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3.17 AVERAGE
3.17 AVERAGE
I picked this up and was excited from the start. I found myself unable to put it down all day, and I just finished it, clearing over 200 pages today. it was a really fun romp with one of my old childhood comrades, as it were, and I loved it. read it
Clarissa was my style idol and an overall inspiration as a kid, growing up with Nickelodeon shows.
Anyone who loved this show has probably wondered where this character could be today.
So, that’s quite a task to tackle for a story.
First, allow a bit of a change to the story. Because this is Clarissa in the modern day but she’s only 26. I could accept that storyline as it gives us a chance to catch up with her as she’s trying to navigate adult life for the first real time.
I guess if we stuck with the real timeline, she’d probably be in her 40’s and married possibly with kids. You know what? I’d read that story too.
So, we get a chance to catch up with the characters.
We see Clarissa as a very intelligent adult with trouble finding a great job in NYC as a writer, there’s Ferguson who has let his own ambition lead him into trouble and there’s Clarissa’s parents who might be divorcing.
I thought the author did a pretty successful job of bringing Clarissa back to life. She’s still smart, strong, spunky, unique and she still loves fashion. I like how the author stayed true to Clarissa’s particular style, I could absolutely believe that adult Clarissa would be shopping at vintage stores.
Going into a story like this, with a character you love, you have certain expectations or hopes.
The big one? At least for me? Sam. For goodness sakes, either let them be together, let them have stayed the best of friends, or let them have dated but decided to stay friends.
Instead, they fell madly in love with each other and then, I guess, drifted apart in a way that provided zero closure. I’m sorry coffee guy love interest but Clarissa appears to still be in love with Sam.
On another note, her cat just disappeared?
Clearly this needs a sequel. If the author is reading this, how about a second book where Sam and Clarissa’s cat both return?
Anyone who loved this show has probably wondered where this character could be today.
So, that’s quite a task to tackle for a story.
First, allow a bit of a change to the story. Because this is Clarissa in the modern day but she’s only 26. I could accept that storyline as it gives us a chance to catch up with her as she’s trying to navigate adult life for the first real time.
I guess if we stuck with the real timeline, she’d probably be in her 40’s and married possibly with kids. You know what? I’d read that story too.
So, we get a chance to catch up with the characters.
We see Clarissa as a very intelligent adult with trouble finding a great job in NYC as a writer, there’s Ferguson who has let his own ambition lead him into trouble and there’s Clarissa’s parents who might be divorcing.
I thought the author did a pretty successful job of bringing Clarissa back to life. She’s still smart, strong, spunky, unique and she still loves fashion. I like how the author stayed true to Clarissa’s particular style, I could absolutely believe that adult Clarissa would be shopping at vintage stores.
Going into a story like this, with a character you love, you have certain expectations or hopes.
The big one? At least for me? Sam. For goodness sakes, either let them be together, let them have stayed the best of friends, or let them have dated but decided to stay friends.
Instead, they fell madly in love with each other and then, I guess, drifted apart in a way that provided zero closure. I’m sorry coffee guy love interest but Clarissa appears to still be in love with Sam.
On another note, her cat just disappeared?
Clearly this needs a sequel. If the author is reading this, how about a second book where Sam and Clarissa’s cat both return?
Graded By: Mandy C.
Cover Story: Grass Nap
BFF Charm: Roger Murtaugh
Swoonworthy Scale: 4
Talky Talk: Clarissa-Adjacent
Bonus Factor: Micro-Relationships
Anti-Bonus Factor: Loose Ends
Relationship Status: Good Luck
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Grass Nap
BFF Charm: Roger Murtaugh
Swoonworthy Scale: 4
Talky Talk: Clarissa-Adjacent
Bonus Factor: Micro-Relationships
Anti-Bonus Factor: Loose Ends
Relationship Status: Good Luck
Read the full book report here.
