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Tell Us Something True
Seventeen-year-old River doesn’t know what to do with himself when Penny, the girl he adores, breaks up with him. He lives in LA, where nobody walks anywhere, and Penny was his ride; he never bothered getting a license. He’s stuck. He’s desperate. Okay . . . he’s got to learn to drive.
But first, he does the unthinkable—he starts walking. He stumbles upon a support group for teens with various addictions. He fakes his way into the meetings, and begins to connect with the other kids, especially an amazing girl. River wants to tell the truth, but he can’t stop lying, and his tangle of deception may unravel before he learns how to handle the most potent drug of all: true love.
But first, he does the unthinkable—he starts walking. He stumbles upon a support group for teens with various addictions. He fakes his way into the meetings, and begins to connect with the other kids, especially an amazing girl. River wants to tell the truth, but he can’t stop lying, and his tangle of deception may unravel before he learns how to handle the most potent drug of all: true love.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published June 14, 2016
46 people are currently reading
2042 people want to read
About the author
Dana Reinhardt
17 books230 followersWhy don't you have a bio section?
Because I hate writing about myself.
But wouldn't that be easier than answering a whole bunch of FAQs?
Maybe. Probably. Go on...
So where are you from?
I'm from Los Angeles, but now I live in San Francisco. Except for the summers where I go back to Los Angeles in search of the sun.
What are you doing when you aren't writing?
Laundry, usually. Sometimes dishes. And I really like to walk near the Golden Gate Bridge.
Why don't you run instead of walk?
Running is hard. And I'm sort of lazy.
Have you ever had a real job?
Yes. Of course I have. I've waited tables, worked with adolescents in foster care, read the slush pile at a publishing house, and fact checked for a movie magazine. I also worked for FRONTLINE on PBS and Peter Jennings at ABC. I went to law school, which I know doesn't count as a job, but hey, that was a lot of work.
What's your writing day like? Do you stick to a routine?
I like to write in the mornings. Sometimes that means I have to get up really early. I try to write 700 words a day -- about three pages. I know there are lots of writers out there who can write way more than that. I know this because writers like to tell you about how many words they've written on FACEBOOK. So I try not to look at FACEBOOK when I'm writing. And anyway, I've learned that 700 words are about all I'm good for on any given day, and if I write more than that I usually end up getting rid of most of it later.
What, are you lazy or something?
I already told you I'm lazy. But seriously, 700 words are a lot of words. 700 of them, to be precise.
Where do you get your ideas?
From someplace inside my head.
That's not really an answer.
Yes, it is. And it's as honest an answer as I can give.
Are your books autobiographical?
Not really. I'm not adopted, I've never told a lie that sent someone to jail, I've never built a house or had a brother go to war. But there are always things in my books that come from my life or from the lives of the people around me. It would be impossible to make up everything.
Why do you write young adult fiction?
Because I was a young adult when I fell in love with reading and I can remember how books made me feel back then. How they provided both comfort and escape. That might make me sound like a shut-in, but I wasn't. I was just open to the experience books offered, probably more open than I am now as an adult. And I like writing for that sort of audience.
What exactly is young adult fiction?
Lots of people have thought long and hard about this question and have had many intelligent things to say about voice and how YA books can't spend too much time on adult characters, etc. I don't have anything to add to the debate except to say that YA should be a place to go in the bookstore or library if you are looking for a coming of age story, no matter how old you are.
Do you have a favorite book?
Yes.
Don't be coy, what is it?
To Kill a Mockingbird.
How come there aren't any vampires or wizards in your books?
Hmmmm... good question. Maybe I should write about vampires and wizards.
No, you shouldn't. You wouldn't be very good at that.
Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Did you wear a Soupy Sales sweatshirt when you were seven?
Does anybody even know who Soupy Sales is?
That's what the Internet is for. Don't avoid the question.
I'm sorry, is this really a Frequently Asked Question?
No. But, c'mon, tell us anyway.
Yes, I did. But I'm trying to portray myself as someone who wasn't a total loser. So maybe you shouldn't bring that up. And it also makes me sound ancient, which I'm not. Yet I had a Soupy Sales sweatshirt. And I loved it. It was yellow. And really soft.
You're right. It does make you sound like a loser.
Because I hate writing about myself.
But wouldn't that be easier than answering a whole bunch of FAQs?
Maybe. Probably. Go on...
So where are you from?
I'm from Los Angeles, but now I live in San Francisco. Except for the summers where I go back to Los Angeles in search of the sun.
What are you doing when you aren't writing?
Laundry, usually. Sometimes dishes. And I really like to walk near the Golden Gate Bridge.
Why don't you run instead of walk?
Running is hard. And I'm sort of lazy.
Have you ever had a real job?
Yes. Of course I have. I've waited tables, worked with adolescents in foster care, read the slush pile at a publishing house, and fact checked for a movie magazine. I also worked for FRONTLINE on PBS and Peter Jennings at ABC. I went to law school, which I know doesn't count as a job, but hey, that was a lot of work.
What's your writing day like? Do you stick to a routine?
I like to write in the mornings. Sometimes that means I have to get up really early. I try to write 700 words a day -- about three pages. I know there are lots of writers out there who can write way more than that. I know this because writers like to tell you about how many words they've written on FACEBOOK. So I try not to look at FACEBOOK when I'm writing. And anyway, I've learned that 700 words are about all I'm good for on any given day, and if I write more than that I usually end up getting rid of most of it later.
What, are you lazy or something?
I already told you I'm lazy. But seriously, 700 words are a lot of words. 700 of them, to be precise.
Where do you get your ideas?
From someplace inside my head.
That's not really an answer.
Yes, it is. And it's as honest an answer as I can give.
Are your books autobiographical?
Not really. I'm not adopted, I've never told a lie that sent someone to jail, I've never built a house or had a brother go to war. But there are always things in my books that come from my life or from the lives of the people around me. It would be impossible to make up everything.
Why do you write young adult fiction?
Because I was a young adult when I fell in love with reading and I can remember how books made me feel back then. How they provided both comfort and escape. That might make me sound like a shut-in, but I wasn't. I was just open to the experience books offered, probably more open than I am now as an adult. And I like writing for that sort of audience.
What exactly is young adult fiction?
Lots of people have thought long and hard about this question and have had many intelligent things to say about voice and how YA books can't spend too much time on adult characters, etc. I don't have anything to add to the debate except to say that YA should be a place to go in the bookstore or library if you are looking for a coming of age story, no matter how old you are.
Do you have a favorite book?
Yes.
Don't be coy, what is it?
To Kill a Mockingbird.
How come there aren't any vampires or wizards in your books?
Hmmmm... good question. Maybe I should write about vampires and wizards.
No, you shouldn't. You wouldn't be very good at that.
Thanks for the vote of confidence.
Did you wear a Soupy Sales sweatshirt when you were seven?
Does anybody even know who Soupy Sales is?
That's what the Internet is for. Don't avoid the question.
I'm sorry, is this really a Frequently Asked Question?
No. But, c'mon, tell us anyway.
Yes, I did. But I'm trying to portray myself as someone who wasn't a total loser. So maybe you shouldn't bring that up. And it also makes me sound ancient, which I'm not. Yet I had a Soupy Sales sweatshirt. And I loved it. It was yellow. And really soft.
You're right. It does make you sound like a loser.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 345 reviews
August 19, 2017
For Readathon 2017:49/52
In the category "A book you chose despite it's ugly cover"
Why did I still love Penny?
It was an excellent question.
I still loved Penny because that was how I saw myself, as someone who loved Penny Brockaway, and I didn't know how to be somebody different. I still loved Penny because loving her gave my life purpose. I was really, really good at loving Penny. I still loved Penny because I was afraid not to.
I have very mixed feelings about this book that's why I'm giving it the noncommittal 3 star rating.
The premise is generally a coming of age story but even though I wasn't bored at all, the pages just kept turning and before I knew it, it was over, I was confused about many elements and choices the hero made.
In the beginning of the story Penny dumps River after a two year long relationship and the whole world collapses around him. River seemed to me like a very obsessed, attached kid and with no obvious reason. There was never an explanation as to why Penny is so important to him so that he can't function without her. He has a loving family around him, good, loyal friends who still care for him even though he had neglected them during his Penny phase.
The side characters were ok, if not a bit superficial. I loved his kid sister, she is such a sweetheart and really smart. I just got tired with all the lies and the fake stories and it was pretty obvious from the start that they would eventually collapse upon himself.
