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Nothing but Life
During a sweltering summer, Dills must come to terms with a horrific crime and the parent he loves who committed it.
Dills and his mom have returned to Hamilton, her hometown, hoping to leave the horrors of Windsor behind. But it’s impossible to escape the echoes of tragedy, and trouble always follows trouble.
When Dills hurts a new classmate, it comes out in court that he was in the Windsor High library when the shooter came in. But he won’t talk about what he saw, what he still sees whenever he closes his eyes. He can’t. He definitely can’t tell anyone that the Windsor Shooter is his stepfather, Jesse, that Jesse can speak into his mind from hundreds of kilometres away, and that Dills still loves him even though he committed an unspeakable crime.
Dills and his mom have returned to Hamilton, her hometown, hoping to leave the horrors of Windsor behind. But it’s impossible to escape the echoes of tragedy, and trouble always follows trouble.
When Dills hurts a new classmate, it comes out in court that he was in the Windsor High library when the shooter came in. But he won’t talk about what he saw, what he still sees whenever he closes his eyes. He can’t. He definitely can’t tell anyone that the Windsor Shooter is his stepfather, Jesse, that Jesse can speak into his mind from hundreds of kilometres away, and that Dills still loves him even though he committed an unspeakable crime.
304 pages, Paperback
Published March 16, 2021
10 people are currently reading
2584 people want to read
About the author
Brent van Staalduinen
14 books68 followersBrent van Staalduinen is the author of the novels UNTHINKABLE, NOTHING BUT LIFE, BOY, and SAINTS, UNEXPECTED, as well as the short story collection CUT ROAD. His award-winning short fiction can be found in notable publications on both sides of the Atlantic. Find out more at www.brentvans.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 16, 2020
This is a fascinating and important premise we don’t often read about. How do you cope after a hideous crime committed by someone you love? Dills stepdad Jesse was the culprit at a school shooting, the school Dills also attended. Dills still loves Jesse and thinks about him so often. He can hear Jesse’s voice loud and clear at times. Jesse committed a horrible crime but he was a good stepdad.
I have mixed feelings about this story to be honest. I had this book on my to read list for eight months -I instantly loved the title and was drawn to the premise-, and I expected a heartbreaking and gut-wrenching story but it wasn’t. At least for me.
What did I like? It’s an easy read. It deals with some important issues and I really loved to read about them. I liked Dill’s mom, his aunt Viv and Mia. Basically this could be an incredible book. But ...
Even though I liked the premise and I felt my chest tighten at times and I sometimes smiled, I couldn’t fully connect to the story. Dills loved Jesse and hated what he did. To read about a boy who has been through this has to hurt, a lot. But I didn’t feel anything most of the time, I even got irritated every now and then.
The best YA books I read, that were heartbreaking and gut-wrenching, are written quite simplistic. Short sentences, not too descriptive, simple words, active writing. The sentences in this story are short most of the time. They can be quite descriptive though. What goes through Dill’s mind has the upper hand in this story. The words and sentences used are beautiful at times. But in my opinion they’re often not the way a fifteen year old thinks. Sentences like: ‘I exhale through my nostrils, mad at the world for bringing fear into adult-and-kid relationships’ or ‘Boys everywhere never expect anything resembling acceptance from parents’. I thought: huh? Adult-and-kid relationships? My fifteen year old would never use words like this. And on the other hand the sentences can be quite passive at times: ‘Those grim thoughts were also keeping me from thinking about Gramma Jan,’ a little later:’But my heart isn’t buying the arguments. All it can do is worry.’ What about ‘I’m not buying the arguments, all I can do is worry.’ I know it’s more simplistic. But I feel a lot more because it’s less distant.
If the writing would be adjusted more to a fifteen year old and made more active and less distant, this could be a beautiful story. It has all the ingredients. Now it’s just okay. So maybe another edit round? If you do, please give Dills a mobile phone and don’t talk about iPods ever again!
I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I have mixed feelings about this story to be honest. I had this book on my to read list for eight months -I instantly loved the title and was drawn to the premise-, and I expected a heartbreaking and gut-wrenching story but it wasn’t. At least for me.
What did I like? It’s an easy read. It deals with some important issues and I really loved to read about them. I liked Dill’s mom, his aunt Viv and Mia. Basically this could be an incredible book. But ...
