37 Things I Love

by Kekla Magoon

Ellis only has four days of her sophomore year left, and summer is so close that she can almost taste it. But even with vacation just within reach, Ellis isn’t exactly relaxed. Her father has been in a coma for years, the result of a construction accident, and her already-fragile relationship with her mother is strained over whether or not to remove him from life support. Her best friend fails even to notice that anything is wrong and Ellis feels like her world is falling apart. But when all seems bleak, Ellis finds comfort in the most unexpected places.
Life goes on, but in those four fleeting days friends are lost and found, promises are made, and Ellis realizes that nothing will ever quite be the same.

Genres: Young Adult, LGBT, Contemporary, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Grief, Queer

224 pages, Hardcover

First published May 22, 2012

Reviews

[Shay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this in the college library and read it.

I liked the plot about her dad, and the prose, but the actions in the story made me uncomfortable, starting with the party scene and leading up to the point I quit, which was shortly after a hang-out session gone wrong.

I wish I'd known it was going to get sexual (I put down a lot of books for that reason, especially when it pertains to teenagers). I'm not putting this on the DNF because I did read it mostly.

It's a chick-on-chick romance without much foreshadowing -- I had the book with the other cover, with the swing on the front. Probably the most obvious foreshadowing would've been that cover (it looks like a romance).

But romantic, it is not.

Can we talk about how Cara takes advantage of Ellis' emotional distress? And when confronted, she acts like being un-friended is equal to having a dad in a coma about to die? Worse than about to die, our MC is supposed to decide if she wants him taken off life support. Cara is like, "yeah, we've pretty much been through the same situation." And we're supposed to like her?

I mean seriously, Ellis goes over at a time of emotional hardship and Cara starts putting moves on her, without even knowing if she's gay. It was disturbing, I didn't like Cara, and I put the book down.

Ellis and Cara were friends as kids, for some reason Ellis and Cara stopped hanging out. About midway through the book, they've just started talking again. Ellis' dad is in a coma, about to die, Ellis asks to come over.

They go swimming, and talk about a few things. The cover of the book ensues, where, in order to not float apart, they hang onto each other in a very platonic way.

Then they watch a movie together, and Cara starts fondling Ellis very intimately without any previous indication that she liked her, other than the platonically holding each other's hand in the pool to keep from drifting apart. And Ellis is NOT cool with it.

She's like: "Back off, I came over here for emotional support because my dad's in a coma and they're thinking of cutting his life-line, but only with my permission, and my life is a horrible wreck-"

Cara is like "but you guys unfriended me. That's about the same. "

Ellis does not agree and runs off, but eventually decides she likes Cara anyway in one of the most confused decisions I've seen a character make. It put a bad taste in my mouth. Even the idea of going to a friend's house in a time of tragedy and them feeling you up without permission
AND WITHOUT previous indication of romantic interest, that's actually very scary for me.

I feel like if you champion a "cause", you're suddenly free from critique. Well, here's some critique.

I didn't like it.

[Lillian · Rating 1 out of 5]

I imagine it could've been a good book, but I was deceived by the cover. The one I had, had a cool pic of her on the swings at night, and I thought "hey this looks cool", I never really believed in the saying "you can't judge a book by its cover" (literal), now I know to do some research before I grab a random book.... If I'd seen the other cover I may not have been as interested (just because of the type of books i like to read). But i'm a young rather 'innocent minded' teen and I was not expecting (or mentally prepared for) something this explicit. I had to put it down after reading about the party they snuck out for (because I didn't like reading about people relatively my age doing things I would never think about doing), but decided to give the book another chance. Bad idea!!! The last straw was when her new/old friend started doing some things to her that I really Didn't want to read! (it's not the fact that they were both girls that bugged me, I wouldn't want to read it even if it was with a guy). I feel pretty scarred, my mind I guess was a little more innocent then I thought. I like the writing, I may try a different book of hers, that's why I gave it 2 stars, but I didn't like the details. Don't get mad at me for this critique, I'm just not ready for stuff like this, and I don't think it's appropriate for the crowd it's angled towards.

