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Play Me Backwards
A committed slacker enlists the help of his best friend (who may or may not be the devil) to get his act together in this novel filled with humor, awkwardness, and honesty, ideal for fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower .
Leon Harris isn’t exceptional and he isn’t popular. He’s the kind of guy that peaked in middle school, when once upon a time he was in the “gifted” program and on the fast track to Ivy League glory.
Now, a high school senior, he’s a complete slacker who spends his time hanging out in a third-rate ice cream parlor with his best friend, Stan, a guy who (jokingly, Leon thinks) claims to be Satan. Committed to his sloth, Leon panics when he finds out that Anna, the love of his life aka middle school girlfriend, might be moving back to town.
Determined to get his act together, Leon asks Stan for help. Stan gives him a few seemingly random and mysterious assignments. Date a popular girl. Listen to Moby-Dick , the audiobook. Find the elusive white grape slushee. Join the yearbook committee.
As each task brings Leon one step away from slacker city and one step closer to Anna, he starts to wonder if maybe he shouldn’t have promised Stan his soul after all…
Leon Harris isn’t exceptional and he isn’t popular. He’s the kind of guy that peaked in middle school, when once upon a time he was in the “gifted” program and on the fast track to Ivy League glory.
Now, a high school senior, he’s a complete slacker who spends his time hanging out in a third-rate ice cream parlor with his best friend, Stan, a guy who (jokingly, Leon thinks) claims to be Satan. Committed to his sloth, Leon panics when he finds out that Anna, the love of his life aka middle school girlfriend, might be moving back to town.
Determined to get his act together, Leon asks Stan for help. Stan gives him a few seemingly random and mysterious assignments. Date a popular girl. Listen to Moby-Dick , the audiobook. Find the elusive white grape slushee. Join the yearbook committee.
As each task brings Leon one step away from slacker city and one step closer to Anna, he starts to wonder if maybe he shouldn’t have promised Stan his soul after all…
288 pages, Hardcover
First published August 1, 2014
6 people are currently reading
857 people want to read
About the author
Adam Selzer
56 books195 followersAdam Selzer blocked Goodreads on his computer for years but now he's on here, so let him have it. His first book was HOW TO GET SUSPENDED AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE (now available in a "Now With More Swearing") edition, his next one is PLAY ME BACKWARDS (for satanic young adults), and his best known is probably I KISSED A ZOMBIE AND I LIKED IT, a Twilight satire that was not marketed as a satire.
He also writes the SMART ALECK'S GUIDE series and has published a bunch of Chicago history/ghostlore books.
You can also find him under the name SJ Adams, the name he used for SPARKS: THE EPIC, COMPLETELY TRUE BLUE (ALMOST) HOLY QUEST OF DEBBIE, which won a Stonewall honor and made the YALSA popular paperback list.
He also writes the SMART ALECK'S GUIDE series and has published a bunch of Chicago history/ghostlore books.
You can also find him under the name SJ Adams, the name he used for SPARKS: THE EPIC, COMPLETELY TRUE BLUE (ALMOST) HOLY QUEST OF DEBBIE, which won a Stonewall honor and made the YALSA popular paperback list.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
August 11, 2014
A highly relatable book that will clear up your dandruff, reverse the effects of global warming, get kids to eat things besides chicken nuggets at restaurants, raise the value of 7-11 stock, convince millions to leave their homes to start a new life in suburban Des Moines, play a pivotal role in the next three Iowa caucuses, dismantle assorted hegemonies, fart in the general direction of the common core, ensure that JJ Abrams doesn't screw up episode 7, raise awareness about whales, spark a new wave of midwestern heavy metal, and, perhaps inevitably, lead a few booksellers to utter the phrase "If you like John Green..." Of course, they probably say that about fly-fishing manuals these days.
In all seriousness, since I'm going through the goofy task of reviewing my own book, can I just point out a recent news story saying that a kid from Urbandale High School is suing the school for the right to wear Satanic shirts to school? I'd be amused by the similarity to one of the book's plot lines no matter where it happened, but to have it happen THERE is kinda surreal; Urbandale is the real town directly north of the made-up Des Moines suburb where the book takes place. The elementary school Stan says he goes to in the first chapter is there. I would have gone to UHS myself if I hadn't moved away at the end of eighth grade.
In fact, I went to the 10 year reunion for that school instead of the one I actually went to and most people didn't realize I hadn't gone there. They didn't have any memories of me being around during high school, but I guess they just thought I was off in a haze of drugs the whole time. I was actually going to school in a redneck town where they used to chase me with knives because they thought having curly hair meant that I was gay. I don't miss those days much, the facebook listing of people from that school just looks like rank strangers to me.
Anyway, it's hardly fair to review your own book (hence this off-topic ramble), but honestly a few of my books are probably 3 or 4 star efforts, and I really do think this one is in my top tier. Glad to see it's doing well here so far; you always worry that you're gonna get a lot of one star reviews from people who just didn't like the cover on here. There've always been people going around bad-mouthing books because they didn't dig the jacket copy, the first paragraph didn't grab them, or what have you, but these days it counts into your average rating. Eep. I usually have this site blocked. This way lies madness.
In all seriousness, since I'm going through the goofy task of reviewing my own book, can I just point out a recent news story saying that a kid from Urbandale High School is suing the school for the right to wear Satanic shirts to school? I'd be amused by the similarity to one of the book's plot lines no matter where it happened, but to have it happen THERE is kinda surreal; Urbandale is the real town directly north of the made-up Des Moines suburb where the book takes place. The elementary school Stan says he goes to in the first chapter is there. I would have gone to UHS myself if I hadn't moved away at the end of eighth grade.
In fact, I went to the 10 year reunion for that school instead of the one I actually went to and most people didn't realize I hadn't gone there. They didn't have any memories of me being around during high school, but I guess they just thought I was off in a haze of drugs the whole time. I was actually going to school in a redneck town where they used to chase me with knives because they thought having curly hair meant that I was gay. I don't miss those days much, the facebook listing of people from that school just looks like rank strangers to me.
Anyway, it's hardly fair to review your own book (hence this off-topic ramble), but honestly a few of my books are probably 3 or 4 star efforts, and I really do think this one is in my top tier. Glad to see it's doing well here so far; you always worry that you're gonna get a lot of one star reviews from people who just didn't like the cover on here. There've always been people going around bad-mouthing books because they didn't dig the jacket copy, the first paragraph didn't grab them, or what have you, but these days it counts into your average rating. Eep. I usually have this site blocked. This way lies madness.
May 31, 2014
Love is getting a lecture from someone who could fart right on your bare arm at any second.
things you need to know about play me backwards:
1. anna is not a main feature in this story.
2. there is satanism. hell, this book could be name 'a fun-&-frolic guide to satanism.'
3. leon is the poop guy.
4. you keep expecting it to blow up yet it doesn't and then you are unsure IF you want it to blow but how could you not?
a muddle if there ever was one.
so the story starts with satan arriving an hour late for work on valentine's day.
if that ain't the best pick-up line you've ever heard, you're out of my league and in the inter-galactic pee wee football for shrunk geezers with various assorted appendages.
leon used to be the guy who hassled his school to divulge the extra money they made off of him- and the gifted pool, the class of intelligent kids,- the kid who kissed the girl of his dreams and could have gone for the ivy league. now he works- if you can call it that- in the ice cave, with an years old whale in the cooler serving three customers a day and not even sure he's going to graduate. he is literally the minion of satan- who happens to be his best friend and manager.
but less of this
and more of this, because satan/stan is pretty fucking awesome
this was hard. and time consuming.
that's a pretty big fall and don't think there was the facility of a slide. nope, siree, mamsies and lilypads, it was heartbreak. and gone, anna, gone.
anna, who basically made him the best shit ever.
anna, who was basically the nest shit ever herself.
