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arielbianca's review against another edition
4.0
Protect Remy Cameron at all costs!
Full Review on my blog: https://astoldbyariel.com/how-to-be-remy-cameron-review/
Full Review on my blog: https://astoldbyariel.com/how-to-be-remy-cameron-review/
drlisak's review against another edition
5.0
Fabulous read! If I could give it more stars, I would.
Something that draws me into any book is the inexplicable magic of almost poetic prose, strong characterization, and a sense of universality--the feeling that this story could be about me. No, I'm not black. I'm not gay. I'm not adopted. I am the mother of a 17-year-old. But, the desire to understand oneself beyond the labels that people place on me rings so true to me. I think that is part of the appeal of YA literature to adults in general, we've all had some version of these experiences, so we understand them at a visceral level. However, this is even more that that. Remy's journey speaks to the lost soul inside of each of us--the person who simply wants to understand love, life, where they are, and where they are heading.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Something that draws me into any book is the inexplicable magic of almost poetic prose, strong characterization, and a sense of universality--the feeling that this story could be about me. No, I'm not black. I'm not gay. I'm not adopted. I am the mother of a 17-year-old. But, the desire to understand oneself beyond the labels that people place on me rings so true to me. I think that is part of the appeal of YA literature to adults in general, we've all had some version of these experiences, so we understand them at a visceral level. However, this is even more that that. Remy's journey speaks to the lost soul inside of each of us--the person who simply wants to understand love, life, where they are, and where they are heading.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
jayaremarshall's review against another edition
1.0
DNF at page 134, this book is so bland and it drags on and on. Still holding out hope for the authors other books!
thebookishmel's review against another edition
4.0
no one talk to me dis shit was so cute
okay - lets get it together now. THIS BOOK WAS SO MUCH FUN. However, there are some serious trigger warnings including discussions of racism, homophobia, past minor characters' death, and alcoholism, as well as depictions of homophobic bullying, and a scene involving brief sexual harassment/racial fetishism (copied straight from the book). BUT I think Winters does a PHENOMENAL job at addressing all of them in a digestible way.
If you're a fan of The Edge of Seventeen and Heartstopper, I think this is the perfect blend of both and I'll tell you why - it's such a fun coming of age story answering the overarching question of "who am I?" but specifically, "Who is Remy Cameron?"
Struck by varying identities and labels that he has found himself lumped under, it's really understanding that he is an amalgamation [SAT prep ;) - iykyk] of all of these identities to becoming exactly who he is now, with all of the heartbreak and trauma, as well as the great times, great family, and celebration. Seeing how his relationship with Ian Park grows into something so beautiful is what reminds me of Nick and Charlie from the Heartstopper comics!
I think we also see a hint of Winters writing himself in the book in the messages his characters tell Remy. Particularly, a conversation between him and Brook stands out to me as a way for him to almost break the fourth wall, and though I'm all for subtleties, this even hit me - and it didn't even APPLY to me or my life.
I was able to fall in love with Remy as he fell back in love with himself, and I think that's one of the most valuable aspects of this book and I'm SO glad to have read it.
okay - lets get it together now. THIS BOOK WAS SO MUCH FUN. However, there are some serious trigger warnings including discussions of racism, homophobia, past minor characters' death, and alcoholism, as well as depictions of homophobic bullying, and a scene involving brief sexual harassment/racial fetishism (copied straight from the book). BUT I think Winters does a PHENOMENAL job at addressing all of them in a digestible way.
If you're a fan of The Edge of Seventeen and Heartstopper, I think this is the perfect blend of both and I'll tell you why - it's such a fun coming of age story answering the overarching question of "who am I?" but specifically, "Who is Remy Cameron?"
Struck by varying identities and labels that he has found himself lumped under, it's really understanding that he is an amalgamation [SAT prep ;) - iykyk] of all of these identities to becoming exactly who he is now, with all of the heartbreak and trauma, as well as the great times, great family, and celebration. Seeing how his relationship with Ian Park grows into something so beautiful is what reminds me of Nick and Charlie from the Heartstopper comics!
I think we also see a hint of Winters writing himself in the book in the messages his characters tell Remy. Particularly, a conversation between him and Brook stands out to me as a way for him to almost break the fourth wall, and though I'm all for subtleties, this even hit me - and it didn't even APPLY to me or my life.
