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Every Little Piece of Me
From the bestselling author of We're All in This Together comes a novel about family, friendship, fame, and the cost of living in the public eye -- because when everyone suddenly knows your name, it's easy to forget who you really are.
"The first time they met, Mags saved Ava's life. The second time they met, Ava saved Mags's."
Ava Hart is the most reluctant cast member of a reality TV show based on her big city family's (mostly staged) efforts to run a B&B in small-town Nova Scotia. Every family has its problems, but Ava has grown up seeing her family's every up and down broadcast on national television, after the show becomes an unexpected success for reasons that will take a heavy toll on the Harts.
Mags Kovach is the charismatic lead singer of a struggling Halifax rock band hoping to be the Next Big Thing. For years she's managed to contain her demons and navigate the uglier aspects of being a woman in the music world, but after a devastating loss, she turns her anger on the only person she can: herself.
As their private tragedies continue to set social media and tabloid headlines on fire, their every move subjected to an endless stream of public commentary, it will be their unexpected friendship that will save them. They will push back against the roles they've been forced to play, and take back control of something they thought they'd lost forever -- the right to their own stories.
"The first time they met, Mags saved Ava's life. The second time they met, Ava saved Mags's."
Ava Hart is the most reluctant cast member of a reality TV show based on her big city family's (mostly staged) efforts to run a B&B in small-town Nova Scotia. Every family has its problems, but Ava has grown up seeing her family's every up and down broadcast on national television, after the show becomes an unexpected success for reasons that will take a heavy toll on the Harts.
Mags Kovach is the charismatic lead singer of a struggling Halifax rock band hoping to be the Next Big Thing. For years she's managed to contain her demons and navigate the uglier aspects of being a woman in the music world, but after a devastating loss, she turns her anger on the only person she can: herself.
As their private tragedies continue to set social media and tabloid headlines on fire, their every move subjected to an endless stream of public commentary, it will be their unexpected friendship that will save them. They will push back against the roles they've been forced to play, and take back control of something they thought they'd lost forever -- the right to their own stories.
400 pages, Paperback
First published June 4, 2019
16 people are currently reading
1395 people want to read
About the author
Amy Jones
142 books111 followersAMY JONES won the 2006 CBC Literary Prize for Short Fiction and was a finalist for the 2005 Bronwen Wallace Award. She is a graduate of the Optional Residency MFA Program in Creative Writing at UBC, and her fiction has appeared in Best Canadian Stories and The Journey Prize Stories. Her debut collection of stories, What Boys Like, was the winner of the 2008 Metcalf-Rooke Award and a finalist for the 2010 ReLit Award. Originally from Halifax, she now lives in Thunder Bay, where she is associate editor of The Walleye. The author lives in Thunder Bay, ON.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews
July 23, 2019
Pensive, sharp, and tragic!
Every Little Piece of Me is a character-driven, gritty tale that follows two women, unlikely friends, Mags and Ava, as they each struggle to find some semblance of control, meaning, and love in a life littered with abandonment, self-destruction, and relentless scrutiny.
The prose is pithy and effective. The characters are young, damaged, lonely, and vulnerable. And the plot is a realistic, moving story about familial drama, exploitation, loneliness, self-preservation, coming-of-age, and the unrelenting pressure of fame and fortune.
Overall, Every Little Piece of Me is a sensitive, heartwrenching, timely tale that does a remarkable job of highlighting the detrimental effects of reality tv and technology on the human psyche and reminds us that even in this high-tech, digital world we still have an innate requirement for kindness, interaction, companionship, intimacy, and love that's created and nurtured offline.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Every Little Piece of Me is a character-driven, gritty tale that follows two women, unlikely friends, Mags and Ava, as they each struggle to find some semblance of control, meaning, and love in a life littered with abandonment, self-destruction, and relentless scrutiny.
The prose is pithy and effective. The characters are young, damaged, lonely, and vulnerable. And the plot is a realistic, moving story about familial drama, exploitation, loneliness, self-preservation, coming-of-age, and the unrelenting pressure of fame and fortune.
Overall, Every Little Piece of Me is a sensitive, heartwrenching, timely tale that does a remarkable job of highlighting the detrimental effects of reality tv and technology on the human psyche and reminds us that even in this high-tech, digital world we still have an innate requirement for kindness, interaction, companionship, intimacy, and love that's created and nurtured offline.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 7, 2019
An interesting examination of what it is like to be in the spotlight. The author follows 2 female protagonists- Ava, who is in her family's reality show and Mags, the singer of an up and coming band.
In today's world with cell phones and social media, nothing stays secret. When you are in the public eye, everyone wants a piece of you.
