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koitori's review against another edition
4.0
This book was beautiful, painful, hard to read at parts, but real and beautiful.
gdanielle's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
betwixt_the_pages's review
3.0
A diary of a Texas high school senior who dreams of living in New York City with her best friend and fellow artist, Kit, an Etsy entrepreneur. Both girls apply to a Manhattan art school. Piper is admitted, but without the necessary financial aid; Kit is not even accepted. What now?
Rating: 3.5/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: realistic and true-to-life; I LOVE how open-ended the ending is; an interesting glimpse into family dynamics and sibling rivalries; a focus on opportunity, self-preservation, and personal sacrifice; Piper has an entertaining, strong voice, but she comes off a bit unreliable at times
Huge thanks to Kayla Cagan, Chronicle Books Publishing, and Netgalley for granting me free early access to an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review! This in no way altered my read of or opinions on this book.
The first thing you need to know about this book: it's written in diary form. Therefore, the only perspective we get is Piper's--and while I adored how strong and unique her voice is throughout this novel, I also struggled a bit with seeing the world through her eyes. Don't get me wrong--single perspective reads are not in any way a bad thing! However, Piper's perspective is (as to be expected, with diary entries) very biased. A couple of times, I found myself wondering if she was more unreliable than honest. You know that saying, "there's three sides to every story. His, hers, and the truth." ? I felt it applied to a lot of this book, when perhaps it shouldn't have.
I'm like Andy, taking what's already there and making it bolder, more in your face. But Marli? Marli is like the Escher poster hanging in Adams's classroom, staircases leading everywhere and nowhere at the same time. No matter which way you walk, you can't get out. You can't ever leave.
I really enjoyed the different themes that Kayla Cagan explored, though! One of the biggest focuses, sibling rivalry, was a new one for me to encounter in YA, and it was beautifully done. Growing up with a TON of half-siblings and one younger brother, I know just how volatile and dramatic such relationships can be. They are, at times, downright caustic. When you add in pregnancy and the additional hormones that come with it, it's pretty easy to believe in Marli's terrifying unpredictability.
Part of me wanted to cry. Part of me wanted to laugh. Part of me couldn't stop staring at my still-broken piece. No matter how we tried to repair it, to mend it, it was now just a thing with stitches.
In fact, the entire family dynamic was never once sugar-coated or glossed over. Kayla Cagan did an awesome job of asking the right questions, and then employing the answers in ways that shifted the plot and changed my perspective as a reader. Both parents are fully present and realistically flawed, acting and reacting in predictable AND surprising ways. After all, who hasn't done or said something out of character when stressed? Unlike a lot of YA reads with missing or "side-note" parents, I felt as if I got to know Piper's mom and dad as fully as I did Piper and Marli. I felt as if all these characters came to life for me, honestly--and that's a hard thing to do in writing, to make each character feel individualized and equally vibrant.
In the end, this was an entertaining and thought-provoking read. There are tons of moments filled with teen angst, family drama, and abstract philosophies or ideas. It is, at times, difficult to put yourself in Piper's shoes and understand where she's coming from. Marli is, throughout, downright terrifying--and, at times, emotionally abusive. Still, each character feels fleshed out and unique, and the ending is open-ended enough to let readers continue the story on their own, if they want. I recommend this to lovers of contemporary fiction, "differing" family dynamics, and the exploration of abstract ideas/human nature. This was an interesting read; I'll be keeping my eyes open for the next project Kayla Cagan tackles.
julemartha's review against another edition
didn't like any of the characters and I have the feeling it's not going to get better
also piper is sooo annoying
also piper is sooo annoying
knittyreader's review against another edition
3.0
Om te beginnen vind ik de illustraties en de kaft van Piper Perish natuurlijk helemaal geweldig! Dat die door Emmy gemaakt zijn was voor mij al een reden om dit boek graag een keer te willen lezen. Al was het een verschrikkelijk boek geweest verder, dan zijn de illustraties het nog waard ;-)
Het boek zelf vond ik vooral wel leuk. Het las lekker vlot, en met de nostalgie van toen ik zelf tiener was en moest bedenken wat ik wilde erbij was het vooral enorm grappig geschreven. Hoewel de problemen die Piper en haar vrienden tegenkomen natuurlijk wel gewoon hardstikke echt kunnen zijn. Ik voelde me soms echt terug gezogen naar mijn eigen twijfels in die periode van mijn leven, en merkte dat ik ze nu wat meer in perspectief kon plaatsen.
