YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

Starting 28th May 2016 - anyone is welcome to join. Read at your own pace. Counts for 400 pages on the May Challenge.

I'll try to jump in (probably early June, time permitting)... :D

Description
Seventeen-year-old Maddie O'Neill Levine lives a charmed life, and is primed to spend the perfect pre-college summer with her best friends and young-at-heart socialite grandmother (also Maddie's closest confidante), tying up high school loose ends. Maddie's plans change the instant Gram announces that she is terminally ill and has booked the family on a secret "death with dignity" cruise ship so that she can leave the world in her own unconventional way - and give the O'Neill clan an unforgettable summer of dreams-come-true in the process.

Soon, Maddie is on the trip of a lifetime with her over-the-top family. As they travel the globe, Maddie bonds with other passengers and falls for Enzo, who is processing his own grief. But despite the laughter, headiness of first love, and excitement of glamorous destinations, Maddie knows she is on the brink of losing Gram. She struggles to find the strength to say good-bye in a whirlwind summer shaped by love, loss, and the power of forgiveness.

Great TJ. It sounds an ideal summer read.

I've noted it on my calendar. Thanks for setting this up, Karen. This book has been on my read-to-review list for several months.

Chapters 1-2 (8%)

I really like the premise here. The story is refreshingly unusual.
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I like the eccentric Gram who wants to pass from this life on her own terms. The other characters are equally colorful, right down to Maddie’s description and nicknames for them. I wonder if they will all get on board with Astrid’s plan (figuratively and literally!).
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Chapter 7 (24%)
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I suspected that Paige was dying from the moment that she spoke about her university days with such complete nostalgia. My suspicion increased in response to her slight detached attitude toward her baby daughter and her need to be a party girl again. By the time they were playing “Never Have I” (which by the way we call “I Never” – a game I used to love in college), I was pretty sure because we still didn’t know which of her family members was sick, and Paige seemed to be the one trying to live it up.
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Beginning of Chapter 8 (25%)
I just laughed out loud! I haven’t done that while reading in a long time. (view spoiler)[And during a story about death (hide spoiler)]… now that’s saying something.

The whole discussion in the dinghy was entertaining! What interesting family dynamics! (view spoiler)[The discussion about Maddie’s virginity was hilarious!
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Chapter 8 (29%)
This book is utterly brilliant! I love the writing style – Maddie’s thought process is so entertaining to follow. Her family is such an eclectic mix (“of misfits”) and their family dynamics are hilarious to watch.

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At first I was also worried that Mystery Guy might also be dying, but it seems he is not sick. I wonder who he is, though? The doctor’s son? Medical staff? He’s not a patient and he’s not a crew member, but this is not his first trip on the ship.
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Chapter 11 (40%)
I really feel like I'm getting to know the characters here -- it's such an interesting an quirky group.
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It's hard knowing that Maddie is getting to know some of them, just so that she can give them a proper send off...

Especially, Maddie, who has such an uncomfortable relationship with death -- I'm proud of how she is rising above her own issues to help give the last days of her new friends and acquaintances meaning.
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Chapter 14 (53%)
This would make an excellent film!
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I can just picture the five of them, Gram, Aunt Rose, Wes, Mom, and Maddie walking in slow motion, arm in arm, wearing their thong bikinis through the streets of Rio swaying gently to the samba music playing in the the background... Classic!
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Chapter 19 (76%)
I can't believe it. This book actually brought tears to my eyes in one moment, and less than 10 seconds later, I was laughing out loud! Brilliant!
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After reading Gram's note to Maddie, I had tears in my eyes -- it was so beautiful and so touching!

Then Gram's comment: "Okay, stop. I'm dying, not paying full price for theater tickets. Enough with the tears." Ha! I laughed out loud. Then Gram's comment about Maddie's crying on her lap: "People are going to think I've pissed myself, and the one thing I have left is a stellar bladder." Hahahaha! Gram gets me every time!
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Maddie's Birthday was amazing! Wow! Just wow!
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She makes a wish when blowing out her birthday candles and thinks, "It's done. Now I wait." I am soooo curious what her wish will be this time.

Gram is hilarious. "She finally succumbed to the wheelchair, saying that she prefers to save her legs for dancing and lovemaking." (74%) Ha!
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The writing is so descriptive, metaphoric, and beautiful. Some of my favorite quotes in this chapter:
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"I'm floating into adulthood on a magical ship." (74%).

"...and the dancing erupts like an Icelandic volcano." (76%)

"We, the Wishwellians, purveyors of depravity, watch the sun rise, wrapped in towels." (76%)

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I agree TJ, this would be a fantastic movie. Anything that manipulates us to feel such a range of emotions is doing something right.

Karen wrote: "I agree TJ, this would be a fantastic movie. Anything that manipulates us to feel such a range of emotions is doing something right."

So true! This story jumps from one feeling to the next so quickly -- like an emotional roller coaster.

Chapter 22 (84%)
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Awwwwww. Enzo and Maddie love each other.... sooooo sweet.

I could vividly picture the night in the lagoon, floating in the kayaks, under the stars, the green/blue glow of the plankton... ahhhh....

On a totally different topic:
I am still hoping that Maddie's aunt and cousin will join them before Gram dies. They really will regret not having a had a chance to say goodbye.
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Chapter 23 (86%)
I have tears in my eyes again! Tears of joy this time. Wow. What an emotional rollercoaster!
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I had wondered in a previous comment what Maddie's birthday wish was.

In an entirely non-connected topic, I kept thinking to myself that Paige should try to stay alive as long as possible for baby Gracie. Every year (month/week/day) counts for a toddler. Every moment that they can share together counts.

And now... my hope and Maddie's wish converge. That makes me sooooo happy (and relieved).
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This book was wonderful! It made me cry, and then laugh seconds later!

The characters were amazing! So eclectic, interesting, entertaining, diverse...

The premise was original, creative, and so off-the-wall unexpected.

I'm going to need some more time to collect my thoughts and do this book justice in a good review.