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I Am (Not) the Walrus

by Ed Briant (Goodreads Author)

3.17 of 5 stars 3.17 · rating details · 63 ratings · 33 reviews

HOW TO CURE THE BROKENHEARTED, STOLEN BASS BLUES

Toby and Zack's first gig could make or break their Beatles cover band, the Nowhere Men. But ever since getting dumped by his girlfriend, lead singer Toby can't quite pull off the Beatles' feel-good vibe. When Toby finds a note hidden inside his brother's bass claiming the instrument was stolen, he embarks on a quest to find...more

Paperback, 288 pages

Published July 8th 2012 by Flux Books (first published July 1st 2012)

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Jul 17, 2012 Charlotte rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Anyone that likes a british male pov and the beatles

Shelves: 2012-challenge, 2012-releases, july-2012, july-2012-release, young-adult, netgalley, arc

I Am Not the Walrus is a fun and easy read. It was not exactly like I thought it'd be after reading the description, which I think makes it sound much more superficial than it really is.

First I have to say how much I'm enjoying all the male pov's I've been reading lately. Toby, the main character here (British accent and all), is adorable in a dorky bass player kind of way. Now, I don't mean anything against bass players at all...I actually love them. The heart and soul of a band and all that. L...more

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Aug 16, 2012 Bibliojunkies added it

As the singer and bass player for Lucky Twenty, a Beatles cover band, Toby wants to make it big. But Zach, Toby’s friend and fellow band member, is convinced there’s a problem: Toby’s utter lack of mojo. How can he croon about love when he’s never even kissed a girl?

So begins Toby’s quest for cred as a lovestruck singer. But his quest derails when he finds a note inside his old bass guitar. Who is the true owner of the bass? And can a kiss really help Toby figure out who he is?

What a delightful...more

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Jul 06, 2012 Lisa rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, ebook, netgalley, y-a

I Am (Not) The Walrus was a little bit too slow-paced for me. I don't mind a slow paced book if there is something else that grabs me. However, the writing style and the voice of the main character didn't connect with me.

I decided to request this on netgalley because it's title is inspired by The Beatles and also, the main character is in a Beatles cover band. I had a phase during my teenage years where I was completely obsessed with The Beatles(I saved up for The Beatles Anthology DVD set and w...more

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May 29, 2012 Karen Yingling rated it 3 of 5 stars

Growing up in Port Jackson without a dad and with a mum who is struggling to make ends meet, Toby's life is difficult, but he makes do. He and his friend have a Beatle's cover band that they are trying to name (and there are so many fun choices-- The Day Trippers, The Nowhere Men, etc.) and get gigs for. Toby is lucky to be able to use his brother Shawn's equipment, since Shawn is off in the military, but when he finds a note in hi precision bass that it may be stolen, he starts to wonder whethe...more

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Mar 14, 2012 Anita rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: ebook, netgalley, ya-fiction, ya-romance

GENRE: Young Adult – Fiction

FORM: eBook – NetGalleys

I’ve had a hard time getting into the book at the beginning. If you don’t catch my attention within the first few pages, look out because I may pass you by! I have way too much to do than to read a semi-interesting book…and yes, I do tend to assume the first few pages will reflect how I feel through the duration.

So I Am (Not) the Walrus started out at a rugby match, and over-description is the feel. I usually like details, but when the author...more GENRE: Young Adult – Fiction

FORM: eBook – NetGalleys

I’ve had a hard time getting into the book at the beginning. If you don’t catch my attention within the first few pages, look out because I may pass you by! I have way too much to do than to read a semi-interesting book…and yes, I do tend to assume the first few pages will reflect how I feel through the duration.

So I Am (Not) the Walrus started out at a rugby match, and over-description is the feel. I usually like details, but when the author is using big flowery words that I don’t tend to think of on a regular basis, it almost just feels like…too much..yah know? Anyhow so it opens in on two teenagey boys discussing their band, and it’s a little bit humorous how at times it seems like they are each keeping up two different conversations between the two of them, AND attempt to play rugby too. They aren’t succeeding at the rugby. Anyhow, Zach (the friend) is single minded – it’s all about the band, and there is nothing more he thinks of in the beginning stages of this book – major one track mind. Toby (main character) is a mishmash of thoughts and imaginings. I suspect he might be a tinsy bit ADHD, but who among us isn’t anyhow?

