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A review by okiecozyreader
Honey: A Novel by Isabel Banta
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
I have been so excited to read this book along with the #CeladonReadsTogether program. It was a fun nod to the 1990s - I loved all the music and tv references. It also made me sad for all of the pop stars of the era that were judged for having sex or not, and for how they dressed, the ways they were analyzed about their bodies, etc.
HONEY is a story about Amber Young who, after multiple auditions, is asked to be part of a forming girl band group. She makes a lifelong friend in one of the other group members, who immediately goes out on her own. Amber wants to do the same, but doesn’t believe in herself or know herself enough to know what she wants.
A lot of the book deals with her feelings about sex, losing her virginity and how it affects her in the industry and her relationships with other men.
The book includes song lyrics and I think aspires to the world of Daisy Jones (but a 90s pop star version). I would have liked to have known more about Amber and who she was apart from her feelings about sex and fame. But I thought it was a fun read, nonetheless.
“Are you nervous for the show? …
“Just pretend you’re dying and you’ll be born again the next day. Empty yourself out, give them everything you’ve got. There’s nothing to lose because tomorrow will be a completely new group of people.” P79
“I’ll never be satisfied,” … I’ll always want the next thing. The album to be better. To work with different producers. …” p97
“She decanted her life into an empty glass, let it breathe, swallowed it. Then poured again.” P 161
“Nothing comes from nothing. All we can do is try to create with the same ingredients we all have.” P260
“I call it HONEY. … Because this album sounds like a lazy sun crawling up the sheets. Someone’s eyes igniting a radiant feeling. Everything inside you screaming yes.” P297
HONEY is a story about Amber Young who, after multiple auditions, is asked to be part of a forming girl band group. She makes a lifelong friend in one of the other group members, who immediately goes out on her own. Amber wants to do the same, but doesn’t believe in herself or know herself enough to know what she wants.
A lot of the book deals with her feelings about sex, losing her virginity and how it affects her in the industry and her relationships with other men.
The book includes song lyrics and I think aspires to the world of Daisy Jones (but a 90s pop star version). I would have liked to have known more about Amber and who she was apart from her feelings about sex and fame. But I thought it was a fun read, nonetheless.
“Are you nervous for the show? …
“Just pretend you’re dying and you’ll be born again the next day. Empty yourself out, give them everything you’ve got. There’s nothing to lose because tomorrow will be a completely new group of people.” P79
“I’ll never be satisfied,” … I’ll always want the next thing. The album to be better. To work with different producers. …” p97
“She decanted her life into an empty glass, let it breathe, swallowed it. Then poured again.” P 161
“Nothing comes from nothing. All we can do is try to create with the same ingredients we all have.” P260
“I call it HONEY. … Because this album sounds like a lazy sun crawling up the sheets. Someone’s eyes igniting a radiant feeling. Everything inside you screaming yes.” P297
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual content
Moderate: Abortion
Minor: Drug use