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3.27 AVERAGE
3.27 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this book and loved the formatting of it.
• the relationship between Gena and Finn—what can I say? It was beautiful and painful and I loved it so, so much
• an accurate portrayal of fandom (down to the ship wars, fanfic/art and terrible people)
• the format that was used to tell the story (text messages, emails etc.) was hard to get into—I felt very disconnected at times
• I wish that, instead of Finn's journal entries at the end, there had been a chapter or two from a different perspective—finding out what was going on through the journal felt very forced, unnatural
• the characters were all so real
• one of the character deaths hit me like a ton of bricks and I definitely cried a little—part of me was surprised, though
• an accurate portrayal of fandom (down to the ship wars, fanfic/art and terrible people)
• the format that was used to tell the story (text messages, emails etc.) was hard to get into—I felt very disconnected at times
• I wish that, instead of Finn's journal entries at the end, there had been a chapter or two from a different perspective—finding out what was going on through the journal felt very forced, unnatural
• the characters were all so real
• one of the character deaths hit me like a ton of bricks and I definitely cried a little—part of me was surprised, though
This book was really unexpected in a lot of ways. In the first part of the book, the story was lighthearted and funny going into the depths of fandoms and the joys of loving a show and it’s characters. Then, it took a 180 and became deep and emotional and gritty. I still can’t believe the events that happened because it came so unexpectedly and yet was handled so gracefully. The characters are complex and powerful and most of all, just human.
3.5 probably...I was tempted to round my rating up to 4 but then I realized that most of what I have to say is on the negative side.
First of all, Gena and Finn's relationship seemed to develop really quickly. They basically went from "oh hi we like the same tv show" to sharing intimate personal details in what seemed like a day. I wasn't sure of the nature of their feelings, like if they were supposed to be BFFs or if they were supposed to be in love with each other. There also seemed to be an almost unhealthy aspect, like when Finn just leaves to visit Gena without telling people at her new job she was going to be away or even telling her boyfriend she was leaving. Oh and then there was also this strange dynamic between Charlie (Finn's boyfriend) and Gena. At first he pretty much implies that Finn has to choose between the two of them (and of course she can't because she loves them both too much). But then later Gena comes to stay with them and she and Charlie start to get closer and become good friends. And on top of that there's this almost strange parent/child relationship between Finn and Charlie and Gena. I don't know...I'm probably just proving I don't understand relationships or love or something like that.
Secondly this is almost like two different books. The first part is all fangirling and sharing the fandom experience. Then towards the middle we learn an important fact about Gena. She was a child star who had been on a TV show with the actor who plays the character she and Finn like. And then later this thing happens that changes the whole tone of the story. Zack, the actor they like, dies in an explosion on set. Gena was also there that day and is injured and as a result suffers from ptsd . To be fair I didn't dislike this, but it did take the book in a totally different and much more serious/not as fun direction.
Also, this isn't a complaint and didn't affect my rating at all, but I'm not sure if the last two chapters (for lack of a better word) were supposed to be exactly the same or if this was just some anomaly in my copy. I skimmed through some reviews to see if anyone else had mentioned something about this and no one did, that I could see. So I guess it was just a mistake to have the last chapter repeated. (?)
First of all, Gena and Finn's relationship seemed to develop really quickly. They basically went from "oh hi we like the same tv show" to sharing intimate personal details in what seemed like a day. I wasn't sure of the nature of their feelings, like if they were supposed to be BFFs or if they were supposed to be in love with each other. There also seemed to be an almost unhealthy aspect, like when Finn just leaves to visit Gena without telling people at her new job she was going to be away or even telling her boyfriend she was leaving. Oh and then there was also this strange dynamic between Charlie (Finn's boyfriend) and Gena. At first he pretty much implies that Finn has to choose between the two of them (and of course she can't because she loves them both too much). But then later Gena comes to stay with them and she and Charlie start to get closer and become good friends. And on top of that there's this almost strange parent/child relationship between Finn and Charlie and Gena. I don't know...I'm probably just proving I don't understand relationships or love or something like that.
Secondly this is almost like two different books. The first part is all fangirling and sharing the fandom experience. Then towards the middle we learn an important fact about Gena.
Also, this isn't a complaint and didn't affect my rating at all, but I'm not sure if the last two chapters (for lack of a better word) were supposed to be exactly the same or if this was just some anomaly in my copy. I skimmed through some reviews to see if anyone else had mentioned something about this and no one did, that I could see. So I guess it was just a mistake to have the last chapter repeated. (?)
The usual problem with books about fandom is that is always feels forced, like the author is trying to make the story legible to non-fandom participants, which defeats the purpose.
Gena/Finn is -- well, if you had told me this actually happened, I would believe you. I've had a lot of fandom friendships in my time, and many of my closest friends I met via fandom. This book gets it, gets what it's like to know someone you've never met better than the people you see every day. It understands the weird blend between friends and something more, the way that fandom relationships are much more likely to become romantic friendships (or more).
I'm so happy with this book -- I kinda need everyone to read it.
