When Dimple Met Rishi (Review)

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon
Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary/Romance
Page Length: 380 pages
Publisher: Simon Pulse

About When Dimple Met Rishi (via Goodreads):

Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?

Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself.

The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitate toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not?

Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.

When Dimple Met Rishi was an absolute delight. With a heart-melting romance and incredible characters, When Dimple Met Rishi was an extremely relatable and fun read.

It took me about three chapters to get into the story, but once I hit chapter 4, I WAS HOOKED. I completely devoured the rest of the novel in a day. It was that good. Also, I am a huge fan of character-driven novels, and this one DID NOT DISAPPOINT. Sandhya Menon delivered an amazing story that not only focused on romance, but also on pursuing one's individual passions and taking risks to achieve your dreams.

Both Dimple and Rishi were fantastic main characters. They were flawed, lovable, and (most importantly) realistic. They were relatable characters who had authentic teen experiences and identity struggles that any teen could relate to.  I loved watching their individual growth, as well as also seeing their relationship progress and flourish. I honestly don't know how to convey how much I loved them. Not only are they my newest and truest OTP, but both of them are individually two of my favorite characters ever. I couldn't help but want to root for each of them through each and every high point and low point in their story.

The main issue for me was that the plot seemed to fade a bit in the middle. While their relationship continued to progress, some of the storyline grew less prominent and fell to the wayside. It was still entertaining and I loved seeing their amazing relationship grow stronger, but I would have liked to see a bit more of the summer program work and interactions, especially since it was such a big deal to Dimple. While it did work overall and tied in nicely in the end, a better blending of romance and plot would have made the book even better than it already was.

Filled with the perfect blend of humor, romance, and a dash of heartbreak, When Dimple Met Rishi was a rejuvenating read. When Dimple Met Rishi is the only book to ever have made me feel so unbelievably happy and renewed. It was so refreshing and fun.

My rating: 4 stars

First We Were IV Blog Tour (Review + Giveaway!)

First We Were IV by Alexandra Sirowy

Publication Date: July 25, 2017

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 

Synopsis: A group of friends start a secret society in this out-of-control thriller from the author of The Telling and The Creeping that examines the all-consuming love of lifelong friendship—and what someone is capable of when they’re afraid of losing it.

Izzie loves nothing more than her three best friends, Viv, Graham, and Harry, and the bond the four of them share. And she’s terrified of their friendship falling apart next year when they go off to college. To bind them together, she decides to create that will belong only to them, a special thing that they’ll always share between the four of them. And so they dream up the Order of IV, a secret society devoted to mischief that rights wrongs and pays back debts. At first, it works like a charm—but when the Order of IV’s escapades get recognition beyond their wildest expectations, other people start wanting in. And soon, what started as a game of friendship is spiraling into something dangerous and beyond their control—and before it’s over, they’ll pay the ultimate sacrifice.

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2lx6UyI

Buy Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alexandra Sirowy is the author of the young adult thrillers THE CREEPING, the Bram Stoker Award® Nominated THE TELLING, and the upcoming FIRST WE WERE IV. Alexandra attended a women's college as an undergrad and received her graduate degree in International Studies. When she isn't writing, she loves to travel, read, eat, and get into mischief. She lives with her husband in Northern California.

THE REVIEW

First We Were IV was a dark and engaging read from Alexandra Sirowy. As someone who doesn't normally read books in this genre, I was extremely surprised to find that not only did I like this book, I LOVED it.

Sirowy managed to grab my attention from the start and never let go. Although immediately thrown into the thick of things, Sirowy presents it in a way that intrigues rather than confuses. Once engrossing the reader, Izzie's narrative rewinds to the very start of everything and brilliantly leads back to that last moment, intwining the plot with various flashbacks, recordings, and other tidbits that added a little extra oomph to the story. Although I haven't read a lot of novels like this one, I feel like it's easy to mess up with this type of storytelling method, but Sirowy manages it with grace and ease, with great transitions and precision.

