Read Me Like a Book

by Liz Kessler

Ashleigh Walker is in love. You know the feeling - that intense, heart-racing, all-consuming emotion that can only come with first love. It's enough to stop her worrying about bad grades at college. Enough to distract her from her parents' marriage troubles. There's just one thing bothering her . . .

Shouldn't it be her boyfriend, Dylan, who makes her feel this way - not Miss Murray, her English teacher?

A thought-provoking coming out story from a highly skilled author.

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

296 pages, Hardcover

First published May 14, 2015

About the author

Liz Kessler is the author of three novels about Philippa Fisher as well as the NEW YORK TIMES best-selling Emily Windsnap series. She lives in Manchester, England.

Reviews

[Maximiliano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hoy a la mañana, cuando empecé el libro lo hice pensando que me iba a encontrar un romance lésbico alumna-profesora y es que ¿no les da la sensación de que la sinopsis plantea eso? Ahora lo cierto es que el libro no trata de eso y si lo van a leer buscando ese tipo de relación, van a salir muy decepcionados...
Read Me Like a Book es una historia de autodescubrimiento y de aceptación. De romance hay poco y nada (y a decir verdad, tampoco es la gran cosa) pero sí analiza un par de aspectos interesantes sobre la vida de los adolescentes. Lo que más me gustó del libro fue como la autora trabajó las escenas con Miss Murray y como logró desenvolver las cosas siendo realista y fiel a sus personajes.

Lo recomiendo pero también recomiendo que no se cierren la cabeza a lo que dice la sinopsis porque puede que no terminen disfrutando mucho la historia :)

Ya sé que no sirvo para reseñar y menos cuando son las dos de la mañana y se me cierran los ojos pero quería aclarar mi temita con la sinopsis

[Cora Tea Party Princess · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 Words: family, school, friendship, growing-up, coming-out.

Aww man, I've got the warm fuzzies.

I have admit that I wasn't really feeling it at the beginning. I couldn't settle in to the story. But I stuck with it. And I'm so glad that I did. Because this book is amazing. It is so SO good.

I didn't like Ash very much in the beginning, and while I still didn't love her by the end, she'd definitely grown on me. She's one of the best written teenage characters I have read, and every action rang true. I could actually relate to her quite a bit.

I loved that the author wasn't afraid to have non-perfect A Level results. Social pressure to get AAA at A Level is soul destroying, especially when it just doesn't happen for most people. But this author tackled that, and what happens when you don't get the results that you wished for.

In fact, this author tackled a lot of different things in this relatively short book. There was a bit of everything, from fancying your teacher to tanking your exams, falling out with your best friend and trying to kiss another, thinking you're pregnant to realising you're gay... And she did it so wonderfully. The friendships were real and relatable, the misunderstandings totally understandable, and the prejudices left me feeling indignant with rage. It's difficult not to get caught up in this book, in Ash's story.

Overall this is a WONDERFUL book. The narrator is exceptional (even if not totally likeable for me) and the issues tackled are dealt with fantastically.

I received a copy of this for free via NetGalley for review purposes.

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Hachette Children's Group and NetGalley.)

“I want to kiss her neck. I don’t know if I can stop myself.”

This was a YA coming of age story, about a girl who discovers that she likes girls more than boys.

Ash was quite a mixed up character, she didn’t really know what she wanted, and got sucked up in other people’s plans and ideas, even if she didn’t really want to do what they wanted to do.

The storyline in this was about Ash having a boyfriend for the first time, and preferring her female English teacher to him. We got a pregnancy scare and some shoplifting, but to be honest this book didn’t hold my attention very well at all, and I did get a bit fed-up of it.

The ending to this was okay, and I was pleased that Ash finally got a backbone and stood up and admitted who she was and who she liked.



6 out of 10

[♫✯Em loves Hollenstein✯♫❤the summertime and butterflies all belong to your creation❤ · Rating 5 out of 5]

i just read the whole book in one sitting.

incredible. no words

Though I think it a tad unhelpful that we were never told what Ash looked like. Made it hard to visualise some of it. I just imagined everything from her point of view, but the teacher was never described either. Nor was Dylan, Luke or Robyn. So that's one thing I would change.

[Danii Allen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Honestly, this book just made me angry. (Vague spoilers ahead.)

