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The Things I Didn't Say
I hate the label Selective Mutism - as if I choose not to speak, like a child who refuses to eat broccoli. I've used up every dandelion wish since I was ten wishing for the power to speak whenever I want to. I'm starting to wonder if there are enough dandelions.
After losing her best friend that night, Piper Rhodes changes schools, determined that her final year will be different. She will be different. Then she meets West: school captain, star soccer player, the boy everyone talks about. Despite her fear of losing everything all over again, Piper falls in love - and West with her - without Piper ever speaking one word to him. But will it last?
After losing her best friend that night, Piper Rhodes changes schools, determined that her final year will be different. She will be different. Then she meets West: school captain, star soccer player, the boy everyone talks about. Despite her fear of losing everything all over again, Piper falls in love - and West with her - without Piper ever speaking one word to him. But will it last?
311 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2016
20 people are currently reading
1449 people want to read
About the author
Kylie Fornasier
5 books98 followersAs a teacher librarian, Kylie Foransier is in touch with what kids like to read, as well as being passionate about helping them enjoy that reading experience as much as she can. Kylie has won a number of writing awards, and already has a published chapter book and a soon-to-be published picture book with other major publishers. She is a strong believer in practicing what she preaches when it comes to her writing and so runs a writers' group with the NSW Writer's Centre and another in Penrith. Kylie lives in western Sydney.
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August 20, 2016
4.5 stars!
I've always wanted a book or movie about someone with selective mutism and now I just finished one. Some of you may know that I have selective mutism. I was diagnosed just before I started school so I was 4. It's weird being diagnosed with a social anxiety disorder at the age of 4.
Selective mutism is a disorder where it's basically impossible to talk to people. It's possible but it just feels impossible and people who don't suffer from SM will never understand how hard talking is. People with selective mutism are physically incapable of speaking in certain settings. For me that's everywhere, including my own home sometimes.
This really won't be review, it will kinda be a comparison. I'm going to compare Pipers struggles with my struggles just to show how greatly accurate the author portrays SM. I will talk about the story a little bit but I will be comparing her story to mine.
The main character Piper can only talk to her mum, dad, siblings, grandma, and some friends.
So it's clear she has severe SM.
I can only talk to my mum, siblings, grandma and that's it so I could relate to Piper a lot.
Piper was diagnosed at age 12 and spoke a little bit before that and I can't relate that much to that. All I was thinking about is how horrible it must be for people with SM who get diagnosed really late because everyone will just think they are stubborn and/or shy. I'm grateful I was diagnosed very early.
'This year can be different. It has to be different, because if it's not, then what sort of future will I have? How could I go to uni? How could I get a job?'
That line hit me hard because that problem is on my mind every single day. I think I can speak for everyone with SM when I say that when we get older and we have responsibilities to do, its a nightmare because we know we won't get normal and/or good jobs, schools sometimes won't accept us in, we know that we are going to need help all our lives or until we break free from this nightmarish disorder. The future is already scary enough but for us it feels double as scary.
"What if the job needs me to talk?" "I need to speak to be able to get the job I want"
It's just scary.
In this story, Piper starts at a new school and let me just say that that is the absolute worst for us.
I think this line will sum it up perfectly:
'"What's your name?" Where are you from?" "Did you hear me?" How many times am I going to be asked those questions today?'
I've been to 7 schools in my life and I've moved schools 6 times. When I was younger I was moved from school to school because my mum and the specialists had hope that I would talk. I've never once spoken at school. Starting at new schools is horrible. Usually mum tells the school principal about my problem and the principal usually tells all the staff about me. On the first day of school I will be asked "Hi, what's your name" by many students and teachers and I can't help but stand there and look at them and not talk, usually most students try again but give me a weird look and walk away but some stick around like West did in this book. Some keep trying and some say "it's alright, are you shy?" and I curse the damn teachers for not telling the students but I know I can't put that responsibility on teachers.
'"Have a good day. Remember, nobody knows you here, You don't have to be the girl who doesn't speak" I look away. Even after all these years, my own parents still don't fully understand'
That was a line from the book that I can really relate too. My mum kept saying that everytime she dropped me off at a new school. Like I'm not choosing not to talk, and she still doesn't understand it.
'The problem when you can't speak all day at school is that when you get home all the anger, frustration and tension explodes out of you. Anyone standing too close is hit by the flames'
School life with SM sucks. After everyone knows you can't talk, some people still try but most people just avoid you or get used to you. People won't try and talk to you again because they know they won't get a response. I was always accused of being rude when I didn't reply and people gave me nasty looks. Those hurt. I've been to school for 13 years now and I've never once spoken a word inside the school or even outside the school.
SM hurts grades. I lose marks for not participating in speaking activities or assignments such as speeches. I lose a lot of marks for so many things. Teachers do give me a mark for good listening though, because I'm silent and have nothing else to do.
'I wonder how long it will be until everyone at schools realizes I don't say anything, until I become that girl who Selective mutism. I hate the label selective mutism- as if I choose not to speak, like a kid who refuses to eat broccoli. I used up every dandelion wish since I was ten wishing for the power to speak whenever I want to. I'm starting to wonder if there are enough dandelions'
This will sound horrible and I don't know if it classifies as bullying or not. In this book the main character Piper was bet on. People from school bet on her to see who could break her silence. It reminded me of the first highschool I attended. People placed bets to see who could get me to talk first (none of them ever won) and people would come up and offer me money just so they could win a silly bet. It was a game I didn't know about until Year 8.
People use you when you are silent. They know you cant say no or yes and they wont take you seriously when all you do is shake your head yes or no.
This will sound horrible too and I still feel disgusted by it and it happened so many years ago in year 8 or 9. I was invited to someones sleepover party with a bunch of other girls. I knew this girl from school and we talked on facebook sometimes. Turns out she only invited me so her and her friends could surround me and try and get me to talk. They started to pretend to get sad when I didn't speak and I felt so used. They kinda ignored me for the rest of the night, I'm not sure if that was apart of the school bet or not.
'I know exactly what I want to say, but the words don't come out. Just thinking about speaking causes my throat to tighten and my mouth to go dry'
Home life is different. I can speak at home because its only my mum and sisters living there with me and I can speak to them. I can shout, yell, laugh, cough, make the weirdest sounds all out loud.
Do you know how refreshing it is to walk through the front door after school just to shout at your sisters? it's not so great for them but shouting is great. I love getting home to walk around and make weird noises because I can. I can be as loud as I want.. well until someone yells at me to shutup.
'If anyone walked in the door at this moment, they would see a seventeen year old girl who speaks and shouts and occasionally gets told to shutup'
---
Here's some quotes from the book that I find really important:
'People seem to think there has to be a reason you can't speak. You must have been traumatized, abused, raped or witnessed something horrific. Sometimes that's true, but most of the time its not'
'School counsellors usually know nothing about Selective mutism. They always think I'm hiding something. Maybe this once i'll pretend that I was abducted by aliens'
'I say the words over in my head, but even before I open my mouth it feels like there is a belt around my chest and it's being pulled tighter and tighter'
I'll be adding more this review but I'm very busy atm. I have so much to talk about.
I've always wanted a book or movie about someone with selective mutism and now I just finished one. Some of you may know that I have selective mutism. I was diagnosed just before I started school so I was 4. It's weird being diagnosed with a social anxiety disorder at the age of 4.
Selective mutism is a disorder where it's basically impossible to talk to people. It's possible but it just feels impossible and people who don't suffer from SM will never understand how hard talking is. People with selective mutism are physically incapable of speaking in certain settings. For me that's everywhere, including my own home sometimes.
This really won't be review, it will kinda be a comparison. I'm going to compare Pipers struggles with my struggles just to show how greatly accurate the author portrays SM. I will talk about the story a little bit but I will be comparing her story to mine.
The main character Piper can only talk to her mum, dad, siblings, grandma, and some friends.
So it's clear she has severe SM.
I can only talk to my mum, siblings, grandma and that's it so I could relate to Piper a lot.
Piper was diagnosed at age 12 and spoke a little bit before that and I can't relate that much to that. All I was thinking about is how horrible it must be for people with SM who get diagnosed really late because everyone will just think they are stubborn and/or shy. I'm grateful I was diagnosed very early.
'This year can be different. It has to be different, because if it's not, then what sort of future will I have? How could I go to uni? How could I get a job?'
That line hit me hard because that problem is on my mind every single day. I think I can speak for everyone with SM when I say that when we get older and we have responsibilities to do, its a nightmare because we know we won't get normal and/or good jobs, schools sometimes won't accept us in, we know that we are going to need help all our lives or until we break free from this nightmarish disorder. The future is already scary enough but for us it feels double as scary.
"What if the job needs me to talk?" "I need to speak to be able to get the job I want"
It's just scary.
In this story, Piper starts at a new school and let me just say that that is the absolute worst for us.
I think this line will sum it up perfectly:
'"What's your name?" Where are you from?" "Did you hear me?" How many times am I going to be asked those questions today?'
I've been to 7 schools in my life and I've moved schools 6 times. When I was younger I was moved from school to school because my mum and the specialists had hope that I would talk. I've never once spoken at school. Starting at new schools is horrible. Usually mum tells the school principal about my problem and the principal usually tells all the staff about me. On the first day of school I will be asked "Hi, what's your name" by many students and teachers and I can't help but stand there and look at them and not talk, usually most students try again but give me a weird look and walk away but some stick around like West did in this book. Some keep trying and some say "it's alright, are you shy?" and I curse the damn teachers for not telling the students but I know I can't put that responsibility on teachers.
'"Have a good day. Remember, nobody knows you here, You don't have to be the girl who doesn't speak" I look away. Even after all these years, my own parents still don't fully understand'
That was a line from the book that I can really relate too. My mum kept saying that everytime she dropped me off at a new school. Like I'm not choosing not to talk, and she still doesn't understand it.
