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Made You Up
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Reality, it turns out, is often not what you perceive it to be—sometimes, there really is someone out to get you. For fans of Silver Linings Playbook and Liar, this thought-provoking debut tells the story of Alex, a high school senior—and the ultimate unreliable narrator—unable to tell the difference between real life and delusion.
Alex fights a daily battle to figure out ...more
Alex fights a daily battle to figure out ...more
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Paperback, 445 pages
Published
May 2nd 2017
by Greenwillow Books
(first published May 19th 2015)
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Showing 1-30
Start your review of Made You Up
Oh well, look at that! I created a new shelve just for this book: 0-star.
It disgusts me that an author would use all the symptoms of schizophrenia that seem "glamorous", "sensationalist" or ask for angst with so much as no regard for accuracy. It disgusts me that because of authors like that, people are clapping their hands, thinking this is accurate and sensitive while it is not.
In fact, it's so disgustingly inaccurate that I could use this book any time to give one of my professors or ...more
It disgusts me that an author would use all the symptoms of schizophrenia that seem "glamorous", "sensationalist" or ask for angst with so much as no regard for accuracy. It disgusts me that because of authors like that, people are clapping their hands, thinking this is accurate and sensitive while it is not.
In fact, it's so disgustingly inaccurate that I could use this book any time to give one of my professors or ...more
“Sometimes I think people take reality for granted.”
I stand by my earlier claim - YA contemporary is where it's at this year. I thought this book was excellent. Compelling, addictive, really weird and excellent. It was such an unusual novel; I can personally say I've never read anything quite like it and it's a great book for discussion. Such an unreliable narrator, constantly blurring the lines between reality and hallucination.
Alex suffers from paranoia and schizophrenia. Her world is full ...more
I stand by my earlier claim - YA contemporary is where it's at this year. I thought this book was excellent. Compelling, addictive, really weird and excellent. It was such an unusual novel; I can personally say I've never read anything quite like it and it's a great book for discussion. Such an unreliable narrator, constantly blurring the lines between reality and hallucination.
Alex suffers from paranoia and schizophrenia. Her world is full ...more
6 Things That You Will Love About Made You Up + A Note to FrancescaZappia
1.) The absolutely charming heroine, Alex . We have another unreliable narrator here, which I absolutely loved. But being unreliable isn't a reason not to connect with her. In fact, it was so incredibly easy for me to love her. Alex was sassyandsarcastic, but also troubled and with a lot of depth. To say that she had a strong personality would be an understatement.
2.) All of thefeelings . This book was so emotionally ...more
1.) The absolutely charming heroine, Alex . We have another unreliable narrator here, which I absolutely loved. But being unreliable isn't a reason not to connect with her. In fact, it was so incredibly easy for me to love her. Alex was sassyandsarcastic, but also troubled and with a lot of depth. To say that she had a strong personality would be an understatement.
2.) All of thefeelings . This book was so emotionally ...more
this is not a horror story, but it scared the crap out of me. it had me second guessing everything and gave me major trust issues by the end. but i think the unpredictable, and somewhat alarming, nature of this story is quite indicative of how i imagine mental illness can be.
i appreciate how mental illness has garnered more frequent representation and i think the trend needs to continue, if not increase. however, its such a sensitive topic, that if its not handled appropriately or accurately, it ...more
i appreciate how mental illness has garnered more frequent representation and i think the trend needs to continue, if not increase. however, its such a sensitive topic, that if its not handled appropriately or accurately, it ...more
I AM SO TOALLY OVERCOME WITH EMOTIONS RIGHT NOW. AGH. How do I even...what do I say?! How?! GAHLKJ FJAKSLDS GHARRRHRH. *ahem* I quite liked this book. It was confusing at times and I guessed many of the plot twists, but somehow I was so totally caught up that the 400-pages just flipped by in a flash and I wanted more, but I also wanted to cry, but I also wanted to rage. So basically YEAH ALL THE EMOTIONS. IT WAS REALLY GOOD. I FEEL LIKE I JUST GOT STABBED IN THE FACE.