[Peregrine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful teen novel that leads the reader through an accurate portrayal of how a fifteen year old experiences loss, emotional turmoil, friendship and betrayal, first loves, questions of sexuality, and the pressures of high school in a neat 240 pages. Once I started reading, I had to be forced to put it down (we were Christmas shopping, and I'd wasted over an hour of my friends' time) and finished it the moment I had time (aka, the moment I returned to campus: I curled up in my favorite chair and devoured the last half of the novel). Initially, I'd been planning to just read it in the store and not buy it, but once I was halfway through, I realized that I needed to own it. That's pretty high praise from me; it means I liked it enough at the halfway point to want to finish it, and to want to give the author my money, and to want to potentially share it later on.
All in all? Great story.

[Jordan Kuehl]

37 Things I Love (in no particular order) by Kekla Magoon is about a girl named Ellis. She is just finishing her sophomore year in high school and is ready for summer. Her dad has been in a coma due to a construction accident that happened 2 years ago. Ellis has been struggling to keep a healthy relationship with her mother due to the fact they are deciding if they still want to keep him on life support. I relate to most of the teenage characters in this book based on how they handle different scenarios throughout the book. Throughout this book it has kept me on my toes as many of the characters pulled out a twist within the book. Many times while I was reading I had laughed and felt sad as a variety of events occured. Something I didn’t like about this book was the main character mostly focused on the people around her instead of getting help when she needed it most. I would highly suggest this book to anyone who is interested in drama. This book has its fair share of characters and their problems along the way. A book like this can really affect how you see the way you treat people in your life as you compare the people in your life to the characters in the book. In the book Ellis states 37 things she loves that are not in any particular order. She loves her friends Abby, Cara, and Colin. She loves her mom even though they get into many fights. She adores her dad as to why she is fighting her mom to keep him on life support in the hospital. Ellis has a love for many things in her life but she has a no particular way of choosing what she loves more than others that’s why they are in no particular order throughout chapters of the book.

[Adrienne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt sorry for the protagonist for what happened to her father, who was one of the most important people in her life, but other than that I felt detached from her and I couldn't care less about all the decisions she made in the book which, in addition, I couldn't understand even when I tried to. Her friends were insipid characters who didn't undergo any sort of personal growth over the course of the story. Other than that brief moment where she mourned for her father, this book failed to get a reaction out of me.

There were also a lot of things left unresolved, like her relationship with her mom, and her friendship with Abby, as well as her romantic involvement with Cara. (Honestly, I did NOT see that one coming.) Would she and her mother ever grow closer after everything that happened? Was Abby still her best friend despite all that had gone down between them? There was no closure whatsoever.

Overall, this was a little bit sad but doesn't really hit you right in the feels.

[Monique Maggiore · Rating 2 out of 5]

There were many things I felt were unresolved in this book. This book seemed uneven to me. I did felt that their was no plot, and if there was a plot it was very disorganized. I also felt that there was no character development. I greatly disliked Ellis's best friend Abby, and felt that she ruined the book. I believe the ending did not fit the story at all. Unfortunately, this book did not grab my attention.

[Lillian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Loved how at the ending, the number 37 was tied in, that was cool. Otherwise this was an easy read, with 37 short chapters, with not a whole lot of thinking involved... except for that twist in chapter 23... hay carumba. I also noticed that the reading level on the back said ages 14 and up, but I thought this was more for a middle school level, even though the characters are in high school

[LeAnn Streeter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a story put together with 37 things the narrator loves, each chapter is a different thing but the story is tied together by each one. The story is about the main characters life and how she goes through some major changes. Her dad had a terrible accident a few years ago and he never woke up from the coma so her mother decided it was time to let him go. But that was only her mothers decision, she didn't to let him go she still had hope he would wake up. She had a very strong connection with her father even after the accident. She would visit him in the hospital and talk to him as if he's listening. On top of that she becomes friends with an old friend again and finds the truth on how their friendship was lost. But as this is going on she still finds 37 things she loves in everything around her.
I admire the main character and her strength and decisions she makes throughout the book. We actually share some of the same love for things, and i thought that was very interesting. She is a very brave and courageous girl, and the things she goes through are very life changing but she handles them well. Her thought process throughout the book is what really interested me. The way she portrays her thoughts and emotions was very fascinating.