I was fascinated by Izzie and her friends' attempt at a last hurrah before college. While there were elements of the group and some actions that freaked me out, the bond shared between the members was unbreakable. The dynamic was so interesting and the characters felt so real and flawed and wonderful. And surprisely, they also felt kind of innocent? Even though some of their actions definitely were not, their hearts were often in the right place, in their own twisted way.

I don't want to talk about the plot since even the tiniest bit might give something away, but I will say that Alexandra Sirowy definitely threw me for a loop with this one. Although I don't read many mysteries or thrillers, when I do I usually see things coming or have at least a vague sense of what is going on. This book was different though because I never anticipated ANYTHING.

Also, a bit of a side-note but this book also had so many good quotes. SO MANY. I compiled a list of some favorites for the other tour back in March/April and I HAD SO MANY LINES HIGHLIGHTED AND HIGH-KEY STRUGGLED TO NARROW IT DOWN TO JUST 10. But I digress.

Ultimately, First We Were IV was an unexpected gem for me. I highly recommend people give it a try, even if it's not a genre they usually read because they may be pleasantly surprised. I know I was.

MY RATING: 4 stars

THE GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FTC disclaimer: US entires only. No purchase necessary to enter, giveaway items provided by Alexandra Sirowy.

DON'T MISS THE REST OF THE TOUR!

Week 1

July 10:  Bookish Lifestyles - Review + Tote Design
July 11:  Brittany's Book Rambles - Guest Post
July 12:  Emily Reads Everything - Review
July 13   Biscotto's Books - Moodboard
July 14:  Forever Lost in Literature - Review

Week 2

July 17:  My Friends Are Fiction - Guest Post
July 18:  Literary Legionnaire - Review
July 19:  The Reader and the Chef - Review
July 20:  Novel Novice - Guest Post
July 21:  Dark Faerie Tales - Interview

Week 3

July 24:  YA and Wine - Review + Guest Post
July 25:  YA Book Central - Spotlight
July 26:  Tales of the Ravenous Reader - Review
July 27:  A Perfection Called Books - Guest Post 

Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (Mini Review)

Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli
Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary/LGBTQIA+
Page Length: 320 pages
Publisher: Balzer + Bray

About Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (via Goodreads):

Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now Simon is actually being blackmailed: if he doesn’t play wingman for class clown Martin, his sexual identity will become everyone’s business. Worse, the privacy of Blue, the pen name of the boy he’s been emailing, will be compromised.

With some messy dynamics emerging in his once tight-knit group of friends, and his email correspondence with Blue growing more flirtatious every day, Simon’s junior year has suddenly gotten all kinds of complicated. Now, change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he’s pushed out—without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he’s never met.

Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda was an absolute delight to read. Becky had me laughing out loud on too many occasions to count, while also making me shed some tears.

I'm not usually one to call people "precious cinnamon rolls" or any of that stuff, but I can see how that applies to this book. Simon and Blue were just so freaking adorable and I was smiling from ear-to-ear whenever they interacted (and especially when they finally met IRL). Although I had a suspicion as to who Blue was from relatively early on (and I was ultimately right), Becky definitely made sure to throw some curveballs that completely threw me off guard and made me question my guess throughout the story.

Honestly, all the characters were so relatable and realistic (more so than any I've ever seen) and I instantly fell in love with all of them (even all the secondary characters were so precious and wonderful, including Simon's ridiculously awkward and lovable parents)!

Overall this book was so cute and heartwarming (and also important!), and now I understand why everyone loves it so much because I love it too *clutches all the characters protectively to my chest* I just want to hug them all and have them be my best friends.

My Rating: 4 stars

The Sun is Also a Star (ARC Review)

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon
Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary
Page Length: 384 pages
Format: ARC won at B-Fest (Barnes & Noble's Teen Book Festival)
Publication Date: November 1, 2016
Publisher: Delacorte Press

About The Sun is Also a Star (via Goodreads):

Natasha: I’m a girl who believes in science and facts. Not fate. Not destiny. Or dreams that will never come true. I’m definitely not the kind of girl who meets a cute boy on a crowded New York City street and falls in love with him. Not when my family is twelve hours away from being deported to Jamaica. Falling in love with him won’t be my story.

