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YA Verse
What If?
Josh Baker isn’t sure why his brain tells him to do things that other people don’t need to do: checking his locker again and again, counting cracks in ceilings, and always needing to finish a song, for starters. He is a talented drummer, a math genius, and he knows everything about rock and roll. Yet, he knows his problems have the power to hurt his family and make him fail at school. When Josh is diagnosed with OCD, it’s a blessing and a curse. Can he overcome his thoughts, or will they break him?
200 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2018
3 people are currently reading
1716 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
December 1, 2018
Josh is a drummer, is good at maths and loves The Beatles. He also needs to count the cracks in the ceiling and perform specific rituals exactly the right way or something really bad will happen. Josh has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and that is why I needed to read this book.
I have a family member with OCD and I was the one that unofficially diagnosed them several years before someone qualified to do so concurred. Besides living with it I’ve spent countless hours researching OCD to try to get into this person’s head, to understand why the light switch has to be turned on and off so many times and why they’ve had a catalogue of obsessions and rituals, some constant and others morphing, over the years.
When I discovered this was a hi-lo book I was initially disappointed as my first hi-lo experience was a let down. I was pleasant surprised by this book though, finding the explanations of what OCD is and how it affects Josh’s everyday life easy to understand and accurate. I really liked Josh’s psychiatrist, who takes a perplexing condition and explains the basics in a down to earth way.
There are descriptions of Josh’s struggles before and after his diagnosis and I appreciated that his treatment was multifaceted. I did feel that Josh’s acceptance of his condition and how quickly he began to learn to manage it wandered into wishful thinking territory but acknowledge that that may be my experience talking.
I thought the information given to Josh about a family member towards the end of the book was obvious from the beginning but again I concede that my experience may account for my “I already knew that” moment. I loved that the other characters accepted Josh and tried to understand what he was going through and that his diagnosis wasn’t the end of the world, resulting instead in learning to manage it and accepting help from others.
I was interested in the characters’ stories but didn’t become emotionally invested with anyone. However I don’t think it’s fair to automatically expect a lifelong bond with characters you meet during such a short book.
While I would have liked the impact of Josh’s diagnosis on his family to be explored further I understood that the length of the book made a deep dive on the issues raised prohibitive. Similarly the impact of the death of another character’s parent was only lightly touched on. I loved the way that music was woven through the story.
I really liked that this book was told in verse; the way it was written made poetry more accessible than anything I came across in high school. Besides its intended purpose as a hi-lo book I think What If? would also be a helpful introduction to OCD for teens who have recently been diagnosed and their family members, regardless of their reading level.
Thank you to NetGalley and West 44 Books for the opportunity to read this book. I would give this book 3.5 stars but am rounding up.
I have a family member with OCD and I was the one that unofficially diagnosed them several years before someone qualified to do so concurred. Besides living with it I’ve spent countless hours researching OCD to try to get into this person’s head, to understand why the light switch has to be turned on and off so many times and why they’ve had a catalogue of obsessions and rituals, some constant and others morphing, over the years.
When I discovered this was a hi-lo book I was initially disappointed as my first hi-lo experience was a let down. I was pleasant surprised by this book though, finding the explanations of what OCD is and how it affects Josh’s everyday life easy to understand and accurate. I really liked Josh’s psychiatrist, who takes a perplexing condition and explains the basics in a down to earth way.
There are descriptions of Josh’s struggles before and after his diagnosis and I appreciated that his treatment was multifaceted. I did feel that Josh’s acceptance of his condition and how quickly he began to learn to manage it wandered into wishful thinking territory but acknowledge that that may be my experience talking.
I thought the information given to Josh about a family member towards the end of the book was obvious from the beginning but again I concede that my experience may account for my “I already knew that” moment. I loved that the other characters accepted Josh and tried to understand what he was going through and that his diagnosis wasn’t the end of the world, resulting instead in learning to manage it and accepting help from others.
I was interested in the characters’ stories but didn’t become emotionally invested with anyone. However I don’t think it’s fair to automatically expect a lifelong bond with characters you meet during such a short book.
While I would have liked the impact of Josh’s diagnosis on his family to be explored further I understood that the length of the book made a deep dive on the issues raised prohibitive. Similarly the impact of the death of another character’s parent was only lightly touched on. I loved the way that music was woven through the story.
I really liked that this book was told in verse; the way it was written made poetry more accessible than anything I came across in high school. Besides its intended purpose as a hi-lo book I think What If? would also be a helpful introduction to OCD for teens who have recently been diagnosed and their family members, regardless of their reading level.
Thank you to NetGalley and West 44 Books for the opportunity to read this book. I would give this book 3.5 stars but am rounding up.
April 24, 2020
| Reader Fox Blog |
What If by Anna Russell is the second bit of poetry fiction that I've read so far this week and I'm finding that I really enjoy this type of storytelling. Poetry collections are nice and all, but they are infinitely more appealing when they follow an actual story and plot. Young Joshua's grades have slipped and his family has moved to a new school where he finds himself stuck at his locker, opening and closing it exactly a hundred times before he can go to his class. He loves playing the drums but must complete a very specific set in order to ensure that nothing bad will happen to his sister.
Following, in a poetry format, the story of a young man as he learns to deal with his obsessive compulsive disorder, the book does an amazing job of capturing what it's like to live with this condition, the effects it has on one's family, and how it can take over one's every day life. I really enjoyed and appreciated the accurate portrayal of OCD as well as the poems in which they were described.
I'll admit, I didn't feel like there was really much plot to the story and it basically just followed a very simplistic, "get your grades up or you'll lose out on all these things" sort of path which, frankly, I have never found wholly interesting. While I do deeply appreciate the availability of a diversification for neuronal states, I never really felt deeply interested in Joshua's friend nor the talent show he wanted to participate in. Those just aren't my kind of books.
All in all, I think this poetry book was well written and a fun, quick read. I definitely think I'll be reading more like this in the future.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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What If by Anna Russell is the second bit of poetry fiction that I've read so far this week and I'm finding that I really enjoy this type of storytelling. Poetry collections are nice and all, but they are infinitely more appealing when they follow an actual story and plot. Young Joshua's grades have slipped and his family has moved to a new school where he finds himself stuck at his locker, opening and closing it exactly a hundred times before he can go to his class. He loves playing the drums but must complete a very specific set in order to ensure that nothing bad will happen to his sister.
Following, in a poetry format, the story of a young man as he learns to deal with his obsessive compulsive disorder, the book does an amazing job of capturing what it's like to live with this condition, the effects it has on one's family, and how it can take over one's every day life. I really enjoyed and appreciated the accurate portrayal of OCD as well as the poems in which they were described.