[Sydney Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the book 37 Things I love (In no Particular Order) Ellis, the main character, has had a rough two years. Her father was in a construction accident and has been in a coma for two years now. Her relationship with her mother and her “best friend” are not exactly in the best shape. Ellis and her mom rarely ever see each other because her mom works nights at the radio station and Ellis is at school during the day, and when they are finally together they do not know what to say to each other and have little to no communication. Her “best friend”, Abby, cares more about herself and who is going to ask her out this week than how Ellis is doing. The only thing Ellis actually enjoys doing is visiting and talking with her father. She feels he is the only one who could truly understand and be there for her although he is not fully there. She spends a lot of the book attempting to reconnect with her old friend who was pushed away after her dad's accident. She is being forced to make some tough decisions involving her father and her friends. She learns how to let go and do what is best for all involved, an important lesson we all need to learn. I enjoyed the story of the book, but the setup of it not so much. It had potential to be so much better. I recommend it to high school and even middle school students. I give 37 Things I love by Kekla Magoon 3 out of 5 stars.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviews are all over the map on this one but I liked it. I found it a fast entertaining read.

[Trigger Warning Database]

Trigger & Content Warnings:

Parent on life support after a construction accident

[Ashly Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5 Stars

Ellis’ father has been in a coma for years now after a construction accident in hopes that he still might wake up one day. There are only 4 days left of her sophomore year before summer vacation starts and Ellis is ready for it. Our main character goes to visit her father frequently after school, which adds more strain to her already troubled relationship with her mother. Ellis is also fighting with her best friend, or at least on her end she is. Often passive aggressive, Ellis has a hard time dealing with all the stresses in her life. On top of everything, she recently started talking to a friend she hasn’t spoken to since middle school. Follow her journey as she comes of age and comes to terms with love, loss, and relationships.

Okay, confession time: I picked up this book for no other reason than hot dayum look at that cover! I was browsing the young adult section of the Library and couldn’t pass this one by.

I’m so glad that I picked it up, because I ended up loving this book way more than I thought I would based on the description.

I don’t even know where to start, since there’s so much I want to say.

I guess I’ll start with the plot/story/atmosphere. This felt very The Perks of Being a Wallflower to me, but not in a bad way. I’ve read quite a few books trying to emulate the passive-aggressive tone of that rapidly-becoming-a-classic book. Most I’ve been disappointed with. This one I wasn’t.

I really enjoyed this plot. I thought it was strong, believable, and mostly-realistic. Most young adults don’t have to come of age while their father is confined to a hospital bed in a coma, but I found the storyline to be relatable regardless. I was interested to find out how everything was going to play out and watch Ellis come into her own.

Speaking of Ellis, I really did like her character. She can be kind of whiney and woe-is-me-all-alone, but it comes across in a very un-idealistic way. I felt myself really relating to her and where she was coming. My father was never in a coma, but I understand the way in which she displayed her emotions and tried to deal with stress and grief.

I also didn’t mind the fact that she had a strained relationship with her mother because they still loved each other and fought over practical issues. Their relationship isn’t strong, but it’s written strong. I found this to be, like everything else, believable and appropriate to the story.

The other characters held their own, too. They all had depth and unique, highly-believable personalities and character traits. The development of them was highly satisfactory, especially Ellis and her close friends as well as Ellis’ relationship with her mother.

The set up of this story is also something to note: It’s creative and fresh. I loved the fact that each chapter was Ellis talking about something she loved and how it affects her life and then how it also actually tells the narrative and moves the story along. I thought the execution of it all was near perfect.

The writing increased this book’s strength. It’s not exceptionally special, but instead is quick to read with short chapters. This works in the book’s favor, though, as it makes it compulsively readable and easy to finish in a few sittings (or only one sitting if you’re feeling particularly determined).

Now, it says in the title that these 37 things are in no particular order, but we, as readers, know better, don’t we? As I said, the 37 things are not just random but are actually telling the story as new events unfold. And, of course, it all comes together in the end, which I really liked.

I’m going to warn you, though; this is a tear-jerker. I found myself shedding a few as I finished the last couple chapters.

The last thing I want to talk about is the way sexuality is tackled. When I picked this book up, I had no idea this fell into the LGBTQ+ category, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that creep up in the story. My favorite part about it is that Magoon does not feel the need to justify and explain the queer aspects of this book. She writes it like any other contemporary story with a love interest, and I gave much silent applause to that fact.

We don’t need books about being queer; we need books with people that are queer.

(Or any other type of identity that respectively falls into the LGBTQ+ category.)

So, all in all, if you like contemporaries or are looking for something similar to The Perks of Being a Wallflower (except female driven), definitely pick up a copy of this book. It didn’t quite make it to the 5-star rating for me, but 4 stars is still an unbelievably good book!

