Learning To Swear In America was such a glorious surprise for me!
I went in knowing exactly nothing about it, which did lead to a few mis-expectations — AKA I thought I would really learn to swear in American. I did not. I learn to swear more in Russian to be honest. But it is all very lowkey, so if you are opposed to swearing your little eyeballs won’t struggle. And if you like swearing, go read The Lies of Locke Lamora, my friend. 10/10 there. Ahem excuse me, I’M GETTING OFF TRACK.
This is about a Russian boy-genius who is saving the world from an incoming asteroid. It’s an absolute bucketful of endearing wit and maths and amazingness. And like, mate, I love everything about this.
- So Yuri was an absolute DELIGHT. I loved how he was so so socially awkward and an absolute genius, but also a dork. He thinks he’s “smooth” and then he’s running across the road to give a girl a donut. SO I LOVE HIM. I also adored all the cultural differences that were incorporated into the story — since he’s Russian and thinks the Americans are pretty weird. Truth. Like his boss will say “humour them” and Yuri’s like “ok what jokes shall I tell.” He is sweet, well-meaning, and absolutely PRECIOUS. Plus he’s a math and physicist genius and super smart and LOVE IT.
- The notes on Russian culture and language differences taught me a lot! Just like little smidges of information, like differences in what letters/sounds Russia has or how they culturally don’t make eye-contact and say hello to people without good reason. CAN I MOVE TO RUSSIA.
- I also couldn’t be more pleased with the level of NERDOM going down. And I’m going to also admit here that: I haven’t the faintest flying clue what they were talking about with all the math. You know who failed math? Me. But I can still appreciate it. It’s really cool to read about books so heavily grounded in math and science. Plus Yuri is going to SAVE THE WORLD WITH HIS MATHS. Smart little cookie. Also no pressure.
- The asteroid-parts felt detailed and really well researched. And while the author’s note cautions us to not stop asteroids using Yuri’s math….it is detailed as heck about how they do go ahead trying to have the world from the asteroids hitting.
- The secondary characters were amazing and precious. Basically Yuri gets tangled up with the janitor’s daughter on accident and then SHE SAVES HIM and it just becomes this super-cute-fest. Dovie is not skinny (!! so refreshing to read) and she is like a hippy and super sarcastic and witty the whole time. I absolutely adored her! And then her brother, Lennon, features a lot in the story too. He has a snarky commentary going on in the background that is just brilliant. Also Lennon is in a wheelchair, and since I can count on like one hand how many books I’ve read with wheelchair characters….I’m pretty excited about this.
- Shout out to the level of HILARITY in here. The quips and banter were gold. I’m so so impressed!!
“These the only boo-boos?”
He looked at her, uncomprehending.
“Yuri’s Russian,” Dovie said, then explained, “she wants to know where you’re hurt.”
“Oh. I have multiple superficial abrasions and a small laceration to forehead and left lateral mouth, with localised swelling. So, compromised skin integrity and risk for infection, but no skeletal issues.”
- IT WAS SERIOUSLY TENSE THOUGH. Even though some of the math-chapters had me die on the inside because WUT…I still loved the tension of the incoming asteroid that will kill everyone presently. But the dorky cute chapters with Yuri like experiencing highschool or being with Dovie and Lennon were the best.
- I didn’t want to put it down! Except I did because I had to go eat dinner and food is more important than Yuri. #SorryButIHavePrioritiesTho
“I’m weird?”
“You’re wearing a suit. That’s definitely not normal.”
“You…” He rolled his hand toward her. “Your hair, the reflection around your eyes…I’m weird?”
“You’re both weird,” Lennon called in from the living room. “No need to fight over it.”
- Okay so did I mention…what the heck was the math? I DON’T KNOW! This isn’t a criticism on the book, I just legit had no idea what they were talking about with the science-y chapters. So I appreciated it but like…what.
- Dude, they didn’t really swear. I’m just calling it…False advertise
- It was a smudge slow. But this could just be because the maths was like WOAH WHAT ARE YOU SAYING.
- I kind of didn’t understand some things at the end! But I’ll put it in spoiler tags for your small possibly-having-not-read-it-yet eyeballs.
I was absolutely smitten with this book of geniuses, bad pizza, asteroids, world doom, and extremely awkward boys who’s comebacks are so bad they’re good.
