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16 Things I Thought Were True
Heart attacks happen to other people
When Morgan's mom gets sick, it's hard not to panic. Without her mother, she would have no one—until she finds out the dad who walked out on her as a baby isn't as far away as she thought...
Adam is a stuck-up, uptight jerk
Now that they have a summer job together, Morgan's getting to know the real Adam, and he's actually pretty sweet...in a nerdy-hot kind of way. He even offers to go with her to find her dad. Road trip, anyone?
5000 Twitter followers are all the friends I need
With Adam in the back seat, a hyper chatterbox named Amy behind the wheel, and plenty of Cheetos to fuel their trip, Morgan feels ready for anything. She's not expecting a flat tire, a missed ferry, a fake girlfriend...and that these two people she barely knew before the summer started will become the people she can't imagine living without.
When Morgan's mom gets sick, it's hard not to panic. Without her mother, she would have no one—until she finds out the dad who walked out on her as a baby isn't as far away as she thought...
Adam is a stuck-up, uptight jerk
Now that they have a summer job together, Morgan's getting to know the real Adam, and he's actually pretty sweet...in a nerdy-hot kind of way. He even offers to go with her to find her dad. Road trip, anyone?
5000 Twitter followers are all the friends I need
With Adam in the back seat, a hyper chatterbox named Amy behind the wheel, and plenty of Cheetos to fuel their trip, Morgan feels ready for anything. She's not expecting a flat tire, a missed ferry, a fake girlfriend...and that these two people she barely knew before the summer started will become the people she can't imagine living without.
304 pages, Unknown Binding
First published March 4, 2014
71 people are currently reading
4041 people want to read
About the author
Janet Gurtler
36 books647 followersJanet Gurtler is a Rita Award Finalist for her book, I'M NOT HER. Her young adult books have also been chosen for the Junior Library Guild Selection and as Best Books for Teens from the Canadian Children’s Book Center.
Janet's latest young adult novel, THE OTHER ME will be released in 2027 from Great Plains Press.
THE OTHER ME is a parallel life romance about the importance of choices. It's a thought provoking story for people who have sometimes wondered...what if.
Janet lives in Alberta, Canada, with her best friend, Betty White, a beautiful golden retriever who takes her for daily walks.
Janet's latest young adult novel, THE OTHER ME will be released in 2027 from Great Plains Press.
THE OTHER ME is a parallel life romance about the importance of choices. It's a thought provoking story for people who have sometimes wondered...what if.
Janet lives in Alberta, Canada, with her best friend, Betty White, a beautiful golden retriever who takes her for daily walks.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 334 reviews
June 1, 2016
I love it. I am not impartial.
February 23, 2014
See more reviews at YA Midnight Reads
Parts of me enjoyed this novel, and then there are parts of me that just could not shove away the flaws. This is my second novel by Janet Gurtler, so I guess I had expected more from her, as How I Lost You was quite brilliant. Yet all other things aside, 16 Things I Thought Were True presents readers with several important morals and themes which I believe is to why I still ended up liking it in the end.
Morgan was never the social one when it came to interacting with the other people around her. She thought that almost five thousand followers on Twitter would be enough to keep her company. However her life takes a big turn when her mother is sent rushing to the hospital, to find out that she has a heart condition. If she died, Morgan wouldn’t have a parent left—her dad had run off before Morgan was even born. So when her summer job’s boss and fellow co-worker offer to go on a road trip with her in search for her father, how could she not say yes?
My first problem with Gurtler’s latest was the logic of the main character. Your mother is extremely ill and fragile, and you decide to set off with two people you barely know to find your father that might slam the door in your face. Right. Morgan do tell how you drew that conclusion—‘cause I really have no idea. Morgan was still, however, a good choice of protagonist for this novel. She’s a jerk, impulsive and doesn’t really listen to what comes out her mouth half the time—not exactly the easy to like type. Nonetheless, throughout the book, she did grow onto me and I liked how the author handled her growth as an individual.
16 Things I Thought Were True had a lot going on for just a 300 paged novel. I do believe that it drags down the book as a whole because the author is trying to cram everything into this book. Her mother is in hospital then out of hospital within a matter of pages. The road trip did not last too long at all. Meeting her father felt so insignificant to what I had anticipated. Then there were themes and morals mixed in, which made me, feel that the book was somewhat shallow. Perhaps a longer novel or fewer ideas? Then the author would have the opportunity to go in depth with more of the fantastic plot lines she had. And that ending felt anticlimactic. There was a twist and I was just left there thinking: “….wait…huh?”
What I loved most about Gurtler’s latest is the friendships and Morgan’s way of finding who she was. The answer was in her face the entire time, but the journey was what shaped her more. Amy was honestly the sweetest. I was not a fan of her in the beginning, but her bubbly and excitable personality made it impossible to hate her. Adam was also a pretty likeable love interest and it was great how the romance did not take up the novel—if it did… TOTAL. DISASTER.
16 Things I Thought Were True was a brave new novel by Janet Gurtler that dealt with topics such as death, finding yourself, moving on by leaving the past behind, lying and how it can come back and make you feel guilty and understanding that it’s completely alright to make mistakes—though remember to correct them in the end. Yes, it’s quite a bucket. But like I said, it's crowded with ideas and happenings.
Parts of me enjoyed this novel, and then there are parts of me that just could not shove away the flaws. This is my second novel by Janet Gurtler, so I guess I had expected more from her, as How I Lost You was quite brilliant. Yet all other things aside, 16 Things I Thought Were True presents readers with several important morals and themes which I believe is to why I still ended up liking it in the end.
Morgan was never the social one when it came to interacting with the other people around her. She thought that almost five thousand followers on Twitter would be enough to keep her company. However her life takes a big turn when her mother is sent rushing to the hospital, to find out that she has a heart condition. If she died, Morgan wouldn’t have a parent left—her dad had run off before Morgan was even born. So when her summer job’s boss and fellow co-worker offer to go on a road trip with her in search for her father, how could she not say yes?
My first problem with Gurtler’s latest was the logic of the main character. Your mother is extremely ill and fragile, and you decide to set off with two people you barely know to find your father that might slam the door in your face. Right. Morgan do tell how you drew that conclusion—‘cause I really have no idea. Morgan was still, however, a good choice of protagonist for this novel. She’s a jerk, impulsive and doesn’t really listen to what comes out her mouth half the time—not exactly the easy to like type. Nonetheless, throughout the book, she did grow onto me and I liked how the author handled her growth as an individual.
16 Things I Thought Were True had a lot going on for just a 300 paged novel. I do believe that it drags down the book as a whole because the author is trying to cram everything into this book. Her mother is in hospital then out of hospital within a matter of pages. The road trip did not last too long at all. Meeting her father felt so insignificant to what I had anticipated. Then there were themes and morals mixed in, which made me, feel that the book was somewhat shallow. Perhaps a longer novel or fewer ideas? Then the author would have the opportunity to go in depth with more of the fantastic plot lines she had. And that ending felt anticlimactic. There was a twist and I was just left there thinking: “….wait…huh?”
What I loved most about Gurtler’s latest is the friendships and Morgan’s way of finding who she was. The answer was in her face the entire time, but the journey was what shaped her more. Amy was honestly the sweetest. I was not a fan of her in the beginning, but her bubbly and excitable personality made it impossible to hate her. Adam was also a pretty likeable love interest and it was great how the romance did not take up the novel—if it did… TOTAL. DISASTER.
16 Things I Thought Were True was a brave new novel by Janet Gurtler that dealt with topics such as death, finding yourself, moving on by leaving the past behind, lying and how it can come back and make you feel guilty and understanding that it’s completely alright to make mistakes—though remember to correct them in the end. Yes, it’s quite a bucket. But like I said, it's crowded with ideas and happenings.
~Thank you Sourcebooks Fire for sending me this copy!~
November 28, 2014
4 stars - This one captured my heart.
First Impression...
I've needed a change lately and a good YA sounds like the right choice. Besides, I was so interested in the twitter aspect of this story.
The Characters...
Overall, what I loved the most about all of the characters in this book was how real they felt. As a teacher, I often wonder at some of the YA characters I read about in books, wondering what school halls they came from. But these characters? They were real.