'The problem when you can't speak all day at school is that when you get home all the anger, frustration and tension explodes out of you. Anyone standing too close is hit by the flames'
School life with SM sucks. After everyone knows you can't talk, some people still try but most people just avoid you or get used to you. People won't try and talk to you again because they know they won't get a response. I was always accused of being rude when I didn't reply and people gave me nasty looks. Those hurt. I've been to school for 13 years now and I've never once spoken a word inside the school or even outside the school.
SM hurts grades. I lose marks for not participating in speaking activities or assignments such as speeches. I lose a lot of marks for so many things. Teachers do give me a mark for good listening though, because I'm silent and have nothing else to do.
'I wonder how long it will be until everyone at schools realizes I don't say anything, until I become that girl who Selective mutism. I hate the label selective mutism- as if I choose not to speak, like a kid who refuses to eat broccoli. I used up every dandelion wish since I was ten wishing for the power to speak whenever I want to. I'm starting to wonder if there are enough dandelions'
This will sound horrible and I don't know if it classifies as bullying or not. In this book the main character Piper was bet on. People from school bet on her to see who could break her silence. It reminded me of the first highschool I attended. People placed bets to see who could get me to talk first (none of them ever won) and people would come up and offer me money just so they could win a silly bet. It was a game I didn't know about until Year 8.
People use you when you are silent. They know you cant say no or yes and they wont take you seriously when all you do is shake your head yes or no.
This will sound horrible too and I still feel disgusted by it and it happened so many years ago in year 8 or 9. I was invited to someones sleepover party with a bunch of other girls. I knew this girl from school and we talked on facebook sometimes. Turns out she only invited me so her and her friends could surround me and try and get me to talk. They started to pretend to get sad when I didn't speak and I felt so used. They kinda ignored me for the rest of the night, I'm not sure if that was apart of the school bet or not.
'I know exactly what I want to say, but the words don't come out. Just thinking about speaking causes my throat to tighten and my mouth to go dry'
Home life is different. I can speak at home because its only my mum and sisters living there with me and I can speak to them. I can shout, yell, laugh, cough, make the weirdest sounds all out loud.
Do you know how refreshing it is to walk through the front door after school just to shout at your sisters? it's not so great for them but shouting is great. I love getting home to walk around and make weird noises because I can. I can be as loud as I want.. well until someone yells at me to shutup.
'If anyone walked in the door at this moment, they would see a seventeen year old girl who speaks and shouts and occasionally gets told to shutup'
---
Here's some quotes from the book that I find really important:
'People seem to think there has to be a reason you can't speak. You must have been traumatized, abused, raped or witnessed something horrific. Sometimes that's true, but most of the time its not'
'School counsellors usually know nothing about Selective mutism. They always think I'm hiding something. Maybe this once i'll pretend that I was abducted by aliens'
'I say the words over in my head, but even before I open my mouth it feels like there is a belt around my chest and it's being pulled tighter and tighter'
I'll be adding more this review but I'm very busy atm. I have so much to talk about.
July 12, 2016
This arrived at work yesterday, and I immediately processed it and covered it so that I could read it as soon as possible because I've been intrigued since hearing about it at an event late last year. This is the story of a teenage girl with Selective Mutism. It's not a disability - she's physically capable of speaking, and she speaks to her family without any problems. It's essentially an extreme form of social anxiety, where she finds herself physically incapable of speaking to practically everyone.
So. The story begins with Piper starting at a new school at the beginning of year 12. She has to deal with teachers, make new friends, find her way around the school all without saying a word.
I absolutely loved the first half of this. The friendship - and then relationship - that develops between Piper and West (okay, but seriously: what is with the names in this book?? I know there are a lot of Youneek(TM) names out there these days, but I work in a high school. We have more Marias and Katherines and Hannahs than we do anything else...) is super cute and I was totally on board with it.
I loved that there was never any sense that West was "curing" Piper. He got frustrated with her, just like everyone else in her life. But he always found ways to apologise, always tried to understand, always found ways of making sure she could contribute to the conversation without saying anything.
The pacing was a little off for me in the second half of the book - at one point, it's the Easter holidays, and then it felt like about two chapters passed and suddenly they were preparing for exams?? - but on the whole I thoroughly enjoyed this one (although I'd happily strangle West's parents for being typical pushy YA parents who don't listen to a word their kid says).
So. The story begins with Piper starting at a new school at the beginning of year 12. She has to deal with teachers, make new friends, find her way around the school all without saying a word.
I absolutely loved the first half of this. The friendship - and then relationship - that develops between Piper and West (okay, but seriously: what is with the names in this book?? I know there are a lot of Youneek(TM) names out there these days, but I work in a high school. We have more Marias and Katherines and Hannahs than we do anything else...) is super cute and I was totally on board with it.
I loved that there was never any sense that West was "curing" Piper. He got frustrated with her, just like everyone else in her life. But he always found ways to apologise, always tried to understand, always found ways of making sure she could contribute to the conversation without saying anything.
The pacing was a little off for me in the second half of the book - at one point, it's the Easter holidays, and then it felt like about two chapters passed and suddenly they were preparing for exams?? - but on the whole I thoroughly enjoyed this one (although I'd happily strangle West's parents for being typical pushy YA parents who don't listen to a word their kid says).
May 13, 2016
This review appears on Happy Indulgence! Check it out for more reviews.
Speech is our primary way of communicating with people. But for Piper, the only way she can communicate in public is with gestures, writing, and non-verbal cues. Imagine how terrifying it would be to not have the ability to speak or to be called on by a teacher who doesn’t know any better in class?
The Things I Didn’t Say captures what it’s like for a teenager with selective mutism, a social anxiety disorder that is often misunderstood. Prior to reading the book, I thought selective mutism was experienced as part of post-traumatic stress disorder. But that’s not the case, often there’s no answer for why people experience the disorder and why they can speak to people they are comfortable with, yet be uncontrollably mute in other social situations.
It’s pretty frightening, but it’s written in a really relatable way that spreads awareness about the condition. Often, people think that just because you don’t speak, that you’re also deaf as well. There are many people who bully and misunderstand Piper’s condition. But the people she befriends makes it less scary for her to be in social situations, due to their understanding and helping her through them.
West is a popular, handsome jock who connects to Piper on a deeper level. While he sounds pretty cliche, I liked how there was a deeper level to him behind his persona, because popular people have a stigma as well. He doesn’t like soccer, and he doesn’t want to be a lawyer like his parents. He just wants to follow his own aspirations to open a restaurant, and he really cares about Piper and what she’s going through, because she listens to him and she’s not just with him for the status.
Seeing their relationship evolve from non-verbal cues and from West’s patience and understanding was a really sweet experience. It turns out that you can actually create a bond with a person from not saying anything at all. And that’s when you tend to connect to them on a deeper level, to really listen to what they’re saying to you and to understand what you’re really experiencing. We can all take cues from Piper and West’s relationship because they had an emotional connection.
While the romance and relationship in The Things I Didn’t Say was my favourite part of it, I did feel like the book lacked a certain depth or emphasis on the concluding thoughts about selective mutism. While it was eye-opening seeing the condition in action, there weren’t any other explanations behind a change in Piper’s behaviour, why she could speak in front of her parents and certain people, and what prompted the change when she starts speaking to others. What drives her behaviour, and what changed within this timeframe? Was it an internal thing that she willed herself to do, or was it a physical condition that suddenly relaxed over time? I thought a stronger concluding message could have helped us to really understand the condition.
The writing was also quite simplistic, making the book lighter and fluffier than what the theme leads you to believe. While it was easy to connect to the characters on a more basic level, they didn’t that deep characterisation behind their words and actions to really help us understand their personalities.
The Things I Didn’t Say features an adorable relationship between a popular guy and a girl who can’t speak. I really enjoyed Piper and West’s story and how they built an authentic relationship with each other, while also finding out more about selective mutism, an often misunderstood anxiety condition.
I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Speech is our primary way of communicating with people. But for Piper, the only way she can communicate in public is with gestures, writing, and non-verbal cues. Imagine how terrifying it would be to not have the ability to speak or to be called on by a teacher who doesn’t know any better in class?
The Things I Didn’t Say captures what it’s like for a teenager with selective mutism, a social anxiety disorder that is often misunderstood. Prior to reading the book, I thought selective mutism was experienced as part of post-traumatic stress disorder. But that’s not the case, often there’s no answer for why people experience the disorder and why they can speak to people they are comfortable with, yet be uncontrollably mute in other social situations.
It’s pretty frightening, but it’s written in a really relatable way that spreads awareness about the condition. Often, people think that just because you don’t speak, that you’re also deaf as well. There are many people who bully and misunderstand Piper’s condition. But the people she befriends makes it less scary for her to be in social situations, due to their understanding and helping her through them.
West is a popular, handsome jock who connects to Piper on a deeper level. While he sounds pretty cliche, I liked how there was a deeper level to him behind his persona, because popular people have a stigma as well. He doesn’t like soccer, and he doesn’t want to be a lawyer like his parents. He just wants to follow his own aspirations to open a restaurant, and he really cares about Piper and what she’s going through, because she listens to him and she’s not just with him for the status.
Seeing their relationship evolve from non-verbal cues and from West’s patience and understanding was a really sweet experience. It turns out that you can actually create a bond with a person from not saying anything at all. And that’s when you tend to connect to them on a deeper level, to really listen to what they’re saying to you and to understand what you’re really experiencing. We can all take cues from Piper and West’s relationship because they had an emotional connection.
While the romance and relationship in The Things I Didn’t Say was my favourite part of it, I did feel like the book lacked a certain depth or emphasis on the concluding thoughts about selective mutism. While it was eye-opening seeing the condition in action, there weren’t any other explanations behind a change in Piper’s behaviour, why she could speak in front of her parents and certain people, and what prompted the change when she starts speaking to others. What drives her behaviour, and what changed within this timeframe? Was it an internal thing that she willed herself to do, or was it a physical condition that suddenly relaxed over time? I thought a stronger concluding message could have helped us to really understand the condition.