So I’m reading, and what I just described to you, is about it. It’s getting a little boring, and a little old…until Toby runs into the girl he completely embarrassed himself in front of (twice) the day before. He starts talking to her and – walla! PERSONALITY! I actually like this guy. He’s got a little bit of wit, and he’s compassionate and sincere, despite Michelle’s kind of snotty and a bit ugly (at this point) personality. So I’m snagged – if only to see THIS Toby, and what happens to him….

The thing is, the book is pretty much exactly as I described above all the way through, minus the over descriptive narrative – that was only the very beginning. Toby is a boring “bloke” who only seems to have a personality when around Michelle or his mother. Michelle, thankfully, turns into a fairly nice girl who isn’t really a major part of the book. She’s only around for bits and pieces. There is a villain, Rupert – crazy hippy dude who is extremely strange and out to get the bass. Despite his extreme creepiness, Toby has a weird tendency to stand around talking to the guy, and even willingly hands over the bass to him on an occasion…big red flag of “stupidity” flying over his head right there.

Outside of the fact that Zach and Toby are a Beatles cover band, and it is a forever on-going conversation – it doesn’t even seem like it’s a major point in the book. It’s just the background noise. So what is the point of the book? I have not much of a clue. The book, like Toby, seems a little ADHD. The major plot is this bass guitar; it’s value, the fact that Toby’s brother may or may not have stolen it; the fact that a note inside of it indicates it was certainly stolen at some point; getting the guitar back to its owner, and some strange dude who really, really, really wants it (so badly he gets a knife involved!) So yeah.

I’m not a huge fan. It was NOT the worst book ever in the history of books…I’m pretty sure the book that is there in my heart will not be replaced anytime soon. It is not rated very high – but here’s a fact, it must have been okay enough, because I read it all the way through.(less)

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Jul 06, 2012 Bookworm1858 rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2012, netgalley, ya-read

This book caught my eye with its Beatles-inspired title; at least I assumed it was inspired by the Beatles given the presence of guitars on the cover. I didn't really know what the story was about, which left me with plenty of room to be surprised.

The story was difficult to get in to, for me, because it opens during a rugby game or practice. I was only able to figure this out with much difficulty as I am not very familiar with the sport; I imagine others will be similarly thrown. But I quickly g...more This book caught my eye with its Beatles-inspired title; at least I assumed it was inspired by the Beatles given the presence of guitars on the cover. I didn't really know what the story was about, which left me with plenty of room to be surprised.

The story was difficult to get in to, for me, because it opens during a rugby game or practice. I was only able to figure this out with much difficulty as I am not very familiar with the sport; I imagine others will be similarly thrown. But I quickly got a handle on the setting in England focusing on two boys in a band, one Zach and the other is our narrator Toby.

Zach plays guitar and Toby does bass and vocals in their Beatles cover band. But one day Toby opens up his bass to discover a mysterious note that sets off a chain of events. This note leads to some very scary encounters with a man who is determined to possess the bass, for what reason Toby knows not. There are also several other subplots in this book. One is Toby's family's poverty as his mother struggles to find a job while his brother's military service is in jeopardy after he is caught stealing. Then there is Toby's mishaps with the ladies. Smooth, he is not but there are many funny scenes around that.

For the most part, I thought the family subplots didn't get enough time (this is a pretty short book after all) and I found the ending very abrupt in that regard. But the bass mystery and the girl plots had adequate resolution. I got to learn a bit about guitar history, which is something I knew nothing about.

The real standout though is the humor and Toby's general awkwardness. He does not have game and there are many funny parts throughout relating to that. I also liked that there was some growth for Toby and I really loved all of the musical parts as a fellow musician.

Overall: A humorous novel with some scary moments-I cannot emphasize that enough.

Cover: I like the pinkish cover but due to the color's association with femininity, it was surprising to read a book focusing on the male perspective. I would have guessed something to do with a rocker-chick, based solely on the cover.(less)

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Jul 04, 2012 Cassi aka Snow White Haggard rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-in-2012, galleys

3/5 stars
Sometimes you enjoy a book but it just doesn't stick out in your mind. I am (NOT) the Walrus", was short, fast paced and very readable. However, it was also not very memorable.

Toby is a shy bass-player, a little stuck on his ex-girlfriend, with some self esteem issues. His family is living in Port Jackson, struggling to stay afloat financially. The only reason he even has a bass is that his brother joined the military and splurged on musical equipment.

Or at least that's what Toby thinks...more 3/5 stars
Sometimes you enjoy a book but it just doesn't stick out in your mind. I am (NOT) the Walrus", was short, fast paced and very readable. However, it was also not very memorable.

Toby is a shy bass-player, a little stuck on his ex-girlfriend, with some self esteem issues. His family is living in Port Jackson, struggling to stay afloat financially. The only reason he even has a bass is that his brother joined the military and splurged on musical equipment.

Or at least that's what Toby thinks. The more he starts to play, booking a gig as a Beatle's cover band with his mate Zach, the more he starts to realize that the bass may not be exactly what it seems. While trying to do some repairs, Toby finds a note and a phone number inside the bass.

"PLEASE. If you find this note inside the bass, then the instrument has been stolen. Please, please, please, return it to me as soon as you can. The instrument is everything to me, and without it my entire life will be meaningless."

That discovery leads him on an adventure with shady characters, old music stores and stories of the "lost" Fender guitars from the 60s. It's an interesting little tale. I would have liked to know more about the history of the famous lost instruments. Somehow the stakes never seem high enough in this book. Even when a creepy man is chasing Toby trying to steal the guiar, the answer seems easy. Get rid of the guitar and get rid of the problem.

That wouldn't solve all of Toby's problem. His mother is running out of money and needs a job. His brother is most likely a thief. But since the book revolves around the bass guitar, it would resolve the plot of the book fairly quickly.

Like I said, the book is readable. The male leaders are funny, self deprecating and very likable. I enjoy the interspersed horoscopes and the tidbits of rock and roll history. The descriptions of playing music were nice, making me understand the feelings without being overdrawn. But there was something lacking about the story. But if you're really interested in music and are looking for a quick read you might enjoy this.
(less)

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Oct 10, 2012 Cathy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: music, teen-book

When Zach persuades his friend Toby to perform for a gig, Toby is forced to fix his brother's bass which he's been using. Inside he finds a note that the bass, a Fender Precision, was stolen with a name a phone number. Toby is conflicted about what to do, it's a beautiful instrument, his brother Shawn is away in the navy and Shawn told him that he'd bought it. At the same time Toby is persuing a girl whom he bumped, literally, when he almost got hit by a car. Michelle really doesn't like him whe...more

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Jul 02, 2012 Story Carnivores rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shaunta's Review:

I have a thing for books about music. Especially if they have settings that take me there. And characters I want to go there with.

I Am (Not) the Walrus was one of those books.

Toby is just a regular kid, with some talent on the bass, a big brother he idolizes (whether said big brother deserves it or not), a crush on a pretty girl, and a mystery to solve. I left this book thinking that Toby is a kid I'd like to know. Good-natured, wanting to do the right thing even if it messes up...more Shaunta's Review:

I have a thing for books about music. Especially if they have settings that take me there. And characters I want to go there with.

I Am (Not) the Walrus was one of those books.

Toby is just a regular kid, with some talent on the bass, a big brother he idolizes (whether said big brother deserves it or not), a crush on a pretty girl, and a mystery to solve. I left this book thinking that Toby is a kid I'd like to know. Good-natured, wanting to do the right thing even if it messes up the music career he's on the brink of. Toby loves his mom. He loves the Beatles. He's got charisma for miles. I loved the way he related with both his crush, Michelle, and his best friend and band mate, Zach. And it was so awesome to read a book where the mom wasn't absent or neglectful.