Even though I liked the premise and I felt my chest tighten at times and I sometimes smiled, I couldn’t fully connect to the story. Dills loved Jesse and hated what he did. To read about a boy who has been through this has to hurt, a lot. But I didn’t feel anything most of the time, I even got irritated every now and then.
The best YA books I read, that were heartbreaking and gut-wrenching, are written quite simplistic. Short sentences, not too descriptive, simple words, active writing. The sentences in this story are short most of the time. They can be quite descriptive though. What goes through Dill’s mind has the upper hand in this story. The words and sentences used are beautiful at times. But in my opinion they’re often not the way a fifteen year old thinks. Sentences like: ‘I exhale through my nostrils, mad at the world for bringing fear into adult-and-kid relationships’ or ‘Boys everywhere never expect anything resembling acceptance from parents’. I thought: huh? Adult-and-kid relationships? My fifteen year old would never use words like this. And on the other hand the sentences can be quite passive at times: ‘Those grim thoughts were also keeping me from thinking about Gramma Jan,’ a little later:’But my heart isn’t buying the arguments. All it can do is worry.’ What about ‘I’m not buying the arguments, all I can do is worry.’ I know it’s more simplistic. But I feel a lot more because it’s less distant.
If the writing would be adjusted more to a fifteen year old and made more active and less distant, this could be a beautiful story. It has all the ingredients. Now it’s just okay. So maybe another edit round? If you do, please give Dills a mobile phone and don’t talk about iPods ever again!
I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 14, 2020
***Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of NOTHING BUT LIFE by Brent van Staalduinen in exchange for my honest review.***
Dills is sentenced to community service after attacking a classmate with a knife months after he survives a school shooting committed by his stepfather Jesse. In a faraway town, Jessie lies in coma with no brain activity. As Dills cleans up the park, plagued by PTSD symptoms, he manages to make some friends and begin to heal.
Months ago, I preordered NOTHING BUT LIFE on Amazon, so I was excited to read an ARC of Brent van Staalduinen’s latest novel. Dills’ narrator didn’t sound much like a teenager and also lacked voice and personality. One example is he talked about not needing a phone because he had an iPod. I don’t know anyone who’s used an iPod in the last twenty years. The kids I’ve known use their parents old cell phones without SIM cards or tablets or even laptops. I’m not saying no one uses iPods, just using that as an example of why Dills didn’t sound like a teenager. I can understand why a depressed, traumatized character would lack voice and personality as a function of his condition if as the character grows, he develops more nuance. I didn’t see that in Dills.
Maybe some of my disappointment in NOTHING BUT LIFE comes from the expectation of a more gut-wrenching, emotional read. If I hadn’t preordered the book months ago, I might have enjoyed it more.
NOTHING BUT LIFE is a unique story of one boy’s coming to terms not just with a school shooting, but the loss of the only father he’s even known and that Jesse caused so much pain and havoc as well as his mother’s loss and trauma.
Dills is sentenced to community service after attacking a classmate with a knife months after he survives a school shooting committed by his stepfather Jesse. In a faraway town, Jessie lies in coma with no brain activity. As Dills cleans up the park, plagued by PTSD symptoms, he manages to make some friends and begin to heal.
Months ago, I preordered NOTHING BUT LIFE on Amazon, so I was excited to read an ARC of Brent van Staalduinen’s latest novel. Dills’ narrator didn’t sound much like a teenager and also lacked voice and personality. One example is he talked about not needing a phone because he had an iPod. I don’t know anyone who’s used an iPod in the last twenty years. The kids I’ve known use their parents old cell phones without SIM cards or tablets or even laptops. I’m not saying no one uses iPods, just using that as an example of why Dills didn’t sound like a teenager. I can understand why a depressed, traumatized character would lack voice and personality as a function of his condition if as the character grows, he develops more nuance. I didn’t see that in Dills.
Maybe some of my disappointment in NOTHING BUT LIFE comes from the expectation of a more gut-wrenching, emotional read. If I hadn’t preordered the book months ago, I might have enjoyed it more.
NOTHING BUT LIFE is a unique story of one boy’s coming to terms not just with a school shooting, but the loss of the only father he’s even known and that Jesse caused so much pain and havoc as well as his mother’s loss and trauma.
April 14, 2022
The author takes you into the life of a school shooting survivor who is also connected to the shooter. It is eye opening, haunting, and heartbreaking what Dills and his family go through. It's also beautiful to see them slowly come through the other side through forgiveness, acceptance and growth. I felt very connected to these characters throughout the book.