The writing was also quite simplistic, making the book lighter and fluffier than what the theme leads you to believe. While it was easy to connect to the characters on a more basic level, they didn’t that deep characterisation behind their words and actions to really help us understand their personalities.
The Things I Didn’t Say features an adorable relationship between a popular guy and a girl who can’t speak. I really enjoyed Piper and West’s story and how they built an authentic relationship with each other, while also finding out more about selective mutism, an often misunderstood anxiety condition.
I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 23, 2016
This spoiler-free review and more can be found on my blog www.lebookchronicles.com
You might think that this is your typical YA contemporary novel, but it is anything but.
I've read a few YA stories about people who have Selective Mutism however usually it is due to some traumatic experience however with this book,Piper's SM is due to a form of anxiety. I found that the way this mental illness was dealt with in this book was done in such a sensitive manner, and it felt like it portrayed the condition really well. It seemed so very real and although the romance aspect of the story could be seen as a little far fetched at times, I liked the way that Piper's condition wasn't cured as soon as she got a boyfriend.
Honestly, the first 60 percent of this book was so addicting. i literally could not put the book down. I even stayed up until 3AM reading it until I had to literally force myself to stop. The last part of the book did start to drag a little bit which was odd as that was when stuff actually started to happen. By no means was it boring but I just felt like it was not as addicting as the first half of the book. I felt like the dialogue was written really well and it didn't feel awkward at all.
Another thing I would like to mention is the ending. No spoilers or anything like that, but I think that this book had such a fantastic ending. Most books I read I am either left feeling like I wanted more or like the author should have stopped writing 2 chapters ago. But The Things I Didn't Say ended at just the perfect moment and I couldn't be happier.
The book dealt with so much, family life, romance, dealing with a mental illness, plus school and everything that goes along with it. I liked how it was all portrayed and I felt it was all very believable. I'm also so happy to say that this book is by an Australian author. I feel like Fornaiser has managed to capture the Australian culture while also making it relatable to anyone regardless of their location. I also feel like some Australian authors write books and it feels like a focus is on the fact that they live in Australia, but with TTIDS I don't feel like anything took away from the story line at all.
Fornaiser explores such a unique, but common issue in society, and she does it brilliantly. I think this is definitely a novel that anyone could relate to, and that's what is so good about it. If you're looking for a contemporary with some depth to it, definitely check this book out.
Would I recommend? Definitely
If you liked: The Sea of Tranquility or All the Bright Places
Overall Rating: 4/5
*This book was sent to be in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way effected the contents of this review.
You might think that this is your typical YA contemporary novel, but it is anything but.
I've read a few YA stories about people who have Selective Mutism however usually it is due to some traumatic experience however with this book,Piper's SM is due to a form of anxiety. I found that the way this mental illness was dealt with in this book was done in such a sensitive manner, and it felt like it portrayed the condition really well. It seemed so very real and although the romance aspect of the story could be seen as a little far fetched at times, I liked the way that Piper's condition wasn't cured as soon as she got a boyfriend.
Honestly, the first 60 percent of this book was so addicting. i literally could not put the book down. I even stayed up until 3AM reading it until I had to literally force myself to stop. The last part of the book did start to drag a little bit which was odd as that was when stuff actually started to happen. By no means was it boring but I just felt like it was not as addicting as the first half of the book. I felt like the dialogue was written really well and it didn't feel awkward at all.
Another thing I would like to mention is the ending. No spoilers or anything like that, but I think that this book had such a fantastic ending. Most books I read I am either left feeling like I wanted more or like the author should have stopped writing 2 chapters ago. But The Things I Didn't Say ended at just the perfect moment and I couldn't be happier.
The book dealt with so much, family life, romance, dealing with a mental illness, plus school and everything that goes along with it. I liked how it was all portrayed and I felt it was all very believable. I'm also so happy to say that this book is by an Australian author. I feel like Fornaiser has managed to capture the Australian culture while also making it relatable to anyone regardless of their location. I also feel like some Australian authors write books and it feels like a focus is on the fact that they live in Australia, but with TTIDS I don't feel like anything took away from the story line at all.
Fornaiser explores such a unique, but common issue in society, and she does it brilliantly. I think this is definitely a novel that anyone could relate to, and that's what is so good about it. If you're looking for a contemporary with some depth to it, definitely check this book out.
Would I recommend? Definitely
If you liked: The Sea of Tranquility or All the Bright Places
Overall Rating: 4/5
*This book was sent to be in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way effected the contents of this review.
June 30, 2016
Well, now I'm a sobbing mess.
August 27, 2016
actual rating: 4.5
thank you kylie for writing a story about a mental health disorder that was real and not glossed over because you don't get that in YA novels that often, so i take my hat of to you!
the story was engaging and very informative which was a pleasant experience because i don't think i have ever learned about a mental disorder in a YA book before it was refreshing, the book was also very enjoyable. I give huge props to kylie for writing a story that gives the reader information but also time to enjoy a wonderful story being played out on the page.
I loved the australian setting because it felt like home and warmth to me, because i'm from australia i could relate to the way things were done and said because i did these things myself when i was in high school. Each character was real and authentic to me i enjoyed every single character and didn't dislike any of them which hardly ever happens when I'm reading a book. I loved reading from the main character Piper who has SM *Selective Mutism* which is a social anxiety disorder that stops people talking in certain situations or around people in public, Kylie wrote the character so spot on to the description of the disorder and didn't sugar coat in anyway. I also liked seeing the transition Piper had from being at home with her family acting normally and talking but when in public her SM takes over and she is unable to speak, but the transition as i went further into the book i was glad to see she began to finally open up and start to use her own voice and stand up for herself. I especially loved the part when she made a video when i rumour is spread about why she won't talk, this in itself was so powerful because Phoebe finally stood up for herself and made her voice known.
I was getting worried towards the end of the book though, i thought i'd be crying by the end of the book but i'm so glad what i thought would happen didn't!
kylie's novel the things i didn't say is a beautiful story of friendship, love, over coming your greatest fears and making your voice heard, it was written so well and dealt with selective mutism something that isn't very talked about in society today
thank you kylie for writing a story about a mental health disorder that was real and not glossed over because you don't get that in YA novels that often, so i take my hat of to you!
the story was engaging and very informative which was a pleasant experience because i don't think i have ever learned about a mental disorder in a YA book before it was refreshing, the book was also very enjoyable. I give huge props to kylie for writing a story that gives the reader information but also time to enjoy a wonderful story being played out on the page.
I loved the australian setting because it felt like home and warmth to me, because i'm from australia i could relate to the way things were done and said because i did these things myself when i was in high school. Each character was real and authentic to me i enjoyed every single character and didn't dislike any of them which hardly ever happens when I'm reading a book. I loved reading from the main character Piper who has SM *Selective Mutism* which is a social anxiety disorder that stops people talking in certain situations or around people in public, Kylie wrote the character so spot on to the description of the disorder and didn't sugar coat in anyway. I also liked seeing the transition Piper had from being at home with her family acting normally and talking but when in public her SM takes over and she is unable to speak, but the transition as i went further into the book i was glad to see she began to finally open up and start to use her own voice and stand up for herself. I especially loved the part when she made a video when i rumour is spread about why she won't talk, this in itself was so powerful because Phoebe finally stood up for herself and made her voice known.
I was getting worried towards the end of the book though, i thought i'd be crying by the end of the book but i'm so glad what i thought would happen didn't!
kylie's novel the things i didn't say is a beautiful story of friendship, love, over coming your greatest fears and making your voice heard, it was written so well and dealt with selective mutism something that isn't very talked about in society today
September 27, 2017
!!!!!!!!!!!
I bought this at the Penguin Teen Aus YASquad2016 meet up in Melbourne where I met the author and got it signed. I was a little wary because I honestly spend too much money on books and usually I won't buy a book unless I've read it before or I've heard heaps of amazing things about it or if I already know the author and have liked their other work.
None of those things were true in this case. I didn't know the author, and I hadn't heard anything about this book because advance copies were only available at the event seeing as it's not been published for the public yet (it comes out in May if you're interested).
But the author was talking about her book at the event and I decided to take a gamble and hope I liked the book enough that it wasn't a waste of 20 bucks and the time taken to read it.
Boy oh boy. I devoured this book. I enjoyed the absolute shit out of it. It's a piece of feelsy contemporary YA fluff that packs a punch (literally a punch into my heart and soul oh my god) and I cannot praise this novel enough. The characters are so sweet and beautiful and I honestly liked everything about this. The writing was A++ and the AUSTRALIAN SETTING gives me life and basically do yourself a favour because hot damn I couldn't be a bigger fan of this book :)
I bought this at the Penguin Teen Aus YASquad2016 meet up in Melbourne where I met the author and got it signed. I was a little wary because I honestly spend too much money on books and usually I won't buy a book unless I've read it before or I've heard heaps of amazing things about it or if I already know the author and have liked their other work.
None of those things were true in this case. I didn't know the author, and I hadn't heard anything about this book because advance copies were only available at the event seeing as it's not been published for the public yet (it comes out in May if you're interested).
But the author was talking about her book at the event and I decided to take a gamble and hope I liked the book enough that it wasn't a waste of 20 bucks and the time taken to read it.
Boy oh boy. I devoured this book. I enjoyed the absolute shit out of it. It's a piece of feelsy contemporary YA fluff that packs a punch (literally a punch into my heart and soul oh my god) and I cannot praise this novel enough. The characters are so sweet and beautiful and I honestly liked everything about this. The writing was A++ and the AUSTRALIAN SETTING gives me life and basically do yourself a favour because hot damn I couldn't be a bigger fan of this book :)
June 7, 2018
SUMMARY
After a disastrous romantic betrayal, Piper Rhodes, suffering from Selective Mutism, changes schools and falls into a romance with the local high school hero.
