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The Insomniacs
Marit Weisenberg's The Insomniacs is “a deeply beautiful story of yearning, heartache, trauma, and love” (Jennifer Niven, #1 New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places) about two teens who discover the secrets of their neighborhood after everyone else turns out the lights.
Ingrid can’t sleep.
She can’t remember, either.
A competitive diver, seventeen-year-old Ingrid is haunted by what she saw at the pool at a routine meet, before falling off the high dive and waking up concussed. The only thing she remembers about the moment before her dive is locking eyes with Van—her neighbor, former best friend, and forever crush—kissing his girlfriend on the sidelines. But that can’t be all.
Then one sleepless night, she sees Van out her window…looking right back at her. They begin not sleeping together by night, still ignoring each other at school by day.
Ingrid tells herself this is just temporary, but soon, she and Van are up every night piecing her memory back together. As Van works through his own reasons for not being able to sleep, they’re both pulled into a mystery that threatens to turn their quiet neighborhood into a darker place than they realized.
Ingrid can’t sleep.
She can’t remember, either.
A competitive diver, seventeen-year-old Ingrid is haunted by what she saw at the pool at a routine meet, before falling off the high dive and waking up concussed. The only thing she remembers about the moment before her dive is locking eyes with Van—her neighbor, former best friend, and forever crush—kissing his girlfriend on the sidelines. But that can’t be all.
Then one sleepless night, she sees Van out her window…looking right back at her. They begin not sleeping together by night, still ignoring each other at school by day.
Ingrid tells herself this is just temporary, but soon, she and Van are up every night piecing her memory back together. As Van works through his own reasons for not being able to sleep, they’re both pulled into a mystery that threatens to turn their quiet neighborhood into a darker place than they realized.
326 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
August 31, 2020
After suffering a head injury, Ingrid is plagued by insomnia as she tries to unravel what was behind her diving accident. Her sleepless nights lead her back to her once best friend, also unable to sleep after a night of blackouts and holes in his memory. Together they search for answers, while drawing closer to one another and renewing their friendship.
The promise of mystery drew me to this story, and yes, there was a mystery going on, but I found myself more intrigued by Ingrid. Here was this young woman, who was an accomplished diver with an Olympic dream. She was always able to do it all and do it all well. From the outside, you would never guess the weight of the baggage she carried. There were a bunch of reveals about Ingrid's past and present throughout the story, which told the tale of a girl, who was let down by those she hero worshipped and depended upon. This experience, this hole in her memory forced her to confront some of the truths about her life. It was a bit sad to watch her close the door on certain people in her life, but I was happy to see her make a conscience choice to save some of the other relationships which had suffered over the years.
One of the relationships she chose to save was with her childhood best friend and neighbor, Van. After her father left, Ingrid put up a wall and broke her connections to the past. She dedicated herself to diving, in an effort to impress her absentee father, but she never stop caring about Van. The nights they spent awake together ranged from awkward and tense to delightful. They resuscitated their relationship and let some new feelings burn, while uncovering those missing pieces to their memory puzzles.
This book, for me, was a coming of age tale wrapped in a mystery with a touch of romance. I was all in from the very first page, and I found myself fully invested in the outcome. Ingrid may have set set out to discover what went wrong the day of her ill-fated dive, but she ended up finding herself in the process, and I enjoyed getting to be a part of her journey.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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The promise of mystery drew me to this story, and yes, there was a mystery going on, but I found myself more intrigued by Ingrid. Here was this young woman, who was an accomplished diver with an Olympic dream. She was always able to do it all and do it all well. From the outside, you would never guess the weight of the baggage she carried. There were a bunch of reveals about Ingrid's past and present throughout the story, which told the tale of a girl, who was let down by those she hero worshipped and depended upon. This experience, this hole in her memory forced her to confront some of the truths about her life. It was a bit sad to watch her close the door on certain people in her life, but I was happy to see her make a conscience choice to save some of the other relationships which had suffered over the years.
One of the relationships she chose to save was with her childhood best friend and neighbor, Van. After her father left, Ingrid put up a wall and broke her connections to the past. She dedicated herself to diving, in an effort to impress her absentee father, but she never stop caring about Van. The nights they spent awake together ranged from awkward and tense to delightful. They resuscitated their relationship and let some new feelings burn, while uncovering those missing pieces to their memory puzzles.
This book, for me, was a coming of age tale wrapped in a mystery with a touch of romance. I was all in from the very first page, and I found myself fully invested in the outcome. Ingrid may have set set out to discover what went wrong the day of her ill-fated dive, but she ended up finding herself in the process, and I enjoyed getting to be a part of her journey.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
January 26, 2021
4.5 stars.
An underrated gem.
An underrated gem.
August 25, 2020
3 Stars
REVIEW: Thank you to NetGalley, Flatiron Books, and Marit Weisenberg for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book follows Ingrid who suffered a concussion at one of her diving meets. Ingrid can't remember what happened to cause her to hit her head, only that she met eyes with her neighbor and crush Van right before. Ingrid is also unable to sleep, and one-night see sees Van staring out at her. Both the teens begin to meet up and spend their sleepless nights together while they try to piece her memory back together. They also get wrapped up in a mystery of one of the houses on their block which holds some dark secrets.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. In the beginning, I had a hard time getting into it, connecting to the characters, and I thought it was slow. However, as the story progressed the plot became more interesting and I became more invested. The last third of the book was so good, and I wish that there would have been more little clues or lead up to some of the big reveals that would have made the first section of the book more fast-paced. I did like Ingrid as a character and I thought that her (and the other characters) family situations were inclusive. The author included all sorts of family make-ups and dynamics which are representative of families today, so that was refreshing.
I would recommend this book to others who love YA books about teens in high school or books that follow specific friend groups. This story did have a little romance and mystery in it as well, so I think many can find something to enjoy in this story.
See more on my Bookstagram: Shelf.Inspiration Instagram
SYNOPSIS: Ingrid can’t sleep. She can’t remember, either. A competitive diver, seventeen-year-old Ingrid is haunted by what she saw at the pool at a routine meet, before falling off the high dive and waking up concussed. The only thing she remembers about the moment before her dive is locking eyes with Van—her neighbor, former best friend, and forever crush—kissing his girlfriend on the sidelines. But that can’t be all.
Then one sleepless night, she sees Van out her window…looking right back at her. They begin not sleeping together by night, still ignoring each other at school by day.
Ingrid tells herself this is just temporary, but soon, she and Van are up every night piecing her memory back together. As Van works through his own reasons for not being able to sleep, they’re both pulled into a mystery that threatens to turn their quiet neighborhood into a darker place than they realized.