I'll admit, I didn't feel like there was really much plot to the story and it basically just followed a very simplistic, "get your grades up or you'll lose out on all these things" sort of path which, frankly, I have never found wholly interesting. While I do deeply appreciate the availability of a diversification for neuronal states, I never really felt deeply interested in Joshua's friend nor the talent show he wanted to participate in. Those just aren't my kind of books.
All in all, I think this poetry book was well written and a fun, quick read. I definitely think I'll be reading more like this in the future.
I was provided a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
| Instagram | Twitter | Reader Fox Blog | Bloglovin’ | Facebook |
November 28, 2018
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Josh Baker has OCD, but he doesn't know that. All he knows is when he gets stressed, he starts counting things. And since he just moved because of his school results, and the pressure his dad puts on him, he is very stressed. Thankfully, he has the drums. He loves drumming and is very good at it.
This book is written in verse. I really like books told in verses, especially since I like short books.
In this case, I found I would have liked it better had it been longer. I felt like some things were brushed over and could have been deepened. It would have been really interesting too.
I flew threw this and read it in one sitting, it was enjoyable.
Josh was an interesting and touching character and I liked delving into his relationships to his parents, but also to his sister and his new school friend.
The writing was agreeable.
By the time I finished the book though, I felt like something was missing, like I could have felt more... And that's too damn bad.
Josh Baker has OCD, but he doesn't know that. All he knows is when he gets stressed, he starts counting things. And since he just moved because of his school results, and the pressure his dad puts on him, he is very stressed. Thankfully, he has the drums. He loves drumming and is very good at it.
This book is written in verse. I really like books told in verses, especially since I like short books.
In this case, I found I would have liked it better had it been longer. I felt like some things were brushed over and could have been deepened. It would have been really interesting too.
I flew threw this and read it in one sitting, it was enjoyable.
Josh was an interesting and touching character and I liked delving into his relationships to his parents, but also to his sister and his new school friend.
The writing was agreeable.
By the time I finished the book though, I felt like something was missing, like I could have felt more... And that's too damn bad.
March 19, 2019
Because of how short the book is while also being written in verse I never connected to any of it or the characters enough to care. So it was fine but completely forgettable. Next week I won't remember any of it.
December 21, 2018
Blog Post: https://museofnyxmares.wordpress.com/...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/museofnyxma...
*I was provided with an ARC of this book through NetGalley, in exchange for my honest opinion. All quotes used may be subject to change upon publication.
This is my second YA Verse from West 44 Books, and again I was blown away. I loved this story so much, it was so touching and I really felt for Josh. Yes, this is a 200 page book and it’s written in verse, and so it’s easy to think that it might not have a considerable amount of depth and meaning, and yet, this had both of those things. I adore the simplicity of YA Verse and think that it’s extremely refreshing to just have the most necessary words on the page. It offers such a unique experience in keeping the focus on the main characters and gives a sense of intimacy, as the less words there are, the more exposed the character feels in what we are actually given about them, if that makes sense.
Josh is our main character, and is one of the sweetest souls, he is struggling with his OCD and as a result, how to navigate his everyday life – at home and at school. Josh doesn’t fully understand what’s happening to him when he experiences his OCD symptoms, and so it’s almost impossible for him to try and explain to others how he is feeling. The author did an amazing job though, at making us feel as if we were inside Josh’s head, experiencing his symptoms along with him. The format really emphasizes how Josh is feeling, in a more visual way. For example, when Josh feels overwhelmed by something, the words themselves become very fragmented and scattered on the page, I thought that this was brilliant and just shows the creative freedom that writing in verse allows authors, “Joshua!”he screams. I shake my head. My body
m
o
v
e
s
even though I don’t tell it to.”
This book was so informative, regarding what it must feel like to have OCD on this scale, there were so many examples of Josh’s symptoms. We saw a lot of variations of the obsessions and compulsions that he experiences from day to day, all the what if’s that go through his mind, and so the title is very fitting, “But I couldn’t stop thinking. Until: 1. I knew how many cracks were in the ceiling…2. I checked my bedroom window. Unlock, open, close, lock…3. I mumbled all the words to Abbey Road without messing up”. It was lovely though to see how Josh has music as his safe space, something that really helps him get through the more difficult times, “When I’m drumming, things feel right. Like finally fitting a puzzle piece into its spot”. However, it is both sad and realistic, that he can never truly escape his thoughts, ‘you have to finish the song-or else. Something bad, bad, bad is going to happen. I guess sometimes my thoughts bother me here.’ Each person probably has their own unique experience and journey with OCD, but Josh’s was very eye opening and contained great detail, with his therapist offering some very helpful analogies for what’s happening to him. I think that this was done so well, because the author has their own personal experiences with OCD.
Despite the length of the book, I felt like I’d been on a huge journey with Josh, in many areas of his life. We see how Josh progresses at school – both academically and sociably, with his OCD and with his family. He has quite a lot that he’s dealing with, he’s struggling to get to his classes on time, because his compulsions are making him late, or he simply can’t bring himself to go to the lesson at all. He’s dealing with his OCD all alone, whilst also feeling intense guilt that he can’t meet his dad’s expectations and because he feels responsible for the family having to move away. He seems to have a very strained relationship with his father in particular, as he is very hard on him to do well in school and fails to even try to understand Josh’s difficulties. I thought that it was so important to show how Josh’s family reacts to his diagnosis, as it isn’t just Josh that has to come to terms with it, “Dad doesn’t think I need the medicine. “Well, just stop yourself from doing the— what are they called? The rituals. Yeah. Rituals. Now that you know, can’t you just… stop?”he asks…Mom isn’t sure about the medicine, and what it will do, either.” As the book progressed though we saw the family start to speak their truth and understand each other and there ends up being very touching scenes between Josh and his mum, and Josh and his dad! I’m a sucker for the development of family relationships in books, so this warmed my heart a great deal!
Josh’s OCD has made him see himself in a very negative light and he doesn’t have much confidence at all, “Who would like a freak like me anyway?”, this broke my heart because he’s just so pure and doesn’t deserve to feel this way. I was so delighted when a classmate approaches him and they strike up an adorable friendship, and she’s a poc, which made me squeal just a bit, it shouldn’t be so monumental in this day and age, but I still feel so happy when there’s a character who’s a poc. Mage is the cutest thing and I wouldn’t of chosen anyone else to befriend my Josh, “Hair tight in braids, deep brown skin, sparkles on her lips…“I’m Mage,” she says. “I’m new, too.” When I open my mouth, I realize I’m smiling around my words: “Um, yeah,” I say.” It’s not quite clear whether they think of each other as more than friends, but I enjoyed this, because their friendship was so amazing and I didn’t see any need for it to go further than it did. This was a powerful story documenting Josh’s experiences with his OCD and I heartily recommend it, especially to those who would like to learn more about it.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/museofnyxma...