PLOT
Piper has lost her best friend due to a romantic blunder, so in changing schools she’s hoping for a fresh start where everyone doesn’t know her as the girl who doesn’t speak. As soon as she meets West, local high school captain, soccer star and all-around hero, they tumble into a relationship and fall in love all without Piper speaking a word to him. The problem is, none of their parents approve, and Piper’s Selective Mutism becomes an issue for West, even though he tries to understand.
CHARACTERS
Piper’s social anxiety seemed to be the stem for her Selective Mutism but I was happy to see it didn’t prevent her from making friends. It really broke my heart when people in everyday situations showed a lack of understanding that overwhelmed Piper. I loved her pre-digital photography hobby, because after all, isn’t there a saying that says ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’?. Imagine all the words Piper doesn’t need to say just by showing one photograph. I really enjoyed her warmth and caring nature, especially towards her youngest sister who was struggling with her own identity and wanting to be silent like her big sister, and I liked the little touches where Piper acknowledged how the behaviour of people around her, like her family, changed to accommodate her lack of speaking.
West seemed like a pretty perfect YA lov interest, to be honest. One of those ‘poor little rich boys’ whose parents were pushing him to follow in the family business (law) and all he wanted to do was open a restaurant. I loved his individuality that Piper helped him recognise and although I thought it was unfair that he put certain pressures on Piper to use her voice, I can understand in a way where he was coming from. He seemed like a pretty well-rounded character and was a joy to read about.
WRITING
I thought it would be a struggle to portray someone who barely speaks in a novel, but I really liked how Piper was written. Her lack of voice didn’t mean a lack of conveying meaning. Her thoughts were there, and she tried to convey meaning through body language as well as through handwriting. I loved the respect for which Piper’s illness was treated although I’m not sure how I feel about the ending when things just seemed to suddenly turn out OK without Piper really returning to psychology or doing much active work on her own. It kind of felt like she had an epiphany and that was it.
I really liked how Australian the book was as well, although I suspect bits of it were ‘Americanised’ up like cafeteria lunches, and other things I can’t think of right now.
PACING
For such a gentle romance, this book actually had a pretty good pace. After I read the first few pages and had to put it down for other review books, when I picked it back up I ended up reading it in a weekend. The words and plot flowed smoothly and I was always eager to find out what would happen next, especially with the constant challenge of Piper’s Selective Mutism.
OVERALL
I think this was a lovely ‘issues’ romance book for YA and I’d totally recommend it to anyone who likes sweet romances and uncommon teen issues in their YA.
I received this book for free from Penguin Random House Australia in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
After a disastrous romantic betrayal, Piper Rhodes, suffering from Selective Mutism, changes schools and falls into a romance with the local high school hero.
PLOT
Piper has lost her best friend due to a romantic blunder, so in changing schools she’s hoping for a fresh start where everyone doesn’t know her as the girl who doesn’t speak. As soon as she meets West, local high school captain, soccer star and all-around hero, they tumble into a relationship and fall in love all without Piper speaking a word to him. The problem is, none of their parents approve, and Piper’s Selective Mutism becomes an issue for West, even though he tries to understand.
CHARACTERS
Piper’s social anxiety seemed to be the stem for her Selective Mutism but I was happy to see it didn’t prevent her from making friends. It really broke my heart when people in everyday situations showed a lack of understanding that overwhelmed Piper. I loved her pre-digital photography hobby, because after all, isn’t there a saying that says ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’?. Imagine all the words Piper doesn’t need to say just by showing one photograph. I really enjoyed her warmth and caring nature, especially towards her youngest sister who was struggling with her own identity and wanting to be silent like her big sister, and I liked the little touches where Piper acknowledged how the behaviour of people around her, like her family, changed to accommodate her lack of speaking.
West seemed like a pretty perfect YA lov interest, to be honest. One of those ‘poor little rich boys’ whose parents were pushing him to follow in the family business (law) and all he wanted to do was open a restaurant. I loved his individuality that Piper helped him recognise and although I thought it was unfair that he put certain pressures on Piper to use her voice, I can understand in a way where he was coming from. He seemed like a pretty well-rounded character and was a joy to read about.
WRITING
I thought it would be a struggle to portray someone who barely speaks in a novel, but I really liked how Piper was written. Her lack of voice didn’t mean a lack of conveying meaning. Her thoughts were there, and she tried to convey meaning through body language as well as through handwriting. I loved the respect for which Piper’s illness was treated although I’m not sure how I feel about the ending when things just seemed to suddenly turn out OK without Piper really returning to psychology or doing much active work on her own. It kind of felt like she had an epiphany and that was it.
I really liked how Australian the book was as well, although I suspect bits of it were ‘Americanised’ up like cafeteria lunches, and other things I can’t think of right now.
PACING
For such a gentle romance, this book actually had a pretty good pace. After I read the first few pages and had to put it down for other review books, when I picked it back up I ended up reading it in a weekend. The words and plot flowed smoothly and I was always eager to find out what would happen next, especially with the constant challenge of Piper’s Selective Mutism.
OVERALL
I think this was a lovely ‘issues’ romance book for YA and I’d totally recommend it to anyone who likes sweet romances and uncommon teen issues in their YA.
I received this book for free from Penguin Random House Australia in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
July 21, 2016
Brilliantttttt
August 31, 2016
When I stop ugly crying I will write a review. Loved it. Loved it.
UPDATE: This is one of the most interesting contemporary YA novels I've ever read. Before reading The Things I Didn't Say, I had heard of selective mutism, but had no understanding about what it was. This is the perfect example of how reading broadens your understand of the world by allowing you to step into another person's experience. Kylie sprinkled in details about SM from her (obviously) extensive research, but it never felt like info dumping- which is true mastery.
Piper's voice was authentic and I absolutely adore West. Their relationship is beautiful and sometimes fragile and sometimes pure strength. I had actual tears streaming down my face reading this book, and not a single glistening tear on my cheek either- I was full-on ugly crying.
Oh, and the setting. I can't stress enough how much I love Australian authors who write books set in Australia with real Australian voices and settings. It is so important for Aussie teens to read stories that belong to them.
The entire concept of the book was just perfection to me. It was like The Little Mermaid, if you took away the mermaids, and the magic, and the sea-witch, and set it in the Blue Mountains. Perfection.
UPDATE: This is one of the most interesting contemporary YA novels I've ever read. Before reading The Things I Didn't Say, I had heard of selective mutism, but had no understanding about what it was. This is the perfect example of how reading broadens your understand of the world by allowing you to step into another person's experience. Kylie sprinkled in details about SM from her (obviously) extensive research, but it never felt like info dumping- which is true mastery.
Piper's voice was authentic and I absolutely adore West. Their relationship is beautiful and sometimes fragile and sometimes pure strength. I had actual tears streaming down my face reading this book, and not a single glistening tear on my cheek either- I was full-on ugly crying.
Oh, and the setting. I can't stress enough how much I love Australian authors who write books set in Australia with real Australian voices and settings. It is so important for Aussie teens to read stories that belong to them.
The entire concept of the book was just perfection to me. It was like The Little Mermaid, if you took away the mermaids, and the magic, and the sea-witch, and set it in the Blue Mountains. Perfection.
March 20, 2016
The Things I Didn't Say is easily in the running for my best book of 2016, and it's only March. I loved this. LOVED. It's sweet and painful by turns, and it all feels so, so real.
If you've read Kylie's sadly out-of-print MASQUERADE, THE THINGS I DIDN'T SAY is nothing like it in tone, plot or structure, but her glorious writing, vivid characters and the way you can sink into her book like a bubble bath remain.
If you've read Kylie's sadly out-of-print MASQUERADE, THE THINGS I DIDN'T SAY is nothing like it in tone, plot or structure, but her glorious writing, vivid characters and the way you can sink into her book like a bubble bath remain.
November 17, 2015
So I'm one of those very lucky people who read this story in draft mode. To say I'm excited about its release is an understatement. I just fell in love with the characters and the story. Can't wait to read the published version!
June 10, 2016
4.5 STARS
I really liked this book. It was a very different read for me for several reasons. Firstly, as this book is only available in Australia it was written in a purely Australian fashion. It was disorienting for me to see words spelled in very different ways than I was used to, as well as some other differences in the way the book was written, that I never knew other countries did differently (for example, instead of writing the time such as seven thirty as 7:30, it was 7.30.) The second difference was the subject matter. This book deals with Selective Mutism, a pretty uncommon anxiety disorder in which the person who has it can't communicate with people unless they are very close friends or family. That's not exactly it, but if you read the book it explains it perfectly. I really liked this aspect of the book. I loved how this was not a survivor story. This was a story about a normal girl, with a normal life, who happens to have this disorder. I think it's important that these kinds of stories are read as well, because for many that's their reality; they have a problem that wasn't necessarily caused by anything, and yet they have it.
I liked how this book wasn't dramatic. There were some big scenes in this book, but they were put into perspective and weren't blown out of proportion. I also appreciated how human the characters were. For example, even though the love interest is sweet and understanding, he still is frustrated at times with her inability to talk to him. I felt like that was understandable, and only made him more likable because you see his imperfections and realize he's human. I also really like how Piper doesn't get cured by having a boyfriend. She is unable to speak to him even as their relationship grows and grows. When certain things occur at the end of the book I love how he isn't cured through true love or her talking. Instead the event took its natural progression. I also liked how Piper deals with her old friend and what happened to tear them apart. Her guilt and other emotions were understandable and I really liked how she forgave her friend, yet understood that they wouldn't have the same relationship.
One thing I really liked about Piper was how she spoke her mind. It might be a weird thing to say about a girl who has Selective Mutism, but that's the thing. Piper communicated a lot non-verbally. She also spoke up when necessary
I loved all the relationships in this book. The family ones, the friendship ones, the romantic one, the frenemy one, all of them. I think the only thing I disliked about the book was the pacing. It was very fast-paced, which I enjoyed, but on the other hand it also goes through 8 months without really letting you know that time is passing. That part annoyed me a bit, as I didn't mind it, but would have liked to be informed about the time passing in some way. Other than that small issue I loved this book and would definitely urge everyone to somehow get your hands on this book and read it.