(of course, being the girl of a boy's dreams is never that easy and boy, did she have to spend hours practicing to be classy and move around while shorts beneath a long/dress shirt so it looked like she wasn't actually wearing shorts. but you know, (or so jenny says) she was still awesome.)
anna, upon whose leaving, he regressed to slacker ways.
anna, who might or might not be coming back.
anna, who isn't that big a part of the story.
instead let's not talk about paige, who is.
play me backwards has turned out to be one of the funniest, honest stories i've read this side of summer. besides slacker, weirdo, teenage shenanigans that i dig like i'm mary fucking leakey on an expedition, leon's voice was relatable, and his story/position at times tough to swallow for that precise reason. yet his humor and lack of self pity, the situations he creates or gets stuck in, and the distinct lack of forced preaching, life lessons and ultra sweetness that make one haven't showered-on-a-(indian)summer-day-icky, which i know firsthand because *ahem* this book and reasons and procrastination and a verrrry engrossing read beget unintentional acts of water conservation.
after a while, you just start to look like a ball(or not) of fur. and not that clean
oh but look there! it's a bird! it's a plane ! it's words of wisdom!
While we went through suit after suit, each of which looked alike to me, I developed a theory that we think of shopping as a women's activity because it's got to be more fun to shop for women's clothes than men's.
beyond all that's said, what really deserves a mention and extra rating is the challenge, not outright but in subtle ways, of all that is expected of boys. of all that is not expected of boys. because there are guys who send girls pictures of their scrotum to reel them in. because leon has performance anxiety when it comes to sex. and because there are wayward non-existential lessons for those who seek: like i now understand that the way of moby dick will never be a happy life of me. i'm never picking up that book. (i sure hope college doesn't make me eat my words.)
Just because something is classier than something else doesn't make it automatically better.
unless we're talking audrey hepburn. or marilyn hepburn. or courtney summers. or- you get the gist.
and if that's not enough dudes, remember how rejuvenating a feeling it is to read the last words whilst clapping and cheering for the main character NOT because it's a fairy tale, gold glitter ending but kind of a realistic, well-journeyed conclusion and that kicks ass.
but a perfect book it is not. there are characters whose portrayal i wish hadn't been so off-hand, and there are lulls in the book when it gets slow. moreover, as much i condone the decision to keep s(a)tan mysterious and all, most of leon and his conversations were nothing but the former having troubles and the latter giving him some inane job that, in a convoluted fashion, helps leon out. most of their talks were leon, leon, leon. when they're not playing/messing with others, that is. how this makes a lasting friendship, i don't know. but there have been cases before, so who am i to talk?
LOVE LOVE LOVE(to Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers!)
now, about that shower...
things you need to know about play me backwards:
1. anna is not a main feature in this story.
2. there is satanism. hell, this book could be name 'a fun-&-frolic guide to satanism.'
3. leon is the poop guy.
4. you keep expecting it to blow up yet it doesn't and then you are unsure IF you want it to blow but how could you not?
a muddle if there ever was one.
so the story starts with satan arriving an hour late for work on valentine's day.
if that ain't the best pick-up line you've ever heard, you're out of my league and in the inter-galactic pee wee football for shrunk geezers with various assorted appendages.
leon used to be the guy who hassled his school to divulge the extra money they made off of him- and the gifted pool, the class of intelligent kids,- the kid who kissed the girl of his dreams and could have gone for the ivy league. now he works- if you can call it that- in the ice cave, with an years old whale in the cooler serving three customers a day and not even sure he's going to graduate. he is literally the minion of satan- who happens to be his best friend and manager.
but less of this
and more of this, because satan/stan is pretty fucking awesome
this was hard. and time consuming.that's a pretty big fall and don't think there was the facility of a slide. nope, siree, mamsies and lilypads, it was heartbreak. and gone, anna, gone.
anna, who basically made him the best shit ever.
anna, who was basically the nest shit ever herself.
(of course, being the girl of a boy's dreams is never that easy and boy, did she have to spend hours practicing to be classy and move around while shorts beneath a long/dress shirt so it looked like she wasn't actually wearing shorts. but you know, (or so jenny says) she was still awesome.)
anna, upon whose leaving, he regressed to slacker ways.
anna, who might or might not be coming back.
anna, who isn't that big a part of the story.
instead let's not talk about paige, who is.
play me backwards has turned out to be one of the funniest, honest stories i've read this side of summer. besides slacker, weirdo, teenage shenanigans that i dig like i'm mary fucking leakey on an expedition, leon's voice was relatable, and his story/position at times tough to swallow for that precise reason. yet his humor and lack of self pity, the situations he creates or gets stuck in, and the distinct lack of forced preaching, life lessons and ultra sweetness that make one haven't showered-on-a-(indian)summer-day-icky, which i know firsthand because *ahem* this book and reasons and procrastination and a verrrry engrossing read beget unintentional acts of water conservation.
after a while, you just start to look like a ball(or not) of fur. and not that clean
oh but look there! it's a bird! it's a plane ! it's words of wisdom!
While we went through suit after suit, each of which looked alike to me, I developed a theory that we think of shopping as a women's activity because it's got to be more fun to shop for women's clothes than men's.
beyond all that's said, what really deserves a mention and extra rating is the challenge, not outright but in subtle ways, of all that is expected of boys. of all that is not expected of boys. because there are guys who send girls pictures of their scrotum to reel them in. because leon has performance anxiety when it comes to sex. and because there are wayward non-existential lessons for those who seek: like i now understand that the way of moby dick will never be a happy life of me. i'm never picking up that book. (i sure hope college doesn't make me eat my words.)
Just because something is classier than something else doesn't make it automatically better.
unless we're talking audrey hepburn. or marilyn hepburn. or courtney summers. or- you get the gist.
and if that's not enough dudes, remember how rejuvenating a feeling it is to read the last words whilst clapping and cheering for the main character NOT because it's a fairy tale, gold glitter ending but kind of a realistic, well-journeyed conclusion and that kicks ass.
but a perfect book it is not. there are characters whose portrayal i wish hadn't been so off-hand, and there are lulls in the book when it gets slow. moreover, as much i condone the decision to keep s(a)tan mysterious and all, most of leon and his conversations were nothing but the former having troubles and the latter giving him some inane job that, in a convoluted fashion, helps leon out. most of their talks were leon, leon, leon. when they're not playing/messing with others, that is. how this makes a lasting friendship, i don't know. but there have been cases before, so who am i to talk?
LOVE LOVE LOVE(to Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers!)
now, about that shower...
March 16, 2020
review to come when i can get my thoughts in order, but man did i love this book.
June 5, 2016
This was so much better than I thought it would be; I almost want to give it 5 stars just because of how much I enjoyed it.
I picked this up while I was at the library. I was studying for finals and when I took a break, I saw this and thought it looked funny, so i picked it up and started reading it and didn't put it down. (So if I fail my finals, thanks a lot, book.)
Other than a few missing words/typos I have no real complaints about this. It was fun and enjoyable and hilarious. I laughed out loud quite a few times. I loved how realistic it felt even with Stan quite possibly being Satan. Everything that happened with Paige just seemed real, and not super cliche. And the ending was perfect. I especially loved everything about freedom of religion, and how there should be freedom for all religions, not just your own.
Also, bonus: there were no real douche bag guys as main characters, no insta-love, and only some minor girl on girl hate. I LOVED Leon's parents, too. So kudos.
I picked this up while I was at the library. I was studying for finals and when I took a break, I saw this and thought it looked funny, so i picked it up and started reading it and didn't put it down. (So if I fail my finals, thanks a lot, book.)
Other than a few missing words/typos I have no real complaints about this. It was fun and enjoyable and hilarious. I laughed out loud quite a few times. I loved how realistic it felt even with Stan quite possibly being Satan. Everything that happened with Paige just seemed real, and not super cliche. And the ending was perfect. I especially loved everything about freedom of religion, and how there should be freedom for all religions, not just your own.
Also, bonus: there were no real douche bag guys as main characters, no insta-love, and only some minor girl on girl hate. I LOVED Leon's parents, too. So kudos.
August 18, 2014
3.5 Interesting Clouds!
Always assume that a person named Stan is actually named Satan. That's probably the first thing I picked up from this book. Oh, and that the Dark Lord is a complete ass. Play Me Backwards is a fun book about love, friendship, and knowing the difference between being a teen and an adult. I had a lot of fun reading this, and I really really REALLY want to go on a slushee adventure now. Definitely going on my high school grad bucket list to do. This book actually made me look back to what I was like when I was fourteen and all of my goals and expectations. I've changed a lot in those almost four short years but not in the way that I would have thought. This is one of the reasons why I could connect with Leon and why I think a lot of other people will be able to as well.
