Student

by Nell Kalter

It’s the second semester of her senior year in college, and before she is thrown into the uncertain abyss of the real world, Jaye is desperately trying to cram in every delirious moment of university life. Her days are spent forging closer bonds with friends, watching grisly horror movies in her Film Theory class, applying to graduate school, and considering calling off the safe and secure long-distance romance she has been a part of for perhaps far too long. Her nights are spent forming attractions to fraternity boys and guitarists in local bar bands. She is questioning what she wants her looming future to hold. But as her time as a student frenetically comes to an end, the only thing Jaye knows for sure is that she has a lot more growing up to do. Beginning on the blizzard-ridden and alcohol-fueled night of her twenty-first birthday and continuing through the memorable last months of college, her summer spent in New York City, and the following aimless autumn, STUDENT explores one young woman's quest to find herself. Brutally honest and deeply introspective, Jaye is bold but inhibited, reckless but resilient, sexy but self-conscious, and surrounded by friends while often feeling alone. What she will experience in nine pivotal months will change her forever.

282 pages, Paperback

First published December 6, 2011

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a graduate of high school & a student of Nell Kalter this last year of high school, I enjoyed this book a little more just knowing Ms. Kalter as a teacher & a person & seeing the things she wrote about from personal experience. But, even if I didn't know her personally, I still say this book is amazing ! At first, I was reading it with her voice in mind & then I got so into the character Jaye's mindset & created a voice for her that I would just jump into her world. I love when a book can make me do that; forget that I'm in this world & actually see & create the world that the character is in. That's when I know it's a good book. Also, even though this characters' story is more about the end of college, I can still draw comparisons with my end of high school & I think many people can relate with it. This book is without a doubt magnificant ! I also love Ms. Kalter's Thank You's in the back of the book, especially to her students who need to stop texting in class hahaha, that brings back memories !