I really liked this book. It was a very different read for me for several reasons. Firstly, as this book is only available in Australia it was written in a purely Australian fashion. It was disorienting for me to see words spelled in very different ways than I was used to, as well as some other differences in the way the book was written, that I never knew other countries did differently (for example, instead of writing the time such as seven thirty as 7:30, it was 7.30.) The second difference was the subject matter. This book deals with Selective Mutism, a pretty uncommon anxiety disorder in which the person who has it can't communicate with people unless they are very close friends or family. That's not exactly it, but if you read the book it explains it perfectly. I really liked this aspect of the book. I loved how this was not a survivor story. This was a story about a normal girl, with a normal life, who happens to have this disorder. I think it's important that these kinds of stories are read as well, because for many that's their reality; they have a problem that wasn't necessarily caused by anything, and yet they have it.
I liked how this book wasn't dramatic. There were some big scenes in this book, but they were put into perspective and weren't blown out of proportion. I also appreciated how human the characters were. For example, even though the love interest is sweet and understanding, he still is frustrated at times with her inability to talk to him. I felt like that was understandable, and only made him more likable because you see his imperfections and realize he's human. I also really like how Piper doesn't get cured by having a boyfriend. She is unable to speak to him even as their relationship grows and grows. When certain things occur at the end of the book I love how he isn't cured through true love or her talking. Instead the event took its natural progression. I also liked how Piper deals with her old friend and what happened to tear them apart. Her guilt and other emotions were understandable and I really liked how she forgave her friend, yet understood that they wouldn't have the same relationship.
One thing I really liked about Piper was how she spoke her mind. It might be a weird thing to say about a girl who has Selective Mutism, but that's the thing. Piper communicated a lot non-verbally. She also spoke up when necessary
I loved all the relationships in this book. The family ones, the friendship ones, the romantic one, the frenemy one, all of them. I think the only thing I disliked about the book was the pacing. It was very fast-paced, which I enjoyed, but on the other hand it also goes through 8 months without really letting you know that time is passing. That part annoyed me a bit, as I didn't mind it, but would have liked to be informed about the time passing in some way. Other than that small issue I loved this book and would definitely urge everyone to somehow get your hands on this book and read it.
July 1, 2016
4.5☆
Thank you for this book Kylie!
This book is the complete opposite of her first book 'Masquerade' but the one thing that does carry over is her ability to write interesting characters. I liked that all the characters had a chance to grow.
I'm not the biggest fan of contemporary books and that is mainly because I am usually being told a story that I have already experienced. I want to disappear into a book - not relive my awkward teenage years.
This book stands out because it is about such an unusual/misrepresented topic - selective mutism. I like getting insight into how other people live and hopefully that in turn makes me a more understanding person.
Thank you for this book Kylie!
This book is the complete opposite of her first book 'Masquerade' but the one thing that does carry over is her ability to write interesting characters. I liked that all the characters had a chance to grow.
I'm not the biggest fan of contemporary books and that is mainly because I am usually being told a story that I have already experienced. I want to disappear into a book - not relive my awkward teenage years.
This book stands out because it is about such an unusual/misrepresented topic - selective mutism. I like getting insight into how other people live and hopefully that in turn makes me a more understanding person.
July 30, 2016
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
This was such an interesting read and was extremely cute. I loved that I got to learn about such an unknown social anxiety disorder and how people, both suffers and those around them, deal with such an illness.
However, I did feel that the writing was not the best and I found myself wanting more descriptions and details while reading.
I still enjoyed the book and think it's such a good read for those who may be struggling with social anxiety, or those wanting to better understand it.
This was such an interesting read and was extremely cute. I loved that I got to learn about such an unknown social anxiety disorder and how people, both suffers and those around them, deal with such an illness.
However, I did feel that the writing was not the best and I found myself wanting more descriptions and details while reading.
I still enjoyed the book and think it's such a good read for those who may be struggling with social anxiety, or those wanting to better understand it.
February 7, 2017
*2.5 STARS*
Honestly this was kind of boring. The story was to cliché. The main girl was annoying, the story was plain, idk.
Honestly this was kind of boring. The story was to cliché. The main girl was annoying, the story was plain, idk.
April 26, 2016
Things I Didn't Say was another book I picked up early because of Penguin Teen Australia's #YASquad2016. I've actually been waiting for this book to come out for a while because I love everything Kylie Fornasier writes and this book is no exception.
I wonder how long it will be until everyone at school realises I don't say anything, until I become that girl with Selective Mutism. I hate the label Selective Mutism – as if I choose not to speak, like a kid who refuses to eat broccoli. I've used up every dandelion wish since I was ten wishing for the power to speak whenever I want to. I'm starting to wonder if there are enough dandelions.
Like most people, I had never heard of Selective Mutism before or knew of anyone who suffered from it, so this book was a real eye opener for me. It was also refreshing to see a YA narrative dealing with the largely taboo subject of a mental illness. For those unaware, the following definition comes from The Selective Mutism Foundation website:
Selective Mutism:Selective Mutism is an anxiety disorder characterized by not speaking outside the home to select individuals or in select settings, which continues for more than 1 month. It is most commonly found in children. They understand spoken language.
Piper Rhodes has Selective Mutism (SM) and it's kind of ruining her life. Especially when she starts yr 12 at a new high school. Suddenly, no one knows who she is, and although the teachers have been informed of her situation, that doesn't mean the students have. Queue awkward one-sided-conversations and suspicious looks. All of which doesn't help when she sits alongside the school's most sought after guy, West Kennedy in German one day. Even more so after they have sparked up a unique friendship that shows promise of more. West knows about Piper's SM, but can he accept it the fact that she can't talk ... especially when it comes to him?
I get caught up reading someone's frustrations are being asked the same question all the time: why don't you speak? I know how annoying this can be. It's either that question or the more annoying variation: what happened to you? People seem to think that there has to be a reason you don't speak. You must have been traumatised, abused, raped or witnessed something horrible. Sometimes that's true, but most of the time it's not.
I quite liked quiet Piper Rhodes. As far as character development goes, she comes along way in this book but in a kind of subtle and underhanded way. She makes friends, learns to trust and has her heart healed and broken by those around her. Her journey is kind of background, despite being the main character and the only point-of-view the narrative has. Which is pretty damn clever on Fornasier's part, as it not only let's her strength of character shine through, but doesn't bog the narrative down in morals or life lessons. It was refreshing.
For a moment, I'm caught up in pure amazement. With everyone else, I feel the need to talk. Without words, they don't understand me, or they don't try to understand me. But with West it's different. I don't feel the need to speak. It's like all the words are already there even if I don't say them out loud.
I loved the idea of West Kennedy. Right from the get go he is a completely different male lead then any other I've read recently. Sure he is popular and has it all, but he is this gentle character and has the strength to just be on his own. It sounds weird I know. But it's like he is that stereotypical teenage boy at first glance, but there's so much more than meets the eye. Take his first meeting with Piper for example. Noticing how uncomfortable she is, he writes full conversations down and he doesn't put any pressure on her. He didn't judge her, he got to know her. An unusual trait for high school kids at that age especially.
Thanks, I want to say. West is a pretty cool name too. Is it short for something? Weston? Westly? I'm never lost for words. I know exactly what I want to say, but the words don't come out. Just thinking about speaking causes my throat to tighten and my mouth to go dry.
What's more I loved his interactions with Piper. It was like he lived for her - without being too creepy and over the top - and he only came alive when she was around. Which brings me to my only problem with West Kennedy; he was a character that was half and half for me. Too perfect to be true. He ONLY came off the page when she was around, and even then it sometimes seemed a bit stinted. But I still kind of love him.
With SM, when you become close to someone, it is easier to speak to them. With Cassie, it took about a month. I've known West longer than that but it's a completely different situation. There's too much I want to say to him and I'm worried about what he'll think when he hears me speak.
Which brings me my next point. I wanted to yell, scream and kick West Kennedy at times too. West knows that Piper can talk to her parents and a few select people and he wants in. He's fallen head over heels for the girl, and although he's patient, patience only lasts so long and suddenly there's cracks in his character as he tries to get Piper to talk to HIM. It's through these sections of the book that I realised just how protective of Piper I'd become. It was like I was defending one of my own friends!
Kylie Fornasier needs to be commended on creating such a fantastic and vibrant cast of secondary characters. I personally loved reading all the interactions with Piper's family. That house hold just seems so full of love and I love the baiting of sibling rivalry scattered throughout the book. Likewise with Piper and West's class mates, Fornasier has gone above and beyond to create a realistic school environment with a cast of mismatched students filling the halls. On this note, that post-it-note scene? That quite possibly nearly made me cry. All of them. I loved the idea and could picture the whole scenario in my head so vividly. So perfectly.
I really liked the idea of this books and the narrative flowed really well. Unfortunately I've marked it down a bit, as I found the beginning of the book to be a bit slow and hard to get in to. I think this might have been hindered by a personal response to the book however, as I didn't instantly connect with any of the characters, nor did I know much about Selective Mutism or anyone who had it. That said I did read the book rather quickly, I think it was over two days if I remember correctly and I was right there with the characters for the most of it.
Things I Didn't Say may be primarily about a coming-of-age story for a year-twelve student with SM, but it reads a lot younger. And yet it oddly works. There's mention of booze and parties, and one fade-to-black scene, so the characters act like year twelve students, but the narrative seems to be target at a slightly younger side of the YA genre. This I assume would be because most people affected by SM are usually slightly younger, a point Piper herself mentions in the book once or twice. That's not to say that it's implausible for a 17 year old girl to be suffering from it as well.