In the category "A book you chose despite it's ugly cover"
Why did I still love Penny?
It was an excellent question.
I still loved Penny because that was how I saw myself, as someone who loved Penny Brockaway, and I didn't know how to be somebody different. I still loved Penny because loving her gave my life purpose. I was really, really good at loving Penny. I still loved Penny because I was afraid not to.
I have very mixed feelings about this book that's why I'm giving it the noncommittal 3 star rating.
The premise is generally a coming of age story but even though I wasn't bored at all, the pages just kept turning and before I knew it, it was over, I was confused about many elements and choices the hero made.
In the beginning of the story Penny dumps River after a two year long relationship and the whole world collapses around him. River seemed to me like a very obsessed, attached kid and with no obvious reason. There was never an explanation as to why Penny is so important to him so that he can't function without her. He has a loving family around him, good, loyal friends who still care for him even though he had neglected them during his Penny phase.
The side characters were ok, if not a bit superficial. I loved his kid sister, she is such a sweetheart and really smart. I just got tired with all the lies and the fake stories and it was pretty obvious from the start that they would eventually collapse upon himself.
January 6, 2018
2.75* although the plot of this was extremely questionable for multiple reasons. I mean, faking a drug addition so you can attend a support group for teens with addictions, simply because you can't get over your ex, is something I just don't think I can get on board with? I can't say I entirely disliked it. There was something about the characters that I enjoyed, whist simultaneously wanting to shout at the main character and his actions on pretty much every single page. Seriously, how did he think anything he was doing was okay?!?! If someone breaks up with you, you leave them alone. Respect their wishes. Don't turn up at their door with your little sister. Let them be!!
With that being said, faking an addiction (no matter how broken your heart may be) and lying to a group of people who are dealing with some heavy stuff and are equally trying to help you through your drug addiction (which doesn't exist) doesn't sit well with me at all. idk. I'm confused about how I feel and how I'm meant to feel. I'm not sure I'd necessarily recommend this book unless you're literally just looking for something that you'll be able to get through super quickly but I did fly through it in one sitting and somewhat enjoy it. The more I think about the plot, the more frustrating I find it but I didn't hate it. as I said, I don't know what to think. 😅
With that being said, faking an addiction (no matter how broken your heart may be) and lying to a group of people who are dealing with some heavy stuff and are equally trying to help you through your drug addiction (which doesn't exist) doesn't sit well with me at all. idk. I'm confused about how I feel and how I'm meant to feel. I'm not sure I'd necessarily recommend this book unless you're literally just looking for something that you'll be able to get through super quickly but I did fly through it in one sitting and somewhat enjoy it. The more I think about the plot, the more frustrating I find it but I didn't hate it. as I said, I don't know what to think. 😅
February 26, 2016
Connectedness. Don’t we all want someone to connect with? To share ourselves with? To open up and be yourself with?
This book got me thinking about my connections. Who I see and talk to everyday. It amazes me how many people I talk to on a daily basis, but somehow really don’t connect with. If that makes sense? Who do I really trust and open up to in person—face to face? Tell Us Something True focuses on real life interactions. Offline, in your face, person to person. I can’t remember the last time I felt an instant connection with someone away from the computer or work. I need to change that! Don’t you love when a book makes you examine your life? I live and read for it!
Dana Reinhardt’s voice often pushes me to think. But man do I have a hard time reviewing her books. Her stories feel natural and almost effortless. They flow so beautifully. As if, I just fell into her world for a day. This Reinhardt visit dropped me into River’s world.
Our tale revolves around River Dean, a non-driver in the “no-one-walks” land of Los Angeles, who just got dumped by his girlfriend of two years. Broken, lost, and alone, River wanders into a meeting of Second Chancers. A meeting for teens with addictions—from drugs to shopping lifting to eating disorders. They come together to talk and listen and help each other. Instantly River feels welcome and at ease. He wants to talk and share and be a part of the group. But all he seems to do is lie, lie, and lie. Once he starts digging, the hole keeps getting bigger and deeper. How can River really share, learn, and change when all he’s doing is telling lies?
Needless to say, River ends up in a heap of trouble, but every new development and twist & turn creates an almost mad-cap, hilarious mood tinged with sadness. It’s a sweet and ridiculous journey. But it all works! River learns and listens and changes. He grows up! This boy can make amends like no other. :)
My only issue with this book was how the side characters—namely River’s friends from school--didn’t really come into focus. I kept mixing up Luke and Will. River’s family, on the other hand, shined bright! Leonard hit my Best Dads in YA List with force! Listen to Leonard…
“You connected with someone, and it might feel like that’s because of some otherworldly force, like fate or whatever you want to name it, but you took risks, albeit some really stupid risks, and you opened yourself up to her and, well…that’s what makes this life worth living. Connections like that. So you can’t now go blame fate and shrug and say I guess it wasn’t meant to be. Obstacles arose, as obstacles will. You have to go and hurdle them, because if you leave it all to fate you’re ceding control to a force that’s made up. You have to believe in the power of your connections.”
You have to believe in the power of your connections. I like that.
I hope you meet River. His adventures will make you think and smile.
Recommended read.
***Quote taken from ARC***
August 31, 2016
Actual rating: 4.5
So there's a lot of heavy YA names on that blurb but I think this one delivers. Love River's voice and really enjoyed the writing. It just grabs your attention right away and manages to keep until you turn to the last page which is AWESOME. Also, the story is funny and real not to mention has a diverse love interest- so definitely worth reading!
So there's a lot of heavy YA names on that blurb but I think this one delivers. Love River's voice and really enjoyed the writing. It just grabs your attention right away and manages to keep until you turn to the last page which is AWESOME. Also, the story is funny and real not to mention has a diverse love interest- so definitely worth reading!
March 23, 2021
"No dejes que la perfección sea la enemiga del bien."
May 19, 2016
Sigh. I'm not sure where to begin with this book. When Cailin asked me about reading and reviewing it, I was a bit unsure, yet I wanted to give it a try, because it looked and sounded sort of cute. Plus it wasn't all that long. So I was excited about reading it. But yeah. I ended up being very disappointed. Which sucks.
I guess it is because I don't really like this genre at all. I'm not sure why, but contemporary books are not for me. I don't enjoy them. But. I have also loved a few precious few from this genre, and I had hoped this would be another one of those. But it was not. And I have so many reasons for why. I shall try to explain.
This book is told from the point of view of seventeen year old River. Sadly, I did not like the writing all that much. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. It felt like he was telling the story about his life, and he never stopped telling it, and that bothered me. It just wasn't written all that well to me. But I didn't hate it, so that's good, lol. But yeah. This book wasn't all that good at all. I'm giving it two stars, because I did not like it. At all. But I also did not hate it, so yeah, one star would not do. But this is a book I would not read again, sadly. And I have so many reasons for why this book was so bad. I thought it would be good. It sounded pretty good. Was told that River was a great boy to read about. But hahaha. He was not. I did not like this boy.
I can't help but feel this way. River was not a good boy at all. Yeah, it begins with him getting dumped by the girlfriend he had for about two years. Which he didn't see coming at all. But gosh. He was so not nice. At least not for me. He got dumped. He then started walking home, and stopped at a place for teens with addictions. Which he loves going to. But. He starts lying. He pretends he has an addiction. And it is so not nice of him to lie for weeks to them all. It was really shitty of him to do, to be honest.
But that isn't the only reason for why I did not like this boy. After he was dumped, he started stalking the girl, Penny. He showed up at her house several times. He bought her soup and flowers. He just did not understand that she broke up with him. He kept thinking about her all the time, how he would get her back. And his ideas were so stupid and a bit rude and it bothered me so much. He should have left the girl alone. She didn't want to be with him anymore. Sigh. And I understood why she didn't want to. Ugh.
But then later on it was shown that she wasn't really a nice person, and he was better without her, but yeah, I didn't like that. Because I thought she seemed nice. But Penny and River did not fit together at all. He spent those two years only with her, and sort of threw away his three friends. It was not nice of him at all. Ugh. I just. There were so many things that bothered me about this boy. I just could not seem to like him. But I did like him a few times, but not enough. River was just not someone I could ever like.
The entire plot in this book was about River trying to get over Penny. Except he wasn't really trying at all. And about him going to the support group. Which was pretty interesting to read about. I was curious about the other kids. They seemed nice. But I didn't like the way River thought about them sometimes. Sigh. And then there was the new girl, Daphne. I'm unsure about her. I liked her. But I didn't know her enough to love her. Shrugs. It bothered me how quickly River fell in love with her, though. Annoying.
