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ivi_reads_books's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I enjoyed how the relationships between the family members and friends were depicted. Everyone has their burden to carry in this book but they try to support one another as best they can.
The bladder condition the main character had was not in focus as much as I had thought when reading the blurp but it does show how a young girl navigates live with this illness without having access to a lot of treatment options
And the title is genius!
The bladder condition the main character had was not in focus as much as I had thought when reading the blurp but it does show how a young girl navigates live with this illness without having access to a lot of treatment options
And the title is genius!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
_thebookishbarista_'s review
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thanks to Netgalley and Penguin Teen for the arc!!
"all of these sensations, pleasant and unpleasant, coursed through my body and told me that I was alive. And because of that, all of them were beautiful."
This book was hopeful, inspiring, and funny at times. The story follows Dolores Mendoza, a 14-year-old girl, who has recently been diagnosed with interstitial cystitis. This chronic, painful condition has led to what she considers to be the most embarrassing situations ever. She lost her best friend because of it, and feels as if her life is ruined. But in the midst, she meets a girl named Terpischore whose goal is to change her fate. Terpsichore is glamorous, autistic, and a talented clothing designer. The duo reluctantly become friends, and Dolores comes up with a plan to reunite with her ex-best friend. Told from Dolores' often hyperbolic point of view, this story is one of hope, friendship, pain, betrayal, and humor.
"forever is such a very long time to think about when you've only lived fourteen years."
This book was really well-written and one of the most humorous books I've read. I will say, this is very much a younger YA book, which I think I've grown out of a little. It feels directed towards a younger audience like the main character is. However, I think there's lessons about friendship, disability, and self-identity that are important for people of all ages. I totally recommend this one for a lighthearted read that still tackles some big topics!!
mochasandmetaphors's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
librerika's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Extremely funny and extremely honest story about learning how to live with changes within your family, friends, and even your own body. Enjoyed the bathroom reviews and telenovela script memories and all the characters, especially Terpsichore and Mateo. Thoughtful chronic illness/pain and autism representation.
navyyodachef's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
I really enjoyed this story about Dolores who has been diagnosed with a bladder condition called interstitial cystitis the previous school year. It follows her summer after an embarrassing act of accidentally peeing herself and trying to get her best friend back who isn't currently talking to her and making a new friend a girl who is homeschooled and sheltered and has autism. I really enjoyed the story to include how Dolores rates each bathroom she uses with vivid detail. This was a great story about growing up and making new friends and taking control of what you can. Highly recommend
caseythereader's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Thanks to Random House for the free copy of this book.
- CHRONICALLY DOLORES is easily a new favorite YA novel for me. It’s all the best parts of YA - exploring topics kids are embarrassed to talk about, complicated feelings, big feelings, but still being funny and fun.
- I adored Dolores and her new friend Terpsichore, and seeing them figure out how to befriend each other as they try to navigate the world as teens who are chronically ill and autistic, respectively.
- I really liked how this book very pointedly discussed the difference between having an incurable disease and being neurodivergent. Both shape who you are and the way you live, but they are not the same.
- I don’t even have space to get into everything else this book covers. Religion, ableism, class, familial tensions...all this and it’s still a book that had me laughing out loud. I hope you’ll seek it out!
- CHRONICALLY DOLORES is easily a new favorite YA novel for me. It’s all the best parts of YA - exploring topics kids are embarrassed to talk about, complicated feelings, big feelings, but still being funny and fun.
- I adored Dolores and her new friend Terpsichore, and seeing them figure out how to befriend each other as they try to navigate the world as teens who are chronically ill and autistic, respectively.
- I really liked how this book very pointedly discussed the difference between having an incurable disease and being neurodivergent. Both shape who you are and the way you live, but they are not the same.
- I don’t even have space to get into everything else this book covers. Religion, ableism, class, familial tensions...all this and it’s still a book that had me laughing out loud. I hope you’ll seek it out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Chronic illness, and Medical content
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Alcohol
thischarmingamy's review
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma
Moderate: Bullying
bethfishreads's review
3.5
A contemporary YA novel that address several #OwnVoice issues.
