Hooked on Books discussion

Members Starting the BR: Page Pioneers
Challenge: Book Quest Adventures
Book: All Better Now by Neal Shusterman

Anyone is free to join in this Buddy Read! Happy Reading!

I've been reading this one, but not had a great deal of time today, then when I finally did get an hour this evening, my headphones gave up the ghost! *sigh*

Anyway, loving the premise of this one, and could easily see a hundred ways things could go sideways with a virus like that even before starting the book.
I mentioned the "happy virus" to my son and his immediate reaction was "uh-oh..." 😆

One of the things that most amused me in the first half or so, was a brief cameo by Michael Bay (very thinly disguised as a completely different director that likes to blow stuff up by the name of Brian Fjord 😂).

All in all loving the concept definitely, but not entirely convinced this book couldn't easily lose a page or 1-200... I'll reserve judgement until I'm done, but so far there seems a lot of needless waffle in there.
Not bad, just not neccesary.

I just started it and I agree that the premise is fun. I love Dame Haviland, or whatever her name is. Such an asshole, done so well. Do not tell me if she (view spoiler)[snuffs it or survives please, I really just started, so she just sent away the help for 4 days (hide spoiler)].

Well, didn't Michael Bay direct Miami Vice? The mother and daughter were watching that in the penthouse, so it makes sense that he makes an appearance. Trying to remember if I ever enjoyed any of his movies. I probably did in the moment if the theater popcorn was tasty.

I am about halfway in. The thing that struck me the most so far is the discussion after the boat incident. The Lemming thing.
(view spoiler)[The recovered don't seem to be able to go against their new impulses to do good, no matter the consequences. But, one of the characters said that humans have had to conquer their bad impulses, and maybe the new humans will have to learn to conquer their good impulses for the greater good. (hide spoiler)]
Thinking about it from that perspective, I think it would be a better world over all. Still a big downside to getting the virus and recovering, but my pipe dream of a world without war and petty squabbles might be realized.
Not sure how I feel about (view spoiler)[ losing the impulse to shop (hide spoiler)]. That would be a hard one. For me. teehee

I will finish today, and I am very curious where it will go with the story. Which side will prevail and why?
I do agree that this book could have weeded out some of the extraneous stuff, but it is a fast read, and pretty enjoyable so far.

I agree it could definitely work out better overall, but the fact that so many people are "new" to it at once... So very many would die trying to do good. At a slower, more controlled pace, the unaffected would have been able to stand as "guardians" more, allowing the affected to learn the new way of being.

Alas, that would have made for a far less exciting book, I guess 😆

I just started chapter 19. So far, I am enjoying the premise of the book. Yes, a lot of people are dying from trying to do good, but like Jenny, I can't help but feel that the world would be a better place.

The other thing is that now I am picturing people with three very dumb heads because they ate engineered soybeans (beginning of chapter 19). LOL!

I read a book about the Svalbard Seed Vault. It is a real place, and it is amazing.
And Monsanto is an evil empire for sure.

I started yesterday and finished today. That was quite the ride!

I have to agree the world would probably be a better place, but I also agree with Sammy that it might work out better if it were spread more slowly.

I can't imagine being compelled to help people so much that I'd jump in the water knowing that I couldn't swim!! I mean, I would try to help today, but not by diving in the water (I'd drown for sure!!)

Dame Haviland is one of, if not my favorite character. (view spoiler)[I loved her pre-virus and still loved her post-virus! (hide spoiler)]

Morgan was not a good replacement - she didn't quite pull off the Jackass persona with the same pizzazz! LOL

I just have to say when I started the book with the mention of "the Crown Royale" virus, I wonder what would become of a whisky virus! And, how it could be that bad!! 😂

Yes, I know! But my dad always pronounced it the same as the virus in the book!

Finally, I read that Neal Shusterman has said that All Better Now is planned as a duology, with a sequel titled All Over Now.

I'm so glad that there is going to be a sequel. There will be some nightmare scenarios though, with the (view spoiler)[regret-things-so-much-I-just-want-to-die virus that Morgan et al developed. I mean holy crap! That is not going to go well. (hide spoiler)]

I have had people breathe on my with whiskey breath, and I don't remember anything particularly bad happening as a result.' teehee

I would like to have whiskey breath right about now....

I finally started this yesterday and got over halfway through. It's definitely a fascinating premise and fast read.

I like the periodic comparisons to COVID. It's interesting to write about pandemics and quarantines etc after seeing how different places/countries deal with it and how some are risk averse versus not.

Though the airport scene was a bit bonkers. Effective though

Oh and the Buc-ee's reference is priceless

Judith wrote: "Oh and the Buc-ee's reference is priceless"

Totally, agree!

I’m ver y curious to see what happens with book 2