Ash is a horrible main character, who thinks and acts like a child. She's supposed to be 17 and in sixth-form, but this book honestly feels like it was written about a 13 year old. I don't know what school this author attended, but at least in my experience, people in sixth form want to be there. You have to get certain grades to get in, and you pick out three or four subjects that you love and want to study further. Ash's experience of sixth form seems to be a game of how much can I bunk off and piss off the head teacher without getting suspended. That's just... not how it goes. Maybe when you're 13 and forced to go to school and don't understand the power of education yet, but not at 17 in voluntary further education.

And Ash is possibly one of the most self-centred characters I've ever had the displeasure of reading about. She's whiny and snotty and juvenile, and in every situation she jumps to the first conclusion without any consideration. Plus, every single supporting character felt just like that - that they were only there to facilitate Ash's whining. They didn't at all exist outside of Ash's narrative. Dylan was pointless, and a douchebag. Cat was the stereotype of the rebellious best friend. Robyn was potentially a mildly interesting character, but she was also a stereotype. Luke literally didn't exist. Ash introduced him as one of her longest and closest friends right at the start of the book, but she doesn't ever talk to him throughout the story unless he happens to be stood in front of her. And he's only there to facilitate the bullshit friends-fighting-over-a-boy story, but not really. Miss Murray was bland, and every time it felt like something interesting might happen surrounding her, it didn't. And Ash's parents just sucked. Everything they said was petty and stupid and they weren't even slightly believable. I did like Jayce, as his storyline almost had some plausibility, and he was a likeable character, but I don't think liking one single character in a book where I hate the rest could redeem this.

I've read through quite a lot of reviews for this book, and I haven't seen anyone else mention the blatant disregard with which the topic of unprotected sex/potential pregnancy is handled. Ash is a virgin. She randomly meets a boy at a party, talks to him a little, they exchange numbers and go on... two(???) dates, and then they have unprotected sex at a party. This kind of thing happens, yes, but Ash is not that kind of character. Now, the unprotected part. Ash is a virgin. Ash is not swept away in the moment, causing her to forget to use a condom (she honestly seemed like she couldn't care less about the sex, which I suppose is supposed to be a precursor to the whole gay thing but... she should have thought about implications). It's not until after they've had sex that Ash realises it was unprotected, and has a minor freak out, and then does NOTHING ABOUT IT. This made me so fucking angry. It is not enough to freak out (out loud) to your boyfriend that he might have given you AIDS or chlamydia, have him laugh it off (reminder that Dylan is a douchebag) and go on with your life. She doesn't go to the doctor for a morning-after pill. She doesn't get STI tested. She just waits, freaks out some more when her period is late, waits some more, doesn't take a pregnancy test, even when her best friend brings her one (she didn't even have to go out and buy one and she still doesn't take it), and waits some fucking more. This whole situation was handled so poorly. Not to mention when Ash tells her teacher. Hello, note to author: if you have a student telling a teacher they think they might be pregnant... MAYBE have that teacher advise the student to see a doctor, jesus fucking christ. I'm so angry.

Oh I also hate the front cover with a passion. It's beautiful, sure, but it's a fucking lie. Sex sells(!!!)

This book, done well, had the potential to be one of my favourite books ever. I love the taboo nature of student-teacher relationships (spoiler: there isn't one), the added angst of that relationship (non-existent) being a queer one, where one of the characters is discovering her sexuality for the first time. But no. It was a bullshit story about a boring, frustrating character (who, by the way, didn't seem queer to me at all. As someone who is queer, and has read a lot of queer fiction, I can tell you that the feelings in this book don't reflect real life), with some vague, mostly untalked about hints of queerness, and her family drama. Not worth the effort.

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a great LGBT+ book, I really loved the progression of Ash's feelings and identity and the other plot points really fleshed out the book and made it such a great representation of the stresses of teenage life. Ash was so easily to love, and her situation was so realistic, I was amazed! 100% would recommend, especially since I don't see that many lesbian main characters in YA, and that's definitely something I like to see more of, as gay main characters become more prominent too.

[Chelsea (chelseadolling reads) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm really grumpy at this book bc false advertising. Grrrrrr.

[Abi Ainley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was going to give this book 4 stars but the more I think about it, the more I believe it needs 5 stars just for what it's managed to do through the use of relatable characters and fabulously quirky writing. "What the heck has it done?" I hear you ask. Well, nothing short of everything we've all been asking YA books to do for a long time...
-It accurately portrayed the feelings of realising that you like the same sex. (That's how I - and I'm pretty sure most people - found out. It was like going back in time to when I was realising I liked a girl and all the confusion and awkwardness.)
-It included first time sex and didn't do it ridiculously "scandalously".
-Best of all, it included gay people without going completely over-the-top or treating it like its something special.