I loved that Morgan was obsessed with her chapstick and her twitter following. She was worried what others thought about her. She was worried about her mom. She wondered who her dad was. She made some silly decisions. She could be a brat sometimes. She was a teenager. I really enjoyed getting to know her and watching her go through some struggles that ultimately helped her grow-up.
Adams was a cutie. The manager at work, he seemed like a jerk at first but then when Morgan needs him - even though he doesn't know her yet - he's there for her. And he keeps being there for her. As she struggles with her viral status on YouTube, her mothers health and the trip to find her dad, Adam is always there for her. He's not perfect. He proved that for sure. He's not some super gorgeous teen god but he's cute and he likes her. Oh and he's a good kisser.
Amy. I so loved Amy. She tell it how it is. Never beats around the bush, the girl will pee on the side of the road when she's got to go but she won't let you down. She doesn't embarrass easily and she's a great friend to Morgan and Adam. She took my by storm and I really enjoyed her.
The Story...
The story grabbed me and held me. I really haven't felt that stuck in a book feeling lately but this one did for me. I wasn't sure where things were going a lot of times. I guessed a couple little things right but there were some things that came out of left field and tugged at my heart. Such a great story full of growing up advice and a sweet romance that didn't dominate the meaningful story.
Could I Put it Down...
No. I read it straight through.
In The End...
This is a great YA story for more than YA. I hope lots and lots of YA do read it though. It's real. We all make mistakes but it's important to learn from them and move on. Be who you really are. Anyone who just wants a really good story, this one is for you.
First Impression...
I've needed a change lately and a good YA sounds like the right choice. Besides, I was so interested in the twitter aspect of this story.
The Characters...
Overall, what I loved the most about all of the characters in this book was how real they felt. As a teacher, I often wonder at some of the YA characters I read about in books, wondering what school halls they came from. But these characters? They were real.
I loved that Morgan was obsessed with her chapstick and her twitter following. She was worried what others thought about her. She was worried about her mom. She wondered who her dad was. She made some silly decisions. She could be a brat sometimes. She was a teenager. I really enjoyed getting to know her and watching her go through some struggles that ultimately helped her grow-up.
Adams was a cutie. The manager at work, he seemed like a jerk at first but then when Morgan needs him - even though he doesn't know her yet - he's there for her. And he keeps being there for her. As she struggles with her viral status on YouTube, her mothers health and the trip to find her dad, Adam is always there for her. He's not perfect. He proved that for sure. He's not some super gorgeous teen god but he's cute and he likes her. Oh and he's a good kisser.
Amy. I so loved Amy. She tell it how it is. Never beats around the bush, the girl will pee on the side of the road when she's got to go but she won't let you down. She doesn't embarrass easily and she's a great friend to Morgan and Adam. She took my by storm and I really enjoyed her.
The Story...
The story grabbed me and held me. I really haven't felt that stuck in a book feeling lately but this one did for me. I wasn't sure where things were going a lot of times. I guessed a couple little things right but there were some things that came out of left field and tugged at my heart. Such a great story full of growing up advice and a sweet romance that didn't dominate the meaningful story.
Could I Put it Down...
No. I read it straight through.
In The End...
This is a great YA story for more than YA. I hope lots and lots of YA do read it though. It's real. We all make mistakes but it's important to learn from them and move on. Be who you really are. Anyone who just wants a really good story, this one is for you.
September 2, 2014
Check out the full review and more at
The Brunette Librarian's Blog
Morgan is having a bit of a hard summer. She’s got a job at the local theme park working with snacks, she’s not making any friends, and her Mom just had a heart attack. She doesn’t know who her dad is, never has really. Her twin brothers aren’t any help so Morgan can’t help but feel alone in world filled with people. However, her one lifeline is Twitter and this is going to be the summer she passes 5,000 followers. She knows once she passes that milestone, something amazing is bound to happen.
As Morgan’s mother lays on the hospital table, she begins to tell Morgan about her birth father. Having assumed he was dead, Morgan is surprised to find out that he is in fact still alive and living just across the border in Canada. A shy girl, Amy, who has become attached to Morgan, offers to drive her to finally meet her Dad. Her boss, and maybe crush at work, Adam offers to go too. As the three set off on an epic road trip, they question themselves, family, and what is really means to be a friend.
I was extremely impressed with how well written this is. I was drawn in from page one and couldn't set it down. Characters, setting, and story come together perfectly to create this fantastic blend.
16 Things I Thought Were True is a wonderful character study of teens and what they are going through right now. Life isn’t perfect but moments can be. Morgan begins the book disliking life. She doesn't have any friends that aren’t online, she’s had a terrible embarrassment that chased off her real friends so she’s alone. Friendship plays a key role in this story, both old and new and how they affect our lives.
Completely delightful, I loved 16 Things I Thought Were True. A great road trip story that has a little bit of everything. Bullying issues, friendships, family problems, insecurities, love, and happiness are all thrown in there to create one of the best Young Adult novels I’ve read in quite a while. Great characters and a heartwarming story show how gifted of a storyteller Janet Gurtler is.
The Brunette Librarian's Blog
Morgan is having a bit of a hard summer. She’s got a job at the local theme park working with snacks, she’s not making any friends, and her Mom just had a heart attack. She doesn’t know who her dad is, never has really. Her twin brothers aren’t any help so Morgan can’t help but feel alone in world filled with people. However, her one lifeline is Twitter and this is going to be the summer she passes 5,000 followers. She knows once she passes that milestone, something amazing is bound to happen.
As Morgan’s mother lays on the hospital table, she begins to tell Morgan about her birth father. Having assumed he was dead, Morgan is surprised to find out that he is in fact still alive and living just across the border in Canada. A shy girl, Amy, who has become attached to Morgan, offers to drive her to finally meet her Dad. Her boss, and maybe crush at work, Adam offers to go too. As the three set off on an epic road trip, they question themselves, family, and what is really means to be a friend.
I was extremely impressed with how well written this is. I was drawn in from page one and couldn't set it down. Characters, setting, and story come together perfectly to create this fantastic blend.
16 Things I Thought Were True is a wonderful character study of teens and what they are going through right now. Life isn’t perfect but moments can be. Morgan begins the book disliking life. She doesn't have any friends that aren’t online, she’s had a terrible embarrassment that chased off her real friends so she’s alone. Friendship plays a key role in this story, both old and new and how they affect our lives.
Completely delightful, I loved 16 Things I Thought Were True. A great road trip story that has a little bit of everything. Bullying issues, friendships, family problems, insecurities, love, and happiness are all thrown in there to create one of the best Young Adult novels I’ve read in quite a while. Great characters and a heartwarming story show how gifted of a storyteller Janet Gurtler is.
November 16, 2013
I was not expecting that ending!!!!...OMG... I need a tissue! Oh, Morgan. May we all have Amy's in our lives.
January 21, 2014
Sometimes I just want to dive into a YA contemporary read, a la Sarah Dessen, and nothing satisfies that urge quite like a road trip book. 16 Things I Thought Were True is a really easy, really good, and surprisingly touching read. It's not a long book, so it didn't take me long to plough through it - mainly because once I started I really didn't want to put it down. The 16 Things make for a good plot device - a way of splitting the book into bitesize chunks, hints that make you think about things, while not breaking up the storyline. The use of Twitter makes for a wonderfully modern read too, though there's a chance that it will age badly.
Gurtler's characters and writing were infinitely enjoyable. Amy in particular is an amazing creation. I wish we call all have someone like her in our lives.
I was enjoying the ride so much, I didn't want the book to end, and when it did, I have to admit I was in floods of tears.
16 Things I Thought Were True is a brilliant story for teens and adults alike, and I want everyone to read it!
Gurtler's characters and writing were infinitely enjoyable. Amy in particular is an amazing creation. I wish we call all have someone like her in our lives.
I was enjoying the ride so much, I didn't want the book to end, and when it did, I have to admit I was in floods of tears.
16 Things I Thought Were True is a brilliant story for teens and adults alike, and I want everyone to read it!
March 18, 2014
This was a great little contemporary. Memorable characters, charming, romantic, and a little heart-breaking. Review soon:)
**UPDATED REVIEW**
If you follow this blog than you know that I love contemporary YA--it's definitely my favorite and most read genre. But until I read #16thingsithoughtweretrue, I had never read any books by Janet Gurtler. Well I aim to change that now because I very much enjoyed 16 Things...It was a great little book--a quick, absorbing read-it-an-afternoon book. And it surprised me in many ways too--you can tell from the above synopsis that there are some family issues going on with Morgan--her mom's health and her estranged dad--but there were more thing going on in Morgan's life--an embarrassing video gone viral, loss of her best friend, and a growing obsession with her Twitter readership.