March 20, 2022
2.75
this plot had so much potential but it dragged and fell apart at the end.
this plot had so much potential but it dragged and fell apart at the end.
March 17, 2021
It's one of those mini coincidences I notice every so often; this is the second book recently to deal with horrific grief and all the ways we can deal with it.
Dills is in an awful position; his beloved stepfather, a deeply patriotic soldier who probably suffers from PTSD, has committed a school shooting. Although the man is technically still alive, he's in a deep coma and will never wake up. Dills, his mother and the families of the dead students will never get any answers; they will never know why Jesse did what he did, what he was thinking and feeling. It makes moving on, finding closure, extremely difficult.
This is an unusual point of view for this kind of story; I've read books about shootings before, but I don't think I've ever read one where the main character was so intimately connected. Refreshingly, he doesn't seem to carry any real guilt about Jesse's actions; there's no what-if-I'd-seen, what-if-I'd-asked or anything like that. He has serious survivor's guilt, but that's only to be expected after what he's been through.
This isn't an action packed story; it's a very slow, gentle examination of three months of his life, an unspecified amount of time after everything has happened, how he and his family are slowly recovering. It's a lovely examination of how families can break and heal over time.
Not action packed, but a great read.
Dills is in an awful position; his beloved stepfather, a deeply patriotic soldier who probably suffers from PTSD, has committed a school shooting. Although the man is technically still alive, he's in a deep coma and will never wake up. Dills, his mother and the families of the dead students will never get any answers; they will never know why Jesse did what he did, what he was thinking and feeling. It makes moving on, finding closure, extremely difficult.
This is an unusual point of view for this kind of story; I've read books about shootings before, but I don't think I've ever read one where the main character was so intimately connected. Refreshingly, he doesn't seem to carry any real guilt about Jesse's actions; there's no what-if-I'd-seen, what-if-I'd-asked or anything like that. He has serious survivor's guilt, but that's only to be expected after what he's been through.
This isn't an action packed story; it's a very slow, gentle examination of three months of his life, an unspecified amount of time after everything has happened, how he and his family are slowly recovering. It's a lovely examination of how families can break and heal over time.
Not action packed, but a great read.
February 8, 2021
I received this book in exchange for an honest review, this in no way changes my opinion and all of the words below are my own.
The initial idea of this book is really interesting, it's very rare to see the perspective of the loved ones of someone who commits an act of terror/violence. It's not even something we really think about. I think the idea was handled really well and brought up points I never would have thought about. The book was very slice-of-life which usually is not my cup of tea so I found some parts too slow for my taste but I know that is the exact thing a lot of people are looking for in a book so more of a personal disappointment for me than anything else. I just like having more backstory than what the character happens to think about during his day because I felt like I missed some reasoning behind both Dill's attaching his classmate and Jesse's attack on the school. Once again it is more than likely that this is a personal thing and wouldn't bother other people, so don't let that discourage you if you like straightforward slice-of-life books because I did find the writing style super easy to read! A bonus of the book is so focused on all the little daily things it really delved into both Dill's emotions about the situation but also his other family members which I really loved because it brought them the point that no two people will ever experience the same things in such a situation. With that said I do think Dills' character was really lacking otherwise.
Dills simply did not come across as a teenager to me. I wanted to assume it was because he's been through a tough time and mentally sort of had to age quicker, but unfortunately, the other teen characters didn't seem like actual teens either. The adult characters were more relatable and enjoyable in my eyes, just more well-rounded even without being the main character. In fact, I really liked Dill's aunt and would honestly read a book about her! The plot wouldn't have made sense with an adult because obviously Dills was tried as a child hence why his sentence was so lenient, but it felt like they should have been college-age at least. This was unfortunate because the book was very easy to read but the slice-of-life type of plot not being for me and the main character not clicking for me is what led to such a low rating. One of those books that I really didn't think was bad, it just was not for me.
