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The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things
by
Sage Czinski is trying really hard to be perfect. If she manages it, people won’t peer beyond the surface, or ask hard questions about her past. She’s learned to substitute causes for relationships, and it’s working just fine… until Shane Cavendish strolls into her math class. He’s a little antisocial, a lot beautiful, and everything she never knew she always wanted.
Shane ...more
Shane ...more
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Hardcover, 328 pages
Published
April 7th 2015
by Feiwel & Friends
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Start your review of The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things

Mostly...
I know, I know. You're judging me right now. I think this book is just not for me. Every turn of page of is such a struggle for me. I only have two emotions while reading this: Frustration and Boredom. Like, should I be annoyed or should I just let sleep take over? And aside from that..the main character, Sage, really irritates me with her stalker-ish behaviour. Not. Cool.
Basically this is a love story between two misfits. Yes, the guy, Shane is not a playboy and popular. He's the ...more

I know, I know. You're judging me right now. I think this book is just not for me. Every turn of page of is such a struggle for me. I only have two emotions while reading this: Frustration and Boredom. Like, should I be annoyed or should I just let sleep take over? And aside from that..the main character, Sage, really irritates me with her stalker-ish behaviour. Not. Cool.
Basically this is a love story between two misfits. Yes, the guy, Shane is not a playboy and popular. He's the ...more

I got this book at RT Booklover's Convention a year ago and I picked it up yesterday expecting a pretty straightforward, cutesy, fun contemporary. I had no idea what I was in for! I am so overwhelmed by everything I felt while reading this. I cried, I laughed, I sobbed, I laughed so hard I had to put the book down. It was such a rollercoaster of emotions for me! I will definitely be checking out more Ann Aguirre books. My only issue with this book is that there was quite a bit of body shaming an
...more

“I came here looking to finish school quietly. Stay out of trouble. Maybe write some new songs. I never expected you.”
----Ann Aguirre
Ann Aguirre, a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, pens her latest YA novel, The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things that revolves around a bunch of high-school teenagers with broken hearts and dark past and how they heal those torn-up hearts.
Synopsis:
Sage Czinski is trying really hard to be perfect. If she manages it, people won’t peer beyond the surf ...more
----Ann Aguirre
Ann Aguirre, a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author, pens her latest YA novel, The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things that revolves around a bunch of high-school teenagers with broken hearts and dark past and how they heal those torn-up hearts.
Synopsis:
Sage Czinski is trying really hard to be perfect. If she manages it, people won’t peer beyond the surf ...more

***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things by Ann Aguirre
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: April 7, 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
Sage Czinski is trying really hard to be perfect. If she manages it, people won’t peer beyond the surface, or ask hard questions about her past. She’s learned to substitute causes for relationships, and it’s working just fine… until Shane Cavendish strolls into her math ...more
The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things by Ann Aguirre
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Publication Date: April 7, 2015
Rating: 4 stars
Source: ARC sent by the publisher
Summary (from Goodreads):
Sage Czinski is trying really hard to be perfect. If she manages it, people won’t peer beyond the surface, or ask hard questions about her past. She’s learned to substitute causes for relationships, and it’s working just fine… until Shane Cavendish strolls into her math ...more

I love the Enclave series by this author so I wanted to read this one. The problem with this book is it's instalovey and boring at the same time. I don't think contemporary is this author's genre.
...more


Just in case you were wondering, you can not lift these Post-it notes on the cover up. You can't. I tried. For an embarrassingly long time.
The Queen of Bright And Shiny Things was such a pleasant surprise!
I loved the adorably quirky characters, the witty banter and how important it was to Sage to make the world around her, better. From cleaning up the environment, posting notes of encouragement on other students' l ...more