For the most part, I enjoyed this book, but I preferred Mag's story over Ava's. I found Ava to be an unsympathetic character from the get go. Sure, she was uprooted and thrown into the "Hart Family" reality show, but she was angry even before the exposure. She came across as a self centered, spiteful brat. Her attitude to her sister, Eden, who embraced the show, was downright appalling.
Mags, on the other hand, had a rough childhood and she struggled to get where she was. I really cared for her and what happened to her. How she was treated broke my heart.
I found the book to be very readable- especially with all the insights into social media. So glad I will never have to worry about anyone watching my every action:)
It certainly wasn't a book I found utterly compelling, but nonetheless, enjoyable!
In today's world with cell phones and social media, nothing stays secret. When you are in the public eye, everyone wants a piece of you.
For the most part, I enjoyed this book, but I preferred Mag's story over Ava's. I found Ava to be an unsympathetic character from the get go. Sure, she was uprooted and thrown into the "Hart Family" reality show, but she was angry even before the exposure. She came across as a self centered, spiteful brat. Her attitude to her sister, Eden, who embraced the show, was downright appalling.
Mags, on the other hand, had a rough childhood and she struggled to get where she was. I really cared for her and what happened to her. How she was treated broke my heart.
I found the book to be very readable- especially with all the insights into social media. So glad I will never have to worry about anyone watching my every action:)
It certainly wasn't a book I found utterly compelling, but nonetheless, enjoyable!
October 8, 2019
Every Little Piece of Me tells the story of two young women as they begin to explore who they are under the harsh glare of stardom and fame.
Every Little Piece of Me is told through two perspectives: Ava Hart, a young woman thrust into the reality television spotlight, and Mags Kovach, the lead singer of an up and coming band. Though both women are dealing with different types of fame, they are ultimately dealing with the cost of living in the public eye.
There are two great stories within this one novel. Ava growing up in the public sphere through reality television and Mags growing up on stage for all to see. Unfortunately, Every Little Piece of Me only skims the surface of these stories. Though the novel is 400 pages, Ava and Mags’ stories are not as developed as they could be.
Every Little Piece of Me focuses heavily on media, women, how women are expected to act, and how they are perceived. In many ways, women are held to a higher standard in terms of their actions when they are in the spotlight. This is on full display as both Ava and Mags lives begin to unravel and vitriol spewed at them.
Between each chapter are samples of social media posts and articles written about the two young women. These offer readers direct insight into the scrutiny these young women are under and the cruelty of keyboard warriors.
Overall, Every Little Piece of Me is an exploration of social media influence, fame, and women.
Trigger warnings for alcohol/drug abuse, suicidal ideation, and sexual assault.
*** I received a finished copy of the novel from the publisher for an honest review.
Every Little Piece of Me is told through two perspectives: Ava Hart, a young woman thrust into the reality television spotlight, and Mags Kovach, the lead singer of an up and coming band. Though both women are dealing with different types of fame, they are ultimately dealing with the cost of living in the public eye.
There are two great stories within this one novel. Ava growing up in the public sphere through reality television and Mags growing up on stage for all to see. Unfortunately, Every Little Piece of Me only skims the surface of these stories. Though the novel is 400 pages, Ava and Mags’ stories are not as developed as they could be.
Every Little Piece of Me focuses heavily on media, women, how women are expected to act, and how they are perceived. In many ways, women are held to a higher standard in terms of their actions when they are in the spotlight. This is on full display as both Ava and Mags lives begin to unravel and vitriol spewed at them.
Between each chapter are samples of social media posts and articles written about the two young women. These offer readers direct insight into the scrutiny these young women are under and the cruelty of keyboard warriors.
Overall, Every Little Piece of Me is an exploration of social media influence, fame, and women.
Trigger warnings for alcohol/drug abuse, suicidal ideation, and sexual assault.
*** I received a finished copy of the novel from the publisher for an honest review.
February 9, 2022
This is a book about the worst of Humanity.
This is a book about family, or the lack of it, vulnerability, abandon, isolation & loss.
This is a book about the consequences of living in a society: the judging stares, the opinions, the lies, and the pressure of social media. The constant glare from strangers, burning your skin like salt on ice.
This is a book about two girls, and how they cope with said pressure: sex, drugs and rock & roll.
Both somewhat suicidal and high most of the time, Megs and Ava meet in the most unfortunate time: Ava suicide attempt. That is the first time they actually meet, and also the first chapter, and it gives the tone to the whole book. Pages after pages, we go back in time, and the story builds up to this one moment.
Sometimes raw and honest, sometimes fake and artificial, this book depicts what life as a young celebrity can be without the right entourage. How toxic it can get.
