Notice for Review Requests

I receive review requests weekly. However, my personal schedule is hectic and I no longer review actively. (I also manage another blog called The Toronto Cafe and Food Blog). I do read every request sent but I apologize in advance that I do not reply to them all.

If I do take on a request, I will forewarn that it may take some time before I can review it. I am now looking to review adult fiction and self-help books instead of young adult fiction because I have grown out of it. If you are to request a review for either adult fiction or self-help, I will more likely to give it a shot.

In the meantime, Stop, Drop, and Read! serves as an archive book review blog. When I have the time, I may post a review. Thank you for understanding.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Everything Sucks by Hannah Friedman

Title: Everything Sucks
Author: Hannah Friedman
Age Group: Older Teens
# of Pages: 256
My Rating: 4/5

In this memoir, Hannah Friedman will give you her life story. Well, up to the end of high school that is.

Once dubbed as the "Monkey Girl" in her elementary school, Hannah spent most of her young life in a tour bus with her eccentric family and her father's band members. But once she entered the world of high school, everything changed. She was part of the "in group" at a prestigious boarding school, had an awesome boyfriend and was no longer the weird kid. Could life get any better?

But with her best of times, Hannah also had her worst of times. She tried to cope with a huge amount of stress due to university applications, drugs, and figuring out who she really was in the world.

Through this fun memoir, you will get to hear the voice of this sarcastic and in-your-face Yale graduate as she describes to you her first boyfriend to her first sex experience.

I am not a memoir person and doubt I'll go buy memoirs anytime soon, but Everything Sucks is a fun read as I explored life in Hannah's perspective. People from big name places (in this case Yale) always pique my curiosity because I always wonder how they end up in such an impressive position and what they did to get there. Everything Sucks gives the perfect glimpse where sometimes the end result will always be a surprise, no matter what you do.

The novel focuses a lot on Hannah wanting to be accepted, which is something you see often in YA novels and real life. There will be a part in the novel where the reader will be able to relate to Hannah, sooner or later. She is a little wild in my opinion but surely, is like any other human.

There are times where you wonder, "Why does (insert person) do this?" Hannah gives you a clear picture of her past experiences which led to her decisions later on in life. What is most unique about Everything Sucks is that the content is all true, not a made-up story. You will follow the events in sequential order, in which each chapter starts with "____ Sucks" and each one has a main topic which it evolves around.

I know that if I were to meet the author, I would be a little scared because she is so out there. With her attitude and situations in Everything Sucks, you can't help but enjoy her storytelling though. I recommend it to those who wants a break from fiction and get some fun from reality instead.

Review copy provided by
Hannah Friedman.

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3 comments:

Unknown said...

LOVED this book!!!

Such a refreshing perspective and a really hilarious and unique voice. I bought one for both of my sisters! Great review, Diana :)

Thao said...

I want to read this book. I've heard enough compliments on this to get me crazy haha.

Lori (sugarandgrits) said...

Congrats...you won Give Up the Ghost during Cindy's HUGE giveaway!! Don't forget to email her your info...

~ Lori