RELEASE DATE: September 1, 2020
REVIEW: Thank you to NetGalley, Flatiron Books, and Marit Weisenberg for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This book follows Ingrid who suffered a concussion at one of her diving meets. Ingrid can't remember what happened to cause her to hit her head, only that she met eyes with her neighbor and crush Van right before. Ingrid is also unable to sleep, and one-night see sees Van staring out at her. Both the teens begin to meet up and spend their sleepless nights together while they try to piece her memory back together. They also get wrapped up in a mystery of one of the houses on their block which holds some dark secrets.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. In the beginning, I had a hard time getting into it, connecting to the characters, and I thought it was slow. However, as the story progressed the plot became more interesting and I became more invested. The last third of the book was so good, and I wish that there would have been more little clues or lead up to some of the big reveals that would have made the first section of the book more fast-paced. I did like Ingrid as a character and I thought that her (and the other characters) family situations were inclusive. The author included all sorts of family make-ups and dynamics which are representative of families today, so that was refreshing.
I would recommend this book to others who love YA books about teens in high school or books that follow specific friend groups. This story did have a little romance and mystery in it as well, so I think many can find something to enjoy in this story.
See more on my Bookstagram: Shelf.Inspiration Instagram
SYNOPSIS: Ingrid can’t sleep. She can’t remember, either. A competitive diver, seventeen-year-old Ingrid is haunted by what she saw at the pool at a routine meet, before falling off the high dive and waking up concussed. The only thing she remembers about the moment before her dive is locking eyes with Van—her neighbor, former best friend, and forever crush—kissing his girlfriend on the sidelines. But that can’t be all.
Then one sleepless night, she sees Van out her window…looking right back at her. They begin not sleeping together by night, still ignoring each other at school by day.
Ingrid tells herself this is just temporary, but soon, she and Van are up every night piecing her memory back together. As Van works through his own reasons for not being able to sleep, they’re both pulled into a mystery that threatens to turn their quiet neighborhood into a darker place than they realized.
RELEASE DATE: September 1, 2020
October 14, 2021
~3.6~ *edit February 6th (12:19 pm) I am going to add more to the review and I will underline the newly added stuff *
wow.
this review will not be super long because it is late. And yes, i am aware that is it 12:30 but i just had to finish this book.
wow indeed. I honestly didn't know what to expect from this book BUT thanks to my dear lizzie (who got this book for me for my birthday) i was able to pick it up and read it.
I love Van. I was literally swooning over him THE. ENTIRE. BOOK. Van felt real. More real because this was a contemporary and Van was just a normal kid in high school. He was everything I want. Everything. His relationship with Ingrid made me want to cry at some parts. I wanted to yell at Ingrid and tell her that Van was worth it and that both of them were perfect.
Anyways, I thought that this book had many great things, it dealt with a lot of stuff that might've been hard to talk about but it wasn't overdone.
There were a few parts of the book that I found myself skimming (because I wanted to get back to Van :) ) but other than that, I couldn't put the book down.
okayyy i am back. More about this wonderful book. I wanted to talk about more of the characters that I loved and wished I saw more of.
First, I wish that I read more about Wilson and Max. They were so lovable and mysterious. I think that it would've been cool to have some flashbacks when the four of them (Van, Wilson, Max, and Ingrid) hung out, I think that would've been really cool and nice.
Max was the one that we saw least of out of them. I wish I was able to get to know him a little better and see his reasons behind the choices that he made. He seemed like he would've been a really interesting character.
Wilson was such a nice guy. I loved the parts that he was in. He was like Ingrid's older brother, for example, helping her when her car battery died. I am glad that we got to see a little more of him but obviously wished there was more.
Caroline. Oh boy did she bother me. I don't even know what to think of her. She was very mysterious, as well, and I have very mixed feelings about her. (if you read the book you would know why).
Seba. I very much dislike him. I can't even explain. He was a jerk and just used Max and Wilson and turned them against Van. Which was very depressing.
Mike. don't. even. get. me. started.
Van. Let's skip over Mike to talk about my dear Van. He is perfect. He is everything that I want in a man. He is gentle with his younger brothers and takes care of them. He stands up for Ingrid when she couldn't for herself and he is a very compassionate guy. I feel like we got enough time to learn about the struggles that he was facing and the hardships that he was going through. I loved the nights that they spent together (him and Ingrid) it was awkward and cute. You can see he just wanted company. He was a serious guy but also funny. He had it all.
Anyways, last but not least, Ingrid. I thought that she was a fun character. I liked reading from her perspective and it was interesting to learn about all of her fears. BUT I wish that she was more open to Van, but I get why she wasn't. I think that her struggles getting back into diving after her accident were really relatable. I mean, I've never been in a sport where I've had a bad accident but I imagine that many others felt/feel that same way that she did.
Thank you Marit Weisenberg for this gift of a book.
That is all. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day! : )
wow.
this review will not be super long because it is late. And yes, i am aware that is it 12:30 but i just had to finish this book.
wow indeed. I honestly didn't know what to expect from this book BUT thanks to my dear lizzie (who got this book for me for my birthday) i was able to pick it up and read it.
I love Van. I was literally swooning over him THE. ENTIRE. BOOK. Van felt real. More real because this was a contemporary and Van was just a normal kid in high school. He was everything I want. Everything. His relationship with Ingrid made me want to cry at some parts. I wanted to yell at Ingrid and tell her that Van was worth it and that both of them were perfect.
Anyways, I thought that this book had many great things, it dealt with a lot of stuff that might've been hard to talk about but it wasn't overdone.
There were a few parts of the book that I found myself skimming (because I wanted to get back to Van :) ) but other than that, I couldn't put the book down.
okayyy i am back. More about this wonderful book. I wanted to talk about more of the characters that I loved and wished I saw more of.
First, I wish that I read more about Wilson and Max. They were so lovable and mysterious. I think that it would've been cool to have some flashbacks when the four of them (Van, Wilson, Max, and Ingrid) hung out, I think that would've been really cool and nice.
Max was the one that we saw least of out of them. I wish I was able to get to know him a little better and see his reasons behind the choices that he made. He seemed like he would've been a really interesting character.
Wilson was such a nice guy. I loved the parts that he was in. He was like Ingrid's older brother, for example, helping her when her car battery died. I am glad that we got to see a little more of him but obviously wished there was more.
Caroline. Oh boy did she bother me. I don't even know what to think of her. She was very mysterious, as well, and I have very mixed feelings about her. (if you read the book you would know why).
Seba. I very much dislike him. I can't even explain. He was a jerk and just used Max and Wilson and turned them against Van. Which was very depressing.
Mike. don't. even. get. me. started.
Van. Let's skip over Mike to talk about my dear Van. He is perfect. He is everything that I want in a man. He is gentle with his younger brothers and takes care of them. He stands up for Ingrid when she couldn't for herself and he is a very compassionate guy. I feel like we got enough time to learn about the struggles that he was facing and the hardships that he was going through. I loved the nights that they spent together (him and Ingrid) it was awkward and cute. You can see he just wanted company. He was a serious guy but also funny. He had it all.