"Perform. Take drugs. Sell yourself short. Make money. Stop whining, you have everything you need."
It's the mantra both Ava and Megs are hearing constantly, by their managers/producers and family members. The pressure is so high, that they become numb and turn too extreme experiences to feel something (although they've convinced themselves that they don't want to feel anything).
When you read the book, it feels heavy. Exactly what life is for those two characters. Although not my typical genre, I have to say that I learn a lot about life reading this book.
‘’Like it’s so easy to walk away. I mean, I know it was easy for you, but you don’t give a shit about anything or anyone but yourself. The rest of us, we actually care about things, you know. We make commitments to people and we keep them. We don’t just give up because we’re sad or because things get too hard. ‘’
I learned that sometimes, you only need to land a hand to save a life. I leaned that some people are more difficult than others, and it's okay. Sometimes, they just need us to listen. And sometimes, there is nothing you can do to save them. They have to touch rock bottom to save themselves.
Just when you think these two girls have hit rock bottom…they stand back up again. For themselves.
Truly refreshing !
I only give 3 out of 5 stars because it isn’t my typical read, and some things about this book still make me feel very uncomfortable - maybe a bit too honest for me. It felt like the characters wanted to be hurt, and it is not something I encourage or even understand.
Great writing, nice pace, great character development! Great quotes too:
‘’When you lose everything, all you have left is yourself.’’
‘’I forgive you even if you don’t forgive me.’’
This is a book about family, or the lack of it, vulnerability, abandon, isolation & loss.
This is a book about the consequences of living in a society: the judging stares, the opinions, the lies, and the pressure of social media. The constant glare from strangers, burning your skin like salt on ice.
This is a book about two girls, and how they cope with said pressure: sex, drugs and rock & roll.
Both somewhat suicidal and high most of the time, Megs and Ava meet in the most unfortunate time: Ava suicide attempt. That is the first time they actually meet, and also the first chapter, and it gives the tone to the whole book. Pages after pages, we go back in time, and the story builds up to this one moment.
Sometimes raw and honest, sometimes fake and artificial, this book depicts what life as a young celebrity can be without the right entourage. How toxic it can get.
"Perform. Take drugs. Sell yourself short. Make money. Stop whining, you have everything you need."
It's the mantra both Ava and Megs are hearing constantly, by their managers/producers and family members. The pressure is so high, that they become numb and turn too extreme experiences to feel something (although they've convinced themselves that they don't want to feel anything).
When you read the book, it feels heavy. Exactly what life is for those two characters. Although not my typical genre, I have to say that I learn a lot about life reading this book.
‘’Like it’s so easy to walk away. I mean, I know it was easy for you, but you don’t give a shit about anything or anyone but yourself. The rest of us, we actually care about things, you know. We make commitments to people and we keep them. We don’t just give up because we’re sad or because things get too hard. ‘’
I learned that sometimes, you only need to land a hand to save a life. I leaned that some people are more difficult than others, and it's okay. Sometimes, they just need us to listen. And sometimes, there is nothing you can do to save them. They have to touch rock bottom to save themselves.
Just when you think these two girls have hit rock bottom…they stand back up again. For themselves.
Truly refreshing !
I only give 3 out of 5 stars because it isn’t my typical read, and some things about this book still make me feel very uncomfortable - maybe a bit too honest for me. It felt like the characters wanted to be hurt, and it is not something I encourage or even understand.
Great writing, nice pace, great character development! Great quotes too:
‘’When you lose everything, all you have left is yourself.’’
‘’I forgive you even if you don’t forgive me.’’
March 25, 2024
Every Little Piece of Me by Canadian author Amy Jones is an engrossing novel about family, friendship, fame, and the unexpected costs of living in the public eye - because when everyone knows your name, it's easy to forget who you really are.
I agree with the following quote by Stacey May Fowles:-
"This adrenaline rush of a novel succeeds in reminding us of the humanity forgotten behind all our flickering screens. It's easy to fall in love with Ava and Mags and their connection to each other, to relate to their vulnerabilities, and to cheer on their strengths. Jones had written a refreshing, whip-smart story about the toxicity of our 'always on', always online, reality TV culture."
Thanks to a former Secret Sender for gifting me this amazing book. I highly recommend Every Little Piece of Me to those who enjoyed Daisy Jones and the Six. 4.3 stars
I agree with the following quote by Stacey May Fowles:-
"This adrenaline rush of a novel succeeds in reminding us of the humanity forgotten behind all our flickering screens. It's easy to fall in love with Ava and Mags and their connection to each other, to relate to their vulnerabilities, and to cheer on their strengths. Jones had written a refreshing, whip-smart story about the toxicity of our 'always on', always online, reality TV culture."