Right off the bat though, the book jumps into an albeit humorous, very long info-dump on the relationship between Leon and Stan/Satan and how they became friends in the first place. And it's not the only time that readers are forced to chew down a lot of information in one bite. It happens kind of a lot but I liked that even though Adam Selzer had a has a hard time expertly putting in some of the characters' pasts into the story without boring readers, he at least makes it funny. If it weren't for the humour, I really do believe that I would have skimmed through just about all of the references to the past. Another thing that I didn't like is the middle of the book where everything just seems to kind of stand still. Things happen, sure, but it's not things that matter. I truly did not care about Leon's relationship with Paige though it took up a huge chunk of the story.
Play Me backwards is still a fun novel. I loved the writing. I know I say this a lot, but I usually love reading books in a male perspective better than a female solely because the writing is a hell of a lot more relaxed with a dash of humour in it. The random but awesome assignments that Stan gives Leon are great. I loved how much fun Leon has going around doing them. Moreover, the relationship between Leon and Stan is well done. I loved the journey that Leon goes through to improve himself and just how willing Stan is to help him. The characters are full of personality and enthusiasm (or lack of) that's really realistic in teens. Adding onto this, Stan is amazing. He's mysterious and plays his part well as the Devil.
If you don't have a bucket list already, I suggest that you start one. Especially if you're not a teenager. You must go on a slushee adventure and do at least one disaster dinner from an old cookbook. This book inspires random, weird, and awkward but in a way that's relatable to most, if not all teens concerning their parents, friends, and grades. It was easy for me to love the book and laugh along with it. I recommend this one to everyone to read even if it's just to pass the time. It's kind of a jem, guys.
September 3, 2016
This was an okay book. It really didn't have much going on in it but that's what you get when it's about slackers. Plus I didn't particularly care much for any of the characters. The ending was a let down too.
April 3, 2017
OMG!
(Can I even say "OMG" about a book with this subject matter?)
I picked this up because it was on an "If you like____, try ____" list about one of my favorite books. But I didn't expect to enjoy it nearly as much as I did. It was darkly hilarious (we're talking UGLY laughing, complete with tears and snot and laughing so hard you snort), oddly heartwarming, and kind of read like a fractured fairy tale version of an after school special. REALLY fractued.
Turns out this is Book 3 in a sort-of trilogy about the misadventures of a boy named Leon Harris. Much like Neil Shusterman's Antsy books, you probably don't need to read them in order to get what's going on. Like, it's not one continuous storyline. Maybe I would have enjoyed it even MORE had I read the other two first... Regardless, I plan to remedy this hole in my "Read" list as soon as possible. If I have to sell my soul to get the first two books any faster...
Anyway, in this book we catch up with former "Gifted Pool" kid Leon after he drops out of said pool and begins hanging out with the freaks, slackers, stoners, and losers at the other local ice cream parlor. You know, the one no one really goes to and is probably really a front for some sort of illegal operation like drugs or gambling or the covert smuggling of House Elves across the border. Or something. Leon doesn't really care. He gets paid to do nothing and can help himself to as many candy toppings as he can eat. It's the American Dream. Leon himself has become one of said losers, but he doesn't really feel bad about it until he gets a message from his old girlfriend Anna, who moved overseas a few years back and whom Leon never really got over (ok, he's still bonkers over her). Turns out Anna is returning to the states. When Leon gets this news, he freaks! What if Anna returns and sees what he's become? He'll never have a chance with her. Especially since she's probably become even more worldly in the years since her move. And he's...well...
Enter Stan, who is probably the closest thing to a best friend Leon has. But Stan is no ordinary teen. He claims to be none other than the Dark Lord Himself. No, not THAT Dark Lord, as in He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. We're talking the other dark lord. The one with the fire and brimstone and pitchforks. Of course he shortened his name to Stan (taking out the first A) so he could get into Catholic school without too many raised eyebrows. Do you see the irony? Leon isn't sure if he really believes Stan's supernatural identity claim. But he's witnessed/experienced some pretty impossible things when Stan is around...
Anyway, Stan intercepts Leon mid-freakout and calmly tells him the solution to his problem is simple: Go to the library and check out the unabridged audiobook of Moby Dick (insert immature snicker about the title here) and actually listen to it. Yes. The whole thing. All 20 discs. Like I said, Leon has experienced the method to Stan's madness before, so he does as he is commanded. He figures it can't hurt. Along the way, Stan gives Leon other strange and ramdom missions: Find a rare slushy flavor...sneak a poem with a hidden message into the yearbook...start dating the semi-popular, semi-preppy Paige. If Leon does all this, Stan claims, he will turn his life around. The payment if it works? One soul, of course.
And this begins one of the wildest coming-of-age adventures I've encourntered in a very long time. There's dark humor, sick humor, cringeworthy situations, and more as Leon journeys from loser to someone he can actually look into the mirror and be sort of happy about. But will Leon be ready for Anna when she finally returns? Will it even matter anymore?
Ok, so this book was awesome and exactly what I was looking for at the time. I couldn't put it down and read every chance I got. I'll go as far as to say I think I've discovered a new favorite author (certainly Top 5). I can't wait to read more of his books.
p.s. Everyone needs a BFF like Stan
(Can I even say "OMG" about a book with this subject matter?)
I picked this up because it was on an "If you like____, try ____" list about one of my favorite books. But I didn't expect to enjoy it nearly as much as I did. It was darkly hilarious (we're talking UGLY laughing, complete with tears and snot and laughing so hard you snort), oddly heartwarming, and kind of read like a fractured fairy tale version of an after school special. REALLY fractued.
Turns out this is Book 3 in a sort-of trilogy about the misadventures of a boy named Leon Harris. Much like Neil Shusterman's Antsy books, you probably don't need to read them in order to get what's going on. Like, it's not one continuous storyline. Maybe I would have enjoyed it even MORE had I read the other two first... Regardless, I plan to remedy this hole in my "Read" list as soon as possible. If I have to sell my soul to get the first two books any faster...
Anyway, in this book we catch up with former "Gifted Pool" kid Leon after he drops out of said pool and begins hanging out with the freaks, slackers, stoners, and losers at the other local ice cream parlor. You know, the one no one really goes to and is probably really a front for some sort of illegal operation like drugs or gambling or the covert smuggling of House Elves across the border. Or something. Leon doesn't really care. He gets paid to do nothing and can help himself to as many candy toppings as he can eat. It's the American Dream. Leon himself has become one of said losers, but he doesn't really feel bad about it until he gets a message from his old girlfriend Anna, who moved overseas a few years back and whom Leon never really got over (ok, he's still bonkers over her). Turns out Anna is returning to the states. When Leon gets this news, he freaks! What if Anna returns and sees what he's become? He'll never have a chance with her. Especially since she's probably become even more worldly in the years since her move. And he's...well...
Enter Stan, who is probably the closest thing to a best friend Leon has. But Stan is no ordinary teen. He claims to be none other than the Dark Lord Himself. No, not THAT Dark Lord, as in He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. We're talking the other dark lord. The one with the fire and brimstone and pitchforks. Of course he shortened his name to Stan (taking out the first A) so he could get into Catholic school without too many raised eyebrows. Do you see the irony? Leon isn't sure if he really believes Stan's supernatural identity claim. But he's witnessed/experienced some pretty impossible things when Stan is around...
Anyway, Stan intercepts Leon mid-freakout and calmly tells him the solution to his problem is simple: Go to the library and check out the unabridged audiobook of Moby Dick (insert immature snicker about the title here) and actually listen to it. Yes. The whole thing. All 20 discs. Like I said, Leon has experienced the method to Stan's madness before, so he does as he is commanded. He figures it can't hurt. Along the way, Stan gives Leon other strange and ramdom missions: Find a rare slushy flavor...sneak a poem with a hidden message into the yearbook...start dating the semi-popular, semi-preppy Paige. If Leon does all this, Stan claims, he will turn his life around. The payment if it works? One soul, of course.
