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Baby & Solo
Lisabeth Posthuma über wahre Freundschaft, die auch die größten Geheimnisse verkraftet. Für Fans von John Green und Benedict Wells
Der Teilzeitjob in einer Videothek verspricht endlich den Neubeginn, den Joel so lange herbeigesehnt hat. Nach jahrelanger Therapie will er die Vergangenheit hinter sich lassen. Seine neue Stelle scheint perfekt dafür: Dort darf er sich sogar einen anderen Namen geben – „Solo“, wie aus seinem Lieblingsfilm Star Wars. Endlich ein unbeschriebenes Blatt sein. Er punktet bei den Kollegen mit Ratschlägen, die er sich von Motivationspostern borgt, und freundet sich mit der schlagfertigen Nicole alias „Baby“ an, die seine Filmliebe teilt. Doch zu einer Freundschaft gehört auch Offenheit, und Nicole ahnt, dass Joel etwas verschweigt. Er muss sich entscheiden: Gibt er mehr von sich preis – oder setzt er ihre Freundschaft aufs Spiel?
Der Teilzeitjob in einer Videothek verspricht endlich den Neubeginn, den Joel so lange herbeigesehnt hat. Nach jahrelanger Therapie will er die Vergangenheit hinter sich lassen. Seine neue Stelle scheint perfekt dafür: Dort darf er sich sogar einen anderen Namen geben – „Solo“, wie aus seinem Lieblingsfilm Star Wars. Endlich ein unbeschriebenes Blatt sein. Er punktet bei den Kollegen mit Ratschlägen, die er sich von Motivationspostern borgt, und freundet sich mit der schlagfertigen Nicole alias „Baby“ an, die seine Filmliebe teilt. Doch zu einer Freundschaft gehört auch Offenheit, und Nicole ahnt, dass Joel etwas verschweigt. Er muss sich entscheiden: Gibt er mehr von sich preis – oder setzt er ihre Freundschaft aufs Spiel?
432 pages, Hardcover
First published May 11, 2021
24 people are currently reading
3989 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 266 reviews
September 9, 2021
Ever read a story where nothing much is happening and still you can’t keep the book aside? That’s “Baby & Solo” for you.
Honestly, I had low expectations from this book and picked it up only because it looked very different from its title and blurb. I didn’t expect to be so blown away by everything: the story, the characters, the writing! Everything comes together almost perfectly in this hidden gem of a book.
Story:
Joel Teague, our 17 year old protagonist, has been prescribed by his therapist to get a job, which will serve as his first step back into normalcy. Joel’s lucky break comes at ROYO Video, where his first official task is to select a new name for himself, based on a movie character. He goes for “Hans Solo” after his favourite Star Wars character. Soon, he develops a cordial, if not enthusiastic friendship with the rest of his colleagues. But he is closest to Nicole “Baby” Palmer, who is stuck with the character name from ‘Dirty Dancing” due to the earlier store manager. Soon, “Solo” and “Baby” discover what friendship is all about.
Characters:
Solo, or Joel, is awesome as the lead character of this unusual story. He is sarcastic, he is humorous, he isn’t self-pitying or whiny in spite of some "bad thing that happened" in his past. He is hell-bent on keeping his past trauma a secret as he wants his “tabula rasa” to stay clear. At times, he breaks the fourth wall and speaks to the readers directly. I love that whimsical connect with him.
Baby, or Nicole, is anything but a baby. She has a strong will and a spirited attitude, and the guts to call a spade a spade.
The rest of the video store workers are also nicely developed. Every character in this book, in fact, is created in a way that leaves you with no doubt about the reason behind their behaviour. That’s how true character sketching must be done in writing: where you know not just what the character did but can also understand why the character did that without its being expressly mentioned. Brilliantly done!
Writing:
The story befuddles you at the start. It seems to be focussed on Joel and you don’t know why. But as the layers of the past start unveiling themselves, you get sucked into the narrative and can’t stay away. I’ve been reviewing books since quite some time now. But for the first time ever, I had no idea whatsoever about where a book was going even when I was done with about 60% of it. And then it struck me. That’s exactly the point of the book. The story is going nowhere because Joel can’t go anywhere with his narration without revealing “the bad thing that happened”. He’s stuck in his past though he wants to escape it, and we’re stuck in the version he wants us to know, until he is ready for the big reveal. For a book that could have gone either way, I sure am glad it ended up on the right side of my opinion.
The pace of the book is perfect (not too fast, not too slow)) and no where will you find a lull in the narrative.
As the story is set in the 1990s, it has a wonderful nostalgic feel to it, what with the mention of video stores and the classics of the 80s and 90s.
I heard the audiobook as narrated by Nick Walther and he has done a wonderful job. He brings Joel to life with his spirited rendition.
All in all, this is a book that will make you laugh and cry and sigh and fume. It has teenage angst, but it also celebrates the spirit of companionship. Give it a try.
It’s a 4.5 from me.
Trigger Warnings: extreme homophobia, abortion, teenage sex, teenage pregnancy, cuss words (a LOT of them!)
Thank you, NetGalley and Recorded Books, for the audio ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
Honestly, I had low expectations from this book and picked it up only because it looked very different from its title and blurb. I didn’t expect to be so blown away by everything: the story, the characters, the writing! Everything comes together almost perfectly in this hidden gem of a book.
Story:
Joel Teague, our 17 year old protagonist, has been prescribed by his therapist to get a job, which will serve as his first step back into normalcy. Joel’s lucky break comes at ROYO Video, where his first official task is to select a new name for himself, based on a movie character. He goes for “Hans Solo” after his favourite Star Wars character. Soon, he develops a cordial, if not enthusiastic friendship with the rest of his colleagues. But he is closest to Nicole “Baby” Palmer, who is stuck with the character name from ‘Dirty Dancing” due to the earlier store manager. Soon, “Solo” and “Baby” discover what friendship is all about.
Characters:
Solo, or Joel, is awesome as the lead character of this unusual story. He is sarcastic, he is humorous, he isn’t self-pitying or whiny in spite of some "bad thing that happened" in his past. He is hell-bent on keeping his past trauma a secret as he wants his “tabula rasa” to stay clear. At times, he breaks the fourth wall and speaks to the readers directly. I love that whimsical connect with him.
Baby, or Nicole, is anything but a baby. She has a strong will and a spirited attitude, and the guts to call a spade a spade.
The rest of the video store workers are also nicely developed. Every character in this book, in fact, is created in a way that leaves you with no doubt about the reason behind their behaviour. That’s how true character sketching must be done in writing: where you know not just what the character did but can also understand why the character did that without its being expressly mentioned. Brilliantly done!
Writing:
The story befuddles you at the start. It seems to be focussed on Joel and you don’t know why. But as the layers of the past start unveiling themselves, you get sucked into the narrative and can’t stay away. I’ve been reviewing books since quite some time now. But for the first time ever, I had no idea whatsoever about where a book was going even when I was done with about 60% of it. And then it struck me. That’s exactly the point of the book. The story is going nowhere because Joel can’t go anywhere with his narration without revealing “the bad thing that happened”. He’s stuck in his past though he wants to escape it, and we’re stuck in the version he wants us to know, until he is ready for the big reveal. For a book that could have gone either way, I sure am glad it ended up on the right side of my opinion.
