Be Good Be Real Be Crazy by Chelsey Philpot

Be Good Be Real Be Crazy by Chelsey Philpot
Release Date - October 11, 2016

Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages - 272 pages
My Rating - 3/5
**received from publisher for an honest review**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

Three teenagers. One road trip. Countless detours. From the author of Even in Paradise comes a compelling story of self-discovery that is perfect for fans of Paper Towns and Mosquitoland.

When Mia first waltzed into Homer’s small corner of Florida, her bold approach to life changed Homer’s entire world. It wasn’t long before he was hopelessly in love.

Now Mia is moving away—and Homer and his younger brother, Einstein, are helping her drive hundreds of miles to her new home. This is Homer’s last chance to tell Mia how he really feels. And with so many detours in front of them, anything could happen.

In the tradition of Let's Get Lost and Amy & Roger's Epic Detour, Be Good Be Real Be Crazy is a story about love, friendship, and finding yourself.

I loved Chelsey Philpot's debut novel, Even In Paradise, a lot. In particular I loved the beautiful writing within the pages. I was, naturally, excited to read her second novel the minute I heard about it. While I did not fall into this story the same way I did with Even In Paradise, there are plenty of delightful moments to found within these pages.

Be Good, Be Real, Be Crazy is a quirky road trip novel that is filled with plenty of whimsical elements. It is one of those novels that relishes in the fantastical and part of its charm is the over-the-top feel to the story. From the unconventional car they drive, to the characters and sights they experience along the way, this is a road trip that is unforgettable. The secondary characters are just as outlandish as you would expect, and many of them steal the spotlight from the moment they enter the orbit of our main characters. This part of the story was charming and the writing is a natural fit for this style of story.

The characters are right at home within the world they have created, and this is both a blessing and a curse. Homer and Einstein come to life through they world they are exploring. Mia, however, never reached her full potential for me. There is not much to her character other than her off beat personality and whimsical, magical ways. There is a hint of manic pixie dream girl about her that is only waved away by Chelsey's writing and some stronger character development towards the end of the novel. Homer seems Mia as almost this mythical creature, instead of the girl she actually is. We get just a glimpse of that girl and I wanted more. I wanted to get to know all of the characters better. I wanted them to leap off the page in ways that just did not happen for me.

A novel that is filled with beautiful writing, but doesn't quite come together the way I hoped it would. The characters never pop off the page in the way that ensured I connected with them or the story. It is overall a fun, quirky read that I predict many will enjoy, I just wished I had gotten a little more from it to push it from an okay read to a fantastic one. Chelsey Philpot's writing ensures I'll read whatever she writes next, and hopefully I'll connect a little more with the characters of her next novel.

Even In Paradise by Chelsey Philpot

Even In Paradise b Chelsey Philpot

Release Date - October 14, 2014
Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages -  368 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received in exchange for an honest review from the publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

When Julia Buchanan enrolls at St. Anne’s at the beginning of junior year, Charlotte Ryder already knows all about the former senator’s daughter. Most people do... or think they do.

Charlotte certainly never expects she’ll be Julia’s friend. But almost immediately, she is drawn into the larger than-life-new girl’s world—a world of midnight rendezvous, dazzling parties, palatial vacation homes, and fizzy champagne cocktails. And then Charlotte meets, and begins falling for, Julia’s handsome older brother, Sebastian.

But behind her self-assured smiles and toasts to the future, Charlotte soon realizes that Julia is still suffering from a tragedy. A tragedy that the Buchanan family has kept hidden … until now

The cover of Even In Paradise reminds me of summer. A summer that you never want to end. Just like those summers Charlotte's time with the Buchanan's feels dizzying, exciting, and, sadly, like all summers, must come to an end. A novel that brings to mind both The Great Gatsby, and The Kennedys there was something magical about both the Buchanan's and the novel itself.

The Buchanan family shines the brightest in this novel. I wish I could say the same of Charlotte, but she is eclipsed by this larger than life family. It's easy to see how she'd be drawn to all of them. How easy it would be to fall into their orbit and never want to leave. They are the sun and their pull is just as strong. However, as everyone knows, the sun can burn you if you stay in it's presence too long.

Nostalgia fills this book. It reads like a fond memory that is tinged with bittersweetness. It's message is one of seizing the moments when they are there, even if you know that they are fleeting. Charlotte's journey, while life changing for her, is a quieter one. One tinged with growing up, and stumbling along the way.

This novel, of course, will be compared to The Great Gatsby. It's influence is certainly felt. Charlotte is an 'every girl' who finds herself swept up into a world of excess, extravagance and parties. Like in Gatsby, you'll find yourself wishing for a happy ending instead of the inevitability to an unhappy one. One cannot help but also be reminded of The Kennedys when reading of the Buchanans. This family has a similar, untouchable feel to them. A little cursed, a little blessed, a little dazzling, a little broken, and, above all else, alluring.

The friendship between Charlotte and Julia is the prominent relationship in the novel. It is more important than the romance. A strong female friendship that lacks any elements of competition, and backstabbing was a refreshing change. Charlotte and Julia are there for each other, as much as they can be.

