ever read. Mostly because I could see so much of myself that I felt like it was about my life. Because I definitely find myself at 26 in the same spot as the author.
And the fact that Katie Heaney is from the twin cities too made my day! I hope one day to run into her in a bar because I feel like I owe her a drink.
And the fact that Katie Heaney is from the twin cities too made my day! I hope one day to run into her in a bar because I feel like I owe her a drink.
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
I loved this book and if it wasn't for work getting in the way I would have read it faster, because I didn't want to put it down! This is funny, endearing, real, and relatable. If you like Gilmore Girls, you'll like this book and the way it's narrated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Sexual content
I tried with this one, I really did, but argh. She annoys me. I didn't realize someone could bore me this much and still be annoying as hell. Maybe it'd be better with a different narrator, I don't know, but yeah, I didn't finish and won't be coming back to this one.
This is one of the best memoirs I’ve read, mainly because it’s very relatable. (I saw myself and my friends in this book.) Everyone knows how it feels to like someone and to go through the various emotions of possible outcomes, and the author tells her stories so well.
It especially spoke to me, as a neurotic late bloomer. In fact, every story/character made me think of ones in my own life. As I read, I went through every journey with the author, feeling anxious or sad or hurt, etc.
The author has a great voice. Her honesty, warmth and humor--I laughed out loud, and that's rare--were what made me love reading, and I wasn’t able to stop. She articulates her thoughts so well, and in a way, I was able to find clarity in my own situations by reading about hers.
I highly recommend this book, especially for those who are a bit worried and apologetic about not being able to figure out love yet.
It especially spoke to me, as a neurotic late bloomer. In fact, every story/character made me think of ones in my own life. As I read, I went through every journey with the author, feeling anxious or sad or hurt, etc.
The author has a great voice. Her honesty, warmth and humor--I laughed out loud, and that's rare--were what made me love reading, and I wasn’t able to stop. She articulates her thoughts so well, and in a way, I was able to find clarity in my own situations by reading about hers.
I highly recommend this book, especially for those who are a bit worried and apologetic about not being able to figure out love yet.