There was so much comedy in this book; I had a field trip. There were some really obscure lines as well and a lot of sarcastic humour, which is right down my street. I love how she manages to combine the light-hearted comedy with the serious troubles throughout the book. I'm not sure how, but neither the comedy nor the seriousness were compromised at any point and both were pretty much on point. I laughed out loud almost every page (I'm not exaggerating; I embarrassed my friend by laughing at it in public whilst we were reading together. No regrets.) and the pages where I didn't laugh were the pages where I trembled and got watery-eyed.

I also loved how from the beginning to the end, through realising she was gay, Ash went from a girl who did everything because you're "supposed to", to a girl who did things that she wanted to do and was open to the world. And, also quite accurately, new-found happiness came with her opening up. She made friends she might have otherwise ignored, she was more interested in everything around her, and, most importantly, she learnt to love herself for who she is.

To be honest, this book should be part of every teenager's life, whatever sexuality and gender. It would also be a great read for anyone who might be struggling with self-acceptance or self-love. Totally fine with yourself and your life? Well then it's just a fun, light-hearted and touching read. My only qualm with this book was there wasn't enough of it! I honestly could have read this book for another 500+ pages without getting bored!

Thank you Liz Kessler for bringing this to the book community!

[Marc D. ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5 estrellas.

No fue una maravilla ni lo que esperaba (creo que eso es lo que más me tocó afrontar), pero casi al final fue mejorando y me terminó gustando cuando pensé que nada lo podía sacar a flote.

[Natasha Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reseñado en mi blog Nanny Books

Hay tanto que decir, que me he tomado mi tiempo para digerir esta lectura. No he querido venir corriendo a contarles qué me ha parecido, me he tomado un buen rato, pues quería ver qué tanto era hype y cuanto calidad narrativa. Así que prepárate para una reseña inusualmente larga.

Hay libros que no aguantan una narración en primera persona, las tramas son ligeras y los personajes solo siguen un guión de niños de primaria. Generalmente, el problema reside en que la narración eclipsa el argumento, haciendo que todo gire en torno a los sentimientos del protagonista. Bien, aquí tenemos un poco de esto y un poco de aquello otro.

Ash es una protagonista insoportable. Podemos perdonarle algunas cosas debido a las muchas situaciones que está sufriendo. Pero, aún así, el saldo es negativo. Es imposible apiadarse de ella, completamente egoísta y desentendida de todo. Sin embargo, hay pequeños signos de evolución (muy pequeños, pero variados) que van cayendo ya después de la segunda mitad del libro.

Algo que me gustaría aclarar desde un principio es que no se dejen llevar por la sinopsis que parece plantear una relación de amor entre profesora y alumna bastante cuestionable. En la historia todo tiene un por qué y se deja llevar a los márgenes adecuados. No hay nada chocante ni extraño. Pero claro, seguro esa premisa vende mucho.

Y es que el principio está tan lejos del problema principal, que parece que las páginas no pasaran. Se hace eterno. Pero cuando empieza a tomar ritmo saltan muchas cosas a la luz, problemáticas que, en mayor o menor medida, van girando alrededor de nuestra protagonista. Se hacen un hueco en el argumento y se quedan. Con romances bien distribuidos que no llegan a ser pesados, ni que quedan en el centro de atención todo el tiempo.

Problemas familiares. Las disputas entre padres son muy comunes, incluso las que llegan al divorcio. Esto es algo que a mí me sensibiliza mucho, seguramente porque soy una tonta que no se hace a la idea de que sus propios padres hayan tomado rumbos distintos. Pero eso ya es rollo mío. También entran en este punto, los problemas de padres e hijos. Que los hay por varias razones: incomprensión de decisiones laborales, educativas, sexuales, etc.

Amistades dudosas. Quien nunca haya sido traicionado por un amigo que levante la mano. Pues si levantaste la mano eres muy afortunado. Muy. Es algo muy común en la época escolar. Claro que a veces, de una pelea se desata un rumor y del rumor pronto tenemos acoso escolar. También por sentirse aceptado una hace tonterías. Un claro ejemplo de eso es Ash y su amiga Cat, que no tienen nada en la cabeza cuando van juntas y hacen puras tonterías para probarse... ¿nada?