The pace of the book is perfect (not too fast, not too slow)) and no where will you find a lull in the narrative.
As the story is set in the 1990s, it has a wonderful nostalgic feel to it, what with the mention of video stores and the classics of the 80s and 90s.
I heard the audiobook as narrated by Nick Walther and he has done a wonderful job. He brings Joel to life with his spirited rendition.
All in all, this is a book that will make you laugh and cry and sigh and fume. It has teenage angst, but it also celebrates the spirit of companionship. Give it a try.
It’s a 4.5 from me.
Trigger Warnings: extreme homophobia, abortion, teenage sex, teenage pregnancy, cuss words (a LOT of them!)
Thank you, NetGalley and Recorded Books, for the audio ARC of the book in exchange for an honest review.
***********************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Follow me on Instagram: RoshReviews
June 10, 2023
Really enjoyed it!
Young adult fiction about a wonderful platonic friendship, interesting characters and an original story.
Full review to come...
Young adult fiction about a wonderful platonic friendship, interesting characters and an original story.
Full review to come...
June 23, 2022
This book has so many very delicate plots and themes that it feels inevitable that it will mess it all up but somehow it doesn't. Perhaps Joel, our narrator, is a little too wise for his age. But you're willing to give it to him, and he will keep reminding you that he learned not to do this or that in Group Therapy back when he was in the mental hospital and you are willing to give it to him. It also helps that sometimes Joel is very stupid in the way teenage boys can be, so it balances out.
There are things Joel doesn't want to tell us and some of them will not come out until nearly the end of the book. The thing is that you have a pretty good idea of exactly what it is before you get there. It is not a secret, exactly, the signs have all been there along the way. And nothing about it is supposed to feel like a big reveal. It's just hard for Joel to talk about. And we get it.
I enjoyed the 90's throwback of this (the characters were my age, so extra enjoyed) and there were only a handful of times when the dialogue felt not quite accurate to the time.
This book grapples with very big things so there are very big content warnings. None of these are just little, they are all major plot points and themes, some of which play out in different ways, and that contrast is part of the story. So be aware of suicide, attempted suicide, something approximately schizophrenia-ish (we never get an actual diagnosis), hallucinations, teen pregnancy, abortion, adoption, homophobia, and conversion therapy.
It's a real balancing act of the book. Both fun to read and smart on big issues, frank about life and choices in a way that isn't quite as starry-eyed. I really enjoyed it.
There are things Joel doesn't want to tell us and some of them will not come out until nearly the end of the book. The thing is that you have a pretty good idea of exactly what it is before you get there. It is not a secret, exactly, the signs have all been there along the way. And nothing about it is supposed to feel like a big reveal. It's just hard for Joel to talk about. And we get it.
I enjoyed the 90's throwback of this (the characters were my age, so extra enjoyed) and there were only a handful of times when the dialogue felt not quite accurate to the time.
This book grapples with very big things so there are very big content warnings. None of these are just little, they are all major plot points and themes, some of which play out in different ways, and that contrast is part of the story. So be aware of suicide, attempted suicide, something approximately schizophrenia-ish (we never get an actual diagnosis), hallucinations, teen pregnancy, abortion, adoption, homophobia, and conversion therapy.
It's a real balancing act of the book. Both fun to read and smart on big issues, frank about life and choices in a way that isn't quite as starry-eyed. I really enjoyed it.
Read
June 24, 2021I didn't find anything appealing about the cover, the title, and the setting, but within the first couple of chapters, all three make perfect sense. Posthuma's debut is a snapshot of white, middle class suburbia in the 1990s, and the book's main character, Joel, was told by his therapist to get a job as a means of working through some of his mental health challenges. When he walks in and takes a job as a clerk at the ROYO Video, he meets a cast of characters named after movie characters and begins his journey as the store's Han Solo.
It's a tabula rasa for Joel. His family has been in Michigan for a while, but Joel continues to think about his life in Virginia and woven through the contemporary story of friendship, trust, and mental health, we see bits and pieces of that former life and what it is that brought Joel to where he is in the moment.
This book takes on a wealth of big issues, particularly those of that moment in time, but it remains contemporary in scope and theme. The book tackles homophobia head on, as well as the toll that homophobia can take on someone coming to understand who they are and how it differs from the perceptions and beliefs that their closest people may have about them. Be ware this book talks about suicide and suicide ideation but does so in ways that are authentic and painfully real.
The Star Wars threads throughout are cleverly crafted and woven in, as are the other pop culture references. These are things I usually hate because they date a YA book and/or feel like an author indulging deeply in their own youthful nostalgia. Here, though, it's not -- this is a real slice of life moment of the mid 90s and how much has changed since, as well as how much is exactly the same.
Joel's relationship with Baby is a powerful one, and it's with Baby, as well as fellow coworker Scarlet, wherein we see teen pregnancy play out in more than one way. It's handled smartly, and it never feels like it's tipping its hand too much nor that the teen voices which sings throughout becomes adult or too-knowing/insightful/youthful genius in the way some authors lean into.
And the parents in this book, woof.
A powerful, moving read for fans of The Miseducation of Cameron Post, while also being packed with humor and just the right amount of sarcasm (in many ways, the voice reminded me of A Short History of the Girl Next Door, which is another great comp). This book is lengthier but it moves at a great clip.
It's a tabula rasa for Joel. His family has been in Michigan for a while, but Joel continues to think about his life in Virginia and woven through the contemporary story of friendship, trust, and mental health, we see bits and pieces of that former life and what it is that brought Joel to where he is in the moment.
This book takes on a wealth of big issues, particularly those of that moment in time, but it remains contemporary in scope and theme. The book tackles homophobia head on, as well as the toll that homophobia can take on someone coming to understand who they are and how it differs from the perceptions and beliefs that their closest people may have about them. Be ware this book talks about suicide and suicide ideation but does so in ways that are authentic and painfully real.
The Star Wars threads throughout are cleverly crafted and woven in, as are the other pop culture references. These are things I usually hate because they date a YA book and/or feel like an author indulging deeply in their own youthful nostalgia. Here, though, it's not -- this is a real slice of life moment of the mid 90s and how much has changed since, as well as how much is exactly the same.
Joel's relationship with Baby is a powerful one, and it's with Baby, as well as fellow coworker Scarlet, wherein we see teen pregnancy play out in more than one way. It's handled smartly, and it never feels like it's tipping its hand too much nor that the teen voices which sings throughout becomes adult or too-knowing/insightful/youthful genius in the way some authors lean into.
And the parents in this book, woof.
A powerful, moving read for fans of The Miseducation of Cameron Post, while also being packed with humor and just the right amount of sarcasm (in many ways, the voice reminded me of A Short History of the Girl Next Door, which is another great comp). This book is lengthier but it moves at a great clip.
May 21, 2021
The Short Version: A must read coming of age story about a kid learning to live with mental illness and the complicated lives of teenagers trying to grow into adulthood. It’s perfect for anyone who liked Silver Linings Playbook and misses Friday nights at Blockbuster.