That's the problem with SM, it can go undiagnosed for so long. I was always shy and quiet. When I started kindergarten, I began speaking less and less at school until I wasn't speaking at all. At first, when my teacher brought it to my parents' attention, they said I was just shy and I would grow out of it. When I didn't grow out of it, everyone thought I was being stubborn and I'd soon get tired of it.
It wasn't until I was twelve that my first psychologist, Dr Rankmore, finally diagnosed me with Selective Mutism. I can't help wondering if I would still have this disorder at seventeen if it'd been diagnosed years earlier.
All in all I love that Fornasier was brave enough to take the path less trodden and give us such a unique and inspiring book. For Things I Didn't Say is about hope at it's core; and what a beautiful story it is.
All I ever am is careful, careful with words, careful with people. West is what I need. He shows me what life can be if I'm not careful and I like that life a lot more.'
NOTE: Another reader brought to my attention that Until Friday Nights by Abbi Glines deal's with Selective Mutism - it just doesn't call it that. So I have read another book on the subject. But you know what, I don't think Glines nailed the subject matter as well as Fornasier does. The emotional and every day struggle is missing in that book, and it's on every page in this one without being over the top and unbearable to read.
This review was originally posted over at The Never Ending Bookshelf on Tuesday 26th April 2016 and can be found here: http://wp.me/p3yY1u-Ps
I wonder how long it will be until everyone at school realises I don't say anything, until I become that girl with Selective Mutism. I hate the label Selective Mutism – as if I choose not to speak, like a kid who refuses to eat broccoli. I've used up every dandelion wish since I was ten wishing for the power to speak whenever I want to. I'm starting to wonder if there are enough dandelions.
Like most people, I had never heard of Selective Mutism before or knew of anyone who suffered from it, so this book was a real eye opener for me. It was also refreshing to see a YA narrative dealing with the largely taboo subject of a mental illness. For those unaware, the following definition comes from The Selective Mutism Foundation website:
Selective Mutism:Selective Mutism is an anxiety disorder characterized by not speaking outside the home to select individuals or in select settings, which continues for more than 1 month. It is most commonly found in children. They understand spoken language.
Piper Rhodes has Selective Mutism (SM) and it's kind of ruining her life. Especially when she starts yr 12 at a new high school. Suddenly, no one knows who she is, and although the teachers have been informed of her situation, that doesn't mean the students have. Queue awkward one-sided-conversations and suspicious looks. All of which doesn't help when she sits alongside the school's most sought after guy, West Kennedy in German one day. Even more so after they have sparked up a unique friendship that shows promise of more. West knows about Piper's SM, but can he accept it the fact that she can't talk ... especially when it comes to him?
I get caught up reading someone's frustrations are being asked the same question all the time: why don't you speak? I know how annoying this can be. It's either that question or the more annoying variation: what happened to you? People seem to think that there has to be a reason you don't speak. You must have been traumatised, abused, raped or witnessed something horrible. Sometimes that's true, but most of the time it's not.
I quite liked quiet Piper Rhodes. As far as character development goes, she comes along way in this book but in a kind of subtle and underhanded way. She makes friends, learns to trust and has her heart healed and broken by those around her. Her journey is kind of background, despite being the main character and the only point-of-view the narrative has. Which is pretty damn clever on Fornasier's part, as it not only let's her strength of character shine through, but doesn't bog the narrative down in morals or life lessons. It was refreshing.
For a moment, I'm caught up in pure amazement. With everyone else, I feel the need to talk. Without words, they don't understand me, or they don't try to understand me. But with West it's different. I don't feel the need to speak. It's like all the words are already there even if I don't say them out loud.
I loved the idea of West Kennedy. Right from the get go he is a completely different male lead then any other I've read recently. Sure he is popular and has it all, but he is this gentle character and has the strength to just be on his own. It sounds weird I know. But it's like he is that stereotypical teenage boy at first glance, but there's so much more than meets the eye. Take his first meeting with Piper for example. Noticing how uncomfortable she is, he writes full conversations down and he doesn't put any pressure on her. He didn't judge her, he got to know her. An unusual trait for high school kids at that age especially.
Thanks, I want to say. West is a pretty cool name too. Is it short for something? Weston? Westly? I'm never lost for words. I know exactly what I want to say, but the words don't come out. Just thinking about speaking causes my throat to tighten and my mouth to go dry.
What's more I loved his interactions with Piper. It was like he lived for her - without being too creepy and over the top - and he only came alive when she was around. Which brings me to my only problem with West Kennedy; he was a character that was half and half for me. Too perfect to be true. He ONLY came off the page when she was around, and even then it sometimes seemed a bit stinted. But I still kind of love him.
With SM, when you become close to someone, it is easier to speak to them. With Cassie, it took about a month. I've known West longer than that but it's a completely different situation. There's too much I want to say to him and I'm worried about what he'll think when he hears me speak.
Which brings me my next point. I wanted to yell, scream and kick West Kennedy at times too. West knows that Piper can talk to her parents and a few select people and he wants in. He's fallen head over heels for the girl, and although he's patient, patience only lasts so long and suddenly there's cracks in his character as he tries to get Piper to talk to HIM. It's through these sections of the book that I realised just how protective of Piper I'd become. It was like I was defending one of my own friends!
Kylie Fornasier needs to be commended on creating such a fantastic and vibrant cast of secondary characters. I personally loved reading all the interactions with Piper's family. That house hold just seems so full of love and I love the baiting of sibling rivalry scattered throughout the book. Likewise with Piper and West's class mates, Fornasier has gone above and beyond to create a realistic school environment with a cast of mismatched students filling the halls. On this note, that post-it-note scene? That quite possibly nearly made me cry. All of them. I loved the idea and could picture the whole scenario in my head so vividly. So perfectly.
I really liked the idea of this books and the narrative flowed really well. Unfortunately I've marked it down a bit, as I found the beginning of the book to be a bit slow and hard to get in to. I think this might have been hindered by a personal response to the book however, as I didn't instantly connect with any of the characters, nor did I know much about Selective Mutism or anyone who had it. That said I did read the book rather quickly, I think it was over two days if I remember correctly and I was right there with the characters for the most of it.
Things I Didn't Say may be primarily about a coming-of-age story for a year-twelve student with SM, but it reads a lot younger. And yet it oddly works. There's mention of booze and parties, and one fade-to-black scene, so the characters act like year twelve students, but the narrative seems to be target at a slightly younger side of the YA genre. This I assume would be because most people affected by SM are usually slightly younger, a point Piper herself mentions in the book once or twice. That's not to say that it's implausible for a 17 year old girl to be suffering from it as well.
That's the problem with SM, it can go undiagnosed for so long. I was always shy and quiet. When I started kindergarten, I began speaking less and less at school until I wasn't speaking at all. At first, when my teacher brought it to my parents' attention, they said I was just shy and I would grow out of it. When I didn't grow out of it, everyone thought I was being stubborn and I'd soon get tired of it.
It wasn't until I was twelve that my first psychologist, Dr Rankmore, finally diagnosed me with Selective Mutism. I can't help wondering if I would still have this disorder at seventeen if it'd been diagnosed years earlier.
All in all I love that Fornasier was brave enough to take the path less trodden and give us such a unique and inspiring book. For Things I Didn't Say is about hope at it's core; and what a beautiful story it is.
All I ever am is careful, careful with words, careful with people. West is what I need. He shows me what life can be if I'm not careful and I like that life a lot more.'
NOTE: Another reader brought to my attention that Until Friday Nights by Abbi Glines deal's with Selective Mutism - it just doesn't call it that. So I have read another book on the subject. But you know what, I don't think Glines nailed the subject matter as well as Fornasier does. The emotional and every day struggle is missing in that book, and it's on every page in this one without being over the top and unbearable to read.
This review was originally posted over at The Never Ending Bookshelf on Tuesday 26th April 2016 and can be found here: http://wp.me/p3yY1u-Ps
April 5, 2018
I'm not enthusiastic about the story itself, even if it's thoroughly thought and written, but I loved the exposition of the anxious disorder which is selective mutism: this part is flawless.
It was also quite refreshing to encounter some enlightened teenagers' sexuality: sweet and safe.
It was also quite refreshing to encounter some enlightened teenagers' sexuality: sweet and safe.
June 25, 2017
2.75 stars
The Things I Didn't Say is not the first book I have read by Kylie Fornasier. In fact, the first book I read by her, Masquerade was very good. I adored it.
I had unintentionally high expectations going into this book and I'm sad to say I was a little disappointed.
Before I get to the nit picky things that annoyed me about this book I will tell you the things I liked:
- Fornasier's take on selective mutism. I have only read one other book on mutism; Until Friday Night, and I found that I preferred the way that it was written in this one. It felt more genuine and real. I can't say for sure how accurate it is- I don't have selective mutism- but it felt real to me.
- The Family Dynamics. I loved the first third of the book where we were hanging out with Piper's family. The dialogue felt incredibly genuine and reminded me of my own family- which I loved. I was a little disappointed that the family got shoved into the background in the last two thirds of the book, I would have loved to read more about them all. (They were still there, just not as much as I would have liked)
Things that annoyed me: (spoilers will be hidden so don't click on them!)
- The not-so-subtle drops of “smelling Eucalyptus” to give the book an obvious Australian setting. I found it was a little awkward at times.
- Pacing/ How much time has passed. I was a little confused toward the end of the book when it was suddenly the end of the school year and time for graduation. I think that there needed to be something more to show me how much time had passed because for a second I felt like I had been thrown a complete left wheel. I remember thinking "Woah! Wait a minute. Did I miss some pages!?" I thought perhaps breaking the book into terms/ semesters might have helped with that.
Overall, I enjoyed this book; particularly the first two thirds of it. It was a fast, easy read that I managed to read in one sitting.
While this book wasn't my favourite, you might still love it. So I say, if the synopsis intrigues you, give it a go. It will be out in Australia 02/05/16.
The Things I Didn't Say is not the first book I have read by Kylie Fornasier. In fact, the first book I read by her, Masquerade was very good. I adored it.