Jul 15, 2015
Norah Una Sumner
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
young adult readers
"I’ve heard if you pretend long enough—or maybe wish hard enough—faking normal becomes real. I’m counting on that. Until then, I’ll carry on."
This freaking book killed me.Twice.I'm writing this as a ghost because I don't have anything better to do in my after life,whatever.The characters are beautiful-Sage is completely unique and Shane is really interesting.They're both smart and they've both suffered a lot.The supporting characters are amazing as well,I really love Lila(freaking badass) an ...more

I'm not usually one to read angsty times, but this was absolute perfection.
Sage is a great MC and I loved being in her head. Her whole thing with the post it's is fantastic and there was one scene involving her locker that I could have cried over.
Of course I loved Shane. He plays guitar and that pretty much sells it for me. But together, these two are...sigh. I don't have words. They provide exactly what the other needs and it's refreshing to read a relationship that's equal and so loving.
The ...more
Sage is a great MC and I loved being in her head. Her whole thing with the post it's is fantastic and there was one scene involving her locker that I could have cried over.
Of course I loved Shane. He plays guitar and that pretty much sells it for me. But together, these two are...sigh. I don't have words. They provide exactly what the other needs and it's refreshing to read a relationship that's equal and so loving.
The ...more

5 stars.
A modified version of this review also appears on Swoony Boys Podcast.
The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things was my favorite "real" book that I read in 2014 ("real" as in the Real Books Challenge), and I reread it so I could talk about Shane in our latest podcast episode. In other words, I loved this book so. freaking. much.
High school senior Sage Czinski is known around school as "Princess Post-it" because she leaves a positive note on someone's locker everyday. Sage is all about spreadin ...more
A modified version of this review also appears on Swoony Boys Podcast.
The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things was my favorite "real" book that I read in 2014 ("real" as in the Real Books Challenge), and I reread it so I could talk about Shane in our latest podcast episode. In other words, I loved this book so. freaking. much.
High school senior Sage Czinski is known around school as "Princess Post-it" because she leaves a positive note on someone's locker everyday. Sage is all about spreadin ...more

Official rating 3.5
Despite the mixed reviews on goodreads, I find myself fairly enjoying this book.
The book revolves around a girl name Sage Czinski, everyday in her life she tries as hard as possible to appear positive and her definition of "perfect". She believes that if people believes this version of her ...more
Despite the mixed reviews on goodreads, I find myself fairly enjoying this book.
Being numb is good for a while, until it's not anymore. "They're fooling themselves," I say. "It's better to deal with your shit head on. Life doesn't get better if you look away."
The book revolves around a girl name Sage Czinski, everyday in her life she tries as hard as possible to appear positive and her definition of "perfect". She believes that if people believes this version of her ...more

Oh. I was excited about reading this book, but I did not know that I would love it so much. But I did. I loved this book to pieces. Which surprised me, as I don't like contemporaries. But this was different. It did not have any silly drama. Instead it has beautiful writing, stunning characters, perfect romance.
There is so much I adored about this book. I can't even say that there was anything about it I disliked. Because there are no silly break-ups. There is not kissing of other people. There i ...more
There is so much I adored about this book. I can't even say that there was anything about it I disliked. Because there are no silly break-ups. There is not kissing of other people. There i ...more

I wish there are enough words for me to be able to say how much I adore this book. The Queen Of Bright and Shiny Things was something I never knew I needed to read until now. Ann Aguirre had breathed life onto this book and it had felt as though it was my own words wrapped into a lovely prose. Connection is something I often feel towards books, but with The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things, it was different, much stronger even. There's no word for it, but it feels like .. serendipity, perhaps?
On ...more
On ...more

When you see the cover of The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things you probably think bubbly contemporary romance – I know I did. I’m all for the cute YA romances these days so I picked it up thinking I would probably enjoy it, but I never expected an true emotional connection! So while this book was cute in some parts and the main characters, Sage and Shane, were “awwh” inspiring, the book wasn’t just ponies and rainbows and everything nice.
...more