Anyways, last but not least, Ingrid. I thought that she was a fun character. I liked reading from her perspective and it was interesting to learn about all of her fears. BUT I wish that she was more open to Van, but I get why she wasn't. I think that her struggles getting back into diving after her accident were really relatable. I mean, I've never been in a sport where I've had a bad accident but I imagine that many others felt/feel that same way that she did.
Thank you Marit Weisenberg for this gift of a book.
That is all. I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day! : )
September 6, 2020
4 - 4.5 STARS
Although I enjoy Young Adult books, I have not read much in this genre for a while. ‘The Insomniacs’ was a beautiful story of trauma, healing and romance, with an added dash of suspense. Overall I found this book to be a very compelling story and Van has my heart forever!
Described as the story of “two teens who discover the secrets of their neighborhood after everyone else turns out the lights”, this book is told from the point of view of Ingrid, a competitive diver who has suffered a concussion from a dive gone wrong. She is now suffering from insomnia and sees that her neighbor Van is also up all night, too. Van and Ingrid used to be best friends, but Ingrid pulled away from their group after a traumatic event that was witnessed by the whole neighborhood. The humiliation was too much for her to bear, and she and Van began to completely ignore each other.
Van is also troubled by something that happened one night recently when he might have been drunk. He is struggling to remember what happened to him, and racked with guilt that he might have harmed his girlfriend Caroline.
Because Ingrid cannot not practice with her high school dive team for a month, she feels adrift and unmoored. She begins to notice strange events at night at the abandoned house next door to her. Eventually she and Van reconcile and begin hanging out again, and soon he joins her in staying up all night, watching the house and waiting for clues as to what is going on.
Ingrid is secretly in love with Van but since he has a girlfriend she holds her emotions in check and struggles to keep their relationship on a platonic level There is plenty of chemistry between them and soon it becomes very obvious that there is more than meets the eye with his seemingly perfect, popular girlfriend Caroline.
I found ‘The Insomniacs’ to be deeply engaging and suspenseful and a wonderful entry in the Y/A field. I did find the plot to be a little busy in some points and felt the story became mired down in too much extraneous detail towards the last part. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this book for its wonderful descriptions of the pressure of competitive sports as well as the beautiful character development. Ingrid is a strong protagonist and an intelligent, brave young woman. Van is a sensitive love interest and very open about his emotions. I found these two characters to be very refreshing and original.
So often books set in high school turn out to be unrealistic and cartoonish in their character depictions. The main protagonists here grow emotionally over the course of the story and while neither may have a picture-perfect life, they both learn to deal with their families and the eventual fall-out from the central mystery of the story.
Ingrid and Van’s relationships with their families was depicted in a very sweet, yet sometimes harsh way. This book was a complete surprise to me and I could not put it down once I started. And can talk about this gorgeous cover? It is a perfect depiction of what’s inside! If you love enemies-to-lovers and Y/A romance, then you will love this book. While there is an element of suspense to the story, the main plot is focused on Ingrid and Van and their slow-burn relationship. This book deserves all the accolades and I loved the author’s style of writing. ‘The Insomniacs’ should be a must-read for all lovers of the Y/A romance genre.
Although I enjoy Young Adult books, I have not read much in this genre for a while. ‘The Insomniacs’ was a beautiful story of trauma, healing and romance, with an added dash of suspense. Overall I found this book to be a very compelling story and Van has my heart forever!
Described as the story of “two teens who discover the secrets of their neighborhood after everyone else turns out the lights”, this book is told from the point of view of Ingrid, a competitive diver who has suffered a concussion from a dive gone wrong. She is now suffering from insomnia and sees that her neighbor Van is also up all night, too. Van and Ingrid used to be best friends, but Ingrid pulled away from their group after a traumatic event that was witnessed by the whole neighborhood. The humiliation was too much for her to bear, and she and Van began to completely ignore each other.
Van is also troubled by something that happened one night recently when he might have been drunk. He is struggling to remember what happened to him, and racked with guilt that he might have harmed his girlfriend Caroline.
Because Ingrid cannot not practice with her high school dive team for a month, she feels adrift and unmoored. She begins to notice strange events at night at the abandoned house next door to her. Eventually she and Van reconcile and begin hanging out again, and soon he joins her in staying up all night, watching the house and waiting for clues as to what is going on.
Ingrid is secretly in love with Van but since he has a girlfriend she holds her emotions in check and struggles to keep their relationship on a platonic level There is plenty of chemistry between them and soon it becomes very obvious that there is more than meets the eye with his seemingly perfect, popular girlfriend Caroline.
I found ‘The Insomniacs’ to be deeply engaging and suspenseful and a wonderful entry in the Y/A field. I did find the plot to be a little busy in some points and felt the story became mired down in too much extraneous detail towards the last part. Nonetheless, I highly recommend this book for its wonderful descriptions of the pressure of competitive sports as well as the beautiful character development. Ingrid is a strong protagonist and an intelligent, brave young woman. Van is a sensitive love interest and very open about his emotions. I found these two characters to be very refreshing and original.
So often books set in high school turn out to be unrealistic and cartoonish in their character depictions. The main protagonists here grow emotionally over the course of the story and while neither may have a picture-perfect life, they both learn to deal with their families and the eventual fall-out from the central mystery of the story.
Ingrid and Van’s relationships with their families was depicted in a very sweet, yet sometimes harsh way. This book was a complete surprise to me and I could not put it down once I started. And can talk about this gorgeous cover? It is a perfect depiction of what’s inside! If you love enemies-to-lovers and Y/A romance, then you will love this book. While there is an element of suspense to the story, the main plot is focused on Ingrid and Van and their slow-burn relationship. This book deserves all the accolades and I loved the author’s style of writing. ‘The Insomniacs’ should be a must-read for all lovers of the Y/A romance genre.
November 30, 2023
3.5 stars !!!
"Sometimes it feels powerful to shut off. But I've realized that isn't life. It's sort of half of one. And I don't want that for you."
Wow, I really enjoyed that one! Great weekend read, especially for the late-nights, if you want to be ironic.
Here are the deets (I can't believe I just wrote that...) -
Characters.
The social problems and PTSD of the main character, Ingrid, went pretty deep and they were interesting to read about. I was very intrigued with her past and struggles, and of all the characters in the book. I did have a couple of problems with them, however. I really had a desire to know a lot more about the side characters, but I felt like the author barely touched on them at all (i.g. Max and Wilson).
Also, Van was such a sweetheart. Unfortunately, his character was extremely heavy with the tropes. Like seriously. Hot, popular guy who is dating that hot, popular senior girl. Give me a break. I really wanted to see the softer side of Van, and I felt like the author tried to achieve that but didn't quite hit the mark. We got to see, what, one scene with his family and his younger sibs.
Relationship. ;-)
Okay. This was the best part of the book for sure. I thought Van was a little shallow, but I thought their relationship was absolutely adorable and certainly worth reading this book for. They were like childhood crushes ignited by a shared quality. Their scenes were so cute. Loved it.