Review originally published on my Wordpress blog Dreaming Through Literature.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a beautiful book. Each chapter we get something that Ellis loves or things she might love. Sometimes those things changed. Sometimes I didn't know why she loved certain things or people until we saw more of her life. It was really special. I loved that format.

This book has a romance element. It has some comedy. It's really a story about a girl growing up . A girl coming to terms with the fact that her mother wants to pull the plug on her father. A girl realizing that she's been holding onto a hope so tightly that she hasn't been enjoying life like her father would want for her.

Ellis goes along with things. For example, everything Abby puts her through. Abby might be one of the worse friends I've ever seen in a book but Collin and Ellis let her be. Just when I thought I couldn't dislike Abby more it happens but still no real immediate consequences for her actions in the book. At the end, I feel like there will be a change but I don't know how much things will change.

Ellis also goes along with what Evan wants in this book a little. I feel like that part didn't surprise me because I don't think Ellis had much agency in other parts of the book unless it had to do with her dad. She made a dumb decision because she always did what was expected of her when it came to friends and popularity. I think part of that was because of her main focus being her father. Where this book ends there are a lot of changes on the horizon for her. I liked that it was a little open-ended about what some of those changes might be.

[Kait · Rating 3 out of 5]

37 Things I Love is a very deceiving book. From the cover I expected something light and fun. What I got was a rather serious story that touched on first love, lost friendships, and the death of a loved one. I don’t know if maybe my expectations were just set for something completely different or what but I just didn’t really care much for 37 Things I Love.

The characters in 37 Things I Love were lacking quite a bit. The main character, Ellis, had very little personality and almost no backbone. She never stood up for herself and she acted like it was her job to just take the crap her friend Abby was dishing out. And Abby was not a friend. She was a Grade A bitch. She made fun of Ellis and their other friend, Colin, constantly. And when Abby did something stupid it was Ellis’ fault. Colin was the only one I even remotely liked although he had no backbone either.

The plot didn’t seem to go anywhere. Don’t get me wrong the book was a quick read but mainly because it was only 224 pages and had short chapters. It was actually pretty dull and kind of predictable. I just didn’t see any real change or growth until the end of the book. I expected so much more.

Overall, 37 Things I Love just fell short of my expectations. I really wanted to like it but I couldn’t. I would recommend getting this one from your local library if you are interested in reading it.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started to think of my review for this book I had to pause and really consider what the main flaw of this book was. It wasn't that the characters were undeveloped, it wasn't that there were too many topics covered, and it wasn't the fact that the title wasn't tied in to the story until the end of the final chapter. The main flaw in my eyes was that the book wasn't long enough.

Personally, I liked the characters. The only reason I found them underdeveloped was because we didn't get to spend much time with them. I thought that for the quick pace of the story (4 days), we got to see them react in typical ways. How can a character truly completely change their personalities in such a short amount of time? THAT would be unrealistic.

I also found the amount of events that occurred entirely possible for the time span of the story. The loss of friendships and family members really do come that quickly and the parties are right there at your fingertips every night. Especially for teenagers who are about to go on their summer vacation.

Also, the title tying in at the finale is not really something that bothers me.

So yeah, I enjoyed this book and took it for what it was. I would have enjoyed it a lot more if each of the events were drawn out and described more (I want a longer novel!). So 3.5/5.

[Hailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 37 Things I Love, Ellis, realizes that changes need to happen but doesn't want them to. Her father, who has been in a coma, is about to come off life support because of Ellis's mothers request, due to Ellis's fathers condition. Ellis was very unhappy because she wants to hold on to her father a little longer. Her best friend, Colin, helped her through the tough times and now their friendship has grown into something more. At the end of the story, it turns out that 37 Things I Love is the things Ellis loved and wanted him to know, so she put it in his casket because it was to personal for her to read out loud.
I think the book was great. At times, it got a little awkward but it was mainly funny and cute. This is definitely a high school book, because of some of the content. I recommend this book to girls between the ages of 12-19. I would recommend this to them because I can relate to the story and I'm sure most girls in high school can. Overall, it was a fantastic book and I think you should read it.

[Marianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It really should be 3.5 stars, but you know.

I loved the writing in this book...

And I thought the story told well...