And this begins one of the wildest coming-of-age adventures I've encourntered in a very long time. There's dark humor, sick humor, cringeworthy situations, and more as Leon journeys from loser to someone he can actually look into the mirror and be sort of happy about. But will Leon be ready for Anna when she finally returns? Will it even matter anymore?
Ok, so this book was awesome and exactly what I was looking for at the time. I couldn't put it down and read every chance I got. I'll go as far as to say I think I've discovered a new favorite author (certainly Top 5). I can't wait to read more of his books.
p.s. Everyone needs a BFF like Stan
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August 26, 2024My reviews contain spoilers.
This probably isn’t normally the kind of book I would pick up, but it was at the dollar store and I find it exciting anytime I stumble across a YA book there. And the premise did sound interesting initially.
I think it was kind of clear in reading it that this story was written by a guy. A lot of times it makes no difference, but sometimes you can just tell whether the author was a girl or a boy. The main character was a high schooler, but everything came across as much older. Normally people seem pretty young to me in writing, yet far more mature (in a negative way) in TV shows, and when books are turned into shows, there is a contrast in the feeling of their ages from my perspective. This was a rare book where I felt like the characters were older than they were supposed to be.
The main character, Leon, is a slacker. He was in the gifted program in middle school, but it sort of fell apart and he stopped trying. He’s content to live his life never trying. Then his middle school girlfriend who moved away reveals she might return, and he becomes worried that she’ll be disappointed. He wants to turn his life around, so his friend/mentor of evil starts giving him random little tasks that ultimately change him.
The first task leads him to sitting in a little empty restaurant on Valentines Day. It didn’t really lead him there, he chose to be there, but whatever. He ends up giving a ride home to a classmate, who later shows up at his house asking to date. He doesn’t agree until his friend tells him to.
At first this was interesting to me. Sometimes I read a story where it’s kind of obvious who the main love interest is, and I’m immediately like, “No! I don’t like them! Pick someone else! Pick someone else! Ahhh!” For no particular reason, it’s just how I feel. And then another random character will walk by (sometimes an actual character, sometimes just a background character), and I’ll say, “Them! Them! I choose them! Love them!” It rarely works out.
When the girl showed up in the restaurant needing a ride, I liked the idea of her much better than the middle school girlfriend. I didn’t expect the story to actually play out that way, so I was pleasantly surprised when she returned. But the way it was handled made my excitement fizzle. I shrugged it off, figuring it was a questionable start but it could still be good.
If it wasn’t her (Paige), then it would be the middle school girlfriend (MSG), and that was unappealing to me. The MSG was Leon’s dream girl, and he viewed her as this perfect, intellectual, artistic person. It also often referenced the trouble and pranks she liked to pull, but it was hard for me to accept that into the image I had created of her. Leon adored her, to me she seemed lame. Not because anything about her was actually lame, but just because her qualities were put up on a pedestal and I didn’t feel those things should be on a pedestal. They can be liked and appreciated and be great, but acting like they’re things that make her so much more impressive than everyone else so no one can compare just bothers me and makes me turn against that. It’s not the book’s fault, it’s my own personal response I guess.
Leon starts dating Paige and it goes back and forth over whether I like it or not. My main issue was that it didn’t really delve into their conversations or emotions toward each other. It did give them attention, but not in a way I was able to connect with. I think it’s because it’s a coming-of-age story, and that quick, kinda distant writing method tends to be how they come across to me, and I didn’t realize is was coming-of-age until I finished it and read it on the back cover, and I was like, “Dang, I wish I’d known! I hate those stories.”
One of the tasks Leon is given is to find a specific slushie flavor somewhere among all the gas stations because hunting for it will give him and Paige something to do together, since they run in different circles and don’t have much in common. They seemed to enjoy this activity together – I know because the story told me. There were only tiny pieces that actually indicated this without directly telling me.
Paige liked him and thought they had a good conversation from the time he drove her home on Valentines Day, and he understandably doesn’t know what she’s talking about. But she likes him and doesn’t think he’s a loser and waves away all his beliefs that she wouldn’t want her friends to knowing she’s dating him. She is actually invested in the relationship, where as he spends most of the book supposedly liking her while also not referring to her in the most positive way. He says she’s on the least attractive end of the popular crowd, “puts up” with her girl drama from the Yearbook Club he requests she help get him invited into. Those were the main ones that stuck out to me.
He just found a lot of her interests to be a nuisance and things he had to put up with and couldn't understand, while he viewed MSG's interests as inspiring things that he was a lesser person for not already being interested in himself.
Page's family sucked. Leon's family was fun, and Paige seemed interested in them, but after her first exposure she wasn’t so sure. That bothered me, but she changed her mind. They both hung out a few times with each other’s friends to keep things fair. It makes sense that Leon wouldn’t like her immediately since he only went out with her because he was told to and not because he had any real interest. It would’ve been cool that she was adamant about pursuing him at first if it had been done differently.
He grew to really care about and like her and he was pretty sure he was in love. They both were. But there was a lot that all these characters were involved in that I just did not find relatable, especially if they’re in high school. Like the big concern about jobs. Paige really wanted him to have a better job than he had, it was very important to her, because she needed to know he was a competent person. Neither of their family’s needed extra money, they were both fine. He only worked his job because it was easy and he enjoyed it. It didn’t make sense for them to be so stressed about that.
Then they had a pregnancy scare. Paige suspected she was pregnant, he took that as incentive to finally get his act together and grow up. She didn’t want to take a test yet because it would be too definitive, so without being sure, they just carried on as if it was a fact. I’ve seen shows where characters come to the conclusion they’re pregnant on very little evidence, and I know the entire time they’re not because it’s too laughable. I never understand how they can act this way when they don’t know for sure and have zero proof. Like, they keep talking about the baby and what they need to do and planning things out and buying things. This book had them referencing the baby and their future plans, but they didn’t go beyond that like the shows do. For that reason, I thought it was possible she was really pregnant, but I had doubts. I figured if it wasn’t true, they would learn from this experience and break up, which would be typical and a let down.
I was expecting it to be like a reverse “How I Met Your Mother”, where instead of waiting to meet this mystery girl only for the guy to end up with the girl that’s been there the entire story, it would instead ditch the girl who’s been there the entire story in favor of the mystery girl we meet at the end. Luckily by the end he wasn’t so infatuated with MSG and could view her visit as just seeing an old friend, or even saying goodbye to her, rather than hoping they would get back together.
There was also one part in a scene, and the way it was described, and then re-described, has stuck with me, disturbed me, disgusted me. I didn’t need that info in the first place, and then explaining it again in a worse way … why? I hope to one day forget it.
There were lot of times during reading this that I was looking forward to reading more, and I got through it quickly because much of it was enjoyable at the time, even if ultimately I wasn’t satisfied. But I didn’t really expect to be. I might’ve been disappointed if I’d spent more money on it, but since I got it for a dollar, there was no loss.
This probably isn’t normally the kind of book I would pick up, but it was at the dollar store and I find it exciting anytime I stumble across a YA book there. And the premise did sound interesting initially.
I think it was kind of clear in reading it that this story was written by a guy. A lot of times it makes no difference, but sometimes you can just tell whether the author was a girl or a boy. The main character was a high schooler, but everything came across as much older. Normally people seem pretty young to me in writing, yet far more mature (in a negative way) in TV shows, and when books are turned into shows, there is a contrast in the feeling of their ages from my perspective. This was a rare book where I felt like the characters were older than they were supposed to be.
The main character, Leon, is a slacker. He was in the gifted program in middle school, but it sort of fell apart and he stopped trying. He’s content to live his life never trying. Then his middle school girlfriend who moved away reveals she might return, and he becomes worried that she’ll be disappointed. He wants to turn his life around, so his friend/mentor of evil starts giving him random little tasks that ultimately change him.
The first task leads him to sitting in a little empty restaurant on Valentines Day. It didn’t really lead him there, he chose to be there, but whatever. He ends up giving a ride home to a classmate, who later shows up at his house asking to date. He doesn’t agree until his friend tells him to.