The initial idea of this book is really interesting, it's very rare to see the perspective of the loved ones of someone who commits an act of terror/violence. It's not even something we really think about. I think the idea was handled really well and brought up points I never would have thought about. The book was very slice-of-life which usually is not my cup of tea so I found some parts too slow for my taste but I know that is the exact thing a lot of people are looking for in a book so more of a personal disappointment for me than anything else. I just like having more backstory than what the character happens to think about during his day because I felt like I missed some reasoning behind both Dill's attaching his classmate and Jesse's attack on the school. Once again it is more than likely that this is a personal thing and wouldn't bother other people, so don't let that discourage you if you like straightforward slice-of-life books because I did find the writing style super easy to read! A bonus of the book is so focused on all the little daily things it really delved into both Dill's emotions about the situation but also his other family members which I really loved because it brought them the point that no two people will ever experience the same things in such a situation. With that said I do think Dills' character was really lacking otherwise.
Dills simply did not come across as a teenager to me. I wanted to assume it was because he's been through a tough time and mentally sort of had to age quicker, but unfortunately, the other teen characters didn't seem like actual teens either. The adult characters were more relatable and enjoyable in my eyes, just more well-rounded even without being the main character. In fact, I really liked Dill's aunt and would honestly read a book about her! The plot wouldn't have made sense with an adult because obviously Dills was tried as a child hence why his sentence was so lenient, but it felt like they should have been college-age at least. This was unfortunate because the book was very easy to read but the slice-of-life type of plot not being for me and the main character not clicking for me is what led to such a low rating. One of those books that I really didn't think was bad, it just was not for me.
February 9, 2021
3.5/5 stars*
Nothing but Life is a fictional story about Wendell aka Dills, a fifteen year old boy who is dealing with the effects of a traumatic event. He is a survivor of a high school shooting in which he lost his best friend but also lost someone even closer to him; his step dad aka the shooter. His mom relocates them to a new city in order to give Dills a fresh start and some sort of privacy from the prying world. When Dills hurts a new classmate during an altercation he is sentenced to hours of community service and spends his summer days picking up trash from a public park.
Through concise and simplistic writing, we get to live out the complex emotions that Dills is experiencing. Dills knows what his step dad did yet finds it hard to hate him? He tries to understand how the same person who was such a rock in his life could also be the person to quite literally destroy it. It’s a whole lot to unpack and I think the author does a great job of vividly putting the reader in Dills’s shoes.
I didn’t dislike anything about the book in particular, in fact I found Dills to be a very likeable and wholesome character. However, his innocent-like nature did make him come across more like a twelve year old as opposed to fifteen. I would have also liked to see more about Dills’s best friend Ethan, it didn’t really make sense to me how little he reflected upon memories of that friendship especially when it ended in such tragedy. Other than that, this is an enjoyable and quick read that focuses on a young boy’s journey to dealing with grief, finding closure and seeking healing.
Nothing but Life is on sale February 16th, 2021! Thanks to Dundurn press and the author for sending me an advanced copy!
Nothing but Life is a fictional story about Wendell aka Dills, a fifteen year old boy who is dealing with the effects of a traumatic event. He is a survivor of a high school shooting in which he lost his best friend but also lost someone even closer to him; his step dad aka the shooter. His mom relocates them to a new city in order to give Dills a fresh start and some sort of privacy from the prying world. When Dills hurts a new classmate during an altercation he is sentenced to hours of community service and spends his summer days picking up trash from a public park.
Through concise and simplistic writing, we get to live out the complex emotions that Dills is experiencing. Dills knows what his step dad did yet finds it hard to hate him? He tries to understand how the same person who was such a rock in his life could also be the person to quite literally destroy it. It’s a whole lot to unpack and I think the author does a great job of vividly putting the reader in Dills’s shoes.
I didn’t dislike anything about the book in particular, in fact I found Dills to be a very likeable and wholesome character. However, his innocent-like nature did make him come across more like a twelve year old as opposed to fifteen. I would have also liked to see more about Dills’s best friend Ethan, it didn’t really make sense to me how little he reflected upon memories of that friendship especially when it ended in such tragedy. Other than that, this is an enjoyable and quick read that focuses on a young boy’s journey to dealing with grief, finding closure and seeking healing.
Nothing but Life is on sale February 16th, 2021! Thanks to Dundurn press and the author for sending me an advanced copy!
May 18, 2021
I am a fan of Brent Van S.! I enjoy his portrayal of characters who life and work in Hamilton, Ontario. This was a quick, young adult novel and read like it. The characters were well-developed and interesting, but on occasion I found the writing and storyline to be a bit repetitive. The theme of the redemptive qualities of a trusted friend were lovely in juxtaposition of wondering if you could ever really know a trusted loved one.