But this book seemed uneven to me. The chapter length and format would indicate (at least to me) a younger reader, but the characters and their actions a bit more mature. The cover is bubble gum sweet, yet the book a bit dark dealing with real life issues such as growing aprart from your childhood friends, drinking, sexuality and death.

This quick paced book didn't allow for much depth in character development. For example, the love interest of the main character as well as their best male friend. It just seemed a bit too simple.

so HI/LO maybe? Good to have a book to include GLTB.

[Mariah Pilcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

ENGL 420 REQUIREMENTS: KEKLA MAGOON

This is a story of a teen girl who has to deal with many problems all at once: her father is in a coma in the hospital, her best friend is mean and spiteful, her love life is complicated, and to top it off, she tries to get reacquainted with an old friend. Things go wrong, love is lost and gained, and new relationships are formed. This book is all about the different types of relationships a teen can have, how they can go wrong, and how they can go right.

I liked this book for the most part, it was funny and short, but it was also very sad. It's a tear-jerker!

[Roberta]

Continuing through the YA section - this was unexpectedly touching. A wonderful book for an older child or teen dealing with serious loss

[Amaira T]

The book “37 Things I Love (in No Particular Order)” by Kekla Magoon was one of my top reads this semester. The story is surprisingly deep and meaningful book, with the occasional silliness added to lighten the mood. It follows a teenage girl as she explores the ups and downs of being a teenager in high school. Grief, friendships and sexuality are just a couple of the topics this book explores. One thing I especially loved about the book was the way that the experiences of the main character were so relatable. For example, she struggles a lot with friendships. This is a situation that many teenagers can relate to, I know I can. This book was not only very interesting and relatable, but it was also written exceptionally well. Kekla Magoon included a new surprise or challenge around every corner. Every chapter in the book was another “Thing I Love.” There were 37 chapters, for 37 things. Each chapter examined something that the main character was grateful for, even if it presented challenges along the way. One thing I really loved about how the book was written was the dialogue. The conversations between characters were very accurate. Some things are just difficult to talk about, and the author expressed that very well throughout the book. Overall, this book addresses many common challenges for teenagers and helps remind them that they can get through it. I would genuinely recommend this novel to any teenager, young adult, or adult.

[Carrie G · Rating 3 out of 5]

(FULL DISCLOSURE: I read this book several months ago and was so unmoved when I finished it that I didn't write a review right away. Now, 20-ish books later, some of the details have gotten fuzzy. I apologize!)

I liked this book. It was good. It wasn't "The Rock and the River," (which I was really hoping for!), but it was good. I think my "complaint" (if you can really call it that) about this book is that, while the main character is a sophomore (almost junior) in high school, this book felt "middle grades" to me. It just didn't have the raw intensity that YA is known for - that the story would have had if Jordan Sonnenblick or John Green wrote it. But, at the same time, there's some really mature stuff that goes on, stuff that should live squarely in the YA realm. So... maybe it's really this dichotomy that bothers me. There's mature content but not a character who feels mature (complex, well developed); there's YA issues (sexual identity, death) but not the depth and intensity of YA lit. I don't know. I am completely botching this review.

Suffice it to say, I don't think this is a book middle schoolers should read, but it's not a book that high schoolers will enjoy. So... target audience? My To-Be-Weeded shelf maybe?

[Sara Peardot · Rating 4 out of 5]

37 Things I love, by Kekla Magoon is a very easy read. It is about a high school girl, Ellis and everyday problems she has to over come involving friends, family, and relationships. Ellis's dad was in a bad construction accident two years prior. He lives in an assisted living facility and lives off machines. Ellis's mom told her she thinks it is time to let go of her dad but Ellis refuses. Ellis has two best friends, Abby and Collin. She tells Collin what has been going on with her dad but she doesn't tell Abby. She feels Abby doesn't care enough. One night Abby and Ellis go out to a party and Ellis begins to reconnect with their old best friend, Cara. As the days go on, Ellis tries to get their friendship back while Abby doesn't approve and Cara's brother is trying to ask Ellis out. Ellis feels like her life is falling about between her dad dieing, and her freinds not getting along. Overall I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast and easy read. I would recommed it for anyone who likes books that have a good drama story to them or high school students that like books they can relate too.