At first this was interesting to me. Sometimes I read a story where it’s kind of obvious who the main love interest is, and I’m immediately like, “No! I don’t like them! Pick someone else! Pick someone else! Ahhh!” For no particular reason, it’s just how I feel. And then another random character will walk by (sometimes an actual character, sometimes just a background character), and I’ll say, “Them! Them! I choose them! Love them!” It rarely works out.
When the girl showed up in the restaurant needing a ride, I liked the idea of her much better than the middle school girlfriend. I didn’t expect the story to actually play out that way, so I was pleasantly surprised when she returned. But the way it was handled made my excitement fizzle. I shrugged it off, figuring it was a questionable start but it could still be good.
If it wasn’t her (Paige), then it would be the middle school girlfriend (MSG), and that was unappealing to me. The MSG was Leon’s dream girl, and he viewed her as this perfect, intellectual, artistic person. It also often referenced the trouble and pranks she liked to pull, but it was hard for me to accept that into the image I had created of her. Leon adored her, to me she seemed lame. Not because anything about her was actually lame, but just because her qualities were put up on a pedestal and I didn’t feel those things should be on a pedestal. They can be liked and appreciated and be great, but acting like they’re things that make her so much more impressive than everyone else so no one can compare just bothers me and makes me turn against that. It’s not the book’s fault, it’s my own personal response I guess.
Leon starts dating Paige and it goes back and forth over whether I like it or not. My main issue was that it didn’t really delve into their conversations or emotions toward each other. It did give them attention, but not in a way I was able to connect with. I think it’s because it’s a coming-of-age story, and that quick, kinda distant writing method tends to be how they come across to me, and I didn’t realize is was coming-of-age until I finished it and read it on the back cover, and I was like, “Dang, I wish I’d known! I hate those stories.”
One of the tasks Leon is given is to find a specific slushie flavor somewhere among all the gas stations because hunting for it will give him and Paige something to do together, since they run in different circles and don’t have much in common. They seemed to enjoy this activity together – I know because the story told me. There were only tiny pieces that actually indicated this without directly telling me.
Paige liked him and thought they had a good conversation from the time he drove her home on Valentines Day, and he understandably doesn’t know what she’s talking about. But she likes him and doesn’t think he’s a loser and waves away all his beliefs that she wouldn’t want her friends to knowing she’s dating him. She is actually invested in the relationship, where as he spends most of the book supposedly liking her while also not referring to her in the most positive way. He says she’s on the least attractive end of the popular crowd, “puts up” with her girl drama from the Yearbook Club he requests she help get him invited into. Those were the main ones that stuck out to me.
He just found a lot of her interests to be a nuisance and things he had to put up with and couldn't understand, while he viewed MSG's interests as inspiring things that he was a lesser person for not already being interested in himself.
Page's family sucked. Leon's family was fun, and Paige seemed interested in them, but after her first exposure she wasn’t so sure. That bothered me, but she changed her mind. They both hung out a few times with each other’s friends to keep things fair. It makes sense that Leon wouldn’t like her immediately since he only went out with her because he was told to and not because he had any real interest. It would’ve been cool that she was adamant about pursuing him at first if it had been done differently.
He grew to really care about and like her and he was pretty sure he was in love. They both were. But there was a lot that all these characters were involved in that I just did not find relatable, especially if they’re in high school. Like the big concern about jobs. Paige really wanted him to have a better job than he had, it was very important to her, because she needed to know he was a competent person. Neither of their family’s needed extra money, they were both fine. He only worked his job because it was easy and he enjoyed it. It didn’t make sense for them to be so stressed about that.
Then they had a pregnancy scare. Paige suspected she was pregnant, he took that as incentive to finally get his act together and grow up. She didn’t want to take a test yet because it would be too definitive, so without being sure, they just carried on as if it was a fact. I’ve seen shows where characters come to the conclusion they’re pregnant on very little evidence, and I know the entire time they’re not because it’s too laughable. I never understand how they can act this way when they don’t know for sure and have zero proof. Like, they keep talking about the baby and what they need to do and planning things out and buying things. This book had them referencing the baby and their future plans, but they didn’t go beyond that like the shows do. For that reason, I thought it was possible she was really pregnant, but I had doubts. I figured if it wasn’t true, they would learn from this experience and break up, which would be typical and a let down.
I was expecting it to be like a reverse “How I Met Your Mother”, where instead of waiting to meet this mystery girl only for the guy to end up with the girl that’s been there the entire story, it would instead ditch the girl who’s been there the entire story in favor of the mystery girl we meet at the end. Luckily by the end he wasn’t so infatuated with MSG and could view her visit as just seeing an old friend, or even saying goodbye to her, rather than hoping they would get back together.
There was also one part in a scene, and the way it was described, and then re-described, has stuck with me, disturbed me, disgusted me. I didn’t need that info in the first place, and then explaining it again in a worse way … why? I hope to one day forget it.
There were lot of times during reading this that I was looking forward to reading more, and I got through it quickly because much of it was enjoyable at the time, even if ultimately I wasn’t satisfied. But I didn’t really expect to be. I might’ve been disappointed if I’d spent more money on it, but since I got it for a dollar, there was no loss.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2014
Play Me Backwards follows smartie turned slacker Leon as he finds out his first love Anna might be moving back to town. Leon upon learning that awesome Anna is heading to Iowa realizes that his life isn’t where he wants it to be. Leon enlists the help of his friend Stan better known as Satan who sends him on random adventures that might or might not help him get his life in order.
I loved Leon, his voice felt so natural. I couldn’t put the book down because I wanted to know what task Stan was going to give Leon and how Leon was going to handle it. Having Leon as a narrator I learned to expect the unexpected because he was always surprising me.
Stan or rather Satan was probably my favorite character. I loved the morally ambiguous grey area he operated in and the fact that I was never sure if he really was Satan or not. He was just a fun character and, despite some hairy moments, a good friend to Leon.
While I loved the characters in Play Me Backwards I think my absolute favorite thing was the setting. One of my best friends in Law School was from Iowa so I ended up driving all over the state and I have been to Des Moines a few times. Selzer really captured the feel of the city. I am also so freaking excited that someone is finally discussing the fact that Kum & Go is a terrible/hilarious name for a gas station. The author is right, the day I stop laughing at that gas station is the day my soul has died a little.
Overall, Play Me Backwards was a novel with strong voice, fun characters and an excellent setting. I really enjoyed following Leon and Satan and will definitely be reading whatever Adam Selzer writes next!
*The rating of this book was changed from 4 to 5 stars are part of my post In Which I Reconsider Book Ratings
I loved Leon, his voice felt so natural. I couldn’t put the book down because I wanted to know what task Stan was going to give Leon and how Leon was going to handle it. Having Leon as a narrator I learned to expect the unexpected because he was always surprising me.
Stan or rather Satan was probably my favorite character. I loved the morally ambiguous grey area he operated in and the fact that I was never sure if he really was Satan or not. He was just a fun character and, despite some hairy moments, a good friend to Leon.
While I loved the characters in Play Me Backwards I think my absolute favorite thing was the setting. One of my best friends in Law School was from Iowa so I ended up driving all over the state and I have been to Des Moines a few times. Selzer really captured the feel of the city. I am also so freaking excited that someone is finally discussing the fact that Kum & Go is a terrible/hilarious name for a gas station. The author is right, the day I stop laughing at that gas station is the day my soul has died a little.
Overall, Play Me Backwards was a novel with strong voice, fun characters and an excellent setting. I really enjoyed following Leon and Satan and will definitely be reading whatever Adam Selzer writes next!
*The rating of this book was changed from 4 to 5 stars are part of my post In Which I Reconsider Book Ratings
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January 13, 2016Nicely entertaining read with satanic tendencies!
September 3, 2014
Review: http://bennitheblog.com/bookbiters/pl...
Three years ago, Leon’s girlfriend Anna moved to England with her parents. Leon’s ambition for life left that same day, and he’s been a slacker ever since, despite his potential. Leon works at a crappy ice cream parlor (one where he’s convinced his boss is using the store only as a front for illegal activities) and has no concrete plans to achieve anything after high school graduation.