Daniel: I’ve always been the good son, the good student, living up to my parents’ high expectations. Never the poet. Or the dreamer. But when I see her, I forget about all that. Something about Natasha makes me think that fate has something much more extraordinary in store—for both of us.

The Universe: Every moment in our lives has brought us to this single moment. A million futures lie before us. Which one will come true?

The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon was an incredible read. The characters felt so palpable and relevant, and I really connected Natasha and Daniel, on both the personal and more global level (especially after the events of the last few months). Although I do not believe in love at first sight, Yoon made me want to believe in it.

The series of chance encounters leading to Natasha and Daniel's love was a bit improbable, but Yoon's overall execution of the story was superb. She plunged deep into the character's minds and hearts and drew out a wealth of thoughts and feelings throughout the story, regarding not only the romance, but also family love and second chances. I fell in love with the characters and loved seeing them grow and develop into the people they wanted to be, rather than who they were expected to be.

The family dynamics and relationships in this book were definitely strained, and it was a bit painful to read about them, but I appreciated Yoon's honesty in conveying the relationships between parents, their children, and siblings, as well as expressing the mindset of many people regarding inter-racial relationships even today.

All in all, The Sun is Also a Star was an earnest and beautifully written story about love, loss, and serendipity. It was about taking chances, not letting hate win, and learning to empathize with those we don't know as well as those we love with all our hearts.

My Rating: 4 stars

Holding Up the Universe (ARC Review) ~ Wanted, Necessary, and Loved

Holding Up the Universe by Jennifer Niven
Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary
Page Length: 400 pages
Format: ARC (won as a B-Fest/First in Line prize)
Publication Date: October 4, 2016
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Although I received a free copy of this book, my opinion of it is completely my own.

About Holding Up the Universe (via Goodreads):

From the author of the New York Times bestseller All the Bright Places comes a heart-wrenching story about what it means to see someone—and love someone—for who they truly are.
Everyone thinks they know Libby Strout, the girl once dubbed “America’s Fattest Teen.” But no one’s taken the time to look past her weight to get to know who she really is. Following her mom’s death, she’s been picking up the pieces in the privacy of her home, dealing with her heartbroken father and her own grief. Now, Libby’s ready: for high school, for new friends, for love, and for EVERY POSSIBILITY LIFE HAS TO OFFER. In that moment, I know the part I want to play here at MVB High. I want to be the girl who can do anything. 

Everyone thinks they know Jack Masselin, too. Yes, he’s got swagger, but he’s also mastered the impossible art of giving people what they want, of fitting in. What no one knows is that Jack has a newly acquired secret: he can’t recognize faces. Even his own brothers are strangers to him. He’s the guy who can re-engineer and rebuild anything in new and bad-ass ways, but he can’t understand what’s going on with the inner workings of his brain. So he tells himself to play it cool: Be charming. Be hilarious. Don’t get too close to anyone. 
Until he meets Libby. When the two get tangled up in a cruel high school game—which lands them in group counseling and community service—Libby and Jack are both pissed, and then surprised. Because the more time they spend together, the less alone they feel. . . . Because sometimes when you meet someone, it changes the world, theirs and yours.
Jennifer Niven delivers another poignant, exhilarating love story about finding that person who sees you for who you are—and seeing them right back.

Let me say it right now: I loved this book. And before all the haters who haven’t even read this book start having a fit, let me say something. So maybe Libby is a girl who once had to be lifted out of her house by a crane, and that's a big deal (I won't deny it). But she and this story are both so much more than that.

Holding Up the Universe is a story about finding yourself and your voice despite social stigmas. It's about learning to be comfortable and confident in your own skin. It's about learning to embrace your flaws and learning to love yourself, inside and out (and to learn to love others the same). It’s about learning to dance, even when everyone is staring, and to not care because you’re doing you and you’re happy.