There are also some lighter moments. A fun, albeit kind of brief, road trip. A co-worker that becomes a best friend. And falling for the guy she least likely expected to.
Things have been rough for Morgan the last few months. After her best friend posted a video of her dancing around in boys underwear to "I'm Sexy and I Know It", the viral video has been the talk of Morgan's school. She's no longer speaking to her friend and has instead turned to Twitter--where she is within range of reaching 5000 followers. True to teenager fashion, Morgan has her nose in her phone night and day, constantly tweeting her status and checking her counts. Even though she is a semi-outcast, Morgan takes a job at a local amusement park--she needs the money. But she doesn't talk to anyone really, she thinks everyone is talking about her, laughing at her, whispering things like "Did you see her in that video?"
The only person who seems to want to get to know her is this strange girl named Amy--and Morgan isn't exactly sure if she finds her attention flattering or annoying. But she's leaning more towards annoying. Not far into the story, Morgan's mom suffers a heart attack. After her douchebag, yet also kinda-cute-in-a-nerdy-way, manager gives her a ride to the hospital, Morgan learns some things from her mom about the father she has never met and was always told abandoned her after he found out her mom was pregnant.
I won't spoil the rest of the story but a road trip to meet this missing father does ensue and included a couple of unlikely allies.
So here are the best things about 16 Things... it's a great coming of age story with a flawed protagonist. Morgan is definitely a little lost and floundering. But she doesn't do a whole lot to help her cause. It takes her life getting shaken up even more to get her moving in the right direction. Next, I love that although this is a coming of age story it is one that includes Morgan's family in a big way. Her mom, her two older brothers and her dad all play substantial roles in the book--it's always good to see family, all types of families, playing big roles in YA. The romance aspect is sweet and realistic--but it's not the central focus--and that works well for this story that is really about Morgan coming to terms with certain things in her life.
And lastly, the secondary character of Amy really, really shines in this book--and sorta steals the show. She develops into this really interesting compelling character in this book--I was so surprised by her role by book's end because it turned out to be nothing like I expected. I won't say anymore than that but I think a lot of readers are really going to fall for this character.
That's not to say that I didn't love Morgan--I did--but for different reasons. She's a very realistic character--everyone in this book is--you see Morgan's positives and negatives. But you definitely want to cheer her on and see her come out on top. I think my favorite scene with Morgan has to be near the end--when she fully embraces who she is and what she's done in her past. When she realizes that her actions don't always define her.
I think that #16thingsithoughtweretrue is a fantastic young adult book--it teaches some pretty great life lessons and does it in an entertaining and engaging way. I'm off to discover my next Janet Gurtler book.
**UPDATED REVIEW**
If you follow this blog than you know that I love contemporary YA--it's definitely my favorite and most read genre. But until I read #16thingsithoughtweretrue, I had never read any books by Janet Gurtler. Well I aim to change that now because I very much enjoyed 16 Things...It was a great little book--a quick, absorbing read-it-an-afternoon book. And it surprised me in many ways too--you can tell from the above synopsis that there are some family issues going on with Morgan--her mom's health and her estranged dad--but there were more thing going on in Morgan's life--an embarrassing video gone viral, loss of her best friend, and a growing obsession with her Twitter readership.
There are also some lighter moments. A fun, albeit kind of brief, road trip. A co-worker that becomes a best friend. And falling for the guy she least likely expected to.
Things have been rough for Morgan the last few months. After her best friend posted a video of her dancing around in boys underwear to "I'm Sexy and I Know It", the viral video has been the talk of Morgan's school. She's no longer speaking to her friend and has instead turned to Twitter--where she is within range of reaching 5000 followers. True to teenager fashion, Morgan has her nose in her phone night and day, constantly tweeting her status and checking her counts. Even though she is a semi-outcast, Morgan takes a job at a local amusement park--she needs the money. But she doesn't talk to anyone really, she thinks everyone is talking about her, laughing at her, whispering things like "Did you see her in that video?"
The only person who seems to want to get to know her is this strange girl named Amy--and Morgan isn't exactly sure if she finds her attention flattering or annoying. But she's leaning more towards annoying. Not far into the story, Morgan's mom suffers a heart attack. After her douchebag, yet also kinda-cute-in-a-nerdy-way, manager gives her a ride to the hospital, Morgan learns some things from her mom about the father she has never met and was always told abandoned her after he found out her mom was pregnant.
I won't spoil the rest of the story but a road trip to meet this missing father does ensue and included a couple of unlikely allies.
So here are the best things about 16 Things... it's a great coming of age story with a flawed protagonist. Morgan is definitely a little lost and floundering. But she doesn't do a whole lot to help her cause. It takes her life getting shaken up even more to get her moving in the right direction. Next, I love that although this is a coming of age story it is one that includes Morgan's family in a big way. Her mom, her two older brothers and her dad all play substantial roles in the book--it's always good to see family, all types of families, playing big roles in YA. The romance aspect is sweet and realistic--but it's not the central focus--and that works well for this story that is really about Morgan coming to terms with certain things in her life.
And lastly, the secondary character of Amy really, really shines in this book--and sorta steals the show. She develops into this really interesting compelling character in this book--I was so surprised by her role by book's end because it turned out to be nothing like I expected. I won't say anymore than that but I think a lot of readers are really going to fall for this character.
That's not to say that I didn't love Morgan--I did--but for different reasons. She's a very realistic character--everyone in this book is--you see Morgan's positives and negatives. But you definitely want to cheer her on and see her come out on top. I think my favorite scene with Morgan has to be near the end--when she fully embraces who she is and what she's done in her past. When she realizes that her actions don't always define her.
I think that #16thingsithoughtweretrue is a fantastic young adult book--it teaches some pretty great life lessons and does it in an entertaining and engaging way. I'm off to discover my next Janet Gurtler book.
July 11, 2014
DNF.
This one had the enthusiasm of a dying slug (i don't know its level of enthusiasm but i imagine is non-existing!). There were happenings in this book but the events felt like someone was reciting a groceries list in lazy voice.
This is a classic case of a zombie book*, it lacks a soul and i couldn't get immersed in to it no matter how much i tried.
*(there aren't actual zombies inside, this book is a zombie, it drags its tired legs around looking for brains to eat...)
This one had the enthusiasm of a dying slug (i don't know its level of enthusiasm but i imagine is non-existing!). There were happenings in this book but the events felt like someone was reciting a groceries list in lazy voice.
This is a classic case of a zombie book*, it lacks a soul and i couldn't get immersed in to it no matter how much i tried.
*(there aren't actual zombies inside, this book is a zombie, it drags its tired legs around looking for brains to eat...)
April 3, 2014
16 Things I Thought Were True was really different to what I was expecting. I think things happened way too quickly for my liking that before I could even get a grip with what was going on, we were thrown into the next incident. Also I didn’t get the chance to form a connection with our MC Morgan either, she’d been having a tough time with a video of her being leaked by her former best friend of her dancing in boys shorts. Morgan had practically become the laughing stock, she couldn’t go anywhere without someone sniggering behind her back, or bringing up what had happened. I was fully on Morgan’s side, as she had just made that video when she and her best friend were messing around, she didn’t expect everyone to see it. Then to make matters worse, Morgan’s mum ends up being rushed to the hospital with a heart problem. Morgan’s never been so scared in her life, Morgan has twin brothers in Josh and Jake to look after her, but her mum is all that she has parent-wise, her dad walked out on her before she was born. Morgan’s mum is convinced she is going to die from a small operation, so encourages Morgan to find her dad. Morgan doesn’t want to leave her mum during such a crucial time, but every time Morgan has even tried to mention her dad, her mum just shuts her down, so with her mum actually totally behind Morgan doing this, Morgan decides to go and find her dad.
With the entire backlash she is receiving for her video, Morgan doesn’t really have anyone to go with her to Canada to find her dad. But then she finds two unexpected friends in Amy and Alex. I absolutely adored Amy, she reminded me of myself at times with her ability to talk non-stop. And although I could see how things would go with Alex and Morgan, I wasn’t really behind it, or more especially care for it. And what really bugged me was how unrealistic this road trip to see Morgan’s dad became. Morgan literally had a couple of conversations with Alex and Amy and then all of a sudden Amy had volunteered to drive her there and Alex to accompany them. And even though this road trip was meant to be a one of a kind experience of discovery and making connections, I just didn’t get this vibe from this road trip.