His previous book "Saints, Unexpected" grabbed my attention quite a bit more and was more colourful and creative. Read Saints first, if you were only to try one book by Brent Van S.
His previous book "Saints, Unexpected" grabbed my attention quite a bit more and was more colourful and creative. Read Saints first, if you were only to try one book by Brent Van S.
December 31, 2021
Wow! Loved this.
From the start - a judge who actually gets that it’s not just all about punishment - to the end - left open ended for the reader to fill in their own blank(s) - and everything in between… strong - believable, relatable, fallible - characters, and a finely nuanced story - including commentary and/or criticism of social media, the digital universe in general, the costs of war (scars, internal (PTSD) and external (physical trauma), complicated families (biological and/or intentional), Israeli-Palestinian conflict, media hounds, life and death and grief… and more…
Two huge takeaways.. First that ‘people think hate is the answer for what they don’t understand’ (p79)... so true and so applicable to so many things.... BLM. #MeToo.Trumpism. Etc. Second, ‘Inshallah’ moments for putting our lives in perspective… that sometimes things just are what they are, and that we are all more than our pasts, and that it’s OK to not be OK, or that we are stronger than we think we are, and the impossibility of doing the right thing - there is no black and white here.
And the craft of the author in the actual telling of the story… the way it unfolds slowly, bit by bit, in flashback scenes… always wrapping back on itself… a linear narrative that doesn’t feel linear… broken up as it is by Dill’s ‘visits’ back to the day in question.. How vividly he - and we - can see, hear, smell and taste the events of that day.
My only complaint… Why does there always have to be a romance? Couldn’t we just leave them as friends?
From the start - a judge who actually gets that it’s not just all about punishment - to the end - left open ended for the reader to fill in their own blank(s) - and everything in between… strong - believable, relatable, fallible - characters, and a finely nuanced story - including commentary and/or criticism of social media, the digital universe in general, the costs of war (scars, internal (PTSD) and external (physical trauma), complicated families (biological and/or intentional), Israeli-Palestinian conflict, media hounds, life and death and grief… and more…
Two huge takeaways.. First that ‘people think hate is the answer for what they don’t understand’ (p79)... so true and so applicable to so many things.... BLM. #MeToo.Trumpism. Etc. Second, ‘Inshallah’ moments for putting our lives in perspective… that sometimes things just are what they are, and that we are all more than our pasts, and that it’s OK to not be OK, or that we are stronger than we think we are, and the impossibility of doing the right thing - there is no black and white here.
And the craft of the author in the actual telling of the story… the way it unfolds slowly, bit by bit, in flashback scenes… always wrapping back on itself… a linear narrative that doesn’t feel linear… broken up as it is by Dill’s ‘visits’ back to the day in question.. How vividly he - and we - can see, hear, smell and taste the events of that day.
My only complaint… Why does there always have to be a romance? Couldn’t we just leave them as friends?
March 2, 2022
I think this was a decently done book about a difficult topic. I’m not sure why this one goes unread by so many. I will say I didn’t like the way the ending left the reader hanging but overall still a good read. 3.5 stars
November 27, 2020
I don't really have much to think about after reading this book. I like the writinh style of the author. I like the characters too, and the romance is just right. However, I might have just increased my expectations a little bit, in which I wanted it to be more dramatic. Still, over-all it is an okay read for me.
January 9, 2022
I liked the book. I thought the writing was good and the story was told in an engaging way.
The premise of the story was interesting and most of the characters were believable. The complexity of the situation that Dills was in was interesting and something that I had never thought about previously.
The premise of the story was interesting and most of the characters were believable. The complexity of the situation that Dills was in was interesting and something that I had never thought about previously.
June 6, 2021
A quick, easy read…as fas as making one’s way through a story…but a story that tackles gun violence and survivorship from a new perspective. While not perfect, the story tells the beautifully tragic circumstances of Dills, his mom & extended family as they cope in the aftermaths of gun violence…at the hands of Dills step-father.
Emotional, moving, and gripping! Highly recommended.
Emotional, moving, and gripping! Highly recommended.
March 2, 2021
*Thanks to NetGalley for providing me a complimentary copy of NOTHING BUT LIFE by Brent van Staalduinen in exchange for my honest review.*
Nothing but Life is a fictional story about Wendell aka Dills, a fifteen year old boy who is dealing with the effects of a traumatic event. The initial idea of this book is really interesting, it’s very rare to see the perspective of the loved ones of someone who commits an act of terror/violence. It’s not even something we really think about.