I had unintentionally high expectations going into this book and I'm sad to say I was a little disappointed.
Before I get to the nit picky things that annoyed me about this book I will tell you the things I liked:
- Fornasier's take on selective mutism. I have only read one other book on mutism; Until Friday Night, and I found that I preferred the way that it was written in this one. It felt more genuine and real. I can't say for sure how accurate it is- I don't have selective mutism- but it felt real to me.
- The Family Dynamics. I loved the first third of the book where we were hanging out with Piper's family. The dialogue felt incredibly genuine and reminded me of my own family- which I loved. I was a little disappointed that the family got shoved into the background in the last two thirds of the book, I would have loved to read more about them all. (They were still there, just not as much as I would have liked)
Things that annoyed me: (spoilers will be hidden so don't click on them!)
- The not-so-subtle drops of “smelling Eucalyptus” to give the book an obvious Australian setting. I found it was a little awkward at times.
- Pacing/ How much time has passed. I was a little confused toward the end of the book when it was suddenly the end of the school year and time for graduation. I think that there needed to be something more to show me how much time had passed because for a second I felt like I had been thrown a complete left wheel. I remember thinking "Woah! Wait a minute. Did I miss some pages!?" I thought perhaps breaking the book into terms/ semesters might have helped with that.
Overall, I enjoyed this book; particularly the first two thirds of it. It was a fast, easy read that I managed to read in one sitting.
While this book wasn't my favourite, you might still love it. So I say, if the synopsis intrigues you, give it a go. It will be out in Australia 02/05/16.
July 14, 2016
The Things I Didn't Say is a eye-opening and perfectly balanced book about self-discovery, family, friendship, and romance. I've been meaning to read more Australian young adult books, and this reminds me just how good they are.
Piper Rhodes has selective mutism, a disorder that makes her too anxious to speak to anyone but her family and close friends. After a misunderstanding leaves her friendless, Piper switches schools in hopes of a fresh start. At school she meets West, and before long she falls in love with him. But who could love a girl that doesn't speak?
I hate the label Selective Mutism –as if I choose not to speak, like a kid who refuses to eat broccoli. I’ve used up every dandelion wish since I was ten wishing for the power to speak whenever I want to. I’m starting to wonder if there are enough dandelions.Piper is an amazing protagonist who is completely realistic and relatable. She feels like a real person and there are occasions where it's hard to remember that she's only a fictional character. I can't imagine what it must be like to go through life not being able to talk when there's nothing you want do more, and that makes her character one you just can't help but root for.
Where the book excels is in how it balances the character relationships. Not only is there romance but there's also a strong emphasis on Parker's relationship with her family and friends. Every single relationship is written extremely well and feels extremely authentic. And, in a genre where so many books focus purely on romance, the added focus on family and friendship was a breath of fresh air.
The Things I Didn't Say is an honest and realistic exploration about what it's like to live with selective mutism. If you're looking for a well-written contemporary novel, this is definitely one I'd recommend.
April 16, 2025
Representation: Main character with selective mutism, side implied Asian character
Trigger warnings: Bullying, suicide, coma, hospitalisation
Score: Seven points out of ten.
This review can also be found on The StoryGraph.
This was sitting at my library for a while right next to If I Stay (I read that earlier but it was only okay) and I wanted to read this so I picked it up and finally read it. When I finished this novel I had a lot of thoughts inside my head that I want to show you here, well first off other than the disability representation this is your standard run-of-the-mill romance novel, it gets uniqueness points since it's Australian (I don't see that much Australian literature) but the ending... I was lost for words. It starts with the main character Piper Rhodes or Piper for short and at the beginning she was in a dream where she tore her journal up for whatever reason and then was about to jump into the water but it was all a dream. After her friend abandoned her (cliché, I know), she moves to a new school in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales where she meets this other significant character called West whose last name I don't even know (Really? Never seen a name like that.) She tells me that she has Selective Mutism or SM for short so she can speak with her family just fine but she finds it harder to speak with people at school. Now that I said that Piper develops a relationship with West since this is a romance book after all and everything looks like sunshine and rainbows until the last few pages. After a soccer accident West was hospitalised and not much time afterwards the story ended there. That was the most open ending I ever saw.
P.S. What kind of teenager uses Facebook in 2023? I get that they would use it since other platforms like Snapchat and Discord were non-existent but now the book's outdated.
Trigger warnings: Bullying, suicide, coma, hospitalisation
Score: Seven points out of ten.
This review can also be found on The StoryGraph.
This was sitting at my library for a while right next to If I Stay (I read that earlier but it was only okay) and I wanted to read this so I picked it up and finally read it. When I finished this novel I had a lot of thoughts inside my head that I want to show you here, well first off other than the disability representation this is your standard run-of-the-mill romance novel, it gets uniqueness points since it's Australian (I don't see that much Australian literature) but the ending... I was lost for words. It starts with the main character Piper Rhodes or Piper for short and at the beginning she was in a dream where she tore her journal up for whatever reason and then was about to jump into the water but it was all a dream. After her friend abandoned her (cliché, I know), she moves to a new school in the Blue Mountains in New South Wales where she meets this other significant character called West whose last name I don't even know (Really? Never seen a name like that.) She tells me that she has Selective Mutism or SM for short so she can speak with her family just fine but she finds it harder to speak with people at school. Now that I said that Piper develops a relationship with West since this is a romance book after all and everything looks like sunshine and rainbows until the last few pages. After a soccer accident West was hospitalised and not much time afterwards the story ended there. That was the most open ending I ever saw.
P.S. What kind of teenager uses Facebook in 2023? I get that they would use it since other platforms like Snapchat and Discord were non-existent but now the book's outdated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 15, 2018
I swear I have a logical reason for disliking this book. I really disliked the character development in this book. All West does is talk to her, kiss her, then fuck her.
Then he 'fixes' her SM and now she's talking to EVERYONE because now she's solved!!!! Yay!
Her crap friend (I forgot her name.) who left her and calls her names, yet the girl still returns to the said crap friend. She did that to herself, and now it's all kissy hug time? Great. Realistic.
Then, apparently, their parents don't want them together and overreact. Their daughter is 18. She needs independence. Then that drama between their parents not wanting them together happens. Then the West goes into a coma and suddenly Piper is all ''OMG WHAT HAVE I DONE!!!:0000''
AND RETURNS TO HIM AND LOVING HIM AGAIN. Like boi???
Then there's this part where that mean girl spreads a rumor on Facebook (Who uses Facebook? It's all Snapchat and Instagram now smh)and then the main character films a vid LITERALLY TALKING NORMALLY TO THE CAMERA SAYING THE TRUTH.
And then she fucks this shit and buys a truffly wuffly to give to her said coma boy.
Like. Her disorder isn't a character flaw to overcome. It's not meant to be a problem for him to heal. This is a real thing that people suffer from, and it's unrealistic how he fixes her said problems.
The book was so good until the end.
Then he 'fixes' her SM and now she's talking to EVERYONE because now she's solved!!!! Yay!
Her crap friend (I forgot her name.) who left her and calls her names, yet the girl still returns to the said crap friend. She did that to herself, and now it's all kissy hug time? Great. Realistic.
Then, apparently, their parents don't want them together and overreact. Their daughter is 18. She needs independence. Then that drama between their parents not wanting them together happens. Then the West goes into a coma and suddenly Piper is all ''OMG WHAT HAVE I DONE!!!:0000''
AND RETURNS TO HIM AND LOVING HIM AGAIN. Like boi???
Then there's this part where that mean girl spreads a rumor on Facebook (Who uses Facebook? It's all Snapchat and Instagram now smh)and then the main character films a vid LITERALLY TALKING NORMALLY TO THE CAMERA SAYING THE TRUTH.
And then she fucks this shit and buys a truffly wuffly to give to her said coma boy.
Like. Her disorder isn't a character flaw to overcome. It's not meant to be a problem for him to heal. This is a real thing that people suffer from, and it's unrealistic how he fixes her said problems.
The book was so good until the end.
September 27, 2019
[read in 2016]
As a mute girl, I really needed this book. Every mute person is different and experience life differently from other mute people so I didn't go into this expecting to relate fully but I related to the main character for most of the book.
I was diagnosed with selective mutism at age 3 but I was getting better until my dad died when I was 4. I'm 20 now and still have only spoken to 6 people in my entire life.
The reason I'm posting this now is because I'm starting a book tube channel to help me through my mutism. 20 years of silence has been tough and its been so lonely so I need to start forcing myself to get better. I can't wait to post videos!
As a mute girl, I really needed this book. Every mute person is different and experience life differently from other mute people so I didn't go into this expecting to relate fully but I related to the main character for most of the book.
I was diagnosed with selective mutism at age 3 but I was getting better until my dad died when I was 4. I'm 20 now and still have only spoken to 6 people in my entire life.
The reason I'm posting this now is because I'm starting a book tube channel to help me through my mutism. 20 years of silence has been tough and its been so lonely so I need to start forcing myself to get better. I can't wait to post videos!
June 1, 2016
I CANNOT EVEN BEGIN TO DESCRIBE HOW MANY GOOD FEELINGS I HAVE TOWARDS THIS BOOK!
UPDATE:
If you are wanting a Spoiler-Free review and to hear my thoughts and opinions on this book, here is a link to my review on my Booktube channel :
https://youtu.be/cdaDlhYnFFI
If you have read this book and you are wanting a spoilery discussion, here's a link to a collaborative blog I did with Julia at Picnic Reads! :
http://picnicreads.blogspot.com.au/20...
UPDATE:
If you are wanting a Spoiler-Free review and to hear my thoughts and opinions on this book, here is a link to my review on my Booktube channel :
https://youtu.be/cdaDlhYnFFI
If you have read this book and you are wanting a spoilery discussion, here's a link to a collaborative blog I did with Julia at Picnic Reads! :
http://picnicreads.blogspot.com.au/20...