I Am (Not) the Walrus is fun. It's a breath of fresh air to read about a good kid trying to do the right thing. He has some talent, but isn't a phenom. He struggles with his conscious, but does the right thing. And is rewarded for it. And all of that, for me, added up to a book that was pure pleasure to read. The English tone of the book was like a mini European vacation.

As for problems, they were few, and easily overcome by the good. Toby had a grown-up step in whenever he needed one. Maybe a little too easily. And the tension surrounding the mystery was sometimes just a little bit lax. But really, these things didn't detract from the book. This is a fun, fun read, perfect for summer.

I'm super excited to announce that we'll have an interview with the author in the upcoming days, and I'll be giving away my copy of I Am (Not) the Walrus.

WHAT I LIKED: I loved Toby, and how he related to the other characters. I loved the setting, and how reading it felt like being there. I am always a fan of books that might might attract boy readers, or reluctant readers, and I Am (Not) the Walrus is both. I also really, really love the cover. I was entertained and engaged straight through the story.

WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE: The solutions to Toby's problems were sometimes a little too easy, particularly when an adult was involved. I would have liked a little more tension in some parts as well.

GRADE: B+ I would recommend this book to anyone looking for something fun and European and musical to read.(less)

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Jul 23, 2012 Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-release, books-i-own, mundie-moms-reviews, 2012-100-book-challenge

3.5 stars

Being a huge Beatles fan, I was really intrigued with this book's storyline and the role music played in it. It's not often you come across a YA book that is centered on music, and incorporates the music of one of the best musical groups of all times. Not only that, I love that this book is a modern day contemporary with a good male voice and is set in London. I enjoyed the authenticity of the story, and reading about that UK slang I've heard so much about. For me, the musical element o...more 3.5 stars

Being a huge Beatles fan, I was really intrigued with this book's storyline and the role music played in it. It's not often you come across a YA book that is centered on music, and incorporates the music of one of the best musical groups of all times. Not only that, I love that this book is a modern day contemporary with a good male voice and is set in London. I enjoyed the authenticity of the story, and reading about that UK slang I've heard so much about. For me, the musical element of this story is what sold me on reading this book, and I think it's going to be a key element in getting teen readers to pick this book up, as they'll be able to relate to the huge role that music plays in the characters's lives, as well as their own.

I Am (Not) The Walrus is the story of Toby, a teen who's recently moved from London to another party England in hopes of his struggling, single mom finding a better job. I liked the role Toby's Mum played in his life. She wasn't an absentee parent, but someone who worked hard to provide for her son, and treated him with the respect he deserved. I liked their relationship, as it is an open and honest one. It was refreshing for me to read about their relationship and to have a parent have a good presence in this story. With is older brother away in the military, Toby takes full advantage of his deployment and uses his bass and other musical equipment he's left behind. This bass ultimately leads him on a crazy adventure that includes a valuable lesson in friendship, and of course the inspiration from a few Beatles songs.

When Toby discovers a note in his brother's bass, it leads him on a wild adventure to find who the bass belongs to, that is, if the note claiming it was stolen is indeed true. I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this book's storyline, and dialogue. It wasn't a fast paced read, but one that just flowed perfectly, and kept me invested in the story the entire time. It's seriously one of those fun reads that you can't help, but laugh out loud numerous times while reading it. Plus how can you not love a guy who has a few mishaps and makes you cheer for him in hopes that he can get the girl, and get to the bottom of the bass mystery. I also enjoyed getting to read about Toby's loyal friend and fellow bandmate, Zach. These two have a fabulous chemistry that's witty, hysterical and real. These two kept me entertained the entire time I read this book. I loved how their differences made their friendship that much stronger.

With a mix of friendship, a tiny bit of romance and a lot of music, I Am (Not) The Walrus is a good read I'd recommend picking up! (less)

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Feb 11, 2012 Katya rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, arc-galley, teen-lit, contemporary-ya, laugh-your-arse-off-good

Also found here.

I love contemporary YA. I love books centered around bands. And I especially love a realistic male voice in books. This book, thankfully, has all three.