Pages Read: 50ish
I actually DNFed this a couple of days ago, so I'm a little blurry on the exact reasons, but here's the short version:
1) The MC is the bad kind of judgmental, aka she doesn't seem to realize how mean she is. Also, she insulted Gillian's hair, which is fabulous.
2) The central conceit that her best friend was pretending to be dating her so that he could engage in a sexual relationship with a 21 year old who thought he was 19 skeeves me out. He's making that girl a statutory rapist ...more
I actually DNFed this a couple of days ago, so I'm a little blurry on the exact reasons, but here's the short version:
1) The MC is the bad kind of judgmental, aka she doesn't seem to realize how mean she is. Also, she insulted Gillian's hair, which is fabulous.
2) The central conceit that her best friend was pretending to be dating her so that he could engage in a sexual relationship with a 21 year old who thought he was 19 skeeves me out. He's making that girl a statutory rapist ...more

My favorite thing about this was the teenagers acting like teenagers without acting like what adults think teenagers act like. These teenagers had been abused, neglected, and had suffered major trauma, but were trying to be better. They overreacted, they made poor choices, but it wasn't because they were stupid or weren't taking things seriously. It was because they're teenagers. I remember being 16 vividly. I remember how important everything was and how I felt everything as if it was magnified
...more

MY THOUGHTS
Sage moved to Farmdale three years ago and changed everything about herself. She now tries to make at least one person smile each day by putting a post it with a postiive message on a locker in sparkly pen when she knows someone needs it most. She hasn't had an easy life and moving in with her aunt has given her a new chance at life that she doesn't want to mess up. Nicknamed "princess" because of her attitude, she has stayed away from friendships, except with Ryan, who she thinks is ...more
Sage moved to Farmdale three years ago and changed everything about herself. She now tries to make at least one person smile each day by putting a post it with a postiive message on a locker in sparkly pen when she knows someone needs it most. She hasn't had an easy life and moving in with her aunt has given her a new chance at life that she doesn't want to mess up. Nicknamed "princess" because of her attitude, she has stayed away from friendships, except with Ryan, who she thinks is ...more

The publisher provided me a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for a honest and unbiased review.
Sage is seriously amazing. Everyday she looks for someone who has had a bad day and leaves compliments and words of encouragement on a post it note of their locker. I wish I was still in high school because I would have stolen this idea. Sage is kind and quick to forgive. Even though she may have her days, she tries to be the better person.
Then there is the new kid, Shane. Sage is almost imme ...more
Sage is seriously amazing. Everyday she looks for someone who has had a bad day and leaves compliments and words of encouragement on a post it note of their locker. I wish I was still in high school because I would have stolen this idea. Sage is kind and quick to forgive. Even though she may have her days, she tries to be the better person.
Then there is the new kid, Shane. Sage is almost imme ...more

4.25 STARS
The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things delivered so much more than I expected. To be honest, when this was released a few years ago it didn’t make much of a blip on my radar. It wasn’t until I saw a review by a trusted blogger friend that it truly caught my attention and convinced me I had to read this one. And thank goodness I did because I was gifted with a warm, funny, heartfelt, and genuinely emotional story of a girl doing her very best to overcome a devastating past and become the ...more
The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things delivered so much more than I expected. To be honest, when this was released a few years ago it didn’t make much of a blip on my radar. It wasn’t until I saw a review by a trusted blogger friend that it truly caught my attention and convinced me I had to read this one. And thank goodness I did because I was gifted with a warm, funny, heartfelt, and genuinely emotional story of a girl doing her very best to overcome a devastating past and become the ...more