The twists and turns of the story were unexpected. I thought I knew what was going to happen, and how it would end. I was delighted to find out that it ended up not being what I expected at all. It was heartbreaking, yes, but in an unexpected way. I think the ending was stronger for the fact that it wasn't quite what I anticipated and welcomed the element of surprise.

Filled with wistfulness, longing, and a lot of heartache, Even In Paradise chases off the bitter chill of fall, and makes you long to cling to those last moments of summer warmth. It makes you nostalgic for beginnings where everything and anything is possible, but also reminds of the brutal, aching sadness of endings.

Even In Paradise Blog Tour Kick Off

Today is the start of the Canadian blog tour for Even In Paradise by Chelsey Philpot. To kick it off, I have an interview with Chelsey.

Here is a little about the book in case haven't heard of it already

When Julia Buchanan enrolls at St. Anne’s at the beginning of junior year, Charlotte Ryder already knows all about the former senator’s daughter. Most people do... or think they do.

Charlotte certainly never expects she’ll be Julia’s friend. But almost immediately, she is drawn into the larger than-life-new girl’s world—a world of midnight rendezvous, dazzling parties, palatial vacation homes, and fizzy champagne cocktails. And then Charlotte meets, and begins falling for, Julia’s handsome older brother, Sebastian.

But behind her self-assured smiles and toasts to the future, Charlotte soon realizes that Julia is still suffering from a tragedy. A tragedy that the Buchanan family has kept hidden … until now

I got Chelsey to answer questions about her book, her writing process, and share which book she most associates with summer. 

1. Twitter pitch Even In Paradise (140 characters or fewer)

Et in Arcadia ego. In light, dark. In greatness, tragedy. Fall in love w/ a girl, a boy, a family. #eveninparadise Oct. 2014

2. How would Charlotte describe Julia and Sebastian at the beginning of the novel?

Charlie sees the world with the perspective of an artist. She notices surface details—thumb-size holes in Julia’s sweater, a small scar through Sebastian’s eyebrow—but also understands the complex interiors beneath them. She would describe Julia and Sebastian as beautiful and fragile, golden and mysterious, vibrant and haunted. 

3. Did you do anything specific for research purposes while writing Even In Paradise?

I undertake a lot of strange and wonderful things in the name of research for my articles and novels. For EIP, I read, traveled, and did all the other things you would expect an author to do while working on a book. But the most useful research I conducted was on myself.

While writing EIP, I went through boxes of dust-coated memories at my parents’ farm in New Hampshire. I worked my way through old yearbooks and stacks of high school papers, tests, and notes to make sure I was depicting boarding school life accurately. I read my old journals (a painful/embarrassing/illuminating experience) to help me remember the joys and depths of experiencing things for the first time. 

EIP is not autobiography—I am not Charlie, Julia, Sebastian, or any other character—but it is informed by my memories.   

4. What three things do you need while revising?

Coffee! 
This hideous, too big, holey, old cashmere sweater I like to wear when I write. My college friends still threaten to burn it. 
Early mornings and a window. 

I know that’s four things, but sunrises and windows cannot be separated. 

5. Your cover reminds me of summer. What book evokes the feeling of summer for you?

Stephen King’s The Stand. I’m not kidding. 

The Stand was the first “huge,” “scary,” “adult” book I tackled on my own in junior high. I reread it at the beginning of every summer well into college. My copy is so water-stained and scarred from thunderstorms, backpacking trips, iced coffee spills, and unusual bookmarks that some pages are barely legible. 

I don’t care. I’ll never get rid of it. For me, the shadow-filled, ominous, red cover of The Stand will always evoke memories of campfires, hammocks, hot days that lasted forever, and all the other joys of summer. 

A big thanks to Chelsey for taking the time to answer these questions.

Here are the rest of the tour stops, so you can follow along. Plenty more interviews, guest posts, and reviews during the next two weeks. Be sure to check out my review tomorrow as well. I think it's the perfect cure for those end of summer blues.

October 13th: Kathy - A Glass Of Wine - Interview
October 14th: Siobhan - Conversations Of A Reading Addict - Review
October 15th: Emilie - Emilie’s Book World - Guest Post
October 16th: Ambur - Burning Impossibly Bright - Review
October 17th: Lily -  Lily’s Book Blog - Interview/Character Interview
October 20th: Shilpa - SukasaReads - Review
October 21st: Sabrina - Hiver et Café - Top 5 or 10
October 22nd: Ciara - Lost At Midnight Reviews -  Review
October 23rd: Meaghan -  Feeling A Little Bookish - Interview/Character Interview
October 24th: Jess - Read My Breath Away - Review

If you want to order signed copies of Even In Paradise, Chelsey is working with a local bookstore to make that happen. Order from River Run Bookstore.

Order links - Harper Collins Canada // Chapters //  Amazon // Kaleidoscope Books

Chelsey Philpot grew up on a farm in New Hampshire and now works as an editor and journalist. She's written for the New York Times, Boston Globe, Slate, and numerous other publications.

Like her main character, Charlotte, Chelsey attended boarding school in New England. You can visit her online at www.chelseyphilpot.com or on Twitter @ChelseyPhilpot. 