La baja autoestima, la primera vez teniendo relaciones sexuales y el embarazo adolescente. Puntos calientes que abordan infinidad de libros hoy en día. Es de lo que más se habla. Pero, ¿qué pasa cuando no disfrutas del sexo? ¿Cuándo lo haces con la persona equivocada y por las razones equivocadas? Tenemos varios personajes que se mueven en el plano sentimental intentando encontrar a un alguien que les corresponda como ellos quieren y las actitudes que toman son muy distintas. Este abanico que se abre, nos deja ver los diferentes procesos por los cuales atraviesa un adolescente en busca de su identidad.


LGBT y el descubrimiento de la sexualidad. Dentro de este nuevo movimiento de la literatura por la diversidad, abundan las novelas con protagonistas masculinos homosexuales, pero los femeninos escasean. Así que leer sobre esto en Read me like a book, de una manera tan sencilla y sin rodeos, es reconfortante. Seguramente ayude a comprenderlo más y como dice una amiga: a que el amor no viene en paquetes de fábrica (y vaya a saber Dios a que mierda se refiere).

Tendremos dos experiencias de "salir del armario", ambas con finales parecidos y a la vez distintos. Y la novela no mostrará un cambio repentino y el grito de guerra de orgullo gay como si fuese esa la meta. Aquí ambos personajes lograrán explorar su sexualidad, entenderse y aceptarse, en un proceso largo y enriquecedor, antes de tomar la decisión de declararse abiertamente homosexuales para con sus amigos y parientes. Esto le brinda mucha más realidad a la historia y apoyo a los lectores que estén pasando por una situación similar.

Me hubiera gustado que muchos otros temas que se nombran o se dejan ver levemente tomaran más profundidad. Seguramente desde una narración en tercera persona se podría haber alcanzado esto. Pero, el mejor efecto es descubrir como todo va cambiando en la vida de Ash, muy lentamente, sin que ella se de cuenta, hasta que logra mirarse al espejo y encontrarse de verdad.

Por último, me encanta cómo se trata la concepción Literaria en las clases y en los trabajos que enfrenta la protagonista. Ojalá muchos docentes supieran despabilar un aula de esa forma, mostrando su pasión por la materia que enseñan. Y esto también es un rollo mío.

Read me like a book es una novela fresca que juega con fuego sin quemarse, con un ritmo lento al comienzo y trepidante hacia el final, al que le faltaría un poco más de calidad narrativa, pero que engancha igualmente por la cantidad de problemáticas que toca. Interesante, con pasajes divertidos, con una realidad que no puede ocultarse detrás de historias Disney. Recomendado para todos aquellos lectores que aman, sin importar las etiquetas.

[Claire (Book Blog Bird) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ashleigh Walker is in love. You know the feeling - that intense, heart-racing, all-consuming emotion that can only come with first love. It's enough to stop her worrying about bad grades at college. Enough to distract her from her parents' marriage troubles. There's just one thing bothering her . . .

Shouldn't it be her boyfriend, Dylan, who makes her feel this way - not Miss Murray, her English teacher?

This was kind of a nice book about one girl’s experience of firstly realising she likes girls and then coming out.

The characterisation was okay - I really liked Ashleigh and felt invested in her story. I also liked her relationship with her mum and thought it was very realistic as well as very positive. I could see fairly early on what was going to happen with old Dylan - as soon as he shoved his hand up Ashleigh’s top on their first date it was pretty obvious he was going to be cast aside in short order.

The plot itself revolves firstly around Ashleigh developing a massive crush on her English teacher (which is actually done pretty slowly and realistically) then realising she’s gay and coming to terms with this as well as getting over her crush on Miss Murray (which I think happened a bit quickly). It’s pretty sparse in terms of Stuff Actually Happening, but itstill managed to keep me reading.

I think the thing I liked most about it was Ashleigh’s journey of self-realisation and the way she comes out to her family. It was really positive and although she faced some negative reactions, she stayed true to who she was.

The only criticism I’d have is that I’d like to have seen her relationship with Miss Murray developed further. Ashleigh develops an infatuation with Miss Murray (and at parts it’s kind of a creepy infatuation) but to add tension I would have liked to see things going further between them rather than the flirtation they have. I get that Miss Murray was pivotal in making Ashleigh realise she liked girls, but I think more could have actually happened.

All in all, this was a pretty sweet book and although the plot was a bit thin on the ground it was still a decent read.

[Evelyn Torres · Rating 1 out of 5]

Decepcion total este libro, por lo que, claramente va a estar lleno de spoilers esta reseña y queda en cada uno leerla o no.