So it's about schizophrenia, ...more
So it's about schizophrenia, ...more
Ugh. I wanted to like this. Really, I did. But it just...wasn’t in the cards. Or should I say...foretold by the Magic 8-Ball. (That’s a halfhearted reference to this book. Check.)
https://emmareadstoomuch.wordpress.co...
God, I’m literally intimidated by the thought of trying to review this. It seems so haaaard to put my thoughts into words. I’ll try. Kind of.
Let’s start with the good stuff, though. This book focuses on Alex, a high school senior with paranoid schizophrenia. I was hype to read ...more
https://emmareadstoomuch.wordpress.co...
God, I’m literally intimidated by the thought of trying to review this. It seems so haaaard to put my thoughts into words. I’ll try. Kind of.
Let’s start with the good stuff, though. This book focuses on Alex, a high school senior with paranoid schizophrenia. I was hype to read ...more
Dec 06, 2015
Aj the Ravenous Reader
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Aj the Ravenous Reader by:
Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘
"Everyone's interesting if you stare at them long enough."
I’m peeling off a hangnail from my pinkie as punishment for not having read this sooner. I didn’t even get to vote this for GR 2015 Best YA fiction because I’ve been putting this on hold assuming this was going to be another sad and heavy read about a sick or dying kid because I may have already reached my tolerance limit for these kinds of reads this year. I was wrong about this one. I was so wrong! Now, it’s too late and I’ve got ...more
"My throat tightened and my heart swelled painfully in my chest. Please don't let this be a delusion. Please let this be real."
As long as I can remember, I've always been fascinated by schizophrenia, and mental illness, for that matter. Although I've been unable to explain why for years, more that I think about it, more it seems to me that what attracts me so much is the fact that people apprehend and see the world differently, through the lens of their own perception. Perception that they can ...more
Oct 17, 2014
Steph Sinclair
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
2015-favs,
young-adult,
edelweiss,
2015-release,
tough-issues,
e-arc,
contemporary,
marginalized-stories,
ebook,
2015-reads
I loved this one. An unreliable main character that is both firece and strong in every way. Definitely make sure this one is on your list! Review to come!
Jul 31, 2017
Elise (TheBookishActress)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
fans of non-toxic mental health narratives
Recommended to Elise by:
may ❀
4 1/2 stars, but I rounded up because... sort of a new favorite. You know how I'm going to review this? Post my old thinkpiece on mental illness tropes in YA, and then proceed to go into how this book smacks it all down. Let's just call this a 5000 word essay on Why Francesca Zappia Is the Only YA Author I Trust With Mental Illness Narrative Framing Anymore. Seriously.
MENTAL ILLNESS IS EXACTLY THIS.
You know what trope I hate? The curing trope. You know what trope I'm tired of? The ...more
MENTAL ILLNESS IS EXACTLY THIS.
You know what trope I hate? The curing trope. You know what trope I'm tired of? The ...more
I finished a book after my week long slump that felt like I’d been in for eternity.
THANK YOU, Katherine for messaging me for a buddy read, otherwise I would’ve been stuck in this rut forever.
(I’m going to celebrate by buying a book or six.)
‘Made You Up’ tells the story of a girl who suffers from schizophrenia. Our main character has difficulty differentiating between reality and her hallucinations and in order to cope with that, she takes pictures.
I loved the portrayal of mental health in ...more
THANK YOU, Katherine for messaging me for a buddy read, otherwise I would’ve been stuck in this rut forever.
(I’m going to celebrate by buying a book or six.)
‘Made You Up’ tells the story of a girl who suffers from schizophrenia. Our main character has difficulty differentiating between reality and her hallucinations and in order to cope with that, she takes pictures.
I loved the portrayal of mental health in ...more
Mar 24, 2017
Sana
rated it
it was ok
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Sana by:
literally EVERYONE
oh hi there, it is I, hater of the popular books loved by millions of people.
the beginning was actually really good
then Miles came
i hate Miles
a lot
i also hate contemporaries
but this one was "really good"
but it wasn't
it seemed like every other YA Contemporary, except the MC in this book had schizophrenia (how do you even pronounce that)
i actually liked alex and i enjoyed reading about her character and learned about her condition, but
THIS IS A CONTEMPORARY
so i FUCKING HATED IT
and the romance ...more
the beginning was actually really good
then Miles came
i hate Miles
a lot
i also hate contemporaries
but this one was "really good"
but it wasn't
it seemed like every other YA Contemporary, except the MC in this book had schizophrenia (how do you even pronounce that)
i actually liked alex and i enjoyed reading about her character and learned about her condition, but
THIS IS A CONTEMPORARY
so i FUCKING HATED IT
and the romance ...more
Feb 19, 2017
Tweebs♥️ (hiatus)
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
books-that-killed-me-and-my-ghost
“Everyone's interesting if you stare at them long enough.”