The Long Version: Joel is getting back to normal life after THE BAD THING THAT HAPPENED, and part of getting back to normal is getting a job. When he starts at Royo Video he’s introduced to a wonderful cast of characters, Mary Poppins, The Godfather, Scarlett O’Hara, Baby (don’t worry she’s not in a corner), etc... As he escapes the bubble he’s lived in for the past decade, things careen out of control and he struggles to hold it altogether.
I had the absolute pleasure of listening to the audiobook version of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.
This book had me from the point in the first chapter where they called Lucy from Peanuts a bitch. That’s really the strongest selling point of this book, Joel’s narrative voice is really strong and I’m a sucker for a caustic wit.
The book is as close to perfect as I’ve seen recently. The characters are all well developed, layered, and their dialogue breezes along effortlessly.
The plot glides along seamlessly even as the relationships between the characters get twisted into pretzels. I smiled throughout my listen and at points was heartbroken also. It never felt heavy even though it dives into some deep topics (mental health, homosexuality, teen pregnancy).
Now this is not to say nothing was wrong with it. The whole book leads up to Joel dealing with WHAT WAS WRONG WITH HIM and THE BAD THING THAT HAPPENED and at the beginning of the book and occasionally later on, the reference to the bad thing that happened gets a little wearisome. Also in the first chapter or two the use of cursing feels forced and unnatural, this gets much better as you go though.
Most problematic, though it is addressed and is mostly resolved well by the end (and feels sadly accurate for the time period of the book), was the manner in which homosexuality is first discussed in the book. I’m very glad it was further explored because at first I was worried it might ruin an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable read.
The relationships between Joel and his parents are also a little unresolved at the end, but this didn’t bother me all that much for some reason. It was an audiobook I couldn’t wait to get back to every time I paused, like when work inconveniently got in the way, and was sad to leave when it was done.
ALL OF THAT SAID I HAVE TO RECOMMEND PURCHASING THE BOOK INSTEAD OF THE AUDIOBOOK. The only reason is that the ARC is received had several chapters cut off which caused me to miss some big parts and I had to go purchase the book to figure out what I’d missed. I checked audible and the audiobook length on there is the same as what I received, so I can’t guarantee the same issue doesn’t exist there.
Overall 4.5/5. Enough said.....almost
Me: I love you Baby and Solo
Baby and Solo: I know
Component Ratings:
Concept/Idea: 4.5 out of 5
Characters: 5 out of 5
Character Development: 4.5 out of 5
Plot: 4.5 out of 5
Dialogue: 5 out of 5
Prose: 4 out of 5
Pacing: 5 out of 5
Humor: 5 out of 5
Ending: 5 out of 5
May 21, 2021
The Short Version: A must read coming of age story about a kid learning to live with mental illness and the complicated lives of teenagers trying to grow into adulthood. It’s perfect for anyone who liked Silver Linings Playbook and misses Friday nights at Blockbuster.
The Long Version: Joel is getting back to normal life after THE BAD THING THAT HAPPENED, and part of getting back to normal is getting a job. When he starts at Royo Video he’s introduced to a wonderful cast of characters, Mary Poppins, The Godfather, Scarlett O’Hara, Baby (don’t worry she’s not in a corner), etc... As he escapes the bubble he’s lived in for the past decade, things careen out of control and he struggles to hold it altogether.
I had the absolute pleasure of listening to the audiobook version of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.
This book had me from the point in the first chapter where they called Lucy from Peanuts a bitch. That’s really the strongest selling point of this book, Joel’s narrative voice is really strong and I’m a sucker for a caustic wit.
The book is as close to perfect as I’ve seen recently. The characters are all well developed, layered, and their dialogue breezes along effortlessly.
The plot glides along seamlessly even as the relationships between the characters get twisted into pretzels. I smiled throughout my listen and at points was heartbroken also. It never felt heavy even though it dives into some deep topics (mental health, homosexuality, teen pregnancy).
Now this is not to say nothing was wrong with it. The whole book leads up to Joel dealing with WHAT WAS WRONG WITH HIM and THE BAD THING THAT HAPPENED and at the beginning of the book and occasionally later on, the reference to the bad thing that happened gets a little wearisome. Also in the first chapter or two the use of cursing feels forced and unnatural, this gets much better as you go though.
Most problematic, though it is addressed and is mostly resolved well by the end (and feels sadly accurate for the time period of the book), was the manner in which homosexuality is first discussed in the book. I’m very glad it was further explored because at first I was worried it might ruin an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable read.
The relationships between Joel and his parents are also a little unresolved at the end, but this didn’t bother me all that much for some reason. It was an audiobook I couldn’t wait to get back to every time I paused, like when work inconveniently got in the way, and was sad to leave when it was done.
ALL OF THAT SAID I HAVE TO RECOMMEND PURCHASING THE BOOK INSTEAD OF THE AUDIOBOOK. The only reason is that the ARC is received had several chapters cut off which caused me to miss some big parts and I had to go purchase the book to figure out what I’d missed. I checked audible and the audiobook length on there is the same as what I received, so I can’t guarantee the same issue doesn’t exist there.
Overall 4.5/5. Enough said.....almost
Me: I love you Baby and Solo
Baby and Solo: I know
Component Ratings:
Concept/Idea: 4.5 out of 5
Characters: 5 out of 5
Character Development: 4.5 out of 5
Plot: 4.5 out of 5
Dialogue: 5 out of 5
Prose: 4 out of 5
Pacing: 5 out of 5
Humor: 5 out of 5
Ending: 5 out of 5
The Long Version: Joel is getting back to normal life after THE BAD THING THAT HAPPENED, and part of getting back to normal is getting a job. When he starts at Royo Video he’s introduced to a wonderful cast of characters, Mary Poppins, The Godfather, Scarlett O’Hara, Baby (don’t worry she’s not in a corner), etc... As he escapes the bubble he’s lived in for the past decade, things careen out of control and he struggles to hold it altogether.
I had the absolute pleasure of listening to the audiobook version of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publisher.
This book had me from the point in the first chapter where they called Lucy from Peanuts a bitch. That’s really the strongest selling point of this book, Joel’s narrative voice is really strong and I’m a sucker for a caustic wit.
The book is as close to perfect as I’ve seen recently. The characters are all well developed, layered, and their dialogue breezes along effortlessly.
The plot glides along seamlessly even as the relationships between the characters get twisted into pretzels. I smiled throughout my listen and at points was heartbroken also. It never felt heavy even though it dives into some deep topics (mental health, homosexuality, teen pregnancy).
Now this is not to say nothing was wrong with it. The whole book leads up to Joel dealing with WHAT WAS WRONG WITH HIM and THE BAD THING THAT HAPPENED and at the beginning of the book and occasionally later on, the reference to the bad thing that happened gets a little wearisome. Also in the first chapter or two the use of cursing feels forced and unnatural, this gets much better as you go though.
Most problematic, though it is addressed and is mostly resolved well by the end (and feels sadly accurate for the time period of the book), was the manner in which homosexuality is first discussed in the book. I’m very glad it was further explored because at first I was worried it might ruin an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable read.
The relationships between Joel and his parents are also a little unresolved at the end, but this didn’t bother me all that much for some reason. It was an audiobook I couldn’t wait to get back to every time I paused, like when work inconveniently got in the way, and was sad to leave when it was done.