I was able to fall in love with Remy as he fell back in love with himself, and I think that's one of the most valuable aspects of this book and I'm SO glad to have read it.
adammm's review against another edition
5.0
It has taken me just about 3.5 months but I have finally finished How to Be Remy Cameron by Julian Winters, and it is quite possibly one of the best YA novels I've read this year. A brief summary: Seventeen-year-old Remy is in that nebulous stage of adolescence where the labels he uses to describe himself - gay, Black, adopted - don't seem to fit. When his AP English teacher assigns an assignment instructing his class to write and present about themselves, he is thrown for a loop. Family, friend, and school-related shenanigans ensue.
I started HTBRC immediately after completing my first book by author Winters, the very strong As You Walk On By. Grad school, a brief obsession with zombies, and various personal issues led to my setting Remy aside for several months, having read only the first three chapters. A few days ago I decided to read all the books on my "currently reading" bookshelf and here I am, regretting that I didn't just finish the book months ago.
This is an incredible book. Remy reads like an authentic teenage boy struggling to figure out his place in his family, his friend group, and in school. This is by no means a plot-driven story; instead, it is highly introspective, following Remy through roughly a month in his life during his junior year of high school. But don't take the introspective nature of this novel as a sign that it is dull: Winter manages to keep the pace steady, expertly doling out events such as the search for the "Mad Tagger," an unusual graffiti artist; revelations related to family; and shifting crushes and relationships, all in an impressive manner. For a second book, this is truly excellent writing.
There are a number of reasons why this book hits so hard, but I think what stands out to me is the discussion of labels. As a teenager labels are of utmost importance: am I gay or straight or bi or pan or what? Am I a boy or a girl or a bit of both or neither? Am I popular or a nerd? Am I a STEM person or a language person? Am I too fat or too skinny? Am I smart or dumb? Is so-and-so my best friend? Am I theirs? This book does a terrific job of discussing the nuance of trying to fit into the labels we give ourselves, as well as the ones others assign to us. Remy's path towards understanding his own positionality is extremely compelling, both understated yet heart-warming. As I read the final page I found myself tearing up, which is highly unusual as I am an emotionless monster full of toxic masculinity. So yeah, this is good stuff, y'all.
Needless to say, I highly recommend How to Be Remy Cameron and I very enthusiastically look forward to reading more books by Julian Winters. Recommended if you're looking for extremely diverse YA; books where every single character has a compelling arc; discussions of labels; characters featuring intersectional identities; complicated families.
I started HTBRC immediately after completing my first book by author Winters, the very strong As You Walk On By. Grad school, a brief obsession with zombies, and various personal issues led to my setting Remy aside for several months, having read only the first three chapters. A few days ago I decided to read all the books on my "currently reading" bookshelf and here I am, regretting that I didn't just finish the book months ago.
This is an incredible book. Remy reads like an authentic teenage boy struggling to figure out his place in his family, his friend group, and in school. This is by no means a plot-driven story; instead, it is highly introspective, following Remy through roughly a month in his life during his junior year of high school. But don't take the introspective nature of this novel as a sign that it is dull: Winter manages to keep the pace steady, expertly doling out events such as the search for the "Mad Tagger," an unusual graffiti artist; revelations related to family; and shifting crushes and relationships, all in an impressive manner. For a second book, this is truly excellent writing.
There are a number of reasons why this book hits so hard, but I think what stands out to me is the discussion of labels. As a teenager labels are of utmost importance: am I gay or straight or bi or pan or what? Am I a boy or a girl or a bit of both or neither? Am I popular or a nerd? Am I a STEM person or a language person? Am I too fat or too skinny? Am I smart or dumb? Is so-and-so my best friend? Am I theirs? This book does a terrific job of discussing the nuance of trying to fit into the labels we give ourselves, as well as the ones others assign to us. Remy's path towards understanding his own positionality is extremely compelling, both understated yet heart-warming. As I read the final page I found myself tearing up, which is highly unusual as I am an emotionless monster full of toxic masculinity. So yeah, this is good stuff, y'all.
Needless to say, I highly recommend How to Be Remy Cameron and I very enthusiastically look forward to reading more books by Julian Winters. Recommended if you're looking for extremely diverse YA; books where every single character has a compelling arc; discussions of labels; characters featuring intersectional identities; complicated families.
rashmi's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0