*snort*
Well, I’ll be damned. If I stare at this book any longer, I think I will throw it across the Atlantic Ocean for making me into this…...emotional hot mess. Speaking, of hot mess, I’m pretty sure this review will be one so, buckle up kids.
YOU ARE IN FOR A RIDE!!
This book was quite a surprise. I DID NOT expect to have my bum bum blown away by the awesomeness. I dived into this book thinking it was going to be cute and cliche. Like ...more
*snort*
Well, I’ll be damned. If I stare at this book any longer, I think I will throw it across the Atlantic Ocean for making me into this…...emotional hot mess. Speaking, of hot mess, I’m pretty sure this review will be one so, buckle up kids.
YOU ARE IN FOR A RIDE!!
This book was quite a surprise. I DID NOT expect to have my bum bum blown away by the awesomeness. I dived into this book thinking it was going to be cute and cliche. Like ...more
4 stars!!!
Made You Up is a unique and riveting tale of a teenage girl named Alex. Alex is a teenager who is living with mental illness. She has schizophrenia and has trouble knowing what is real and what isn’t sometimes. I cannot imagine being in Alex’s shoes. The story was fascinating but equally terrifying knowing that people are dealing with this very serious disorder.
I loved Alex’s character. I thought she was fierce and honestly was trying to live her very best life, as difficult as it ...more
Made You Up is a unique and riveting tale of a teenage girl named Alex. Alex is a teenager who is living with mental illness. She has schizophrenia and has trouble knowing what is real and what isn’t sometimes. I cannot imagine being in Alex’s shoes. The story was fascinating but equally terrifying knowing that people are dealing with this very serious disorder.
I loved Alex’s character. I thought she was fierce and honestly was trying to live her very best life, as difficult as it ...more
4 Stars!!
For some reason I’m always reluctant to start a YA novel and I’m always reluctant to start a book with this subject matter – mental illness. And no, not because I don’t enjoy them. In fact, I’ve always been fascinated by books about mental health. To be honest “Made You Up” was very different from what I expected. It’s a compelling, moving, refreshing story about a girl who lives in her own world, a ...more
“Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one” – Albert Einstein
For some reason I’m always reluctant to start a YA novel and I’m always reluctant to start a book with this subject matter – mental illness. And no, not because I don’t enjoy them. In fact, I’ve always been fascinated by books about mental health. To be honest “Made You Up” was very different from what I expected. It’s a compelling, moving, refreshing story about a girl who lives in her own world, a ...more
Not one for contemporaries but this one definitely made the exception. So beautifully written.
"Are you real?"
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Right after reading this book, my feelings was all over the place. And if you don't know, when a book does that to you it only means one thing: the book is all kinds of amazing. Made You Up is such a powerful and poignant novel. It was engrossing to the point that the book is absolutely gripped inside your heart and the desire to let go... is nonexistent.
I love how unreliable our main character is. I'm the kind of reader who always puts herself in the main character's ...more
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss.)
“My first-ever friend was a hallucination: a sparkling entry on my new resume as a crazy person.”
This was a quirky story about a girl suffering from schizophrenia, and her doubts over what was real, and what was a hallucination.
Alex was a sweet girl, and I felt quite sorry for her and what she was going through; being diagnosed with schizophrenia at such a young age, being ...more
“My first-ever friend was a hallucination: a sparkling entry on my new resume as a crazy person.”
This was a quirky story about a girl suffering from schizophrenia, and her doubts over what was real, and what was a hallucination.
Alex was a sweet girl, and I felt quite sorry for her and what she was going through; being diagnosed with schizophrenia at such a young age, being ...more
“What you loved as a child, you will love forever.”