Toby is one half of a two-man act playing Beatles songs. He and his band-mate Zach have just landed a gig warming up for a popular local band, but Zach believes that Toby's singing lacks passion. And also that he needs to fix his bass.

Soldering a bass is easy enough to accomplish, but Toby's track record with girls isn't outstand...more Also found here.

I love contemporary YA. I love books centered around bands. And I especially love a realistic male voice in books. This book, thankfully, has all three.

Toby is one half of a two-man act playing Beatles songs. He and his band-mate Zach have just landed a gig warming up for a popular local band, but Zach believes that Toby's singing lacks passion. And also that he needs to fix his bass.

Soldering a bass is easy enough to accomplish, but Toby's track record with girls isn't outstanding. Still, things aren't as they seem - he starts to banter back and forth with feisty Michelle, and while fixing his bass, he finds a note inside that leads him on an adventure.

Right away, I was struck with how good the writing in this story was. The plot moves fast, the dialogue flows, and the humor is of the laugh-your-arse-off variety. I loved some of the quips, and I enjoyed the banter between Toby and Zach tremendously.

Also, mysteries of previous owners is probably my favorite (and least popular) trope, and I can't tell you how much I liked it here. Toby's bass was originally bought by his brother, Shawn, but the note inside states that if anyone finds it, then that means the bass guitar was stolen. Toby is naturally reluctant to believe it, but feels doubt, mostly because his brother was known for having involved himself in more than one shady operation.

In the end, this is a very good book that relies on some pretty amazing character studies and some very interesting histories. I only have two little problems, which can be overlooked, depending on how you feel about them.

The first one is that, though Michelle, Toby's love interest, has a pretty strong personality, her role in the book is not that great. She's mostly there to inspire him to do the right thing, which is a little MPDG-ish of her, but she has her own thing and pretty stands on her own, instead of serving as a tool for the hero to grow.

The other one is the ending, which, considering the build-up, was kind of lame. But it is cathartic for the characters, and in the end, we get a feeling of change, of hope for them. I recommend this.

Note: A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley.(less)

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Jul 15, 2012 Jen Bigheart (I Read Banned Books) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Music is such a big part of a young person's life, and I love when books let music take center stage. When you throw in Beatles references and UK slang, I'm a little more quick to give the story a try. When Toby thinks his coveted bass is stolen property, he is torn between returning the bass to its rightful owner (if there really is one) or just forgetting what he knows. Things take a turn for the worse when other people start setting their sites on the bass. I really enjoyed the positive frien...more

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Sep 29, 2012 Natalie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, young-adult, childrens-lit, for-boys, tough-stuff

This was surprisingly enjoyable. Toby is an adorable, angsty, British band geek. He and his best friend have just been given their first gig. Their Beatles cover band might finally be taking off. Toby has been borrowing his brothers bass and finds a note inside, stating that the guitar is stolen. Toby isn't sure what to do with that information. He wants to keep the guitar, but part of him feels like he should return it. There is also this girl Michelle. When she first met him, she gave him a no...more

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Jul 09, 2012 Dawn Vanniman rated it 3 of 5 stars

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Toby lives with his struggling single mom. His brother is in the military, but left all his music equipment for Toby to use.

Toby and his best friend, Zach, start a Beatles cover band. They're working on a name, maybe The Nowhere Men? He also finds out that his guitar, once used by George Harrison, might be stolen. Toby is funny and sincere while Zach is ALL ABOUT THE BAND.

Then Toby meets a girl, Michelle. Yes, now I'm singing t...more

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Jan 29, 2013 Karyl rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013, young-adult-reads, library-reads

I picked this book up because I love the Beatles, and it looked like a fun read. I did enjoy all of the Beatles references, even when my Pandora station started playing "Can't Buy Me Love" right as Toby and Zack began playing it in the book.

But the problem was, the book is just too predictable. You can see the bad guy coming from a mile away. You have an idea how it is going to all play out before the drama even really gets going. I would have preferred a few more twists, something to keep me o...more

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May 30, 2012 Angela rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: rogue-books

So, as a rather obsessive Beatles fan, as soon as I saw the title of this book, I wanted to read it. I'm glad that I did.