Book Expo America

Book Expo America (or book heaven to anyone who loves books) is THIS week. In fact it starts tomorrow. I hope to run into a bunch of you there, so I thought I would post a "Where You'll Find Me" type post.

Javits Center (AKA BEA itself)

What are some of the places you'll find me during BEA itself?

- BEA Bloggers Conference - I'll be going this year! Excited to see everyone who will also be attending this event.

- Morgan Matson's line. I love Since You've Been Gone and can't wait to fangirl about it in person with Morgan.

- RL Stine's signing on Saturday - My niece Kenadie is a huge Goosebumps fan now. I'll totally be the coolest Auntie ever when I come back with a signed book for her.

- Heather Demetrios's signing for Exquisite Captive. Heck yes! I can't wait to read this one.

-Rebecca Serle's signing line. I need Famous In Love. NEED. It sounds adorable, and fun, and perfect for anyone who loves Hollywood and CW shows.

There are plenty more places you'll see me. Chelsey Philpot's line is another place. I'll also be grabbing a few moments to relax here and there down in the food court area (at least that is the plan).

OUTSIDE BEA 

Part of what I am most looking forward to though is the outside BEA stuff in New York. So where else will you find me?

Heathers, The Musical - Kelly (from Kellyvision) and I have tickets to the Friday May 30th showing of this. I am really excited to be going, especially as I've heard many of the iconic lines are featured in the musical in some way.

Shake Shack - At some point I am going to need to grab lunch or dinner here. I tried it for the first time last time I was at BEA, and I have basically been dreaming about having it again ever since.

The Strand

Pretty sure all the bloggers I am staying with will be making the trek to The Strand at some point during our stay. I've never been (shocking right?!) but I hear it's an amazing bookstore! Plus, Dash and Lily's Book Of Dares uses this as an important backdrop to the story, so extra bookish bonus points.

Most Anticipated Books

Someone asked me for a list of my most anticipated finds at BEA, so I am going to include that here as well.

- Famous in Love by Rebecca Serle
- Falling Into Place by Amy Zhang
- Even In Paradise by Chelsey Philpot
- Anatomy of  a Misfit by Andrea Portes
- Exquisite Captive by Heather Demetrios
- Afterworlds by Scott Westerfeld

Plus many, many more. My list is pretty Harper Collins heavy, but they have an incredible Fall catalog this year!

If you see me around don't be afraid to say Hi. I am shy, but love to meet new people. Especially if it means talking books. Are you headed to BEA? Let me know where I might see you!

Waiting on Wednesday ......... Even In Paradise

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick this week is Even In Paradise by Chelsey Philpot

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

When Julia Buchanan enrolls at St. Anne’s at the beginning of junior year, Charlotte Ryder already knows all about the former senator’s daughter. Most people do... or think they do.

Charlotte certainly never expects she’ll be Julia’s friend. But almost immediately, she is drawn into the larger than-life-new girl’s world—a world of midnight rendezvous, dazzling parties, palatial vacation homes, and fizzy champagne cocktails. And then Charlotte meets, and begins falling for, Julia’s handsome older brother, Sebastian.

But behind her self-assured smiles and toasts to the future, Charlotte soon realizes that Julia is still suffering from a tragedy. A tragedy that the Buchanan family has kept hidden … until now.

I've been talking about this book a lot recently, and it's because it sounds awesome. The family has been called Kennedy-esque and that immediately piqued my interest. The cover reminds me of summer (which I am very much missing right now) and it just sounds like it's going to be awesome!

Expected release date - October 14, 2014

Weekly Obsessions

The awesome Kelly at KellyVision started posting a weekly post highlighting whatever she happened to be obsessed with that week. I LOVE this idea, so much in fact that I will be doing it myself every Saturday.

Here are my obsessions this week.........

BOOKS

Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige

I was fortunate to have gotten an advance copy of this. I read it, and needless to say LOVED it. It's a dark, twisty take on the Wizard of Oz tale, and it's a well plotted, gripping story. My full review is to come, but this one totally gave me a book hangover.

Cover for Even In Paradise by Chelsey Philpot

This cover is summer wrapped in contemporary goodness. I can't wait to read this. Epic Reads referred to the family in this as Kennedy-esque and obviously, I was sold. The Goodreads synopsis has only increased my need to read this book.

OTHER

Heathers, The Musical

Heathers is one of my favourite 80's movies. It's filled with insanely quotable lines - 'Our love is god, let's go get a slushie' being my personal favourite. The fact that they are turning this into a musical is amazing. Kelly (Kellyvision) and I will be going to see this while in NYC for Book Expo America and I am SO VERY EXCITED! #HowVery

A Long Way Down trailer

AARON PAUL! Enough said. He's adorable in this trailer. Sigh. (yes, okay, I might have a bit of a celebrity crush on him right now). Rosamund Pike and Imogen Potts are both so pretty. Super excited to see Rosamund in this because she'll be Amy in the Gone Girl movie. I just bough this book, and I am hoping to read it before the movie comes out. Yes, I totally bought the book because I want to see the movie (this surprises nobody).

So what are you obsessed with this week?