Wow, I am shocked, i really didn't expect that it would be this good.
Made You Up is a book, that will make you question everything you know. It griped me from the very first page. I was real wary to read it, because Mental Illness book doesn't dwell well with me, because Literally in every book the illness is dragged, and i know it because its my it my field of expertise, we literally work hard to know and treat these patients and for me ...more
May 11, 2015
Aestas Book Blog
marked it as to-read
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
now,
not-yet-released
Holy shit!!!! OMG!!! Woah!!! This BLURB gave me CHILLS!!! I'm so intrigued and can't wait to read it!!
"Let's play twenty questions."
"Okay. But I ask the questions this time."
"Fine."
"If I guess it before five, I'll be really disappointed."
The corners of his lips twisted up in a smile and he said, "Don't insult me."
"Are you alive?"
"Yes."
"Do you live here?"
"Yes."
"Do I know you?"
"Yes."
"Did I make you up?"
______________________________
Alex wages a war against her schizophrenia, determined to stay ...more
"Let's play twenty questions."
"Okay. But I ask the questions this time."
"Fine."
"If I guess it before five, I'll be really disappointed."
The corners of his lips twisted up in a smile and he said, "Don't insult me."
"Are you alive?"
"Yes."
"Do you live here?"
"Yes."
"Do I know you?"
"Yes."
"Did I make you up?"
______________________________
Alex wages a war against her schizophrenia, determined to stay ...more
Dec 09, 2015
Lexie
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Lexie by:
C.G. Drews
Shelves:
read-in-2015,
ya-contemporary
Well, then.
If this book was real, I highly enjoyed it.
But I trust nothing anymore, so... we'll see.
If this book was real, I highly enjoyed it.
But I trust nothing anymore, so... we'll see.
How I know my Magic 8 Ball is reliable
*Before Reading*
Cee: Magic 8 Ball, will Made You Up try to kill me?
Magic 8 Ball: Concentrate and ask again.
Cee: You know? The kind where a book sucks the soul out of you, drop by drop, until you're on the floor rolling around in your own filth because you both love and hate yourself for picking up this book in the first place?
Magic 8 Ball: Reply hazy. Try again later.
Cee: Can you at least tell me if I'll like it or not?
Magic 8 Ball: Outlook not so good.
...more
*Before Reading*
Cee: Magic 8 Ball, will Made You Up try to kill me?
Magic 8 Ball: Concentrate and ask again.
Cee: You know? The kind where a book sucks the soul out of you, drop by drop, until you're on the floor rolling around in your own filth because you both love and hate yourself for picking up this book in the first place?
Magic 8 Ball: Reply hazy. Try again later.
Cee: Can you at least tell me if I'll like it or not?
Magic 8 Ball: Outlook not so good.
...more
Jan 14, 2019
L A i N E Y
rated it
did not like it
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
no one
I don’t know what to say except that the only parts that made me feel anything was a very fictionalized version of events, as in if we live in “alternative reality” or something. (Huge FYI though, we are NOT.) And I guess as a person with a type of chronic illness myself, I have the right to say that it’s quite offensive to read.
If it was set in fantasy land then I would have felt okay and may have even given the book two and a half stars rating but as it is, one star from me.
If it was set in fantasy land then I would have felt okay and may have even given the book two and a half stars rating but as it is, one star from me.
Holy shit my feels right now.
May 20, 2015
Chelsea ❤Peril Please❤
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Chelsea ❤Peril Please❤ by:
Alienor ✘ French Frowner ✘
"You're Jetta."
He shook his head.
I frowned. "Theo?"
"No."
"Well if you're not either of them, you'd have to be me."
He blinked.
"It's me?" I said.
"I couldn't think of anyone else," he said.
