David Estes Fans and YA Book Lovers Unite! discussion

Daniel and I are starting a buddy read starting now! Everyone is welcome to join!

There are no set chapters per day, we just read at our own paces and start each post with how far along you are, i.e., Chapter #, %, using spoilers where needed. Have fun!

Thanks for setting this up Jenny! I'm already 144 pages through.
I'm LOVING the main character. He's very relatable (having went through the same phases, I can connect to him on many levels). It's superficial and juvenile at times, but since it's the POV of a 14 year old boy, that's only realistic. It's very funny, and I can't wait to see what happens.

I'm up to page 138! I agree completely!

I love his little cartoon drawings, and his brain charts LOL!

But can I say I kind of hate Annie? She has to know this immense power she has over him, and so far she's mostly ignored him or insulted him!

Annie frustrates me at times, but we have to remember that Ryan isn't exactly innocent either. (view spoiler)[ His "affair" with Megan is an example of him fulfilling his guy-ish fantasies instead of spending time with the person he actually cares about. (hide spoiler)]
And yes, LOVE the drawings. It's very unique, and it really makes the narrative seem like the main character is actually telling us what happened.
I'll continue tomorrow!

page 220.
The characters are all kind of frustrating me now. lol All of them keep doing stupid things. But once again, that's only realistic.
I also wonder what this "unthinkable" event mentioned in the blurb is. I don't think I'm there yet.

I just finished. I really liked it. Not sure about the ending. Can't wait to see your thoughts before I comment more.

Okay I'm up to page 287.

Agreed with you Daniel, the whole lot of them are acting like stupid teenagers! (view spoiler)[ the knife being pulled on Joey was SCARY! He's my fave character in this book. Still really not liking Annie! I want to, I feel like she'd be a great friend, but she needs to DECIDE! I feel really bad for Ryan Dean in this case. Even with the Megan thing. (hide spoiler)]

Okay I finished it!

My thoughts (view spoiler)[ Overall, I loved this read. It thought it was funny and I loved all the little episodes...but I do feel it was a very dark story, from beginning to end. That was all covered up by the narrator. You know at the end how he writes that letter and apologizes to the reader? I think the point of that--he was telling a very dark story, and he had lightened it up to get through it in his head. There were some dark things and emotions running all through the book, especially surrounding Joey. I actually saw that ending from a mile away. I know something bad was going to happen to him. So it wasn't a surprising ending to me.

I thought that was kind of ingenius by the author to write it that way. Because its very true, if you are teen in the middle of all of these kind of emotions, you are in complete denial (like Ryan Dean was) but looking back, you see all the signs and how basically everyone is ignoring what is really going on. Ryan Dean was distracted with his own issues (which were considerable) Hindsight is 20/20. This whole book was his way of dealing with that.

Okay, aside from the ending, which was sad and very abrupt, I'll agree with that. I did see there was a sequel, so I'm excited to see what happens next with Ryan Dean!

I agree with JP, I thought he was a little shit, pardon my french. I honestly think he should have been apologizing to Ryan Dean from the start. Its not like Ryan Dean was being sneaky about things! I was also kind of annoyed with Seanie, as he should have had Ryan Dean's back IMO.

I didn't think much of Annie through much of this. Honestly, she should have not let it get that far between the boys. I think she was kind of enjoying her power trip she had over them myself. I do think she was conflicted, that she really did like Ryan Dean, but was having the issues because he was so young. So I understand that a little, but I still think she held as much blame as any of them.

I ended up really liking Chas! I think its hilarious how he and Ryan Dean became real friends by the end. You just never know about people!

Joey was my favorite character. I just loved him, and he was the only wise one in the bunch! Even though I knew it was coming, I still was very sad over his death. Mainly the thought of him dying like that, like Ryan Dean said, scared and alone. *tearing up* (hide spoiler)]

I'm definitely excited to read the sequel! I gave the read 4 stars, as I thoroughly enjoyed the read!

page 364.
(view spoiler)[ I'm glad Ryan has finally come to his senses and ended things with Megan. Joey is a great influence on him. Also, it looks like Annie has FINALLY made up her mind. I still don't know what the "unthinkable situation" is that was mentioned in the blurb. I haven't gotten to it yet, I don't think. (hide spoiler)]
I still like it, although the some of the characters are very frustrating.

Finished.
Please allow me a couple of hours to collect my emotions. That was brutal.

I know, right?

I was not a fan of what happened at the end. I saw no reason for it. Having said that - I liked the rest a TON so still gave it 4 stars. The ending was too abrupt for me. He and Rainbow Rowell have that in common I guess! Also, I think JP was not a true friend and at fault but that is my opinion. I enjoyed this book so much until the very end part. I actually looked forward to my drive to work so I could listen to it.

Heidi, it was abrupt for sure.
(view spoiler)[ I think it was intentional though. After being so light-hearted for the majority of the book, something tragic happened in the blink of an eye, as it tends to happen in real life, and the narrator instantly realized that he can't sugarcoat the darkness in his life with cartoons and such- he has to face his problems head on with the right attitude. I saw this as both a realistic event as well as a time of growth for our usually juveline main character.
JP is not a true friend, and I think Ryan Dean realizes that near the end. He realizes that a close relationship is not possible with someone who acts the way JP does. Again, I think that's a realistic approach to everyday school life. (hide spoiler)]
I'll have my full thoughts up soon.

I agree Daniel!

Here is my full review where I discussed my thoughts in detail!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

LOVED that review, Daniel! I think that's your best one yet!

I agree completely. (except for the shocking ending, I kind of knew that was coming, although I didn't know the details of course. ) I loved how the author wrote this, I think it was genius myself! This one will stay with me for a long while!

Wow, thanks Jenny!
And for sure, it's pretty unforgettable.

Good way to look at things Daniel :) I really did love this book though so don't let my issues make you think I didn't!

That thought never came across my mind, Heidi. :P