I really had the hope that I would be able to make a better connection with the characters or story but unfortunately this was not the case. The whole meeting with Morgan’s dad wasn’t an emotional one as I expected and ended way too quickly for my liking. And then we had two bombshells at the end where the heck did they come from? I’ve had luck with Gurtler’s books in the past, but this book just wasn’t my cup of tea.
With the entire backlash she is receiving for her video, Morgan doesn’t really have anyone to go with her to Canada to find her dad. But then she finds two unexpected friends in Amy and Alex. I absolutely adored Amy, she reminded me of myself at times with her ability to talk non-stop. And although I could see how things would go with Alex and Morgan, I wasn’t really behind it, or more especially care for it. And what really bugged me was how unrealistic this road trip to see Morgan’s dad became. Morgan literally had a couple of conversations with Alex and Amy and then all of a sudden Amy had volunteered to drive her there and Alex to accompany them. And even though this road trip was meant to be a one of a kind experience of discovery and making connections, I just didn’t get this vibe from this road trip.
I really had the hope that I would be able to make a better connection with the characters or story but unfortunately this was not the case. The whole meeting with Morgan’s dad wasn’t an emotional one as I expected and ended way too quickly for my liking. And then we had two bombshells at the end where the heck did they come from? I’ve had luck with Gurtler’s books in the past, but this book just wasn’t my cup of tea.
March 20, 2014
I have been waiting to read #16 Things I Thought Were True since BEA when I heard that Janet had another book in the works. To say that I'm a huge fan of Janet Gurtler is an understatement. I'm in awe of the way that Janet just gets and create the teen world. She understands their problems and all her stories are filled with problems that aren't exclusive to teens, it's not a teenage story, it's a story that features a teen and I love how she does that. It's like magic.
#16 Things I Thought Were True is no different. When Morgan's mother get's sick and faced with her own mortality, she finally tells Morgan who her father is. Morgan can't let go of the idea of meeting her father and confronting him for abandoning her and her mother. Together with her seemingly uptight boss and a friend from work, they set off on a road trip to finding Morgan's dad.
My favorite part about #16 Things is that I thought I knew where the story was going. I had this vision of my head. This, this, and this would happen. End of story. I was okay with it though because although it might've been predicable, I thought the story would live through its characterization. Then I read and, bam, plot twist, I'm crying and I'm kind of a wreck. So if you think that you're getting another ordinary contemporary read you're wrong.
Yes, it's a little predicable, but there's no way that you can predict what's going to happen in the end.
It's so amazing and once again Janet doesn't disappoint. #16 Things I Thought Were True is such an honest story. It's some kind of indescribable wonderful. All the little things and big things come together in just the right way.
e-ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.
#16 Things I Thought Were True is no different. When Morgan's mother get's sick and faced with her own mortality, she finally tells Morgan who her father is. Morgan can't let go of the idea of meeting her father and confronting him for abandoning her and her mother. Together with her seemingly uptight boss and a friend from work, they set off on a road trip to finding Morgan's dad.
My favorite part about #16 Things is that I thought I knew where the story was going. I had this vision of my head. This, this, and this would happen. End of story. I was okay with it though because although it might've been predicable, I thought the story would live through its characterization. Then I read and, bam, plot twist, I'm crying and I'm kind of a wreck. So if you think that you're getting another ordinary contemporary read you're wrong.
Yes, it's a little predicable, but there's no way that you can predict what's going to happen in the end.
It's so amazing and once again Janet doesn't disappoint. #16 Things I Thought Were True is such an honest story. It's some kind of indescribable wonderful. All the little things and big things come together in just the right way.
e-ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley.
April 22, 2014
-------------------SPOILERS------------------------
This book took me only four to five hours to read, it was that good. I have a few authors that just write so well that I guess I consider them gods of sorts. All I can say is, the author of #16thingsithoughtweretrue is definitely one of them. I really had only one sort of problem with this book. Well, maybe two. The first problem was, conflicts got resolved to easily, like almost missing the ferry and the tire. Also, although it gave the book a surprise kick-but ending, I don't think Amy should have died. In my opinion(which I guess doesn't really mean much) she should have killed off the mother in the beginning, then Morgan would have had a kind of emotional drive to push her to keep going. This is just kind of nit-picky, but even though Morgan was going to find her long lost father and it was really scary, I don't think she should have cried so much. Of course, I've never experienced something like that so what do I know.
Now, for the good things!! There were a lot of good things going on in this book, for example, the beginning of the trio's road trip was hilarious, and so was Morgan's attachment to twitter. I also think the Morgan/Adam hook-up at the middle of the end was much needed and kind of adorable. I really loved all of those little details, like the way the hostel looked and the ferry rides. I pretty much loved almost the whole thing!!
You are probably wondering why I gave this book five stars when my good things paragraph is considerably shorter than my problem paragraph. That would be because I liked pretty much the whole book, and only had a few problems that I had needed to be explained. Do not worry, I'm not a crazy person when it comes to books
This book took me only four to five hours to read, it was that good. I have a few authors that just write so well that I guess I consider them gods of sorts. All I can say is, the author of #16thingsithoughtweretrue is definitely one of them. I really had only one sort of problem with this book. Well, maybe two. The first problem was, conflicts got resolved to easily, like almost missing the ferry and the tire. Also, although it gave the book a surprise kick-but ending, I don't think Amy should have died. In my opinion(which I guess doesn't really mean much) she should have killed off the mother in the beginning, then Morgan would have had a kind of emotional drive to push her to keep going. This is just kind of nit-picky, but even though Morgan was going to find her long lost father and it was really scary, I don't think she should have cried so much. Of course, I've never experienced something like that so what do I know.
Now, for the good things!! There were a lot of good things going on in this book, for example, the beginning of the trio's road trip was hilarious, and so was Morgan's attachment to twitter. I also think the Morgan/Adam hook-up at the middle of the end was much needed and kind of adorable. I really loved all of those little details, like the way the hostel looked and the ferry rides. I pretty much loved almost the whole thing!!
You are probably wondering why I gave this book five stars when my good things paragraph is considerably shorter than my problem paragraph. That would be because I liked pretty much the whole book, and only had a few problems that I had needed to be explained. Do not worry, I'm not a crazy person when it comes to books
April 13, 2014
There is no denying the fact that Janet Gurtler writes quality contemporary fiction. Her novels are thought-provoking, emotionally affecting and deeply insightful. They're also honest, relatable and often times completely heartbreaking. At the same time, they're captivating and powerful enough to engage even the most reluctant of readers. I have read and loved all of her previous books, but #16thingsIthoughtweretrue is by far my favorite one. There's just something about it - whether it's the summer atmosphere, the poignant and emotional plot line, or the fantastic chemistry between the characters - that made me fell in love with it.
Morgan is a delightfully vibrant heroine. She can be sweet and caring, but she can also act like a spoiled little princess sometimes. She worries about everything - from the more serious things, like issues surrounding her family life, to silly stuff, like her Twitter following and how she's perceived by people around her. She's a typical teenage girl and I think Janet Gurtler did a marvellous job fleshing out her personality. She was an entertaining character to follow - with all her flaws and quirky habits - and I quickly found myself emotionally invested in her story.
As far as secondary characters are concerned, I really loved Adam. Well, I liked all the secondary characters to be honest, but Adam was definitely the most intriguing one of them all. Full of surprises, he is not who Morgan originally thought he was and their interactions are one the highlights of the story.
I think what I love the most about Gurtler's books, and #16thingsithoughtweretrue in particular, is the easy-to-digest, conversational tone. Her writing is simply devourable, making her books unputdownable one-afternoon type of reads. So often YA contemporary books - and especially those dealing with difficult issues and more serious topics - are too heavy, too angsty, or too depressing. Gurtler's books, on the other hand, are perfectly balanced, blending together lighter and darker undertones, offering both something fun and something more sophisticated. Something that stays with you long after you turn the last page.
