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A review by hyacinth_reads
Yes No Maybe So by Becky Albertalli, Aisha Saeed
4.0
4/5 stars.
I really did enjoyed this book! If you are looking for a cute, simple love story that you can read over the course of a day--this is the book for you.
There are a bunch of pros for this novel. For example, the authors' very clearly understand the many emotions that accompany teenage life, and they do a fantastic job of validating those feelings by making them seem just as real as any adult's. The reactions the characters have to experiences riddled with hardship--islamophobia and anti-semitism, just to name a few--are just so akin to how I feel teenagers like me deal with adversity. The tidal wave of emotions that accompany that experience--shock, anger, fright--are so well expressed. In addition, the passion these characters have about politics and creating change is an invigorating reminder that just because you can't vote doesn't mean you can't act. This sends in overarching message: just because you're not an adult doesn't mean you can't be a force of good in the world. Another great thing about this book is the information you gain by reading about two people of different faiths. The two (very lovable) characters both have strong identities, and by reading about their connection to their religion, you learn a lot about the culture of those religions.
Unfortunately, there's one (minor) con. I'm a sucker for a good love story, and while this is my first Saeed book, Albertalli had me falling head over heels for Ben and Arthur in What if It's Us. I wanted to feel the same electricity sparking through the pages here, but I'm sad to say I just...didn't. Now, don't get me wrong. I still recommend this book for a ton of other reasons...but if you're solely looking for a YA teen romance that will blow you away, I'm gonna have to recommend you go somewhere else. If you want an easy read with cute characters that will help you understand different cultures, the inner-workings of the teenage mind, and political junkies, then this is the place for you. :)
I really did enjoyed this book! If you are looking for a cute, simple love story that you can read over the course of a day--this is the book for you.
There are a bunch of pros for this novel. For example, the authors' very clearly understand the many emotions that accompany teenage life, and they do a fantastic job of validating those feelings by making them seem just as real as any adult's. The reactions the characters have to experiences riddled with hardship--islamophobia and anti-semitism, just to name a few--are just so akin to how I feel teenagers like me deal with adversity. The tidal wave of emotions that accompany that experience--shock, anger, fright--are so well expressed. In addition, the passion these characters have about politics and creating change is an invigorating reminder that just because you can't vote doesn't mean you can't act. This sends in overarching message: just because you're not an adult doesn't mean you can't be a force of good in the world. Another great thing about this book is the information you gain by reading about two people of different faiths. The two (very lovable) characters both have strong identities, and by reading about their connection to their religion, you learn a lot about the culture of those religions.
Unfortunately, there's one (minor) con. I'm a sucker for a good love story, and while this is my first Saeed book, Albertalli had me falling head over heels for Ben and Arthur in What if It's Us. I wanted to feel the same electricity sparking through the pages here, but I'm sad to say I just...didn't. Now, don't get me wrong. I still recommend this book for a ton of other reasons...but if you're solely looking for a YA teen romance that will blow you away, I'm gonna have to recommend you go somewhere else. If you want an easy read with cute characters that will help you understand different cultures, the inner-workings of the teenage mind, and political junkies, then this is the place for you. :)