By Rainbow Rowell
Genre NA Contemporary
Rating ⭐️⭐️
Synopsis
Cath and her twin sister Wren are starting college. Wren has decided the girls need to live their lives separately so Cath is on her own. Luckily she has her fan fiction to keep her busy. But college isn't like high school and Cath has a lot to learn about herself and growing up.
First Sentence
There was a boy in her room.
As I've been pushing myself through the Raven Cycle I've periodically needed a light book to break up the drama. Fangirl sounded like such a book. And it was...to a point. I flew through it in two sittings. I was addicted to the story of Cath and her life. The fan fiction...I couldn't seem to get invested in. I expected a light fluffy book about a girl obsessed with a series of books and her fan fiction and what I got was an issue book. Everyone has issues. Cath and her crippling social anxiety. Wren and her partying too hard. The mother that abandoned them. Their father is bipolar. The only one that didn't have any issues was Levi and he was way too perfect. Annoyingly so.
Fine. I can accept that it't not a light, silly story. It's an issue book. That's not realistic at all. Cath's Fiction Writing teacher giving her a break and letting her have more time to write the story. How Cath manages to even write the story at the last moment and win the prize. Levi's perfection. Wren's miraculous turn around. It was all too nicely and neatly wrapped up. Completely unbelievable. So what kind of book was it? A fluff read or an issue book? Make up your mind!
I didn't hate the book, but truthfully, I wasn't as enamored with it like everyone else seems to be.
Should you read it?
If you haven't read it go ahead. It's a fast read at the very least.
Oh no! I was so surprised to see your rating. Perhaps this was a case of mismatched expectations?
ReplyDeleteMaybe. I guess after reading Eleanor & Park I should have known. I'll be better prepared in the future.
Deleteuh oh, that doesn't bode well. I will still have to give it a try at some point.
ReplyDeleteYou should. The girl sure can write.
DeleteI didn't love this book either...I wanted it to be more about the funny fan fiction stuff, and not the "issues". I guess I was looking for a more light-hearted, humorous read than what Rowell wrote.
ReplyDeleteExactly! I'm glad someone agrees with me.
DeleteI was expecting it to be a light read, too. I will have to adjust my expectations if I finally get around to reading it.
ReplyDeleteIt's very readable but definitely an issue book.
DeleteI listened to this on audio and I think that added to my overall enjoyment because I loved the narrator!
ReplyDeleteOh cool!
DeleteI had a similar reaction to the book, especially about the resolutions. I did enjoy Rowell's writing style though, so I want to give her another try at some point.
ReplyDeleteYes, she's an excellent writer. I'm still determined to find one of her books to like. I just need to remember they'll have depth. There not just light and fluffy.
DeleteI really liked this book. Just found the characters interesting and didn't really focus as much on the fan fiction part. It's a good story, over all, I think.
ReplyDeleteIt is. I guess I had screwed up expectations.
DeleteROwell really isn't the author for me. Issue books or not, her style just doesn't work for me, even though I tried very hard. So U understand you completely.
ReplyDeleteReally?! I thought everyone loved her.
DeleteI don't think this is for me but I did love Attachments. I am considering trying Eleanor and Park some day.
ReplyDeleteEleanor and Park was not a favorite. I really want to read her other books though. I do love her writing.
DeleteI really want to read this one. I think I'll like this one more than I'll like any of her others, but I'm not sure. Maybe, I won't.
ReplyDeleteYou need to read one of her books. I want to know what you'll think.
DeleteSad! I enjoyed this one, and I really liked the college setting.
ReplyDeleteI didn't hate it. It just was a case of messed up expectations.
DeleteI'm pretty sure I really enjoyed this one but I can't totally remember now. Somethings bugged me a little...but just a little...
ReplyDeleteHa ha! Maybe I'll forget it in time and enjoy a reread.
DeleteIt's been several years since I read this one. I remember really enjoying it then. Although I also remember skipping over most of the actual fanfiction Cath writes. And I've no desire to read the newer book Rowell wrote based on that fanfiction.
ReplyDeleteYeah, the fan fiction bored me to tears.
DeleteI did like this book, it's actually my favorite Rainbow Rowell book (yes, not Eleanor & Park). But you're right- it's not fluffy as the cover suggests. I also liked the fan fiction part, and I could relate to some (not all) of Cath's anxiety.
ReplyDeleteI could relate too.
DeleteHa! We seem to be the only two people in the world who aren't head over heels in love with this novel. While I understood Cath's social anxiety, I felt like it was such a superficial way for Rowell to try and make her "relateable" and I detested the fanfic sections. They felt really superfluous.
ReplyDeleteYeah. I didn't get the fan fiction.
DeleteYeah, the fan fiction wasn't my favorite. I really liked the rest of the book, though. Too bad it fell flat for you.
ReplyDelete