Plot.
Here is where I thought the book lacked the most. The author tried to split the focus between the romance and the mystery, and I have to say. It should have just been the romance. The mystery plot-twist was very "ohp!"-worthy, and I just was--ahg. Super shocked. But I have to say. The author was like . . .
"Oh there's this super creepy house, and one time there was a light that flickered on and off."
me: "Nosferatu." (10 points if you get that reference)
Translation. I didn't really give a crap about what was going on in the house, I just wanted more character and relationship work in the book! Please!
I mean, when the first climax happened, I was like "oh wow." No emotion was implied in that "oh wow." Didn't really care about that plot line. So, why didn't I care? I don't really know, but I feel like that's the author's job to write an intriguing mystery that makes me bite my fingernails. Not just a subplot for whimst chapters I would rather have skipped. (Pretty sure whimst is not a word, but admit it, you all knew what it meant. Petition "whimst" for dictionary.com please).
Anywho. This review was way too long, so for that, I deeply apologize for occupying more of your precious time than was necessary.
But have a fantastic evening 😎.
"Sometimes it feels powerful to shut off. But I've realized that isn't life. It's sort of half of one. And I don't want that for you."
Wow, I really enjoyed that one! Great weekend read, especially for the late-nights, if you want to be ironic.
Here are the deets (I can't believe I just wrote that...) -
Characters.
The social problems and PTSD of the main character, Ingrid, went pretty deep and they were interesting to read about. I was very intrigued with her past and struggles, and of all the characters in the book. I did have a couple of problems with them, however. I really had a desire to know a lot more about the side characters, but I felt like the author barely touched on them at all (i.g. Max and Wilson).
Also, Van was such a sweetheart. Unfortunately, his character was extremely heavy with the tropes. Like seriously. Hot, popular guy who is dating that hot, popular senior girl. Give me a break. I really wanted to see the softer side of Van, and I felt like the author tried to achieve that but didn't quite hit the mark. We got to see, what, one scene with his family and his younger sibs.
Relationship. ;-)
Okay. This was the best part of the book for sure. I thought Van was a little shallow, but I thought their relationship was absolutely adorable and certainly worth reading this book for. They were like childhood crushes ignited by a shared quality. Their scenes were so cute. Loved it.
Plot.
Here is where I thought the book lacked the most. The author tried to split the focus between the romance and the mystery, and I have to say. It should have just been the romance. The mystery plot-twist was very "ohp!"-worthy, and I just was--ahg. Super shocked. But I have to say. The author was like . . .
"Oh there's this super creepy house, and one time there was a light that flickered on and off."
me: "Nosferatu." (10 points if you get that reference)
Translation. I didn't really give a crap about what was going on in the house, I just wanted more character and relationship work in the book! Please!
I mean, when the first climax happened, I was like "oh wow." No emotion was implied in that "oh wow." Didn't really care about that plot line. So, why didn't I care? I don't really know, but I feel like that's the author's job to write an intriguing mystery that makes me bite my fingernails. Not just a subplot for whimst chapters I would rather have skipped. (Pretty sure whimst is not a word, but admit it, you all knew what it meant. Petition "whimst" for dictionary.com please).
Anywho. This review was way too long, so for that, I deeply apologize for occupying more of your precious time than was necessary.
But have a fantastic evening 😎.
February 5, 2025
This was fine, but lacked plot. There seemed like so much mystery to solve, but everything petered out with a half shrug from the characters, and overall this felt like a Pretty Little Liars filler episode. I love the cover, but I'm disappointed.
March 1, 2021
it was a solid 3 stars, but i didn't really care for any of the characters. and i wished the story focused more on ingrid's recovery and growth. and the on second thought, lowering this to a two stars.
July 21, 2020
Most of Ingrid Roth's life is a mess. Her mother is barely home, always taking extra shifts at the hospital. Their house is rundown and falling apart. Ingrid hasn't spoken to any of her friends in the neighborhood cul de sac in years. And, of course, Ingrid's father is long gone. But Ingrid has always had diving under control.
Competitive diving is supposed to be a safe space--her ticket to a college scholarship, the way she'll one day get her father's attention. Diving is the one thing Ingrid always does right.
Until she doesn't.
Ingrid doesn't remember the accident. She knows she must have frozen up, lost control. She knows her head hit the board and she's supposed to be resting to recover from the head trauma.
The only problem is Ingrid hasn't been able to sleep in days.
Haunted by her lack of memory of the accident, as scared to return to the diving board as she is to fall behind in training, Ingrid spends her nights watching the neighborhood and Van--her neighbor, her former best friend, the boy she's had a crush on forever.
Then Ingrid finds Van watching her.
Van and Ingrid start spending their sleepless nights together as they both try to find a way to rest. Will the promise of answers be the thing that brings Ingrid and Van back together? Or will it drive them apart once and for all? in The Insomniacs (2020) by Marit Weisenberg.
Find it on Bookshop.
The Insomniacs is a heady blend of the vague menace reminiscent of the Hitchcock classic Rear Window and the summery nostalgia and romance in The Summer I Turned Pretty. Ingrid's narration is choppy and tense as she tries to put together the pieces to explain her accident.
While both Ingrid and Van are focused on fixing their insomnia, the lack of sleep soon becomes a stand in for other problems. After years of letting her athleticism and physicality shape her daily life, Ingrid is paralyzed in the face of so much introspection as she has to confront her feelings about diving and, worse, the memories she can't quite summon of the moments leading up to the accident. Van, meanwhile, struggles to understand what secrets his girlfriend and best friends seem to have been keeping from him and what they have to do with the abandoned house on the cul de sac.
The Insomniacs is an atmospheric story filled with secrets and suspense. Ingrid and Van drive the story but their neighborhood is as much of a character in this tense story where both characters have to confront some hard truths--including acknowledging when they need to ask for help. Ideal for readers who like their protagonists to have a lot of chemistry and their suspense to have tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Highly recommended.
Possible Pairings: Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett, The Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd, The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han, The Last Time We Were Us by Leah Konen, The Sullivan Sisters by Kathryn Ormsbee, Tonight The Streets Are Ours by Leila Sales, How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford, We Are the Wildcats by Siobhan Vivian, Rear Window (1954)
*An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*
Competitive diving is supposed to be a safe space--her ticket to a college scholarship, the way she'll one day get her father's attention. Diving is the one thing Ingrid always does right.
Until she doesn't.
Ingrid doesn't remember the accident. She knows she must have frozen up, lost control. She knows her head hit the board and she's supposed to be resting to recover from the head trauma.
The only problem is Ingrid hasn't been able to sleep in days.
Haunted by her lack of memory of the accident, as scared to return to the diving board as she is to fall behind in training, Ingrid spends her nights watching the neighborhood and Van--her neighbor, her former best friend, the boy she's had a crush on forever.
Then Ingrid finds Van watching her.