Thanks to a former Secret Sender for gifting me this amazing book. I highly recommend Every Little Piece of Me to those who enjoyed Daisy Jones and the Six. 4.3 stars
June 21, 2019
A good story, but different from what the opening led me to believe. The first chapter caught my attention, but then the story goes back and we don't get to that moment until 2/3 of the way through. It's not that the story wasn't interesting, but it felt like very long backstory to get us to the actual plot. Well written, though, and Jones offers up some good social critique without being heavy-handed about it.
May 4, 2021
An entertaining read. A unique meeting place of how and where Mags and Ava meet and then the journey of how their lives were the same and also had many differences.
Ms. Jones would certainly had numerous reality shows of which to glean ideas from to create this part of her book. The family members and the various network executives seemed very plausible as did the story lines of the show starting off featuring Ava & then turning to Eden, her subsequent downfall. And, then the show "finding" Ave once more.
With regards to Mags, there could have been ideas taken from watching numerous entertainment shows on the ups and downs of female lead singers and/or reading biographies of such icons such as Pat Benetar, Blondie, Stevie Nicks, etc. to contribute to, in my opinion, a truly believe able character.
Ms. Jones would certainly had numerous reality shows of which to glean ideas from to create this part of her book. The family members and the various network executives seemed very plausible as did the story lines of the show starting off featuring Ava & then turning to Eden, her subsequent downfall. And, then the show "finding" Ave once more.
With regards to Mags, there could have been ideas taken from watching numerous entertainment shows on the ups and downs of female lead singers and/or reading biographies of such icons such as Pat Benetar, Blondie, Stevie Nicks, etc. to contribute to, in my opinion, a truly believe able character.
April 1, 2020
Ava is beroemd door de realityshow over haar familie. Iedereen kent haar naam, maar niemand kent haar écht. Mags is de zangeres van de bejubelde band Align Above. Elke dag opnieuw krijgt ze dezelfde shit over zich heen ‘die er nou eenmaal bij hoort’ als vrouw in de muziekwereld. De twee jonge vrouwen dreigen zichzelf kwijt te raken en ten onder te gaan aan de verwachtingen van anderen. Hun ontluikende vriendschap geeft hen de kans om de regie over hun eigen levens terug te claimen. Famous van Amy Jones is een verslavende roman over de keerzijde van beroemd zijn.
🎶Amy Jones schrijft over de prominente rol van sociale media in onze levens en het seksisme in de muziekindustrie. Een absolute aanrader voor de fans van Daisy Jones & The Six.
Mijn complete recensie lees je op Boekvinder.be.
🎶Amy Jones schrijft over de prominente rol van sociale media in onze levens en het seksisme in de muziekindustrie. Een absolute aanrader voor de fans van Daisy Jones & The Six.
Mijn complete recensie lees je op Boekvinder.be.
April 14, 2019
The two main protagonists in this novel hit puberty/early adulthood and we are brought along in an endless search for identity. They were both "outsiders" and their inner monologue was relatable due to a painfully relatable insecurity that all teens seem to possess. Throughout the novel there are media releases focusing on both characters, one a reality show star and the other a rock star. Is this the author trying to convey how vapid and meaningless the public's obsession with celebrity has become? Maybe it is prophetic on how technology and social media can shape our lives. I kept waiting for a heroine moment, but felt the characters were drawn as entitled and just along for the ride. Helpless victims against all the events out of their control. The two protagonists meet and help each other through their circumstances and the end of the novel has them trying to take control of their lives back but i didn't find their "struggles" all that relatable or interesting.
December 1, 2019
I liked the premise of this novel: a deep dive into the darker realities of fame in a world obsessed with social media and the twenty-four hour news cycle. And I will always give a Canadian book a read 🇨🇦. Unfortunately, this one fell a little flat. The promised “friendship” between Mags and Ava came way too late in the novel, their stories only briefly brushing each other in the first 2/3s. Both Mags and Ava were also, unfortunately, super unlikeable (like, whiny, entitled, bratty unlikeable). I get acting out as a coping mechanism but after the third or fourth “lashing out” moment that resulted in some kind of private or public property being destroyed, I was pretty much over it. This book lacked the nuance and maturity to be considered an adult book, and I think the only reason it isn’t marketed as YA is due to the rampant drug and alcohol abuse. This book just didn’t work for me 🤷🏼♀️
February 25, 2021
Entertaining and timely for sure.... but most of the characters were underdeveloped.... and the ending was trite and unsatisfying. A recommended read? Only if you're looking for a quick diversionary read..
