12YOBookClub discussion

A discussion thread for our September 2018 book club pick!

Pals....I cannot explain to you how much I was surprised and pleased throughout reading this book? It is honestly everything that I have ever wanted from John Green, but never received. The characters all grew up in wealth, and still they aren't over the top smart or pretentious in their way of speaking. A lot of the characters that we come into contact with over and over during the course of this book are actually pretty well fleshed out, and those who are not, are at least given troupes that they fit into that explain why their character is so flat.

There is true tragedy for most of the characters in the book, instead of these self contrived notions of unnecessary pain as John Green's characters tend to have. Everyone deals with them in different ways, some that are heads on, some that use humor to distract from it, and others that hide away from it. But all of them know that they deal with these tragedies every single day, and that those very tragedies have distinctly changed them. When the plot of the book could possibly delve into a "manic pixie dream girl" kind of arch, both characters really find a way to listen to each other, navigate each other's feelings, and come to a decision, that while not everyone is happy, they both understand is what is for best.

Other than all of that, the writing goes back and forth between being poignant and funny in such an honest way that it leaves me wanting to read everything Robyn has ever written.

Also, I'm flipping in love with Toby, so there's that on that.

I cannot even begin to describe my love for this book. It literally made me burst out laughing throughout the book. It was also so sweet and touching. The way Robyn is able to flow between different emotions so seamlessly makes my heart swoon. It feels so relatable to real life, the actual complex emotions that these characters face in time of actual life changing situations.

This book kept me guessing!!! I loved the major twist in the book and I really, really loved the way it ended. It was such a happy ending, but not in the traditions sense. I'm going to go ahead and say it, this book might have just become my favorite one, ever.

I think I really needed this book this month. A lot of things in my life were complex and weird. I was finally letting go of things I was holding onto for a long time. I was ready for a new beginning and this book gave me exactly what I needed.

I cannot way to read more of Robyn's books. I think she's someone I'm going to be forever adding her books to my bookshelf!