My Review of Everything, Everything

About the Book (from Goodreads)

"This innovative, heartfelt debut novel tells the story of a girl who’s literally allergic to the outside world. When a new family moves in next door, she begins a complicated romance that challenges everything she’s ever known. The narrative unfolds via vignettes, diary entries, texts, charts, lists, illustrations, and more.

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster."

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My Rating

Spring

My Review

I couldn't help but be intrigued by the blurb for this book and the wild, eye-catching cover. Everything, Everything screamed mystery and meaning, and I was happy to see what sort of adventure might be in store.

I enjoyed getting to know Madeline - her wit (especially evident in the awesome illustrations of her written "assignments," book reviews, and more), her big heart, and her desire to taste life, knowing that just one taste could be her undoing. And for the most part, I enjoyed getting to know Olly, too. His skills and interests, as well as humor and kindness, draw Madeline out of the isolation and rigidity she's always known day to day.

This story is an intriguing blend of the unexpected and the well-traveled...bordering on a fairy tale and yet well-grounded in real feelings...delivering something new while conveying a familiar but important theme. It's a quirky but clever read with a lot of personality.

(Potential Spoiler: There was one particular scene that I wished hadn't been included. For those who would also be bothered by it, note that there is a brief instance of physical intimacy. Unfortunately, while it's easy to skip over, it's rather integral to a certain part of the book, and I think it's sad that being "free" physically - outside of marriage and in a potentially risky situation - seems to be set up almost as a reflection of the real freedom of discovering the truth and embracing life. I personally don't believe those two "freedoms" share a connection.)

Everything, Everything makes a lot of thought-provoking points and raises some interesting questions about what life really should be like and how it should be approached. There are some sad circumstances and not everything gets handled "perfectly," but I admire the quest for truth.

*With thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.*

Gingerbread Man Snack Size Reviews

While some of her stories are hit and miss with my personal preference in content, I often enjoy Lee/Elle Strauss's books. Her writing is very engaging. And now that all three of her "Gingerbread Man" episodes have released, I had to sample a taste!

Gingerbread Man: Run Run Run (#1), As Fast As You Can (#2), You Can't Catch Me (#3)
Learn more on Lee Strauss's website
Purchase on Amazon

I bought and read all three episodes in this serial series in one night - to give you an idea of how intriguing the stories are!

Run Run Run drew me in with its realistic (sometimes aggravatingly so) main characters and the strong suspense elements. It also drove me absolutely insane with the unanswered questions throughout most of the story - as well as the those typical moments where you want to shout at and shake a particular character because they're being way too gullible and about to make a really, really stupid decision. *Attempts to calm down* Anyway, this first episode in the series is quite enjoyable in a "I must find out what's happening" sort of way.

As Fast As You Can continues the drama and intrigue, and I especially liked the moments when the characters for whom the series subtitle is named for worked together and got to know each other. They make a great team, and their relationship is great fun to watch unfold, despite the dangers forcing them to race against the clock.

You Can't Catch Me was a satisfying conclusion, but probably my least favorite of the episodes simply because of the separation between characters and the stark new setting that takes up a good deal of the book. The Eager McBeaver part of me just wanted to get back to the main mystery and relationships, although the writer in me can appreciate the plot twists and revelations.

All in all, this series makes for a fun and crazy evening of reading, and I'll be interested in hearing more about the next serial series featuring some of the same characters ("Life Is But a Dream").

Content Note: If I remember correctly, there is some swearing in this series. And while there is no explicit sexual content, there are references to rape, violence, physical attraction, and drinking, as well as brief allusions to homosexuality.

Thanks to Juju of Tales of Whimsy for the inspiration regarding mini reviews!