But Leon’s best friend, Stan, claims to be Satan. After Leon asks Stan for advice, Stan gives Leon some random tips and tasks that may turn Stan’s life around after all: date popular girl, Paige; listen to the Moby-Dick audiobook while finding the white grape-flavored slushee; join the yearbook committee.
Fulfilled with a new sense of purpose—even if unsure where the path is supposed to lead—Leon starts turning his life around and rediscovering his potential.
Though Stan may or may not be Satan, there are no paranormal or supernatural elements in Play Me Backwards; instead, it’s an honest, modern coming-of-age tale. There are, however, references to Satanism. Satanism, an atheist movement, is often confused with Satan worship—this mistake is one that Leon makes as well, as he opines:
But, as the book progresses, Leon addresses his own Satanic sins that are indeed associated with Satanism. For example, he addresses his past pretentiousness with Anna (i.e., being who he thought Anna wanted him to be) and tries to discover his own identity. His past obsession with Anna also led him to lose all perspective, which he slowly gains back as he completes the tasks Stan (or Satan?) assigns him.
Play Me Backwards captures both the confusion and (sometimes) misguided certainty of being a teenager. Although I picked up this book hoping there would be supernatural elements, I was pleasantly surprised at its honesty, sincerity, and humor.
Review: http://bennitheblog.com/bookbiters/pl...
Three years ago, Leon’s girlfriend Anna moved to England with her parents. Leon’s ambition for life left that same day, and he’s been a slacker ever since, despite his potential. Leon works at a crappy ice cream parlor (one where he’s convinced his boss is using the store only as a front for illegal activities) and has no concrete plans to achieve anything after high school graduation.
But Leon’s best friend, Stan, claims to be Satan. After Leon asks Stan for advice, Stan gives Leon some random tips and tasks that may turn Stan’s life around after all: date popular girl, Paige; listen to the Moby-Dick audiobook while finding the white grape-flavored slushee; join the yearbook committee.
Fulfilled with a new sense of purpose—even if unsure where the path is supposed to lead—Leon starts turning his life around and rediscovering his potential.
Though Stan may or may not be Satan, there are no paranormal or supernatural elements in Play Me Backwards; instead, it’s an honest, modern coming-of-age tale. There are, however, references to Satanism. Satanism, an atheist movement, is often confused with Satan worship—this mistake is one that Leon makes as well, as he opines:
Most of the metal bands who sang about worshipping Satan in the 1980s weren’t really Satanists any more than Michael Jackson was really a zombie, but some of the bands in Norway actually went around burning churches, killing each other, and eating bits of each others’ brains in stews, like they didn’t realize they were just supposed to pretend they did shit like that to sell records.
But, as the book progresses, Leon addresses his own Satanic sins that are indeed associated with Satanism. For example, he addresses his past pretentiousness with Anna (i.e., being who he thought Anna wanted him to be) and tries to discover his own identity. His past obsession with Anna also led him to lose all perspective, which he slowly gains back as he completes the tasks Stan (or Satan?) assigns him.
Play Me Backwards captures both the confusion and (sometimes) misguided certainty of being a teenager. Although I picked up this book hoping there would be supernatural elements, I was pleasantly surprised at its honesty, sincerity, and humor.
Review: http://bennitheblog.com/bookbiters/pl...
August 12, 2017
Actual rating 3.5.
Play Me Backwards is about Leon, a high school senior and slacker who has amounted to nothing and might not even graduate. His friend, Stan, who sometimes goes by Satan, gives him a list of tasks to do in order to help him win back the girl of his dreams who might be coming back to Iowa after living in England for years.
Play Me Backwards is a funny, and lighthearted read. There are tons of outrageous scenes, and I love how memorable Leon's friends and family are. Usually books with high schoolers have unmemorable, mostly absent parents, but Leon's parents are atypical parents who have a role to play.
The only thing I didn't like about this book was that the plot was kind of hazy at times, and it seemed kind of ridiculous that Leon would be so obsessed with a girl he knew in middle school.
Play Me Backwards is about Leon, a high school senior and slacker who has amounted to nothing and might not even graduate. His friend, Stan, who sometimes goes by Satan, gives him a list of tasks to do in order to help him win back the girl of his dreams who might be coming back to Iowa after living in England for years.
Play Me Backwards is a funny, and lighthearted read. There are tons of outrageous scenes, and I love how memorable Leon's friends and family are. Usually books with high schoolers have unmemorable, mostly absent parents, but Leon's parents are atypical parents who have a role to play.
The only thing I didn't like about this book was that the plot was kind of hazy at times, and it seemed kind of ridiculous that Leon would be so obsessed with a girl he knew in middle school.
June 22, 2022
this book is not really about satan. or anna b. it's about white grape slushies and moby dick. while the plot never really took off, and just kept winding around and around in circles without gaining any tension, the characters were interesting and seemed very real. the narrator had a lot of relatable moments that made the story enjoyable, though a little boring from the lack of a proper plot.
September 2, 2014
I was not in love with this book. It had great potential of being at least a 3.5; however, the main character fell flat for me, the main themes were average and delivered in a somewhat blah form. The only saving grace was the best friend Stan/Satan.
March 29, 2016
4.5
I really enjoyed Leon's journey throughout the story, guided by his friend Stan who or may not be Satan. I think anyone who enjoys smartly written, humorous, true to life fiction will love this book.
I really enjoyed Leon's journey throughout the story, guided by his friend Stan who or may not be Satan. I think anyone who enjoys smartly written, humorous, true to life fiction will love this book.
December 9, 2015
I actually love this book so fricken much.
February 9, 2017
Meh. It was ok for the first 2/3, but just barely ok. Then it kind of went downhill from there. By the end, I just didn't care about any of the characters anymore.
December 22, 2014
Hard to like the characters - especially when they keep reminding you one of them is Satan.
September 7, 2016
Leon’s a slacker taking the easy path, not caring about anything, skipping gym (can’t fault him that) and enjoying kicking it in a den of miscreants masquerading as a job.
“When you get a job you like, you should lock it down.”
He used to be different though and now there’s possibility of Anna, his dream girl placed on a pedestal and incomparable, coming back to town. His low-key dread he’s been ignoring kicks into high gear and he turns to Stan to vent.
Only Stan has other plans for Leon who’s been a good minion, even if he’s not a literal believer. It starts with listening to Moby Dick on 19 audio tapes while driving around town. Leon has no idea how this would help, and neither did I, but his journey had begun.
I was a bit worried going in, but for the opposite reason of most people. I didn’t want to hear preaching and turning towards God or whatever. Thankfully, there’s none of that here.
The Good
+LOVED it!
+No preaching or attempts to convert
+Hilarious & fun
+Unpredictable
+Loved Leon, his journey, and character progression
+Realistic teens and activities
+ Quotable
+Insightful
I loved everything about Play Me Backwards. Honestly, I have nothing bad to say about it. Some might object or reject it due to the content, but I found it refreshing and sorely needed, especially after so many slut-shaming books.
It’s an authentic portrayal of teens. There’s sex, disgusting conversations, kicking it while drinking and smoking, video games, metal music, and of course, Dungeons & Dragons. But it’s not hardcore, dark, or dreary. There is romance and sweetness, but it’s not the typical YA fare.
“You do realize your characters would be better off without you, right?”
The story isn’t about Anna. Or a dork dating out of his league. It’s a typical teen drifting through life who starts to try and experience things instead. Along the way he has great introspection, insights, and realizations.
"But I suppose you shouldn't look for symbolism in people's work uniforms."
Throughout the trials and tribulations, Leon is insightful and the writing is great. I loved the short chapters describing one phenomena like dread and love. Not only did I find them funny and spot-on but it’s great building Leon’s character and mindset.
Of course, none of this would happen without S(a)tan. It bucks the Judeo-Christian depiction while including tired tropes against Satanist and making them freshly down to Earth. This Satan is more The Satanic Temple than the Church of Satan. And yes, there’s a huge difference.
He’s the boss at the Ice Cave, a rundown ice cream parlor that’s most popular feature is the den of miscreants in the back. Stan holds court there and in his basement. The amazing thing about those places is the liberation and community among people who would otherwise be outsiders.
Leon likens it to Rudolph’s Island of Misfit Toys only with pride and debauchery. All the background cast have their own personalities and are easily identifiable without John-Green-esque quirks. And you if like Leon’s parents you totally need to check out Cracked series about taste testing old recipes here, here, and here.
I didn’t know what anyone would say or do next. It was a BLAST! Unpredictable and hilarious, Play Me Backwards is nonstop. I did not want to put it down and couldn’t wait to get back to reading.
But like I said earlier, don’t be fooled by the young mischief, there are serious issues that are handled well and are rarely included.
First, while it doesn’t try to convert or de-convert someone, it does include a Separation of Church and State matter. I won’t go into details and spoil the surprise but Stan’s plan is right out of The Satanic Temple’s playbook. If you’ve never heard of their activism you can check some out: Official Campaigns Page, Pro-Abortion 1 & 2, Separation of Church & State 1 & 2 plus a General List.
It's like going to someone else's church: Stand when they stand, sit when they sit, and hope you don't end up getting sacrificed with a big knife or something.
Secondly…
Sex Positivity for Boys & Girls: Rebellion Leads to Liberation
The cynic in me says if Leon was Leona, she wouldn’t have been free to narrate her exploration of sex and insecurities and I hate that. I wish I could think of a similarly freeing and non-judgmental YA book for she-teens.
The good news is none of the girls are slut shamed. No one is made to feel bad for having previous partners or enjoying sex. Dating and moving on the next one is no big deal. The relationship and emotions have weight and significance but sex isn’t a cross to bear for women.
Instead, as easily guessed, liberation is a key theme and they’re free to hang out naked, shirtless, fuck, and do everything guys do. Why the fuck not? It makes sense.
But it’s not all about women, sexism hurts men too. Leon’s previous sexual experiences and insecurities highlight an important part that is often overlooked and turned into women-hating excuses. His exes aren’t painted as evil sluts, just jerks or insensitive. It’s not about their gender, it’s how they treat people.
He doesn’t smear all women or “but not all men” when women complain about sexism. Dudebros should take note. He progresses as a person instead.
And I want a petition to replace Truth or Dare with Permissions.
"So instead of saying 'I dare you to,' you say 'I give you permission to.' And you can either do it or not. It's kind of liberating in a way."
More Quotes!
Being in Oak Meadow Mills could be like being inside one of those mirror mazes that they had at the fair.
I continued my basic routine of saying the stupidest shit possible.
There was a chance that I was playing a part in some pretty ugly stuff, in an offhand sort of way, but so is everyone else with a job, if you think about it. Just about everyone who works is earning money for CEOs who may not be the world's greatest human beings.
"I hear that if a guy takes no for an answer and doesn't text you pictures of his scrotum, he's probably ahead of the curve."
"I wasn't getting any sympathy from the devil, though. Stan was laughing his ass off at me."
SERIOUSLY!
Will you read Play Me Backwards? What do you think of the quotes I selected? Any thoughts on the sex positivity?
February 23, 2021
I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would. At a first glance, the plot didn't have much to it. It took about forty pages in before I started to enjoy it. The characters surrounding Leon tend to come across as a bit one-dimensional, and his whole personality comes across as going nowhere. The world itself is crass, and the values in it often don't align with my own. There doesn't seem to be a sturdy backstory to the psychological state of Leon. I give it a 4 star due to the characters as well as a desperate need for further revision to clear up grammatical errors and repetitive scenes.
However, I can't give it any lower than 4, because despite all its flaws, I really did enjoy this book. The plot dragged me along until I was actually having a lot of fun reading it, and even laughing at points. I love how the main character develops, and the points the author brings up about love and relationships. You know the relationship is doomed from the start, but you want to see how it will end and how Leon will learn from it. The ending about "new souls" was unexpectedly heartwarming and touching for an often irreverent and crude novel.
This book proves that a book doesn't have to be perfect from a writing standpoint to be enjoyable. And, yes, due to the irreverence and crudeness there were moments when I felt uncomfortable--but feeling uncomfortable isn't always a bad thing. It sometimes can open your mind and helps you to empathize with others on the opposite end of beliefs and personality. This book did just that, and the plot was thoroughly enjoyable, so I'd recommend it to others. Good read!
However, I can't give it any lower than 4, because despite all its flaws, I really did enjoy this book. The plot dragged me along until I was actually having a lot of fun reading it, and even laughing at points. I love how the main character develops, and the points the author brings up about love and relationships. You know the relationship is doomed from the start, but you want to see how it will end and how Leon will learn from it. The ending about "new souls" was unexpectedly heartwarming and touching for an often irreverent and crude novel.
This book proves that a book doesn't have to be perfect from a writing standpoint to be enjoyable. And, yes, due to the irreverence and crudeness there were moments when I felt uncomfortable--but feeling uncomfortable isn't always a bad thing. It sometimes can open your mind and helps you to empathize with others on the opposite end of beliefs and personality. This book did just that, and the plot was thoroughly enjoyable, so I'd recommend it to others. Good read!
August 10, 2014
E-Review Copy provided by Edelweiss.
Years ago at work, I was browsing the shelves looking for something to read on my downtime (as I am wont to do) and I happened on a small paperback called How To Get Suspended and Influence People. And I read it during my shift, thought it was hysterical and picked it up a few more times during the year it sat on our shelves. And I didn’t think of it again until about two years ago, when I was listening to a podcast episode with guest Adam Selzer and went “OH YOU’RE THAT GUY!” And immediately got my hands on a copy of I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It…which is still on the shelf. (We’re getting there! We’re cresting the M’s on the list!)
(I should note that he mentions Play Me Backwards on that specific episode. I also mourn the fact that this was not titled Are You There, Satan? It’s Me, Leon.)
The only drawback I can see with this book is that even though this can be technically read as a standalone book, I think it does help to have the background of How To Get Suspended… and Pirates of the Retail Wasteland. (I haven’t read the latter and it’s been at least six years from when I picked up the first book, so, my memory’s a little fuzzy and confused.) While the entire background of Anna moving away to England and Leon’s former life as one of the gifted kids is discussed, I think it helps more having more of the emotional resonance for Leon’s own journey.
Unlike other YA novels about teenagers and growing up and Life Changes, the gang at the Ice Cave are snarky and rebellious but aren’t the more sanitized versions preferred by library and award committees. (Not just because the conditions in the back room of the Ice Cave are questionable. There were points when I was agreeing with Paige on the cleanliness of that room.) Leon isn’t so much as seeking a Great Perhaps, unless it’s “Well maybe perhaps I’ll move out my parents’ place at some point, but the conditions aren’t as great.” He knows that he used to be a lot better than he is now, but what’s the point when you’ve already peaked in high school, and the people who thought that you mattered don’t anymore? Or that they’ve moved on to possibly better things?
Leon’s life is the somewhat “bleaker” side of YA, the life good teenagers are supposed to sneer at because he’s a burnout and loser with no chance at college and therefore no future. (While economic factors are touched on, they’re not a big part of Leon’s decision to not go to college. I do wanna see more of that in YA in general.) But what I liked is that you do want to root for him to clean up his act, pick up his life a little and maybe go back to being that person that Anna B. remembered. And in the end, even though there are all of these hints that Leon could go to a good school, could be on the arm of a debutante, he ultimately says no and finds his own way.
I also really liked how not only does Selzer poke fun at the MPDG trope in regards toward Anna and how Leon remembers her, but also considering the fact that teenagers do, in fact, move on from their first love. I liked that while Leon still has feelings for Anna, he does fall for Paige and tries to do what he thinks is the right thing to do by her. I did actually like Leon’s relationship with Paige—there’s no real attraction beyond “She’s hot, I’ve got nothing more to lose” and “He’s different and funny, let’s go for it.” But that feels way more like a realistic high school relationship. Even when Leon starts having doubts in whether or not he’ll fit into Paige’s crowd, he sticks around because he does like her and what else has he got to do?
