You know the old saying of "too much of a good thing can be a bad thing"? Well, this is my living proof.
When I found Point Pleasant in 2012 on the internet, I was completely enthralled in the beautifully written, captivating narrative, and overall wonderfulness of the story. I didn't think anything would ever top this. So what did I do? I read it. Again. And again. And again, just for good measure. Then this beauty became a book, even better than what it started off as. And I read and loved it again.
I have a playlist in my phone with 94 songs that remind me only of Point Pleasant and there are always new songs added. It's my favorite playlist. And every time I listen to the amazing songs, I think of the characters I loved, and their heartbreaking stories. I think of home, I think of Jen (the author of this beloved book who I befriended through the discovery of her novel), I think of a personal experience that I hold close to heart that's similar to the one in this book.
Unfortunately, this reread left me so disappointed. I could almost hear the book speaking to me, after all our journeys together. And it was not happy with me.
And it was painful for me to keep reading it. I was sad. I felt heartless. I felt like an emotionless robot. I could not connect with any of the characters. The story that had impacted once so much made me feel numb throughout. I wanted to throw the book at my wall and never pick it up again. But I pushed myself to read, and I finished it.
Now, I hate saying all of this. I hate it. And I can just feel Point Pleasant frowning at me, with an arched eyebrow (am I right?) wondering what it did wrong.
And I do apologize, but I can't read you anymore. Not for a long, long time.
It's not you, Point Pleasant, it's me. I changed. I read so many things after you, and I grew up. I will always hold you in a special place in my heart. I won't ever forget you. I will keep your songs. I will relive you through them. But for now, this is goodbye.
This is how I will try to remember this book that has influenced me in so many ways. With this quote:
"Home was not simply a place, of course. Home was where people wanted you, where they were happy you were there, where they greeted you like a long lost friend."
In addition to my review, I'd like to add this passage, which I thought was sweet:
"You know what I love about driving at night?" Ben asked suddenly.
Nicholas continued to look forward, but he shook his head. "The quiet?"
"Not exactly," Ben said. "The stars. Sometimes in Boston, you can't see them at all. You have to drive pretty far to get out of the light pollution of the city."
Nicholas said nothing.
"My point, though," Ben continued, "is that sometimes you have to go further into the dark. There's no way around it. Not if you really want to see the stars."
I'm sad, okay? I loved this story. I can't even describe how hard it was for me to finish reading it this time. I don't know why, but I found it even hard to enjoy the last chapter, which is my favorite!
There were way too many unnecessary details. It didn't help move the story along. I wanted it to get to the point, but it never did, and it felt like someone was stuttering the whole time. I didn't like that.
I hate complaining about this book. I really do.
But like I mentioned before, I will remember it fondly. I always will. It brought me comfort in the past, and that's important to me.
I should probably talk about the story a little bit though. I did like the Mothman. I loved Nicholas Nolan, badass sheriff and all. And can we forget that time I took a picture with Misha Collins while he had me handcuffed in his hands? Yeah, that wouldn't have happened if it hadn't been for this book.
I also love the small town feel of Point Pleasant. The Marquee, the fountain. It all sounds like a dream. I liked Ben and Nic's friendship. I had some issues with their relationship, but I think overall I was okay with it. I loved how Nic didn't hide his love for Ben, which was awesome. But they were still kinda secretive?
Here's to old friends, like Point Pleasant. Hey, maybe if I read it again in 13 years I'll be madly in love with it. There's a plan.
I think part of my enjoyment in the past was that I felt like Ben. And I liked believing that my Nic could actually change his mind. But obviously he didn't. Obviously he never will. And now that my Nic married his Lily, and is having those kids Ben thought Nic had had, I see no joy in his happiness. But that would be shitty of me to admit, so I am not admitting it.
You know the old saying of "too much of a good thing can be a bad thing"? Well, this is my living proof.
When I found Point Pleasant in 2012 on the internet, I was completely enthralled in the beautifully written, captivating narrative, and overall wonderfulness of the story. I didn't think anything would ever top this. So what did I do? I read it. Again. And again. And again, just for good measure. Then this beauty became a book, even better than what it started off as. And I read and loved it again.
I have a playlist in my phone with 94 songs that remind me only of Point Pleasant and there are always new songs added. It's my favorite playlist. And every time I listen to the amazing songs, I think of the characters I loved, and their heartbreaking stories. I think of home, I think of Jen (the author of this beloved book who I befriended through the discovery of her novel), I think of a personal experience that I hold close to heart that's similar to the one in this book.
Unfortunately, this reread left me so disappointed. I could almost hear the book speaking to me, after all our journeys together. And it was not happy with me.
And it was painful for me to keep reading it. I was sad. I felt heartless. I felt like an emotionless robot. I could not connect with any of the characters. The story that had impacted once so much made me feel numb throughout. I wanted to throw the book at my wall and never pick it up again. But I pushed myself to read, and I finished it.
Now, I hate saying all of this. I hate it. And I can just feel Point Pleasant frowning at me, with an arched eyebrow (am I right?) wondering what it did wrong.
And I do apologize, but I can't read you anymore. Not for a long, long time.
It's not you, Point Pleasant, it's me. I changed. I read so many things after you, and I grew up. I will always hold you in a special place in my heart. I won't ever forget you. I will keep your songs. I will relive you through them. But for now, this is goodbye.
This is how I will try to remember this book that has influenced me in so many ways. With this quote:
_________________________________________________________
In addition to my review, I'd like to add this passage, which I thought was sweet:
I'm sad, okay? I loved this story. I can't even describe how hard it was for me to finish reading it this time. I don't know why, but I found it even hard to enjoy the last chapter, which is my favorite!
There were way too many unnecessary details. It didn't help move the story along. I wanted it to get to the point, but it never did, and it felt like someone was stuttering the whole time. I didn't like that.
I hate complaining about this book. I really do.
But like I mentioned before, I will remember it fondly. I always will. It brought me comfort in the past, and that's important to me.
I should probably talk about the story a little bit though. I did like the Mothman. I loved Nicholas Nolan, badass sheriff and all. And can we forget that time I took a picture with Misha Collins while he had me handcuffed in his hands? Yeah, that wouldn't have happened if it hadn't been for this book.
I also love the small town feel of Point Pleasant. The Marquee, the fountain. It all sounds like a dream. I liked Ben and Nic's friendship. I had some issues with their relationship, but I think overall I was okay with it. I loved how Nic didn't hide his love for Ben, which was awesome. But they were still kinda secretive?
Here's to old friends, like Point Pleasant. Hey, maybe if I read it again in 13 years I'll be madly in love with it. There's a plan.
I think part of my enjoyment in the past was that I felt like Ben. And I liked believing that my Nic could actually change his mind. But obviously he didn't. Obviously he never will. And now that my Nic married his Lily, and is having those kids Ben thought Nic had had, I see no joy in his happiness. But that would be shitty of me to admit, so I am not admitting it.