Believe it or not, I read this before Cait. (Though she read it right after me and fangirled so much she decided I should write the review because she was too emotionally invested.) You can catch Cait’s review on Goodreads.
Thank you Pan Macmillan Australia for the review-copy! FANGIRL by Rainbow Rowell hits shelves on April 1st, 2014!
Cath and Wren are identical twins, and until recently they did absolutely everything together. Now they’re off to university and Wren’s decided she doesn’t want to be one half of a pair any more – she wants to dance, meet boys, go to parties and let loose. It’s not so easy for Cath. She’s horribly shy and has always buried herself in the fan fiction she writes, where she always knows exactly what to say and can write a romance far more intense than anything she’s experienced in real life. Without Wren Cath is completely on her own and totally outside her comfort zone. She’s got a surly room-mate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words …And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone. Now Cath has to decide whether she’s ready to open her heart to new people and new experiences, and she’s realizing that there’s more to learn about love than she ever thought possible …
Rainbow Rowell writes books. Sometimes she writes about adults (ATTACHMENTS and LANDLINE). Sometimes she writes about teenagers (ELEANOR & PARK and FANGIRL). But she always writes about people who talk a lot. And people who feel like they’re screwing up. And people who fall in love.When she’s not writing, Rainbow is reading comic books, planning Disney World trips and arguing about things that don’t really matter in the big scheme of things.
She lives in Nebraska with her husband and two sons.
Expectation:
Reality:
Mime is doing work experience at the library. This is a simultaneously scary and exciting thing, as she’s never had a job before. She is extremely relieved that all the exams are over for Term 1, and the holidays are coming up. Unfortunately, so is Cross Country. She hopes dearly that she doesn’t get lost. Unlike last time.
I'm glad you enjoyed this Mime! While it didn't live up to my expectations, I still enjoyed it. Thank you for the awesome review!
I definitely agree that, while Cath wasn't fantastic, she was fairly relatable and highly realistic. And Levi, who was cute, was actually kind of frustrating in a few scenes. This was definitely more than just a college story–wonderful review, Mime! <3
My review of this is coming up next week I think and don't expect it to be coherent… I did seriously love this book and I cried when I reached the final page. And now I own two copies because I needed to buy a hardback copy. Not want. NEEEEEED.★ Under The Mountain ★
I always love reading the bit about you and Cait at the end of posts. Actually laughed out loud at the "getting lost at cross country" bit. How'd you manage that???A++ use of Despicable Me gifs. I really didn't like Nick either.
Excellent GIF usage. š
I am glad you liked this book. I have heard such great things and it has been on my TBR list for ages. Guess I have to pick it up, huh? Great Despicable Me GIFs! š
I was expecting something amazing when I picked up this book but while I enjoyed it, it wasn't the OMG everyone has to read this now type of book that I thought it would be. Great review!
Ahaha, Fangirl was going to be the subject of /my/ next book review! I loved it. It was a little slow, but I didn't care because I enjoyed all the little subplots so much.Also, I approve of the Despicable Me 2 GIFs… I watched it this past weekend and giggled like a loon the whole way through. š
I'm sorry it didn't give you the feelz, but I'm glad you enjoyed it! I personally haven't read it (though I seem to be the only person on Earth), but I'll definitely pick it up someday :)Also, LOL at that first GIF, hehe. Great review! <33
Out of me and my sister, I am the extremely introverted one and she's more the party girl. So I totally got Cath and Wren's relationship. And I get where you're coming from with those boys. Grrr. But I'm still glad you enjoyed this one, even if it wasn't as much as you were expecting. š
Also, I'm confused. Was Fangirl not released in Australia when it was published over here? Because I thought it was out since like… last fall. Ish.
I'm glad you loved this but I had major issues with a lot of the language used by the characters/author and I couldn't connect with Cath at all – but I'm in the minority š
Pretty much sums up my feelings about Fangirl. I liked the characters (I can relate to Cath so much) but I agree, I had trouble figuring out the plot. Great review! (Also, I LOVE your Despicable Me GIFs. ^.^)
Ahhh I still need to read this one :/ man always so many books to catch up for! I'm glad you enjoyed it and I think I would probably appreciate a light-hearted story like this one too! Nice review Mime:)
It was nice for a read that isn't going to make your heart strings burst nor give you an aneurysm. Everyone needs a more relaxing but still enjoyable read sometimes, so I definitely reccommend it!
I loved Fangirl because of how relatable Cath was, and the dialogue/writing style. I'm pretty sure I would read anything by Rowell even if the plot is boring or if the characters aren't memorable
The dialogue was pretty good. I need to read Eleanor and Park sometime, because Rowell's writing is really cool. I like it that you can tell in Fangirl how much she gets the whole Internet thing. It's great.
I am glad you enjoyed this one! I struggled with it a lot and the Simon Snow fanfiction completely put me off. I just found it really hard going because the plot was a little to 'I did this and then that and then that happened and this happened.' I got so bored at times. Plus, I didn't really like or get Levi all that much.
Yeah, it wasn't the fastest plot in the race, that's for sure. I was on holidays when I read it, bored, so I speed read it both out of enjoyment and nothing better to do. I wasn't a huge fan of Simon Snow… it was okay, but I was a bit uncomfortable with some of it, and I wasn't sure whether it needed to be there at all or not.