Cuando lei la sinopsis de este libro me parecio muy interesante, una chica que se enamora de su profesora de literatura, mientras sale con Dylan, un chico que conocio recientemente. Realmente me parecia interesante porque no sabia que iba a pasar o como lo iba a tratar la autora, pero sinceramente esta llena de NO, NO, NO esta historia.

Empezando por el supuesto novio de la protagonista: Dylan. Un chico que conoce, con el que no esta segura de tener relaciones y que terminan haciendolo, cuando claramente ella no esta segura. Y despues se dan cuenta que no usaron condones Y A ÉL NO LE IMPORTA, NI SIQUIERA ENTIENDE PRÁCTICAMENTE PORQUE ES IMPORTANTE.

Ni hablemos del hecho que despues la protagonista no esta segura si esta embarazada o no, Y A PESAR DE DUDAR, TARDA SEMANAS EN HACERSE UNA PRUEBA DE EMBARAZO. Que claramente, termina sin estar embarazada, pero todo lo que incluye a Ash y Dylan, esta mal y deja una impresion TAN erronea en los lectores si no estan informados. Y su relacion de mierda de un mes, que ni sentido le veo que aparezca en la historia.

Despues esta los problemas familiares de Ash, sus padres pelean durante 80% del libro, para al final divorciarse y que dos dias despues el padre salga con otra mujer. Sinceramente el tema de los padres fue lo mas aburrido y estupido, despues de lo de Dylan.

Pero si a eso, le sumamos que la nueva mujer del padre de Ash, tiene un hijo de maso menos la misma edad de la protagonista, y que quizas podria insinuar que algo podria pasar entre ellos, pero OH SORPRESA, descubrimos que ese chico tambien es gay. Y lo mejor es al final, cuando ambos deciden decirles a sus padres que son gays EN LA FIESTA DE CUMPLEAÑOS.

ES QUE NO ENTIENDO ESTE LIBRO. NO ENTIENDO. Y EL FINAL. EL FINAL CHICOS. UNA CAGADA Y MENOS REALISTA IMPOSIBLE.

Lo unico que safaba era la historia con la señorita Murray, que claramente ni se desarrollo porque ella le corta el rostro.

[Tilly Booth · Rating 1 out of 5]

I hate to say that I did not enjoy this beautiful looking book. I picked this book up because LOOK AT THAT STUNNING COVER. I read the blurb and it sounded okay. I liked the way it sounded but and I decided that it was either going to amazing or terrible.

A young girl is in love with her new boyfriend. Then she starts to get feelings for her female, school teacher, Miss Murray.

I did not like the characters in this book. I didn't connect with any of the characters and I really, really wanted to. It was described that Ashely, the main character, is in love with her boyfriend. I honestly, did not feel any connection between the characters. I'm not sure if that was purposely done to show that she didn't really love him or not but I couldn't find any, tiny zap of love. Not even when Ashely began to talk to Miss Murray.

By the first third of the book I started to skim chapters. Maybe that makes this review invalid but I just could not keep going. There wasn't anything to captivate me anymore. The plot was predictable. The writing was very bland.

I was disappointed but I will be showing this cover off because It's so beautiful.

Unfortunately, this book gets 1 out of 5.

[Rhian Ivory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ash has a lot on her plate – warring parents, changeable feelings towards her new boyfriend Dylan, college work piling up, verbal warnings issued and to top it all a new English teacher to get used to. Her life is dominated by the very strong presence of her best friend Cat; house parties with her other close friend Luke and dates with Dylan after which she’s left with strange and unexpected feelings. So there’s definitely no time in her busy schedule for reading Wuthering Heights but the new English teacher Miss Murray breathes life into the novel Ash was ready to give up on. In fact Miss Murray does a lot more than that, she breathes life into Ash who has been operating on autopilot for some time.

‘You can see how her compliments make people feel. It’s like she switches a light on inside their eyes.’

Miss Murray’s arrival in Ash’s life coincides with an escalation in the arguments between her parents, a growing divide between Ash and Cat and the realisation that it isn’t Dylan she wants to be kissing. We’re only a few steps ahead of Ash as she starts to find out who she is and what she wants from life. Ash uncovers new possibilities when she meets Miss Murray forcing Ash to ask herself some big and awkward questions. Kessler doesn’t readily equip Ash with the ability to answer all the questions but instead allows her the strength and space to at least try and work some of them out.

‘Am I going to spend the rest of my life sneaking round, pretending to be something I’m not?’

Liz Kessler writes about people trying to work out who they are in an open, honest and unpredictable manner. I made assumptions about the choices I thought Ash would make but had to sit back and let the story unfold rather than try to jump ahead and work out where it would go and this made the book even more enjoyable.