This is all wrapped up in a weird Satanic plot involving Moby Dick, a quest for mythical Slushee flavors, a debate on religion in school yearbooks by way of bad acrostic poetry and culminating in a three week flu plague that ravages the town. There were several moments when I had to put my ereader down because I was laughing so hard (and leading to concerned looks when I told people what I was reading). For as short as this book is, it packs a lot of things in the page count. I also really liked the fact that although this takes place in the course of three or four months, the pacing makes the timeline of events longer, and even things that are glossed over, you get so much more sense of the characters.
I am actually really interested in going back and picking up copies of the first two Leon books at some point and then giving this one a reread when I have more context. (I also have I Put a Spell on You somewhere in the stacks as well.) And I did really like it; I’m just hesitant to recommend this book on its own without at least some background because the emotional payoff just would not work as well as a standalone read. That said, Hail Satan.
Years ago at work, I was browsing the shelves looking for something to read on my downtime (as I am wont to do) and I happened on a small paperback called How To Get Suspended and Influence People. And I read it during my shift, thought it was hysterical and picked it up a few more times during the year it sat on our shelves. And I didn’t think of it again until about two years ago, when I was listening to a podcast episode with guest Adam Selzer and went “OH YOU’RE THAT GUY!” And immediately got my hands on a copy of I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked It…which is still on the shelf. (We’re getting there! We’re cresting the M’s on the list!)
(I should note that he mentions Play Me Backwards on that specific episode. I also mourn the fact that this was not titled Are You There, Satan? It’s Me, Leon.)
The only drawback I can see with this book is that even though this can be technically read as a standalone book, I think it does help to have the background of How To Get Suspended… and Pirates of the Retail Wasteland. (I haven’t read the latter and it’s been at least six years from when I picked up the first book, so, my memory’s a little fuzzy and confused.) While the entire background of Anna moving away to England and Leon’s former life as one of the gifted kids is discussed, I think it helps more having more of the emotional resonance for Leon’s own journey.
Unlike other YA novels about teenagers and growing up and Life Changes, the gang at the Ice Cave are snarky and rebellious but aren’t the more sanitized versions preferred by library and award committees. (Not just because the conditions in the back room of the Ice Cave are questionable. There were points when I was agreeing with Paige on the cleanliness of that room.) Leon isn’t so much as seeking a Great Perhaps, unless it’s “Well maybe perhaps I’ll move out my parents’ place at some point, but the conditions aren’t as great.” He knows that he used to be a lot better than he is now, but what’s the point when you’ve already peaked in high school, and the people who thought that you mattered don’t anymore? Or that they’ve moved on to possibly better things?
Leon’s life is the somewhat “bleaker” side of YA, the life good teenagers are supposed to sneer at because he’s a burnout and loser with no chance at college and therefore no future. (While economic factors are touched on, they’re not a big part of Leon’s decision to not go to college. I do wanna see more of that in YA in general.) But what I liked is that you do want to root for him to clean up his act, pick up his life a little and maybe go back to being that person that Anna B. remembered. And in the end, even though there are all of these hints that Leon could go to a good school, could be on the arm of a debutante, he ultimately says no and finds his own way.
I also really liked how not only does Selzer poke fun at the MPDG trope in regards toward Anna and how Leon remembers her, but also considering the fact that teenagers do, in fact, move on from their first love. I liked that while Leon still has feelings for Anna, he does fall for Paige and tries to do what he thinks is the right thing to do by her. I did actually like Leon’s relationship with Paige—there’s no real attraction beyond “She’s hot, I’ve got nothing more to lose” and “He’s different and funny, let’s go for it.” But that feels way more like a realistic high school relationship. Even when Leon starts having doubts in whether or not he’ll fit into Paige’s crowd, he sticks around because he does like her and what else has he got to do?
This is all wrapped up in a weird Satanic plot involving Moby Dick, a quest for mythical Slushee flavors, a debate on religion in school yearbooks by way of bad acrostic poetry and culminating in a three week flu plague that ravages the town. There were several moments when I had to put my ereader down because I was laughing so hard (and leading to concerned looks when I told people what I was reading). For as short as this book is, it packs a lot of things in the page count. I also really liked the fact that although this takes place in the course of three or four months, the pacing makes the timeline of events longer, and even things that are glossed over, you get so much more sense of the characters.
I am actually really interested in going back and picking up copies of the first two Leon books at some point and then giving this one a reread when I have more context. (I also have I Put a Spell on You somewhere in the stacks as well.) And I did really like it; I’m just hesitant to recommend this book on its own without at least some background because the emotional payoff just would not work as well as a standalone read. That said, Hail S
August 9, 2023
I think this book deserves 3.5 stars. Leon was a total loser at the beginning of the book, but I love his transformation by the end. I liked Paige for most of the book, but felt like she was always way too uptight to be with Leon. Stan was a great character that wasn't featured enough through the story. Also, was he really Satan? I could not stand Anna, and I was a little peeved that she showed up at the end.
Overall, it was a fun read. I laughed a few times at some of the absurd situations and some of the dialogue. The food disaster hobbyist thing Leon's parents did was hilarious. The search for the white grape slushy and listening to all of Moby Dick were some of my favorite weird situations.
I picked this book up at Dollar Tree because I loved the cover. It had an ice cream cone on a purple smoky background with a pitchfork sticking out of the ice cream. I don't know who made that cover but they deserve a raise!
Overall, it was an okay book. It dragged in a few places, but I'm glad I read it. There was a little bit too much "teenage boy" humor. (think lots of poop and fart jokes) I love a good crude joke, but at times it seemed gratuitous.
Favorite Quotes: “It’s sort of like watching bad movies just to riff on them, only half the time you get diarrhea”. “To call my car a piece of shit would have been offensive to most turds.”"
Overall, it was a fun read. I laughed a few times at some of the absurd situations and some of the dialogue. The food disaster hobbyist thing Leon's parents did was hilarious. The search for the white grape slushy and listening to all of Moby Dick were some of my favorite weird situations.
I picked this book up at Dollar Tree because I loved the cover. It had an ice cream cone on a purple smoky background with a pitchfork sticking out of the ice cream. I don't know who made that cover but they deserve a raise!
Overall, it was an okay book. It dragged in a few places, but I'm glad I read it. There was a little bit too much "teenage boy" humor. (think lots of poop and fart jokes) I love a good crude joke, but at times it seemed gratuitous.
Favorite Quotes: “It’s sort of like watching bad movies just to riff on them, only half the time you get diarrhea”. “To call my car a piece of shit would have been offensive to most turds.”"
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2017
Leon Harris, a former middle school gifted "genius" turned high school "Slacker", enlists the help of his best friend Stan (who may or may not be the devil) to get his act together after his longtime girlfriend Anna moves away and leaves him feeling totally depressed and unmotivated. Full of awkward and immature humor but balanced with sweet and emotional angst, this novel is perfect for fans of The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Stan and Leon both work at a "lame" ice cream store where they hang out in the back room more than they actually work up front, and this is where Stan (as Satan?) gives Leon "assignments" to help him focus on senior graduation and also attempt to move forward with his love life. I really enjoyed this clever YA ebook, which I read for free on riveted.com.
July 25, 2019
2.5 stars really. This book was just wierd. There were moments that made me laugh out loud, and I have to give it some credit for being funny. And some for being unpredictable and quirky in a good way. But what I think threw me off was the amount times the main character(s) talked about/had sex. That is just not something that I really want or generally choose to read about in detail in a book, so this was an interesting read for me.
September 24, 2019
I love this book so much. Stan being satan? The satan rally? The vague clues? Signing off his soul at the end? SIGN ME UP! This has to be one of my favorite books. It leaves you wondering if Stan really is Satan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2017
What a weird ass book. The only reason it isn't 4 stars is on principle against satanism.
April 3, 2018
Stick till the end and it'll all make sense. It's so amazing it'll probably blow your mind!
August 18, 2018
3.75, actually. This book kinda gave me the tumblr youth vibes which I really liked.
May 19, 2019
I enjoyed the book up until the last few chapters, I felt the ending was a little flat.
May 22, 2021
actual rating: 3.5 stars
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