July 1, 2016
i love love loved this book. the main character was so interesting, real and unique. the storyline was engaging and educational, but also just enjoyable. the setting in australia was very relatable. and the story gave me heaps and heaps of feels- the last section had me so worried that things weren't going to be okay! i applaud kylie fornasier for dealing with the topic of selective mutism so well, and creating such an amazing story.
May 12, 2016
Warning : This not a book that you should read on a bus , well any public place. A heartwarming/heartbreaking YA story that features a cute couple
Full review to come
Full review to come
December 22, 2016
This was so cute! And Australian!
June 27, 2016
3.5 stars.
June 14, 2017
4.5/5
Somehow, I knew all along that I would fall in love with this book. An Aussie YA novel about a teen female protagonist with Selective Mutism (SM) and social anxiety struggles to find her ability to speak up? Yes, please! This is the book that I didn't even know that I needed. It was so powerful and raw and inspiring and eye-opening; Fornasier has written an important YA novel that will touch readers and improve their ability to empathise. Social anxiety, and SM, is not something that you can just get over; it's not that easy. This is the first time I've read a story revolving around a girl with SM and I felt like Fornasier really did justice in writing an accurate and sensitive portrayal of it.
'The Things I Didn't Say' follows seventeen-year-old Piper Rhodes, who has just moved to a new school, Katoomba High, after a high school party where she ended up losing her best friend Cassie (hello name twin!). Piper has Selective Mutism, and it's basically just about her navigating her way through it and trying to LET IT GO. After a rocky start she makes some friends, and maybe even a boyfriend. But how long can she keep them when she can't even say 'Hi'?
As I said, I felt like the portrayal of SM was realistic and authentic. It was extraordinarily frustrating to follow Piper, you can feel the frustration she feels when she wants to say something but the words just fail to pass from her lips. Her condition is so bad that she can't even speak to her family when one of their friends has come over for dinner. She falls in love with a guy but he hasn't even heard her speak, and she worries that he will eventually grow impatient and fall for another girl. I really empathised with Piper and felt so happy for her when she finally did start to break down those walls and talk to people outside of her immediate family and psychologist Dr Hayes.
'The Things I Didn't Say' is quintessentially, un-apologetically, deliciously Aussie. The sense of place is so well established, it took next to no effort at all to pick this book up and become transported to Blue Mountains surrounds, which is a very famous area in NSW Australia known for its iconic National Park. It was also just in the little things and places that were mentioned in the book that makes it an Aussie book, which I don't mind in the slightest. I'm so proud that I'm picking up more #LoveOzYA titles, and I'm glad that more and more Aussie titles are gaining recognition overseas as well. I'm hoping that this book also makes it across the ocean!
The writing style was beautiful. It was simple yet beautiful. The story also includes dialogue or conversations told in text messages, notes and letters, a plot device which I adore. I also read this over the span of 1-2 days: I devoured it and just could not put it down! Piper's voice was just so... authentic! I would say I suffer mild social anxiety, so I understand and am all too familiar with the debilitating effects of OVERTHINKING and the torturous cycle that can trap you.
I have to say that Piper's family has quickly become one of my all-time favourite literary families. I wish there could be another book just so we could continue to follow all the characters, I really did love them all so much. There's Evie(the youngest) and Tilly and Jackson (their brother), and mum and dad. Their home just seemed to be so full of life - a sharp contrast to another book I just finished. They even have Family Fun night!
I think this book may have stood even higher and stronger if there wasn't a love interest, however that is probably strictly personal preference and I understand why it was brought into the story. I understand why West had to be so prevalent in Piper's life. They help each other get through their problems and it really did bring her SM to the spotlight and drive the narrative forward. I liked West. He's a definite book boyfriend, and I would like to think that there are guys out there like him. He has issues of his own, but he has so much patience for Piper and the love and devotion he has reserved for her is just beautiful. The progression of their relationship was beautiful. I love that they slowly become friends and grow to share more and more with each other, though I still think some of the romance-y parts could have been left out. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea that a girl with social anxiety and Selective Mutism can have sex with someone she can't speak to.... Please explain.
All in all, this book rocked it! Need I really say more? I didn't mention everything I enjoyed about this book - the rest you'll just to find out for yourself. ;)
Somehow, I knew all along that I would fall in love with this book. An Aussie YA novel about a teen female protagonist with Selective Mutism (SM) and social anxiety struggles to find her ability to speak up? Yes, please! This is the book that I didn't even know that I needed. It was so powerful and raw and inspiring and eye-opening; Fornasier has written an important YA novel that will touch readers and improve their ability to empathise. Social anxiety, and SM, is not something that you can just get over; it's not that easy. This is the first time I've read a story revolving around a girl with SM and I felt like Fornasier really did justice in writing an accurate and sensitive portrayal of it.
'The Things I Didn't Say' follows seventeen-year-old Piper Rhodes, who has just moved to a new school, Katoomba High, after a high school party where she ended up losing her best friend Cassie (hello name twin!). Piper has Selective Mutism, and it's basically just about her navigating her way through it and trying to LET IT GO. After a rocky start she makes some friends, and maybe even a boyfriend. But how long can she keep them when she can't even say 'Hi'?
As I said, I felt like the portrayal of SM was realistic and authentic. It was extraordinarily frustrating to follow Piper, you can feel the frustration she feels when she wants to say something but the words just fail to pass from her lips. Her condition is so bad that she can't even speak to her family when one of their friends has come over for dinner. She falls in love with a guy but he hasn't even heard her speak, and she worries that he will eventually grow impatient and fall for another girl. I really empathised with Piper and felt so happy for her when she finally did start to break down those walls and talk to people outside of her immediate family and psychologist Dr Hayes.
'The Things I Didn't Say' is quintessentially, un-apologetically, deliciously Aussie. The sense of place is so well established, it took next to no effort at all to pick this book up and become transported to Blue Mountains surrounds, which is a very famous area in NSW Australia known for its iconic National Park. It was also just in the little things and places that were mentioned in the book that makes it an Aussie book, which I don't mind in the slightest. I'm so proud that I'm picking up more #LoveOzYA titles, and I'm glad that more and more Aussie titles are gaining recognition overseas as well. I'm hoping that this book also makes it across the ocean!
The writing style was beautiful. It was simple yet beautiful. The story also includes dialogue or conversations told in text messages, notes and letters, a plot device which I adore. I also read this over the span of 1-2 days: I devoured it and just could not put it down! Piper's voice was just so... authentic! I would say I suffer mild social anxiety, so I understand and am all too familiar with the debilitating effects of OVERTHINKING and the torturous cycle that can trap you.
I have to say that Piper's family has quickly become one of my all-time favourite literary families. I wish there could be another book just so we could continue to follow all the characters, I really did love them all so much. There's Evie(the youngest) and Tilly and Jackson (their brother), and mum and dad. Their home just seemed to be so full of life - a sharp contrast to another book I just finished. They even have Family Fun night!
I think this book may have stood even higher and stronger if there wasn't a love interest, however that is probably strictly personal preference and I understand why it was brought into the story. I understand why West had to be so prevalent in Piper's life. They help each other get through their problems and it really did bring her SM to the spotlight and drive the narrative forward. I liked West. He's a definite book boyfriend, and I would like to think that there are guys out there like him. He has issues of his own, but he has so much patience for Piper and the love and devotion he has reserved for her is just beautiful. The progression of their relationship was beautiful. I love that they slowly become friends and grow to share more and more with each other, though I still think some of the romance-y parts could have been left out. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the idea that a girl with social anxiety and Selective Mutism can have sex with someone she can't speak to.... Please explain.
All in all, this book rocked it! Need I really say more? I didn't mention everything I enjoyed about this book - the rest you'll just to find out for yourself. ;)
July 24, 2017
This was an amazing book. I loved the whole idea of it and how it really brought to life how it feels to deal with Selective Mutism and the struggles they go through every day.
Also, this book is based in Australia REPRESENT!!! They even mention Threadbo and I live never there and I was so totally getting it all and it was just so cool and felt like home reading this book.
I was really shocked with how well the mental illness was written in the book and it was just so realistic and so many books just never get there and it just doesn't feel realistic but this book did it so well. I though the support network in this book was just amazing as well, the people were so loving.
Piper is so awesome and strong. She doesn't hate herself, she has moments where it sucks that she can't say what she wants to say but she isn't constantly at herself and having really bad thoughts. Piper also really grew as a person and it was amazing.
West was just adorable. He could see past Piper just being the 'Mute Girl' which most people can't. But West saw her and wanted to know her and the relationship build up was done so well and I just was routing for them so much. I however did not like how West was at Piper so much for her to speak to him, like dude, she can't, stop trying to make her. At least West did apologize every time he was being shit to her.
I also loved Piper's family. Even though they didn't understand her sometimes they were still so helpful and tried to do what they could and were supportive.
Overall this was a great book and it needs more hype. People need to pick up this book.
Also, this book is based in Australia REPRESENT!!! They even mention Threadbo and I live never there and I was so totally getting it all and it was just so cool and felt like home reading this book.
I was really shocked with how well the mental illness was written in the book and it was just so realistic and so many books just never get there and it just doesn't feel realistic but this book did it so well. I though the support network in this book was just amazing as well, the people were so loving.
Piper is so awesome and strong. She doesn't hate herself, she has moments where it sucks that she can't say what she wants to say but she isn't constantly at herself and having really bad thoughts. Piper also really grew as a person and it was amazing.
West was just adorable. He could see past Piper just being the 'Mute Girl' which most people can't. But West saw her and wanted to know her and the relationship build up was done so well and I just was routing for them so much. I however did not like how West was at Piper so much for her to speak to him, like dude, she can't, stop trying to make her. At least West did apologize every time he was being shit to her.
I also loved Piper's family. Even though they didn't understand her sometimes they were still so helpful and tried to do what they could and were supportive.
Overall this was a great book and it needs more hype. People need to pick up this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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