So much impress!!! It’s definitely a story that will stay with me and the characters were super awesome. I am HIT (har har, get it?? Because of the asteroid falling??? I’M FUNNY…no it’s not) with a deep appreciation for Learning To Swear In America. And the delightful pockets of humour totally made my day!
High stakes, great characters, and possible planetary doom — an excellent story.
THANK YOU TO BLOOMSBURY FOR THE REVIEW-COPY. Learning To Swear In American by Kat Kennedy was published August, 2017.
Brimming with humor and one-of-a-kind characters, this end-of-the world novel will grab hold of Andrew Smith and Rainbow Rowell fans.
An asteroid is hurtling toward Earth. A big, bad one. Yuri, a physicist prodigy from Russia, has been called to NASA as they calculate a plan to avoid disaster. He knows how to stop the asteroid: his research in antimatter will probably win him a Nobel prize–if there’s ever another Nobel prize awarded. But Yuri’s 17, and having a hard time making older, stodgy physicists listen to him. Then he meets Dovie, who lives like a normal teenager, oblivious to the impending doom. Being with her, on the adventures she plans when he’s not at NASA, Yuri catches a glimpse of what it means to save the world and save a life worth living.
Prepare to laugh, cry, cringe, and have your mind burst open with questions of the universe.
\\ CLICK COVERS TO READ REVIEWS //
This sounds a little like Voss. Basically a boy from eastern Europe gets inolved with a rich girl and there are cheesy snacks and hilarity and not knowing English. This sounds quite interesting; I’ve heard quite a lot about it lately. I like some science in books. Like Beth Revis’s sci-fi books have really well integrated science. But it needs to make sense, like recently I read this dystopia where silk based technology was used to enhance vision and I”m sorry but that is dumb. My favourite techy books are the ones where a character is sad and overwhelmed because of AP Calculus and/or statistics, at least in contemporaries haha. I love characters from other countries, basically anywahere that isn’t Western Europe/the US/AuNZ because most of the world doesn’t live in those places.
Shanti recently posted…Blogoversary| Ask Us Questions
Haha! It’s more relatable when the characters are crying over maths, tbh.😂 buuuuuut at the same time I like reading books about the geniuses. Maybe it will rub off on me? WE CAN HOPE. *hopes desperately and fails*
And YES. I love reading about characters from the non-typical-YA-featuring countries! And I reeeally love Russia and the culture so that was just A+ for me reading this. 😍
I love math and science, but I don’t know if it is good to put too much of higher math or complicated science in a story where not too many people are going to be interested in it, or understand it. I think an author can make it understood that some one is a genius at something with out actually putting pieces of that something in the book. Ha ha.
I love books with characters from other countries and cultures, especially when they explain different aspects to the culture. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this one. 🙂
I mean, I didn’t get it, but at the same time it made the book WAY more real to me. I was sitting there like “Wow, they actually know what they’re talking about.”😂 Which I appreciate!
Guess who’s trying not to fail math?
Me, myself and I.
Wish me luck 😂😂
GOOD LUCK. All I did in highschool was fail math until I could drop it.😂😂
heck yes, this sounds like my kind of book!! i definitely need to check it out! i loooveee nerdy books about science and math, and russian characters tend to be some of my favorites (see: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt). i do actually love reading about characters that aren’t from my own country because you get a glimpse of the everyday culture and customs!
Madeline @ A Paper Reverie recently posted…the stages of rating & reviewing books // feat. overthinking + HOW THE HECK DO I WORD ??
SAME SAME. It’s like we go to books to escape/experience something new, so it’s like 500 x more awesome when we get another culture and country on top of that! And the Russian culture was actually THERE so it was lovely!
Not sure I would be able to read this without thinking of Yuri!!! On Ice! But it sounds cool 🙂
I’ve heard of Yuri on Ice.😂 But not seen it.
If Yuri is anything like Chekhov from Star Trek, there is a 99% chance that I will love him.
I do not understand maths and sciences AT ALL. Nay. Wholeheartedly NAY. It is not my thing. But I greatly admire people who are good at maths and sciences.
I adore dorky characters, and I am very interested in characters from other countries! Sadly, I haven’t read many.
And I greatly appreciate girls that are not skinny, because EVERY SINGLE GIRL IN EVERY BOOK I PICK UP IS SKINNY. WHY IS THIS? WHAT PLANET ARE YOU FROM? WHAT HAPPENED TO VARIETY????
Anyway.
Great review! I might need to look into this book.