Toby is the singer and bass player in a Beatles cover band, and this book chronicles the drama - both good and bad - that the presence of a beautiful bass brings to his life. Toby's family life is rather complicated, mostly because of his juvenile delinquent-now Military member brother, and his group of friends doesn't extend very far beyond the band he's in because he's a re...more

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Aug 08, 2012 Iris rated it 3 of 5 stars

I really enjoy books about music, and this was no exception. What I particularly like about YA books that deal with teenagers who play in bands is that they often portray how music and the friendship with fellow band mates helps them grow as persons and accept who they are. This was exactly one of the reasons that I enjoyed I Am (Not) The Walrus.

The Beatles-inspired title of the book is no accident, as I Am (Not) The Walrus is the story of Toby who plays bass and is the vocalist in a two-piece B...more I really enjoy books about music, and this was no exception. What I particularly like about YA books that deal with teenagers who play in bands is that they often portray how music and the friendship with fellow band mates helps them grow as persons and accept who they are. This was exactly one of the reasons that I enjoyed I Am (Not) The Walrus.

The Beatles-inspired title of the book is no accident, as I Am (Not) The Walrus is the story of Toby who plays bass and is the vocalist in a two-piece Beatles cover band together with his friend Zach. One day, Toby finds a note inside the bass he has on loan from his brother who is in Afghanistan as a soldier. This note sets off a series of events that include Zach’s attempt to have Toby finally kiss a girl, encounters with a scary bloke who seems bend on getting his hands on Toby’s bass guitar, and a storyline surrounding his family’s poverty and his brother’s borderline criminal past.

Toby’s awkwardness and humour are really what make this book quite an endearing read, even if not every plot line is executed as fully as I might have liked. I can’t help going “Awww” a little when I think of him, his insecurities, the way he acts around the girl he likes, his general confusion, and his efforts to get things right.

I did really enjoy reading about this episode in a bass player’s life, but I did find one thing a little hard to believe: there were moments when the book simply seemed to be trying a little too hard to make for an exciting story, which resulted in some absurd situations. I simply couldn’t wrap my mind around why Toby and his friends would almost seek out danger and then remark on being scared so often. Why would someone continue to trust people who he knows have hurt that trust time and time again? I know that this in part may be a realistic reflection of the naivety human beings often act on, but seeing it repeated a number of times in print, I found it a little more difficult to accept as natural.(less)

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Jul 28, 2012 Readinista rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-to-review

Upon first discovering I Am (Not) the Walrus, I was expecting something original. The Beatles cover band, a mystery behind a really cool guitar, a little bit romance, how could that not be interesting. Well, it wasn't. Instead, I was board. Everything I mentioned earlier was in the book but it lacked life and a soul. I kept hoping it would pick up but it never did and then it ended on a 'blah' note.

Toby is the bassist in a Beatles cover band with his best friend Zach. Toby's bass is a little fin...more Upon first discovering I Am (Not) the Walrus, I was expecting something original. The Beatles cover band, a mystery behind a really cool guitar, a little bit romance, how could that not be interesting. Well, it wasn't. Instead, I was board. Everything I mentioned earlier was in the book but it lacked life and a soul. I kept hoping it would pick up but it never did and then it ended on a 'blah' note.

Toby is the bassist in a Beatles cover band with his best friend Zach. Toby's bass is a little finicky and when attempting to fix his bass, he discovers a note. This note has the name and phone number of the original owner and message that says the guitar was stolen. This note leaves Toby wondering what to do. On top of that, a strange guy wants his guitar and won't take no for an answer. Should he attempt to return the bass or ignore the note and the guy who wants the guitar and keep it for himself?

That is essentially the gist of the story. Besides the whole guitar debacle, he meets a girl and those scenes were the most interesting in the entire book. Those scenes held my attention and were fun to read. However, the romance is just a side plot and as a result, there isn't very much of it. Instead he spends most of the book fretting about the guitar. There are some suspenseful moments where Toby is being threatened by the guy who wants his bass but they were more weird than suspenseful. I give the author some points for an original concept for this story. Not many young adult novels are about a guitar or a Beatles cover band.

In the end, I was left feeling, well, nothing. I Am (Not) the Walrus needed a little more life injected into it to make it a good read. At times it felt like it didn't have a plot and I was left wondering, 'What was the point of that scene?' or 'Why did that happen?' It's unfortunate because I was looking forward to reading this book. It's a little bit different than what I usually read and I was proud of myself for stepping out of my comfort zone. So much for that. I was able to finish it but I had to push myself. Overall, it was a boring and unmemorable read.(less)

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Aug 02, 2012 Rose rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorite-genre-chall-june-2012, arc-or-galley, young-adult, tbr-challenge, contemporary, coming-of-age, netgalley, realistic-fiction

I wish I could've enjoyed Ed Briant's "I Am (Not) the Walrus" a little more than I did, because the humor and voice of the protagonist - Toby - is very refreshing. I also liked the odes to several Beatles songs and references made through the work. Normally I'm a little put off when there are too many references to music in a work without rhyme or reason, but in this work, it's clear the Beatles have an influence in the lives of the teens it depicts. There's a part of me that still wishes it had...more I wish I could've enjoyed Ed Briant's "I Am (Not) the Walrus" a little more than I did, because the humor and voice of the protagonist - Toby - is very refreshing. I also liked the odes to several Beatles songs and references made through the work. Normally I'm a little put off when there are too many references to music in a work without rhyme or reason, but in this work, it's clear the Beatles have an influence in the lives of the teens it depicts. There's a part of me that still wishes it had a little more intimacy with those references, but I liked them in the overarching scheme of the work.

"I Am (Not) the Walrus" was a slice of life story that read slow in spurts. I liked it for what it offered, but I couldn't help but feel a little disappointed when and where it ended. It left quite a few plot threads open and I don't really know if it's going to have a follow up to close some of those lingering threads. It made the read less satisfying than it otherwise would've been.

Toby's a teen who plays in a Beatles cover band, and happens upon a special bass that belongs to his brother. When he opens up the bass, Toby realizes that the bass was stolen and sets off on a path to return it to the original owner. It doesn't come without some odd encounters for Toby, who's adorably awkward and has a blunt wit that will likely appeal to readers. His friends are interesting, and the love interest, Michelle, is funny and well crafted for the role she plays in the story. However, this book doesn't really have a lot of closure for some of the relationships and situations. The major journey completes itself, of course - not quite what I expected it to be, but it ended well enough. It's hard to know what becomes of Toby, his family, and friends in the aftermath of events, though.

I think "I Am (Not) the Walrus" is enjoyable overall, but for me it was a one-time read that didn't impact me as much as I would've liked. I will give it credit for being funny and with likable characters, though.

Overall score: 2.5/5

Note: I received this as an ARC from NetGalley, from the publisher Flux Books.(less)

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Jul 16, 2012 Kristen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-book, youngadult, romance-y, realistic-fiction

First Impression: It's obvious from the cover that this book is about music and was excited to see the Beatles connection, as I'm a fan (I mean.. who isn't?).

While Reading: I have to say, I fell in love with Toby right off. The fact that he has no idea what he is doing when it comes to sports and girls just made him completely endearing. The girl of interest in this book, Michelle, starts off being standoffish with Toby, calling him quite a few laughable names, but cannot resist liking him even...more

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Jun 23, 2012 ~Kate~ rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, dont-own, ebooks, 2-stars, arc, ya

I can't remember the exact reason why I wanted t read this book but I thought I best get it read soon and now I wish I never did as I found I was very disappointed.

The cover I love especially with it being simple yet still catches my eye. I never noticed the face outlines in the guitar until actually writing this review which I like that I can see something new each time I see the cover. This cover is eye catching and maybe one of the reasons why I wanted to read the book.