#16thingsithoughtweretrue is many things. It's a fun and entertaining road-trip story. It's a deep and insightful journey to self-discovery. It's a tale of love, friendship, family bonds, mistakes, and what it means to be a modern-day, technology-obsessed teenage girl. All in all, it's a compulsively readable book with a great story line, interesting characters, and memorable and relevant life lessons.
Morgan is a delightfully vibrant heroine. She can be sweet and caring, but she can also act like a spoiled little princess sometimes. She worries about everything - from the more serious things, like issues surrounding her family life, to silly stuff, like her Twitter following and how she's perceived by people around her. She's a typical teenage girl and I think Janet Gurtler did a marvellous job fleshing out her personality. She was an entertaining character to follow - with all her flaws and quirky habits - and I quickly found myself emotionally invested in her story.
As far as secondary characters are concerned, I really loved Adam. Well, I liked all the secondary characters to be honest, but Adam was definitely the most intriguing one of them all. Full of surprises, he is not who Morgan originally thought he was and their interactions are one the highlights of the story.
I think what I love the most about Gurtler's books, and #16thingsithoughtweretrue in particular, is the easy-to-digest, conversational tone. Her writing is simply devourable, making her books unputdownable one-afternoon type of reads. So often YA contemporary books - and especially those dealing with difficult issues and more serious topics - are too heavy, too angsty, or too depressing. Gurtler's books, on the other hand, are perfectly balanced, blending together lighter and darker undertones, offering both something fun and something more sophisticated. Something that stays with you long after you turn the last page.
#16thingsithoughtweretrue is many things. It's a fun and entertaining road-trip story. It's a deep and insightful journey to self-discovery. It's a tale of love, friendship, family bonds, mistakes, and what it means to be a modern-day, technology-obsessed teenage girl. All in all, it's a compulsively readable book with a great story line, interesting characters, and memorable and relevant life lessons.
February 6, 2015
This book is very timely, and current, too- I just read an informal high school poll, and it seems that Facebook is on its way out with them- they are using Twitter and Snapchat more than anything. And they are over sharing. I also saw real research on social media and its effect on real human interaction, and it is pretty scary. So, I love that this book tackles those things.
Janet Gurtler is being compared to Sarah Dessen, and I think that's pretty accurate- especially with some of Dessen's older, edgier stuff. My eighth graders have loved If I tell, and I think they might like this one even better.
Janet Gurtler is being compared to Sarah Dessen, and I think that's pretty accurate- especially with some of Dessen's older, edgier stuff. My eighth graders have loved If I tell, and I think they might like this one even better.
February 24, 2014
As a Canadian I am always quick to jump behind any Canadian authors that I can find. Sometimes hastily getting a book based on those grounds has bitten me in the butt but I have come to know that getting a Janet Gurtler book (who is not only a Canadian, but a fellow Albertan) is always a safe bet. #16thingsithoughtweretrue did not disappoint. While it wasn’t a perfect novel, it managed to bring out all the feels from me and had me ugly crying for the last few chapters.
Morgan doesn’t come across as the most likeable character in the beginning of the novel. She is very standoffish and likes to get lost in a virtual world on her phone rather than have one on one contact with real people. It becomes apparent early on that she was at one time a much more personable person but was wronged by her best friend Lexie when she put a video of Morgan dancing in men’s underwear to LMFAO’s Sexy and I Know It online. The video quickly went viral and had people laughing at Morgan wherever she went in the town of Tadita. I liked reading a novel about how a viral video had affected someone, it’s a very important issue these days with everything that is on the news about high school and the forms of bullying that go on online. I think the person Morgan had become in the aftermath of that was very realistic. She had this hard shell that she had put up to protect herself from the taunting and from possibly being hurt again but we are never left to believe that she is that cold on the inside because her emotions are palpable throughout the novel.
Helping bring this light side of Morgan to light is everything that is going on in her family life. Right at the beginning of the novel her mother is admitted to the hospital with heart trouble and it rocks Morgan’s world. Not only is she worried about her mother, but her mom (who doesn’t think she is going to make it) tells her her father’s name which is shocking because Morgan had believed he was dead. This sets into motion the plot at the heart of the novel which is Morgan going on a road trip to Canada to meet her biological father. Of course a young girl can’t go on a trip like this alone so by luck of the draw she happens to find two people from work who are willing to go with her and one of them even has a car. Amy and Adam (her companions on the trip) where important characters in their own right. I really fell for these two, they had me laughing just as much as they had me feeling bad for what was going on in their lives. The secondary characters here are expertly developed which served to immerse me in the story even more because I came to care about so many people.
My only complaints about the novel are that a few of the revelations that come about in the story just seemed really unnecessary. It seemed like Morgan had a knack for meeting people who lie to her right off the bat and keep it going for as long as they can. The lies that she’s faced with were just silly and didn’t really serve a purpose in the story in my opinion. They felt like cheap ways to attempt to keep the story interesting but that wasn’t necessary at all because the pacing was spot on and the story would have definitely held its own. Maybe there was supposed to be a deeper meaning enforced by these people’s need to lie to her, but I just didn’t feel that it was effective at all. I was also a little bothered but the use of the term wi-fi (getting nitpicky here, I know) but it really bugged me. While on the highway Morgan kept referring to how she was in a dead zone and didn’t have wi-fi, well duh you are on a highway! I’m not sure if Gurtler was meaning to say that she just didn’t have service, or if there are actually highways out there that have wi-fi but I just couldn’t figure out why Morgan would ever think she would have a chance at having wi-fi on a highway.
Those two small issues definitely didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the novel all that much and I think that this is a definite read for any contemporary fans out there. Filled with great characters and a story that grabs you and doesn’t let go this is one you should definitely grab when it hits shelves.
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For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
Morgan doesn’t come across as the most likeable character in the beginning of the novel. She is very standoffish and likes to get lost in a virtual world on her phone rather than have one on one contact with real people. It becomes apparent early on that she was at one time a much more personable person but was wronged by her best friend Lexie when she put a video of Morgan dancing in men’s underwear to LMFAO’s Sexy and I Know It online. The video quickly went viral and had people laughing at Morgan wherever she went in the town of Tadita. I liked reading a novel about how a viral video had affected someone, it’s a very important issue these days with everything that is on the news about high school and the forms of bullying that go on online. I think the person Morgan had become in the aftermath of that was very realistic. She had this hard shell that she had put up to protect herself from the taunting and from possibly being hurt again but we are never left to believe that she is that cold on the inside because her emotions are palpable throughout the novel.
Helping bring this light side of Morgan to light is everything that is going on in her family life. Right at the beginning of the novel her mother is admitted to the hospital with heart trouble and it rocks Morgan’s world. Not only is she worried about her mother, but her mom (who doesn’t think she is going to make it) tells her her father’s name which is shocking because Morgan had believed he was dead. This sets into motion the plot at the heart of the novel which is Morgan going on a road trip to Canada to meet her biological father. Of course a young girl can’t go on a trip like this alone so by luck of the draw she happens to find two people from work who are willing to go with her and one of them even has a car. Amy and Adam (her companions on the trip) where important characters in their own right. I really fell for these two, they had me laughing just as much as they had me feeling bad for what was going on in their lives. The secondary characters here are expertly developed which served to immerse me in the story even more because I came to care about so many people.
My only complaints about the novel are that a few of the revelations that come about in the story just seemed really unnecessary. It seemed like Morgan had a knack for meeting people who lie to her right off the bat and keep it going for as long as they can. The lies that she’s faced with were just silly and didn’t really serve a purpose in the story in my opinion. They felt like cheap ways to attempt to keep the story interesting but that wasn’t necessary at all because the pacing was spot on and the story would have definitely held its own. Maybe there was supposed to be a deeper meaning enforced by these people’s need to lie to her, but I just didn’t feel that it was effective at all. I was also a little bothered but the use of the term wi-fi (getting nitpicky here, I know) but it really bugged me. While on the highway Morgan kept referring to how she was in a dead zone and didn’t have wi-fi, well duh you are on a highway! I’m not sure if Gurtler was meaning to say that she just didn’t have service, or if there are actually highways out there that have wi-fi but I just couldn’t figure out why Morgan would ever think she would have a chance at having wi-fi on a highway.
Those two small issues definitely didn’t hinder my enjoyment of the novel all that much and I think that this is a definite read for any contemporary fans out there. Filled with great characters and a story that grabs you and doesn’t let go this is one you should definitely grab when it hits shelves.