I’m always looking out for really good novels to recommend to librarians, teachers and teen readers and Read me Like a Book is going to the top of the pile. This coming of age and coming out novel should be read, talked about and passed around much like Judy Blume’s iconic Forever. I can easily imagine readers discussing the issues raised about sexuality, friendship, families and identity whilst folding down certain pages. I found myself underlining passages which reflected universal themes about life as a teenager because Kessler deals with the real world, there’s no fade to black and she doesn’t leave the reader with a mass of unanswered questions, she really does tell it like it is. In this novel Ash is allowed to make mistakes, take risks and do the things a lot of readers might wish they could do too as they try and find their place in the world. As Ash says ‘the world is a lot bigger than I am’ but with novels like Read me Like a Book the world doesn’t seem like such a big and scary place any more.

[Georgia (The Bibliomaniac Book Blog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. So brilliant. I wish there could have been a way for my younger self to read this.

[hazel · Rating 2 out of 5]

i will not read her like a book again. it wasn’t a very good one.

[Kelsey van Dillen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The coming-out part is wonderful, I really liked it. The rest of the story, not so much. The writing was quite distant. Emotions and feelings of happiness were not coming through. Between Dylan and Ash things are sooo weird and a lot of things that take place in the book have no value for the story whatsoever. The ending was great though. And the cover too, I like the contrast between the colorful graffiti and the monochrome girl.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The idea of this book is good. Really, it is but the actual story isn't.. at least in my opinion.
Sure, it covers a range of issues such as dealing with your sexuality, teenage pregnancy, relationships, parents, friendships, crushes on teachers ect. But it just tried to fit too much in..
Also, for most of the story the main character was really quite annoying and superficial.
I actually physically threw this book on the floor at one point because I was that annoyed with it.

[Katie (Kitkatscanread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really good story about a girl who is coming to terms with her inner sexuality.
It was honestly beautiful at times.
The story also faces real life issues like a child dealing with their parents split.
It was raw and realistic.
I definitely recommend.

[Kirsten Amann · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a very straight gay book. When I found out the author is gay it genuinely surprised me because the gay protagonist really didn't read as gay other than the times where she was literally kissing a girl or thinking about Ms. Murray. I didn't find Ashleigh relatable at all and it was more than a character who I wouldn't get along with in real life, I did not enjoy being inside her head. This book was broken up into three sections and honestly they felt like three totally different books. The climax was the only vaguely exciting part of the story. And honestly I think it should have ended 40 pages earlier than it did. I'm not impressed with this one, the only reason I finished it is because my roommate really likes it and she was so excited when I agreed to read it.

[Male Lozano · Rating 2 out of 5]

No me gustó. Por suerte era fácil de leer y el final dentro de todo es bastante lindo. Pero nono la construcción de los personajes -10.

[Brenda Zlotolow · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars

Ashleigh es una adolescente como cualquier otra, tiene buenas amigas, padres que la aman y se preocupan por ella y un novio por el que toda chica moriría. Pero lo cierto es que esta vida tan perfecta que parecería tener poco a poco empieza a desmoronarse: peleas con Cat, su mejor amiga; discusiones en casa; sus padres al borde del divorcio; malas notas y muy poco entusiasmo respecto a su relación con Dylan. Lo único que parece estar bien en su vida es su clase de literatura, en particular, la Srta. Murray, su profesora que, sin entender porque la hace sentir tan bien y quien parece haberse convertido en la única persona cuya atención busca atraer y el único momento de la semana que realmente espera con ansias.

Esta es una novela contemporánea y LGBT que trata temas como la amistad, la familia, la sexualidad, el amor y por sobre todas las cosas, la identidad. En plena adolescencia, el libro siembra dudas en la protagonista y la expone a situaciones con las que cualquier lector podría fácilmente identificarse y que nos sitúan en una edad que está llena de cambios y preguntas. Es sumamente fácil de leer, llevadera, fresca y muy recomendable para leer entre lecturas más pesadas o densas.

