I'm A Book Shark

The first few pages of this book really had me. It's such a different way of telling Hannah's story! The novel jumps between the end of her junior year (through the summer) and her first day of classes of senior year. It hints at what the major event is, tip-toes around it so that you're dying to find out exactly what happened! Such a unique and fantastic teen novel.

I really needed a book like this. It was refreshing and sweet, emotional and frustrating, real and raw. The characters are so different from each other, and they have flaws and attitude. Lacey is a hypochondriac, Ava is the best friend, Noah is an easy-going rocker, and Sebastian is a piece of work. Hannah has real emotions, where she wants to go back to Sebastian and she needs her friends. She goes through those roller coaster times, eating her weight in ice cream, and sulking until someone pulls her out. But she's snarky and fun, and I really grew to like Hannah, even after finding out what happened.

It's told in first person, present tense, and I'm thrilled with how many YA novels are being told this way right now! I'm on such a great streak with this. Hanna always tells this story as if it's happening right now, even when she takes us back to the summer events. I always enjoy this because I feel like we're going through her life together. I can live it with her and her friends.

I did, however, get sick of her saying "like" all the time. And even though it's realistic for the times, using "She was like.." and "I was all.." to acknowledge that someone was talking is so strange to see in a book. It did make it more real for me, but I'm hoping to not see those phrases for a while.

Fantastic read, definitely recommended!!!