The Rest Of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

The Rest Of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
Release Date - October 6, 2015
Publisher Website - Harper Collins
Publisher Social Media - Twitter/Facebook/SavvyReader/Frenzy
Pages - 336 pages
My Rating - 4/5
**received for an honest review from publisher**

Here is the Goodreads synopsis

What if you aren’t the Chosen One?

The one who’s supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever the heck this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death?

What if you’re like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. Again.

Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week’s end of the world, and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life.

Even if your best friend is worshiped by mountain lions.

Award-winning writer Patrick Ness’s bold and irreverent novel powerfully reminds us that there are many different types of remarkable.

Imagine Buffy The Vampire Slayer told not from the perspective of the 'Chosen One', but instead told from the point of view of the random kid in the cafeteria. The one who just wants to pass Math, maybe ask the cute guy or girl who sits behind them to prom, and not have the school blow up before graduation. The one just trying to survive and live their life. That is the premise of The Rest Of Us Just Live Here. Patrick Ness celebrates the notion that everyone is the hero of their own story, and sometimes living takes as much courage and conviction as being the 'Chosen One'.

This is my first Patrick Ness novel, and it absolutely will not by my last. His writing is filled with charm, intelligence and whit. His sharp sense of humour is displayed through the entire novel, and every moment is infused with an insightfulness that makes everything a little more poignant.

This is a novel about life, and the ups, downs, and everything in between that comes with it. Mikey and his friends are just focused on living their lives, and Patrick Ness celebrates the beauty in that. They are flawed, wonderful, caring, hurtful, and everything else that a human being can be. They feel so achingly real because the struggles they face are real and that is perhaps the most compelling aspect of their journey. They could be us, our friends, or the kid across the street. Their story is universal, and one that many will relate to.

This novel takes place during the build up to graduation. A time fraught with anxiety, goodbyes and change. Ness captures all of the excitement and bittersweetness of leaving friends behind, of going off in different directions perfectly. They fiercely hang on to the moments they have left together, and just as fiercely make the most of them. They support each other through all of these lasts, and that is most beautiful part of their story.

One of the elements that truly stands out is the lead in to each chapter. A glimpse at what the 'Chosen Ones' (in this case the indie kids) are doing. The tropes he highlights are done so with a love of the genre, and will immediately resonate with fans of the young adult genre. It's clever and is used to highlight the sheer 'everyday-ness' of Mikey's life. He also uses it to contrast their journeys. Neither journey is more or less important and that is a vital part of the story and message.

Patrick Ness tells a heartfelt, memorable story about friendship and the strength there is in living life. How each of us matter, even if we're not saving the world from the apocalypse. There is incredible beauty in the every day moments and we should embrace those. This is a book for everyone who sometimes feels a little lost, a little confused, and a little unwanted. We may not all be destined to be Buffy, but we all deserve to be the chosen one in our own lives. 

New To My Book Closet

It's that time of the week again. Time to show you what bookish goodies made their way into my home and book closet (to be saved from the evil book eating cat monster named Aria). This is inspired by the various "mailbox" posts out there (eg. In My Mailbox by The Story Siren, and Stacking the Shelves by Tynga's Reviews).

Excited for everything that made it's way into my mailbox this week!

First up is a review book from Simon and Schuster Canada that sounds really fun.

Who Do You Love by Jennifer Weiner (goodreads)

A huge thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada for the chance to review it.

Second, I had the chance to attend Frenzy Presents at the Harper Collins Canada office. We were gifted an amazing swag bag as we were leaving!

The Unquiet by Mikaela Everett (goodreads)
The Rest Of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness (goodreads)
Every Last Promise by Kristin Halbrook (goodreads)

Thank you to all the ladies at Harper Collins Canada for the lovely event, and Suman for her general awesomeness. If you missed my recap, be sure to check it out.

What books made their way into your mailbox this week?

Happy Weekend and Happy Reading!

@HCCFrenzy Presents Event - Fall 2015/Winter 2016

I was recently invited to the Harper Collins office in Toronto to attend a blogger event where they'd be spotlighting some of their upcoming fall and winter titles. The event was hosted by the lovely ladies behind HCC Frenzy, which handles the young adult titles for Harper Collins Canada. Be sure to follow them on Twitter, and Tumblr as they are awesome!-*

Amazing Glass Sword decorations

It was beyond surreal to be invited to an event like this, and I am extremely thankful to all of the ladies who made the event possible, and Suman for her general awesomeness.

My favourite part of an event like this is touching base with the publishing contacts I've worked with, and getting to mingle with other bloggers. There are always lots of hugs, excited fangirling and general excitement at an event like this. You can't help but feel lucky to be part of this community.

Of course, the other part I love is getting hear about the upcoming titles that the publisher is excited to tell us about. They highlighted eleven upcoming titles that should be one everyone's radar and I am excited to share a little more about each of them with you.