June 19, 2019
Finished it in 24 hours! Loved every single page. Well done Amy!!!!
March 9, 2024
For those that like a novel involving life in the midst of fame such as "Daisy Jones and The Six" or "Songs in Ursa Major", this is definitely one to check out.
Unlike those mentioned novels though, this story is not solely set in the music scene. There is two points of view and one is from a member of band and the other is from a reality television star.
I don't think that summarizes the plot enough though. This novel shows a slice of life but it really it is an in-depth and emotional story. It's one that if you are going through a hard time (especially a time surrounding illness, death of a loved one, or grief) maybe pass on this one until a more appropriate and reasonable time.
This story covers some HEAVY topics. Whether it be illness and death or different relationships. Sibling, romantic, friendship, and/or professional.
I really enjoyed how this novel was set mostly in Canada and that I was able to recognize quite a few places that were mentioned. This was a happy surprise that I didn't know about prior to picking this book up.
This was a really great read and the writing was exquisite. Again, I must emphasize though: make sure you are in a good (or as good as it's going to get) place mentally and/or emotionally to read this because although I have not lived through either of these character's circumstances, it definitely brought out some heavy emotions that I empathized with.
***I received a physical copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review***
Unlike those mentioned novels though, this story is not solely set in the music scene. There is two points of view and one is from a member of band and the other is from a reality television star.
I don't think that summarizes the plot enough though. This novel shows a slice of life but it really it is an in-depth and emotional story. It's one that if you are going through a hard time (especially a time surrounding illness, death of a loved one, or grief) maybe pass on this one until a more appropriate and reasonable time.
This story covers some HEAVY topics. Whether it be illness and death or different relationships. Sibling, romantic, friendship, and/or professional.
I really enjoyed how this novel was set mostly in Canada and that I was able to recognize quite a few places that were mentioned. This was a happy surprise that I didn't know about prior to picking this book up.
This was a really great read and the writing was exquisite. Again, I must emphasize though: make sure you are in a good (or as good as it's going to get) place mentally and/or emotionally to read this because although I have not lived through either of these character's circumstances, it definitely brought out some heavy emotions that I empathized with.
***I received a physical copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review***
December 22, 2021
Categorically the worst thing I have ever read. Sorry.
July 18, 2019
A surprisingly enjoyable read. I was a little skeptical, but the play between the musician and the reality TV star and the challenges of being celebrities in a world that worships and thinks of them as their own was quite interesting. And it was lovely to have Nova Scotia as the base of one of the two stories.
December 29, 2020
Every Little Piece of Me follows two women who are in the spotlight in their own right: Mags and Ava. Mags is the lead singer of a rock band she formed with her eventual husband. When they finally make it big, tragedy strikes and Mags is left to navigate the world of music amidst her grief and anger. Ava is, reluctantly, a cast member of her family's reality show in which they run a bed and breakfast in Nova Scotia. She grows up on the show and watches it broadcast her families ups and downs as it takes a heavy toll on them.
They advertise this book as the first time they meet, Mags saves Ava's life and the second time they meet Ava saves Mag's. Everything in the middle they are pretty well separate. In all honestly, I did not like either character's story. We go back and forth between each character and watch them grow up and into these broken women who need to save each other. I guess I'm for the idea of women helping women, but the stories were not great. It actually felt like both of them were just being dragged along as victims and all we could do was blame the media but don't worry, women support women. It felt really forced and I don't know if it is the best showing of women empowerment. We can blame the media for a lot of what happened to these young women, but they did a lot to themselves and were not just victims.
It felt like the author was throwing grit onto grit and trying to make this as edgy as possible. Going into it, I thought it would be cool to be in the brains of a reality start and a rock star, but it was all just...blegh. I think this book was supposed to be heart-wrenching and throw some blame on how the media treats women but it just did not get me there.
Recommendation: I don't recommend this book. There has to be better Canadian fiction than this. There has to be better women empowerment, media shaming, edgy books. There just has to be.
Also I would give this book an 18+ because some of the content is not appropriate for high school (in my opinion)
Read more at www.bookitus.blogspot.com
They advertise this book as the first time they meet, Mags saves Ava's life and the second time they meet Ava saves Mag's. Everything in the middle they are pretty well separate. In all honestly, I did not like either character's story. We go back and forth between each character and watch them grow up and into these broken women who need to save each other. I guess I'm for the idea of women helping women, but the stories were not great. It actually felt like both of them were just being dragged along as victims and all we could do was blame the media but don't worry, women support women. It felt really forced and I don't know if it is the best showing of women empowerment. We can blame the media for a lot of what happened to these young women, but they did a lot to themselves and were not just victims.