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For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
February 17, 2014
My heart sung, weeped, broke and soared. This book soared. I loved it to bits. #thingsiKNOWaretrue
This book totally deserved it's spot on my Most Anticipated Books of 2014 list. Now it will end up on my Favourites of 2014 list. I just love it. I actually cried (and this is coming from the girl who didn't cry in The Fault in Our Stars) and I laughed. #thingsiKNOWaretrue
It was actually so beautiful. The ending, oh the ending, was perfect for the story. I loved all the little things, like how Morgan used Twitter as sort of a haven and I loved reading the hashtags at the beginning of each chapter (I case your wondering why I keep using hashtags in this review). #thingsiKNOWaretrue
Who could forget such a swoony romance? Adam was so amazing and I loved his outlook and the way he cared for Morgan and Amy. It was so cute and perfect and I loved it so much. Then there was Amy, who needs just as much of a mention as Adam. #thingsiKNOWaretrue
Morgan herself needs a whole paragraph. I loved her actions at the end, won't spoil anything, and the way that she stood up for Amy like that. She had so many things going on and she remained a determined and smart character who I loved to read about. #thingsiKNOWaretrue
There were twists and the little things turned to bigger things. One minute you are relieved, the next devastated. I have never read a book about a road-trip, so that was cool, and the characters had their funny little lines now and again. Everything turned out perfectly and couldn't possibly be any better. #thingsiKNOWaretrue
If you love contemporary, you HAVE to read this. If you loved The Fault in Our Stars, you HAVE to read this. I know people hate it when reviewers compare books with other books, but hey, it's a recommendation. I loved this and I can't wait to read more by this author. SO GOOD. I never read stuff this long in pretty much one sitting. Without even meaning to. #thingsiKNOWaretrue
5/5 comets - Bye, bye Earth. Out of this world!
This book totally deserved it's spot on my Most Anticipated Books of 2014 list. Now it will end up on my Favourites of 2014 list. I just love it. I actually cried (and this is coming from the girl who didn't cry in The Fault in Our Stars) and I laughed. #thingsiKNOWaretrue
It was actually so beautiful. The ending, oh the ending, was perfect for the story. I loved all the little things, like how Morgan used Twitter as sort of a haven and I loved reading the hashtags at the beginning of each chapter (I case your wondering why I keep using hashtags in this review). #thingsiKNOWaretrue
Who could forget such a swoony romance? Adam was so amazing and I loved his outlook and the way he cared for Morgan and Amy. It was so cute and perfect and I loved it so much. Then there was Amy, who needs just as much of a mention as Adam. #thingsiKNOWaretrue
Morgan herself needs a whole paragraph. I loved her actions at the end, won't spoil anything, and the way that she stood up for Amy like that. She had so many things going on and she remained a determined and smart character who I loved to read about. #thingsiKNOWaretrue
There were twists and the little things turned to bigger things. One minute you are relieved, the next devastated. I have never read a book about a road-trip, so that was cool, and the characters had their funny little lines now and again. Everything turned out perfectly and couldn't possibly be any better. #thingsiKNOWaretrue
If you love contemporary, you HAVE to read this. If you loved The Fault in Our Stars, you HAVE to read this. I know people hate it when reviewers compare books with other books, but hey, it's a recommendation. I loved this and I can't wait to read more by this author. SO GOOD. I never read stuff this long in pretty much one sitting. Without even meaning to. #thingsiKNOWaretrue
5/5 comets - Bye, bye Earth. Out of this world!
December 30, 2013
I really enjoyed this book! The characters were very easy to relate to and I believe this will be a great addition to my classroom after its release. The realistic factor of instant gratification and instantaneous viewing (via twitter) is very poignant and will resonate with so many teens. There are so many twists and turns that keep the reading guessing, and the coverage of multiple topics (family, romance, friendships, inner peace, health, etc.) offers something for everyone. Good stuff!
August 26, 2016
Morgan is trying to hide from the real world and hangs out with her friends on Twitter instead. Until her mom gets sick and her whole world is rocked.
Soon she's on a road trip with Adam her cute but annoying boss and Amy(Oh I love Amy) to meet the dad she's never known.
Thoughtful and relateable, this book warmed my heart and made me think about my own social media addictions lol.
The emotional depth was really satisfying and the ending....oh!!!
Soon she's on a road trip with Adam her cute but annoying boss and Amy(Oh I love Amy) to meet the dad she's never known.
Thoughtful and relateable, this book warmed my heart and made me think about my own social media addictions lol.
The emotional depth was really satisfying and the ending....oh!!!
Read
September 6, 2013New cover, coming soon!!
NEW SYNOPSIS/back cover copy up now! Check it out! Wheeeeeee!!!!
NEW SYNOPSIS/back cover copy up now! Check it out! Wheeeeeee!!!!
March 16, 2014
Review originally posted on Rather Be Reading Blog
There are some books that handle multiple plotlines with grace, and there are some that buckle under the pressure.
Unfortunately, 16 Things I Thought Were True falls in the second category. In addition to the summary I wrote above, Morgan is also reeling from a viral YouTube video that ostracized her from all of her friends and her peers and she has (get ready get set) a Twitter addiction. See? It’s a lot.
It’s a shame too because I was very intrigued about Morgan’s Twitter life and her quest to find out who her dad was. But when you add in the melodramatics from her mom (very uncharacteristic but health problems inspired her to share her love for Morgan more freely), the road trip, the romance, new friend Amy’s own challenges, and the fallout from all of these events? Not only was the rapid fire succession of storylines overwhelming, but because it was impossible to give each and every storyline enough attention (especially in 283 pages) I had trouble investing fully.
I don’t think I would have felt as let down if there weren’t bright spots like the remarkable chemistry between Morgan and Adam, the loyal and chatty Amy, who has her own baggage but brought a lot of vibrancy to these pages, and a road trip to Canada (that was my first time reading about one). I wanted 16 Things to live up to its full potential but as complicated moments only grew even more complicated and heartbreaking, the reality factor drifted further and further away.
As a self-admitted Twitter addict, I loved the inclusion of the tweets at the start of the chapters (I wish it was all consistent though) and even the idea of Morgan escaping to the Twitter world because she was feeling lonely and insecure. Totally relatable yet while I understand the importance of real social interaction vs. the (sometimes) false intimacy of social media platforms, I was unhappy with how quickly some of the characters in the book glossed over (what could be) important bonds for Morgan. I know it’s “just the internet” but so many of us know it can be a place rooted in true friendships.
Despite some positives in 16 Things I Thought Were True, I would have much preferred a story that streamlined its multiple arcs and had a sharper focus on one (or two or three) of its many themes. On the upside, I’m definitely up for trying another Gurtler book and finding out that works for me.
There are some books that handle multiple plotlines with grace, and there are some that buckle under the pressure.
Unfortunately, 16 Things I Thought Were True falls in the second category. In addition to the summary I wrote above, Morgan is also reeling from a viral YouTube video that ostracized her from all of her friends and her peers and she has (get ready get set) a Twitter addiction. See? It’s a lot.
It’s a shame too because I was very intrigued about Morgan’s Twitter life and her quest to find out who her dad was. But when you add in the melodramatics from her mom (very uncharacteristic but health problems inspired her to share her love for Morgan more freely), the road trip, the romance, new friend Amy’s own challenges, and the fallout from all of these events? Not only was the rapid fire succession of storylines overwhelming, but because it was impossible to give each and every storyline enough attention (especially in 283 pages) I had trouble investing fully.
I don’t think I would have felt as let down if there weren’t bright spots like the remarkable chemistry between Morgan and Adam, the loyal and chatty Amy, who has her own baggage but brought a lot of vibrancy to these pages, and a road trip to Canada (that was my first time reading about one). I wanted 16 Things to live up to its full potential but as complicated moments only grew even more complicated and heartbreaking, the reality factor drifted further and further away.
As a self-admitted Twitter addict, I loved the inclusion of the tweets at the start of the chapters (I wish it was all consistent though) and even the idea of Morgan escaping to the Twitter world because she was feeling lonely and insecure. Totally relatable yet while I understand the importance of real social interaction vs. the (sometimes) false intimacy of social media platforms, I was unhappy with how quickly some of the characters in the book glossed over (what could be) important bonds for Morgan. I know it’s “just the internet” but so many of us know it can be a place rooted in true friendships.