*I was provided with an ARC of this book through NetGalley, in exchange for my honest opinion. All quotes used may be subject to change upon publication.
This is my second YA Verse from West 44 Books, and again I was blown away. I loved this story so much, it was so touching and I really felt for Josh. Yes, this is a 200 page book and it’s written in verse, and so it’s easy to think that it might not have a considerable amount of depth and meaning, and yet, this had both of those things. I adore the simplicity of YA Verse and think that it’s extremely refreshing to just have the most necessary words on the page. It offers such a unique experience in keeping the focus on the main characters and gives a sense of intimacy, as the less words there are, the more exposed the character feels in what we are actually given about them, if that makes sense.
Josh is our main character, and is one of the sweetest souls, he is struggling with his OCD and as a result, how to navigate his everyday life – at home and at school. Josh doesn’t fully understand what’s happening to him when he experiences his OCD symptoms, and so it’s almost impossible for him to try and explain to others how he is feeling. The author did an amazing job though, at making us feel as if we were inside Josh’s head, experiencing his symptoms along with him. The format really emphasizes how Josh is feeling, in a more visual way. For example, when Josh feels overwhelmed by something, the words themselves become very fragmented and scattered on the page, I thought that this was brilliant and just shows the creative freedom that writing in verse allows authors, “Joshua!”he screams. I shake my head. My body
m
o
v
e
s
even though I don’t tell it to.”
This book was so informative, regarding what it must feel like to have OCD on this scale, there were so many examples of Josh’s symptoms. We saw a lot of variations of the obsessions and compulsions that he experiences from day to day, all the what if’s that go through his mind, and so the title is very fitting, “But I couldn’t stop thinking. Until: 1. I knew how many cracks were in the ceiling…2. I checked my bedroom window. Unlock, open, close, lock…3. I mumbled all the words to Abbey Road without messing up”. It was lovely though to see how Josh has music as his safe space, something that really helps him get through the more difficult times, “When I’m drumming, things feel right. Like finally fitting a puzzle piece into its spot”. However, it is both sad and realistic, that he can never truly escape his thoughts, ‘you have to finish the song-or else. Something bad, bad, bad is going to happen. I guess sometimes my thoughts bother me here.’ Each person probably has their own unique experience and journey with OCD, but Josh’s was very eye opening and contained great detail, with his therapist offering some very helpful analogies for what’s happening to him. I think that this was done so well, because the author has their own personal experiences with OCD.
Despite the length of the book, I felt like I’d been on a huge journey with Josh, in many areas of his life. We see how Josh progresses at school – both academically and sociably, with his OCD and with his family. He has quite a lot that he’s dealing with, he’s struggling to get to his classes on time, because his compulsions are making him late, or he simply can’t bring himself to go to the lesson at all. He’s dealing with his OCD all alone, whilst also feeling intense guilt that he can’t meet his dad’s expectations and because he feels responsible for the family having to move away. He seems to have a very strained relationship with his father in particular, as he is very hard on him to do well in school and fails to even try to understand Josh’s difficulties. I thought that it was so important to show how Josh’s family reacts to his diagnosis, as it isn’t just Josh that has to come to terms with it, “Dad doesn’t think I need the medicine. “Well, just stop yourself from doing the— what are they called? The rituals. Yeah. Rituals. Now that you know, can’t you just… stop?”he asks…Mom isn’t sure about the medicine, and what it will do, either.” As the book progressed though we saw the family start to speak their truth and understand each other and there ends up being very touching scenes between Josh and his mum, and Josh and his dad! I’m a sucker for the development of family relationships in books, so this warmed my heart a great deal!
Josh’s OCD has made him see himself in a very negative light and he doesn’t have much confidence at all, “Who would like a freak like me anyway?”, this broke my heart because he’s just so pure and doesn’t deserve to feel this way. I was so delighted when a classmate approaches him and they strike up an adorable friendship, and she’s a poc, which made me squeal just a bit, it shouldn’t be so monumental in this day and age, but I still feel so happy when there’s a character who’s a poc. Mage is the cutest thing and I wouldn’t of chosen anyone else to befriend my Josh, “Hair tight in braids, deep brown skin, sparkles on her lips…“I’m Mage,” she says. “I’m new, too.” When I open my mouth, I realize I’m smiling around my words: “Um, yeah,” I say.” It’s not quite clear whether they think of each other as more than friends, but I enjoyed this, because their friendship was so amazing and I didn’t see any need for it to go further than it did. This was a powerful story documenting Josh’s experiences with his OCD and I heartily recommend it, especially to those who would like to learn more about it.
September 10, 2018
*4,75 stars*
*ARC kindly provided by West 44 Books in exchange for an honest review*
What if? by Anna Russell is a poetry book about a kid, Joshua, affected by OCD.
He’s a teenager who’s just moved to a new school where he’s supposed to make new friends and start a new life.
But that isn’t exactly easy to him. Whenever Josh has to face a new situation his mind gets stuck. So he counts and repeats actions.
Nobody, not even his family, understands why he’s struggling so much to get good grades and adapt to the change.
Josh in fact still has now idea why he needs to lock and unlock his school locker so many times before he goes to class or why he needs to count to 100 for things to feel right.
That wasn’t until the teachers suggested he might need to be seen by a professional.
That’s when Josh finally has an answer to his questions.
He feels different, alone and he doesn’t tell anyone about his intrusive thoughts for fear of being abandoned. However Mage, his classmate, doesn’t seem to care about his oddities. She’s always beaming and understanding and that’s how their cute and genuine friendship begins.
Josh though is not just his condition, he likes the Beatles and maths and has a passion for playing drums. Together with his sister and Mage they start a rock band and that’s finally an environment where he feels safe and free to express himself.
But all chickens come home to roost, in fact the family’s responsibility for Josh’s struggles gets more evident as Josh tries to carve out his own space.
His father, who initially not only didn’t care about the diagnosis but also was even annoyed by this news, now actively works against his son’s attempts at establishing relationships.
Although the book was in the form of a collection of poems, it still read like a novel.
The modern poetry made it seem like a flow of thoughts and a description of what was going through Josh’s mind at the time things were happening.
The use of repetitions and the way the words were visually displayed on the page sort of helped explaining the rituals and intrusive thoughts also in a graphical way.
The narration was fluid and pretty accessible, since this read was ideated as a way to introduce OCD to those who’ve never come across it in their lives.
Josh is a vulnerable kid, troubled by things he cannot understand yet and that makes him question how much different he must appear to his peers. I enjoyed reading the story in Joshua’s perspective, it made it easier to understand for someone who doesn’t really have a clear idea of what OCD feels like.