[Amy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Loved Magoon's concept of writing this book in a structure of 37 chapters and 37 things the character loves. However, the characters themselves felt a little flat to me. Ellis's friends are underdeveloped. It is hard to understand Ellis's ongoing friendship with Abby who seems to have few redeeming qualities and continues to use Ellis. Colin is a doormat. A nice one, but a doormat. Cara is underdeveloped. After the party and the way Abby is treated there, it seemed pretty unbelievable that Ellis would accept Evan's (one of the boys at the party) invitation to a dance she didn't even want to attend. Also, although this book deals with the death of Ellis's father, he has essentially been in a vegetative state for two years, and her detached mom still cannot sit down with Ellis and have a conversation about how long they are going to leave him that way. I understand Ellis wanting to hang on to her dad, but the length of time this has gone on in the story seemed at odds with how emotionally fresh it was to the characters.

[Liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Two things I liked about this book in no particular order are that it read fast and dealt with the topic of grief well.

That's it.

Ellis seems a bit lost when it comes to navigating the relationships with people in her life. One of the most notable relationships is Cara, who used to be best friends with Ellis and Abby. Towards the end of the book, we learn why Cara and Abby constantly butt heads. The whole point of Abby's character is that as a reader, we're not supposed to like her, and Magoon is good at that. It felt like Magoon took it almost too far a few times.

The writing in this book also just felt slightly off to me. The way the characters talked to each other felt just a bit unrealistic.

Also, I was reading this book on my phone, and all of a sudden I hit the acknowledgements. I knew the book was winding down, but I expected there to be another chapter or sudden.

I have heard great things about Magoon's other books so I want to give those a try. This one is fine at what it does but isn't something I'd reach for again.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the story 37 things I love the character Ellis changed. In the beginning of the story Ellis was stressed out with her friends, family, and school. At the end of the story Ellis became more relaxed. She learned how to communicate with her Mom and not just her Dad. Her Dad is in a coma and her friends are very annoying. Ellis still visits her Dad, but can talk to her Mom too. Ellis made a new friend who is very fun and understanding. Ellis got a lot of anger out in the beginning of the story and relaxed herself in the end. Things that make her happy and relaxed are her Dad, her new friend, and summer vacation which finally came. Ellis had plenty of reasons to feel relaxed. She doesn’t have the worst life. Ellis changed in the story in a good way, being relaxed created less stress and more happiness for her.

[Allison Renner · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading How It Went Down and Light It Up, I needed more Kekla Magoon in my life. And damn if this book didn’t ruin me.
🖤 First off, the unique plot of a high schooler dealing with her dad being in a coma for two years.
🖤 Secondly, the beautifully nuanced friendships that made you remember what you had in high school (well, it did for me, because I’m old. But high schoolers today can totally still relate).
🖤 Third, I loved the concept of a book about 37 things loved told in 37 chapters until I learned why she thought of those 37 things, then I was an emotional wreck.
I absolutely love Magoon’s writing style and can’t wait to read more from her.

[halfirishgrin · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some really great things about this book! I loved the plotline with the Ellis' dad in a coma. It was heartbreaking. I also liked how her relationship with Cara grew, and all of their scenes together. The writing was also pretty wonderful for the most part.

What I didn't like were the side characters - Ellis' friends. They were not... great, and they felt very underdeveloped. The end was also kind of unresolved, which was annoying but I think I get it.

Overall, this was a quick, enjoyable read!

[Arobi W · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book such a book to relate to. The author uses the main characters perspective to illustrate with words the activities she loves most (even though not in order) This is so powerful as it makes the me (the reader) even more attached to each of the things she loves. Even though this story was pretty short, the anecdotes behind each thing she loves is so well written it makes the reader also consider it is also a thing to love. Great book, especially if you need finding some motivation on what to love.

[Anneliese · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 Stars. This was just the right amount of sad I needed tonight. I think because the main characters are so young (sophomores in high school) there was a lot of drama due to lack of communication. But I definitely was like that when I was their age so I can’t fault it. I liked the symbolism of the list of things the main character loved with the age of the father. And I did enjoy Cara a lot. She was a good supporting character. Colin was as well.

[Child960801 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about a 15 year old girl whose dad has been in a coma for two years and whose mother is talking to her about finally taking him off life support. It's about how friendships grow and change until we are just friends because we've always been friends, not for any other reason. It's about grief and how some times it's easier to let something consume us then it is so talk about it and work through it. It's about death and I cried reading it.