This is an engaging book about gun violence, what to do when you lose a parent, and moving to a new town while facing community service charges, Nothing But Life is a really unique take on a very serious topic. Following a young boy as he tries to live with life after a horrific trauma, it really shows what a roller coaster it can be. But in the end, he may not completely move on, but he’s at least made a couple friends and maybe bloomed a small romance, and that’s something to be proud of.
This book tackles on an incredible important and sensitive topic. It’s an easy read and it deals with some important issues.
I felt that this book had so much promise but never really got going. I don’t feel like I really got to know any of the characters and this is a shame because there are several who I think would probably have quite interesting backstories if they were explored further.
Overall, even though I liked the premise and I felt my chest tighten at times, I couldn’t fully connect to the story. Dills loved Jesse and hated what he did. To read about a boy who has been through this has to hurt, a lot. But I didn’t feel anything most of the time and I even got irritated every now and then.
Maybe some of my disappointment in NOTHING BUT LIFE comes from the expectation of a more gut-wrenching, emotional read. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t do it for me.
Nothing but Life is a fictional story about Wendell aka Dills, a fifteen year old boy who is dealing with the effects of a traumatic event. The initial idea of this book is really interesting, it’s very rare to see the perspective of the loved ones of someone who commits an act of terror/violence. It’s not even something we really think about.
This is an engaging book about gun violence, what to do when you lose a parent, and moving to a new town while facing community service charges, Nothing But Life is a really unique take on a very serious topic. Following a young boy as he tries to live with life after a horrific trauma, it really shows what a roller coaster it can be. But in the end, he may not completely move on, but he’s at least made a couple friends and maybe bloomed a small romance, and that’s something to be proud of.
This book tackles on an incredible important and sensitive topic. It’s an easy read and it deals with some important issues.
I felt that this book had so much promise but never really got going. I don’t feel like I really got to know any of the characters and this is a shame because there are several who I think would probably have quite interesting backstories if they were explored further.
Overall, even though I liked the premise and I felt my chest tighten at times, I couldn’t fully connect to the story. Dills loved Jesse and hated what he did. To read about a boy who has been through this has to hurt, a lot. But I didn’t feel anything most of the time and I even got irritated every now and then.
Maybe some of my disappointment in NOTHING BUT LIFE comes from the expectation of a more gut-wrenching, emotional read. Unfortunately, this one just didn’t do it for me.
May 29, 2021
It's a very different take on gun violent and the impact shootings have on children. It also goes into to pros and cons of forgiving someone who did something unforgivable
February 23, 2022
Nominated for a Forest of Reading award. I am also often drawn to booking about school shootings.\
This character driven novel (which is not usually my thing) is a bit of a meditation on survival/survivors and PTSD.
This character driven novel (which is not usually my thing) is a bit of a meditation on survival/survivors and PTSD.
January 25, 2022
First let me say THANK YOU to NetGalley for my complimentary copy of NOTHING BUT LIFE by Brent van Staalduinen!
From the first page to the last page, I was hooked! The writing was well done, the story line kept my attention, I truly liked this book.
Note, this story is NOT about focusing on the shooting, as it’s more about the aftermath, and what Dills is left to deal with .. the grief, hatred, love, learning to cope, and understand all these emotions he is going through at such a young age.
From the first page to the last page, I was hooked! The writing was well done, the story line kept my attention, I truly liked this book.
Note, this story is NOT about focusing on the shooting, as it’s more about the aftermath, and what Dills is left to deal with .. the grief, hatred, love, learning to cope, and understand all these emotions he is going through at such a young age.
November 8, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The premise of this novel sounded incredibly interesting - Dill has to face life following the terrible actions of his step-father - but I found it to be a tad disappointing as there felt like there was no real resolution and there was so much untold. However, Dill was an interesting character and this is ultimately what redeems the book. Dill is both angry at his step-dad yet cannot find it in him to hate him for it. Rather, he doesn't understand why it happens and I think that's how many survivors feels.
I do wonder though the underlying cause for Jesse's actions but I think these kinds of actions are often not explained by a simple explanation and the author has therefore done a good job in not portraying the why - even if I did want to know why!