Mage on the other hand must’ve been my favourite character: her never-ending cheerfulness made the entire scene brighter. Even Josh started opening up with her.
I really enjoyed this book and it gave me a better idea of what a person who’s diagnosed with OCD has to go through every single day.
This was eye-opening, especially since these days there’s either so much stigma around mental illnesses or they get to be romanticised and carelessly belittled.
I look forward to read more books from this author, because the style, although simple, still conveyed an important message without resulting too overwhelming.
*ARC kindly provided by West 44 Books in exchange for an honest review*
What if? by Anna Russell is a poetry book about a kid, Joshua, affected by OCD.
He’s a teenager who’s just moved to a new school where he’s supposed to make new friends and start a new life.
But that isn’t exactly easy to him. Whenever Josh has to face a new situation his mind gets stuck. So he counts and repeats actions.
Nobody, not even his family, understands why he’s struggling so much to get good grades and adapt to the change.
Josh in fact still has now idea why he needs to lock and unlock his school locker so many times before he goes to class or why he needs to count to 100 for things to feel right.
That wasn’t until the teachers suggested he might need to be seen by a professional.
That’s when Josh finally has an answer to his questions.
He feels different, alone and he doesn’t tell anyone about his intrusive thoughts for fear of being abandoned. However Mage, his classmate, doesn’t seem to care about his oddities. She’s always beaming and understanding and that’s how their cute and genuine friendship begins.
Josh though is not just his condition, he likes the Beatles and maths and has a passion for playing drums. Together with his sister and Mage they start a rock band and that’s finally an environment where he feels safe and free to express himself.
But all chickens come home to roost, in fact the family’s responsibility for Josh’s struggles gets more evident as Josh tries to carve out his own space.
His father, who initially not only didn’t care about the diagnosis but also was even annoyed by this news, now actively works against his son’s attempts at establishing relationships.
Although the book was in the form of a collection of poems, it still read like a novel.
The modern poetry made it seem like a flow of thoughts and a description of what was going through Josh’s mind at the time things were happening.
The use of repetitions and the way the words were visually displayed on the page sort of helped explaining the rituals and intrusive thoughts also in a graphical way.
The narration was fluid and pretty accessible, since this read was ideated as a way to introduce OCD to those who’ve never come across it in their lives.
Josh is a vulnerable kid, troubled by things he cannot understand yet and that makes him question how much different he must appear to his peers. I enjoyed reading the story in Joshua’s perspective, it made it easier to understand for someone who doesn’t really have a clear idea of what OCD feels like.
Mage on the other hand must’ve been my favourite character: her never-ending cheerfulness made the entire scene brighter. Even Josh started opening up with her.
I really enjoyed this book and it gave me a better idea of what a person who’s diagnosed with OCD has to go through every single day.
This was eye-opening, especially since these days there’s either so much stigma around mental illnesses or they get to be romanticised and carelessly belittled.
I look forward to read more books from this author, because the style, although simple, still conveyed an important message without resulting too overwhelming.
October 21, 2018
BOOK REVIEW- WHAT IF
THIS BOOK WAS GIVEN TO ME BY EDELWEISS+ IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW, THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Josh Baker isn’t sure why his brain tells him to do things that other people don’t need to do: checking his locker again and again, counting cracks in ceilings, and always needing to finish a song, for starters. He is a talented drummer, a math genius, and he knows everything about rock and roll. Yet, he knows his problems have the power to hurt his family and make him fail at school. When Josh is diagnosed with OCD, it’s a blessing and a curse. Can he overcome his thoughts, or will they break him?
This is a verse novel, a genre I'm not accustomed to and I tend to dislike but this was not the case. The book was fluid and pleasant to read and it tackled an important theme, the OCD, and it did it so well and not in a heavy manner because we saw the story through the eyes of a 17-year-old boy. The author really managed to connect us with Josh and to make us feel his emotions and his struggles. The end of the book teaches an important lesson: it's okay to ask for help and surround yourself with your loved ones.
I really recommend this book if you are looking for something short but deep!
THIS BOOK WAS GIVEN TO ME BY EDELWEISS+ IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW, THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Josh Baker isn’t sure why his brain tells him to do things that other people don’t need to do: checking his locker again and again, counting cracks in ceilings, and always needing to finish a song, for starters. He is a talented drummer, a math genius, and he knows everything about rock and roll. Yet, he knows his problems have the power to hurt his family and make him fail at school. When Josh is diagnosed with OCD, it’s a blessing and a curse. Can he overcome his thoughts, or will they break him?
This is a verse novel, a genre I'm not accustomed to and I tend to dislike but this was not the case. The book was fluid and pleasant to read and it tackled an important theme, the OCD, and it did it so well and not in a heavy manner because we saw the story through the eyes of a 17-year-old boy. The author really managed to connect us with Josh and to make us feel his emotions and his struggles. The end of the book teaches an important lesson: it's okay to ask for help and surround yourself with your loved ones.
I really recommend this book if you are looking for something short but deep!
January 10, 2020
I needed more from this novel-in-verse. It provided a decent portrayal of one teen’s experience with OCD, but it only scratched the surface. After reading this book, I felt like I had just read the SparkNotes version of a full novel. I want the full novel version of this story.
I needed more from this book, especially more about each character’s background. I wanted to learn about how Josh got into drumming; Josh’s mother’s experience with undiagnosed OCD; why Josh’s dad is so strict; why music is so vital to this family and how that happened; how the talent show performance went; Mage’s entire backstory. I got none of these things. As a result, I couldn’t truly get to know or become attached to anyone in this story because they just weren’t fleshed out enough to become memorable.
I appreciate the representation of OCD in this piece of YA literature, but it needed to go further in order to be truly impactful or eye-opening.
I needed more from this book, especially more about each character’s background. I wanted to learn about how Josh got into drumming; Josh’s mother’s experience with undiagnosed OCD; why Josh’s dad is so strict; why music is so vital to this family and how that happened; how the talent show performance went; Mage’s entire backstory. I got none of these things. As a result, I couldn’t truly get to know or become attached to anyone in this story because they just weren’t fleshed out enough to become memorable.
I appreciate the representation of OCD in this piece of YA literature, but it needed to go further in order to be truly impactful or eye-opening.
September 21, 2018
Thank you to NetGalley and West 44 Books for allowing me to read What If? in exchange for an honest review.
4.5/5 stars
A full review for What If? can be found on my blog here: https://kimberlyreads97.wordpress.com...
I really enjoyed the format this book was in (being in verse) because (at least for my reading experience) it made reading about Josh’s experiences with OCD that much more impactful. I found this to be very well written in showing what it’s like in the starting stages of beginning to understand mental health and when someone’s impacted (in this case Josh’s) and how their life can change with that discovery.