Si bien en las primeras 100 páginas no pasa gran cosa, los problemas no tardan en aparecer, junto con las dudas y toda la transformación personal que la protagonista va experimentando que la lleva a conocerse y aceptarse tal como es. La evolución de Ashleigh me pareció acertada y me gustó como a través de este personaje vamos entendiendo todo lo que ocurre en una adolescente que de un día para el otro descubre que ya no le gustan las mismas cosas que antes, cosas que quizá en verdad nunca le gustaron, y como aprende a escucharse y a confiar en aquello que siente. Si bien no me gustó el final y creo que faltó en ese último capítulo mayor desarrollo para todo lo que, en forma algo abrupta ocurre, es un libro que disfruté mucho de leer y que recomiendo para todos aquellos a los que les gustan estos contemporáneos ligeros que plantean temáticas actuales y que no hacen más que hacernos pasar un buen rato de la mano de un lindo libro con una linda historia.

[Nai | Libros con(té) · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNFeado al 87,85% y eso porque traté de terminarlo, no quería dejar que el libro me ganara(?) Pero no, no pude, no pude aguantar más esta basuraaaaaaaaaa.



Malísimo.
Primero que te venden cualquier cosa en la sinopsis de la contraportada.
Segundo que lo de la temática lésbica o el planteo por parte de la protagonista sobre su identidad sexual aparece recién a las 150 páginas. Y hasta que se llega recién a ese punto hay que bancarse cada sarta de pelotudeces por parte tanto de la protagonista, como de la mejor amiga.
Y ni empecemos a hablar del tarado del novio...



No puedo empezar a explicar todo lo malo que vende este libro, desde insistir en tener sexo cuando la chica no está segura de si quiere o no, de tener sexo sin preservativo, desde reírse en la cara de ella cuando la protagonista se desespera porque se da cuenta que no se cuidaron al tener relaciones sexuales, desde que les llevó... no sé, dos segundos ponerse de novios como si fuese lo más normal del mundo, y así.
Por parte de la inmadura de la amiga también hay varios aspectos molestos pero sobre todo lo que más me incomodó fue la presión que esta le ponía, y la otra seguía con tal de sentirse "aceptada" por la mejor amiga, por ejemplo, robar en una tienda. O sea, qué. ???? Malísimo. MA-LÍ-SI-MO.

¡TIENEN DIECICIETE AÑOS! Dejen de pelotudeces y maduren. Gracias.
Literalmente, esto es calidad de bosta literaria, un gastadero de plata al pedo y el claro ejemplo de que se compra por la portada(?).



--- Reseña (con spoilers) en mi bookstagram: Libros con(té)

[Hija de Atenea · Rating 2 out of 5]

"El amor no discrimina y la ley no debería hacerlo. No en este país, no este mundo, no en esta vida." 🏳‍
REVIEW TIME! Read me like a book por Liz Kessler. ⭐⭐⭐ Siendo breve, la historia dentro de Read me like a book se trata de una chica que descubre que en realidad le gustan las chicas (nada nuevo) a partir de un enamoramiento con su nueva profesora de literatura, pero el libro en sí se basa en el autodescubrimiento de uno mismo, que somos más complejos de lo que nos imaginamos y que no tenemos respuestas siquiera para responder quienes somos porque uno nunca deja de aprender de uno mismo.
Creí que iba a amar este libro, pero la verdad es que faltó bastante para eso.
Rescato puntos positivos y otros que me hubiera gustado que se plantearan de manera diferente.
Si leíste la sinopsis te habrás imaginado una historia de amor entre alumna y profesora y lo cierto es que no es así.
Por un lado me gustó mucho el realismo y con el que se trato esta relacion. Admitamoslo, si la profesora hubiera cedido me hubiera imaginado la relación de Ezra y Aria (Pretty Little Liars) versión gay por el resto del libro. Me gustó el profesionalismo de la Señorita Murray.
Siento que la autora sofocó a la protagonista con todas las situaciones que los adolescente suelen llegar a vivir, TODO en menos de 300 páginas: amistad y conflictos, enamoramiento en todos los sentidos, la primera vez, un posible embarazo, problemas en la familia, entre otros como si fuera un gran surtido, solo faltaban las drogas.
La lectura fue bastante lenta hasta el punto al que en realidad ansiaba leer, casi al final, cuando ella acepta quién es y lo comparte con los demás.

Relaciono el titulo "Read me like a book" con que Ash, su mente y emociones, eran como un libro abierto que todo el mundo podía leer; combinando una referencia a la participación de la maestra de literatura en la historia. ¿Ya lo leyeron?

[Kirsty · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is the coming out story of Ashleigh. Ashleigh has been having a tough time at home as she's living with her parents as their marriage falls apart. As a result she's struggling and feeling a bit lost.


I like that the coming out part of this story comes as a surprise to even the main character and out of nowhere. Ashleigh assumes she is straight and as a consequence starts a new relationship with a boy. She only questions it when things with him don't go well when he starts treating her poorly, things go wrong and find herself turning to her new English teacher for help when it all gets too much. The attraction she suddenly finds she has to Miss Murrary comes out of nowhere and suddenly opens Ashleigh's eyes to what she actually wants in life and from a relationship. I liked what this book had to say about how Ashleigh came to realise she was gay and how those around her reacted in a range of ways and that Asheligh just had to decide to focus on those who supported her and ignore the views of those who did not.


The only thing that niggled me slightly with this book was the whole "oh we knew you were gay" reaction Ashleigh got from several people. It just niggled me that they clearly 'knew' when Ashleigh had no idea herself. It says something about stereotypes which I'm not sure I'm entirely comfortable with.


Apart from that niggle I thought it was an important and thoughtful book and a welcome addition to the YA market.

[Gretel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I did enjoy this quick read, I feel a little short-changed by the blurb. What I hoped for isn't what I got, but I was still pretty satisfied. The novel is easy to read and will not take eons to race through, but the voice of Ashleigh, the narrator, isn't all that convincing at times. Ashleigh is seventeen and in college, and although seventeen isn't the most wizened age, Ashleigh's voice felt as if it belonged to a much younger teen, and I felt as though her priorities were not always believable and some events happen and then are never talked about again, e.g. the perfume incident and the late period. What I feel short-changed over is the whole teacher-crush thing. Nothing really happens regarding the English teacher for more than half of the book. I hoped for more scandal, more danger, and found myself disappointed with the character of Miss Murray. Kessler didn't completely let me down though; I like that she turned it into a story of Ashleigh discovering her sexuality and turning it into a coming-out story, something we need more in YA fiction.

[Christina (A Reader of Fictions) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read Me Like a Book reminded me a bit of Looking for Alibrandi in tone. Ashleigh’s self-absorbed in a truly teen way, and she makes a lot of bad decisions. There’s a lot to like here, but the book is burdened by poor writing.

The characterization is decent, but not great. It’s a fairly plotless contemporary, but I found it a pretty quick read, especially while my other reads were big and dense. I did like the handling of the f/f teacher/student relationship, something I was worried about. They never actually do anything, though the teacher clearly flirts with the idea and with Ashleigh. The strongest relationship in the novel actually proved to be that of Ashleigh and her mother, rather than any sort of romantic relationship.

I liked Read Me Like a Book, but, for the most part, it’s mediocre and forgettable. It’s perhaps worth reading for the fact that it’s the only f/f teacher/student book out there, but I’m not sure if that’s enough. *shrugs*

[✟Roxanne✟(Death by Book Avalanche) ☠ · Rating 4 out of 5]

⚢⚢⚢⚢ 4 'Be True To You' Stars ❤

This was such a beautiful book, inside and out (just look at this gorgeous cover art) I could of done with having this book years ago!
Here we have our wonderful MC Ashleigh who is on a journey of self-discovery in the world of love. When things start to fall flat with her current boyfriend she turns to her teacher Miss Murray for help and support...little did Ashleigh know that friendship would turn into love.

A wonderful 'coming-out' story split into 3 sections following Ashleigh's bond with her teacher, the warm fuzzy feelings to ice cold heartbreak, this book will put you through the wringer...but in a good way!

I liked all of the characters and I found that it some ways I could relate to the story. The only downside for me was everyone 'knew' Ash was gay before she knew herself. This didn't sit too well with me...stereotyping maybe? Perhaps.

Overall, a great read!

[Janie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was gifted an ebook via Netgalley.
I was so disappointed in this book. I thought the premise sounded incredibly interesting and taboo. I wanted to see how this book handled not only LGBT issues, but also a teacher-student relationship. I felt that's what it was pitched as. Instead, it was a really disjointed story that didn't piece together very well and the LGBT really didn't come into play until closer to the end and seemed very rushed. The teacher-student relationship was basically one-sided and non-existent. That's good, in the sense of morality, but also was a letdown as per my expectations from the synopsis.


The characters were not fleshed out and the story was a whiplash of many different stories that didn't seem to work together. I was disgusted in Dylan's interactions with Ashleigh and that issue was sort of glossed over.

[Izzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always looking to discover and read more diverse books, particularly about LGBTQ+ characters, so when I came across this book, I decided to try it out. I thought the beginning was quite slow, but if you can stick with it, it's worth it. I also didn't really like Ash either, but it's not one of those books where you have to like the main character to be able to like the story. This is a very powerful book, and I already have Kessler's new book to read.