The premise of this novel sounded incredibly interesting - Dill has to face life following the terrible actions of his step-father - but I found it to be a tad disappointing as there felt like there was no real resolution and there was so much untold. However, Dill was an interesting character and this is ultimately what redeems the book. Dill is both angry at his step-dad yet cannot find it in him to hate him for it. Rather, he doesn't understand why it happens and I think that's how many survivors feels.
I do wonder though the underlying cause for Jesse's actions but I think these kinds of actions are often not explained by a simple explanation and the author has therefore done a good job in not portraying the why - even if I did want to know why!
April 15, 2022
TW: Gun violence and School shooting
I can not a say I was a fan of this book. If I wasn't bored or confused I was uncomfortable with some of the scenarios. I think the topics explored such as school shooting, violence and bullying are super important to read about but this book just felt lacking. That being said there were some good sections and few likable characters just not enough to balance the blandness of everything else.
I can not a say I was a fan of this book. If I wasn't bored or confused I was uncomfortable with some of the scenarios. I think the topics explored such as school shooting, violence and bullying are super important to read about but this book just felt lacking. That being said there were some good sections and few likable characters just not enough to balance the blandness of everything else.
August 25, 2021
What would you do if you knew the man who brought a gun to school and killed a bunch of people?
That is what Dills has to cope with. Dills stepfather brought a gun to Dills school and killed a bunch of people. Now Dills has to cope with what he saw.
I wanted to like this book. I really did. I read other school shooting books that captivated and were so well written. The plot of this sounded amazing but I had a hard time connecting with Dills. It is still a book that is worth reading because people need to know what people deal with after shootings.
That is what Dills has to cope with. Dills stepfather brought a gun to Dills school and killed a bunch of people. Now Dills has to cope with what he saw.
I wanted to like this book. I really did. I read other school shooting books that captivated and were so well written. The plot of this sounded amazing but I had a hard time connecting with Dills. It is still a book that is worth reading because people need to know what people deal with after shootings.
February 16, 2021
An engaging book about gun violence, what to do when you lose a parent, and moving to a new town while facing community service charges, Nothing But Life is a really unique take on a very serious topic. Following a young boy as he tries to live with life after a horrific trauma, it really shows what a roller coaster it can be. But in the end, he may not completely move on, but he's at least made a couple friends and maybe bloomed a small romance, and that's something to be proud of.
Check out my full review here!
https://radioactivebookreviews.wordpr...
Check out my full review here!
https://radioactivebookreviews.wordpr...
October 26, 2020
I really like the idea of the story—how someone grieves a public tragedy (school shooting) that he is not only a part of, but loves the villain/shooter. However, many of the author's choices aren't logical and are inconsistent... making this a frustrating read.
My favorite character description was Gramma Jan:
"If my mom is a force, Gramma Jan is ten times that. Torn jeans and college T-shirts and baseball hats. No job too demanding. Handy with a hammer and wrench. A garden that's afraid of her."
My favorite character description was Gramma Jan:
"If my mom is a force, Gramma Jan is ten times that. Torn jeans and college T-shirts and baseball hats. No job too demanding. Handy with a hammer and wrench. A garden that's afraid of her."
March 7, 2022
There were a few flaws in the basic premise that made it hard for me to get behind this book.
March 7, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. I read it as part of our White Pine Book club. The main character was so eay to like, but so conflicted. Imagine if the stepfather you adored turned into a killer you hardly recognized. Your life is changed and you are navigating a whole new town and way of being.
May 21, 2020
Thanks to Dundurn Press for providing a digital ARC of Nothing But Life in exchange for an honest review.
I love books that trust you enough to make your own opinion. Nothing but Life takes the serious subject matter of School Shootings and transforms it and its victims into a think piece of grief, love, hatred, and the confusing lines between the two. This is not a book about politics. It's not anti or pro guns. It's not anti or pro anything. It's a real feeling story about a 15 year old dealing with the after math of his PTSD plagued relative shooting up his school and learning to cope, grow, and untangle a variety of extreme emotions.
My main issue was probably just the few times this book made me feel like the reader was looking down on teenagers for being teenagers. There was a lot of "i'm fifteen so I'm mature enough to not think swearing is cool" lines that pulled me out of what was otherwise a realistic narrative. It's hard to write for characters out of your age bracket but considering this book's MC not even having a cellphone, I honestly think this book would have been better were it sent when the author was a teenager because then we wouldn't be left with scenes where teenagers marvel over knowing about The Matrix.