This for me was a great book and I can’t wait for its release so more people can read it!
4.5/5 stars
A full review for What If? can be found on my blog here: https://kimberlyreads97.wordpress.com...
I really enjoyed the format this book was in (being in verse) because (at least for my reading experience) it made reading about Josh’s experiences with OCD that much more impactful. I found this to be very well written in showing what it’s like in the starting stages of beginning to understand mental health and when someone’s impacted (in this case Josh’s) and how their life can change with that discovery.
This for me was a great book and I can’t wait for its release so more people can read it!
October 4, 2018
What if?
By Anna Russell
Due January 2019
West 44 Books
Short but important and impactful YA book about a young boy, Josh Baker, who has always been obsessed with counting things-over and over. He is intelligent, a math-wiz and a talented drummer, but his low grades constantly disappoint his father. When Josh is diagnosed with OCD it is a blessing and a curse.
Writing this in lyrical prose was brilliant-sharing with the reader the fragmented, often disjointed thinking patterns of OCD.
Excellent book, I hope it does well.
Thanks to NetGalley and West 44 Books for an advance ebook copy for review.
#WhatIf #NetGalley
By Anna Russell
Due January 2019
West 44 Books
Short but important and impactful YA book about a young boy, Josh Baker, who has always been obsessed with counting things-over and over. He is intelligent, a math-wiz and a talented drummer, but his low grades constantly disappoint his father. When Josh is diagnosed with OCD it is a blessing and a curse.
Writing this in lyrical prose was brilliant-sharing with the reader the fragmented, often disjointed thinking patterns of OCD.
Excellent book, I hope it does well.
Thanks to NetGalley and West 44 Books for an advance ebook copy for review.
#WhatIf #NetGalley
October 8, 2018
"He wouldn't force people to listen to his songs, but they'd want to."
What a beautiful and important book.
What a beautiful and important book.
July 4, 2019
3.5 stars
Originally posted on: The Quirky Book Nerd
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
I’ve read a number of these hi-lo fiction novels recently and this one was definitely my favorite of the bunch. This is what is considered “hi-lo” fiction—short books that are designed to encourage young, reluctant readers to read more. This one seems like it is aimed for an early middle school to early high school audience, so basically mid-middle grade and early young adult.
In this novel, we follow a teenage boy named Josh who is struggling to understand the way his brain is functioning. Something just does not feel right to him—his mind is driving him to do things he knows others don’t tend to do such as to repeatedly check door locks and counting cracks in ceilings. Deep down, he knows he does not need to do any of this, however, he feels that he must or harm will come to his loved ones. When he is diagnosed with OCD, Josh finally knows what is wrong, but overcoming it is a daunting obstacle looming ahead.
I feel a very personal connection to these types of stories as I have struggled with OCD for many years. In fact, I was around the same age as Josh—early high school—when I was officially diagnosed. This personal connection can be either good or bad. It can make me quite picky about the way it is portrayed. I think that Anna Russell ended up doing quite a good job with this. Josh’s struggles felt very realistic and accurate to what experiencing OCD is like and I believe it will be quite an informative story for readers.
It is difficult for me to put myself in the position of someone who is reluctant to read, but I felt it was important for me to check these types of novels out. I, of course, want to promote reading to everyone any chance I get. While I do wish there had been a little more to this book—not much, just that is was a bit longer and went into more detail about OCD—I do think this is a good addition to hi-lo fiction. This is definitely a story I can see readers really getting into, and I think it will not only encourage them to explore literature more but that it will also teach them some important information about mental health.
Originally posted on: The Quirky Book Nerd
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
I’ve read a number of these hi-lo fiction novels recently and this one was definitely my favorite of the bunch. This is what is considered “hi-lo” fiction—short books that are designed to encourage young, reluctant readers to read more. This one seems like it is aimed for an early middle school to early high school audience, so basically mid-middle grade and early young adult.
In this novel, we follow a teenage boy named Josh who is struggling to understand the way his brain is functioning. Something just does not feel right to him—his mind is driving him to do things he knows others don’t tend to do such as to repeatedly check door locks and counting cracks in ceilings. Deep down, he knows he does not need to do any of this, however, he feels that he must or harm will come to his loved ones. When he is diagnosed with OCD, Josh finally knows what is wrong, but overcoming it is a daunting obstacle looming ahead.
I feel a very personal connection to these types of stories as I have struggled with OCD for many years. In fact, I was around the same age as Josh—early high school—when I was officially diagnosed. This personal connection can be either good or bad. It can make me quite picky about the way it is portrayed. I think that Anna Russell ended up doing quite a good job with this. Josh’s struggles felt very realistic and accurate to what experiencing OCD is like and I believe it will be quite an informative story for readers.
It is difficult for me to put myself in the position of someone who is reluctant to read, but I felt it was important for me to check these types of novels out. I, of course, want to promote reading to everyone any chance I get. While I do wish there had been a little more to this book—not much, just that is was a bit longer and went into more detail about OCD—I do think this is a good addition to hi-lo fiction. This is definitely a story I can see readers really getting into, and I think it will not only encourage them to explore literature more but that it will also teach them some important information about mental health.
December 26, 2018
Raiting:4 1/2 🌟
ARC Review: Received for free via Netgalley for an honest review
CW: ableist slurs
I guess it's official: I love West 44 books!
First I had Some Girls Bind by Rory James which was kind of really important to me because of its premise and my attachment to it. And now I have What If.
I don't have OCD so I don't quite understand what it's like. Sometimes I have impulses to count thing or check and recheck things, but those moment are few and far.
For sixteen year old Josh though, it's a thing that's taking over his life. I think this would be a book that would be better read by someone with OCD, someone who's understand and relate to Josh.
I think what I love most about this book, and the other book I've read from West 44, is the way it's set up. It's a complete story, a whole book but set in poetry verse. You can so easily get lost in the rhythm of the poetry but also be emersed in the book. The two don't distract each other but work together.
I love the new wave of poetry, the new setup. For years we've been exposed to rhyming couplets and words that need to be studied in order to understand a poem, but this, this is something I can get behind, something I'm really enjoying.
I loved this book, I loved getting to know Josh and Julia and Marge and seeing Josh and his worries and seeing him, not overcome, but learn to live with his OCD and know that he's not an awful person for having it, that he might not be like everyone else, but that he doesn't need to be, that he's Josh.
I appreciate this book, definitely.
ARC Review: Received for free via Netgalley for an honest review
CW: ableist slurs
I guess it's official: I love West 44 books!
First I had Some Girls Bind by Rory James which was kind of really important to me because of its premise and my attachment to it. And now I have What If.
I don't have OCD so I don't quite understand what it's like. Sometimes I have impulses to count thing or check and recheck things, but those moment are few and far.
