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librarylandlisa's review against another edition
5.0
I did not want this to end. Such a great book. Rowell is in my top 10 favorite authors and she may be my fav. contemporary author. LOVE.
alexisf's review against another edition
5.0
it is very rare that I read a book that I feel as connected to as a Tamora Pierce book or Harry Potter, except for this one. And I think the reason I loved this book so much is that it validated the importance I give to YA fiction in my life, even as an adult.
Fangirl perfectly captured the emotional attachment that happens when you first experience a book in middle school and then continue to grow up with those characters and stories as a formative presence in your life. Cath is starting her freshmen year of college when this book begins and though it is a time of a lot of changes, her fanfiction and the book series it is based on are a constant in her life. I think throughout the book, I found myself relating to Cath's obsession and her desire to hang on to this important piece of her childhood. I also think Rowell perfectly showed how even though it is necessary to grow and mature throughout life, there is nothing wrong with letting our favorite books continue to maintain an important place in our lives. The key theme throughout the book was that Cath had to find out how to balance her fictional reality with her new college reality, but she never had to give one up.
If you are the kind of reader who finds yourself constantly having to justify to people the emotional attachment you have to fictional characters, this book is for you.
Fangirl perfectly captured the emotional attachment that happens when you first experience a book in middle school and then continue to grow up with those characters and stories as a formative presence in your life. Cath is starting her freshmen year of college when this book begins and though it is a time of a lot of changes, her fanfiction and the book series it is based on are a constant in her life. I think throughout the book, I found myself relating to Cath's obsession and her desire to hang on to this important piece of her childhood. I also think Rowell perfectly showed how even though it is necessary to grow and mature throughout life, there is nothing wrong with letting our favorite books continue to maintain an important place in our lives. The key theme throughout the book was that Cath had to find out how to balance her fictional reality with her new college reality, but she never had to give one up.
If you are the kind of reader who finds yourself constantly having to justify to people the emotional attachment you have to fictional characters, this book is for you.
panprincess's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
xandrarama's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Really lovely coming of age story.
rebeccasreadingrambles's review against another edition
5.0
Wow I really liked this book more than I had expected. Cath is such a relatable character that the story sucked me in right away. As someone who can also have social anxiety and absolutely spent her younger years reading so much Harry Potter fanfiction, I can understand Cath more than any of the other characters. She has been through so much in her life and is always looking out for other people while worrying that she might be doing something wrong or embarrassing. The more you get to know her the more she jumps off the page. The characters around her are interesting and sometimes very infuriating. So many times I just wanted to yell at them or have her yell at them (which just isn't her way). She doesn't hold a grudge the way so many others would have.
I really enjoy Rainbow Rowell's writing and this is no different. The story flows nicely and though it's not super fast paced, it works perfectly for this. I loved reading snippets of Carry On Simon and the other books and how they sort of correlated with Cath's life.
I'm going to jump right into Carry On from this because I am so intrigued about Simon and Baz.
I really enjoy Rainbow Rowell's writing and this is no different. The story flows nicely and though it's not super fast paced, it works perfectly for this. I loved reading snippets of Carry On Simon and the other books and how they sort of correlated with Cath's life.
Spoiler
And Cath and Levi are too adorable without being too cliche or over the top. Genuine is the word I would use to describe them. I'm so glad there was a happy ending to this one and I am STOCKED that we can read Cath's Fanfict which is an awesome addition. I have to say I wanted to smack her sister for about half the book, but at the same time I could tell she was really struggling and needed help getting out of it. And Cath's writing partner....UGH I just wanted her to be a super tattletale about that, but I'm glad it got resolved the way it did.I'm going to jump right into Carry On from this because I am so intrigued about Simon and Baz.
jaynamac's review against another edition
5.0
I drank this book in one long, greedy gulp.
I love Rainbow Rowell. Yes, her novels are considered YA, but for this long-past-adolescence reader, her books are fresh and honest and a keen reminder of what it's like to be young and geeky and, often, in love (or out of love, or confused about love). Her writing is accessible and unpretentious, with a sly sense of humor.
There are enough synopses of this story that I don't feel the need to add another. I will say that I strongly identified with protagonist Cath, sharing many of her proclivities as well as some of her paranoias. Yes, I was definitely rooting for her.
Suffice it to say that this was a quick and altogether delightful read (about five fast hours!), perfect for summer. Highly recommended.
I love Rainbow Rowell. Yes, her novels are considered YA, but for this long-past-adolescence reader, her books are fresh and honest and a keen reminder of what it's like to be young and geeky and, often, in love (or out of love, or confused about love). Her writing is accessible and unpretentious, with a sly sense of humor.
There are enough synopses of this story that I don't feel the need to add another. I will say that I strongly identified with protagonist Cath, sharing many of her proclivities as well as some of her paranoias. Yes, I was definitely rooting for her.
Suffice it to say that this was a quick and altogether delightful read (about five fast hours!), perfect for summer. Highly recommended.
mipa_jt's review
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
melissa_bookworm's review against another edition
5.0
It took me so long to finally pick up this book. I shelved it as to-read 5 years ago! I think with all the hype surrounding it I was a little hesitant, afraid it wouldn't live up to it. I can safely say, it surpassed my expectations.
The characters are so real, flawed in the most perfect ways. I'm not even sure if I can describe how I feel adequately.
Things I loved:
1. Parents existed in this world (regardless of how shitty they might be. )
2. Cath - she is so relatable, her anxieties and coping mechanisms ring so true.
3. The friendships and relationships. Reagan and Levi really pulled my heartstrings in the best way possible. I found Wren to be a bit shit in some sections, but she redeemed herself. Cath's lecturer really backed her, when she didn't back herself.
Things I loved a little less:
1. Some of the Simon Snow segments brought me out of the flow of the book - I would pay good money to get more Cath and Levi instead of Simon and Baz. For this reason I don't think I'll read Carry On - that isn't the story I was invested in.
2. That it ended - there isn't any more. I am sad.
The characters are so real, flawed in the most perfect ways. I'm not even sure if I can describe how I feel adequately.
Things I loved:
1. Parents existed in this world (regardless of how shitty they might be.
Spoiler
This is only in relation to Cath and Wren's mum [was her name Laura?] Their Dad did the best he could and sometimes he slipped. I enjoyed that even though Rowell could have made them all 'happy families' by making Laura stay when Wren was in the hospital, she didn't.2. Cath - she is so relatable, her anxieties and coping mechanisms ring so true.
3. The friendships and relationships. Reagan and Levi really pulled my heartstrings in the best way possible. I found Wren to be a bit shit in some sections, but she redeemed herself. Cath's lecturer really backed her, when she didn't back herself.
Things I loved a little less:
1. Some of the Simon Snow segments brought me out of the flow of the book - I would pay good money to get more Cath and Levi instead of Simon and Baz. For this reason I don't think I'll read Carry On - that isn't the story I was invested in.
2. That it ended - there isn't any more. I am sad.