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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
I am really trying to step out of my usual genres for books and picked this one on a whim, and I am really, really glad that I did. I wasn't sure what I was expecting when I started this journey with Ingrid, but I enjoyed every step of the way.
My biggest problem with contemporary YA fiction, is most times I find it mind-numbingly predictable. But this one I liked! This book had enough of an edge that kept me on my seat, and it was emotional enough that I wasn't annoyed with it either. Actual problems being solved in actual ways, which I liked.
My biggest problem with contemporary YA fiction, is most times I find it mind-numbingly predictable. But this one I liked! This book had enough of an edge that kept me on my seat, and it was emotional enough that I wasn't annoyed with it either. Actual problems being solved in actual ways, which I liked.
This book blew me away. I didn't expected to love it and see myself in it.
I read this book three times! I absolutely love it. I can't remember when was the last time I felt such a wide range of emotions while reading a book. It was intriguing, emotional, and full of great characters. This book will forever have a special place in my heart
November 2, 2020
4.5/5 stars
Everything Beautiful is Not Ruined follows an aspiring singer named Ingrid, who gets permission from her former opera singer mother to pursue music on the condition that she attend a wilderness survival camp for at-risk teenagers. The story is told through multiple timelines, following Ingrid’s time at camp, her budding friendship with a boy named Isaac, and the loss of her mother’s singing voice.
Younge-Ullman’s writing alone is enough to bring me to read a novel. She’s fantastic at writing both witty dialogue and snarky, sarcastic characters, two elements I love having in any book I read. That her words so effectively portray and carry emotion is also a huge plus, and I often find her protagonists' way of thinking incredibly relatable. I also love the imagery she uses, it often has me imaging myself in the scene.
In regards to themes, the novel’s most prominent one is grief. Ingrid has a lot of complicated feelings towards the most important relationship in her life, and a lot of emotions she bottles up. Over the course of the novel we unpack these feelings with her and see how holding in emotions can be harmful. As someone who’s always had a hard time discussing my own feelings, I could really relate to Ingrid’s struggle. Seeing Ingrid coming to terms with her issues was really emotionally impactful, but I also appreciated that there were no grand solutions for Ingrid’s problems.
To speak of the present timeline, I’m not a fan of the wilderness so I find it quite interesting that I don’t mind reading this type of setting. Ingrid’s temperament and attitudes towards wilderness were similar to my own, so I had no difficulties empathizing with her struggle to adapt to camp life. I also liked that Ingrid wasn’t quick to form lasting relationships, and that she was a more introspective and introverted character. It feels more genuine that the group members of her camp ended up forming cliques, but also that they were slowly able to open up to one another over time. But while I enjoyed the present day timeline, and thought it did well to unpack Ingrid’s feelings, my favourite aspect of the novel was the flashbacks that centred on Ingrid and her parents. Her relationship with Andreas was so sweet and a most needed comfort during the difficult periods of her life. As for Ingrid’s mother, through the flashbacks we were really able to see the full picture in regards to Margot-Sophia’s character, and while I would rather not comment on Margot-Sophia’s actions, I did understand where she was coming from. Because Ingrid, Andreas, and Margot-Sophia’s characters were so well fleshed out, the different relationships between the three were layered and complex, and ended up being the most memorable aspect of the novel.
Lastly, the negatives. I had this complaint the first time I read Everything Beautiful is Not Ruined and I also have it about He Must Like You and it’s that I have a hard time connecting to Younge-Ullman’s romances. While I liked the dynamic Ingrid had with Tavik, especially their chemistry, I wasn’t as big a supporter of her relationship with Isaac. I’m beginning to think it’s because I don’t get along particularly well with the personalities of Younge-Ullman’s love interests, which really is just a personal preference. That’s not to say that I think the romance was bad, just that if I’m going to root for a romance I have a preference for liking those involved.
CW:
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April 26, 2018
4.25/5 stars
4.5/5 stars
Everything Beautiful is Not Ruined follows an aspiring singer named Ingrid, who gets permission from her former opera singer mother to pursue music on the condition that she attend a wilderness survival camp for at-risk teenagers. The story is told through multiple timelines, following Ingrid’s time at camp, her budding friendship with a boy named Isaac, and the loss of her mother’s singing voice.