This review and others can be found on Cozy Up With A Good Read
Oh a book that is a sequel to such a loved children's show, I definitely jumped at the chance for this. Though I may be a bit young, I know of Clarissa Explains It All from watching what my sister did. I have a few memories about this show, but I can definitely say that a lot of things came back as I was reading this book. Now don't get me wrong, you really don't need to know the show to enjoy this book, Mitchell Kriegman brings in a lot of Clarissa's back story to explain how she has gotten where she is now.
It's great to see the story of Clarissa grown up and is dealing with a new life away from where she grew up. Kriegman does an amazing job bringing Clarissa back to life but is now at an age where those who grew up with her can relate to some of the issues she is going through. I love how Kriegman shows the difficulties of going out on your own and starting life, nothing can be perfect, there are always problems that need to be solved before things begin to fall into place. I love the writing style, Clarissa is definitely back and she is still a force to be reckoned with, readers still get this sassy girl who is obsessed with charts and graphs and it helps her control her world around her.
We get a glimpse of Clarissa's parents who definitely bring some great humour to the story and throw a huge wrench in some of her plans. It's great to see how Clarissa's past really shapes her future self and the people that she has befriended over the years, including old friends. You can't have a book like this without bringing back so many old characters, and it truly adds to the story to see these people come back and still have an effect on Clarissa.
Honestly this was such a cute book, though I am disappointed that there are certain people who seem to be missing. Maybe it has more to do with Clarissa moving on with her life and getting away from her past but it would have been nice to have a little more of a certain someone... This is definitely a great sequel to an awesome show from years ago (and I can definitely picture Melissa Joan Hart flawlessly pulling off the roll of Clarissa in her twenties). Doesn't matter if you were a fan of the show when you were a kid or you're just looking for a cute read that will leave you laughing as well, this is for sure a book to pick up!
Oh a book that is a sequel to such a loved children's show, I definitely jumped at the chance for this. Though I may be a bit young, I know of Clarissa Explains It All from watching what my sister did. I have a few memories about this show, but I can definitely say that a lot of things came back as I was reading this book. Now don't get me wrong, you really don't need to know the show to enjoy this book, Mitchell Kriegman brings in a lot of Clarissa's back story to explain how she has gotten where she is now.
It's great to see the story of Clarissa grown up and is dealing with a new life away from where she grew up. Kriegman does an amazing job bringing Clarissa back to life but is now at an age where those who grew up with her can relate to some of the issues she is going through. I love how Kriegman shows the difficulties of going out on your own and starting life, nothing can be perfect, there are always problems that need to be solved before things begin to fall into place. I love the writing style, Clarissa is definitely back and she is still a force to be reckoned with, readers still get this sassy girl who is obsessed with charts and graphs and it helps her control her world around her.
We get a glimpse of Clarissa's parents who definitely bring some great humour to the story and throw a huge wrench in some of her plans. It's great to see how Clarissa's past really shapes her future self and the people that she has befriended over the years, including old friends. You can't have a book like this without bringing back so many old characters, and it truly adds to the story to see these people come back and still have an effect on Clarissa.
Honestly this was such a cute book, though I am disappointed that there are certain people who seem to be missing. Maybe it has more to do with Clarissa moving on with her life and getting away from her past but it would have been nice to have a little more of a certain someone... This is definitely a great sequel to an awesome show from years ago (and I can definitely picture Melissa Joan Hart flawlessly pulling off the roll of Clarissa in her twenties). Doesn't matter if you were a fan of the show when you were a kid or you're just looking for a cute read that will leave you laughing as well, this is for sure a book to pick up!
It hurts my soul to rate this book as only 3 stars, but unfortunately that's what it is. I was, along with many other reviewers, a huge fan of Clarissa when I was 10 and she was 14. I looked up to her and envied her wardrobe. So how was it that I am now 30-something *cough cough* and yet she is only in her 20's? How is it that, even though she is older than me when the show started, she is now declaring herself a millennial when I'm too old for that? Somewhere in the Clarissa world, she paused time.
And what happened to Sam?? It felt like such a slap in the face to write the storyline the way he did and then not even resolve it. I felt like the author wrote about it, focused on everything else, got to the end and declared "oh shoot I need to say what happened to Sam...ummm...gee I just don't know." I'm sorry but I never liked this whole storyline - I won't say much more to not give it away but fans of the show won't be happy.
Then the references to Melissa Joan Hart's other TV shows was distracting. A cat with a magical portal for coming and going that she wanted to name Salem but instead named Elvis? AND WHAT HAPPENED TO ELVIS?! Another storyline that wasn't resolved! A plot line similar to her ABC Family movies? Calling a character Dr Hart? Thank you for taking me out of my headspace (!!) to remind me that she was only an actress.
Overall? Was there a plot? I'm still not sure what the main meat of the story was. And the monologues that Clarissa used to give to us didn't translate well on paper. Neither did the diagrams. I wonder if the ebook would be worse...
Fans of Clarissa? Hold back on your excitement to not have unrealistic expectations the way I did (didn't even know this was coming out - just happened to be browsing and saw it and then promptly freaked out when I realized that it was about Clarissa Darling!) If you don't know who Clarissa is enjoy the book, but know you've missed out on crazy early-90's fun!
And what happened to Sam?? It felt like such a slap in the face to write the storyline the way he did and then not even resolve it. I felt like the author wrote about it, focused on everything else, got to the end and declared "oh shoot I need to say what happened to Sam...ummm...gee I just don't know." I'm sorry but I never liked this whole storyline - I won't say much more to not give it away but fans of the show won't be happy.
Then the references to Melissa Joan Hart's other TV shows was distracting. A cat with a magical portal for coming and going that she wanted to name Salem but instead named Elvis? AND WHAT HAPPENED TO ELVIS?! Another storyline that wasn't resolved! A plot line similar to her ABC Family movies? Calling a character Dr Hart? Thank you for taking me out of my headspace (!!) to remind me that she was only an actress.
Overall? Was there a plot? I'm still not sure what the main meat of the story was. And the monologues that Clarissa used to give to us didn't translate well on paper. Neither did the diagrams. I wonder if the ebook would be worse...
Fans of Clarissa? Hold back on your excitement to not have unrealistic expectations the way I did (didn't even know this was coming out - just happened to be browsing and saw it and then promptly freaked out when I realized that it was about Clarissa Darling!) If you don't know who Clarissa is enjoy the book, but know you've missed out on crazy early-90's fun!
Audio book review
Probably the worst editing I’ve heard in an audio book.
There are times when the reader will stop mid sentence, speak to the producer and apologize because she still had water in her mouth and needs to swallow AND THEN STARTS THE SENTENCE OVER!!
Thank god this was free from an audible trial but holy shit that’s just not acceptable, especially at the cost of an audio book.
The story itself is fairly weak. It doesn’t feel like the natural progress of Clarissa.
The San stuff is handled in a total BS manner. Oh and the book constantly uses stuff like BRB LOL TTFN AND FEELS THE NEED TO EXPLAIN IT.
Look, Clarissa would be in her 30s at this point, much like the fan base so why make her in her 20s but make it modern day.
I’ve also never seen so many people go from Ohio to NYC on a whim. Like it just doesn’t work like that.
Also, Clarissa is a self centered asshole who nonchalantly let’s her cat escape her apartment and just goes off.
YOURE NOW A TERRIBLE PERDON CLARISSA
She doesn’t even go to look for it FOR DAYS
Probably the worst editing I’ve heard in an audio book.
There are times when the reader will stop mid sentence, speak to the producer and apologize because she still had water in her mouth and needs to swallow AND THEN STARTS THE SENTENCE OVER!!
Thank god this was free from an audible trial but holy shit that’s just not acceptable, especially at the cost of an audio book.
The story itself is fairly weak. It doesn’t feel like the natural progress of Clarissa.
The San stuff is handled in a total BS manner. Oh and the book constantly uses stuff like BRB LOL TTFN AND FEELS THE NEED TO EXPLAIN IT.
Look, Clarissa would be in her 30s at this point, much like the fan base so why make her in her 20s but make it modern day.
I’ve also never seen so many people go from Ohio to NYC on a whim. Like it just doesn’t work like that.
Also, Clarissa is a self centered asshole who nonchalantly let’s her cat escape her apartment and just goes off.
YOURE NOW A TERRIBLE PERDON CLARISSA
She doesn’t even go to look for it FOR DAYS
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via NetGalley by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.
Things I Can’t Explain is the highly anticipated modern day sequel to everyone’s favorite and quirky know-it-all narrated kids show, now considered a classic, Clarissa Explains It All. I can’t name a single person I know who isn’t familiar with the iconic and charming television series, whether they watched it as it aired or when it was put in syndication and reruns took over their summertime.
Regardless of the hows and the whens, a great deal of us grew up with Clarissa Explains It All; giggling and admiring the series in a way that only the young can. You couldn’t help but to love Clarissa and her long winded narration. I’ve often wondered what happened after the show ended, because it’s impossible to not enjoy yourself so Things I Can’t Explain has been on my mind for ages now.
But where is Clarissa Darling now, you ask?
New York City–jobless and searching for something, anything; like many people in their late twenties. Clarissa is just the same as ever, only more adult and slightly more polished–but she’s still our Clarissa, guys. Pretentious at times, funny and opinionated in other moments. Good news, too, guys: she is still a total badass in her fashion choices.
Continued @ BOOKEDJ.
Things I Can’t Explain is the highly anticipated modern day sequel to everyone’s favorite and quirky know-it-all narrated kids show, now considered a classic, Clarissa Explains It All. I can’t name a single person I know who isn’t familiar with the iconic and charming television series, whether they watched it as it aired or when it was put in syndication and reruns took over their summertime.
Regardless of the hows and the whens, a great deal of us grew up with Clarissa Explains It All; giggling and admiring the series in a way that only the young can. You couldn’t help but to love Clarissa and her long winded narration. I’ve often wondered what happened after the show ended, because it’s impossible to not enjoy yourself so Things I Can’t Explain has been on my mind for ages now.
But where is Clarissa Darling now, you ask?
New York City–jobless and searching for something, anything; like many people in their late twenties. Clarissa is just the same as ever, only more adult and slightly more polished–but she’s still our Clarissa, guys. Pretentious at times, funny and opinionated in other moments. Good news, too, guys: she is still a total badass in her fashion choices.
Continued @ BOOKEDJ.
I grew up with Clarissa Darling on my television screen and am thrilled to finally see her in print. Some of her "wise-before-her-years" appeal, however, has transferred into "I don't know what I'm doing with my life" major millenial mess-ups. It's been a while since I've seen Clarissa Explains It All, but this book had echoes of her that brought glimpses of the show back to me. What starts out as a delightful nostalgic journey seeing a beloved character manage life in the big city with pitch-perfect observations increasingly devolves into unsatisfying unclear-yet-predictable plotlines. I was excited and enthralled at the beginning, but disappointed by the end of the book and found myself rushing to the end. Uneven overall but worth a trip down memory lane if you are fond of Clarissa.
Last year I binged on old Clarissa Explains it All episodes. Basically, the show's creator wrote a story about her in her 20's and I binged (? is there a better word for "read nonstop?") on this too in about three hours... And it's awesome. Maybe I'm blinded by nostalgia, but if so that's okay. Sometimes nostalgic romps miss the mark, but this was spot-on with characterization and was just fun. I miss Sam, but I think I always knew he would be off doing something crazy. I did like the new love interest, Nick. Ferguson would TOTALLY do that. And Of course the Darlings would have trouble in this new economy, being a journalist (Clarissa) and architect of pickle buildings (Marshall). Kriegman knew his characters and wrote a continuation of them that made sense.