Dec 23, 2013
mith
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
contemporary,
in-betweeners,
school-setting,
kindle-or-ebook,
arcs,
reviewed,
2015-publication,
standalone
Initial Reaction
I LOVED THIS BOOK.
Which, believe it or not, is a surprise! Because this is a contemporary! And because I wasn't the biggest fan of the Enclaved series! And because I never thought this would make me kick my legs in sheer happiness and 03:30 in the morning. Not squealing over bands and songs mentioned in the book.
Oh yes, this was a real surprise to me.
My only faults with this book would be the writing. Otherwise, 4.25 stars because I'm picky like that.
Review (I guess?)
O ...more
I LOVED THIS BOOK.
Which, believe it or not, is a surprise! Because this is a contemporary! And because I wasn't the biggest fan of the Enclaved series! And because I never thought this would make me kick my legs in sheer happiness and 03:30 in the morning. Not squealing over bands and songs mentioned in the book.
Oh yes, this was a real surprise to me.
My only faults with this book would be the writing. Otherwise, 4.25 stars because I'm picky like that.
Review (I guess?)
O ...more

ARC provided by author/publisher in exchange of honest review
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The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things by Anne Aguirre is the second book that I have read from this author. The setting of this book takes place in High School. Either you had fond memories of high school or it was the place you couldn't wait to get out. Let's face it, its all about cliques and the place where you begin to realize and find your identity and voice. And in Anne Aguirre's latest novel, she tackles on the subj ...more
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The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things by Anne Aguirre is the second book that I have read from this author. The setting of this book takes place in High School. Either you had fond memories of high school or it was the place you couldn't wait to get out. Let's face it, its all about cliques and the place where you begin to realize and find your identity and voice. And in Anne Aguirre's latest novel, she tackles on the subj ...more

This review can also be found on A Thousand Lives Lived, check it out for more!
I can't even comprehend my thoughts or organize my thinking at the moment, honestly. Speechlessness? That's a sure factor of enjoying a book so much (or horribly loathing it). But since I actually completed it and can't stop thinking about it, then I'm pretty sure that we're at the so-in-love moment of a book hangover. I'm not sure if I'm able to read anything else after this for a few... years. The Queen of Bright an ...more
I can't even comprehend my thoughts or organize my thinking at the moment, honestly. Speechlessness? That's a sure factor of enjoying a book so much (or horribly loathing it). But since I actually completed it and can't stop thinking about it, then I'm pretty sure that we're at the so-in-love moment of a book hangover. I'm not sure if I'm able to read anything else after this for a few... years. The Queen of Bright an ...more

YA contemporary doesn't always do it for me. But, when I received THE QUEEN OF BRIGHT AND SHINY THINGS from the awesome folks at Mac Kids, and noticed that it was Ann Aguirre's newest book, I knew I had to give it a go. And, I am so happy I did. I was so impressed by the characters in this book and what they stood for and HOW they stood for it. Only 50 pages in, I was wishing I could get high schoolers in my district to read this book. They need to read this. Book.
"You're the one who makes m ...more
"You're the one who makes m ...more

The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things is the first contemporary that I have read by Ann Aguirre and I absolutely loved this book. I wasn’t sure what to expect going in considering the series I love by Aguirre is an apocalyptic series with plague and zombies…this is not that.
Sage Czinski is good at pretending everything is fine and great. She is known at school as “princess” and every day she makes a point to put a post it note on someone’s locker that looks like they need some cheering up. What e ...more
Sage Czinski is good at pretending everything is fine and great. She is known at school as “princess” and every day she makes a point to put a post it note on someone’s locker that looks like they need some cheering up. What e ...more

I thought this book was really beautiful.. It's the kind that makes you believe in happy moments and good in the world. I did not expect such a feeling with this book.
This book is about Sage, a high school student who is living with her aunt and trying to stay as positive as she can. The arrival of a new student, Shade Cavendish, turns her days into something she did not expect. The few acts of caring she offers to him bring them closer. However, both of their world are not perfect, as much as t ...more
This book is about Sage, a high school student who is living with her aunt and trying to stay as positive as she can. The arrival of a new student, Shade Cavendish, turns her days into something she did not expect. The few acts of caring she offers to him bring them closer. However, both of their world are not perfect, as much as t ...more