HE TOTALLY IS. Smol dork with a Russian accent who is really very clever and will save everyone. :’) And I’m glad he can do the mathematical saving because WHAT THE HECCCCK IS MATHS. *sobs*
And I KNOW RIGHT?! It’s like really refreshing to read about girls who aren’t stick-skinny supermodels. Not that there’s anything wrong with being skinny! But different body types are way underrepresented in YA.
ON A SOMEWHAT RELATED NOTE! I TOOK RUSSIAN LAST YR AND WOW LEARNING THE ALPHABET WAS A LOT! XD
Idk why but going in I didn’t think about the fact that they use a different alphabet and I’d have to learn that… I eventually did but it’s kinda funny bc some letters look like English letters but make different sound (ex: An “R” in Russian is written like and English “P”) So you’d have to switch your brain from Russian back to English after class and I’d be writing Ps when I wanted to write and R omg it was actually pretty funny. I’d actually love to take Russian again, I really liked it and I learned a lot about the language and culture.
K Somewhat irreverent ramble over XD
Omg I believe you! I can’t even handle English and it’s my only language…but Russian looks extremely complicated. I loooove Russian culture though, I’m so obsessed with the fairy tales and the history. And yes I watch documentaries about Russian history. #nerd 😂
Ugh! Thats all I have to say about math and science… I just can’t wrap my brain around them.
I honestly don’t usually notice what country characters come from… but when I do its sort of cool to read about people from other countries.
WELL YOU AND I BOTH THEN, IRIS.😂 I mean what is even going on. *disappears into a fantasy novel instead*
For me, science is a yay, but maths is a big nay. I love reading about characters from other countries, although I do like relating to characters which is trickier when the settings completely different. Great post☺
I totally am NOT science/math minded.😂 Like I’m here for books and art, haha. AND YES! It’s so good to see other cultures represented!
This sounds like such a cool book! I don’t think I’ve ever read anything about Russian culture, so this sounds really intriguing. And, of course, the “save the world from an asteroid” sounds intriguing as well. Thanks for sharing Cait and, as always, fabulous review! <3
Zoe @ Stories on Stage recently posted…Words in Deep Blue
“Save the world” plots are always so fun, so dire, SO FULL OF PERIL. Love it. :’) *happy tears*
I never thought this would be added to my TBR.
But I LIVE to ruin lives and TBRs. 😇
Also PS. Grace do you have a blog? I can never find the link!
Yeah, I do have a blog but I don’t usually add the link. You’ve been there before: somewhatreserved.blogspot.com
Sorry for not visiting more often!
It’s okay. Don’t feel obligated to come. You’re busy!
I like math in books.
I do not necessarily have to comprehend it to feel as if I do. For a minute, I am tricked into thinking I am smart! ‘Foucaults Pendulum’ is a good mathy book.
THAT IS SO TRUE! It’s like a moment of feeling “smart” even if we aren’t actually math nerds, because we get to be in the protagonist’s perspective. I LIKE IT!
Well… I am a veterinarian, so I am pretty yay math/science ;D (fun fact: I *hated* math in elementary school, but it was like my best subject.). We do these things called Constant Rate Infusions that have lots of math to suss out dosing, and there are apps and such to do this for you but I actually enjoy doing it by hand if I have the time. I JUST LOVE MAKING UNITS DISAPPEAR. IT PLEASES ME.
I do enjoy books that star characters from countries that aren’t my own. Which is handy as I don’t come across a whole lot of Canadian protagonists 😉 (Most books I read with Newfoundland and Labradorian protagonists are SUPER dark… so I’d be pretty depressed, I think, if I didn’t branch out…)
Anyway, you have completely sold me on this book. I love math and science and adorable awkwardness and hilarity. I need to stop reading your blog until I get my TBR more under control. . .
I actually did okay in science during highschool from SHEER DETERMINATION.😂 But I hated it and literally closed the book and had no idea what I just read.😂 Maths/science = no go for my brain. Ever.😂
Ahh I’m glad I sold it to you though! I’d apologise to your TBR but yet…*flips hair* Not even sorry. 😇😇
I actually really like the sound of this! I really like the idea that it’s so full of maths. Maths was never my best subject – I really, really struggle with mental maths, but I don’t do too badly with pen and paper. But when the maths gets too involved, I tend to lose it. HOWEVER, it still appeals to me! I really enjoyed the science in The Square Route of Summer by Harriet Reuter Hapgood, even if I didn’t completely get it. It was just so clever! And I didn’t really need to get it for the story to work, so I’m hoping it’s similar with Learning How to Swear in America! And I love me some dorky, awkward characters, and books that cover cultural differences, so really, this sounds right up my street!