I love books that trust you enough to make your own opinion. Nothing but Life takes the serious subject matter of School Shootings and transforms it and its victims into a think piece of grief, love, hatred, and the confusing lines between the two. This is not a book about politics. It's not anti or pro guns. It's not anti or pro anything. It's a real feeling story about a 15 year old dealing with the after math of his PTSD plagued relative shooting up his school and learning to cope, grow, and untangle a variety of extreme emotions.
My main issue was probably just the few times this book made me feel like the reader was looking down on teenagers for being teenagers. There was a lot of "i'm fifteen so I'm mature enough to not think swearing is cool" lines that pulled me out of what was otherwise a realistic narrative. It's hard to write for characters out of your age bracket but considering this book's MC not even having a cellphone, I honestly think this book would have been better were it sent when the author was a teenager because then we wouldn't be left with scenes where teenagers marvel over knowing about The Matrix.
April 21, 2023
I would have loved this book even more if I had actually been able to read it completely, since most chapters were missing the first few words of the opening sentence, which is why I am cutting a star. ut otherwise? This book was wonderful, It reminds me a lot of Give A Boy A Gun, at least in some ways.
I loved how it portrayed Dill's interal struggle between wanting to hate his step father for what he did, but still loving for being his step father.
Murderers have family, too, after all and this book, this wonderful, wonderful book did such a great job in portraying that. It is a book that stayed with me for quite some time after reading it and I hope people out there will love it as much as I have, for it is truly amazingly written and deals with a very difficult topic in an absolutely perfect way.
I received a free ARC by Netgalley for an honest review.
I loved how it portrayed Dill's interal struggle between wanting to hate his step father for what he did, but still loving for being his step father.
Murderers have family, too, after all and this book, this wonderful, wonderful book did such a great job in portraying that. It is a book that stayed with me for quite some time after reading it and I hope people out there will love it as much as I have, for it is truly amazingly written and deals with a very difficult topic in an absolutely perfect way.
I received a free ARC by Netgalley for an honest review.
March 15, 2023
FoR22 4/6
I picked this to read next for the White Pine Forest of Reading challenge just because it was short. It was a pretty okay book with its perks and downsides.
Pro's:
- You get a good understanding of the main character's motives and emotions
- Interesting perspective on healing from trauma
Could be a Pro or Con:
- You (the reader) will understand why the MC see's the step-dad as a "good" person who made bad decisions, basically the step-dad's character is humanized
Con's:
- The book started and ended very abruptly
- It would be interesting to have a chapter from the step-dad's perspective so we would have more insight on things
Give this a read and see what you think!
I picked this to read next for the White Pine Forest of Reading challenge just because it was short. It was a pretty okay book with its perks and downsides.
Pro's:
- You get a good understanding of the main character's motives and emotions
- Interesting perspective on healing from trauma
Could be a Pro or Con:
- You (the reader) will understand why the MC see's the step-dad as a "good" person who made bad decisions, basically the step-dad's character is humanized
Con's:
- The book started and ended very abruptly
- It would be interesting to have a chapter from the step-dad's perspective so we would have more insight on things
Give this a read and see what you think!
August 16, 2022
Get this for your teenager! This book invites the reader to think about how others are living or trying to live their lives with secret trauma and an identity you don't necessarily want everyone at high school to know.
The relationship between Dills and all the women in this novel is also one for the books. He is loved and he loves. He respects and he is respected. The little love story that runs through the book is also lovely, innocent and endearing.
The relationship between Dills and all the women in this novel is also one for the books. He is loved and he loves. He respects and he is respected. The little love story that runs through the book is also lovely, innocent and endearing.
March 16, 2023
I liked the premise and the concepts that were being explored at the beginning of the novel, but toward the end I found it just petered out then ended suddenly. I didn’t really get the whole outcome of seeing Jesse, it was passed over really quickly. They also just stopped mentioning his whole talking to himself thing like it never happened which stuck me as weird.
Overall I enjoyed the book I just wished it had a more well rounded ending.
Overall I enjoyed the book I just wished it had a more well rounded ending.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 21, 2022
I wanted to like this book; the premise immediately incited sympathy for the protagonist. But the story takes way too long to get going, or even layout where it's going. Some parts (events, character details) could have been omitted without affecting the story's impact.
I read it for my school's book club and the overall concensus was "boring".
I read it for my school's book club and the overall concensus was "boring".
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