Despite some positives in 16 Things I Thought Were True, I would have much preferred a story that streamlined its multiple arcs and had a sharper focus on one (or two or three) of its many themes. On the upside, I’m definitely up for trying another Gurtler book and finding out that works for me.
May 25, 2019
This book was decent until a dozen extra plot points were thrown in right before it ended.
To begin, the logistics of this book did not fit the pacing. First off, Morgan's mom was not doing well and THAT'S when she decided to go find her dad? I understand her mom sorta initiated the chain of events that led to her going but the timing of it all just felt so wrong?
And just who she went with.. The whole becoming close over the trip was good. BUT, Morgan barely knew Amy and Adam when she left with them and that's a little too extreme. It seemed like all the characters went from barely interacting to putting a boatload of trust in one another too quick. I think some form of further prior relationships are needed for Morgan being willing to roadtrip with them to make sense.
Now back to the plot points. Adam's fake girlfriend was so unnecessary. I assume it was supposed to be shocking but it wasn't at all because it was literally revealed in the book blurb!! And even if it wasn't it was still so obvious.
I did figure out that Bob didn't know about Morgan before they met, so I think the foreshadowing worked well there. BUT, I feel like that was supposed to be the main plot point. And their meeting felt sort of lackluster and was not even the climax. Instead, Amy falling sick was. This seemed to come out of nowhere without foreshadowing.. Tbh I don't think Amy's death would have been as misplaced in this book if the main storyline centered completely around Morgan making friends plus her Twitter addiction. Instead, I was led to believe her dad was the main story. So, when everything else was tossed in and her dad was pushed to the back it's like ?!?!?.
A final "twist" I didn't quite like was Morgan having known about the video being posted. Idk I just didn't really care because it was hyped up so much and then reduced to "still being Lexi's fault" to quickly. It was just another twist that didn't really have an impact.
So all in all climax was just way too busy really. Within a matter of pages, Amy died, Lexi returned, and Bob called. Too much going on and it confused me as to what the big conflict was.
As for the characters, I didn't like Morgan much by the end. I just wish her arc was more of a smooth one versus back and forth back and forth between development to back to where she started. Amy and Adam I found alright, but I just never grew to love them either. In all honesty I felt disconnected from all the characters.
To begin, the logistics of this book did not fit the pacing. First off, Morgan's mom was not doing well and THAT'S when she decided to go find her dad? I understand her mom sorta initiated the chain of events that led to her going but the timing of it all just felt so wrong?
And just who she went with.. The whole becoming close over the trip was good. BUT, Morgan barely knew Amy and Adam when she left with them and that's a little too extreme. It seemed like all the characters went from barely interacting to putting a boatload of trust in one another too quick. I think some form of further prior relationships are needed for Morgan being willing to roadtrip with them to make sense.
Now back to the plot points. Adam's fake girlfriend was so unnecessary. I assume it was supposed to be shocking but it wasn't at all because it was literally revealed in the book blurb!! And even if it wasn't it was still so obvious.
I did figure out that Bob didn't know about Morgan before they met, so I think the foreshadowing worked well there. BUT, I feel like that was supposed to be the main plot point. And their meeting felt sort of lackluster and was not even the climax. Instead, Amy falling sick was. This seemed to come out of nowhere without foreshadowing.. Tbh I don't think Amy's death would have been as misplaced in this book if the main storyline centered completely around Morgan making friends plus her Twitter addiction. Instead, I was led to believe her dad was the main story. So, when everything else was tossed in and her dad was pushed to the back it's like ?!?!?.
A final "twist" I didn't quite like was Morgan having known about the video being posted. Idk I just didn't really care because it was hyped up so much and then reduced to "still being Lexi's fault" to quickly. It was just another twist that didn't really have an impact.
So all in all climax was just way too busy really. Within a matter of pages, Amy died, Lexi returned, and Bob called. Too much going on and it confused me as to what the big conflict was.
As for the characters, I didn't like Morgan much by the end. I just wish her arc was more of a smooth one versus back and forth back and forth between development to back to where she started. Amy and Adam I found alright, but I just never grew to love them either. In all honesty I felt disconnected from all the characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2014
After years of trying, Morgan thought she’d never know the identity of her biological father. When her mother fell ill and gave her clues about her father, Morgan thought she must do something to confront him – why did he choose to abandon her even before she was born? But what she never expected was the truth that came out. Could Morgan forgive what happened now that she knew the truth?
Although Morgan wasn’t my most favorite character from the book, I could relate to her view about friends and social media. Morgan liked to express herself via tweets. Instead of talking face-to-face with real people, she preferred to type out her thoughts in less than 140 characters. When her co-workers – Amy and Adam – started following her on Twitter, the last thing she expected was their genuine friendship in real life. It was very heartwarming to see Morgan learn to open up and accept those whom she saw almost every day as friends. Both Adam and Amy were very likeable. Adam was a bit nerdy but he always stood by Morgan and offered her his support. Amy had a very delightful personality. She talked like a chatterbox but she wasn’t undiscerning. It was quite lovely watching her challenge Morgan to tweet less and interact more with people in real life. And if you asked me, I’d say I liked Amy the most. She was definitely my most favorite character in the book!
What I never expected was the amount of tears that I shed while reading the story. It wasn’t exactly that the story was sad – there were many wonderful, delightful moments. It was more because I could personally relate to the ups and downs of what happened in the story. The writing was beautiful and I felt drawn into the lives of the characters very easily. The ending was a little surprising to me but overall, I had a great time reading the book.
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Originally posted on LeisureReads.com
A copy of the book was provided by publisher for review purposes.
Although Morgan wasn’t my most favorite character from the book, I could relate to her view about friends and social media. Morgan liked to express herself via tweets. Instead of talking face-to-face with real people, she preferred to type out her thoughts in less than 140 characters. When her co-workers – Amy and Adam – started following her on Twitter, the last thing she expected was their genuine friendship in real life. It was very heartwarming to see Morgan learn to open up and accept those whom she saw almost every day as friends. Both Adam and Amy were very likeable. Adam was a bit nerdy but he always stood by Morgan and offered her his support. Amy had a very delightful personality. She talked like a chatterbox but she wasn’t undiscerning. It was quite lovely watching her challenge Morgan to tweet less and interact more with people in real life. And if you asked me, I’d say I liked Amy the most. She was definitely my most favorite character in the book!
What I never expected was the amount of tears that I shed while reading the story. It wasn’t exactly that the story was sad – there were many wonderful, delightful moments. It was more because I could personally relate to the ups and downs of what happened in the story. The writing was beautiful and I felt drawn into the lives of the characters very easily. The ending was a little surprising to me but overall, I had a great time reading the book.
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Originally posted on LeisureReads.com
A copy of the book was provided by publisher for review purposes.
February 22, 2014
I received this galley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Sourcebooks Fire.
16 Things I Thought Were True was a surprise hit for me. It seemed like a pretty good contemporary, which I was in the mood for, so I decided to try this one out. I ended up loving it! It was a very quick read with a lot of heart.
After years of not knowing anything about her father, Morgan's mom finally tells her about him. This leads Morgan on a road trip to Canada with two people that she works with, Amy and Adam to meet her dad for the first time. The three of them were so much fun together. I enjoyed watching them bond and go from three people who didn't know anything about each other to best friends.
I absolutely love the fact that Morgan was a twitter addict. She didn't have many friends in the real world, but she was definitely twitter famous! I loved her updates and her hashtags. This aspect made Morgan so relatable! It is so much easier to be outgoing and yourself behind a computer screen, and it's something that a lot of people struggle with it. I loved watching Morgan break out of her shell.
My only issue was the timing of the road trip. I understand that Morgan just found out who her father was and is desperate and excited to meet him, but her mother was in the hospital. She couldn't wait a few more days to go meet him? This gave me the impression that Morgan is an extremely selfish person.
Overall, I really enjoyed 16 Things I Thought Were True and it is one of my favorite Janet Gurtler books!
16 Things I Thought Were True was a surprise hit for me. It seemed like a pretty good contemporary, which I was in the mood for, so I decided to try this one out. I ended up loving it! It was a very quick read with a lot of heart.
After years of not knowing anything about her father, Morgan's mom finally tells her about him. This leads Morgan on a road trip to Canada with two people that she works with, Amy and Adam to meet her dad for the first time. The three of them were so much fun together. I enjoyed watching them bond and go from three people who didn't know anything about each other to best friends.