For sixteen year old Josh though, it's a thing that's taking over his life. I think this would be a book that would be better read by someone with OCD, someone who's understand and relate to Josh.
I think what I love most about this book, and the other book I've read from West 44, is the way it's set up. It's a complete story, a whole book but set in poetry verse. You can so easily get lost in the rhythm of the poetry but also be emersed in the book. The two don't distract each other but work together.
I love the new wave of poetry, the new setup. For years we've been exposed to rhyming couplets and words that need to be studied in order to understand a poem, but this, this is something I can get behind, something I'm really enjoying.
I loved this book, I loved getting to know Josh and Julia and Marge and seeing Josh and his worries and seeing him, not overcome, but learn to live with his OCD and know that he's not an awful person for having it, that he might not be like everyone else, but that he doesn't need to be, that he's Josh.
I appreciate this book, definitely.
January 22, 2019
What If? Centres around the rituals, compulsions, and anxiety of OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder), as felt by a teenager struggling pre (and mid) diagnosis. Looking at the impact others can have on our mental health (and how able we feel to seek help when we are struggling), Russell’s book imparts the overall message that you don’t need to be fixed – just helped.
(I’m not crying, you’re crying).
OCD, unlike anxiety and depression, isn’t necessarily something that we’ll all encounter in our lifetimes (be that through ourselves, loved ones, or friends). Just 1.2% of the population (around 12 in every 1,000 people) in the UK experience OCD during their lifetime according to leading charity OCD-UK. It’s become pretty common to hear phrases like ‘we’re all a bit OCD, aren’t we?’
No.
No, we really aren’t. Someone isn’t ‘a bit OCD’ because they like to keep things a certain way, are neat or tidy. OCD involves intrusive, obsessive thoughts; compulsive, often overwhelming urges that can only be relieved through repeating an action, over and over and over, out of anxiety or fear that something bad will happen to someone they love if they don’t.
Many of us may experience some traits, but that doesn’t mean we fully understand the condition. Just like we wouldn’t say ‘We’ve all got a bit of a broken leg, haven’t we?’ every time we have a knee pain or a cramp, we can’t say we fully understand OCD just because we have occasional intrusive thoughts or a preference of keeping our things in a certain or specific order.
What If is a short work of poetic fiction rather than a traditional novel, which can be a bit of a challenge if you’ve never read anything in this style before. It’s really worth sticking with it; once you get past the first few pages, the format really lends itself well to the thought patterns of protagonist Josh, creating a rhythm of its own you can feel as you move across the pages.
If you have a friend or loved one who has experienced OCD, What If gives a great insight into the thought process behind their condition. If you’ve never learnt about OCD but want to know more, it’s a great introduction to a complex subject matter, making it much more accessible – not only for teens and young adults, but all ages.
Check out the full review in Happiful: https://issuu.com/happiful/docs/happi...
(I’m not crying, you’re crying).
OCD, unlike anxiety and depression, isn’t necessarily something that we’ll all encounter in our lifetimes (be that through ourselves, loved ones, or friends). Just 1.2% of the population (around 12 in every 1,000 people) in the UK experience OCD during their lifetime according to leading charity OCD-UK. It’s become pretty common to hear phrases like ‘we’re all a bit OCD, aren’t we?’
No.
No, we really aren’t. Someone isn’t ‘a bit OCD’ because they like to keep things a certain way, are neat or tidy. OCD involves intrusive, obsessive thoughts; compulsive, often overwhelming urges that can only be relieved through repeating an action, over and over and over, out of anxiety or fear that something bad will happen to someone they love if they don’t.
Many of us may experience some traits, but that doesn’t mean we fully understand the condition. Just like we wouldn’t say ‘We’ve all got a bit of a broken leg, haven’t we?’ every time we have a knee pain or a cramp, we can’t say we fully understand OCD just because we have occasional intrusive thoughts or a preference of keeping our things in a certain or specific order.
What If is a short work of poetic fiction rather than a traditional novel, which can be a bit of a challenge if you’ve never read anything in this style before. It’s really worth sticking with it; once you get past the first few pages, the format really lends itself well to the thought patterns of protagonist Josh, creating a rhythm of its own you can feel as you move across the pages.
If you have a friend or loved one who has experienced OCD, What If gives a great insight into the thought process behind their condition. If you’ve never learnt about OCD but want to know more, it’s a great introduction to a complex subject matter, making it much more accessible – not only for teens and young adults, but all ages.
Check out the full review in Happiful: https://issuu.com/happiful/docs/happi...
December 31, 2018
“I think she wants all the pieces of us- who we used to be.” I looked out the car window, saw Mom walking toward us, sunshine grin lighting up her face.
“Julia?” I asked. “Do you think that means she’s afraid of who we’re going to become?”
It’s always hard to rate a book about a disorder you’re not familiar with or do not have experience with, but the way the author describes the anxiety Josh felt and the way he struggled with how his brain worked seems a truthful fit (not mentioning outsiders just not understanding that your brain works differently and you cannot control it).
This is a verse book which I love, and it works very well with the story. Josh is a 16-year-old boy who has undiagnosed OCD. He, along with his family, friends, and teachers from school, do not understand why he acts like he does. In the book, is OCD is most prominent when he’s playing his drums. He HAS to finish each song he starts no matter what. Even if his parents tell him to stop or if he’s running late for school, he has to finish. Of course, that puts a strain on his relationship with his father, who just thinks he’s being rebellious.
Julia is Josh’s older sister. She’s the one who Josh trusts the most, and for not understanding Josh’s dilemma, Julia is very understanding of him. BUT, she’s also not the perfect teenager that’s usually portrayed in YA books. She gets frustrated with her brother’s antics even while trying to understand him.
I really, really appreciate the author’s attention to mental disorder and medication. Josh’s therapist explained that medication is not a fix-all as some believe; it’s just there to help with symptoms.
Overall, “What If?” is a great quick read that lets readers see in the mind of someone with a mental disorder, and how he and his family are effected.
October 31, 2018
A beautifully written poetry book, What If? is about a boy who is diagnosed with OCD and starting to find a method that makes it manageable. First, while I am generally not a fan of verse (I keep saying this, don't I, but I genuinely didn't know this was verse when I requested it) but it worked especially well for Josh's first person POV, as it gave us a view into the structure of his thoughts, the compulsions intertwined with regular thoughts and conversations, and also how music played such an important part in the process. It told a story of a boy who is intelligent and smart but can't focus because of his anxiety, and feeling pressured by his father who expects his kids to challenge themselves academically, hitting a low point in his academics, and then being counseled to a visit a psychiatrist, which is when he can begin the road to living with it. Even then, his therapy is realistic, recounting his challenges, and his limits, and acknowledging that it will be difficult explaining to others what it feels like, the thoughts looping around one another, but eventually what is needed is understanding and support from the people around you, instead of punishments and restrictions to temper what is seen as 'bad behaviour'. I especially liked a metaphor regarding accepting help - something that neuroatypical people or people with mental disorders find difficult to do - because it simultaneously makes that feel less burdensome and also provides a hopeful message.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from West 44 Books, via Netgalley.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review from West 44 Books, via Netgalley.
November 19, 2018
I'm really starting to learn to appreciate free verse books. Crank by Ellen Hopkins remains one of my favorite books of all time so I was really excited when I won this book and saw that is was written in a similar fashion.
The story follows a young man struggling with compulsive thoughts and rituals. At first we don't know why Josh is the way he is (although I'm sure most of us have a pretty good guess as to what's wrong) and pretty early into the book Josh is diagnosed with OCD. This book was pretty short and didn't consist of a whole lot but I did enjoy a glimpse of Josh's life. I enjoyed the quick and easy flow of learning a little bit more about OCD but I wouldn't necessarily say Josh's story stuck with me or elicited anything too thought provoking.
I will say that I agree with another reviewer on here that the story had more potential. I didn't necessarily feel much for any of the characters and in all it just kind of felt like the jist of it was, "Josh has overwhelming thoughts, Josh gets diagnosed, Josh struggles in school, Josh's parents get mad, Josh uses his voice to explain his struggles, Josh's parent's understand and all is well" There wasn't much emotion behind the story it was more about teaching readers what OCD consists of.
It's just a simple read that raises awareness on the disorder.
I won this book in a GoodReads giveaway so thank you to Anna Russell and West 44 Books for my copy of What If?
The story follows a young man struggling with compulsive thoughts and rituals. At first we don't know why Josh is the way he is (although I'm sure most of us have a pretty good guess as to what's wrong) and pretty early into the book Josh is diagnosed with OCD. This book was pretty short and didn't consist of a whole lot but I did enjoy a glimpse of Josh's life. I enjoyed the quick and easy flow of learning a little bit more about OCD but I wouldn't necessarily say Josh's story stuck with me or elicited anything too thought provoking.
I will say that I agree with another reviewer on here that the story had more potential. I didn't necessarily feel much for any of the characters and in all it just kind of felt like the jist of it was, "Josh has overwhelming thoughts, Josh gets diagnosed, Josh struggles in school, Josh's parents get mad, Josh uses his voice to explain his struggles, Josh's parent's understand and all is well" There wasn't much emotion behind the story it was more about teaching readers what OCD consists of.
It's just a simple read that raises awareness on the disorder.
I won this book in a GoodReads giveaway so thank you to Anna Russell and West 44 Books for my copy of What If?
November 11, 2018
*I received a copy of this book via netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I had a lot of hope for this book but sadly it didn't really do anything for me. There was so much potential in the story. There could have been so much more included in the narrative and I was a bit disappointed.
What if? follows Josh, who struggles with OCD. He loves music and is an awesome drummer. He starts to fall behind in school due to his undiagnosed OCD. Things, like opening his locker again and again, and never feeling like any of his work, is perfect just gets in the way of him doing his best at school. After Josh is diagnosed, his dad doesn't seem to understand why his OCD is a problem. And his mom seems to relate to Josh more than anyone knows.
The story is written in verse. Similar to Ellen Hopkins, if you've ever read anything by her. I normally love reading books that deal with mental illness which was why I picked this one up in the first place but this book was lacking substance and emotion. Everything felt rushed and happens way too quickly, and is spoken about so vaguely. It felt kind of like reading a sentence written like, "he went there and did this and then this happened." I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters at all which is very important to me as a reader. I'm sad to say that overall I didn't really enjoy this book and wouldn't recommend.
I had a lot of hope for this book but sadly it didn't really do anything for me. There was so much potential in the story. There could have been so much more included in the narrative and I was a bit disappointed.
What if? follows Josh, who struggles with OCD. He loves music and is an awesome drummer. He starts to fall behind in school due to his undiagnosed OCD. Things, like opening his locker again and again, and never feeling like any of his work, is perfect just gets in the way of him doing his best at school. After Josh is diagnosed, his dad doesn't seem to understand why his OCD is a problem. And his mom seems to relate to Josh more than anyone knows.
The story is written in verse. Similar to Ellen Hopkins, if you've ever read anything by her. I normally love reading books that deal with mental illness which was why I picked this one up in the first place but this book was lacking substance and emotion. Everything felt rushed and happens way too quickly, and is spoken about so vaguely. It felt kind of like reading a sentence written like, "he went there and did this and then this happened." I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters at all which is very important to me as a reader. I'm sad to say that overall I didn't really enjoy this book and wouldn't recommend.
December 10, 2018
Given to me on behalf of Netgalley, through the publisher in return for my honest opinion.
Josh Baker has thoughts, lots of What If? thoughts. It isn't until he sees a Dr. He finds out these thoughts and the rituals that come with them are effects of OCD - mental illness that often makes the brain feel like it is on repeat, and more. He also finds out how is Father views it, and a secret his mother has kept for so long. Through music though Josh learns to tell his story, who he is. Becoming unattached to the idea that he is his OCD. A senstive and inspiring novel of the effects of OCD on the brain and the body and the world around you. Written in a journal format making it feel that much more personal to the reader, and the characters. The author did a magnicicent job in the writing style, vocabulary, etc. I loved this novel and definately recommend for your 2019 TBR!!!
Josh Baker has thoughts, lots of What If? thoughts. It isn't until he sees a Dr. He finds out these thoughts and the rituals that come with them are effects of OCD - mental illness that often makes the brain feel like it is on repeat, and more. He also finds out how is Father views it, and a secret his mother has kept for so long. Through music though Josh learns to tell his story, who he is. Becoming unattached to the idea that he is his OCD. A senstive and inspiring novel of the effects of OCD on the brain and the body and the world around you. Written in a journal format making it feel that much more personal to the reader, and the characters. The author did a magnicicent job in the writing style, vocabulary, etc. I loved this novel and definately recommend for your 2019 TBR!!!
September 10, 2018
This was a quick read book but it had a very interesting story line. This book is written in verse all about our main character Josh who suffers from OCD dealing with a new school and ultimately finding friends and his family's acceptance. I enjoyed this book because the little verses gave you enough information to know what was going on but still left you with enough slack to let your imagination take over and fill in the blanks however you'd like. I did like however how this book showed the struggle that not only Josh faced with his disease but also the struggles that his family went through
in trying to help and understand him. Cute book. There aren't many books that can pack a huge punch with so little words and pages however Ann Russell somehow managed to do both. Great read.
in trying to help and understand him. Cute book. There aren't many books that can pack a huge punch with so little words and pages however Ann Russell somehow managed to do both. Great read.
September 24, 2018
Thank you to NeGalley for sending me this book for an honest review.
I was sent this book to review and I read in one sitting. The book is told in verse and I absolutely loved the story about a young boy coming to terms and identifying with OCD and it’s behaviors. The way it was written did a good job of getting the reader inside of Josh’s head and his thoughts. I liked the way the author integrated how this mental illness effects everyone from teachers, friends, and most importantly family. How his parents came to terms with his condition and how to properly understand someone with OCD. It was a great book and one that I’m excited for everyone to read!
I was sent this book to review and I read in one sitting. The book is told in verse and I absolutely loved the story about a young boy coming to terms and identifying with OCD and it’s behaviors. The way it was written did a good job of getting the reader inside of Josh’s head and his thoughts. I liked the way the author integrated how this mental illness effects everyone from teachers, friends, and most importantly family. How his parents came to terms with his condition and how to properly understand someone with OCD. It was a great book and one that I’m excited for everyone to read!
January 7, 2019
I found this novel to be fascinating. I thought it was well-written in verse. I found this format to be in tune with what Josh was going through. He has OCD and anxiety. The challenges he faces with this disability are profound. He was able to make a friend in the novel that helped him to open up, but that was challenging as well. His fear of others finding out why he was acting strangely caused him to push those close to him away. He was able to find solace in the music of the Beatles, and eventually his group. A talent show was his opportunity to shine, and he did.
I would recommend this novel to anyone dealing with OCD or curious about what OCD is.
Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read this book.
I would recommend this novel to anyone dealing with OCD or curious about what OCD is.
Thank you Netgalley and the Publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read this book.
July 29, 2019
What If is a look into the life of OCD as a teenager? Joshua is a 16-year-old teen who untreated OCD has to lead to some school failures and counting things like his locker combo moving to a certain side 10 times. We see Joshua, this drummer lover, and player before he is diagnosed and partway through his treatment. Understanding that the OCD is a long term noise that can be going from a LOUD pierce to a quieter sound.
The book overall is a quick read being shy under 20 pages and in a prose-poetry format. It was interesting and got me to know the personal battle of OCD but attachment to characters were not there. It is fine but not so memorable. Love the color though.
The book overall is a quick read being shy under 20 pages and in a prose-poetry format. It was interesting and got me to know the personal battle of OCD but attachment to characters were not there. It is fine but not so memorable. Love the color though.
January 2, 2022
Thank you to Netgalley and West 44 Books for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I requested this book because I really enjoy reading books about mental illness and I also like books written in verse. This book, although good, seemed too short. It seemed a little to rushed.
Josh is a teenager who has OCD but don't know it. He moved schools because he was falling behind in his old school. He finally sees a doctor who diagnoses him with OCD. Now that he has a diagnosis he learns how to cope with and overcome his OCD.
Overall, it was an ok book. I wish it had been longer so we could get more into the plot and get to know the characters even more.
I requested this book because I really enjoy reading books about mental illness and I also like books written in verse. This book, although good, seemed too short. It seemed a little to rushed.
Josh is a teenager who has OCD but don't know it. He moved schools because he was falling behind in his old school. He finally sees a doctor who diagnoses him with OCD. Now that he has a diagnosis he learns how to cope with and overcome his OCD.
Overall, it was an ok book. I wish it had been longer so we could get more into the plot and get to know the characters even more.
September 27, 2018
Copy provided by the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
What If is every thing I LOVE about verse. It's the perfect story for this format. It follows Joshua who wants to be a drummer. Seriously all he can think about is drumming and rock music. Until he finds out he's OCD, then he must navigate this new diagnosis and his life. This story is emotional, and wonderful. The verse format was the perfect way to translate Joshuas thought onto paper. I loved this story so much!
What If is every thing I LOVE about verse. It's the perfect story for this format. It follows Joshua who wants to be a drummer. Seriously all he can think about is drumming and rock music. Until he finds out he's OCD, then he must navigate this new diagnosis and his life. This story is emotional, and wonderful. The verse format was the perfect way to translate Joshuas thought onto paper. I loved this story so much!
November 4, 2018
This was a stupidly quick read. But I thought the way OCD is presented was super unique and I loved the imagery of the rhythm to represent the never-ending flow of thoughts in our main character's brain. It just ended so quickly! I wish it had lingered on more plot lines rather than running through it at breakneck speed. Again though, this offers an insanely good representation of OCD and the irregular rhythm that goes along with it. If you come across it, definitely give it a skim.
I also received this book in exchange for an honest review from Net Galley.
I also received this book in exchange for an honest review from Net Galley.
November 9, 2018
Beautiful book written in prose about a boy struggling with OCD. He starts off not knowing that he has OCD...he goes through the motions until he gets reprimanded by the school for running out in the middle of the day.
I really appreciated how the author explains through the therapist that medication isn't the problem solver. You don't need to be fixed, just helped. Medication is there to help you while you go through therapy, figuring out what methods of coping work for you.
I really enjoyed it and I think it was the perfect length for the type of book it was.
I really appreciated how the author explains through the therapist that medication isn't the problem solver. You don't need to be fixed, just helped. Medication is there to help you while you go through therapy, figuring out what methods of coping work for you.
I really enjoyed it and I think it was the perfect length for the type of book it was.
November 21, 2018
I rate this 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️’s I won this arc (advanced reader copy) from west 44 books through a giveaway on Instagram. I want to say thank you to the publisher I thoroughly enjoyed this book it is the first book I've read that is written in verse. I can't wait to read more from this publisher. What if by Anna Russell will out in January of next year. :) This book takes a bold look at the struggles a person has coping with OCD and how not to just fix it with drugs but how to live with it every day and to lean on the people who care about you to help you through it. Thanks again to @west44books
November 30, 2018
I received a copy through Netgalley for a review.
Josh is a 16 yr old who has a passion for playing the drums but is secretly struggling with OCD.
As someone who suffers with OCD, i thought the way it was explained and demonstrated was very acurate. The constant need to quiet that voice telling you if you dont do this certain thing a particular way that something bad will happen. All the while, knowing it is complete crap but not having the ability to stop.
I am giving this a 3 star though. It was a quick enjoyable read. Would recommend.
Josh is a 16 yr old who has a passion for playing the drums but is secretly struggling with OCD.
As someone who suffers with OCD, i thought the way it was explained and demonstrated was very acurate. The constant need to quiet that voice telling you if you dont do this certain thing a particular way that something bad will happen. All the while, knowing it is complete crap but not having the ability to stop.
I am giving this a 3 star though. It was a quick enjoyable read. Would recommend.
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