I'm not sure I like how River treated Daphne. First they were just friends. For a short time. And then suddenly he has feelings for her. And then one day she's having a really bad day, which he knows, and yet he doesn't really ask her about it, and instead starts talking about how he really likes her. And then he tries to kiss her. And oh my gosh. It was the worst timing in the world and I sort of hate him for it. Ugh. Just. Yeah. He wasn't a nice boy. Shrugs. Though I know that others will end up loving him. But not me.
Sadly, this wasn't a book for me. But I'm glad I tried it even so. But yeah, probably not reading many more books from this genre, lol. Not for me. But I do think others will enjoy this book a lot. Curious to know what others think of it. Let me know :) Thank you so much to Cailin at Rock the Boat for sending me this gorgeous print ARC for review. <3 It means the most. And the book looks so gorgeous. But yeah. Tell Us Something True was simply not a book for me. It's such a pretty book, though, and quick to read.
---
This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: http://carinabooks.blogspot.no/2016/0...
I guess it is because I don't really like this genre at all. I'm not sure why, but contemporary books are not for me. I don't enjoy them. But. I have also loved a few precious few from this genre, and I had hoped this would be another one of those. But it was not. And I have so many reasons for why. I shall try to explain.
This book is told from the point of view of seventeen year old River. Sadly, I did not like the writing all that much. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either. It felt like he was telling the story about his life, and he never stopped telling it, and that bothered me. It just wasn't written all that well to me. But I didn't hate it, so that's good, lol. But yeah. This book wasn't all that good at all. I'm giving it two stars, because I did not like it. At all. But I also did not hate it, so yeah, one star would not do. But this is a book I would not read again, sadly. And I have so many reasons for why this book was so bad. I thought it would be good. It sounded pretty good. Was told that River was a great boy to read about. But hahaha. He was not. I did not like this boy.
I can't help but feel this way. River was not a good boy at all. Yeah, it begins with him getting dumped by the girlfriend he had for about two years. Which he didn't see coming at all. But gosh. He was so not nice. At least not for me. He got dumped. He then started walking home, and stopped at a place for teens with addictions. Which he loves going to. But. He starts lying. He pretends he has an addiction. And it is so not nice of him to lie for weeks to them all. It was really shitty of him to do, to be honest.
But that isn't the only reason for why I did not like this boy. After he was dumped, he started stalking the girl, Penny. He showed up at her house several times. He bought her soup and flowers. He just did not understand that she broke up with him. He kept thinking about her all the time, how he would get her back. And his ideas were so stupid and a bit rude and it bothered me so much. He should have left the girl alone. She didn't want to be with him anymore. Sigh. And I understood why she didn't want to. Ugh.
But then later on it was shown that she wasn't really a nice person, and he was better without her, but yeah, I didn't like that. Because I thought she seemed nice. But Penny and River did not fit together at all. He spent those two years only with her, and sort of threw away his three friends. It was not nice of him at all. Ugh. I just. There were so many things that bothered me about this boy. I just could not seem to like him. But I did like him a few times, but not enough. River was just not someone I could ever like.
The entire plot in this book was about River trying to get over Penny. Except he wasn't really trying at all. And about him going to the support group. Which was pretty interesting to read about. I was curious about the other kids. They seemed nice. But I didn't like the way River thought about them sometimes. Sigh. And then there was the new girl, Daphne. I'm unsure about her. I liked her. But I didn't know her enough to love her. Shrugs. It bothered me how quickly River fell in love with her, though. Annoying.
I'm not sure I like how River treated Daphne. First they were just friends. For a short time. And then suddenly he has feelings for her. And then one day she's having a really bad day, which he knows, and yet he doesn't really ask her about it, and instead starts talking about how he really likes her. And then he tries to kiss her. And oh my gosh. It was the worst timing in the world and I sort of hate him for it. Ugh. Just. Yeah. He wasn't a nice boy. Shrugs. Though I know that others will end up loving him. But not me.
Sadly, this wasn't a book for me. But I'm glad I tried it even so. But yeah, probably not reading many more books from this genre, lol. Not for me. But I do think others will enjoy this book a lot. Curious to know what others think of it. Let me know :) Thank you so much to Cailin at Rock the Boat for sending me this gorgeous print ARC for review. <3 It means the most. And the book looks so gorgeous. But yeah. Tell Us Something True was simply not a book for me. It's such a pretty book, though, and quick to read.
---
This review was first posted on my blog, Carina's Books, here: http://carinabooks.blogspot.no/2016/0...
September 26, 2021
ben young adult okumayı özlemisim sonunun klise olmaması da hosuma gitti kısacık kendini tanıma hikayesi gibiydi zaten cok da akıcı full diyalog
August 31, 2021
Agaa bu puanı asla hak etmiyo yazık etmeyin kitaba ya gayet güzel bir kendini tanıma hikayesiydi keşke biraz daha uzun olsaydı..
March 14, 2021
River, un joven al que su novia cortó, un grupo de ayuda para adictos, una mentira que se sale de control y que lo lleva a conocer a una chica de la que se enamora.
Suena a lo de siempre, a una historia predecible, pero la verdad es que nos muestra algo más allá... las consecuencias de mentir, el valor de enfrentar dicha mentira, de enfrentar los obstáculos que nos pone la vida y de romper el círculo; de madurar!
La verdad? No sé si me gustó o no este libro.
Quizás no me enamoró solamente; porque no es malo, ni fome, al contrario, te mantiene atento y es rápido de leer y creo que si te deja una enseñanza.
Suena a lo de siempre, a una historia predecible, pero la verdad es que nos muestra algo más allá... las consecuencias de mentir, el valor de enfrentar dicha mentira, de enfrentar los obstáculos que nos pone la vida y de romper el círculo; de madurar!
La verdad? No sé si me gustó o no este libro.
Quizás no me enamoró solamente; porque no es malo, ni fome, al contrario, te mantiene atento y es rápido de leer y creo que si te deja una enseñanza.
September 19, 2017
Son zamanlarda çok fazla gençlik romanı okuduğumu fark ettim. O kadar fazla aynı tür okumuşum ki gençlik romanları bende farklı bir his oluşturup güzel bir tat bırakıyor.
Bize Doğruyu Söyle de o kitaplardan oldu. On yedi yaşındaki River’ın tam o yaştaki gençlerin de içine düşebileceği sorunlarını okumak, adım adım değişmesini ve hayatını toparlamasını okumak bana çok güzel geldi.
Kız arkadaşı tarafından terk edildikten sonra kendini kapısında “İkinci Bir Şans” yazan bir terapi odasında bulan River, aslında kendi sorunun ne kadar küçük olduğunu diğer kişilerin sorunlarını dinlediğinde fark eder. Ama asıl sorunu oraya gidiş sebebi mi o da tartışılır bana göre.
Her ne kadar kız arkadaşı tarafından terk edilişi bir başlangıç noktası olsa da River’ın geçmişten gelen korkuları ve sıkıntıları vardı. Her aşama onun hayatında sorun olan ama bunun farkında olmadığı konuları meydana çıkardı.
Şimdi öyle harika bir şeyler beklemeyin kitaptan. Çünkü tam bir o yaşlarda olabilecek, size gerçekten de bunlar oluyor dedirtecek, masalsı değil de daha gerçekçi bir kitap.
Hayattaki önceliklerin sıralamasını bulabileceğiniz bir kitap. Ve bana kısım doğru bir sıralama gibi geldi mesela. Hatta kitabın kapağında Umut Işığım yazarının bir yorumu var.
“Doğruyu tutkudan, arkadaşları sevgililerden daha fazla yücelten, içten bir hikâye…”
O kadar doğru bir tanımlama olmuş ki… Kitabın ifade ettiği şey tam olarak bu oldu benim için de.
Kitabı bitirip kapattığınızda yüzünüzde sıcacık bir ifadeyle birleşmiş bir gülümseme bırakan gençlim romanı arıyorsanız, Bize Doğruyu Söyle onlardan biri.
Hatta belli yaş gruplarına “yaşınıza uymayan o kitapları zamanı geldiğinde zaten okuyacaksınız, bunları okumanın şimdi zamanı” diye üstüne basa basa hatta bağıra bağıra bir kez daha söylüyorum.
