Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

I think we all need to have a heart to heart. Let’s all clasp our hands together, look each other in the eyes, take a deep breath, and admit that Rainbow Rowell is one of the best writers of our generation. Can we all agree on that?

I just finished the audio version of Fangirl, the third book I’ve read by Rowell, and it so did not disappoint. (The first book I read was Eleanor and Park- see my post here about how I cried through the last twenty pages- and the second was Attachments, which was adorable).

Cath is our awkward, depressed and nerdy heroine, and her freshman year of college is not going well. Her twin sister, Wren (Cath and Wren- get it??), chose not to room with her, her dad is loveable but manic, and her roommate is a sullen yet in-your-face junior. Her sole love and comfort in life is Simon Snow, a Harry Potter-like character from a fantasy/wizard/vampire/basically Harry Potter series. She even writes an incredibly popular fan fiction blog about Simon and his mortal enemy Baz.

So basically, Cath is the perfect kind of character to groan about, roll your eyes at, yell at and cheer for throughout her first year of college. Will she remain miserable and terrified for all nine months, or will she finally figure out who she is and what she needs to become?

Why you might like this book: Rainbow Rowell is a beautiful writer. She’s the kind of writer that makes me wish I could write. Her characters are perfectly imperfect and you will love them. One stylistic choice I also love about this book is that it alternates between Cath’s life at school and snippets from the Simon Snow series-  a nice change of pace (plus in the audio book, a man with a gorgeous British accent reads the Simon Snow parts- the best!)

Why you might not like this book: Let’s be honest, you probably will though.

Similar Titles: Attachments by Rainbow Rowell, Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell, Harry Potter by JK Rowling, The Magicians by Lev Grossman (maybe?). Honestly, Rowell has such a refreshing take on real life situations that I just can't compare to anyone but herself!

I would recommend this book to: females, people who have had obsessions with a series like Harry Potter or Hunger Games, anyone who has lost their way at some point or another

If you don’t read Fangirl, pick up SOMETHING by Rainbow Rowell. You won’t regret it! At this point, Landline is the only Rowell book I have yet to read, and I’ll probably add it to my list before the end of the year.

P.S. I absolutely realize I have been AWOL these last two months, and I have no excuse. August and September Review (a two-for-one deal) coming soon!

Book Review: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

You need to read this book.

In short, the book is about Eleanor and Park, two unlikely misfits who fall in love on a school bus. Eleanor is chubby with wild red hair, and is desperately trying to survive in the home of her abusive step-father. Park is half-Korean and half-Irish and uses music and comic books to figure out who he really is.

When you begin this book, be prepared for high school memories and adolescence to come flooding back to you. You will remember your first love. You will remember fighting with your parents and feeling like no one understands you. You will remember turning on your favorite song and trying to block out all the feelings you want to rid yourself of but at the same time make you feel alive.

And when you really dive in, you will want to reach into the pages and pull Eleanor out of her terrible world of poverty and despair. You will thank God for Park and his comic books and his beautiful hair and even his eyeliner, because maybe at least he is able to be himself.

And when you near the end, you will ugly-cry, as I did, for the last twenty pages, tears pouring down your cheeks and snot running down your chin. And when you are done, you will want a hug, and I hope you are lucky enough to get one, and afterward you will curl yourself into a ball and think about how blessed you are to have people who love you. If you’re an adult, you will thank God for the family that loves and supports you, and hope that every child can find the “deep and wide as the ocean” type of compassion and support that parents should feel for their children.

And finally, you will dream of your one true love and hope that one day you will feel this intense, soul-crushing love that Eleanor and Park do. Or perhaps you will thank your lucky stars that you have found that love, and promise yourself that you will never let it slip through your fingers.

Why you might like this book: It’s beautiful. It makes you feel alive. It causes your soul to ache. This book has non-traditional protagonists and an unconventional love story that is a surprising breath of fresh air to other young adult romance books I’ve read. It's cheesy, sure, but it also gives a realistic look at teenaged love.

Why you might not like this book: This book has been censored from some school districts having inappropriate and negative content. I guess I’m not sure why that would make you “not like this book,” but it’s the best I have. In response to the censorship, author Rainbow Rowell released this statement: “When these people call Eleanor & Park an obscene story, I feel like they’re saying that rising above your situation isn’t possible. That if you grow up in an ugly situation, your story isn’t even fit for good people’s ears. That ugly things cancel out everything beautiful.” As follow up, NPR did a great story on Rainbow Rowell and “why ugly stories matter”- see here. 

Similar Titles I’ve Read: Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, Paper Towns by John Green, Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

I would recommend this book to: all of my book club girls, all high schoolers, and basically everyone.

“Holding Eleanor's hand was like holding a butterfly. Or a heartbeat. Like holding something complete, and completely alive.” -Rainbow Rowell, Eleanor and Park

Audio Review: Have a Little Faith by Mitch Albom

Mitch Albom is wonderful and his short and powerful stories just pull at your heartstrings. Have a Little Faith, published in 2009, is no different. It was the perfect audiobook for this cold and dreary February- short enough to listen to in a week with an engaging narration by Mitch Albom himself.

The story begins with the author, Mitch, running into his childhood rabbi while at a speaking engagement. His rabbi, Albert Lewis, has come to ask Mitch an important question: will Mitch perform his eulogy when he dies? Although a strange request, Mitch reluctantly agrees, and begins regular visits with Albert at his home and work. Mitch and the rabbi’s meetings blossom into a beautiful relationship between teacher and student.

Around the same time, Mitch becomes involved in a charity campaign in his hometown in Detroit. Through his outreach to homeless shelters and soup kitchens, Mitch meets Henry Covington, a former drug addict and convict who has reversed his life and become a pastor at I Am My Brother’s Keeper Ministries. Mitch alternates between stories about Henry’s life and Albert’s life. The result is a beautiful story of faith and its ability to unite all peoples, regardless of your personal religion.

Why you might like this book: Short, sweet, and heartfelt. It’s full of little life tidbits that encourage you to be the type of person you’ve always wanted to be and to believe in whatever faith you follow. It caused me to reflect on my life, how I treat others, and, as morbid as it sounds, what people might say at my funeral. On my deathbed, will I feel as at peace as Albert Lewis about my faith and the good I have done for the world?

Why you might not like this book: If you have no soul, this might not be for you :)

Similar Titles I’ve Read: Tuesdays with Morrie, Five People You Meet in Heaven, Heaven is for Real

I would recommend this book to: anyone and everyone, including my husband, the non-reader!

I leave you with words from the book, spoken by Albert Lewis: “God sings, we hum along, and there are many melodies, but it's all one song - one same, wonderful, human song.”