ALL OF THAT SAID I HAVE TO RECOMMEND PURCHASING THE BOOK INSTEAD OF THE AUDIOBOOK. The only reason is that the ARC is received had several chapters cut off which caused me to miss some big parts and I had to go purchase the book to figure out what I’d missed. I checked audible and the audiobook length on there is the same as what I received, so I can’t guarantee the same issue doesn’t exist there.
Overall 4.5/5. Enough said.....almost
Me: I love you Baby and Solo
Baby and Solo: I know
Component Ratings:
Concept/Idea: 4.5 out of 5
Characters: 5 out of 5
Character Development: 4.5 out of 5
Plot: 4.5 out of 5
Dialogue: 5 out of 5
Prose: 4 out of 5
Pacing: 5 out of 5
Humor: 5 out of 5
Ending: 5 out of 5
September 22, 2021
Eigentlich mache ich seit einiger Zeit einen großen Bogen um Jugendliteratur, weil ich einfach aus dem Genre rausgewachsen und dementsprechend oft und schnell genervt bin.
Ausnahmen bestätigen jedoch die Regel und als ich über BABY & SOLO stolperte, wusste ich sofort: Das willst du lesen. Nicht zuletzt, weil mich der Hanser Verlag noch nie wirklich enttäuscht hat.
Gesagt, getan: Jahreshighlight gefunden !
Das Buch beginnt mit dem Satz: "Ich glaube, Joel ist so weit". Ein Satz der für Joel bedeutet: Er kann nach jahrelanger Therapie und Aufenthalten in psychiatrischen Einrichtungen, endlich einen Schritt zurück in ein NORMALES Leben machen. Und sein erstes Ziel ist ein Schülerjob.
So landet er schließlich bei ROYO Video, der örtlichen Videothek, in der sich die Angestellten Pseudonyme verpassen und sich nach ihren liebsten Filmhelden benennen. Hier trifft er, der sich fortan selbst Solo (nach Han Solo) nennt auf Baby (die eigentlich Nicole) heißt. Um es abzukürzen: Die Beiden werden Freunde. Doch Joel hat Angst, sich Baby gegenüber zu öffnen und ihr allzu viel von ihm selbst zu erzählen, denn was, wenn sie seine Macke kennt ? Wird sie sich dann von ihm abwenden ?
Die Handlung ist zu komplex um sie nur kurz zusammenfassen zu können. Vor allem brüte ich seit Stunden darüber, wie ich eine Rezension zustande bringen soll, ohne zu spoilern. Naja, in dem ich nicht weiter auf den Inhalt eingehe vermutlich.
Deshalb konzentriere ich mich auf das, was mir hier neben dem Inhalt und der Themenvielfalt, die sich, wie ihr schon ahnt, unter anderem mit dem Thema Mental Health befasst, besonders gut gefallen hat.
Zum Einen sind da die Charaktere, allen voran natürlich Joel, der mir sehr ans Herz ging, weil er eigentlich ein ziemlich cooler Typ ist, der aber oft von seinen Zweifeln und Sorgen beherrscht wird und trotz vieler Therapien ein paar Eigenheiten hat, die er einfach nicht ablegen kann. Er hatte kein leichtes Leben und hat, das war mir recht schnell klar, ein krasses Trauma. Er ist anderen Menschen gegenüber sehr verschlossen, macht sich in der Videothek aber doch einen Namen und findet Menschen, die ihn, auch wenn sie nicht wissen, was in seinem Kopf vorgeht, akzeptieren wie er ist.
Dann ist da Baby, die selbst ein großes Problem hat. Sie wirkt immer recht mürrisch und kann die meisten Menschen nicht leiden, aber an Solo alias Joel frisst sie irgendwie einen Narren, auch wenn sie genervt davon ist, dass sie ihn an ihren Problemen teilhaben lässt, während er ihr einfach gar nichts erzählt, sich aber oft komisch verhält. Baby hat eine schwere Entscheidung zu treffen, die sich auf ihr komplettes weiteres Leben auswirken wird. Ihren inneren Kampf mitzuerleben, hat mich echt zu Tränen gerührt und stark bewegt.
Es gibt außerdem viele weitere tolle Nebencharaktere, wie Joels Vater, den ich sehr mochte. Die Crew der Videothek, Babys Mutter, Joels Arzt. Ich mochte sie alle. Bis auf Joels Mutter, die, statt nur ihren Sohn in diverse Kliniken zu stecken, dringend selbst mal eine Therapie bräuchte, die keine Geheimnisse für sich behalten kann, gerne tratscht und aufs übelste homophob ist. Ich fand die Frau, egal was sie erlebt hat, einfach nur zum Fürchten.
Ein weiterer positiver Punkt war natürlich die Zeit, in der die Geschichte spielt. Wir befinden uns nämlich im Jahr 1997, in dem ich beinahe genau so alt war, wie die Protagonist:innen. Es war, als würde man, nicht nur durch die Atmosphäre, sondern auch durch die genannten Filme und die Musik, einen Blick auf die eigene Jugend werfen. Großartig war das.
Auch der Schreibstil hat mir sehr gefallen, denn trotz all der wirklich sehr ernsten und auch schweren Themen, behält die Autorin zu jeder Zeit einen jugendlich leichten Ton bei, der durch viel Witz und Charme bei mir punkten konnte. Und auch an Spannung fehlt es hier nicht, schon alleine deshalb, weil man immer versucht zu ergründen, was genau Joel und seiner Familie widerfahren ist, was der Auslöser von allem war. Man hat zwar permanent so eine unterschwellige Ahnung, aber die wirkliche Auflösung lässt lange auf sich warten.
Ja, ich mochte es. Ich mochte es sosososo sehr. Für gewöhnlich ziehe ich bei Büchern, die keine Triggerwarnung haben, einen Punkt ab, aber hier fällt mir das wirklich schwer und deshalb verzichte ich darauf. Möchte allerdings trotzdem einen dringenden Appell an den Verlag aussenden, bei einer zweiten Auflage bitte darauf zu achten. Es gibt in diesem Jugendroman wirklich sehr triggernde Themen wie Homophobie, Mental Health und weitere, die ich nicht nennen kann, weil sie zwangsläufig spoilern würden. Vermutlich ist das auch ein Grund, warum man darauf verzichtet hat, aber ich finde es wichtig, dass man es von Verlagsseite dann zumindest irgendwie umschreibt !!! Das MUSS in meinen Augen einfach sein, weil ich glaube, dass das ein oder andere Thema viele Leser:innen betreffen könnte. Hier sollte also nachgebessert werden.
Ansonsten, ich habs oben schon gesagt: Ein Jahreshighlight für mich !
Ausnahmen bestätigen jedoch die Regel und als ich über BABY & SOLO stolperte, wusste ich sofort: Das willst du lesen. Nicht zuletzt, weil mich der Hanser Verlag noch nie wirklich enttäuscht hat.
Gesagt, getan: Jahreshighlight gefunden !