Younge-Ullman’s writing alone is enough to bring me to read a novel. She’s fantastic at writing both witty dialogue and snarky, sarcastic characters, two elements I love having in any book I read. That her words so effectively portray and carry emotion is also a huge plus, and I often find her protagonists' way of thinking incredibly relatable. I also love the imagery she uses, it often has me imaging myself in the scene.
In regards to themes, the novel’s most prominent one is grief. Ingrid has a lot of complicated feelings towards the most important relationship in her life, and a lot of emotions she bottles up. Over the course of the novel we unpack these feelings with her and see how holding in emotions can be harmful. As someone who’s always had a hard time discussing my own feelings, I could really relate to Ingrid’s struggle. Seeing Ingrid coming to terms with her issues was really emotionally impactful, but I also appreciated that there were no grand solutions for Ingrid’s problems.
To speak of the present timeline, I’m not a fan of the wilderness so I find it quite interesting that I don’t mind reading this type of setting. Ingrid’s temperament and attitudes towards wilderness were similar to my own, so I had no difficulties empathizing with her struggle to adapt to camp life. I also liked that Ingrid wasn’t quick to form lasting relationships, and that she was a more introspective and introverted character. It feels more genuine that the group members of her camp ended up forming cliques, but also that they were slowly able to open up to one another over time. But while I enjoyed the present day timeline, and thought it did well to unpack Ingrid’s feelings, my favourite aspect of the novel was the flashbacks that centred on Ingrid and her parents. Her relationship with Andreas was so sweet and a most needed comfort during the difficult periods of her life. As for Ingrid’s mother, through the flashbacks we were really able to see the full picture in regards to Margot-Sophia’s character, and while I would rather not comment on Margot-Sophia’s actions, I did understand where she was coming from. Because Ingrid, Andreas, and Margot-Sophia’s characters were so well fleshed out, the different relationships between the three were layered and complex, and ended up being the most memorable aspect of the novel.
Lastly, the negatives. I had this complaint the first time I read Everything Beautiful is Not Ruined and I also have it about He Must Like You and it’s that I have a hard time connecting to Younge-Ullman’s romances. While I liked the dynamic Ingrid had with Tavik, especially their chemistry, I wasn’t as big a supporter of her relationship with Isaac. I’m beginning to think it’s because I don’t get along particularly well with the personalities of Younge-Ullman’s love interests, which really is just a personal preference. That’s not to say that I think the romance was bad, just that if I’m going to root for a romance I have a preference for liking those involved.
CW:
Spoiler
suicide, sexual assault, depressionBlog | Instagram (main account) | Instagram (manga account) | Twitter
April 26, 2018
4.25/5 stars
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicide
A very deep book about tragedy, acceptance and finding yourself. I really loved the book, it was recommended by my librarian to read for a school assignment and I was pleasantly surprised. I found familiarity in the sarcasm in the perspective of the protagonist and was completely shocked when the twist came around in the final chapters. This book is bound to leave an impression and I would highly recommend it. Although I would suggest for a more mature audience. P.S the dialect in this novel is phenomenal.
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
MY GOD!! This book!
Just amazing.
READ IT NOW! EVERYONE! NOW!
Just amazing.
READ IT NOW! EVERYONE! NOW!
This book was beautiful. Ingrid’s life is broken after her opera singer mother loses her voice and must completely change their life style settling for a simple life in Canada.
The story begins as Ingrid sets off to attend Peak Wilderness; a camp for at-risk teens where she is tested physically, emotionally, and mentally alongside several other teens with problems of their own. If she survives the experience, she can attend senior year at a prestigious music preparatory school in London. Ingrid wants to sing like her mom did and she is determined to prove that by surviving this camp experience.
The story begins as Ingrid sets off to attend Peak Wilderness; a camp for at-risk teens where she is tested physically, emotionally, and mentally alongside several other teens with problems of their own. If she survives the experience, she can attend senior year at a prestigious music preparatory school in London. Ingrid wants to sing like her mom did and she is determined to prove that by surviving this camp experience.
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes