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Whatever Normal Is
In the fourth volume of a series set in Minneapolis in the 1960s, three friends navigate relationships and new questions about love and identity After three years of high school, Margaret still isn’t any closer to what she to sing and dance on Broadway, to be a model like Twiggy, to be madly in love with someone other than Paul McCartney. It’s not much to ask, but with her friends Grace and Isabelle she’s willing to adjust her goals for the summer to a job, a car, and a boyfriend. When Grace gets a job downtown at the Emerald Cafe, where Teddy, a dreamy college kid, tends the meat buffet, it looks like she, at least, is almost halfway there—until Teddy asks for Margaret’s phone number. “Normal” might not be all it’s cracked up to be (high school graduation, marriage, and housewifery, really?), but as Teddy complicates the girls’ friendship, it slowly becomes apparent that “normal” might mean something different, and infinitely trickier, to him. As the old friends, with adulthood looming, navigate the newly confusing territory of love and sexuality and identity, everything they thought they knew is suddenly, frighteningly thrown into question—and they discover that between the dream of stardom and the certainty of housekeeping there’s a vast unsuspected world of peril and possibility. With all the tenderness, heartache, and humor of her earlier novels about Margaret, Grace, and Isabelle, in Whatever Normal Is Jane St. Anthony takes the friends, and her readers, to a place beyond normal—to a future as satisfying as it is promising.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
160 pages, Hardcover
Published March 5, 2019
1174 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 5, 2019
I was provided an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Whatever Normal Is tells Margaret's story. Margaret is 17 and has a dude into her. His name is Teddy and the problem is that her best friend, Grace, was into him. That's pretty much the plot.
I'm going to be honest and tell you that the only thing I liked about this book was how short it was, only 149 pages.
I couldn't stand the main character, I found her incredibly annoying, immature and one dimensional. Her friends, especially Grace, were just as annoying and lacked depth.
The worst character, though, was Teddy. The story started by him harassing her, following her, showing up at her house and when she said she wasn't interested, he told someone that she was playing hard to get. When Margaret caved and went to eat with him, she started to like him because he liked to read, and then, introduced him to her parents right after. I forgot to mention that this was set in the 60's though you have to read the synopsis to know that because it's not mentioned anywhere in the book. Anyway, the big twist of the book happens about 85% in, when Margaret is questioning whether Teddy loves her after they've been together for months, because they barely did anything but peck. So when she practically jumps at him and makes out with him, he admits that he's "queer."
First of all, I did a quick research and Queer wasn't used to say "homosexual" in the 60's, it was a slur meant for trans and gender-nonconforming people. Also, WTF? He starts this relationship by stalking and harassing and surprise! he's gay! That feels so fucking wrong. Everything about this book felt wrong tbh. Things even went downhill from there...
I didn't like the writing style either, it felt amateurish?
Oh I should also mention that this was the forth book in a series but I didn't know that before requesting on Netgalley and I don't think reading the other books would have made me see this book differently. I don't know what else to write about this so that's it.
Whatever Normal Is tells Margaret's story. Margaret is 17 and has a dude into her. His name is Teddy and the problem is that her best friend, Grace, was into him. That's pretty much the plot.
I'm going to be honest and tell you that the only thing I liked about this book was how short it was, only 149 pages.
I couldn't stand the main character, I found her incredibly annoying, immature and one dimensional. Her friends, especially Grace, were just as annoying and lacked depth.
The worst character, though, was Teddy. The story started by him harassing her, following her, showing up at her house and when she said she wasn't interested, he told someone that she was playing hard to get. When Margaret caved and went to eat with him, she started to like him because he liked to read, and then, introduced him to her parents right after. I forgot to mention that this was set in the 60's though you have to read the synopsis to know that because it's not mentioned anywhere in the book. Anyway, the big twist of the book happens about 85% in, when Margaret is questioning whether Teddy loves her after they've been together for months, because they barely did anything but peck. So when she practically jumps at him and makes out with him, he admits that he's "queer."
First of all, I did a quick research and Queer wasn't used to say "homosexual" in the 60's, it was a slur meant for trans and gender-nonconforming people. Also, WTF? He starts this relationship by stalking and harassing and surprise! he's gay! That feels so fucking wrong. Everything about this book felt wrong tbh. Things even went downhill from there...
I didn't like the writing style either, it felt amateurish?
Oh I should also mention that this was the forth book in a series but I didn't know that before requesting on Netgalley and I don't think reading the other books would have made me see this book differently. I don't know what else to write about this so that's it.
February 20, 2019
Got a digital copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Set some time in the 1960s, Whatever normal is is a story about three best friends Margaret, Grace and Isabelle who want to spice up their lives before finishing high school. They have three big goals-
1. Get a job.
2. Get a boyfriend.
3. Get a driver’s license
When Teddy, a boy Grace works with and has a miniature crush on, asks out Margaret instead, things start to get a little complicated and it’s just the beginning.
Well, to begin with, the three best friends are annoying as hell. I did not like any of them, especially Margaret who is the main protagonist. They hardly go through any character development throughout the story and are as flat as a freshly pressed bed spread.
The story hardly develops as well. It is very static and lacks elements to grab your attention. The writing is pretty standard and I could not connect much. The ‘plot twist’ comes at around 87% (kindle) and I actually figured it out quite earlier so that spoiled the fun. It was a pretty short read and I managed to finish it in two lectures (3 hours in total).
Set some time in the 1960s, Whatever normal is is a story about three best friends Margaret, Grace and Isabelle who want to spice up their lives before finishing high school. They have three big goals-
1. Get a job.
2. Get a boyfriend.
3. Get a driver’s license
When Teddy, a boy Grace works with and has a miniature crush on, asks out Margaret instead, things start to get a little complicated and it’s just the beginning.
Well, to begin with, the three best friends are annoying as hell. I did not like any of them, especially Margaret who is the main protagonist. They hardly go through any character development throughout the story and are as flat as a freshly pressed bed spread.
The story hardly develops as well. It is very static and lacks elements to grab your attention. The writing is pretty standard and I could not connect much. The ‘plot twist’ comes at around 87% (kindle) and I actually figured it out quite earlier so that spoiled the fun. It was a pretty short read and I managed to finish it in two lectures (3 hours in total).
March 17, 2019
Truth is, the cover was so gorgeous that I was setting a pretty high expectation for this book. But I'm very disappointed to say that there's nothing that amused me in this book. The plot was very bland. It almost feels like nothing happened. Even the twist was predictable. None of the characters stands out and everyone seems to have only one dimension of personality. The writing was simple and straightforward (which I usually enjoy) but it was confusing most of the time. I don't even have any idea when is the time setup of this story and I only found out about that once I read the Goodreads synopsis.
Thank you Jane St. Anthony and University of Minnesota Press for giving me the eARC via NetGalley in exchange of honest review.
Thank you Jane St. Anthony and University of Minnesota Press for giving me the eARC via NetGalley in exchange of honest review.
February 12, 2019
ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Esse livro foi uma tristeza sem precedentes.
Vamos começar com falando das três personagens: Margareth, Grace e Isabelle. As três são adolescentes de 17 anos, estão terminando o ensino médio, e elas têm três objetivos a conquistar: ter um emprego, um carro, um namorado. Acho que essas três coisas, na adolescência, é o que quase todos querem, porém com essas três coisas vem também outras coisas, como: o primeiro namoro que não dá certo, a autodescoberta, o primeiro emprego que não dura.
(Tô usando muito dois pontos, ignorem.)
Como o livro é narrado na terceira pessoa, não dá pra saber muito o que a personagem principal (Margareth) pensa, mas é bem nítido, com o decorrer da leitura, que ela se deixa levar pelas opiniões das duas amigas, sem levar em consideração o que ela quer fazer. Eu já estava com raiva dela pensar o que as amigas delas falariam ou pensariam caso ela fizesse alguma coisa para si, como se a vida girasse em torno da Grace e da Isabelle.
Quando a Grace aparecia, eu queria rolar o meus olhos em 360° graus, porque pense numa garota chata e birrenta, dizendo coisas sem noção. Grace é como muitas pessoas que existem no mundo: pensam que só a opinião deles que importa. Chato, chato, chato. A objetividade da Grace em falar as coisas vinha sempre carregada de uma dose de arrogância. Quem aguenta isso?
Diferente das duas, a Isabelle é mais na dela, sempre querendo apaziguar os estranhamentos entre a Margareth e a Grace. Gostei mais dela do que das outras duas, e é apenas isso o que tenho para falar sobre ela.
O intuito da autora era criar uma atmosfera dos 1960 de Minneapolis, mas eu não senti isso. Se você não ler a sinopse, parece que você está lendo um livro que se passa nos dias de hoje, mas, claro, com adolescentes sem celular. Se a autora tivesse escrito um livro maior, criando mais cenas que mostrassem que o livro é ambientando nos 1960, acho que seria melhor. E sem falar que na sinopse, a Margareth é descrita como uma garota que ama os Beatles, porém ela nem fala desse amor da personagem pela banda.
O que mais me chamou atenção no livro foi um personagem dizendo para a Margareth que é gay. Isso é o ápice do livro, mas deixa a desejar quando a sexualidade do mesmo não é abordada de forma mais abrangente na história. O único diálogo que a Margareth tem sobre sexualidade é com a Mãe, porém foi tão vago.
Esse livro foi uma tristeza sem precedentes.
Vamos começar com falando das três personagens: Margareth, Grace e Isabelle. As três são adolescentes de 17 anos, estão terminando o ensino médio, e elas têm três objetivos a conquistar: ter um emprego, um carro, um namorado. Acho que essas três coisas, na adolescência, é o que quase todos querem, porém com essas três coisas vem também outras coisas, como: o primeiro namoro que não dá certo, a autodescoberta, o primeiro emprego que não dura.
(Tô usando muito dois pontos, ignorem.)
Como o livro é narrado na terceira pessoa, não dá pra saber muito o que a personagem principal (Margareth) pensa, mas é bem nítido, com o decorrer da leitura, que ela se deixa levar pelas opiniões das duas amigas, sem levar em consideração o que ela quer fazer. Eu já estava com raiva dela pensar o que as amigas delas falariam ou pensariam caso ela fizesse alguma coisa para si, como se a vida girasse em torno da Grace e da Isabelle.
Quando a Grace aparecia, eu queria rolar o meus olhos em 360° graus, porque pense numa garota chata e birrenta, dizendo coisas sem noção. Grace é como muitas pessoas que existem no mundo: pensam que só a opinião deles que importa. Chato, chato, chato. A objetividade da Grace em falar as coisas vinha sempre carregada de uma dose de arrogância. Quem aguenta isso?
Diferente das duas, a Isabelle é mais na dela, sempre querendo apaziguar os estranhamentos entre a Margareth e a Grace. Gostei mais dela do que das outras duas, e é apenas isso o que tenho para falar sobre ela.
O intuito da autora era criar uma atmosfera dos 1960 de Minneapolis, mas eu não senti isso. Se você não ler a sinopse, parece que você está lendo um livro que se passa nos dias de hoje, mas, claro, com adolescentes sem celular. Se a autora tivesse escrito um livro maior, criando mais cenas que mostrassem que o livro é ambientando nos 1960, acho que seria melhor. E sem falar que na sinopse, a Margareth é descrita como uma garota que ama os Beatles, porém ela nem fala desse amor da personagem pela banda.
O que mais me chamou atenção no livro foi um personagem dizendo para a Margareth que é gay. Isso é o ápice do livro, mas deixa a desejar quando a sexualidade do mesmo não é abordada de forma mais abrangente na história. O único diálogo que a Margareth tem sobre sexualidade é com a Mãe, porém foi tão vago.
May 25, 2021
Book 36 and f 2021;
Is this what Normal is
- Jane St. Anthony
-
In the fourth volume of a series set in Minneapolis in the 1960s, three friends navigate relationships and new questions about love and identity
After three years of high school, Margaret still isn’t any closer to what she wants: to sing and dance on Broadway, to be a model like Twiggy, to be madly in love with someone other than Paul McCartney. It’s not much to ask, but with her friends Grace and Isabelle she’s willing to adjust her goals for the summer to a job, a car, and a boyfriend.
When Grace gets a job downtown at the Emerald Cafe, where Teddy, a dreamy college kid, tends the meat buffet, it looks like she, at least, is almost halfway there—until Teddy asks for Margaret’s phone number. “Normal” might not be all it’s cracked up to be (high school graduation, marriage, and housewifery, really?), but as Teddy complicates the girls’ friendship, it slowly becomes apparent that “normal” might mean something different, and infinitely trickier, to him. As the old friends, with adulthood looming, navigate the newly confusing territory of love and sexuality and identity, everything they thought they knew is suddenly, frighteningly thrown into question—and they discover that between the dream of stardom and the certainty of housekeeping there’s a vast unsuspected world of peril and possibility.
With all the tenderness, heartache, and humor of her earlier novels about Margaret, Grace, and Isabelle, in Whatever Normal Is Jane St. Anthony takes the friends, and her readers, to a place beyond normal—to a future as satisfying as it is promising.
I grabbed this book straight off the shelf initially attracted to the cover so had no idea this was a series☹ This book was charming, but a little too light. The characters are sketched, rather than fully developed. This was almost like a short story someone expanded to a short novel. I haven't read the other books in the series, so perhaps there are elements in those that would buoy this book. But as a stand-alone, this was just all right.
3/5⭐️
Happy reading x
Is this what Normal is
- Jane St. Anthony
-
In the fourth volume of a series set in Minneapolis in the 1960s, three friends navigate relationships and new questions about love and identity
After three years of high school, Margaret still isn’t any closer to what she wants: to sing and dance on Broadway, to be a model like Twiggy, to be madly in love with someone other than Paul McCartney. It’s not much to ask, but with her friends Grace and Isabelle she’s willing to adjust her goals for the summer to a job, a car, and a boyfriend.
When Grace gets a job downtown at the Emerald Cafe, where Teddy, a dreamy college kid, tends the meat buffet, it looks like she, at least, is almost halfway there—until Teddy asks for Margaret’s phone number. “Normal” might not be all it’s cracked up to be (high school graduation, marriage, and housewifery, really?), but as Teddy complicates the girls’ friendship, it slowly becomes apparent that “normal” might mean something different, and infinitely trickier, to him. As the old friends, with adulthood looming, navigate the newly confusing territory of love and sexuality and identity, everything they thought they knew is suddenly, frighteningly thrown into question—and they discover that between the dream of stardom and the certainty of housekeeping there’s a vast unsuspected world of peril and possibility.
With all the tenderness, heartache, and humor of her earlier novels about Margaret, Grace, and Isabelle, in Whatever Normal Is Jane St. Anthony takes the friends, and her readers, to a place beyond normal—to a future as satisfying as it is promising.
I grabbed this book straight off the shelf initially attracted to the cover so had no idea this was a series☹ This book was charming, but a little too light. The characters are sketched, rather than fully developed. This was almost like a short story someone expanded to a short novel. I haven't read the other books in the series, so perhaps there are elements in those that would buoy this book. But as a stand-alone, this was just all right.
3/5⭐️
Happy reading x
July 5, 2020
Set in the 1960’s (something I did not know while reading this book), three best friends decide that they must get 1) a job, 2) a car, and 3) a boyfriend before their senior year of high school. Margaret meets Teddy because he works with Margaret’s friend, Grace. At first, she doesn’t want to date him because Grace was into him. Later, Grace tells her that she’s okay with Margaret dating Teddy, so she does. Despite how sweet and nice he was towards her, she knows that there’s a spark that’s missing. It isn’t until she discover what that spark is that she realizes that everything is not what it seems.
I’d like to start off by saying that Teddy was so creepy. He started by stalking Margaret and being so pushy about her dating him. Also, he’s a college student pursuing a high schooler and that’s just weird to me. The characters were boring and had no personality whatsoever. The writing style was all over the place, and the dialogue seemed immature. Sadly, there is not a single good thing I can say about this book other than the cover is really pretty.
*I received an ARC of this book by its publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I’d like to start off by saying that Teddy was so creepy. He started by stalking Margaret and being so pushy about her dating him. Also, he’s a college student pursuing a high schooler and that’s just weird to me. The characters were boring and had no personality whatsoever. The writing style was all over the place, and the dialogue seemed immature. Sadly, there is not a single good thing I can say about this book other than the cover is really pretty.
*I received an ARC of this book by its publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2019
I received a free copy of this book through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own.
I hate to give a book such a low review, but I just could not find anything I enjoyed with this book.
It takes place during the 1960s, although the only mention of the time period was the Vietnam War on the news every night. Just one line.
The three main characters felt so juvenile. They were juniors in high school, but their speech made them seem much younger. They were really one dimensional and just had no oomph.
SPOILERS HERE — I really took issue with the ending of the book. When Teddy came out as “queer” it just rubbed me the wrong way. I guess the wording. Then when Margaret begged him to let her tell her friends, and he finally relented. I mean, it’s his life. If he says not to tell , then DON’T TELL. Ugh.
The one good thing about this book was it was short. It only took about an hour and a half to read.
Unfortunately, I won’t be recommending this book. Sorry!
I hate to give a book such a low review, but I just could not find anything I enjoyed with this book.
It takes place during the 1960s, although the only mention of the time period was the Vietnam War on the news every night. Just one line.
The three main characters felt so juvenile. They were juniors in high school, but their speech made them seem much younger. They were really one dimensional and just had no oomph.
SPOILERS HERE — I really took issue with the ending of the book. When Teddy came out as “queer” it just rubbed me the wrong way. I guess the wording. Then when Margaret begged him to let her tell her friends, and he finally relented. I mean, it’s his life. If he says not to tell , then DON’T TELL. Ugh.
The one good thing about this book was it was short. It only took about an hour and a half to read.
Unfortunately, I won’t be recommending this book. Sorry!
May 25, 2019
I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an hones5 review.
I actually enjoyed this book and I wasn’t sure that I would. There were a few surprising directions that the plot took and I think that’s what made me like it.
This is a story about a one year snapshot of 3, 17 year old girls in the 1960’s. It’s told from Margaret’s perspective after one of her best friends, Grace, give the girls goals for the year; get a job, find a boyfriend, and get a car. The girls set about accomplishing these goals in their own way and it makes for a good story.
The novel had its ups and downs with friendship, jealousy, relationships, and secrets. I found the dialogue a bit lacking for me. It didn’t flow quite so well, and it was bit stiff. Other than that, I’d read the next book in the series.
I actually enjoyed this book and I wasn’t sure that I would. There were a few surprising directions that the plot took and I think that’s what made me like it.
This is a story about a one year snapshot of 3, 17 year old girls in the 1960’s. It’s told from Margaret’s perspective after one of her best friends, Grace, give the girls goals for the year; get a job, find a boyfriend, and get a car. The girls set about accomplishing these goals in their own way and it makes for a good story.
The novel had its ups and downs with friendship, jealousy, relationships, and secrets. I found the dialogue a bit lacking for me. It didn’t flow quite so well, and it was bit stiff. Other than that, I’d read the next book in the series.
February 8, 2019
tl;dr: A girl learns her gorgeous boyfriend isn't what she thought, and her friends help her through it, in mid-20th century Wisconsin.
This book was charming, but a little too light. The characters are sketched, rather than fully developed. Having read a number of novels about mid-20th century Queer life recently, I know there is more than could have been written. This was almost like a short story someone expanded to a short novel. I haven't read the other books in the series, so perhaps there are elements in those that would buoy this book. But as a stand-alone, this was just alright.
Thanks to NetGalley for the free copy for an honest review.
This book was charming, but a little too light. The characters are sketched, rather than fully developed. Having read a number of novels about mid-20th century Queer life recently, I know there is more than could have been written. This was almost like a short story someone expanded to a short novel. I haven't read the other books in the series, so perhaps there are elements in those that would buoy this book. But as a stand-alone, this was just alright.
Thanks to NetGalley for the free copy for an honest review.
April 16, 2019
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review
Truth is, despite the simple but gorgeous cover there's nothing that amused me in this book. Both the plot and characters were very bland. Even the twist, if you can even call it that, was predictable. None of the characters stood out and everyone seemed one dimensional. A positive is the book did give off a 1960's feel.
With the small page count this book took me entirely too long to get through. I almost gave up and DNF'd it, but decided to struggle to the end because of the length. Wouldn't recommend unless whiny and uninteresting characters are your thing.
Truth is, despite the simple but gorgeous cover there's nothing that amused me in this book. Both the plot and characters were very bland. Even the twist, if you can even call it that, was predictable. None of the characters stood out and everyone seemed one dimensional. A positive is the book did give off a 1960's feel.
With the small page count this book took me entirely too long to get through. I almost gave up and DNF'd it, but decided to struggle to the end because of the length. Wouldn't recommend unless whiny and uninteresting characters are your thing.
July 30, 2019
I have to say that as much as I wish I enjoyed this book, it was absolutely terrible. The beginning was okay, but as soon as Teddy comes into the book, it gets so bad. The plot doesnt start until at least 86% into the book and I had no idea that this was the fourth book in the series until I read the reviews. The only good thing about this book was that it was short. Thanks for wasting three hours of my life.
May 19, 2019
This coming of age story reflects the sensitivity between friends when it comes to dating and relationships. The author does a fine job exposing the insecurities and the thin balance between doing what parents expect and becoming independent. The slim volume introduces but does not fully delve into the emotions or long-term consequences of decisions made.
March 23, 2019
I think this is a case of "it's not you, it's me," but also there are some weird things going on in this one. RTC this evening when I get a chance to write. check back at: https://thebaronessofbooks.weebly.com...
August 10, 2019
Very superficial writing. It was like a long short story, without much character development. The "big reveal" at the end would have made for a better story throughout the book. In fact, I would have rather read this from Teddy's perspective.
I did like the Minneapolis references though.
I did like the Minneapolis references though.
January 11, 2019
RTC 30 days before official release
December 31, 2019
This was a roller coaster kind of read for me—the plot twist (at least the one that appeared to me as such) came at 85% of the book. I do feel like those who would like to read what it's like to come of age, in the US during the 60s would relate a little better. Sometimes, books don't work as well for some readers. I still wish the author the best! Here are a few things I liked about the story.
Here are all the books I read in 2019! :)
Here are all the books I read in 2019! :)
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews