More Happy Than Not on Goodreads
BOOK SUMMARY:
In his twisty, gritty, profoundly moving debut—called “mandatory reading” by the New York Times—Adam Silvera brings to life a charged, dangerous near-future summer in the Bronx.
In the months after his father's suicide, it's been tough for 16-year-old Aaron Soto to find happiness again--but he's still gunning for it. With the support of his girlfriend Genevieve and his overworked mom, he's slowly remembering what that might feel like. But grief and the smile-shaped scar on his wrist prevent him from forgetting completely.
When Genevieve leaves for a couple of weeks, Aaron spends all his time hanging out with this new guy, Thomas. Aaron's crew notices, and they're not exactly thrilled. But Aaron can't deny the happiness Thomas brings or how Thomas makes him feel safe from himself, despite the tensions their friendship is stirring with his girlfriend and friends. Since Aaron can't stay away from Thomas or turn off his newfound feelings for him, he considers turning to the Leteo Institute's revolutionary memory-alteration procedure to straighten himself out, even if it means forgetting who he truly is.
Why does happiness have to be so hard?
BOOK SUMMARY:
In his twisty, gritty, profoundly moving debut—called “mandatory reading” by the New York Times—Adam Silvera brings to life a charged, dangerous near-future summer in the Bronx.
In the months after his father's suicide, it's been tough for 16-year-old Aaron Soto to find happiness again--but he's still gunning for it. With the support of his girlfriend Genevieve and his overworked mom, he's slowly remembering what that might feel like. But grief and the smile-shaped scar on his wrist prevent him from forgetting completely.
When Genevieve leaves for a couple of weeks, Aaron spends all his time hanging out with this new guy, Thomas. Aaron's crew notices, and they're not exactly thrilled. But Aaron can't deny the happiness Thomas brings or how Thomas makes him feel safe from himself, despite the tensions their friendship is stirring with his girlfriend and friends. Since Aaron can't stay away from Thomas or turn off his newfound feelings for him, he considers turning to the Leteo Institute's revolutionary memory-alteration procedure to straighten himself out, even if it means forgetting who he truly is.
Why does happiness have to be so hard?
Release date: 2nd June 2015
Published by: Soho Teen
Page numbers: 293
REVIEW:
"I want to be so happy that bad memories aren't following me around like unwanted shadows."
What do I say about More Happy Than Not? The book once showed up on my Goodreads page and there was just something about it that made me want to read it, and I am so happy I did. This is one of those books that makes you smile and leaves you crying. I cannot put into words how deep and dazzling this book is. There is definitely more to it than what meets the eye, and that can only be understood when one reads the book.
For a very brief time in his seventeen years, Aaron Soto assumes that his idea of happiness is possible in this chaotic and objectionable world, until he comes home one day to find his father in the bathtub full of blood from the cuts and slits on his wrists. Since then, Aaron is haunted by the rather gruesome and chilling scene that no child should ever see. Thinking that he is the reason why his father killed himself, Aaron starts presuming that he is no good.
More Happy Than Not isn't just about Aaron assuming the worst of himself because of what he has seen, but also because of who he is. He was such a gem of a person and a wonderful character to read about. In spite of his own perception, in my eyes, he didn't have any flaws because he was always so true and genuine. His troubles and issues were extremely well done and so well portrayed that they made me want to cry and hug Aaron and never let him go. He was unforgettable and beautiful.
For me, this book was basically Becky Albertalli's Simon vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda and David Levithan's Two Boys Kissing put together. Seeing as I loved these two, there is no reason I can pinpoint as to why I didn't love More Happy Than Not. Seriously, this book. This book is so fun and beautiful. Author Adam Silvera has written and shared an incredible story that tells us about the struggles of people who aren't accepted as they are by society and who only wish to fit in, when really, they are beautifully unique just as they are.
Well I wasn't expecting you to describe this one as fun and beautiful after I had read about that premise! But I'm glad you did because it makes me much more likely to read this... I do appreciate books that deal with sad and serious problems, but it is always better if there's some shred of hope in them. This one sounds so beautiful :)
ReplyDeleteSo glad that you liked it too! :)
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