Van and Ingrid start spending their sleepless nights together as they both try to find a way to rest. Will the promise of answers be the thing that brings Ingrid and Van back together? Or will it drive them apart once and for all? in The Insomniacs (2020) by Marit Weisenberg.
Find it on Bookshop.
The Insomniacs is a heady blend of the vague menace reminiscent of the Hitchcock classic Rear Window and the summery nostalgia and romance in The Summer I Turned Pretty. Ingrid's narration is choppy and tense as she tries to put together the pieces to explain her accident.
While both Ingrid and Van are focused on fixing their insomnia, the lack of sleep soon becomes a stand in for other problems. After years of letting her athleticism and physicality shape her daily life, Ingrid is paralyzed in the face of so much introspection as she has to confront her feelings about diving and, worse, the memories she can't quite summon of the moments leading up to the accident. Van, meanwhile, struggles to understand what secrets his girlfriend and best friends seem to have been keeping from him and what they have to do with the abandoned house on the cul de sac.
The Insomniacs is an atmospheric story filled with secrets and suspense. Ingrid and Van drive the story but their neighborhood is as much of a character in this tense story where both characters have to confront some hard truths--including acknowledging when they need to ask for help. Ideal for readers who like their protagonists to have a lot of chemistry and their suspense to have tension thick enough to cut with a knife. Highly recommended.
Possible Pairings: Serious Moonlight by Jenn Bennett, The Vast Fields of Ordinary by Nick Burd, The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han, The Last Time We Were Us by Leah Konen, The Sullivan Sisters by Kathryn Ormsbee, Tonight The Streets Are Ours by Leila Sales, How to Say Goodbye in Robot by Natalie Standiford, We Are the Wildcats by Siobhan Vivian, Rear Window (1954)
*An advance copy of this title was provided by the publisher for review consideration*
July 8, 2020
The Insomniacs by Marit Weisenberg, 336 pgs. Flatiron Books, 2020. $19.
Language: R (53 swears, 13 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (drug and alcohol use, drug overdose (victim recovers), affair between student and coach (off page)), Violence: PG-13 (diving accident is described).
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS—ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL—HIGH
Ingrid is a high school star diver on her way to national acclaim and scholarships when in a moment of distraction, she falters and suffers a major injury. Recovering from her injury, Ingrid has turned into an insomniac and begins to watch the abandoned house next door, convinced something is going on. When her neighbor and crush, who is also fighting insomnia, joins her in her nightly vigils, secrets will be discovered and futures will be changed forever.
A fast paced read that has all the elements to thrill. Romance, mystery, and secrets to uncover will keep the reader intrigued and allow some of the shortcomings in the plot to be forgiven. The main character has an incredible amount to deal with and is realistically portrayed in her downward spiral as her perfectly organized world begins to crumble. As with most YA novels, the adults are withdrawn or conveniently out of the way allowing for many of the antics of the teens to occur, which otherwise would have been impossible to pull off. Readers will be satisfied with an ending that brings all of the plot threads to a close; however, more could have been said about the benefits and absolute need for many of the characters to seek and receive therapy. Serious situations with long-term consequences, which many readers may themselves have experienced, should be acknowledged to have no easy answers and a healing process that could take more than a few weeks.
Reviewer: AEB
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...
Language: R (53 swears, 13 “f”); Mature Content: PG-13 (drug and alcohol use, drug overdose (victim recovers), affair between student and coach (off page)), Violence: PG-13 (diving accident is described).
BUYING ADVISORY: MS, HS—ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL—HIGH
Ingrid is a high school star diver on her way to national acclaim and scholarships when in a moment of distraction, she falters and suffers a major injury. Recovering from her injury, Ingrid has turned into an insomniac and begins to watch the abandoned house next door, convinced something is going on. When her neighbor and crush, who is also fighting insomnia, joins her in her nightly vigils, secrets will be discovered and futures will be changed forever.
A fast paced read that has all the elements to thrill. Romance, mystery, and secrets to uncover will keep the reader intrigued and allow some of the shortcomings in the plot to be forgiven. The main character has an incredible amount to deal with and is realistically portrayed in her downward spiral as her perfectly organized world begins to crumble. As with most YA novels, the adults are withdrawn or conveniently out of the way allowing for many of the antics of the teens to occur, which otherwise would have been impossible to pull off. Readers will be satisfied with an ending that brings all of the plot threads to a close; however, more could have been said about the benefits and absolute need for many of the characters to seek and receive therapy. Serious situations with long-term consequences, which many readers may themselves have experienced, should be acknowledged to have no easy answers and a healing process that could take more than a few weeks.
Reviewer: AEB
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2020...
February 20, 2020
I haven't yet read the ARC I received because my 14yo snagged it and won't let go. Since becoming a teenager, my daughter's interest in reading for pleasure has waned and there have been only two books that she has not just chosen over TV and her phone, but that she stays up way past her bedtime to read: Kindred by Octavia Butler and The Insomniacs by Marit Weisenberg. I can't wait to read it for myself.
December 11, 2020
tws: injury (concussion from diving), underage drinking, underage smoking, underage drug use, pedophelia
lol @ me reading a book titled the insomniacs when i can't sleep because of my insomnia. really though this book was so good. i saw the twist coming about 5 seconds before the characters figured it out (okay i was partially wrong, but had the correct idea) and i honestly couldn't believe it but then once i thought about it it all made sense. i loved it.
lol @ me reading a book titled the insomniacs when i can't sleep because of my insomnia. really though this book was so good. i saw the twist coming about 5 seconds before the characters figured it out (okay i was partially wrong, but had the correct idea) and i honestly couldn't believe it but then once i thought about it it all made sense. i loved it.
Want to read
August 10, 2020Thanks to Flatiron Books and NetGalley for the advanced e-galley copy!
Publishing: Sep 1 2020
RTC
Publishing: Sep 1 2020
RTC
August 9, 2020
3.5 stars
read on my blog
rep: biracial (Japanese, white) love interest, Indian-American side character
cw: recreational drug use, alcohol poisoning, mentions of death of a parent,
**I received an ARC through a trade. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
When I saw this book was compared to Emergency Contact, I immediately added it to my TBR list! It also reminded me of Places No One Knows by Brenna Yovanoff with the insomnia plot line. The Insomniacs was a coming of age story with a touch of mystery, set in the hazy in-between atmosphere of waking and dreaming.
Competitive diver Ingrid is recovering from a concussion after a serious diving accident. She’s been suffering from insomnia since then and overthinking her crush on her childhood best friend and neighbor, Van. She discovers that he also can’t sleep, so they decide to stay up together, trying to see if something is going on in the abandoned house next door.
I really liked Ingrid and being in her head. She narrates with a lot of detail, which I like because I also think like that; she’s also fairly closed off and prefers to be on the sidelines, observing, which again I relate to. After her dad left and with her mom being so busy, she’s used to being independent and solving her own problems. Asking for help is something she’s not used to, which contributes to her insomnia.