It felt like the author was throwing grit onto grit and trying to make this as edgy as possible. Going into it, I thought it would be cool to be in the brains of a reality start and a rock star, but it was all just...blegh. I think this book was supposed to be heart-wrenching and throw some blame on how the media treats women but it just did not get me there.
Recommendation: I don't recommend this book. There has to be better Canadian fiction than this. There has to be better women empowerment, media shaming, edgy books. There just has to be.
Also I would give this book an 18+ because some of the content is not appropriate for high school (in my opinion)
Read more at www.bookitus.blogspot.com
July 22, 2019
Every Little Piece of Me examines the life of being a celebrity in this day of social media. Ava Hart is a cast member on her family's new reality show which she was very reluctant to do. She watches her family change as celebrity status hits. Mags becomes the lead singer of a struggling rock band when they quickly find success. But with all the success comes loss. When both women meet they decide to take back their lives. This was a fun book but also both women experience a lot of heartache and pain. I enjoyed the mix of stories combined with the social media aspects. This book has a bit of a Daisy Jones feel. Thanks to goodreads and the publisher for this giveaway win!
August 15, 2022
EDIT 8/15 because with enough distance from this book I can't think of an actual reason it should be awarded an extra star, and it will likely be my least favourite book of 2022. Lol, lol, lol.
omg did you know reality television is fake and that it’s hard to tell where the line is between someone’s onscreen persona and ~who they really are~? Read this book for this and other profound original insights! Bonus if you have been dying to consume literature in which the deep and tortured female leads are the only women who are not both vapid and evil. If you hate secondary characters with any degree of nuance or believability, you will LOVE this book!
omg did you know reality television is fake and that it’s hard to tell where the line is between someone’s onscreen persona and ~who they really are~? Read this book for this and other profound original insights! Bonus if you have been dying to consume literature in which the deep and tortured female leads are the only women who are not both vapid and evil. If you hate secondary characters with any degree of nuance or believability, you will LOVE this book!
June 10, 2019
Couldn't put it down, finished in a weekend.
Interesting characters and I really like the shitty Internet comment sections in-between chapters, showing us the crap that is the Internet.
Interesting characters and I really like the shitty Internet comment sections in-between chapters, showing us the crap that is the Internet.
February 10, 2022
Brought me to tears.
*Gifted by Penguin Random House Canada*
*Gifted by Penguin Random House Canada*
July 22, 2019
It's 2009 and Ava is the eldest daughter of two married gay men ... she, her brother and sister were adopted. When she was about 12, they were living in New York City. Her dads receive and accept an offer for the family to be in a reality show ... they would be running a B&B in rural Nova Scotia! What?! Ava doesn't want to do it and does all she can to sabotage when they are filming. She gets her wish when her younger sister, Eden, attracts the spotlight and Ava is able to blend more into the background. She still resents having her family's lives constantly filmed and talked about on social media.
In the meantime, Mags and Sam are 15 and living in Halifax, Nova Scotia and dating. Mags' mother had passed away a few years earlier and she is being raised by her alcohol and drug addicted older sister. They have a falling out and Mags has nowhere else to go but to move (secretly) into Sam's family home. Mags and Sam formed a band with a couple of friends with a goal of the big time. Then Sam passes away at age 21 of cancer. On the cusp of success, Mags turns to drugs and booze to help her with her grief so she and the band can carry on.
In 2014, Ava (now 18) and Mags (now 21) meet. Both have their issues and their demons and they form a friendship because of their common bond of having to live and perform in the spotlight.
This is the second book I've read by this author and I liked it. When I read the first chapter, which is when Ava and Mags first meet in 2014, it wasn't grabbing me and I wasn't too sure if I was going to get into the story. But I kept going and I'm glad I did because I ended up liking it. The first chapter is, as I said, when they meet, and then the story goes back in time to 2009. The chapters alternate between Ava and Mags until present day, which is 2015. Plus there are chapters of what social media said about them and their behavior.
I liked the writing style ... it's written in third person perspective with the focus on Ava and/or Mags. I'm originally from Nova Scotia and live in Toronto, where the story at times takes place. I'm not far from where Mags "lived" here in Toronto and am just east of Parkdale, where she "parties". As a head's up, there is swearing.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2019/07...
In the meantime, Mags and Sam are 15 and living in Halifax, Nova Scotia and dating. Mags' mother had passed away a few years earlier and she is being raised by her alcohol and drug addicted older sister. They have a falling out and Mags has nowhere else to go but to move (secretly) into Sam's family home. Mags and Sam formed a band with a couple of friends with a goal of the big time. Then Sam passes away at age 21 of cancer. On the cusp of success, Mags turns to drugs and booze to help her with her grief so she and the band can carry on.