August 1, 2019
Es una historia muy bonita💛. No me ha "obsesionado" con los personajes o hecho "fangirlear" y tal, como otros libros, pero sí me ha mantenido enganchadísima a la historia capítulo tras capítulo y me los he leído súper rápido porque encima es ligero de leer; considero que igualmente es entretenido, juvenil, tierno, y además, cuenta una buena y bonita historia que me ha encantado💕.
En cuanto a los personajes... River que es el protagonista me ha parecido de lo más adorable e inocente y lo he amado totalmente🥰💛; Penny me ha parecido justamente la clase de chica que se cree "el ombligo del mundo" siendo que NO lo es🙄 y no la he odiado pero definitivamente tampoco la he amado; Will, Luke y Maggie, me han parecido súper monos, buena onda, guay, cool, tanto en su forma de ser como en su forma de tratar y conectarse con River☺️❣️; Daphne ha sido no sé si mi personaje "favorita", pero me ha gustado bastante su manera de ser y actuar para con River y el cómo va adquiriendo relevancia en la trama💗; La madre y el padrastro de River me han parecido súper buenos padres y también los he amado, sobre todo al padrastro por sus buenos consejos❤️; Nat (hermana menor de River) no es muy importante pero es de lo más adorable y tierna🥰🥰🥰 es un encanto de hermanita menor.
Y bueno, en fin, sólo puedo decir que me ha gustado bastante la historia, se me ha hecho muy ameno leer a la autora y entretenido conocer esta historia de River Dean-Marks, así que sin duda alguna lo puntúo con 4.0/5.0⭐️. Y lo dejo más que recomendado🤗.
En cuanto a los personajes... River que es el protagonista me ha parecido de lo más adorable e inocente y lo he amado totalmente🥰💛; Penny me ha parecido justamente la clase de chica que se cree "el ombligo del mundo" siendo que NO lo es🙄 y no la he odiado pero definitivamente tampoco la he amado; Will, Luke y Maggie, me han parecido súper monos, buena onda, guay, cool, tanto en su forma de ser como en su forma de tratar y conectarse con River☺️❣️; Daphne ha sido no sé si mi personaje "favorita", pero me ha gustado bastante su manera de ser y actuar para con River y el cómo va adquiriendo relevancia en la trama💗; La madre y el padrastro de River me han parecido súper buenos padres y también los he amado, sobre todo al padrastro por sus buenos consejos❤️; Nat (hermana menor de River) no es muy importante pero es de lo más adorable y tierna🥰🥰🥰 es un encanto de hermanita menor.
Y bueno, en fin, sólo puedo decir que me ha gustado bastante la historia, se me ha hecho muy ameno leer a la autora y entretenido conocer esta historia de River Dean-Marks, así que sin duda alguna lo puntúo con 4.0/5.0⭐️. Y lo dejo más que recomendado🤗.
August 28, 2016
I received this book for review from Bloomsbury publishing.
Aww...this book was just so cute. I fell in love with River Dean! He was just so true and honest...well not exactly honest as he got himself in a right pickle let's just say.
At first when I saw the book in my hands I wasn't totally sure it would be my type of thing. However I love contemporary and I love YA books whatever the story so I thought I'd give this one a go! Turns out I was flipping the pages over and over like there was no tomorrow. I even read it on my lunch break...there may be some salad stains on the pages as I got a little too excited and burst out laughing at one point with a mouth full of lettuce! My co-workers didn't seem all that impressed but they weren't the ones reading it.
Tell Us Something True by Dana Reinhardt is such a wonderful story of a teenage boy called River who gets dumped - more like having his heart torn out - by his very pretty girlfriend, Penny. I wasn't sure about reading a book from teenage boy's point of view as its never something I've read before...but it turns out that I adored River's narration as his character was so funny!
River sets down a dark tunnel after he's been dumped and starts walking home from Echo Park Lake which is a million miles from home, until suddenly he gets stopped by a sign.
HERE
THIS
NOW
A Second Chance.
River stumbles into a support group for young adults with addictions. Whether those addictions are drugs, eating disorders or stealing, River finds himself sitting down and introducing himself to the group for some support. For some reason, River thinks it's a good idea to compare Penny to drugs. He claims he has a drug addiction to the group, comparing his hurt feelings over Penny to those of a drug addict.
After meeting some lovely people at the meeting, River Dean becomes a liar. He lies to Penny, his friends and even his parents. But what Rover doesn't know is that lies catch up to you. And that's exactly what happens.
I loved all of the characters, even the side characters which I was a bit disappointed we didn't get to learn more about them. But I adored Daphne! She was my favourite character.
I won't say anymore for those of you who haven't read this delightful book. But overall I give it three stars for a nice quick read that made me laugh and uplifted my spirits.
Holly
Aww...this book was just so cute. I fell in love with River Dean! He was just so true and honest...well not exactly honest as he got himself in a right pickle let's just say.
At first when I saw the book in my hands I wasn't totally sure it would be my type of thing. However I love contemporary and I love YA books whatever the story so I thought I'd give this one a go! Turns out I was flipping the pages over and over like there was no tomorrow. I even read it on my lunch break...there may be some salad stains on the pages as I got a little too excited and burst out laughing at one point with a mouth full of lettuce! My co-workers didn't seem all that impressed but they weren't the ones reading it.
Tell Us Something True by Dana Reinhardt is such a wonderful story of a teenage boy called River who gets dumped - more like having his heart torn out - by his very pretty girlfriend, Penny. I wasn't sure about reading a book from teenage boy's point of view as its never something I've read before...but it turns out that I adored River's narration as his character was so funny!
River sets down a dark tunnel after he's been dumped and starts walking home from Echo Park Lake which is a million miles from home, until suddenly he gets stopped by a sign.
HERE
THIS
NOW
A Second Chance.
River stumbles into a support group for young adults with addictions. Whether those addictions are drugs, eating disorders or stealing, River finds himself sitting down and introducing himself to the group for some support. For some reason, River thinks it's a good idea to compare Penny to drugs. He claims he has a drug addiction to the group, comparing his hurt feelings over Penny to those of a drug addict.
After meeting some lovely people at the meeting, River Dean becomes a liar. He lies to Penny, his friends and even his parents. But what Rover doesn't know is that lies catch up to you. And that's exactly what happens.
I loved all of the characters, even the side characters which I was a bit disappointed we didn't get to learn more about them. But I adored Daphne! She was my favourite character.
I won't say anymore for those of you who haven't read this delightful book. But overall I give it three stars for a nice quick read that made me laugh and uplifted my spirits.
Holly
June 30, 2018
4/5 stars
The book starts off with our main protag, River, being stranded on a boat by his newly minted 'ex-girlfriend' Penny, who, very bitchily, climbed up on another boat and left him alone. Poor River really should've known that that was the end to their relationship. But he was determined to pursue Penny no matter what and persuade her to be with him again. That totally backfires. Anyhoo after the ordeal, River stumbles upon our other main character, Daphne, who he eventually falls in love with but also feeds lies to, including the support group for recovering alcoholics. The story spirals out of control and then the conclusion mends it all together; not 'happily ever after' way but in a more realistic way.
I really loved the story, all the characters, the sweet housekeeper, and the stupidity of River. Being somewhat of a white-liar myself, I tend to over-analyze my lies and make lies out of lies as well, which is absolutely horrifying and no one should ever do. So it felt great reading about his web of lies and how he came out of them. I also loved how it kept me hooked until the end. I read it like a month back or so and I'm stumped to find that I haven't rated nor reviewed it yet.
In conclusion, I enjoyed this book a lot.
song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVUq8...
The book starts off with our main protag, River, being stranded on a boat by his newly minted 'ex-girlfriend' Penny, who, very bitchily, climbed up on another boat and left him alone. Poor River really should've known that that was the end to their relationship. But he was determined to pursue Penny no matter what and persuade her to be with him again. That totally backfires. Anyhoo after the ordeal, River stumbles upon our other main character, Daphne, who he eventually falls in love with but also feeds lies to, including the support group for recovering alcoholics. The story spirals out of control and then the conclusion mends it all together; not 'happily ever after' way but in a more realistic way.
I really loved the story, all the characters, the sweet housekeeper, and the stupidity of River. Being somewhat of a white-liar myself, I tend to over-analyze my lies and make lies out of lies as well, which is absolutely horrifying and no one should ever do. So it felt great reading about his web of lies and how he came out of them. I also loved how it kept me hooked until the end. I read it like a month back or so and I'm stumped to find that I haven't rated nor reviewed it yet.