Yes, maybe Libby was fat-shamed by her classmates constantly, and it was heartbreaking to watch them do these awful things to her. Really, truly heartbreaking. In no way am I saying it’s acceptable to bully people, no matter who they are. It’s just not okay, period. However, this story wasn’t about society peer pressuring her into becoming someone else. She lost weight from the accident for her health, but after that, it was up to her. And she, through it all, decided to be herself. And that is pretty damn inspiring. She chooses to be an individual who sticks up for herself and her friends, rather than conforming to others’ expectations of her.

Jack’s story is a bit more complicated. While I didn’t agree with all of his decisions in the beginning, I could understand in some ways why he did it. I can only imagine how hard it would be to be recognized by everyone, but not be able to recognize them in return, and how he felt he had to conform to what his classmates expected so he could lay low instead of standing out (or being cast out). Despite all his personality/attitude problems, I couldn’t hate Jack. He was a good person deep down, as Libby points out, even if he didn’t realize it.

The romance was definitely cute and I loved Libby and Jack’s relationship, but I appreciate that it didn’t overwhelm the plot. It started off as skepticism, then friendship, then something more (aka it wasn’t the dreaded instalove). They helped each other grow and become better people, but they didn’t magically change because of the other, which I’m so glad about. I feel like a lot of times, characters are expected to (and often do) change for the sake of others or their love interests, but that wasn’t the case in Holding Up the Universe. They were catalysts of each other's change in the scientific sense (speeding up the reaction/change) rather than causing one another to change for the sake of the other. In simpler terms, they already wanted to find themselves, but because they had such a good relationship, it was easier to recognize who they wanted to be. Maybe it’s a bit cheesy, but I think it’s true. It’s easier to find the best in yourself when you’re with people who care about you for you and want you to be the best you can be.

I was afraid Holding Up the Universe would pale in comparison to All the Bright Places, but Jennifer Niven once again swept me away with her newest novel. While Niven’s novels are quite different, both stories have a special place in my heart. All in all, Holding Up the Universe was a heart-wrenching, heartwarming, beautiful, and inspiring story that deserves a chance to be loved.

My Rating: 4 stars

A Study in Charlotte (Review + Playlist) ~ My Love for This Book is No Mystery

A Study in Charlotte by Brittany Cavallaro
Series: Charlotte Holmes #1
Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary/Mystery/Retelling
Page Length: 321 pages (hardcover)
Source: eBook won in a giveaway - thank you so much, Tamara!
Publisher: HarperTeen

About A Study in Charlotte (via Goodreads):

The last thing Jamie Watson wants is a rugby scholarship to Sherringford, a Connecticut prep school just an hour away from his estranged father. But that’s not the only complication: Sherringford is also home to Charlotte Holmes, the famous detective’s great-great-great-granddaughter, who has inherited not only Sherlock’s genius but also his volatile temperament. From everything Jamie has heard about Charlotte, it seems safer to admire her from afar.

From the moment they meet, there’s a tense energy between them, and they seem more destined to be rivals than anything else. But when a Sherringford student dies under suspicious circumstances, ripped straight from the most terrifying of the Sherlock Holmes stories, Jamie can no longer afford to keep his distance. Jamie and Charlotte are being framed for murder, and only Charlotte can clear their names. But danger is mounting and nowhere is safe—and the only people they can trust are each other.

A Study in Charlotte is the first in a trilogy.

REVIEW

A Study in Charlotte was definitely one of the fastest-paced and most entertaining books I've read all year. Although I can't say I'm familiar with most of the Sherlock Holmes stories, I am happy to say that Cavallaro did a brilliant job recapping the original Holmes and Watson's adventures, family trees, and overall histories. Hopefully I'll have the chance to read the original Sherlock Holmes stories in the near future. Anyway, enough about that.

While the plot moved rapidly, with the stakes raising higher and higher each chapter, I still managed to get a good understanding of the characters and the world. Often, I find that plots that move as quickly as A Study in Charlotte lack proper character development and other problems, but I didn't notice that at all with this novel. I understood the characters and could really sympathize with them throughout. In addition, I loved that Charlotte and Jamie shared traits similar to their predecessors while also having their own unique flair.