THE FEELS!!! I didn't expect to love this book!
When I first saw this book I thought, oh my gosh! That cover is gorgeous! And that title? Sounds like a keeper. So without reading the blurb, I got a copy of the book.
At first, I felt excited. I genuinely liked Sage Czinski. I thought the story was going to be about her romance with Ryan but then I met the swoony Shane Cavendish.
This book isn't extraordinary but the way it was written just reeled me in. Basically, it's about two teens with troubled ...more
When I first saw this book I thought, oh my gosh! That cover is gorgeous! And that title? Sounds like a keeper. So without reading the blurb, I got a copy of the book.
At first, I felt excited. I genuinely liked Sage Czinski. I thought the story was going to be about her romance with Ryan but then I met the swoony Shane Cavendish.
This book isn't extraordinary but the way it was written just reeled me in. Basically, it's about two teens with troubled ...more

MY OPINION: *****
Wow. Just wow.
This book was so beautiful, so wonderful, so amazing.
I love these one-day reads!
Well, technically, I finished after midnight, but it still counts.
Anyways, this book was definitely one of the best books I've read this summer, if not this year. It's definitely one of my favorite books now...
This book is about a girl named Sage (what a beautiful name) who has had a hard past. She now lives with her Aunt Gabby and goes to high school dubbed as "Princess Post-It" becaus ...more
Wow. Just wow.
This book was so beautiful, so wonderful, so amazing.
I love these one-day reads!
Well, technically, I finished after midnight, but it still counts.
Anyways, this book was definitely one of the best books I've read this summer, if not this year. It's definitely one of my favorite books now...
This book is about a girl named Sage (what a beautiful name) who has had a hard past. She now lives with her Aunt Gabby and goes to high school dubbed as "Princess Post-It" becaus ...more

More Reviews Here: Readers Live A Thousand Lives
This book knocked me on my ass. It sounded good and I expected to like it, but I did not expect to love it as much as I did. This book was everything. It was sweet and funny and heartbreaking and adorable and quirky and just everything. It’s the kind of book that had me flailing and squealing.
I absolutely adored Sage. She strives so hard to bring positivity into the world. She wants to be a better person and a good person. She has always been quiet ...more
This book knocked me on my ass. It sounded good and I expected to like it, but I did not expect to love it as much as I did. This book was everything. It was sweet and funny and heartbreaking and adorable and quirky and just everything. It’s the kind of book that had me flailing and squealing.
I absolutely adored Sage. She strives so hard to bring positivity into the world. She wants to be a better person and a good person. She has always been quiet ...more

3.5/5
The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things is almost too perfect because she's almost too perfect. I suppose that's the point- that appearance can be deceiving; that she-he-they aren't just what they present themselves as.
Because there's a layer of dark here, yet it's one that's not rendered overwrought. Here, both protagonists operate in a frame of reference that's colored by experience; and while it's the dark that's most apparent, its their response that that establishes how the two are simul ...more
The Queen of Bright and Shiny Things is almost too perfect because she's almost too perfect. I suppose that's the point- that appearance can be deceiving; that she-he-they aren't just what they present themselves as.
Because there's a layer of dark here, yet it's one that's not rendered overwrought. Here, both protagonists operate in a frame of reference that's colored by experience; and while it's the dark that's most apparent, its their response that that establishes how the two are simul ...more
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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ann Aguirre has been a clown, a clerk, a savior of stray kittens, and a voice actress, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in Mexico with her family. She writes all kinds of genre fiction, but she has an eternal soft spot for a happily ever after.
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“I don't know how to be a boyfriend," he warns me.
I cock a brow at him, smiling. "That's too bad...since I have a PhD in girlfriendology from the University of So Many Feelings.”
—
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I cock a brow at him, smiling. "That's too bad...since I have a PhD in girlfriendology from the University of So Many Feelings.”
“I've had so many people leave, but this is the first time anyone's come back.”
—
8 likes
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