The prose was really good; you really feel like you’re in that foggy head space between sleep and dreaming. Her lack of sleep definitely resonates throughout the story. It makes her bolder and more willing to be a participant in her life.
I also liked the attention to detail in this book. Characterizations were set up very thoroughly and briefly. All of the characters read like real people. I also thought the setting was very well established; the book is fairly centered around Ingrid’s neighborhood, which borders the greenbelt in Austin, Texas. The descriptions of the setting (Austin in particular) really place you there. You learn a lot about her surroundings without it being too heavy-handed; it was more the atmosphere of Austin than actually being there, if that makes sense, but I liked that.
The romance was cute! Ingrid and Van used to be childhood best friends but she stopped talking to him and the other boys in her neighborhood after they witnessed her dad leaving her and her mom. However, she’s always had a crush on Van and as a consequence, she’s always been hyper aware of him since then.
While I did really enjoy this book, especially the atmosphere, I just found it too much at times. Really, I think that it just had one too many plot lines and didn’t juggle them very well. I think I would have been fine with just Ingrid’s problems with her concussion and figuring out her sudden aversion to diving, as well as the romance, but there were a lot of other parts that felt a bit superfluous. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the book!
Overall, The Insomniacs was a solid debut. I enjoyed the atmosphere and really related to the protagonist. The Insomniacs was a coming-of-age story with a touch of mystery; I recommend it if you like estranged childhood friends to lovers!
original review:
I liked this overall but at times I didn’t, if that makes sense? it also was long for a contemporary and kinda juggled one too many plot lines, I feel like
read on my blog
rep: biracial (Japanese, white) love interest, Indian-American side character
cw: recreational drug use, alcohol poisoning, mentions of death of a parent,
**I received an ARC through a trade. These are my honest opinions, and in no way was I compensated for this review.**
I liked the idea of hiding the real me. There was a lot of respect to be had when you came off as being invulnerable.
When I saw this book was compared to Emergency Contact, I immediately added it to my TBR list! It also reminded me of Places No One Knows by Brenna Yovanoff with the insomnia plot line. The Insomniacs was a coming of age story with a touch of mystery, set in the hazy in-between atmosphere of waking and dreaming.
Competitive diver Ingrid is recovering from a concussion after a serious diving accident. She’s been suffering from insomnia since then and overthinking her crush on her childhood best friend and neighbor, Van. She discovers that he also can’t sleep, so they decide to stay up together, trying to see if something is going on in the abandoned house next door.
I really liked Ingrid and being in her head. She narrates with a lot of detail, which I like because I also think like that; she’s also fairly closed off and prefers to be on the sidelines, observing, which again I relate to. After her dad left and with her mom being so busy, she’s used to being independent and solving her own problems. Asking for help is something she’s not used to, which contributes to her insomnia.
The prose was really good; you really feel like you’re in that foggy head space between sleep and dreaming. Her lack of sleep definitely resonates throughout the story. It makes her bolder and more willing to be a participant in her life.
I also liked the attention to detail in this book. Characterizations were set up very thoroughly and briefly. All of the characters read like real people. I also thought the setting was very well established; the book is fairly centered around Ingrid’s neighborhood, which borders the greenbelt in Austin, Texas. The descriptions of the setting (Austin in particular) really place you there. You learn a lot about her surroundings without it being too heavy-handed; it was more the atmosphere of Austin than actually being there, if that makes sense, but I liked that.
The romance was cute! Ingrid and Van used to be childhood best friends but she stopped talking to him and the other boys in her neighborhood after they witnessed her dad leaving her and her mom. However, she’s always had a crush on Van and as a consequence, she’s always been hyper aware of him since then.
While I did really enjoy this book, especially the atmosphere, I just found it too much at times. Really, I think that it just had one too many plot lines and didn’t juggle them very well. I think I would have been fine with just Ingrid’s problems with her concussion and figuring out her sudden aversion to diving, as well as the romance, but there were a lot of other parts that felt a bit superfluous. Otherwise, I really enjoyed the book!
Overall, The Insomniacs was a solid debut. I enjoyed the atmosphere and really related to the protagonist. The Insomniacs was a coming-of-age story with a touch of mystery; I recommend it if you like estranged childhood friends to lovers!
original review:
I liked this overall but at times I didn’t, if that makes sense? it also was long for a contemporary and kinda juggled one too many plot lines, I feel like
September 4, 2020
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
Oh hi, I loved this book. A lot. It centers around Ingrid, who has just suffered a concussion during a brutal diving injury. Have you ever seen a diver hit their head on the board? It is horrifying. The blood, the dead silence of the crowd... 0/10, do not recommend. Well, neither does Ingrid. After a very successful career, she's doubting herself and her capabilities. She's never before felt that sense of doubt, so it's shaken her. And with her injury, she is forced to step back from diving, which has become her life.
One of the side effects of her concussion seems to be insomnia, and while she's awake roaming the halls, Ingrid reconnects with neighbor/former friend/longtime crush Van. Van just so happened to be at the meet where Ingrid was hurt and okay, maybe Ingrid had been a bit rattled when she saw him canoodling her teammate right before her dive. Look, this is why my high school coach would kick any guy immediately off the deck, she'd not even need security, she'd just drag him away herself. By the ear, probably. I digress.
Not only are Ingrid and Van rekindling their friendship, but they're on a mission to find out a few things: What is up with the creepy, abandoned house next door; what the deal is with their other (former) mutual friends; why neither one of them can sleep; and a whole other slew of mysteries that creep up along the way.
I'll say no more, because spoilers. But the mystery is really fun (and I didn't see where it was headed at all!) but even more wonderful is how Ingrid learns and grows, and takes the time to build (and rebuild) relationships with her family, her friends (current and former), and begins to figure out what she really wants out of life.
Bottom Line: I loved this book so much, and I am so afraid to spoil any of it for you, so you should really just read the thing.
Oh hi, I loved this book. A lot. It centers around Ingrid, who has just suffered a concussion during a brutal diving injury. Have you ever seen a diver hit their head on the board? It is horrifying. The blood, the dead silence of the crowd... 0/10, do not recommend. Well, neither does Ingrid. After a very successful career, she's doubting herself and her capabilities. She's never before felt that sense of doubt, so it's shaken her. And with her injury, she is forced to step back from diving, which has become her life.
One of the side effects of her concussion seems to be insomnia, and while she's awake roaming the halls, Ingrid reconnects with neighbor/former friend/longtime crush Van. Van just so happened to be at the meet where Ingrid was hurt and okay, maybe Ingrid had been a bit rattled when she saw him canoodling her teammate right before her dive. Look, this is why my high school coach would kick any guy immediately off the deck, she'd not even need security, she'd just drag him away herself. By the ear, probably. I digress.
Not only are Ingrid and Van rekindling their friendship, but they're on a mission to find out a few things: What is up with the creepy, abandoned house next door; what the deal is with their other (former) mutual friends; why neither one of them can sleep; and a whole other slew of mysteries that creep up along the way.