I absolutely love the fact that Morgan was a twitter addict. She didn't have many friends in the real world, but she was definitely twitter famous! I loved her updates and her hashtags. This aspect made Morgan so relatable! It is so much easier to be outgoing and yourself behind a computer screen, and it's something that a lot of people struggle with it. I loved watching Morgan break out of her shell.
My only issue was the timing of the road trip. I understand that Morgan just found out who her father was and is desperate and excited to meet him, but her mother was in the hospital. She couldn't wait a few more days to go meet him? This gave me the impression that Morgan is an extremely selfish person.
Overall, I really enjoyed 16 Things I Thought Were True and it is one of my favorite Janet Gurtler books!
August 29, 2014
When I first purchased this novel, I didn't really know anything about it. It was cheap and I liked the feeling the cover gave me. I think it was because of me not knowing anything that I liked it this much. It's YA contemporary romance, but it's also so much more than that.
This is the kind of book that's hard to review. All I wanna say is "read it, read it!" It's really cute. And good. So good that it's not on my favorite shelf.
“The girl starts crying even harder, but helpful posts in 140 characters or less don’t appear. Life should be more like Twitter.”
The characters are both good and bad; Morgan is so sweet, but her mum? Well... She's a bitch. No other way of putting it. Fortunately all the other characters made up for it.
Both Adam and Amy were amazing, although at times I really hated Amy and her big mouth! Haha. She was constantly babbling - and at the most inappropriate times as well. I somehow managed to like her despite her flaw(s) though.
The writing is really good. Very easy to read, which fit the genre extremely well. This one will be a good beach read. But beware! If you're one to tear up, you might wanna read this in privacy. All I'm saying is that I ended up with tears streaming down my face.
Amazing book!
This is the kind of book that's hard to review. All I wanna say is "read it, read it!" It's really cute. And good. So good that it's not on my favorite shelf.
“The girl starts crying even harder, but helpful posts in 140 characters or less don’t appear. Life should be more like Twitter.”
The characters are both good and bad; Morgan is so sweet, but her mum? Well... She's a bitch. No other way of putting it. Fortunately all the other characters made up for it.
Both Adam and Amy were amazing, although at times I really hated Amy and her big mouth! Haha. She was constantly babbling - and at the most inappropriate times as well. I somehow managed to like her despite her flaw(s) though.
The writing is really good. Very easy to read, which fit the genre extremely well. This one will be a good beach read. But beware! If you're one to tear up, you might wanna read this in privacy. All I'm saying is that I ended up with tears streaming down my face.
Amazing book!
January 23, 2014
Morgan is just not a happy person. She tries, but she really sees the her world as half empty - she's never known her father, her twin stepbrothers seem to do no wrong, and her mother just can't seem to get it together. If Morgan can survive her summer job at the local amusement park and get to college next year, she might find a bit of happiness. And oh yes, hit 5000 followers on Twitter. Which might not be that hard considering that little video of her dancing in boys briefs earned her many 'followers'... Then her mother has a heart attack, and thinking that she is going to die, she gives Morgan a couple of clues on the whereabouts of her father. This sets things in motion for a summer road trip that Morgan never expected, but her two new friends, Adam and Amy, believe the trip is providence.
Readers will fall in love with chatterbox Amy, whose unfiltered observations of the world are delightful. Adam is the wanna-be boyfriend that many teens dream of - not perfect, but persistent. And everyone learns about the consequences of not telling the whole truth; not in a preachy way, but in a "look what happens" way. Highly recommended for gr 8 Up.
Readers will fall in love with chatterbox Amy, whose unfiltered observations of the world are delightful. Adam is the wanna-be boyfriend that many teens dream of - not perfect, but persistent. And everyone learns about the consequences of not telling the whole truth; not in a preachy way, but in a "look what happens" way. Highly recommended for gr 8 Up.
March 19, 2014
Oh, you guys, I was not prepared for this book.
Things I thought were true: this would be a fun road trip story and probably also a sweet story about Morgan and Adam falling for each other.
It's not that this isn't accurate; it's more that this is not ALL the book is.
Morgan is a complicated character. There's a lot of angst there and she likes to test people. (Well, she may not LIKE it, per se, but she does it a lot.) I can see how she may not be the easiest character to love, but I certainly felt for her. Her burgeoning relationships with her dad and especially with Amy and Adam seem to be one step forward and about 10 steps back. The problem, of course, is with Morgan. She's so determined to not get hurt that she basically lives her entire life online, via Twitter.
And I get it. It's hard to mess up in 140 characters or less.
This book will make you cry, but not as much as it'll make you laugh.
Highly recommended.
Things I thought were true: this would be a fun road trip story and probably also a sweet story about Morgan and Adam falling for each other.
It's not that this isn't accurate; it's more that this is not ALL the book is.
Morgan is a complicated character. There's a lot of angst there and she likes to test people. (Well, she may not LIKE it, per se, but she does it a lot.) I can see how she may not be the easiest character to love, but I certainly felt for her. Her burgeoning relationships with her dad and especially with Amy and Adam seem to be one step forward and about 10 steps back. The problem, of course, is with Morgan. She's so determined to not get hurt that she basically lives her entire life online, via Twitter.
And I get it. It's hard to mess up in 140 characters or less.
This book will make you cry, but not as much as it'll make you laugh.
Highly recommended.
March 26, 2014
This may have to do more with me than the book, but I am sick and tired of whiny coolish girls that are mean to everyone in the world. These books always start with a precious beautiful girl who thinks she is a unique little snowflake that has no time for regular people. I understand many times the books start like this in order to rehabilitate a character and make them realize that other people matter, or growth. But there was something really boring and grating about this main character that just irritated me to no end. Another terrible cliche- the cute nerd that is always forgiving and nice even to a girl that is mean. It was enough for me to stop reading after the first 5 chapters and move on with my life. I am sorry if it gets much better after that. I just don't care to find out.
March 16, 2014
My initial expectation 16 Things I Thought Were True was that of a fun road trip adventure with a few emotional high and lows to keep things interesting. Understatement.
Now before I continue I need to say: “I love Amy.”
She gets the best character award.
16 Things I Thought Were True has so much going for it, humour (essential), character growth, romance and have mentioned the emotional part? Janet Gurtler exceeded my expectations, not only did I like the story, care about the characters (especially Amy) – it left me reeling.
This book doesn’t come with a neat-bow-ending (though is I’m totally honest I probably wouldn’t have minded) but a real one. Think Amy sums it up perfectly:
“But remember, if the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off it.”
Now before I continue I need to say: “I love Amy.”
She gets the best character award.
16 Things I Thought Were True has so much going for it, humour (essential), character growth, romance and have mentioned the emotional part? Janet Gurtler exceeded my expectations, not only did I like the story, care about the characters (especially Amy) – it left me reeling.
This book doesn’t come with a neat-bow-ending (though is I’m totally honest I probably wouldn’t have minded) but a real one. Think Amy sums it up perfectly:
“But remember, if the world didn’t suck, we’d all fall off it.”
March 10, 2014
As much as I thought I would, I did not enjoy this book. It was slowwwwwwww. It had a lot going on, but I didn't believe any of it. Everything seemed very forced to me. Nothing seemed to happen organically. Everything just happened because it needed to for the book to work. I would DNF'd it, but it was short and I paid $10 for it.
This was me while trying to get through it:
This was me while trying to get through it:
January 17, 2014
I really liked this book and loved the relationships the author created between the characters. Friendship is one of my favorite themes and it was so well done in this book as I watched new friends learn about each other and bond because of their experience together.
The only thing was that I was surprised there wasn't more time given to the story line with her dad. I expected that to be a major part of the book and wanted more of it.
But a fun read and I loved her friend Amy!
The only thing was that I was surprised there wasn't more time given to the story line with her dad. I expected that to be a major part of the book and wanted more of it.
But a fun read and I loved her friend Amy!
May 11, 2016
As someone who has never met her birth father, this book hit really close to home. The things that Morgan was feeling, thinking and fearing about her birth father were the same things I was thinking at 16 and 18. It was nice to see her move from more of an online life to real life, and that the romance aspect between Morgan and Adam wasn't the main plot of the story. That ending though, my heart might never forgive.
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