Thanks for the great review, Cait!
Jo recently posted…Review: Seeress of Kell by David Eddings
I struggle with anything with numbers, tbh, even my own age. I have no idea how old I am. ADULTING IS AHRD. And omg I should’ve used the Square Root of Summer as a comparative title actually, that was similar to this! And I like it when a book is super smart but you don’t *have* to understand the complex science/math part to still enjoy it. It doesn’t alienate me then.😂😂 I AM NOT SMART hahhha.😂
I’m not really a huge maths and science person which means I often don’t like it in books…but in saying that, this one does sound pretty nice and I do hope I can get around to reading it sometime soon! And damn, that’s disappointing there wasn’t much swearing in it, I hate false advertising!
Bahaha, I know right?! I feel like the title was just trying to be edgy. But it was till SO SO GOOD so I don’t mind too much.😂
if you actually want to learn to swear in American, read American Sniper by Chris Kyle. he was a Navy SEAL sniper, who had the highest amount of kills in American military history. this book is his autobiography.
Omg that sounds intense.😂
HAHAHA OMG WHY IS THAT FIRST QUOTE LITERALLY ME IN A NUTSHELL?? It’s always kind of funny someone will say to me (you always gotta ask your local nursing student about every little random thing that happens to you. it’s customary, tbh) hey I sprained my ankle I think will you look at it??
sure, I’ll look at it! Then they ask me what I think is wrong with it and it goes a little something like this
me: can you walk on it?
human: yeah, but it hurts.
me: did you hear a crack or a snap when you did it??
human: there was this weird like creaking noise but I dont know if that was my ankle or my face hitting ground.
me: does it hurt today, or did it hurt more yesterday?
human: ah, um well i-
me: do you mind if I press on it?
human: sure i mean i guess thats ok, it’s not that- OW WHAT THE *insert expletive here*
me: all right so it looks like you’re experiencing some swelling over the lateral malleolus . pedal pulse is about a 2+, limb was warm but not hot, purple-ish bruising appears over the 5th metatarsal. tenderness noted over the anterior talofibular ligament probably contributing to most of the pain. I recommend RICE.
human: you want me to eat rice?
me:
me: just take some ibuprofen and raise it up on a pillow below the level of your heart, ice it, and wrap it up tightly, but not tight enough to cut off your circulation unless your goal was to lose your foot.
them: welllll okay then but is it sprained?
me: yeah, it’s fracken sprained, mate.
In short, I NEED THIS BOOK IT SOUNDS CHARMING AND FANTASTIC.
kris @ lemon-notes recently posted…UNCHARTED BOOKISH ANATOMY | HEALTH CLASS + A MILLION OFFICE GIFS
YOU’RE HILARIOUS.😂😂😂
I’ve seen this book around but had no idea what it was about and the title didn’t really speak to me. But this sounds like so much fun?? I need it *grabby hands* Thanks for the great review Cait!
It was such an unexpected cupcake of awesome!! *flails*
You make me want to read this book so bad YURI sounds like I right CINNAMON ROLL that I just NEEEED in my liFE. I think I’m going to have to buy this book because it sounds so INTENSE and DOOM-y and gahhhh it sounds greaaatttt
I love your review 🙂
OMG THIS MAKES ME SO PLEASE.😂😂 I love convincing people, haha. Yuri is the most adorable piece of cinnamon. I LOVE HIM.
AWWW 😂😂 same here! when someone gets convinced by what I write in a review my hawt just melts.
thats it I NEED YURI IN MY LIFEEEEEEEE
Cool review, Cait. Why would they have that title if there’s no swearing?! 😐 Expectations vs. reality, I’m sure lots of people will have been disappointed by this one then. 😛 Ah, but it sounds like a really fun and interesting read. Plus, Russian language and culture and stuff! Awesome! I like the quotes you included, I kind of read them in what I imagine to be your voice. Because you have such a weird and distinctive voice in my head, wee! 😀 Throwing this higher on the TBR.
Cass (Words on Paper) recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Book Recommendations for the Verse Novel-Averse
Well there is SOME swearing.😂 Just not that much compared to other YA I’ve read haha. But like it was super good and I absolutely adored it!!