Gena/Finn is -- well, if you had told me this actually happened, I would believe you. I've had a lot of fandom friendships in my time, and many of my closest friends I met via fandom. This book gets it, gets what it's like to know someone you've never met better than the people you see every day. It understands the weird blend between friends and something more, the way that fandom relationships are much more likely to become romantic friendships (or more).
I'm so happy with this book -- I kinda need everyone to read it.
Sweet, honest, raw, messy. I'll admit I went in expecting it to cleave closely to the universal fandom experience throughout the book, so I was surprised by some of the sharp departures made from that narrative. The actual show they were fans of didn't really feel very fleshed out, either, and the book didn't so much as touch on a lot of the problematic aspects of fandom that I think warrant a deeper and respectful exploration. But as a character study in mental illness, the wildly blurred lines of friendship and love and internet and real, and the way shared obsessions can play into that, it's excellent.
Basically finished this book in one sitting! It's incredible. If you've ever been a part of a fandom and/or have internet friends, you will absolutely love it. So sweet and sad and I already want to read it again.
What the fuck???????? I am not going to rate this??.?..?. I didnt expect this? I didnt sign up for this xD like, i just wanted a light, fun read for the fucking day xD so yeah, it was really good, thats undeniable, but it wasnt what i wanted xD so there you have it
Fucking fuck
Fucking fuck
emotional
funny
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This would be five stars if it wasn't for the last 20% of the book.
I picked this up because I wanted to read something about long-distance communication. I also had this recommended after reading Fangirl. And I was immediately hooked, too. I'm not one for epistolary stories, but it made sense. It reminded me of the friendships I've made via fandom. I was able to relate with both of the characters for completely different reasons and I loved that.
And then you get to That Part of the book and I just couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to keep enjoying it. Had I not been so far into the book, I would have stopped reading it.
Honestly, the incident itself took me off guard, which was delightful, because I love being able to read something and have the story surprise me. But then I had too many questions circulating the event. The utter disregard to how hospitals and mental health work together and on their own was baffling. I can't imagine what happened in the book to actually happen in real life.
Some people complained about Gena's poetry towards the end. I actually loved it, but then again, I grew up writing a lot of poetry similar to hers, so it made a lot of sense to me. What didn't make sense, however, was what the hell happened to Gena and Finn's relationship after That Part of the book. I feel like there was a scene or twenty missing in between all of that and the final scene. Are things better? Are they not? Are they magically in some awkward and possibly unhealthy poly thing with Charlie? I don't know. The book is never explicit about it and while I appreciate some things being left to my imagination, the fact none of this is addressed just pissed me off.
And that's the other thing. Apparently, this book is tagged as a LGBTQ+ book. I didn't realize that until after I read it and I would never call it that. Yeah, there are moments when Gena and Finn say they love each other, but it felt no different from the strong platonic love I have for some of my close fandom friends. It never felt like there was any romance or even sexual attraction. They were just really good friends. Friends can say "I love you." That's ok. I got zero vibes between them outside of that. Maybe if there was more shown than just text messages and journal posts, it would have been evident, but in its current state, the book isn't a LGBTQ+ story imo.
I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It was a quick read and I was attached immediately, only to be super turned off by the third part of the story. I feel like this did a better job at diving into fandom than Fangirl did by a long stretch and if it wasn't for the last part of the book, this would have a much higher rating.
I picked this up because I wanted to read something about long-distance communication. I also had this recommended after reading Fangirl. And I was immediately hooked, too. I'm not one for epistolary stories, but it made sense. It reminded me of the friendships I've made via fandom. I was able to relate with both of the characters for completely different reasons and I loved that.
And then you get to That Part of the book and I just couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to keep enjoying it. Had I not been so far into the book, I would have stopped reading it.
Honestly, the incident itself took me off guard, which was delightful, because I love being able to read something and have the story surprise me. But then I had too many questions circulating the event. The utter disregard to how hospitals and mental health work together and on their own was baffling. I can't imagine what happened in the book to actually happen in real life.
Some people complained about Gena's poetry towards the end. I actually loved it, but then again, I grew up writing a lot of poetry similar to hers, so it made a lot of sense to me. What didn't make sense, however, was what the hell happened to Gena and Finn's relationship after That Part of the book. I feel like there was a scene or twenty missing in between all of that and the final scene.
And that's the other thing. Apparently, this book is tagged as a LGBTQ+ book. I didn't realize that until after I read it and I would never call it that. Yeah, there are moments when Gena and Finn say they love each other, but it felt no different from the strong platonic love I have for some of my close fandom friends. It never felt like there was any romance or even sexual attraction. They were just really good friends. Friends can say "I love you." That's ok. I got zero vibes between them outside of that. Maybe if there was more shown than just text messages and journal posts, it would have been evident, but in its current state, the book isn't a LGBTQ+ story imo.
I still thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It was a quick read and I was attached immediately, only to be super turned off by the third part of the story. I feel like this did a better job at diving into fandom than Fangirl did by a long stretch and if it wasn't for the last part of the book, this would have a much higher rating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Medical content, Medical trauma
A lot of hospital/medical stuff in the last 20% of the book along with caregiving
6/36 towards my Reading Goal. This was one from home that I hadn’t gotten to yet. It was a good story but often hard to follow between the shifting names and formatting.