Fantastisch vond ik het boek niet, ik denk dat ik daarvoor toch ook teveel buiten de doelgroep val. Maar ik heb me er vanmiddag zeker mee vermaakt.
Het boek zelf vond ik vooral wel leuk. Het las lekker vlot, en met de nostalgie van toen ik zelf tiener was en moest bedenken wat ik wilde erbij was het vooral enorm grappig geschreven. Hoewel de problemen die Piper en haar vrienden tegenkomen natuurlijk wel gewoon hardstikke echt kunnen zijn. Ik voelde me soms echt terug gezogen naar mijn eigen twijfels in die periode van mijn leven, en merkte dat ik ze nu wat meer in perspectief kon plaatsen.
Fantastisch vond ik het boek niet, ik denk dat ik daarvoor toch ook teveel buiten de doelgroep val. Maar ik heb me er vanmiddag zeker mee vermaakt.
pixiewilo's review
4.0
There's so much to love about this book, I love the fact that Pipers dream is to become an artist in New York, I feel like most books tend not to focus on dreams of being in the arts, and that's something close to my own heart. I also adore some of the quotes in the book too but this one is a favourite:
I love painting. I love drawing. I’m never let down, even when the picture isn’t exactly what I want. I can keep working on it. Paintings speak back. They argue. But it’s just because they still want attention. They aren’t done yet.
They want to keep the relationships alive. And when they break your heart, it’s only because they’re that good, not because they’re bad. Bad art can be fixed or transformed. But bad people? Bad choices? I think they’re with us forever.
As a self taught artist this book spoke to me in so many ways, the creative element in the story telling was luscious, it spoke to every single creative element inside me, I couldn't get enough.
I liked the glimpses of the other artistic teens in her class, with the Yoda-like teacher, Ms. Adams, swooping in now and then to utter words of wisdom as she exhorts the high school seniors not to revel in senioritis so much that they stop working on their senior projects—and the email exchange with first year conservatory art student Silas, whose word pictures of New York City were actually a lot more vivid than the Texas setting.
Piper, Enzo, and Kit begin senior year determined to get accepted to an elite New York art conservatory. As we get into the year, and their complicated lives, the three begin to feel fractions in their united front—as of course will happen at a time of life when one is rapidly changing.
I did want more art talk, but I also liked learning about Piper’s dysfunctional family life, from her Dad running away from his problems to her Mom popping pills, and most of all, Piper’s vomit-comet sister crashing through nearly every scene being selfish, violent, and a total drag. There was even a strong undercurrent of outright horror! but there is in all families once we start looking closely.
I do think that if Piper had talked about her senior project all the way through, pulling in hard-won insights along the way, this would have been a much stronger book. But there was enough energy and charm that I think everyone would enjoy reading the book.
Fundamentally its about succeeding against the odds, and who doesn't love a story like that?
I love painting. I love drawing. I’m never let down, even when the picture isn’t exactly what I want. I can keep working on it. Paintings speak back. They argue. But it’s just because they still want attention. They aren’t done yet.
They want to keep the relationships alive. And when they break your heart, it’s only because they’re that good, not because they’re bad. Bad art can be fixed or transformed. But bad people? Bad choices? I think they’re with us forever.
As a self taught artist this book spoke to me in so many ways, the creative element in the story telling was luscious, it spoke to every single creative element inside me, I couldn't get enough.
I liked the glimpses of the other artistic teens in her class, with the Yoda-like teacher, Ms. Adams, swooping in now and then to utter words of wisdom as she exhorts the high school seniors not to revel in senioritis so much that they stop working on their senior projects—and the email exchange with first year conservatory art student Silas, whose word pictures of New York City were actually a lot more vivid than the Texas setting.
Piper, Enzo, and Kit begin senior year determined to get accepted to an elite New York art conservatory. As we get into the year, and their complicated lives, the three begin to feel fractions in their united front—as of course will happen at a time of life when one is rapidly changing.