In conclusion, I enjoyed this book a lot.
song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pVUq8...
April 15, 2021
I picked Tell Us Something True from the library on a whim and DID NOT expect to fly through it as quickly as I did. I'm in the middle of reading five books and writing two manuscripts and I abandoned all just to read this and I must say: I DO NOT REGRET IT!
River is a non-driving, co-dependent, liar, stalker and did I say, liar? that I would love to befriend if only he lived near me.
The story was short, to the point, every single scene in the book was pretty much perfect and added to the plot.
I loved Daphne, not only because she's a person of colour (Mexican) and is a well-written character but because she was good for River. She changed him for the better, I think.
The reason I gave it a 3/5 despite it's damn near perfection is because I felt...nothing. I felt for the characters, yes, some of them, but it didn't HIT ME IN THE FEELS, which is okay, not all books do.
Also, I felt that a lot of the characters sounded the same. River's eight year old sister sounded like Maggie, who sounded like Penny who sounded like Mason.
But this is a great read! I recommend!
River is a non-driving, co-dependent, liar, stalker and did I say, liar? that I would love to befriend if only he lived near me.
The story was short, to the point, every single scene in the book was pretty much perfect and added to the plot.
I loved Daphne, not only because she's a person of colour (Mexican) and is a well-written character but because she was good for River. She changed him for the better, I think.
The reason I gave it a 3/5 despite it's damn near perfection is because I felt...nothing. I felt for the characters, yes, some of them, but it didn't HIT ME IN THE FEELS, which is okay, not all books do.
Also, I felt that a lot of the characters sounded the same. River's eight year old sister sounded like Maggie, who sounded like Penny who sounded like Mason.
But this is a great read! I recommend!
March 28, 2021
Este libro no es perfecto, es mejor que perfecto, es bueno.
Ameeeeeeee demasiado.
River es un chico espetacular, amo el desarrollo que tiene durante el libro. Amo que escuche y que a pesar de que no fue del todo sincero, prestaba atención a la sinceridad de los demás y buscaba ayudarlos.
A pesar de todo lo que conocemos a River debido a que es el protagonista, y de todo lo que lo amo. Mi personaje favorito fue Daphne, me encantaría saber más de ella, amo porque es una chica fuerte, porque me identifico en muchas cosas con ella, porque ella quiere salir adelante y no quiere depender de nadie para lograrlo. sin embargo, sabe que necesita ayuda y la recibe con gusto.
En el último capítulo llore como loca porque no quería que fuera el final, Depronto en un mundo paralelo ellos me lean a mi y deseamos con todas las fuerzas volvernos a encontrar. Porque algo de mi conecto con algo de ellos.
Ameeeeeeee demasiado.
River es un chico espetacular, amo el desarrollo que tiene durante el libro. Amo que escuche y que a pesar de que no fue del todo sincero, prestaba atención a la sinceridad de los demás y buscaba ayudarlos.
A pesar de todo lo que conocemos a River debido a que es el protagonista, y de todo lo que lo amo. Mi personaje favorito fue Daphne, me encantaría saber más de ella, amo porque es una chica fuerte, porque me identifico en muchas cosas con ella, porque ella quiere salir adelante y no quiere depender de nadie para lograrlo. sin embargo, sabe que necesita ayuda y la recibe con gusto.
En el último capítulo llore como loca porque no quería que fuera el final, Depronto en un mundo paralelo ellos me lean a mi y deseamos con todas las fuerzas volvernos a encontrar. Porque algo de mi conecto con algo de ellos.
August 16, 2016
*** 4 STARS ***
Okay so I really really liked this, flew through it and read it in one sitting (in +/- 4 hours or sth).
Loved the story, loved the characters, loved River's character development,...
Overall I'm very feeling satisfied with the book.
The only thing I wasn't too keen on was the fact that River fell in love and used the L-word way too quickly.
It wasn't insta-love at first sight but it was love at 3rd sight and he said "I love you" after like a week of dating or sth and I mean...that's cringe.
But apart from that I really did enjoy this book and it's content. Very easy to read!
Okay so I really really liked this, flew through it and read it in one sitting (in +/- 4 hours or sth).
Loved the story, loved the characters, loved River's character development,...
Overall I'm very feeling satisfied with the book.
The only thing I wasn't too keen on was the fact that River fell in love and used the L-word way too quickly.
It wasn't insta-love at first sight but it was love at 3rd sight and he said "I love you" after like a week of dating or sth and I mean...that's cringe.
But apart from that I really did enjoy this book and it's content. Very easy to read!
November 5, 2017
"Dinos la verdad" es una historia bonita y tierna, con muchos personajes a los que cogeremos mucho cariño. Con un argumento muy original, entretenido e interesante, os lo recomiendo.
Reseña completa: http://obsesionporlalectura.blogspot....
Reseña completa: http://obsesionporlalectura.blogspot....
June 15, 2016
"no more manipulation of the truth"
OH. MY. GOD. I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK.
full review soon♡
OH. MY. GOD. I LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK.
full review soon♡
July 18, 2017
River was more of a selfish dickhead than the relatable teenager that everyone seems to be praising. I'm confused what was meant to be so charming about this story.
August 13, 2022
Spodziewałam się czegoś lepszego. Wiele czytałam takich historii. Fajnie napisana, krótkie rozdziały więc to na plus. Główny bohater nie przypadł mi do gustu totalnie. Tak naprawdę żaden bohater nie wzbudził we mnie sympatii;(
August 31, 2024
Very good book
September 17, 2018
Esperaba bastante más de este libro, la sinopsis prometía un complicado enredo debido a una pequeña mentira que se va haciendo más y más grande. Y no es que eso no ocurra, es simplemente que la manera es bastante absurda y sin un trasfondo emocional decente.
River es un adolescente con problemas que no sabe que los tiene y se refugia en lamerle el c*l* a la chica que le gusta y hacer todo lo que ella ordene y mande, hasta que de buenas a primeras le manda a tomar viento fresco (no es spoiler, pasa en el primer capítulo y lo dice el argumento). Chica lista, yo tampoco querría estar con alguien sin personalidad.
La gracia de 'Dinos la verdad' es el "club" Una Segunda Oportunidad, donde jóvenes con problemas de verdad se escuchan y ayudan unos a otros. Y, por obra y gracia del destino el 'oh, mi novia me ha dejado' termina ahí contando sus penas, sus penas falsas claro, ya que su único problema es, como ya he dicho, su falta de personalidad y su facilidad para decir y vivir en una mentira constante.
A parte de River hay otros personajes muy buenos que pasan sin pena ni gloria, claro que en apenas 200 páginas tampoco se puede pedir mucho y se centra en el típico triángulo amoroso. Predecible a más no poder. Doy gracias por el personaje de Natalie, esa niña es lo mejor del libro.
Otra cosa que no me ha gustado es la separación de clases y el poder del dinero, porque si pretende ser una reivindicación yo no la he visto por ninguna parte.
La única razón porque le doy dos estrellas en vez de una es porque el final es coherente.
River es un adolescente con problemas que no sabe que los tiene y se refugia en lamerle el c*l* a la chica que le gusta y hacer todo lo que ella ordene y mande, hasta que de buenas a primeras le manda a tomar viento fresco (no es spoiler, pasa en el primer capítulo y lo dice el argumento). Chica lista, yo tampoco querría estar con alguien sin personalidad.
La gracia de 'Dinos la verdad' es el "club" Una Segunda Oportunidad, donde jóvenes con problemas de verdad se escuchan y ayudan unos a otros. Y, por obra y gracia del destino el 'oh, mi novia me ha dejado' termina ahí contando sus penas, sus penas falsas claro, ya que su único problema es, como ya he dicho, su falta de personalidad y su facilidad para decir y vivir en una mentira constante.
A parte de River hay otros personajes muy buenos que pasan sin pena ni gloria, claro que en apenas 200 páginas tampoco se puede pedir mucho y se centra en el típico triángulo amoroso. Predecible a más no poder. Doy gracias por el personaje de Natalie, esa niña es lo mejor del libro.
Otra cosa que no me ha gustado es la separación de clases y el poder del dinero, porque si pretende ser una reivindicación yo no la he visto por ninguna parte.
La única razón porque le doy dos estrellas en vez de una es porque el final es coherente.
November 9, 2017
Reseña completa en: http://elcaosliterario.blogspot.com.e...