1. Dumplin' by Julie Murphy (goodreads)

We were told that this one will make you want to listen to Dolly Parton, leave you dying to tell everyone you know about this book, and that it's ever better than Julie's debut novel. Needless to say the Harper ladies love this one and I cannot wait to read it for myself. There was also a little cameo by Julie Murphy via recorded video where she talked about the inspiration behind this novel - it sounds so uplifting and inspiring!

Julie Murphy discussing Dolly Parton concerts as research!

2. A Step Towards Falling by Cammie McGovern (goodreads)

This novel stood out because of the potential for discussion that it seems to hint it. Two teens witness something horrible happening, and stand by while it happens instead of helping. Through their punishment they learn about themselves, and about others. It sounds like it could be a novel filled with character growth and the potential for tears!

3. Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch (goodreads)

I haven't read the first novel in this series, and not too much was teased out of respect for spoilers, but this sounds like an incredible series. The world building and set up was praised, and it sounds really intriguing. This sequel promises an action packed follow up to the events in book one, and I am curious enough to check out the first one in the series.

4. A Madness So Discreet by Mindy McGinnis (goodreads)

Asylums, murder, and Mindy's writing. That was all I needed to be told in order to be completely sold on this one. A young woman finds herself helping a doctor as an assistant at crime scenes while dealing with personal issues in her past. This historically set novel takes place in one of the most creepiest settings, and promises chills and thrills. One of my personal most anticipated reads of the fall season.

5. This May Sound Crazy by Abigail Breslin (goodreads)

This one sounds like it'll be a big hit with teens. Actress Abigain Breslin offers up advice for teens of the modern age. Written as "essays" she'll cover everything from dating in the time of selfies, loss, Tumblr, and so much more. This was also talked up as one stunning book as the look, layout and many of the other design elements are promising to be very eye catching.

6. The Unquiet by Mikaela Everett (goodreads)

Sci-Fi fans may want to add this one to their reading list. It was mentioned as being for fans of Orphan Black, Fringe and Never Let Me Go. It involves parallel universes, assassins, and murder. It seems like a creepy, unsettling novel and I am definitely intrigued.

7. The Rest Of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness (goodreads)

This has been compared to Buffy but from the perspective of the random kid in the cafeteria. The one who just wants to pass Math class, maybe get their crush to go to the school dance with them, and not have the school blow up before English. In other words, it's the story of the non chosen ones. The people who are average. I got to hear Patrick Ness talk about this one at Book Con this year and left immediately wanting to devour it. It sounds incredible, and poignant. It reminds us that even if we don't end up in the spotlight we still have a story worth telling.

8. Worlds Of Ink and Shadow by Lena Coakley (goodreads)

Lena Coakley was there to tell us a little about the novel, and the inspiration behind it, as well as having the Harper ladies talk it up. One of them referred to it as the best book she's ever read. If you're a fan of the Bronte sisters this one has to go on your reading list immediately. It blends real life with the fantastical as it examines what it would be like to have your literary creations become real, and is said to offer up a fascinating sibling dynamic.

Who should read this book? Everyone, basically

9. Glass Sword by Victoria Aveyard (goodreads)

The title I am most excited about! This is the sequel to Red Queen, and offers up an action packed follow up of the events in book one. Betrayal, rebellion, decisions, and consequences all await in what I hope is a dynamite follow up to one of my favourite reads of this year. Fun fact - Movie options have already been snapped up and Elizabeth Banks is set to direct.

Best Tag Line Ever. Yes.

10. The Lifeboat Clique by Kathy Parks (goodreads)

This seems like a mix of everything - comedy, drama, survival story. A girl goes to a party with her crush, and her ex-best friend. Awkward, right? A tsunami hits and she survives and is stranded in a life boat with said crush and ex-best friend. The humour is tongue in cheek, and was said to be a little reminiscent of Libba Bray's Beauty Queens. A satire that sounds like it could be a really fun reading experience.

11. This Is Where The World Ends by Amy Zhang (goodreads)

Amy Zhang's writing was a huge selling point here. She wrote this book while attending college classes (her debut was written while she was in high school) which is just impressive. It focuses on two friends, and the aftermath of when one of them goes missing. Sounds like it could be a potentially compelling mystery surrounding what really happened, and if Amy's first book is any indication, one that should definitely be picked up.

What did you do in college? (Side note - LOVE the FNL reference)

The bloggers who attended were gifted some of these amazing titles in swag bags as we left. They were such a nice surprise, and I loved the bags they came in!

A huge thank you to everyone who made them possible. I love, love, love the buttons and my Glass Sword swag in particular.

Which of these titles caught your eye? Any you're dying to read? Any new to you titles that you now want to pick up? Let me know in the comments.