Das Buch beginnt mit dem Satz: "Ich glaube, Joel ist so weit". Ein Satz der für Joel bedeutet: Er kann nach jahrelanger Therapie und Aufenthalten in psychiatrischen Einrichtungen, endlich einen Schritt zurück in ein NORMALES Leben machen. Und sein erstes Ziel ist ein Schülerjob.
So landet er schließlich bei ROYO Video, der örtlichen Videothek, in der sich die Angestellten Pseudonyme verpassen und sich nach ihren liebsten Filmhelden benennen. Hier trifft er, der sich fortan selbst Solo (nach Han Solo) nennt auf Baby (die eigentlich Nicole) heißt. Um es abzukürzen: Die Beiden werden Freunde. Doch Joel hat Angst, sich Baby gegenüber zu öffnen und ihr allzu viel von ihm selbst zu erzählen, denn was, wenn sie seine Macke kennt ? Wird sie sich dann von ihm abwenden ?
Die Handlung ist zu komplex um sie nur kurz zusammenfassen zu können. Vor allem brüte ich seit Stunden darüber, wie ich eine Rezension zustande bringen soll, ohne zu spoilern. Naja, in dem ich nicht weiter auf den Inhalt eingehe vermutlich.
Deshalb konzentriere ich mich auf das, was mir hier neben dem Inhalt und der Themenvielfalt, die sich, wie ihr schon ahnt, unter anderem mit dem Thema Mental Health befasst, besonders gut gefallen hat.
Zum Einen sind da die Charaktere, allen voran natürlich Joel, der mir sehr ans Herz ging, weil er eigentlich ein ziemlich cooler Typ ist, der aber oft von seinen Zweifeln und Sorgen beherrscht wird und trotz vieler Therapien ein paar Eigenheiten hat, die er einfach nicht ablegen kann. Er hatte kein leichtes Leben und hat, das war mir recht schnell klar, ein krasses Trauma. Er ist anderen Menschen gegenüber sehr verschlossen, macht sich in der Videothek aber doch einen Namen und findet Menschen, die ihn, auch wenn sie nicht wissen, was in seinem Kopf vorgeht, akzeptieren wie er ist.
Dann ist da Baby, die selbst ein großes Problem hat. Sie wirkt immer recht mürrisch und kann die meisten Menschen nicht leiden, aber an Solo alias Joel frisst sie irgendwie einen Narren, auch wenn sie genervt davon ist, dass sie ihn an ihren Problemen teilhaben lässt, während er ihr einfach gar nichts erzählt, sich aber oft komisch verhält. Baby hat eine schwere Entscheidung zu treffen, die sich auf ihr komplettes weiteres Leben auswirken wird. Ihren inneren Kampf mitzuerleben, hat mich echt zu Tränen gerührt und stark bewegt.
Es gibt außerdem viele weitere tolle Nebencharaktere, wie Joels Vater, den ich sehr mochte. Die Crew der Videothek, Babys Mutter, Joels Arzt. Ich mochte sie alle. Bis auf Joels Mutter, die, statt nur ihren Sohn in diverse Kliniken zu stecken, dringend selbst mal eine Therapie bräuchte, die keine Geheimnisse für sich behalten kann, gerne tratscht und aufs übelste homophob ist. Ich fand die Frau, egal was sie erlebt hat, einfach nur zum Fürchten.
Ein weiterer positiver Punkt war natürlich die Zeit, in der die Geschichte spielt. Wir befinden uns nämlich im Jahr 1997, in dem ich beinahe genau so alt war, wie die Protagonist:innen. Es war, als würde man, nicht nur durch die Atmosphäre, sondern auch durch die genannten Filme und die Musik, einen Blick auf die eigene Jugend werfen. Großartig war das.
Auch der Schreibstil hat mir sehr gefallen, denn trotz all der wirklich sehr ernsten und auch schweren Themen, behält die Autorin zu jeder Zeit einen jugendlich leichten Ton bei, der durch viel Witz und Charme bei mir punkten konnte. Und auch an Spannung fehlt es hier nicht, schon alleine deshalb, weil man immer versucht zu ergründen, was genau Joel und seiner Familie widerfahren ist, was der Auslöser von allem war. Man hat zwar permanent so eine unterschwellige Ahnung, aber die wirkliche Auflösung lässt lange auf sich warten.
Ja, ich mochte es. Ich mochte es sosososo sehr. Für gewöhnlich ziehe ich bei Büchern, die keine Triggerwarnung haben, einen Punkt ab, aber hier fällt mir das wirklich schwer und deshalb verzichte ich darauf. Möchte allerdings trotzdem einen dringenden Appell an den Verlag aussenden, bei einer zweiten Auflage bitte darauf zu achten. Es gibt in diesem Jugendroman wirklich sehr triggernde Themen wie Homophobie, Mental Health und weitere, die ich nicht nennen kann, weil sie zwangsläufig spoilern würden. Vermutlich ist das auch ein Grund, warum man darauf verzichtet hat, aber ich finde es wichtig, dass man es von Verlagsseite dann zumindest irgendwie umschreibt !!! Das MUSS in meinen Augen einfach sein, weil ich glaube, dass das ein oder andere Thema viele Leser:innen betreffen könnte. Hier sollte also nachgebessert werden.
Ansonsten, ich habs oben schon gesagt: Ein Jahreshighlight für mich !
November 4, 2022
I was attracted by the title, the gorgeous cover, and the premise - two flawed people find friendship while working at a mid 90s video store. You had me at hello.
Let's get this part out of the way: I came of age in the mid 90s. I worked at a video store at that time. If I'm honest, the author really didn't capture that part for me. The characters just read very contemporary and their video store experience was *nothing* like mine. Where is the grown man making a teenager cry because he doesn't want to pay a $1.50 late fee? (Please see Clerks for a more realistic video store experience) Besides some fun 90s pop culture references, I don't know, it could've just as easily been set now.
But quite frankly, that doesn't really matter because this was a really really good book with great characters and a nicely plotted story. I absolutely tore through it. I think this book is up there with the other truly memorable teen novels like Eleanor & Park, The Fault in Our Stars, and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.
Let's get this part out of the way: I came of age in the mid 90s. I worked at a video store at that time. If I'm honest, the author really didn't capture that part for me. The characters just read very contemporary and their video store experience was *nothing* like mine. Where is the grown man making a teenager cry because he doesn't want to pay a $1.50 late fee? (Please see Clerks for a more realistic video store experience) Besides some fun 90s pop culture references, I don't know, it could've just as easily been set now.
But quite frankly, that doesn't really matter because this was a really really good book with great characters and a nicely plotted story. I absolutely tore through it. I think this book is up there with the other truly memorable teen novels like Eleanor & Park, The Fault in Our Stars, and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian.
May 17, 2023
I really liked this one! The familiar time and space and cultural touchpoints, the setting (I worked at a Hollywood Video! It was my favorite job I ever had!), the cast of characters, the self-aware narrator, the banter, the jokes, the story: all very solid and very enjoyable. I wish less YA -- especially about teenage boys -- employed the 'Narrator Knows He Is Narrating a Story' device, but it managed to sort of disappear itself here most of the time so that was appreciated.