La trama de la ruptura con su novia es el centro sobre el que gira la historia. Me sorprendió que la autora no explotase más los momentos de humor que podría desencadenar el hecho de acudir a terapia sin tener ninguna adicción, sin embargo, esto no tiene tanto peso en la historia.
La pluma de la autora es muy directa y sencilla así como muy ágil en su forma de narrar, en parte es lógico teniendo en cuenta que apenas supera las 200 páginas.
Si algo se puede destacar de River, el personaje principal, es su sentido del humor e ironía además de su inmadurez. Necesita constantemente la ayuda de los demás para cualquier tipo de decisión que toma y no asume los cambios en su vida como algo natural. Por ejemplo, algo que no me gustó nada de la historia fue la actitud de River después de que la novia lo deje. Se plantó en su casa en varias ocasiones y su actitud era obsesiva porque no aceptaba la ruptura ni dejaba tiempo y espacio para que ambos reflexionasen.
En resumen: humor e ironía a raudales en un libro para pasar el rato con una historia fresca y sencilla que no aspira a mucho más. Cumple con el objetivo aunque no destaca. Recomendado entre lecturas densas.
La trama de la ruptura con su novia es el centro sobre el que gira la historia. Me sorprendió que la autora no explotase más los momentos de humor que podría desencadenar el hecho de acudir a terapia sin tener ninguna adicción, sin embargo, esto no tiene tanto peso en la historia.
La pluma de la autora es muy directa y sencilla así como muy ágil en su forma de narrar, en parte es lógico teniendo en cuenta que apenas supera las 200 páginas.
Si algo se puede destacar de River, el personaje principal, es su sentido del humor e ironía además de su inmadurez. Necesita constantemente la ayuda de los demás para cualquier tipo de decisión que toma y no asume los cambios en su vida como algo natural. Por ejemplo, algo que no me gustó nada de la historia fue la actitud de River después de que la novia lo deje. Se plantó en su casa en varias ocasiones y su actitud era obsesiva porque no aceptaba la ruptura ni dejaba tiempo y espacio para que ambos reflexionasen.
En resumen: humor e ironía a raudales en un libro para pasar el rato con una historia fresca y sencilla que no aspira a mucho más. Cumple con el objetivo aunque no destaca. Recomendado entre lecturas densas.
May 9, 2016
Actual rating: 4.5/5 stars
Wow.. What an enthralling story. It's unlike anything I've ever read before! This book reminded me of All The Bright Places with their quirky characters and unique interactions. Everything just weaves through flawlessly and it all feels so real. I loved River so much and it's scary how much I can relate to him! I got myself to doggy ear the pages of the book because I simply adore the quotes in it (and I NEVER doggy ear my books - ever!). The author blurbs speak the truth, you guys. It's a very short book but so much happens in a span of 180+ pages.
You know what they say, "it's bigger on the inside." And trust me, it sure is.
Highly recommended!
Wow.. What an enthralling story. It's unlike anything I've ever read before! This book reminded me of All The Bright Places with their quirky characters and unique interactions. Everything just weaves through flawlessly and it all feels so real. I loved River so much and it's scary how much I can relate to him! I got myself to doggy ear the pages of the book because I simply adore the quotes in it (and I NEVER doggy ear my books - ever!). The author blurbs speak the truth, you guys. It's a very short book but so much happens in a span of 180+ pages.
You know what they say, "it's bigger on the inside." And trust me, it sure is.
Highly recommended!
September 18, 2016
Like a breath of fresh air.
August 9, 2016
When River’s girlfriend, Penny, dumps him on what should be a romantic pedal boat ride, River is at a loss. Over the past two years, Penny has become his whole world. He hasn’t bothered to make new friends or even check in regularly with his old ones, and he doesn’t have much else going on in his life. In Penny’s words:
"You don’t reflect. You don’t think about things. You just follow along and do what you think you’re supposed to. You don’t event try to understand yourself and your issues…"
River hasn’t even bothered to get his licence because Penny drives him everywhere (they live in L.A., and, apparently, ‘most kids who grow up in L.A. start dreaming of driving as soon as they’re old enough to dream’).
On the 10.2-mile walk home from the break-up, River stumbles upon a teen support group. He takes this as a Sign, and even though he doesn’t have a drug problem, or an eating disorder or a compulsion to shoplift like the other members of the group, he could use some support. So he invents a not-very-convincing marijuana addiction. When he starts to fall for Daphne, one of the girls in the group, he finds himself building lie upon lie when all he really wants is to tell the truth. However, River’s been lying to himself for longer than he realises, and maybe finding a new girlfriend is just another way of focusing on someone else when he should be taking some time for himself.
Tell Us Something True (Rock the Boat, Jul. 2016) is warm and witty coming-of-age story about love, lies and what happens when the two get tangled up.
I’ve read many a glowing review of Dana Reinhardt’s work, and I’m ashamed to admit that Tell Us Something True is the first of her books that I’ve had the pleasure of reading. And it was a pleasure indeed.
I was giggling from the first page. Initially, River is such a yes-man, so completely comfortable with Penny—too comfortable to put any real effort into their relationship—and has such an ingrained sense of entitlement, you kinda want to give Penny a high-five for dumping him. Without her, he’s utterly helpless, and his attempts to win her back are so cringe-worthy you can’t help but laugh. Same goes for when all the lies he tells begin to unravel. You don’t feel bad because he brings his ill-fortune on himself. He’s the kind of guy who’s so absorbed in his relatively minor dramas, as to be blind to the much larger problems faced by those around him, and a big part of the story is about him recognising his privilege and gaining some much-needed perspective. However, I appreciated that he’s not just the cliche cis, white, upper-middle class dude without a clue. As the story progresses, the reader learns that River’s childhood wasn’t ideal and goes a long way to explaining why he’s so affected by a high school break-up and dead set on finding a new girlfriend.
I found this rather clever. In the early parts of the story, Reinhardt lets the reader imagine River as a neat stereotype and to enjoy a laugh at his expense. And we feel okay about it because he is uber-privileged and entitled and his problems seem relatively minor. But then she slowly begins to turn the tables. The reader starts to see that while River has a whole lot of advantages, it’s because of these advantages that he feels he’s not allowed to be upset or admit that he’s affected by what happened when he was younger. So he channels that emotion into his break-up, which people expect him to take badly. In this way, Reinhardt demonstrates that, while it’s important to recognise privilege, it’s equally important that we don’t use it to devalue people’s experiences. Bonus points to Reinhardt for managing to get the reader thinking about this without using a sledgehammer to drive home her point.
The other thing that had me fist pumping throughout Tell Us Something True is that Reinhardt rejects the ideas that love and happily ever after are inextricably linked, that love is the magic remedy to all life’s problems and having a crush on someone and being in love are one and the same. Reinhardt’s certainly not the first YA author to resist these ideas. Indeed, it seems to be something of a trend in this the so-called golden age of YA. In John Green’s Looking for Alaska, there’s that awful, heart-wrenching scene (that I still can’t read without misting up) when Pudge eventually realises that he never loved Alaska because he never really knew her, and in believing he loved her, he failed her as a friend. In Eleanor and Park Rainbow Rowell gives readers the most incredible love story, but also shows that love won’t magic away all the other problems in Eleanor’s life. It may not even survive them. Even Emery Lord’s When We Collided (which I found somewhat sappy and underwhelming) rejects the idea that love should be the ultimate goal. However, while Reinhardt may not be breaking new ground with her anti-love story, I was pleased to see her furthering the trend. Because when I was a teenager, the message was very different: prove yourself by completing the coming-of-age arc and be rewarded with the Object of Your Affections. Admittedly, I didn’t read a lot of YA as a teenager, but I did watch a lot of teen films, and the bulk of them championed this idea: Clueless, Can’t Hardly Wait, Ten Things I Hate About You, She’s All That, Never Been Kissed, Bring It On, etc. Even Mean Girls, which is one of my all-time favourite films—so fetch—and progressive on many levels, follows suit. Once Kady proves she’s no longer a ‘mean girl’ she’s rewarded with the title of Spring Fling Queen and a slow dance and a kiss from the boy of her dreams. Watching those films as a kid, it would have been easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if I didn’t get the guy, I was doing something wrong or that I hadn’t done enough to prove myself. While I don’t advocate eliminating these kinds of stories (they have other things to offer), I’m pleased that there’s an increasing number of authors challenging the status quo.