Charlotte and Jamie are probably two of my favorite characters ever. They were quirky (obviously), and they clashed while also working together so well. They were amazing partners and friends, while also being possibly one of my favorite couples. Not many books have the same pair being my favorite friendship and OTP, but Holmes and Watson somehow worked out that way.

If I have one complaint about A Study in Charlotte, it's that the mystery was solved almost too quickly. I don't read many mysteries, but I was hoping there would be a bit more of a twist in the end. While I did enjoy the many other twists Cavallaro threw in and understand that the original Holmes and Watson do tend to know things too quickly for their own good (based on the little knowledge I do have of their work), I still wish the mystery could have been prolonged for a bit longer.

A Study in Charlotte promised an exhilarating story with murder, mystery, friendship, and a dash of romance, and Cavallaro delivered beautifully. I absolutely loved this new generation of Watsons and Holmeses, and I can't wait to see what Brittany Cavallaro has in store for them next in The Last of August.

My Rating: 4 stars

PLAYLIST

Hey guys! So I was kind of idiotic and didn't write my review for A Study in Charlotte right away, and even if I had written it sooner, the review couldn't have been very detailed without spoiling the mystery. That being said, I thought it would be fun to do something else to supplement the review, so I chose to share five songs off my A Study in Charlotte playlist! I hope you enjoy!

"Next time around, think about what you say

before you run your mouth."

1. Body Bag by Hit the Lights - Jamie definitely has some anger issues... and he may have gotten into a fight with someone who ends up dying. I won't say any more because I don't want to spoil the book, but I think this song is kind of perfect for A Study in Charlotte. (Also, if you were wondering, I randomly stumbled across this song while listening to iTunes Radio.)

"So we can take the world back from the heart-attacked

One maniac at a time we will take it back"

2. The Phoenix by Fall Out Boy - my explanation for this one is a bit less straight-forward, but bear with me. There is a dance scene in the story that kind of goes awry, and there are some pretty crazy people in the book that Charlotte and Jamie have to stop in order to save everyone (and themselves). And of course they're racing against the clock, so these lyrics all apply.

"When the world falls into pieces

You'll be the one voice of reason

When I can't face all my demons

You are the one I believe in"

3. Queen of Hearts by We the Kings - there's honestly only a few lines from this song that I think apply to A Study in Charlotte, but I wanted to include it anyway because I think those few lines really represents Charlotte and Jamie's relationship.

"Lights flash and we'll run for the fences

Let them say what they want, we won't hear it

Loose lips sink ships all the damn time

Not this time"

4. I Know Places by Taylor Swift - as much as I love Charlotte and Jamie together, I didn't choose this song because their relationship was in jeopardy. Obviously since it's a murder mystery, a lot more was at stake. Their reputations, their lives, etc. That being said, I Know Places seems like a perfect track for A Study in Charlotte.

"We got a friendship, no one can contest it

And not to mention, I respect you with my all"

5. Don't Wait by Mapei - I think the song overall is a good representation of Charlotte and Jamie's relationship. It's kind of hard to explain it in words, but basically, Jamie relies a lot on Charlotte for support and companionship, and would probably be alone (or at least lonely) without her in his life... There's more to it than that (which you'll understand if you read the book), but ultimately, what's a Watson without his Holmes?

Mini Reviews: The Serpent King and Symptoms of Being Human ~ Apparently Guys Named Jeff Really Know How to Break My Feels

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner
Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary
Format: eBook
Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers

About The Serpent King (via Goodreads):

Dill has had to wrestle with vipers his whole life—at home, as the only son of a Pentecostal minister who urges him to handle poisonous rattlesnakes, and at school, where he faces down bullies who target him for his father’s extreme faith and very public fall from grace.

He and his fellow outcast friends must try to make it through their senior year of high school without letting the small-town culture destroy their creative spirits and sense of self. Graduation will lead to new beginnings for Lydia, whose edgy fashion blog is her ticket out of their rural Tennessee town. And Travis is content where he is thanks to his obsession with an epic book series and the fangirl turning his reality into real-life fantasy.