I feel like... the reader KNOWS where this story is going to end up, who Crystal is, what each ~mysterious element was before it was revealed and that's because, as Joel says at one point, stories have clues that real life doesn't, but I still had several points at which I felt like flailing around and yelling because everyone was being aggressively obtuse about them, maybe that's just being a teenager, eh?
Anyway, I ended up reading it through last night's bout of insomnia and crying in bed at 1:45 in the morning, cathartic and moved, so I'm marking it down as solid to very good and leaving the book wishing good things for the character, which is always nice.
Also, the method of rental tracking at the video store in this is so weird and foreign to me that I ended up googling to try and find evidence of it even being a Thing and did manage to find ONE SINGLE image of plastic tags hanging below display boxes and am now just fascinated by all the different ways independent video stores managed their stock. I too would have felt mad with power wading into a crowd with a fishbowl.
ETA: I was, I will say, instinctively agitated that Crystal's story got its voice from the cishet guy even though that's the only way it can be told here. Ultimately, this is Joel's story and I accept that parameter and think it's well-rendered, but it does feel, I don't know, misleading? to have found this while browsing queer fiction.
I feel like... the reader KNOWS where this story is going to end up, who Crystal is, what each ~mysterious element was before it was revealed and that's because, as Joel says at one point, stories have clues that real life doesn't, but I still had several points at which I felt like flailing around and yelling because everyone was being aggressively obtuse about them, maybe that's just being a teenager, eh?
Anyway, I ended up reading it through last night's bout of insomnia and crying in bed at 1:45 in the morning, cathartic and moved, so I'm marking it down as solid to very good and leaving the book wishing good things for the character, which is always nice.
Also, the method of rental tracking at the video store in this is so weird and foreign to me that I ended up googling to try and find evidence of it even being a Thing and did manage to find ONE SINGLE image of plastic tags hanging below display boxes and am now just fascinated by all the different ways independent video stores managed their stock. I too would have felt mad with power wading into a crowd with a fishbowl.
ETA: I was, I will say, instinctively agitated that Crystal's story got its voice from the cishet guy even though that's the only way it can be told here. Ultimately, this is Joel's story and I accept that parameter and think it's well-rendered, but it does feel, I don't know, misleading? to have found this while browsing queer fiction.
May 17, 2021
Baby and Solo is many books in one, and all of them are excellent.
At its most basic level, the novel is a finely-crafted time capsule of suburban adolescence in the mid-nineties. The characters are a few years younger than I was at that time, but Posthuma's extensive pop-culture references and sharp prose capture how I remember the period before the end of the millennium. The tone and pace of the book match the feel of the movies of that era. It zips by quickly - pulled along by witty dialogue and artful but simple descriptions.
But Baby and Solo is much more than an opportunity to put in an REM CD and grab some Brown Sugar Pop-Tarts. Posthuma also explores the worlds of mental illness, institutionalization, suicide, gender dysphoria, homosexuality, teen pregnancy, and divorce. Superficially, weaving all of these themes into an ensemble teen dramady might sound like it would harsh the John Hughes vibe. To the contrary, Posthuma's deft narration and honest characters are poignant reminders that these themes, and their struggles, are very much germane to the lives of teenagers then and now. Baby and Solo's first-person narrative centers our focus, not on the misty-colored memories of proms and class projects, but on the fears and failures that countless teens feel in the moment, as they are crushed by the collision of parental expectations and the exigencies of their world, a world which their parents refuse to see.
Posthuma sees it, and writes it as eloquently and honestly as anyone who has ever attempted the genre. Beyond the skill of her prose, Posthuma also brings the perspective of a wise and deeply reflective observer of families, outsiders, and the human condition. Even if it weren't a heart wrenching exploration of brokenness and healing, Baby and Solo would be worth reading simply to better understand how thoughtful people process the people and places around them. This is a wise and profound book, one that moved me to tears with the force of its insights.
Ultimately, though, Baby and Solo is more than a book about the Nineties, or mental health and trauma, or even wisdom; Baby and Solo is a book about what people will do for those they love - for better or for worse. By the end of the book you realize that there are no villains in it, just a lot of people loving each other in the best ways that they know how. I came to love them too.
As I read Baby and Solo, I reflected on Bowie's lyrics from two decades earlier: “And these children that you spit on as they try to change their worlds; are immune to your consultations, they are quite aware of what they are going through." Lisabeth Posthuma is also quite aware, and we are the better for it. Baby and Solo deserves to be at the top of everyone's reading list. After all, nobody puts Baby in a corner.
At its most basic level, the novel is a finely-crafted time capsule of suburban adolescence in the mid-nineties. The characters are a few years younger than I was at that time, but Posthuma's extensive pop-culture references and sharp prose capture how I remember the period before the end of the millennium. The tone and pace of the book match the feel of the movies of that era. It zips by quickly - pulled along by witty dialogue and artful but simple descriptions.
But Baby and Solo is much more than an opportunity to put in an REM CD and grab some Brown Sugar Pop-Tarts. Posthuma also explores the worlds of mental illness, institutionalization, suicide, gender dysphoria, homosexuality, teen pregnancy, and divorce. Superficially, weaving all of these themes into an ensemble teen dramady might sound like it would harsh the John Hughes vibe. To the contrary, Posthuma's deft narration and honest characters are poignant reminders that these themes, and their struggles, are very much germane to the lives of teenagers then and now. Baby and Solo's first-person narrative centers our focus, not on the misty-colored memories of proms and class projects, but on the fears and failures that countless teens feel in the moment, as they are crushed by the collision of parental expectations and the exigencies of their world, a world which their parents refuse to see.
Posthuma sees it, and writes it as eloquently and honestly as anyone who has ever attempted the genre. Beyond the skill of her prose, Posthuma also brings the perspective of a wise and deeply reflective observer of families, outsiders, and the human condition. Even if it weren't a heart wrenching exploration of brokenness and healing, Baby and Solo would be worth reading simply to better understand how thoughtful people process the people and places around them. This is a wise and profound book, one that moved me to tears with the force of its insights.
Ultimately, though, Baby and Solo is more than a book about the Nineties, or mental health and trauma, or even wisdom; Baby and Solo is a book about what people will do for those they love - for better or for worse. By the end of the book you realize that there are no villains in it, just a lot of people loving each other in the best ways that they know how. I came to love them too.
As I read Baby and Solo, I reflected on Bowie's lyrics from two decades earlier: “And these children that you spit on as they try to change their worlds; are immune to your consultations, they are quite aware of what they are going through." Lisabeth Posthuma is also quite aware, and we are the better for it. Baby and Solo deserves to be at the top of everyone's reading list. After all, nobody puts Baby in a corner.
October 4, 2020
Thanks to the publisher for providing an eARC of Baby & Solo in exchange for an honest review.
Since I knew from the get-go I'd be writing a review for this book, I had over 400 pages to try and figure out what I was going to say. There were times I thought I'd give it an average rating, times I thought I'd give it a slightly-less than average rating, but it wasn't until I started tearing up near the end of this book that I finally came to terms with the fact that at some point, Baby & Solo had snuck up on me and made me fall in love with it.
I honestly think this book works best if you don't know the parts that made me love it because the realization of where the plot was going both broke my hearted and sewed it back together again so I'm just going to say if you're like me and are a little iffy with the beginning of this, I promise the pay off is worth it.
Since I knew from the get-go I'd be writing a review for this book, I had over 400 pages to try and figure out what I was going to say. There were times I thought I'd give it an average rating, times I thought I'd give it a slightly-less than average rating, but it wasn't until I started tearing up near the end of this book that I finally came to terms with the fact that at some point, Baby & Solo had snuck up on me and made me fall in love with it.
I honestly think this book works best if you don't know the parts that made me love it because the realization of where the plot was going both broke my hearted and sewed it back together again so I'm just going to say if you're like me and are a little iffy with the beginning of this, I promise the pay off is worth it.
January 3, 2021
I was given the opportunity to read this ahead of its release in exchange for an honest review. This book had me laughing and crying, almost simultaneously. The main character is relatable whether you're a teenager or not. I loved the complexity of the story. Just when I thought I had a grasp on things, new layers would emerge and keep me engrossed in what was next. The first word that comes to mind when I think of the story as a whole? Real. The feelings are real. The issues are real. The characters are real. This is a beautiful book that I wish I would've read as a teenager. It would've made me feel less alone in the world. Thanks, Lisabeth for your work. It was an absolute honor to read.
June 16, 2022
I loved this novel and the voice pulled me right in. Plenty of humor to provide levity for the serious issues which are gradually revealed, culminating in a scene that moved me to tears in the best of ways. I really grew to care for these characters. Bonus points for the Royal Oak setting (my home town!) in a video store in the 90’s (I used to work at one in my teens!). So interesting to reflect back on that time period and what has and hasn’t changed in our society.
January 13, 2021
I was enthralled by this story. The main character and his problems felt so real and were so engaging. Kept me turning the pages. Subplots were equally fascinating. Hats off to the author and Candlewick Press!
January 25, 2021
I adored this book! It was kitschy, profound, funny, and heartfelt - everything I want in a young adult book. Joel has finally been given permission to start a new phase in his life - his counselor thinks that after years of mental hospitals, therapy, and distance from THE BAD THING that Joel is ready to press play on his life. For Joel that means re-entering society and getting a job like a normal teenager. He lands a job at a local video store despite his initial misgivings fits in with the other quirky oddballs who work there. They all go by their favorite movie characters rather than their real names and Joel is dubbed Han Solo. His boss Scarlet (ala Gone with the Wind) is so maddeningly hot it drives him and all the other male employees up a wall. But where he finds true kinship is with Baby (Dirty Dancing), the nonstop puking girl (is it anorexia or something else) who is whip smart and funny. They hit it off and Solo realizes that maybe he isn't the only one with problems - maybe they're all a little frazzled but the key to moving on is making friends and propping each other up. Fantastic. A cast full of characters that readers will laugh with and root for.
May 3, 2023
Endlich mal wieder ein Jugendbuch, das mir richtig gut gefallen hat! In meinem Kopf haben sich richtige Bilder abgespielt, und ich konnte es kaum abwarten, endlich weiterlesen zu können!
Die Freundschaft zwischen den Protagonisten Solo und Baby steht im Vordergrund, und ich finde es sehr erfrischend und schön, dass es wirklich mal um eine platonische Freundschaft geht, die sich nicht zu einer Liebesbeziehung entwickelt. Viel mehr geht es darum, wie Joel sich im Laufe der Geschichte von toxischen Glaubenssätzen seiner Eltern löst, seine Vergangenheit hinterfragt und aufarbeitet und das nötige Vertrauen zu Baby aufbaut, um seine Ängste und Macken mit ihr zu teilen.
Die Freundschaft zwischen den Protagonisten Solo und Baby steht im Vordergrund, und ich finde es sehr erfrischend und schön, dass es wirklich mal um eine platonische Freundschaft geht, die sich nicht zu einer Liebesbeziehung entwickelt. Viel mehr geht es darum, wie Joel sich im Laufe der Geschichte von toxischen Glaubenssätzen seiner Eltern löst, seine Vergangenheit hinterfragt und aufarbeitet und das nötige Vertrauen zu Baby aufbaut, um seine Ängste und Macken mit ihr zu teilen.
June 19, 2021
I literally JUST finished this book, like 5 minutes ago, and I’m already wanting to read it again. Trust me when I say I’m not one to immediately run to Goodreads to leave an impromptu review but this book was SO GOOD I had to come sing it’s praises right away.
I love rooting for Joel, I love the very 90s setting, and I love the staff of ROYO Video. This is great storytelling. I appreciate the hint dropping throughout. At times it could almost (maybe) come across as predictable, but if you’re anything like me and hate surprises and sometimes want to read the last page of a book first- then I think you’ll appreciate the way the story builds from this too.
But also. This book is very serious and gives a good bit of perspective on how far society has come since the era it’s set in, but also serves as a stark reminder of how far we still have to go.
Read this, now, as soon as you can. It’ll be a quick read because I promise you’ll have a hard time putting it down.
I love rooting for Joel, I love the very 90s setting, and I love the staff of ROYO Video. This is great storytelling. I appreciate the hint dropping throughout. At times it could almost (maybe) come across as predictable, but if you’re anything like me and hate surprises and sometimes want to read the last page of a book first- then I think you’ll appreciate the way the story builds from this too.
But also. This book is very serious and gives a good bit of perspective on how far society has come since the era it’s set in, but also serves as a stark reminder of how far we still have to go.
Read this, now, as soon as you can. It’ll be a quick read because I promise you’ll have a hard time putting it down.
July 20, 2022
Let me tell you: I couldn’t put this book down. I laughed, I smiled, I gasped, I got angry, and (oh boy) did I cry. For a book that doesn’t have much going on in it (like high action packed scenes, etc) per-say; the emotions, characters, and just the slice of life aspect that this book provided made the reading all the more worth it to me. I can say with certainty that this is one of the best books I read this year, thus far. I’m so sad that it’s over now but I plan to keep this book close to my heart. (I still really want to know what happened to The Godfather…)
August 18, 2021
now THIS is how you do YA!!! Not only did it completely fulfill my 90's nostalgic dreams but this book dealt with some really tough topics () and I appreciate that it did not shy away from them. One of my favorite YA's by far.
May 25, 2021
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfer...
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
After being released from a mental hospital, 17-year-old Joel sets out in search of a part-time job at the suggestion of his doctor. He lands a job at ROYO video, where he meets a girl named Nicole, aka Baby. They strike up a friendship and as they get closer, Joel tries harder and harder to keep his past hidden and continue with his new "normal" life.
I honestly wasn't expecting much from this story, but I ended up really enjoying it! I really liked both Joel and Baby as characters. Joel, or better known as Solo in the book, is sarcastic and witty and made me laugh on more than one occasion. Baby was a really complex character in my opinion, she's moody and angry, but its understandable based on what she is going through it the story. She can also be really loveable and a great friend too. I also really enjoyed the side characters as well. All the video store employees have their own personalities and characteristics that make them unique. I liked how we aren't told what the "bad thing" that happened to Solo is, and how it is slowly unveiled to us as we continue to read the story. This dove a lot deeper into some serious topics, such as suicidal ideation and mental health in general, than I expected, but its done in a humorous yet sensitive way that I really appreciated.
I listened to this on audiobook from Netgalley, but there were bits of certain chapters missing from the audiobook... chapters that held really important information to the overall understanding of the story (ex. Chapter 11). I also had a physical copy I could follow along with, so it wasn't that big of a deal for me personally, but those who don't have that option will definitely be confused if the audio doesn't end up being fixed. But, from what was recorded and included, I think the narrator did a really great job capturing Joel's character as a whole, and I really enjoyed it!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
After being released from a mental hospital, 17-year-old Joel sets out in search of a part-time job at the suggestion of his doctor. He lands a job at ROYO video, where he meets a girl named Nicole, aka Baby. They strike up a friendship and as they get closer, Joel tries harder and harder to keep his past hidden and continue with his new "normal" life.
I honestly wasn't expecting much from this story, but I ended up really enjoying it! I really liked both Joel and Baby as characters. Joel, or better known as Solo in the book, is sarcastic and witty and made me laugh on more than one occasion. Baby was a really complex character in my opinion, she's moody and angry, but its understandable based on what she is going through it the story. She can also be really loveable and a great friend too. I also really enjoyed the side characters as well. All the video store employees have their own personalities and characteristics that make them unique. I liked how we aren't told what the "bad thing" that happened to Solo is, and how it is slowly unveiled to us as we continue to read the story. This dove a lot deeper into some serious topics, such as suicidal ideation and mental health in general, than I expected, but its done in a humorous yet sensitive way that I really appreciated.
I listened to this on audiobook from Netgalley, but there were bits of certain chapters missing from the audiobook... chapters that held really important information to the overall understanding of the story (ex. Chapter 11). I also had a physical copy I could follow along with, so it wasn't that big of a deal for me personally, but those who don't have that option will definitely be confused if the audio doesn't end up being fixed. But, from what was recorded and included, I think the narrator did a really great job capturing Joel's character as a whole, and I really enjoyed it!
June 16, 2024
no saben lo mucho que me gusto y disfrute leyendo este libro, es hermoso en todos los sentidos y sin duda me lo volvería a leer una y otra vez, Solo me hacía reír mucho y también se aventaba muy buenas fraces motivacionales jaja, conecté increíble con la historia realmente me pude meter por completo al punto de que habia dias en los que queria llegar a mi casita y poder leer, realmente puedo decir que es de mis libros favoritos 🫶🏼
July 20, 2021
Joel Teague, aka Solo, is a 17 year old teen with a big secret. The secret is called What Was Wrong With Me. We know he spent some years in and out of mental hospitals because of the Bad Thing That Happened. When the story opens, Joel has been released from psychiatric care and is casting about for a way to spend his time. He gets a job at the local video store (it is 1996), where he makes a friend, something he has not had since he was 10 years old. All of the employees take favorite film character names, rather than use their own names. His friend, Nicole, is called Baby. Baby has a secret of her own, which becomes not so secret around Halloween. Baby wants Solo to share his own dirty laundry, but given that his dirty laundry is not of the regular teen problem variety, he is afraid to share. He may lose her friendship either way.
There are other stories interwoven with this one, involving abortions, homosexuality, and transgender issues. The author does a good job of fleshing out all of these characters, including Joel's parents, who are also coping with The Bad Thing That Happened. Joel's mother worries a lot about him, but she is also profoundly homophobic, and that, sadly, affects Joel's whole youth. Since this is a young adult novel, we are not examining her psychological problems, though in my mind she bears the major blame for the Bad Thing and Joel's breakdown as well.
The novel is smartly written, and moves along quickly. In fact, I couldn't put it down and finished the 400 pages in a couple of days. There are some funny lines, and some thought-provoking lines. At times, it reminded me of The Silver Linings Playbook.
Recommend to teens who like Laurie Halse Anderson, John David Hutchinson, or Nicola Yoon.
There are other stories interwoven with this one, involving abortions, homosexuality, and transgender issues. The author does a good job of fleshing out all of these characters, including Joel's parents, who are also coping with The Bad Thing That Happened. Joel's mother worries a lot about him, but she is also profoundly homophobic, and that, sadly, affects Joel's whole youth. Since this is a young adult novel, we are not examining her psychological problems, though in my mind she bears the major blame for the Bad Thing and Joel's breakdown as well.
The novel is smartly written, and moves along quickly. In fact, I couldn't put it down and finished the 400 pages in a couple of days. There are some funny lines, and some thought-provoking lines. At times, it reminded me of The Silver Linings Playbook.
Recommend to teens who like Laurie Halse Anderson, John David Hutchinson, or Nicola Yoon.
August 14, 2021
No spoilers in this review.... The perfect young adult book with themes relevant to today while taking place in the 90's. Great attention to detail to 90's pop culture. Baby and Solo reads like a movie and left me wanting to know how the family of teens working at the local video store fared beyond the end of this book.
I love a book that ties up all of the various character storylines, and this book did not disappoint. As you read you are filled more and morre questions..... keep reading! I promise you that your qiestions will get answered. I am a 49 yr old female who grew up near where this story takes place. I loved all the throwbacks from calling cards, Farmer Jack grocery store receipts, REM, and the references to so many popular movies during that time. My daughter is 16 and equally loved this book (so much so that she is recommending it to all her friends). This book opened up some great conversations for us which I appreciate.
I love a book that ties up all of the various character storylines, and this book did not disappoint. As you read you are filled more and morre questions..... keep reading! I promise you that your qiestions will get answered. I am a 49 yr old female who grew up near where this story takes place. I loved all the throwbacks from calling cards, Farmer Jack grocery store receipts, REM, and the references to so many popular movies during that time. My daughter is 16 and equally loved this book (so much so that she is recommending it to all her friends). This book opened up some great conversations for us which I appreciate.
April 20, 2023
Okay I actually really enjoyed this one. Reminded me of a Perks of Being a Wallflower crossed with the movie Clerks. My only issue with the book is that "what's wrong with Joel" isn't revealed to the very end of the book, and by that I had pretty much figured it all out. So the ambiguity of it all was sort of tired by the time I got to the revelation. But the characters are really fun to hang around and it made me wish I worked at a Video Store in the 90's. If I worked at ROYO video, my work name would either be Doc or Marty (after Back to the Future, of course).
July 24, 2021
What is not to love?! Throwback to the 90’s (with movie references galore), focused on mental illness, fostering friendship, & growing up. Very realistic! Very raw. One of the greatest aspects of this book was how the two characters develop & maintain a platonic friendship— which I think is so important & absolutely adore. I devoured this in a day. Highly, highly recommend.
September 15, 2021
As someone who spent lots of time in a video rental store as a kid and has so many good memories from there, this was a fun one to read. The humor, depth, friendship and heartache (not to mention stellar movie references) were all beautifully written and I loved it all. A fabulous audiobook.
April 22, 2022
Strong writing, good shit.
Here's the secret in case you wanted to know it:
Here's the secret in case you wanted to know it:
June 5, 2021
✨ the vibes are immaculate ✨
September 19, 2021
Actual rating 4.5
This was written so well. It was like a perfectly written 90s movie, definitely felt like I was thrown back in time.
This was written so well. It was like a perfectly written 90s movie, definitely felt like I was thrown back in time.
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