WHAT IF IT'S US - Review

Author(s): Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera

Rating: 5*

Goodreads Link 

When I heard about this book, I pre-ordered it as soon as it was available. Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli have taken leaps for gay representation, with previous publications like Simon Vs the Homosapiens Agenda, Leah on the Offbeat (Becky), and History Is All You Left Me (Adam). Knowing their writing styles--and loving both--I couldn't wait for WHAT IF IT'S US.

The universe plays a big part in this Young Adult book about two boys from very different lives meeting in a post office, on chance. Arthur, a Hamilton-obsessed intern, stumbles across Ben, a Sims-loving student. When their meeting is fleeting but full of curiosity and lingering thoughts, Arthur puts up an ad to find Ben.

When the two reconnect, their differences often clash. Ben is only recently single and likes Arthur but he’s hesitant to fully let go of his ex-boyfriend. Arthur is new to any kind of love life and eager to have everything live up to his expectations. After many awkward, do-over dates, the two finally find their rhythm.

This book is pure, beautiful, and enjoyable. It’s so heart-breaking to read about Ben’s self deprecation when he can’t see how amazing of a person he is, and it’s so fun to read the awkward, corny scenes. My heart melts a little every time Arthur gets to convince him of what a great boyfriend he is.

A book about how the universe likes to play us all—whether you believe or not—, Arthur’s and Ben’s story leaves a reader wanting more, wishing the boys had more, and hoping that they find true happiness in their respective futures.

WILD BLUE WONDER Review

Author: Carlie Sorosiak

Rating: 5*

Find it on Goodreads!

This book was a beautiful--beautiful--read. Whenever I opened it, the world slipped away, I got immersed in this new summer camp setting, and for the first time in months, I truly relaxed. I started 2018 off reading Carlie Sorosiak's IF BIRDS FLY BACK, so I wanted to start 2019 reading her next book.

WILD BLUE WONDER starts off in the wintery present, with Quinn--a flawed, ambitious protagonist--, her brother, and sister, all torn apart yet enduring the same house. Each chapter is alternating, allowing glimpses into the summer just gone, when everything was wonderful--until the disaster happened.

The contrast between the two times is startling and incredible: not only does Carlie show the difference in the siblings, she shows the difference in Quinn. How unburdened she was in the summer, how much more she laughed, or could look at water without throwing up, or not feel guilty for having feelings for a new boy at school. It shows the difference between the seasons and how they affect the camp. For me, this was a massive point. The camp in summer represented warmth, the campers all wanting to have fun, happiness beneath the sun before the Accident. Then winter: with it's emptiness, bare trees, all leaves fallen off, similar to the way the siblings have fallen away from each other.

Quinn's story is brutal, honest, empathetic and hopeful. Whilst Quinn battles her own sorrows and guilt of what happened over the summer all three siblings fell in love with the same boy, she has her best friend and her grandmother. Both are strong support points for Quinn. Neither leave her in her time of panic or meltdowns. Both love and support her. In the book, Quinn rebuilds an old boat which signifies her wanting to rebuild herself. Each hole mended in the boat needs to be a hole sewn back up in her heart. Still, it's not enough for her haunting past; fixing a boat can't fix her because that takes longer work, more self-reflection, and when Quinn still struggles with that she has her family around her.

WILD BLUE WONDER shows the torn family and the hope that dying winters can actually have. That snow is cold and dangerous but it can be beautiful enough to lie in to make snow angels; that family will never, ever leave you, no matter how far away they seem. Carlie Sorosiak has such a meaningful way of writing love, siblings and methods in recovery, and each page draws me in further. I absolutely cannot wait for her next book!