Their diverging paths could mean the end of their friendship. But not before Dill confronts his dark legacy to attempt to find a way into the light of a future worth living.

I honestly wasn't expecting to like The Serpent King, despite all the rave reviews, but it quickly grew to become one of the most wonderful and rawest books I've ever read. This book slithered into my heart (pun intended) and shattered my soul a million times. It hurt to read, and I was a sobbing mess for probably half the book (pretty sure I used up a whole tissue box sobbing over this book), but it was so so so worth it.

The characters were INCREDIBLE. All of them were so unique, but also so ordinary and relatable (even though that probably sounds really contradictory). As the plot thickened and things grew worse and worse for them, my heart constricted and twisted more than it ever had before. Because I connected to them on such a deep level without even realizing it.

The plot was like nothing I've ever read, and Zentner's storytelling was captivating, painful, and beautiful all at once. Although it took several chapters to get into the story, once I did I was hooked for good. I could not stop reading, and stayed up extremely late to finish it.

It's really hard to capture the brilliance of The Serpent King. It's also really hard to explain the plot without going into the spoiler zone, but the story was extremely well done and the characters really went through a beautiful metamorphosis that cannot be ignored. Even if you're uncertain about The Serpent King, I really suggest giving it a try. It blew me away in ways I couldn't have fathomed.

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin
Genre: Young Adult/Contemporary/LGBTQIA+
Format: Hardcover
Publisher: Balzer + Bray

About Symptoms of Being Human (via Goodreads):

The first thing you’re going to want to know about me is: Am I a boy, or am I a girl?

Riley Cavanaugh is many things: Punk rock. Snarky. Rebellious. And gender fluid. Some days Riley identifies as a boy, and others as a girl. The thing is…Riley isn’t exactly out yet. And between starting a new school and having a congressman father running for reelection in uber-conservative Orange County, the pressure—media and otherwise—is building up in Riley’s so-called “normal” life.

On the advice of a therapist, Riley starts an anonymous blog to vent those pent-up feelings and tell the truth of what it’s REALLY like to be a gender fluid teenager. But just as Riley’s starting to settle in at school—even developing feelings for a mysterious outcast—the blog goes viral, and an unnamed commenter discovers Riley’s real identity, threatening exposure. Riley must make a choice: walk away from what the blog has created—a lifeline, new friends, a cause to believe in—or stand up, come out, and risk everything.

Symptoms of Being Human was like nothing I'd ever read before, but I am so glad I picked it up. It was such an eye-opening and heart-shattering story; it really exposed me to things I knew next to nothing about before. I knew there can be a lot of unnecessary hate toward the LGBTQIA+ community, but I never truly realized the horrors that many of them have to face until I read this book. And it's devastating.

Riley's story was inspirational. Even though I can't truly fathom the scope of what Riley goes through, it was amazing seeing Riley grow and flourish as a character, as well as work up the nerve to finally come out (even if the circumstances weren't the best).

I also appreciated how even though there was so much hate, there was so so so so so much more love. Riley's identity may have shaken the worlds of those closest to Riley, but Riley also had so much support, not only online, but also in Riley's everyday life. There was still plenty of confusion and misunderstanding, but there was still an abundance of acceptance nonetheless. Baby steps in the right direction.

I myself still have a lot to learn about the LGBTQIA+ community, but reading in-depth about the horrors Riley (and others like Riley) had to face caused me to be a complete emotional wreck. It was absolutely terrifying and awful. Nobody, and I truly mean NOBODY, should have to deal with these horrifying, mind-numbingly awful things. Every person is still a human being, and each and every person deserves to be treated that way.

Symptoms of Being Human was an extremely important story that needed to be told. I knew I wanted to read it the minute I heard about it, and it did not disappoint. It was such an informative and heart-warming (as well as heart-wrenching) book, and I highly recommend people read it.

My rating: 4 stars