I'll say no more, because spoilers. But the mystery is really fun (and I didn't see where it was headed at all!) but even more wonderful is how Ingrid learns and grows, and takes the time to build (and rebuild) relationships with her family, her friends (current and former), and begins to figure out what she really wants out of life.
Bottom Line: I loved this book so much, and I am so afraid to spoil any of it for you, so you should really just read the thing.
September 3, 2020
This is an interesting YA with an air of mystery. Ingrid is a champion diver who hits her head, gets a concussion, and now suffers from insomnia. Is it a result of the concussion or is there something else at play--why can't she remember what happened right before the accident? She meets up nightly with Van, her neighbor and longtime crush who she had a falling out with many years ago. He too is experiencing some sleepless nights. As the two grow closer again and start sharing secrets, they start to notice that things around them aren't as they seem.
I liked the interplay between the two characters, but I felt like the ultimate payoff and big reveal were not enough. I also didn't like the side storyline (about the house and all of the other "friends") and thought it seemed unrealistic. The other thing I didn't care for were the absent adults. Yes, I get that Ingrid's mom is a nurse and works long shifts, but she should have days off and she didn't seem to know anything about Ingrid, what she was doing, or how her recovery was really going. She should have noticed, it almost seemed like Ingrid was way smarter than her mom.
Overall, I did like the story and think it will really appeal to the YA audience.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
I liked the interplay between the two characters, but I felt like the ultimate payoff and big reveal were not enough. I also didn't like the side storyline (about the house and all of the other "friends") and thought it seemed unrealistic. The other thing I didn't care for were the absent adults. Yes, I get that Ingrid's mom is a nurse and works long shifts, but she should have days off and she didn't seem to know anything about Ingrid, what she was doing, or how her recovery was really going. She should have noticed, it almost seemed like Ingrid was way smarter than her mom.
Overall, I did like the story and think it will really appeal to the YA audience.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
September 6, 2020
1.5 STARS
Champion diver Ingrid, suffering from a concussion, can’t sleep. Her neighbor and crush Van, also has insomnia and a girlfriend.
THE INSOMNIACS isn’t a bad book, but I didn’t enjoy the reading experience. The blurb had me expecting mystery and intrigue, instead Marit Weisenberg’s novel is a slow moving coming of age story. The word building aspect, though above average never stood out. The characters’ backstories were more interesting than the actual characters.
One of my biggest complaints about the book is that Ingrid’s mom seemed to alienate her from her dad, not sharing info with the absentee dad and not encouraging a relationship. This would have been fine if it had been addressed in the book rather than written as a positive parenting attribute.
I seem to be among the few readers who didn’t like the book, so you may enjoy it more than me.
Champion diver Ingrid, suffering from a concussion, can’t sleep. Her neighbor and crush Van, also has insomnia and a girlfriend.
THE INSOMNIACS isn’t a bad book, but I didn’t enjoy the reading experience. The blurb had me expecting mystery and intrigue, instead Marit Weisenberg’s novel is a slow moving coming of age story. The word building aspect, though above average never stood out. The characters’ backstories were more interesting than the actual characters.
One of my biggest complaints about the book is that Ingrid’s mom seemed to alienate her from her dad, not sharing info with the absentee dad and not encouraging a relationship. This would have been fine if it had been addressed in the book rather than written as a positive parenting attribute.
I seem to be among the few readers who didn’t like the book, so you may enjoy it more than me.
July 5, 2020
I LOVED IT! The main character Ingrid is so richly written; she’s flawed but so relatable. This books weaves multiple storylines seamlessly-ingrid’s injury and her loss of confidence about diving, the element of mystery surrounding her concussion and breakins in the neighborhood, ingrid’s relationship with her best friends and her absentee father. And Van-he is swoon worthy! Go buy this book and commit the next day to reading it because it sucks you in!
September 11, 2020
This book had an intriguing premise, which is what drew me in. As an insomniac, I often wonder what is going on in the world outside my window. I only wish the core of the mystery was a little more satisfying. Teen readers will connect with the protagonist, a star diver, who despite her extraordinary talents is relatably ordinary, as is her long-time crush on a childhood friend. The threads of the mystery, however, could have been woven in a little tighter. The lack of stakes made the payoff a little anticlimactic. I expect, however, that my teen readers will enjoy it all the same.
August 4, 2022
It takes a diving accident and strange sightings at the abandoned house next door for Ingrid to reconnect with her childhood crush and neighbor Van Tagawa.
Yes, I loved that her teen crush is a hottie Japanese-American budding rock star!
I didn’t at first get where this was going but I was immediately captivated by the intriguing storyline and romance between these two insomniacs’ who must piece together their missing memories to find the truth.
Yes, I loved that her teen crush is a hottie Japanese-American budding rock star!
I didn’t at first get where this was going but I was immediately captivated by the intriguing storyline and romance between these two insomniacs’ who must piece together their missing memories to find the truth.
March 27, 2023
As someone who is very attached to diving as I was unable to pursue in it as well as other aspects, this book is very close to my heart.
There were some AMAZING plot twists and I liked the subjects the book talked about and dealt with.
Though some parts were lengthy and others were packed with a looot of action (which is good, but can sometimes become a lot to take in) this is overall a really good book:)
There were some AMAZING plot twists and I liked the subjects the book talked about and dealt with.
Though some parts were lengthy and others were packed with a looot of action (which is good, but can sometimes become a lot to take in) this is overall a really good book:)
April 17, 2020
What a great read! Full of twists, secrets, and a little romance!
#TheInsomniacs
#MustReadYA
Merged review:
What a great read! Full of twists, secrets, and a little romance!
#TheInsomniacs
#MustReadYA
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the e-arc copy of this novel.
#TheInsomniacs
#MustReadYA
Merged review:
What a great read! Full of twists, secrets, and a little romance!
#TheInsomniacs
#MustReadYA
Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the e-arc copy of this novel.
September 23, 2024
It was a little bit slow in the 1st third for me but I found it getting better towards the end. I enjoyed reading it and overall thought it was solid. It was just missing that wow factor.
I will say though it is marketed as a mystery but it does not feel like a traditional mystery.
I will say though it is marketed as a mystery but it does not feel like a traditional mystery.
June 16, 2022
I like the characters and the quiet suburban setting. The writing is good and the characters are believable. Overall the book is understated and engaging.
September 8, 2020
Ingrid Roth is a born diver. Just like her father. The very same father that walked out on her and her mother years ago and never bothered to looked back. All he left behind was his debt and a massive house that is quickly falling to ruin. That doesn’t matter, because for Ingrid, her real home is on the board.
There she can forget how hard her mother works, how training to be the best never left her any time make friends and about the boy who sole her heart at the age of five. All it takes is a one slight miscalculation to rip it all away.