So....to keep pace with my current obsession of flawed and/or tortured characters and unreliable narrators, I just had to read this. I can't even begin to imagine living in a world where I don't know what's real and what isn't. It's just unfathomable, to me. To look on my desk and see a spider, only to ...more
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
Hey look, it’s another book I read two months ago and never reviewed. Bonus this time – it was a library book (thanks a lot for denying me the ARC, NetGalley!) and my loan expired therefore erasing all of my quotes. Fail. Luckily my old lady brain didn’t sabotage me on this one so I can kind of halfa$$ review it. Lucky again that this is a book where the less said is better because SPOILERS so if this is on your TBR be careful wading ...more
Hey look, it’s another book I read two months ago and never reviewed. Bonus this time – it was a library book (thanks a lot for denying me the ARC, NetGalley!) and my loan expired therefore erasing all of my quotes. Fail. Luckily my old lady brain didn’t sabotage me on this one so I can kind of halfa$$ review it. Lucky again that this is a book where the less said is better because SPOILERS so if this is on your TBR be careful wading ...more
“If nothing’s real, then what does it matter?” he said. “You live here. Doesn’t that make it real enough?”
I don't think I'll ever be ready to fully review this book.The characters are so unique,the story is just captivating and there are so many twist that you won't see coming!Also,hate-to-love relationships give me life.But seriously,read this book as soon as possible,I guarantee that you'll love it if you love smart but a bit crazy and weird characters and a "oh my god my feelings" kind ...more
Aug 18, 2018
sue
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
contemporary,
young-adult
This was recommended to me a while back. It’s been sitting on my shelf for ages. It’s not the usual kind of writing I enjoy however, because it was recommended over Mental Health week some time ago (which I’m a supporter of) I bought it.
I am slowly trying to get to my own purchased books bit by bit and decided to choose this one.
Like a lot of clinical psychotic mental health illnesses it edges on hallucinations, paranoia, grandious ideas and more.
schizophrenia is of no exception and we see this ...more
I am slowly trying to get to my own purchased books bit by bit and decided to choose this one.
Like a lot of clinical psychotic mental health illnesses it edges on hallucinations, paranoia, grandious ideas and more.
schizophrenia is of no exception and we see this ...more
4,2 stars
Speechless
I thought about it and I don't feel like to review this book anymore. I liked it too much and waited too long. Sorry.
(how cute and accurate this picture is though?)
Speechless
I thought about it and I don't feel like to review this book anymore. I liked it too much and waited too long. Sorry.
(how cute and accurate this picture is though?)
"I didn't have the luxury of taking reality for granted. And I wouldn't say I hated people who did, because that's just about everyone. I didn't hate them. They didn't live in my world.
But that never stopped me from wishing I lived in theirs."
There's SO MUCH to say about this book! It's one of those books you get mad because people should read this, it should be more famous and you just don't want the story to end. But, this isn't perfect. And for me, that didn't really matter because for what ...more
But that never stopped me from wishing I lived in theirs."
There's SO MUCH to say about this book! It's one of those books you get mad because people should read this, it should be more famous and you just don't want the story to end. But, this isn't perfect. And for me, that didn't really matter because for what ...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What's the Name o...: SOLVED. Young adult. Girl is schizophrenic, has red hair, has a sister, starts new school & meets boy whose grandfather was a Nazi. Spoilers ahead. [s] | 5 | 42 | Aug 07, 2018 03:27PM | |
| Bookish Kingdom: BR Made You Up, June 25 (2018) | 42 | 16 | Aug 06, 2018 06:27PM |
Readers also enjoyed
Writer of MADE YOU UP and ELIZA AND HER MONSTERS. Represented by Louise Fury of the Bent Agency.
Also wrote The Children of Hypnos serial on Wattpad (https://www.wattpad.com/story/9547883...).
Social Media: @ChessieZappia
You can find links to all my social media on my website, www.francescazappia.com.
Also wrote The Children of Hypnos serial on Wattpad (https://www.wattpad.com/story/9547883...).
Social Media: @ChessieZappia
You can find links to all my social media on my website, www.francescazappia.com.
1 trivia question
More quizzes & trivia...
“Sometimes I think people take reality for granted.”
—
281 likes
“People say teenagers think they're immortal, and I agree with that. But I think there's a difference between thinking you're immortal and knowing you can survive. Thinking you're immortal leads to arrogance, thinking you deserve the best. Surviving means having the worst thrown at you and being able to continue on despite that. It means striving for what you want most, even when it seems our of your reach, even when everything is working against you.”
—
189 likes
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