In 2014, Ava (now 18) and Mags (now 21) meet. Both have their issues and their demons and they form a friendship because of their common bond of having to live and perform in the spotlight.
This is the second book I've read by this author and I liked it. When I read the first chapter, which is when Ava and Mags first meet in 2014, it wasn't grabbing me and I wasn't too sure if I was going to get into the story. But I kept going and I'm glad I did because I ended up liking it. The first chapter is, as I said, when they meet, and then the story goes back in time to 2009. The chapters alternate between Ava and Mags until present day, which is 2015. Plus there are chapters of what social media said about them and their behavior.
I liked the writing style ... it's written in third person perspective with the focus on Ava and/or Mags. I'm originally from Nova Scotia and live in Toronto, where the story at times takes place. I'm not far from where Mags "lived" here in Toronto and am just east of Parkdale, where she "parties". As a head's up, there is swearing.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2019/07...
September 5, 2019
Every Little Piece of Me by Amy Jones is a book that will make you cringe. You’ll cringe because of the character’s actions, you’ll cringe because you’ll recognize the destructive behaviour they consistently engage in, you’ll cringe because you’ll see how your activity on the internet can cause these negative reactions, and you’ll cringe because this novel shines a light on something so pervasive we’ve taught ourselves to ignore it. You certainly won’t cringe at the writing though; it’s a beautiful book, woven with empathy and humour, and still quite engaging at almost 400 pages.
There are two main protagonists that the chapters alternate between. Ava is an adopted daughter of two Dads who uproot their kids from New York City to small town Nova Scotia to star in a reality television series about running a maritime bed and breakfast. Not surprisingly, Ava is horrified at this turn of events in her life, and quickly becomes the sullen, mysterious character of the show. Ava’s younger sister Eden is responsible for rescuing the family’s finances and stardom, as a video of her singing goes viral on youtube which ensures their tv show remains a steadfast hit, cultivating millions of obsessed fans in their wake. This sudden rise to fame has dark consequences (duh), and Eden quickly lands in rehab just before the age of 20, which in a surprising turn of events forces Ava even further into the spotlight as she starts in her own reality show spin-off.
Mags is our other protagonist; she grows up in a broken home under the care of her drug-addled sister, finally running away to live with her friend and first-love Sam. Together they join a rock band and slowly rise to fame, but their stardom coincides with the death of young Sam from cancer, leaving Mags in a perilous place between reaching her dreams of musical success but without her partner and one true love. Acting out of extreme grief with a manipulative group of people around her, Mags throws herself into the cliched rockstar life of drugs and alcohol , desperate to numb herself from the fact she’s lost the only person in her life who has ever had her best interests at heart.
It’s not a spoiler to say that Ava and Mags meet when they need each other most; this happens in the first chapter, but then we go back in time to what led to their individual breakdowns. There is a specific moment where there are distinct and strong echoes of Britney Spears’s bat-wielding breakdown, but what’s so heartbreaking about this book is that we witness and understand the slow descent that leads to that rock bottom level. I truly hope none of my dear readers are internet trolls who leave nasty comments on celebrity profiles or articles, but if you are, firstly, shame on you, and secondly, this book will change your mind about how harmless you may think it is. Spoiler alert: it’s not harmless, people read that stuff and take it to heart, doesn’t matter if they’re a celebrity, they are still human.
It would have been easy for Jones to use the two women in a comparison of what to do vs. what not to do, but instead a very nuanced picture is drawn of the problematic environment these women find themselves in. What’s interesting is that Ava follows social media closely, reading all the hurtful comments people inevitably post about her, while Mags ignores all that but is still caught up in the destructive cycle of fame, hurt by the people taking advantage of her talent and pain. At the end of each chapter is a screen grab of a message board or press release displaying the state of Mags and Ava’s reputations at that point in time. Like reading the comments section of an online article (which you should never do!), the worst of humanity is on display for all to see, and although this part of the novel can be sickening, it is also terrifyingly realistic. And although this book is filled with chance meetings and easy coincidences, it is more than realistic in how it portrays the trajectory of one’s life; people will inevitably let you down, treat you unfairly, or simply use you for their own gain. Jones’s characters teach us the importance of finding those who will do the exact opposite; care for you when you need it most, talk to you when no one else will, and love for you who you truly are, not for what you can offer in return.
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August 5, 2020
I’m so glad I picked this book on a whim (thank you, library).
This book did not hold back on any of the drama. I was ready to cry half way through the book, and it just kept going from there.
This book follows 2 young ladies who take very different paths to fame, not that they asked for it.
This had really great commentary and insight on how social media affects the minds of younger stars. I was so impressed at how delicate and fragile situations were handled. I’m really glad details were not given for some things.
The exploration of the downward spiral was amazing, and I found myself rooting for characters to get through rough patches.
I really appreciated the author adding in various social media posts and media snippets to add to the drama. It breaks my heart at how real it made things feel, and it’s sad that we obsess about people this way…
I just really loved this book. It was really cool to have the bulk of the story set in Canada, mostly between Nova Scotia and Ontario. I will say though…hearing Toronto pronounced with the last “t” and the way the narrator said Spadina as Spadeena (avenue, in Toronto)…was a little weird lol
This book did not hold back on any of the drama. I was ready to cry half way through the book, and it just kept going from there.
This book follows 2 young ladies who take very different paths to fame, not that they asked for it.
This had really great commentary and insight on how social media affects the minds of younger stars. I was so impressed at how delicate and fragile situations were handled. I’m really glad details were not given for some things.
The exploration of the downward spiral was amazing, and I found myself rooting for characters to get through rough patches.
I really appreciated the author adding in various social media posts and media snippets to add to the drama. It breaks my heart at how real it made things feel, and it’s sad that we obsess about people this way…
I just really loved this book. It was really cool to have the bulk of the story set in Canada, mostly between Nova Scotia and Ontario. I will say though…hearing Toronto pronounced with the last “t” and the way the narrator said Spadina as Spadeena (avenue, in Toronto)…was a little weird lol
March 9, 2020
Sorry! Maar ik kan er niet meer van maken..
Het concept van het verhaal is leuk, origineel en veelbelovend. De karakters daarintegen vond ik irritant. Ze zijn allemaal zo negatief over het leven en wat daarin gebeurd dat ik zelf terplekke een depressie ontwikkel.
Af en toe kwamen er gebeurtenissen naar voren die het verhaal weer een kleine boost gaven, maar dat was meestal van korte duur.
Voor mij dus helaas een tegenvaller. Jammer, want het boek beloofde zoveel goeds!
Binnenkort de volledige recensie online op lovethesmellofbooks.nl 😘
Het concept van het verhaal is leuk, origineel en veelbelovend. De karakters daarintegen vond ik irritant. Ze zijn allemaal zo negatief over het leven en wat daarin gebeurd dat ik zelf terplekke een depressie ontwikkel.
Af en toe kwamen er gebeurtenissen naar voren die het verhaal weer een kleine boost gaven, maar dat was meestal van korte duur.
Voor mij dus helaas een tegenvaller. Jammer, want het boek beloofde zoveel goeds!
Binnenkort de volledige recensie online op lovethesmellofbooks.nl 😘
May 24, 2023
There are lots of laugh out loud parts in this story, but I had to worry about what was happening to the main characters, who are becoming famous and concurrently learning about being bullied by all the horrifying comments on the internet. Two young women gradually come into each others' lives, to their eventual salvation. I found the writing excellent and cared about the characters, and how they went about grieving their losses. The story echoes other books about people who have been ruined by social media and the news cycle.
November 25, 2019
This was actually a great little book; I really want to read Jones's other work now. This is the story of a family that grows up on television, with alternate chapters about a young woman who's in a Canadian rock band, and what Canadian fame does to both people. It's really well written and a lot of fun to read, while pointing out the poignancy of a world that seems to be playing out in public all the time.
February 20, 2020
This sad, depressing book casts a very dark light on the price of fame, especially when thrust upon young women without the skills to cope. It's a bit contrived that both Mags and Ava are motherless girls estranged from their sisters, but on the other hand, would they otherwise have bonded?
Reading their stories as they grew from teenagers to young adult women, there's a dull ache that formed in my heart for both of them. And (spoiler alert!), there's probably not such a happy ending either.
Reading their stories as they grew from teenagers to young adult women, there's a dull ache that formed in my heart for both of them. And (spoiler alert!), there's probably not such a happy ending either.
August 14, 2019
Three and a half stars.
Loved the female friendship, and the overarching theme of what attention/celebrity/ constant surveillance does to the female psyche. This book felt very modern and up to date.
Loved the female friendship, and the overarching theme of what attention/celebrity/ constant surveillance does to the female psyche. This book felt very modern and up to date.
August 1, 2019
Excellent book but the ending could of been better
August 2, 2019
Perfect for fans of Daisy Jones & The Six.
I want more. MORE!!
I want more. MORE!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 121 reviews