In the light of day, I was embarrassed even thinking about the crazy surge of jealousy I’d felt when I first saw Van at the dive meet, there to support his girlfriend. Still, it shouldn’t have mattered if Van was there. Diving was the one thing I could do, where I was safe and could control everything. I was always able to shut out the outside world.
Instead I said, “I don’t know! Maybe it was the blueberry muffin I ate for breakfast. Maybe I slept on one side and my balance was off.” I swallowed down the truth. It was time to put away my ridiculous childhood crush on Van.
Van and Ingrid have been neighbors ever she can remember. Not only was he her first real friend, he was also her first heartbreak. Now after terrifying dive accident steals Ingrid’s ability to sleep, she and Van find a strange sort of comfort in their shared affliction. Each night brings them closer to each other and closer to finding out what’s really going on in the empty house next door.
But can the fragile love that they forged while the rest of the world was asleep, survive the harsh light of day?
Van had taken the place of diving. He wasn’t some dumb distraction like I’d first thought when I’d renounced him as my crush, blaming his presence for my fall. He’d become something even worse in the time since. He’d become my adrenaline thrill. Diving was something I controlled. This was even more dangerous because it involved another person.
Marit Weisenberg redefines the Young Adult genre with The Insomniacs! Everything about this story feels more emotional, more significant – just so much more.
The tender relationship that develops between the main characters made my heart ache in the very best of ways. It’s Van’s fearless honesty and willingness to lay himself bare that had me falling head over heels for him. While Ingrid possesses the kind of bravery and sheer determination that is usually reserved for someone far older. Simply put, they are both old souls. And the literary world is better place with them in it…
There she can forget how hard her mother works, how training to be the best never left her any time make friends and about the boy who sole her heart at the age of five. All it takes is a one slight miscalculation to rip it all away.
In the light of day, I was embarrassed even thinking about the crazy surge of jealousy I’d felt when I first saw Van at the dive meet, there to support his girlfriend. Still, it shouldn’t have mattered if Van was there. Diving was the one thing I could do, where I was safe and could control everything. I was always able to shut out the outside world.
Instead I said, “I don’t know! Maybe it was the blueberry muffin I ate for breakfast. Maybe I slept on one side and my balance was off.” I swallowed down the truth. It was time to put away my ridiculous childhood crush on Van.
Van and Ingrid have been neighbors ever she can remember. Not only was he her first real friend, he was also her first heartbreak. Now after terrifying dive accident steals Ingrid’s ability to sleep, she and Van find a strange sort of comfort in their shared affliction. Each night brings them closer to each other and closer to finding out what’s really going on in the empty house next door.
But can the fragile love that they forged while the rest of the world was asleep, survive the harsh light of day?
Van had taken the place of diving. He wasn’t some dumb distraction like I’d first thought when I’d renounced him as my crush, blaming his presence for my fall. He’d become something even worse in the time since. He’d become my adrenaline thrill. Diving was something I controlled. This was even more dangerous because it involved another person.
Marit Weisenberg redefines the Young Adult genre with The Insomniacs! Everything about this story feels more emotional, more significant – just so much more.
The tender relationship that develops between the main characters made my heart ache in the very best of ways. It’s Van’s fearless honesty and willingness to lay himself bare that had me falling head over heels for him. While Ingrid possesses the kind of bravery and sheer determination that is usually reserved for someone far older. Simply put, they are both old souls. And the literary world is better place with them in it…
August 26, 2020
I love a book told by an unreliable narrator, and The Insomniacs does not disappoint. Weisenberg's main character, Ingrid, becomes convinced there's something going on in the vacant house next door; however, she's suffering from a severe concussion, memory loss, and insomnia. It's no small feat to make a reader want to trust and believe a character who doesn't even trust their own memories, but Weisenberg pulls this off extremely well.
This novel sets the right tone with an engaging plot and realistic, well-drawn characters. The plot is smartly developed and carries out at just the right pace to keep the reader engaged and invested. I would not hesitate to recommend this book for young readers who enjoy a bit of mystery mixed with realistic teen angst, everyday family drama, and psychological suspense.
This novel sets the right tone with an engaging plot and realistic, well-drawn characters. The plot is smartly developed and carries out at just the right pace to keep the reader engaged and invested. I would not hesitate to recommend this book for young readers who enjoy a bit of mystery mixed with realistic teen angst, everyday family drama, and psychological suspense.
June 15, 2022
Something mysterious is happening in an abandoned house at the end of an otherwise quiet suburban Austin cul-de-sac. There are also two teenagers who live on the block who can't sleep. When they decide to spend their waking evenings investigating the mystery of the house, things get complicated.
The story is told from the perspective of the main character Ingrid, who suffers a concussion at the beginning of the novel. The concussion, followed by many sleepless nights, causes Ingrid to lose time and become an unreliable narrator. I really liked the way the gaps in Ingrid's consciousness/attention enhanced the fuzzy mystery of the story. Like her, you can't be too sure of what's real.
I won't say what happened in the house (Weisenberg does a good job of slowly unfolding that mystery), but I definitely enjoyed this and would recommend to fans of Looking For Alaska, Radio Silence, or Speak.
The story is told from the perspective of the main character Ingrid, who suffers a concussion at the beginning of the novel. The concussion, followed by many sleepless nights, causes Ingrid to lose time and become an unreliable narrator. I really liked the way the gaps in Ingrid's consciousness/attention enhanced the fuzzy mystery of the story. Like her, you can't be too sure of what's real.
I won't say what happened in the house (Weisenberg does a good job of slowly unfolding that mystery), but I definitely enjoyed this and would recommend to fans of Looking For Alaska, Radio Silence, or Speak.
March 28, 2021
Honestly, if it weren't for some pretty massive pacing issues, I would have given this book five stars. The plot was interesting, the characters were compelling, and the twists kept you engaged, but it took a good third of the book before anything got interesting. It's like you have to slog through 100 pages of mundane, everyday living before you can get into any of the romantic or mysterious intrigue. That being said, once you get to that intrigue, it really sucks you in. One thing that really surprised me about this book was that it had some solid psychological basis, which is rare for fiction - especially YA fiction. I was actually super surprised to see Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) in a book, let me tell you, because it's not a commonly used therapy yet. Overall, though, I did genuinely like this book, it's just that it got has enough issues for me to not give it five stars.
Read for the POPSUGAR 2021 Reading Challenge, Prompt: A book about forgetting
Read for the POPSUGAR 2021 Reading Challenge, Prompt: A book about forgetting
dnf
April 17, 2025DNF at 53%.
In an alternate universe, this would have been a five star for me. But between my book hangover from my previous read and getting sick, I'm not interested anymore. The pacing is off and the story can't decide if it's romance or a thriller. I don't really care about the characters at the point either.
In an alternate universe, this would have been a five star for me. But between my book hangover from my previous read and getting sick, I'm not interested anymore. The pacing is off and the story can't decide if it's romance or a thriller. I don't really care about the characters at the point either.
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