It’s an unwritten rule that contemporary YA should end hopefully, if not happily, ever after. But I often wish it would venture into darker territory before it got there, and if I have one criticism of Tell Us Something True, it’s that the plot is a tad predictable and safe. After reading the blurb, I felt I knew exactly where the story was going, and there weren’t many surprises. It’s a criticism that holds true for a lot of contemporary YA. Like every other novel in the genre that’s been released since Looking for Alaska, Tell Us Something True is being publicised as ‘for fans of John Green’. I can see the connection. Reinhardt’s prose is heightened and witty and clever; her characters and their relationships are complex and well-rounded; her story explores timely themes and issues without patronising the reader. But I never worried that something truly awful would befall one of the characters, or considered that some of them would not be okay in the end. In fact, the worst possible outcome for River is that he’ll be caught in a lie and lose his chance with Daphne, who he’s only known for a few months. Big whoop. I never feel that safe reading John Green. Indeed, the reason Looking for Alaska remains one of my favourite YA reads is that Green puts Pudge and his friends in a truly awful position. They mess up in smallish ways, the way most of us do, but the consequences are disproportionate and unforeseeable, and there’s no way to fix their mistakes. Instead, they have to accept what happened, own their part in it and find a way forwards. The other reason I love LFA is that, while Pudge could act to prevent the major crisis, he doesn’t, and Green makes it deliberately ambiguous as to whether his actions would have hold any weight in any case. Ultimately, his life is turned upside down in small part by his inaction, but mostly as a consequence of someone else’s actions and he’s left to deal with the consequences. Whereas, in Tell Us Something True (and plenty of other contemporary YA titles), all the key turning points are a direct result of the protagonist’s actions. It works fine in terms of the story, but it’s not particularly realistic, and it means River is the only character with real agency; everyone else is just reacting to him.
On the whole, though, Tell Us Something True is a smart and funny read, perfect for days when you need a little cheering up.
Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy of Tell Us Something True in exchange for an honest review.
For more bookish bits, head on over to Lectito, or get the latest Lectito reviews delivered to your inbox.
"You don’t reflect. You don’t think about things. You just follow along and do what you think you’re supposed to. You don’t event try to understand yourself and your issues…"
River hasn’t even bothered to get his licence because Penny drives him everywhere (they live in L.A., and, apparently, ‘most kids who grow up in L.A. start dreaming of driving as soon as they’re old enough to dream’).
On the 10.2-mile walk home from the break-up, River stumbles upon a teen support group. He takes this as a Sign, and even though he doesn’t have a drug problem, or an eating disorder or a compulsion to shoplift like the other members of the group, he could use some support. So he invents a not-very-convincing marijuana addiction. When he starts to fall for Daphne, one of the girls in the group, he finds himself building lie upon lie when all he really wants is to tell the truth. However, River’s been lying to himself for longer than he realises, and maybe finding a new girlfriend is just another way of focusing on someone else when he should be taking some time for himself.
Tell Us Something True (Rock the Boat, Jul. 2016) is warm and witty coming-of-age story about love, lies and what happens when the two get tangled up.
I’ve read many a glowing review of Dana Reinhardt’s work, and I’m ashamed to admit that Tell Us Something True is the first of her books that I’ve had the pleasure of reading. And it was a pleasure indeed.
I was giggling from the first page. Initially, River is such a yes-man, so completely comfortable with Penny—too comfortable to put any real effort into their relationship—and has such an ingrained sense of entitlement, you kinda want to give Penny a high-five for dumping him. Without her, he’s utterly helpless, and his attempts to win her back are so cringe-worthy you can’t help but laugh. Same goes for when all the lies he tells begin to unravel. You don’t feel bad because he brings his ill-fortune on himself. He’s the kind of guy who’s so absorbed in his relatively minor dramas, as to be blind to the much larger problems faced by those around him, and a big part of the story is about him recognising his privilege and gaining some much-needed perspective. However, I appreciated that he’s not just the cliche cis, white, upper-middle class dude without a clue. As the story progresses, the reader learns that River’s childhood wasn’t ideal and goes a long way to explaining why he’s so affected by a high school break-up and dead set on finding a new girlfriend.
I found this rather clever. In the early parts of the story, Reinhardt lets the reader imagine River as a neat stereotype and to enjoy a laugh at his expense. And we feel okay about it because he is uber-privileged and entitled and his problems seem relatively minor. But then she slowly begins to turn the tables. The reader starts to see that while River has a whole lot of advantages, it’s because of these advantages that he feels he’s not allowed to be upset or admit that he’s affected by what happened when he was younger. So he channels that emotion into his break-up, which people expect him to take badly. In this way, Reinhardt demonstrates that, while it’s important to recognise privilege, it’s equally important that we don’t use it to devalue people’s experiences. Bonus points to Reinhardt for managing to get the reader thinking about this without using a sledgehammer to drive home her point.
The other thing that had me fist pumping throughout Tell Us Something True is that Reinhardt rejects the ideas that love and happily ever after are inextricably linked, that love is the magic remedy to all life’s problems and having a crush on someone and being in love are one and the same. Reinhardt’s certainly not the first YA author to resist these ideas. Indeed, it seems to be something of a trend in this the so-called golden age of YA. In John Green’s Looking for Alaska, there’s that awful, heart-wrenching scene (that I still can’t read without misting up) when Pudge eventually realises that he never loved Alaska because he never really knew her, and in believing he loved her, he failed her as a friend. In Eleanor and Park Rainbow Rowell gives readers the most incredible love story, but also shows that love won’t magic away all the other problems in Eleanor’s life. It may not even survive them. Even Emery Lord’s When We Collided (which I found somewhat sappy and underwhelming) rejects the idea that love should be the ultimate goal. However, while Reinhardt may not be breaking new ground with her anti-love story, I was pleased to see her furthering the trend. Because when I was a teenager, the message was very different: prove yourself by completing the coming-of-age arc and be rewarded with the Object of Your Affections. Admittedly, I didn’t read a lot of YA as a teenager, but I did watch a lot of teen films, and the bulk of them championed this idea: Clueless, Can’t Hardly Wait, Ten Things I Hate About You, She’s All That, Never Been Kissed, Bring It On, etc. Even Mean Girls, which is one of my all-time favourite films—so fetch—and progressive on many levels, follows suit. Once Kady proves she’s no longer a ‘mean girl’ she’s rewarded with the title of Spring Fling Queen and a slow dance and a kiss from the boy of her dreams. Watching those films as a kid, it would have been easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if I didn’t get the guy, I was doing something wrong or that I hadn’t done enough to prove myself. While I don’t advocate eliminating these kinds of stories (they have other things to offer), I’m pleased that there’s an increasing number of authors challenging the status quo.
It’s an unwritten rule that contemporary YA should end hopefully, if not happily, ever after. But I often wish it would venture into darker territory before it got there, and if I have one criticism of Tell Us Something True, it’s that the plot is a tad predictable and safe. After reading the blurb, I felt I knew exactly where the story was going, and there weren’t many surprises. It’s a criticism that holds true for a lot of contemporary YA. Like every other novel in the genre that’s been released since Looking for Alaska, Tell Us Something True is being publicised as ‘for fans of John Green’. I can see the connection. Reinhardt’s prose is heightened and witty and clever; her characters and their relationships are complex and well-rounded; her story explores timely themes and issues without patronising the reader. But I never worried that something truly awful would befall one of the characters, or considered that some of them would not be okay in the end. In fact, the worst possible outcome for River is that he’ll be caught in a lie and lose his chance with Daphne, who he’s only known for a few months. Big whoop. I never feel that safe reading John Green. Indeed, the reason Looking for Alaska remains one of my favourite YA reads is that Green puts Pudge and his friends in a truly awful position. They mess up in smallish ways, the way most of us do, but the consequences are disproportionate and unforeseeable, and there’s no way to fix their mistakes. Instead, they have to accept what happened, own their part in it and find a way forwards. The other reason I love LFA is that, while Pudge could act to prevent the major crisis, he doesn’t, and Green makes it deliberately ambiguous as to whether his actions would have hold any weight in any case. Ultimately, his life is turned upside down in small part by his inaction, but mostly as a consequence of someone else’s actions and he’s left to deal with the consequences. Whereas, in Tell Us Something True (and plenty of other contemporary YA titles), all the key turning points are a direct result of the protagonist’s actions. It works fine in terms of the story, but it’s not particularly realistic, and it means River is the only character with real agency; everyone else is just reacting to him.
On the whole, though, Tell Us Something True is a smart and funny read, perfect for days when you need a little cheering up.
Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy of Tell Us Something True in exchange for an honest review.
For more bookish bits, head on over to Lectito, or get the latest Lectito reviews delivered to your inbox.
March 20, 2018
A volte quando ci troviamo in un momento di difficoltà, dove tutto ci sembra senza speranza e non vediamo via d’uscita, non ci aspettiamo che da un istante all’altro tutto possa cambiare portandoci in nuove direzioni.
River è un ragazzo di diciassette anni, vive a Los Angeles e frequenta l’ultimo anno di liceo. Suo padre lo ha abbandonato quando era piccolo, sua madre si è rifatta una nuova vita con Leonard e ha una sorellina, Natalie. Da quando ha quindici anni è innamorato e sta insieme a Penny. Anzi, diciamo che è letteralmente partito per lei, praticamente esiste solo Penny, tanto che si è anche allontanato dai suoi migliori amici. Ma a lui questo non sembra importare, la cosa che più lo fa stare meglio è stare con lei.
Lei è una ragazza dal carattere particolare, un po’ snob, tanto che agli amici di River non è simpatica, e anche questo ha contribuito all’allontanamento.
Un giorno, mentre sono usciti per passare del tempo insieme, Penny molla River dicendogli che lo fa perché lui è un ragazzo che non riflette sulle cose e perché lei crede di meritare di più.
Avevo il corpo congelato e la testa in fiamme. Un po’ come un supereroe sbandato con degli inutili poteri di autolesionismo.
Immaginate ora River, dopo aver messo per anni al centro della sua vita solo Penny, come possa sentirsi. Vagando senza meta, si trova per caso davanti a un’insegna con la scritta: CLUB DELLE SECONDE OCCASIONI. Sarà un caso? Fatto sta che decide di entrare. Avrà fatto la scelta giusta? La cosa che ignora è che da quel momento tutto cambia, ogni cosa che prima era normalità da quell’istante non sarà più tale.
Tesi la mano a sfiorarle la spalla, ma mi fermai un attimo prima, esitando. Avrei voluto passargliela fra i capelli, appoggiarla sulla nuca e stringere quei ricci nel pugno.
Ovviamente non vi racconto cosa succede, sarà divertente leggere di ciò che avverrà, quindi, perché rovinare tutto?
Volevo più tempo. Volevo che le cose rallentassero. Che rallentassero così tanto da tornare indietro per cancellare il disastro che avevo combinato.
Incontriamo anche altri personaggi, simpatici e meno, ognuno ben caratterizzato e con un ruolo ben definito all’interno del racconto.
La lettura di questo libro è avvenuta per caso, sono rimasta colpita dalla copertina, trovandola semplice, ma allo stesso tempo anche d’impatto. Sono contenta di averlo scelto, ho passato delle ore ridendo, divertendomi e anche riflettendo su aspetti più profondi. Complimenti all’autrice perché è riuscita a equilibrare ogni cosa. Consiglio la lettura di questo libro, spero che lasci delle sensazioni positive come è successo a me a chi sceglierà di farlo. Buona lettura, a presto.
Anna M.
River è un ragazzo di diciassette anni, vive a Los Angeles e frequenta l’ultimo anno di liceo. Suo padre lo ha abbandonato quando era piccolo, sua madre si è rifatta una nuova vita con Leonard e ha una sorellina, Natalie. Da quando ha quindici anni è innamorato e sta insieme a Penny. Anzi, diciamo che è letteralmente partito per lei, praticamente esiste solo Penny, tanto che si è anche allontanato dai suoi migliori amici. Ma a lui questo non sembra importare, la cosa che più lo fa stare meglio è stare con lei.
Lei è una ragazza dal carattere particolare, un po’ snob, tanto che agli amici di River non è simpatica, e anche questo ha contribuito all’allontanamento.
Un giorno, mentre sono usciti per passare del tempo insieme, Penny molla River dicendogli che lo fa perché lui è un ragazzo che non riflette sulle cose e perché lei crede di meritare di più.
Avevo il corpo congelato e la testa in fiamme. Un po’ come un supereroe sbandato con degli inutili poteri di autolesionismo.
Immaginate ora River, dopo aver messo per anni al centro della sua vita solo Penny, come possa sentirsi. Vagando senza meta, si trova per caso davanti a un’insegna con la scritta: CLUB DELLE SECONDE OCCASIONI. Sarà un caso? Fatto sta che decide di entrare. Avrà fatto la scelta giusta? La cosa che ignora è che da quel momento tutto cambia, ogni cosa che prima era normalità da quell’istante non sarà più tale.
Tesi la mano a sfiorarle la spalla, ma mi fermai un attimo prima, esitando. Avrei voluto passargliela fra i capelli, appoggiarla sulla nuca e stringere quei ricci nel pugno.
Ovviamente non vi racconto cosa succede, sarà divertente leggere di ciò che avverrà, quindi, perché rovinare tutto?
Volevo più tempo. Volevo che le cose rallentassero. Che rallentassero così tanto da tornare indietro per cancellare il disastro che avevo combinato.
Incontriamo anche altri personaggi, simpatici e meno, ognuno ben caratterizzato e con un ruolo ben definito all’interno del racconto.
La lettura di questo libro è avvenuta per caso, sono rimasta colpita dalla copertina, trovandola semplice, ma allo stesso tempo anche d’impatto. Sono contenta di averlo scelto, ho passato delle ore ridendo, divertendomi e anche riflettendo su aspetti più profondi. Complimenti all’autrice perché è riuscita a equilibrare ogni cosa. Consiglio la lettura di questo libro, spero che lasci delle sensazioni positive come è successo a me a chi sceglierà di farlo. Buona lettura, a presto.
Anna M.
November 15, 2017
Anmeldt af Cecilies på bookeater.dk:
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River er kæreste med Penny og han er så forelsket, at det føles som om verdenen ikke ville kunne eksistere ude hende.
Men midt på en sø i Echo park i en båd slår Penny op og
Rivers verden bryder sammen.
River vil gøre alt for at få Penny tilbage.
På vej hjem alene, støder han på et hus med et skilt hvor der står en ny chance, det viser sig at være en terapi gruppe for unge med problemer. River går med og midt i sin hjerte sorg får han rodet sig ud i en historie om at han er hash misbruger for at passe ind i gruppen. Her møder han Daphne, en pige der stjæler.
Snart har River rodet sig ud i et spin af løgne for at opretholde facaden over for sine venner, gruppen og sine forældre.
Og så er der planen om at vinde Pennys hjerte tilbage.
River finder snart ud af at alt måske ikke drejer sig om Penny og at pigen Daphne også er meget sød.
Dana Reinhardt har skrevet en sød historie Om at være ung og at være usikker og om kærligheden, som kan være lunefuld og uforudsigelig.
Jeg kan godt lide at forfatteren leger med tilfældighedernes spil. Det klæder historien og giver et fedt twist.
Jeg ville dog gerne have haft noget mere dybde i historien og karakterene, for den har potentiale til at blive en endnu bedre bog.
(http://www.bookeater.dk/vbforum/ungdo...)
Rediger din anmeldelse
River er kæreste med Penny og han er så forelsket, at det føles som om verdenen ikke ville kunne eksistere ude hende.
Men midt på en sø i Echo park i en båd slår Penny op og
Rivers verden bryder sammen.
River vil gøre alt for at få Penny tilbage.
På vej hjem alene, støder han på et hus med et skilt hvor der står en ny chance, det viser sig at være en terapi gruppe for unge med problemer. River går med og midt i sin hjerte sorg får han rodet sig ud i en historie om at han er hash misbruger for at passe ind i gruppen. Her møder han Daphne, en pige der stjæler.
Snart har River rodet sig ud i et spin af løgne for at opretholde facaden over for sine venner, gruppen og sine forældre.
Og så er der planen om at vinde Pennys hjerte tilbage.
River finder snart ud af at alt måske ikke drejer sig om Penny og at pigen Daphne også er meget sød.
Dana Reinhardt har skrevet en sød historie Om at være ung og at være usikker og om kærligheden, som kan være lunefuld og uforudsigelig.
Jeg kan godt lide at forfatteren leger med tilfældighedernes spil. Det klæder historien og giver et fedt twist.
Jeg ville dog gerne have haft noget mere dybde i historien og karakterene, for den har potentiale til at blive en endnu bedre bog.
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