I've read this one awhile back and I do agree about Cath not being that memorable as a character. Honestly, I don't remember that much about her voice right now. But I do recall being able to easily sympathize and relate to Cath which is crucial for me :] I actually don't remember Levi annoying me at all in Fangirl. I loved Cath and Levi's romance. Adam definitely did annoy me though haha. Lovely review! (: You definitely realized some interesting points I never noticed, such as the lack of a solid singular plot.
But plots aren't even that important when it's sweet and funny, right??! I really enjoyed it. It was such a nice book. And Levi was cool most of the time. It was just that part when he kissed the other girl. I was mad. š
I believe we rated this the same way, 4-stars. And I agree, Levi did annoy me, too, sometimes, but man, he's such a sweetheart. Did you feel like skipping the Simon Snow parts? I was so tempted, but I didn't.
I was really tempted. They were sort of good for the story line, I mean, they didn't take it away, but Cait skimmed them, and she still loved it. I made sure I read them, though, because I thought they'd be more important than they were. They weren't bad, though.
Hah, I'm an introvert and a lover of fanfiction writing myself (I do admit not still finishing my WIP…) so I might check this out simply for that, though. Not sure what to feel of Levi honestly because I've read somewhere that he was too perfect to be true :'D Which is not really awesomesauce in my dictionary >< Great review, though! š I love the gifs!Faye at The Social Potato Reviews
If Levi was too perfect to be true, than men are worse than I thought. (Uh, that is to say, Levi made mistakes. Big ones.) If you're an introverted fan-ficer, you totally need to read this! It sounds perfect for you! š
I know! It's like, Cath, you introvert you. I know exactly what you mean! (Cait helped me with the GIFs. She's good like that.)
Really? I suppose if you're not an extreme introvert–or it doesn't show in the same ways as Cath–the book could be really blah. Actually, I think Fangirl appeals to the minority, but it just so happens that minority makes up the majority of book bloggers.
I'm not sure we always have the same release dates. But maybe you saw ARC reviews? I'm not sure how long its been out world wide.
Phew! I'm glad I'm not the only one who disliked Levi at times! He was mostly cool, though. I mean, he always brought her not-coffee. That's a thumbs up in my book.
You absolutely need to read it! I think it's become a 2014 staple to the bookworm bookshelf. I feel so much more in touch now. š
The subplots were really fun. And they all did tie of well. Or most of them. I like the ending between her and Wren. It was nice, like not too happy-happy, but not "WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?!" You know?
Exactly! That's my opinion. Good–really good. But not great. Thank you!
It's a good one for the TBR list. It also looks good on there, because it's such a nice colour. You should definitely read it.
Yeah, that's Cait's contribution.
I was supposed to follow the mowed track. Unfortunately, my opinion of mowed and the school's differ. Because there was a concrete strip through one part. Which clearly counts as mowed, right? Because it's not grassy. (It worked in my mind at the time.)
(Cait fangirled over it, too. Don't worry. You're not alone.)
My thoughts exactly. Super realistic. I totally take my hat off to Rainbow Rowell. Or, I would. If I was wearing a hat.
I really thought it would be more hilarious. But it was still pretty good! Thank you!
Glad you loved it Mime, there wasn't really a definitive plot as you said but it's more about the experience. I liked the contrast of the twin sisters and how Wren ended up growing on us. Cath was definitely relatable too!Jeann @ Happy Indulgence
Oooohhh, I had seen someone post about reading this.. (Cait I think) and I thought it looked like it would be kind of a sweet read. And after reading your review, Mime it does sound really good! I'll have to see if it's at my library sometime. And I also *love* the cover art. It's just so organic and cute imo. And as always the memes sprinkled throughout are hilarious and perfect. XD I also love it when social media networking is mentioned in books a lot because it makes the story SO easy to relate to!Kate
i'm so happ you managed to like this one! i'm ahuge fan of rainbow Rowell and I remember just LOVING it too! The parts where Cath's fanfiction were included weren't my favourite scenes and i actually ended up skimming most of them. I didn't feel they added all that much to the story. Oh and crap I haven't mentioned LEVI! YESOHMYGAWDLEVI! haha, as you can tell i really liked him! LOL! But yeah he was a favourite of mine. So sweet and a total good guys *swoons*haha, thanks for your thoughts Mime!Lily @ Lilysbookblog
Ehehehehe. Yeah, your gif verdict about says it all. I wanted to punch Levi when he basically said b/c she was there (youknowwhati'mtalkingabout), and yeah, I lol'd, but I didn't ROFL, which, like you, was what I was expecting. Maybe it's all my fault for letting the hype dictate my expectations . . . but I don't think so . . . Wonderful review!Jessica @ Rabid Reads
SO GLAD YOU LADIES FINALLY READ THIS BOOK. I figured out of all my friends, you two would like it the most. Cath was incredibly relatable and I loved that. Levi was so frustrating sometimes, omg. I wasn't too fond of Cath's twin (I can't even remember her name) and completely agree about the pair being the stereotypical twins. Have you read anything else by Rowell? I don't really want to read E&P but everyone says Attachments and Landline are really good!
This is THE greatest book I have read! It has suspense, heart ache, romance, and a lot of fangirling. It is a great book for anyone who enjoys reading fan-fiction. The author is amazing! She was able to form characters that one can relate to, feel betrayed by, and most importantly, fall in love with.
I actually really loved reading this book myself at first I was like this book is HUGE but I got through it really fast