This is my first book w...more

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Jul 24, 2012 Barbara rated it 4 of 5 stars

This story really pulled me in. On the surface, it's about two British teens trying to pull together a Beatles cover band--but it's also a mystery and a little bit of a love story, too. Great book for boys and anyone interested in the rock and roll lifestyle.

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Jul 04, 2012 Kathy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: realistic

If it wasn't for the strong middle, this would get a 2. The beginning and the end were confusing and really didn't make a whole lot of sense. Especially the end. The choices just didnt match what we'd learned about the characters. And then it was just over. Im still not sure it deserves a 3.

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Jun 26, 2012 Jessica rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012

A cute and fast read. I think I enjoyed it most because of the Britishness and the band...my favorite things! Not really anything super memorable here, but I liked it while I was reading it.

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Jan 28, 2013 Sue rated it 3 of 5 stars

It was an okay book, relatively easy to read and fun to have all the Beatles references. Could tell it was a first novel though, not very deep

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Jul 02, 2012 Brett Axel rated it 5 of 5 stars

A delightful, fun story about a teenager in a Beatles cover band with a special Fender Bass. Character driven, which I love. Easy to become attached to the characters and care what happens to them.

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Feb 19, 2012 Brigid *Flying Kick-a-pow!* marked it as to-read

I am just going to read this because it has a cool cover. Well, okay, I also read the description. But that cover ... dang, I love it.

1 like · like · see review

Jul 07, 2012 Gabrielle (TheYoungFolks.com) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Quick, light read. The summary pretty much gives the whole story away. Full review at TheYoungFolks.com soon.

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Oct 20, 2012 Clarissa Wee rated it 3 of 5 stars

not bad :D i felt the end to be a bit hanging? like it really left me wondering what kind of ending was that. ._. poor bass too

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Jul 31, 2012 Amy rated it 3 of 5 stars

A very fun book, especially if you love the Beatles. Very Nick Hornby-esque.

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About Ed Briant

Ed Briant is an author, illustrator, and sequential artist, living and working near Philadelphia.
Ed’s mother had always wanted him to become a dentist. Ed’s father had his heart set on Ed becoming an accountant. Not wanting to disappoint either of his parents Ed chose to compromise, believing that a career as an illustrator would combine the thrill of oral examinations with the glamor of adding up...more Ed Briant is an author, illustrator, and sequential artist, living and working near Philadelphia.
Ed’s mother had always wanted him to become a dentist. Ed’s father had his heart set on Ed becoming an accountant. Not wanting to disappoint either of his parents Ed chose to compromise, believing that a career as an illustrator would combine the thrill of oral examinations with the glamor of adding up long columns of figures.
In the end being an illustrator proved to be more like being a fireman. The phone would ring, Ed would leap on his bike, and ride as fast as he could to the offices of The Times, or Vogue, or The Guardian. Once there he would be commanded to produce a minor work of art in barely more time than it took to scratch his head, make a mug of tea, and sharpen a pencil.
One afternoon the phone rang and it was Glamor magazine in New York. This time Ed left his mug of tea untouched and his pencils unsharpened. He left his bike locked to the railings outside the British Museum and for once he took public transport. A few hours later Ed found himself scratching his head, making tea, and sharpening pencils in a tiny room on New York’s West 11th Street. But even here the phone continued to ring. This time the callers were from Premiere, The New York Times, The Atlantic Monthly, The New Yorker, Pentagram, and many others.
A decade and many hundreds of illustrations later Ed found himself yearning for something a little more long-term. What would it be like to spend more than an hour on a piece of art?
Still in New York, Ed began frequenting dingy bars late into the night. Finally after many months––and far too many Cosmopolitans––Ed met up with Neal Porter of Roaring Brook Press. Plots were hatched, book deals were signed, and Ed embarked on a new career as an author-illustrator of picture books and comics.
Now Ed can spend weeks on a single illustration. He can spend days merely scratching his head and making tea while he dreams up the perfect concept, but every now and again he still casts his mind back to his days as an illustrator-fireman. There really was a kind of thrill and glamor in the frenetic world of editorial illustration. Could he ever go back to it? Would he even have the energy now?
After all, his bike is still chained up outside the British Museum.(less)

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