I did want more art talk, but I also liked learning about Piper’s dysfunctional family life, from her Dad running away from his problems to her Mom popping pills, and most of all, Piper’s vomit-comet sister crashing through nearly every scene being selfish, violent, and a total drag. There was even a strong undercurrent of outright horror! but there is in all families once we start looking closely.
I do think that if Piper had talked about her senior project all the way through, pulling in hard-won insights along the way, this would have been a much stronger book. But there was enough energy and charm that I think everyone would enjoy reading the book.
Fundamentally its about succeeding against the odds, and who doesn't love a story like that?
pantsreads's review against another edition
2.0
2.5/5
I'm not a huge fan of the diary style, especially when said diary is "written" by a character I don't much care for.
Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
I'm not a huge fan of the diary style, especially when said diary is "written" by a character I don't much care for.
Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.
betwixt_the_pages's review against another edition
3.0
A diary of a Texas high school senior who dreams of living in New York City with her best friend and fellow artist, Kit, an Etsy entrepreneur. Both girls apply to a Manhattan art school. Piper is admitted, but without the necessary financial aid; Kit is not even accepted. What now?
Rating: 3.5/5 Penguins
Quick Reasons: realistic and true-to-life; I LOVE how open-ended the ending is; an interesting glimpse into family dynamics and sibling rivalries; a focus on opportunity, self-preservation, and personal sacrifice; Piper has an entertaining, strong voice, but she comes off a bit unreliable at times
Huge thanks to Kayla Cagan, Chronicle Books Publishing, and Netgalley for granting me free early access to an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review! This in no way altered my read of or opinions on this book.
The first thing you need to know about this book: it's written in diary form. Therefore, the only perspective we get is Piper's--and while I adored how strong and unique her voice is throughout this novel, I also struggled a bit with seeing the world through her eyes. Don't get me wrong--single perspective reads are not in any way a bad thing! However, Piper's perspective is (as to be expected, with diary entries) very biased. A couple of times, I found myself wondering if she was more unreliable than honest. You know that saying, "there's three sides to every story. His, hers, and the truth." ? I felt it applied to a lot of this book, when perhaps it shouldn't have.
I'm like Andy, taking what's already there and making it bolder, more in your face. But Marli? Marli is like the Escher poster hanging in Adams's classroom, staircases leading everywhere and nowhere at the same time. No matter which way you walk, you can't get out. You can't ever leave.
I really enjoyed the different themes that Kayla Cagan explored, though! One of the biggest focuses, sibling rivalry, was a new one for me to encounter in YA, and it was beautifully done. Growing up with a TON of half-siblings and one younger brother, I know just how volatile and dramatic such relationships can be. They are, at times, downright caustic. When you add in pregnancy and the additional hormones that come with it, it's pretty easy to believe in Marli's terrifying unpredictability.
Part of me wanted to cry. Part of me wanted to laugh. Part of me couldn't stop staring at my still-broken piece. No matter how we tried to repair it, to mend it, it was now just a thing with stitches.
In fact, the entire family dynamic was never once sugar-coated or glossed over. Kayla Cagan did an awesome job of asking the right questions, and then employing the answers in ways that shifted the plot and changed my perspective as a reader. Both parents are fully present and realistically flawed, acting and reacting in predictable AND surprising ways. After all, who hasn't done or said something out of character when stressed? Unlike a lot of YA reads with missing or "side-note" parents, I felt as if I got to know Piper's mom and dad as fully as I did Piper and Marli. I felt as if all these characters came to life for me, honestly--and that's a hard thing to do in writing, to make each character feel individualized and equally vibrant.
In the end, this was an entertaining and thought-provoking read. There are tons of moments filled with teen angst, family drama, and abstract philosophies or ideas. It is, at times, difficult to put yourself in Piper's shoes and understand where she's coming from. Marli is, throughout, downright terrifying--and, at times, emotionally abusive. Still, each character feels fleshed out and unique, and the ending is open-ended enough to let readers continue the story on their own, if they want. I recommend this to lovers of contemporary fiction, "differing" family dynamics, and the exploration of abstract ideas/human nature. This was an interesting read; I'll be keeping my eyes open for the next project Kayla Cagan tackles.