The last day of middle school wasn't what Dolores hoped it would be. Thanks to her interstitial cystitis (a bladder condition), she wet her pants in front of her classmates before she had the chance to race to the bathroom. If that weren't bad enough, she slipped in the puddle and hit her head, which meant she couldn't slink away but had to leave school in ambulance. How's a 14-year-old supposed to outlive *that*?
Unfortunately, that wasn't all Dolores had to face that summer: her BFF was ghosting her, her parents were fighting, and she was forced to attend a "sad kids" workshop. At the workshop, she spots a girl about her own age. When they later meet, Dolores learns that she's not the only kid who is having rough time.
Terpsichore is on the autism spectrum, and her overbearing and overprotective mother insists on homeschooling and forbids Terpsichore to make friends or do anything that other young teens do. Though it would seem that Dolores and Terpsichore have nothing in common, they form an unlikely alliance, each vowing to help the other get what she wants.
Overall, I liked the book; Dolores's maturation and gradual ability to see life and events straight on, without her previous dramatic and rose-colored slant, was believable and relatable. She was contending with a chronic disease, living in poverty, and loneliness. The book included enough humor and one-liners to soften the harder themes.
Terpsichore faced other problems: her loneliness was brought on by her mother's complete lack of faith in Terpsichore's abilities to live in the world and in how others would treat her. While Terpsichore was aware that the odds were against her, she wanted to at least have the chance to follow her dreams.
Other plot lines were Dolores's brother's crush on a guy and her parents' failing relationship. In the course of the summer, Dolores talks with a priest in a confessional, comes to understand a failing friendship, and learns that not everyone is who they seem to be on the surface.
I have two issues with the book's ending: The first involves Dolores's relationship with her ex-BFF, Shae:I would have liked to see some closure here. Perhaps I just missed it, but I wanted Dolores to reach out to Shae so their friendship ended on better terms. The second involves Dolores's parents: I'm not sure why Dolores's parents had to go into bankruptcy and end up divorced. I feel that those were two too many issues explored in the book.
The author's note at the end explains the #OwnVoice aspects of the book, including interstitial cystitis, being on the spectrum, and LBGTQ relationships.
The audiobook was performed by Victoria Villarreal whose accents and characterizations were well done. She delivered the humor well and didn't veer into the overdramatic during the more intense scenes.
Thanks to the publishers for review copies in various formats.
The last day of middle school wasn't what Dolores hoped it would be. Thanks to her interstitial cystitis (a bladder condition), she wet her pants in front of her classmates before she had the chance to race to the bathroom. If that weren't bad enough, she slipped in the puddle and hit her head, which meant she couldn't slink away but had to leave school in ambulance. How's a 14-year-old supposed to outlive *that*?
Unfortunately, that wasn't all Dolores had to face that summer: her BFF was ghosting her, her parents were fighting, and she was forced to attend a "sad kids" workshop. At the workshop, she spots a girl about her own age. When they later meet, Dolores learns that she's not the only kid who is having rough time.
Terpsichore is on the autism spectrum, and her overbearing and overprotective mother insists on homeschooling and forbids Terpsichore to make friends or do anything that other young teens do. Though it would seem that Dolores and Terpsichore have nothing in common, they form an unlikely alliance, each vowing to help the other get what she wants.
Overall, I liked the book; Dolores's maturation and gradual ability to see life and events straight on, without her previous dramatic and rose-colored slant, was believable and relatable. She was contending with a chronic disease, living in poverty, and loneliness. The book included enough humor and one-liners to soften the harder themes.
Terpsichore faced other problems: her loneliness was brought on by her mother's complete lack of faith in Terpsichore's abilities to live in the world and in how others would treat her. While Terpsichore was aware that the odds were against her, she wanted to at least have the chance to follow her dreams.
Other plot lines were Dolores's brother's crush on a guy and her parents' failing relationship. In the course of the summer, Dolores talks with a priest in a confessional, comes to understand a failing friendship, and learns that not everyone is who they seem to be on the surface.
I have two issues with the book's ending: The first involves Dolores's relationship with her ex-BFF, Shae:
The author's note at the end explains the #OwnVoice aspects of the book, including interstitial cystitis, being on the spectrum, and LBGTQ relationships.
The audiobook was performed by Victoria Villarreal whose accents and characterizations were well done. She delivered the humor well and didn't veer into the overdramatic during the more intense scenes.
Thanks to the publishers for review copies in various formats.
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