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Gray Matter: The Student
Both life and calculus deal with continuous change.
Stephen, a student at NYU, has big dreams of earning a white coat and becoming a doctor someday. Luckily, he’s not alone in the college journey; he has his best friend Grey to help him navigate the ups and downs of classes, crushes, and everything in between. But one night, a fateful 911 call shatters Stephen’s illusions of invincibility, and it changes his life forever.
In the aftermath, Stephen is forced to confront the frailty of human existence, and how small he is in such a big world. Growing up is so much uglier and harder than he ever expected. But as time marches on, Stephen learns that the beauty of growing up isn’t found in safety―it’s found in embracing change.
Stephen, a student at NYU, has big dreams of earning a white coat and becoming a doctor someday. Luckily, he’s not alone in the college journey; he has his best friend Grey to help him navigate the ups and downs of classes, crushes, and everything in between. But one night, a fateful 911 call shatters Stephen’s illusions of invincibility, and it changes his life forever.
In the aftermath, Stephen is forced to confront the frailty of human existence, and how small he is in such a big world. Growing up is so much uglier and harder than he ever expected. But as time marches on, Stephen learns that the beauty of growing up isn’t found in safety―it’s found in embracing change.
- GenresYoung Adult
339 pages, Paperback
Published December 19, 2023
3 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Jess Cantrell
6 books13 followersJess Cantrell is an author, illustrator, and art professor based in North Carolina. She wrote her Master of Fine Arts thesis on the role of believability in narrative art, and one day hopes to get her PhD in art history with a concentration in fandom culture in the 2010s. She's currently adapting her debut novel into a Webtoon and teaching drawing at High Point University.
★★★★★ = everyone should read this
★★★★☆ = solid book
★★★☆☆ = it was fine
★★☆☆☆ = this had some issues
★☆☆☆☆ = DNF
★★★★★ = everyone should read this
★★★★☆ = solid book
★★★☆☆ = it was fine
★★☆☆☆ = this had some issues
★☆☆☆☆ = DNF
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 18, 2025
I can't even count how many times this book made me tear up, thanks. What a beautiful, fabulous story about the complexities of growing up and changing as everything changes around you. Stephen is a fascinating, sympathetic protagonist, and the supporting cast is just as good. Grey is a cinnamon roll that has my whole heart. I loved that this book covered everything from friendships (including a strong male friendship), complex family dynamics, and the slightest hint of romance. Oh yeah, and Hanukkah was discussed several times, so all the bonus points from me. I really shouldn't be buying anymore books right now... but I absolutely have gotta have the next one, so there goes my budget for the month. 😂 I loved everything about this read, truly.
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August 30, 2025I wrote it and I think I did a good job.
August 10, 2024
Come for the 2010s college nostalgia, stay for the deeply loving themes.
"Slice of life" seems far too simple a term to describe this masterpiece. The author calls it "a love letter to change," and I can't think of any better way to put it.
Gray Matter may just be a story about "some guy," as Stephen calls himself, but the themes of family love, overcoming hardship, facing change, accepting unexpected disappointments, and the unmistakable IMPACT we can have on each other as humans stays with me to this day.
There is something inexplicably cozy about the story--and it's more than just the early 2010s nostalgia woven throughout; it's the subtly-growing message of being there for the ones you love, and of experiencing their love for you in return, and often when you don't feel you deserve it. The author has an almost uncanny perception into the human experience, one which spins magic from the mundane and invites unexpected introspection.
I challenge you to read this story and not come away with a new perspective on life and love.
"Slice of life" seems far too simple a term to describe this masterpiece. The author calls it "a love letter to change," and I can't think of any better way to put it.
Gray Matter may just be a story about "some guy," as Stephen calls himself, but the themes of family love, overcoming hardship, facing change, accepting unexpected disappointments, and the unmistakable IMPACT we can have on each other as humans stays with me to this day.
There is something inexplicably cozy about the story--and it's more than just the early 2010s nostalgia woven throughout; it's the subtly-growing message of being there for the ones you love, and of experiencing their love for you in return, and often when you don't feel you deserve it. The author has an almost uncanny perception into the human experience, one which spins magic from the mundane and invites unexpected introspection.
I challenge you to read this story and not come away with a new perspective on life and love.
dnf-graveyard
October 11, 2025I won’t be rating this book, as I DNF’ed it at 34%.
I received a free copy of this ebook through a special promotional ad I saw on my Instagram.
The entire concept was interesting and I loved the premise of a college student at NYU going through his rigorous studies as a premed, and also navigating his personal life between friendships, family, and a slow burning love interest. These themes interested me as I used to be in a similar path during my undergraduate studies.
As I was reading through the book, I realized that I was NOT the target demographic. I was somewhat surprised that the book read more as a young adult novel. My biggest complaint was that many of the chapters meandered on slice of life moments that focused more on the mundane aspects of their life, which didn’t progress the overall story. While some dialogue and conversational exchanges between characters were interesting, the rest were somewhat cliche and predictable to my liking.
I did enjoy the drawings that were accompanied in each chapter. I felt like that was such a good way of engaging readers more to the book!
I received a free copy of this ebook through a special promotional ad I saw on my Instagram.
The entire concept was interesting and I loved the premise of a college student at NYU going through his rigorous studies as a premed, and also navigating his personal life between friendships, family, and a slow burning love interest. These themes interested me as I used to be in a similar path during my undergraduate studies.
As I was reading through the book, I realized that I was NOT the target demographic. I was somewhat surprised that the book read more as a young adult novel. My biggest complaint was that many of the chapters meandered on slice of life moments that focused more on the mundane aspects of their life, which didn’t progress the overall story. While some dialogue and conversational exchanges between characters were interesting, the rest were somewhat cliche and predictable to my liking.
I did enjoy the drawings that were accompanied in each chapter. I felt like that was such a good way of engaging readers more to the book!
January 12, 2025
Superb story about outstanding, yet normal people and the love and family ties that can inspire greatness. Very sweet and pleasant, but also jarring in all the right ways when the story demands. The way families and friendships are portrayed made me shed some tears. The normalcy and care with which they are handled is a delight! Darling and embraces its timeline with gusto. Gray Matter reminds you again and again to treat those around you with kindness, which is a message that is always timeless.
July 12, 2024
I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this book. The characters are real and flawed which makes them so relatable. My heart strings were unexpectedly pulled often and I found myself struggling right alongside these fictional people hoping against hope that all would be ok. Highly recommend for anyone who enjoys a good story that is well written. If you enjoy feeling invested in a character, then you will thoroughly enjoy this story.
January 7, 2025
This was such an amazing book! I've been more of a fantasy reader for a while now, but, after falling in love with Jess Cantrell's art style in the Tiding Bearer Trilogy, I really wanted to give this book a try and I'm so glad I did! The characters and the relationships between them are so realistic that it is easy to forget they are fictional. The story has so much emotional depth that it really had me thinking about aspects of my own life. I was not prepared to cry through the entire second half of the book, so definitely be prepared for an emotional roller coaster! Life is filled with so much hardship and joy, and I really feel like this book captures both so well. I'm excited to continue to read the webtoon version of the story!
September 2, 2024
This is such a fun read, with relatable characters (some new favorite characters for me) and some more serious moments thrown in.
I love that the characters we meet experience real life. Not in a boring, mundane way; the storytelling is fantastic! But they are living pretty ordinary lives, facing some of the same challenges that we ourselves have or will face like maturing into adulthood, developing friendships, changing sibling relationships, etc. The characters are ordinary people - people you’d like to meet in a coffee shop and trade stories with. My kind of people. This will definitely be a book I come back to read again!
Of course they do face other more unique challenges in the story - but no spoilers here. You’ll have to read for yourself.
I love that the characters we meet experience real life. Not in a boring, mundane way; the storytelling is fantastic! But they are living pretty ordinary lives, facing some of the same challenges that we ourselves have or will face like maturing into adulthood, developing friendships, changing sibling relationships, etc. The characters are ordinary people - people you’d like to meet in a coffee shop and trade stories with. My kind of people. This will definitely be a book I come back to read again!
Of course they do face other more unique challenges in the story - but no spoilers here. You’ll have to read for yourself.
May 3, 2024
Jess writes about real life in a very real way. Her witty dialogue is particularly legendary, and her descriptions of NYC and college life are spot on. The book leaves you pining for simpler times, childhood best friends, camping trips, and heartfelt discussions had from the slanted roof outside your bedroom window.
Jess had me rolling with her character banter—she writes wit and humor effortlessly, and the characters feel like genuine, real people. So much so that you're briefly tricked into thinking you know them personally. Then, just as quick, she tackles raw issues ranging from anti-semitism to chronic blindness that hit close to home. I'm new to the slice of life genre, but Jess Cantrell gave me a new level of appreciation for it.
Jess had me rolling with her character banter—she writes wit and humor effortlessly, and the characters feel like genuine, real people. So much so that you're briefly tricked into thinking you know them personally. Then, just as quick, she tackles raw issues ranging from anti-semitism to chronic blindness that hit close to home. I'm new to the slice of life genre, but Jess Cantrell gave me a new level of appreciation for it.
December 16, 2024
Scenes were fast-paced moving through the span of multiple years in a few chapters allowing the reader to get a sense of the highs and lows of each character's arc without extensive exposition or flashbacks.
This book is an easy read with real, raw relationships, and a deep understanding of the average college experience.
This book is an easy read with real, raw relationships, and a deep understanding of the average college experience.
May 20, 2024
I absolutely love that not only is it illustrated, but it's illustrated by the author so I know exactly what the characters and scenes look like. Very nostalgic and full of easy to root for characters.
July 21, 2024
Can’t wait for the next book! It could’ve had a little more drama but I loved it!
August 7, 2025
LOVED this book. It’s so cozy and an easy read on those days when you want to soak in the nostalgia of young adulthood. Would highly recommend this book!!
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews