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Never Eighteen
Austin Parker is on a journey to bring truth, beauty, and meaning to his life.Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday. At the rate he’s going, he probably won’t even see the end of the year. The doctors say his chances of surviving are slim to none even with treatment, so he’s decided it’s time to let go.But before he goes, Austin wants to mend the broken fences in his life. So with the help of his best friend, Kaylee, Austin visits every person in his life who touched him in a special way. He journeys to places he’s loved and those he’s never seen. And what starts as a way to say goodbye turns into a personal journey that brings love, acceptance, and meaning to Austin’s life.
200 pages, Paperback
First published January 17, 2012
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5880 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 398 reviews
August 17, 2011
Well, I made it - with three hours left to spare. I'm going to clean up my mascara-streaked cheeks and get my shit together. Perhaps when I'm a bit more sane, I'll write a coherent review.
FULL REVIEW:
Picture this:
It’s 8:38 in the morning.
I’m in the office.
Adobe Digital Editions is open.
My fingers are lightning fast as I minimize the screen each time I hear footsteps approaching my door.
Heart is beating, throat closing up.
Boss walks in and says, "I’m going to be away for most of the morning. Call my cell phone if you need anything."
I nod and proceed to be un-productive.
Three hours later.
I look liked Tamara Faye LaValley Bakker Messner. You know, that woman evangelist whose lashes were heavy and thick with goops of mascara? I kid you not. I usually have a box of tissues within my reach, but had inconveniently run out yesterday. I had tears – big drops, the kind that made me think it wasn’t going to stop flowing and sticky goo running from my nose.
All because of a book.
Laugh at me. Harangue me.
I’m kind of a sporadically emotional reader. Unpredictable.
If you were in my shoes yesterday, you would cry alligator tears too.
The book started out calmly enough. I was introduced to Austin Parker; a normal seventeen year old boy who was looking forward to the weekend that was upon him. But this particular weekend is far from normal. This weekend is going to be epic. He’d planned to face his fears, single-handedly try to change the lives of those he knew and perhaps grow a pair so he can finally tell the girl of his dreams how long he’d been in love with her.
Don’t start rolling your eyes yet.
This is the kind of book where you have to savour each word in order to feel all the courageous resolve in Austin, all the love he felt for everyone and the blinding hope that shines through him.
He made it so easy for me to love him as a character. Aside from a few tirades spoken out of drunkenness, he never did feel sorry for himself. How could you pity a boy this strong? So steadfast in how he wanted to exit this world.
The title alone is a spoiler of some sort so I’m not going to pretend that this book had a happy ending - however hard I wish it did. I typically stay away from books with imminent heartbreak splashed across the synopsis but I’ve looked forward to reading Never Eighteen for so long that it seemed like a sacrilege not to - no matter how tempting it was to let it expire from my galley.
This was such a beautiful and moving story with equally beautiful writing. There are books out there where I needed to step back from just because it was too emotional. I found myself doing that several times with this book. I had difficulty breathing by the time I got to the epilogue and seriously needed to go for a drive afterwards. Dramatic much? Maybe. Read this book and then we’ll talk.
I just wish the story went on…and on…and on... I’d love to know if everyone moved on from their lives according to Austin’s wishes. I’d love to know what really happened to Scott. I’m dying to know if Allie got help or if Trevor was finally free to love. Most of all, I’d love to know if Kaylee recovered from the grief of losing Austin.
I can’t believe this is Megan Bostic’s debut novel. With real characters and the flair for describing Washington’s picturesque nature, I am more convinced that there are writers and then there are WRITERS. In my books, Megan Bostic belongs in the latter.
FULL REVIEW:
Picture this:
It’s 8:38 in the morning.
I’m in the office.
Adobe Digital Editions is open.
My fingers are lightning fast as I minimize the screen each time I hear footsteps approaching my door.
Heart is beating, throat closing up.
Boss walks in and says, "I’m going to be away for most of the morning. Call my cell phone if you need anything."
I nod and proceed to be un-productive.
Three hours later.
I look liked Tamara Faye LaValley Bakker Messner. You know, that woman evangelist whose lashes were heavy and thick with goops of mascara? I kid you not. I usually have a box of tissues within my reach, but had inconveniently run out yesterday. I had tears – big drops, the kind that made me think it wasn’t going to stop flowing and sticky goo running from my nose.
All because of a book.
Laugh at me. Harangue me.
I’m kind of a sporadically emotional reader. Unpredictable.
If you were in my shoes yesterday, you would cry alligator tears too.
The book started out calmly enough. I was introduced to Austin Parker; a normal seventeen year old boy who was looking forward to the weekend that was upon him. But this particular weekend is far from normal. This weekend is going to be epic. He’d planned to face his fears, single-handedly try to change the lives of those he knew and perhaps grow a pair so he can finally tell the girl of his dreams how long he’d been in love with her.
Don’t start rolling your eyes yet.
This is the kind of book where you have to savour each word in order to feel all the courageous resolve in Austin, all the love he felt for everyone and the blinding hope that shines through him.
He made it so easy for me to love him as a character. Aside from a few tirades spoken out of drunkenness, he never did feel sorry for himself. How could you pity a boy this strong? So steadfast in how he wanted to exit this world.
The title alone is a spoiler of some sort so I’m not going to pretend that this book had a happy ending - however hard I wish it did. I typically stay away from books with imminent heartbreak splashed across the synopsis but I’ve looked forward to reading Never Eighteen for so long that it seemed like a sacrilege not to - no matter how tempting it was to let it expire from my galley.
This was such a beautiful and moving story with equally beautiful writing. There are books out there where I needed to step back from just because it was too emotional. I found myself doing that several times with this book. I had difficulty breathing by the time I got to the epilogue and seriously needed to go for a drive afterwards. Dramatic much? Maybe. Read this book and then we’ll talk.
I just wish the story went on…and on…and on... I’d love to know if everyone moved on from their lives according to Austin’s wishes. I’d love to know what really happened to Scott. I’m dying to know if Allie got help or if Trevor was finally free to love. Most of all, I’d love to know if Kaylee recovered from the grief of losing Austin.
I can’t believe this is Megan Bostic’s debut novel. With real characters and the flair for describing Washington’s picturesque nature, I am more convinced that there are writers and then there are WRITERS. In my books, Megan Bostic belongs in the latter.
June 23, 2016
THE REVIEW
Why this book?
This seemed like a book for me
What I thought
Austin is dying and before he goes he wants to make things right in his life. I'm so happy I found this book. I really makes you think, What would you do if you knew you were dying? This book was so heartfelt and emotional but fun at the same time. Austin and Kaylee were two characters I absolutely loved and I adored their friendship. This was a fast paced read and I finished it in one sitting,I couldn't put it down. This book is filled with Friendship,heartbreak, and a bit of romance. Overall an enjoyable read!
Why this book?
This seemed like a book for me
What I thought
Austin is dying and before he goes he wants to make things right in his life. I'm so happy I found this book. I really makes you think, What would you do if you knew you were dying? This book was so heartfelt and emotional but fun at the same time. Austin and Kaylee were two characters I absolutely loved and I adored their friendship. This was a fast paced read and I finished it in one sitting,I couldn't put it down. This book is filled with Friendship,heartbreak, and a bit of romance. Overall an enjoyable read!
August 30, 2013
Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday. At the rate he’s going, he probably won’t even see the end of the year. The doctors say his chances of surviving are slim to none even with treatment, so he’s decided it’s time to let go. But before he goes, Austin wants to mend the broken fences in his life❤❤
WHY WHY WHY DO I LOVE TO BREAK MY OWN HEART ???? WHY DO I LOVE BOOKS LIKE THIS THAT MAKE ME A WEEPY FOOL ????
I loved this book. The thought patterns I had while reading this made my universe spin. To me this story was about a young man's coming to terms with dying and making a little bit of a bucket list...so that he could have inner peace. This is going to be very hard to review without revealing too much but...I will try my best. Don't think that this is another "kid cancer book"....although it had some "The Fault in Our Stars" moments....this story was unique....it actually reminded me a lot more of "The Five People You Meet In Heaven" than any other book I've read.
I had the privilege of devouring this book on a desolate beach on a beautiful Memorial Day. As I was reading I literally could say..."did the sun just get brighter?" because it did...."Did the wind just take my breath away?"...no it was this book....Looking out into the water....wiping away at my OCEANof tears....Life just got more precious.....and hey look at those clouds...
AUSTIN❤❤
He only has a handful of tomorrows left so he sets out on this adventure.....closure of sorts...what I would call a "bucket-list"....now this story was told from his POV and he is 17.....so I didn't know what to expect...So as I wipe my tears away this is what I see...
He takes this adventure with Kaylee...
There have been so many times I've wanted to tell her I love her but I couldn't
So this mini-roadtrip/Austin task list takes us on an incredible journey. searching for meaning, even if its just a shred.
~ To his best friend Jake's house
~ To his ex-girlfriend Juliana's house
~ To a woman named Peggy's house
~ To the Fair ride Extreme Scream
~ To the triple dog dare hottest wings you can eat
~ To the school outcast Allie's house
~ To the Experience Music Project Museum
~ To the Seattle Space Needle for a *first date*
~ To a friend Kyle's house kegger
~ To a boy he owed an apology to
~ To a hilltop to see the Tacoma skyline
~ To his dad's house to find out what fell apart
~ To a burger joint to talk to someone that was his hero
~ To the playground where he fell in love with Kaylee *best first/last kiss ever*❤❤❤
EACH OF THESE STOPS IN THE JOURNEY HAD ITS OWN BEAUTIFUL STORY......
You have to read it and experience it for yourself !!
Then back to his home to finally tell his mom his ultimate decision. NO MORE CHEMO ...... Oh shit and snifffff and sobbbbb
I GET FRUSTRATED WITH THINGS OUT OF MY CONTROL AND I WONDER WHY PEOPLE DON'T DEAL WITH THE THINGS THEY CAN CONTROL
YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO LIVE AND BREATHE. TAKE IT. YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THAT LIFE, THAT BREATH, IS GOING TO BE SNATCHED AWAY
"MAKE MY MARK? HOW THE FUCK AM I SUPPOSED TO MAKE MY MARK. I'M ALREADY DYING. WE'RE ALL DYING; WE JUST DON'T KNOW HOW OR WHEN IT WILL HAPPEN. WELL, AT LEAST, THE LUCKY ONES DON'T"
"I'M READY TO GO, I WANT TO GO, BUT I WANT TO DO IT ON MY OWN TERMS, IN MY OWN HOUSE, IN MY OWN BED, MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS BY MY SIDE. BUT I HAVE TO MAKE SURE YOU'LL BE OKAY" His Mom hugs him tightly. "I WON'T BE OKAY. I'M NOT READY. I'LL NEVER BE READY. I DON'T WANT TO LET YOU GO." she repeats the word no what seems like a million times. ❤❤❤❤
I HAVE RESIGNED MYSELF TO THE FACT THAT VERY SOON I WILL NO LONGER BE A PART OF THIS WORLD. I WILL BE GONE AND IT WILL HAVE TO GO ON WITHOUT ME. I'VE ACCEPTED THAT THERE ARE THINGS I HAVEN'T DONE, SEEN, AND EXPERIENCED
I cannot express that I would highly recommend this book. It made me both ridiculously happy and depressingly sad. Life is too precious. Did I immediately drop everything and start my own bucket-list?.....not quite...but I did add a couple of realistic monumental things that I would like to do while I am still here...... I LOOKED INTO THE OCEAN AS I CLOSED THIS BOOK AND WIPED MY TEARS....
5 Life-Is-Beautiful STARS!!! ❤❤❤❤
Heather thank you for this recommendation !! I loved it ❤ big book hugs to ya !
September 25, 2013
Why do I torture myself? Really, I swore after reading 'The Fault in Our Stars' I would never touch a book like that again. I cried for about 3 weeks straight after reading that traumatic but so amazing read.
It's like I can't help myself. I know what I'm leaving myself in for but then I cry myself to sleep and ask myself why the hell I even read it before I read yet another book which then does the same-rips out my heart and cuts it into millions of tiny pieces.
Damn, WHY?
The author couldn't have made it any clearer 'Austin Parker is NEVER going to see his eighteenth birthday." Me being an emotional wreck when it comes to these type of books should have run a mile but 10 minutes later the book is downloaded and I already had panda eyes and a red runny nose. LOVELY.
This book, killed me bit by bit to say the least.
Why are we so fixated on reading books that cut us so deep? I mean Megan gave us the ending Never Eighteen. Who wants to find out they'll never reach adulthood for gods sake. I don't even know what I want to do with my life so how I can possibly do everything I want? You start your life at 18 it shouldn't end there.
Usually you get your first proper relationship at around that age, and to leave them? Before your chapter together has even began. My heart is seizing up again and my eyes getting blurry so forgive me if there's loads of spelling errors.
Austin felt like a brother to me, no parent should have to bury their child. I think part of me died with him in this book. It hurts. The ending literally finished off the shred of sanity I had left. I was so physically and mentally exhausted after reading this, I dropped the book as soon as I read the last word.
Kaylee is Austins best friend and long time secret crush, he wants to do everything on his bucket list before the inevitable happens and he wants to do it all with Kaylee. When he finally grabs the courage to tell her how he feels she tells him that she feels the same way. The new chapter they begin together was magical. They were perfect for eachother and she made Austin the happiest guy alive and it's because of her that when things did come to an end he was fulfilled. Yes they should have had longer but it was going to happen at some point and I thought the way Megan pulled the ending together couldn't have been better.
She taught Austin the true value of life and he taught her how to love, It was a heartbreaking but very inspiring read. Keep that which you love close and never take even a day of your life for granted.
It's like I can't help myself. I know what I'm leaving myself in for but then I cry myself to sleep and ask myself why the hell I even read it before I read yet another book which then does the same-rips out my heart and cuts it into millions of tiny pieces.
Damn, WHY?
The author couldn't have made it any clearer 'Austin Parker is NEVER going to see his eighteenth birthday." Me being an emotional wreck when it comes to these type of books should have run a mile but 10 minutes later the book is downloaded and I already had panda eyes and a red runny nose. LOVELY.
This book, killed me bit by bit to say the least.
Why are we so fixated on reading books that cut us so deep? I mean Megan gave us the ending Never Eighteen. Who wants to find out they'll never reach adulthood for gods sake. I don't even know what I want to do with my life so how I can possibly do everything I want? You start your life at 18 it shouldn't end there.
Usually you get your first proper relationship at around that age, and to leave them? Before your chapter together has even began. My heart is seizing up again and my eyes getting blurry so forgive me if there's loads of spelling errors.
Austin felt like a brother to me, no parent should have to bury their child. I think part of me died with him in this book. It hurts. The ending literally finished off the shred of sanity I had left. I was so physically and mentally exhausted after reading this, I dropped the book as soon as I read the last word.
Kaylee is Austins best friend and long time secret crush, he wants to do everything on his bucket list before the inevitable happens and he wants to do it all with Kaylee. When he finally grabs the courage to tell her how he feels she tells him that she feels the same way. The new chapter they begin together was magical. They were perfect for eachother and she made Austin the happiest guy alive and it's because of her that when things did come to an end he was fulfilled. Yes they should have had longer but it was going to happen at some point and I thought the way Megan pulled the ending together couldn't have been better.
She taught Austin the true value of life and he taught her how to love, It was a heartbreaking but very inspiring read. Keep that which you love close and never take even a day of your life for granted.
June 25, 2012
Do you have a wish list of things to do someday? Fears to conquer? Things to try? Places to see? People to visit or make amends with? We tend to believe or want to believe time will always be there. Later. Soon. Maybe tomorrow.
Austin Parker is out of time. He will never see eighteen years old, so he sets off on a roadtrip around Washington to accomplish and conquer his list. Readers are invited to jump in, buckle up, and experience Austin’s goodbyes, fears, regrets, and wishes one by one. Roller coaster rides, spicy foods, keggers and more! :D Austin stole my heart immediately with his open heart and sense of humor. His heart and compassion show on every page! From the little things to the big emotional issues and messes, this boy squeezed the hell out of my heart with simple, honest, quiet emotion. Simply put—I liked him. But every roadtrip needs a co-pilot to laugh and share the adventure and experiences with so….
Meet Kaylee. The girl Austin has been crushing on (perhaps more) since third grade. *sigh* As soon as I heard Kaylee’s addictions included coffee and books we were like this *fingers crossed*. Oh, plus she named her stuffed animal Stinky Cat and drives a 1969 Ford Mustang! Come on, I loved her for goodness sake never mind Austin. ;) Anyway….Austin enlists Kaylee for a weekend adventure filled with visits, heart breaking emotion, family, friends, beauty, and fun! Kaylee’s love and protectiveness for Austin flows through this tale with every touch, shared memory, smile, and joke. You will root and hope for them from the very first stop on the road to the last.
When Austin and Kaylee’s trip around Seattle and Washington state sets out, the errands and stops just feel like items to check off a list. Things appeared too clean and tidy. Some of the issues were big, emotional life issues, but with one visit from Austin--BAM—all fixed? At first, my heart wanted to close up and say this is ridiculous and too easy. BUT as the story moved on, the emotion, concern, and hope just captured my heart. People and problems came back around in the story to form a puzzle that fit together bringing Austin’s journey to life. This story just clicked with me. I wanted to believe one boy’s concern and efforts could change someone’s life. And maybe it can.
I am a “character” girl. If I identify and like the main characters, I will follow them anywhere! And boy o’boy, did Austin and Kaylee bring readers on a beautiful ride! Washington comes alive here in this story through her mountains, land, sunsets and city landmarks. Breathtaking beauty that will wake up all of your senses. I love Seattle and Ms. Bostic brings it to life here with fun touristy spots and scenery. The Space Needle and the Jimi Hendrix experience are Seattle musts! :) Time felt so infinite and relaxed in Kaylee’s Mustang. Just cruising around, slowly taking in the landscape, the food, company and the ride.
Austin stole my heart, broke my heart, and inspired me all at once. Our time here is not infinite. We should enjoy the ride, but also realize time keeps moving. Don’t wait. Get up. Do it now.
An inspiring, heartfelt read that urges readers to get up and start living! No regrets.
Austin Parker is out of time. He will never see eighteen years old, so he sets off on a roadtrip around Washington to accomplish and conquer his list. Readers are invited to jump in, buckle up, and experience Austin’s goodbyes, fears, regrets, and wishes one by one. Roller coaster rides, spicy foods, keggers and more! :D Austin stole my heart immediately with his open heart and sense of humor. His heart and compassion show on every page! From the little things to the big emotional issues and messes, this boy squeezed the hell out of my heart with simple, honest, quiet emotion. Simply put—I liked him. But every roadtrip needs a co-pilot to laugh and share the adventure and experiences with so….
Meet Kaylee. The girl Austin has been crushing on (perhaps more) since third grade. *sigh* As soon as I heard Kaylee’s addictions included coffee and books we were like this *fingers crossed*. Oh, plus she named her stuffed animal Stinky Cat and drives a 1969 Ford Mustang! Come on, I loved her for goodness sake never mind Austin. ;) Anyway….Austin enlists Kaylee for a weekend adventure filled with visits, heart breaking emotion, family, friends, beauty, and fun! Kaylee’s love and protectiveness for Austin flows through this tale with every touch, shared memory, smile, and joke. You will root and hope for them from the very first stop on the road to the last.
When Austin and Kaylee’s trip around Seattle and Washington state sets out, the errands and stops just feel like items to check off a list. Things appeared too clean and tidy. Some of the issues were big, emotional life issues, but with one visit from Austin--BAM—all fixed? At first, my heart wanted to close up and say this is ridiculous and too easy. BUT as the story moved on, the emotion, concern, and hope just captured my heart. People and problems came back around in the story to form a puzzle that fit together bringing Austin’s journey to life. This story just clicked with me. I wanted to believe one boy’s concern and efforts could change someone’s life. And maybe it can.
I am a “character” girl. If I identify and like the main characters, I will follow them anywhere! And boy o’boy, did Austin and Kaylee bring readers on a beautiful ride! Washington comes alive here in this story through her mountains, land, sunsets and city landmarks. Breathtaking beauty that will wake up all of your senses. I love Seattle and Ms. Bostic brings it to life here with fun touristy spots and scenery. The Space Needle and the Jimi Hendrix experience are Seattle musts! :) Time felt so infinite and relaxed in Kaylee’s Mustang. Just cruising around, slowly taking in the landscape, the food, company and the ride.
Austin stole my heart, broke my heart, and inspired me all at once. Our time here is not infinite. We should enjoy the ride, but also realize time keeps moving. Don’t wait. Get up. Do it now.
An inspiring, heartfelt read that urges readers to get up and start living! No regrets.
January 21, 2012
I’m holding back, but Never Eighteen doesn’t not hold a candle to any book I’ve read on the same topic; the topic supposedly being one of awareness of one’s mortality, knowing when one’s limits been reached, and what one does for things to become ‘meaningful.’
My Biggest Issue with this is how a lot of it felt forced. Things progressed in the same rhythm as one would check off items on a list; which was precisely what the main character was doing. And while eachitem, person on that list had a story, that on their own would have been heartbreaking and saddening, shocking and upsetting, taken together, it all went overboard. A tad too Hallmark movie sad, me thought.
He went from one person to another hoping to force out a moment of clarity from each of them. And if that was his goal, well he succeeded because in the end, there were a lot of forced emotions. I felt it all to be too likely, almost as if the people were mere characters in a soap opera saying/spewing/unloading what was expected of them. Consider a dead friend and his barely coping mother; or estranged husband and wife; or a girl and an abusive friend; or another couple in an obviously unhealthy relationship; or even, a girl previously victimized and now spiraling out of control; or theunrequited unrecognized pining of one best friend for the other. All these Individual stories would have read more authentic as individual stories, but when taken together as they were here, well, ‘twas a bit too much for me.
1.5
My Biggest Issue with this is how a lot of it felt forced. Things progressed in the same rhythm as one would check off items on a list; which was precisely what the main character was doing. And while each
He went from one person to another hoping to force out a moment of clarity from each of them. And if that was his goal, well he succeeded because in the end, there were a lot of forced emotions. I felt it all to be too likely, almost as if the people were mere characters in a soap opera saying/spewing/unloading what was expected of them. Consider a dead friend and his barely coping mother; or estranged husband and wife; or a girl and an abusive friend; or another couple in an obviously unhealthy relationship; or even, a girl previously victimized and now spiraling out of control; or the
1.5
June 18, 2012
Didn't manage to finish this one. This book may do it for some people but I quickly lost interest - the protagonist was completely unrealistic in my opinion.
December 31, 2011
This was the very last book I read in 2011 and it seems to me that it was supposed to be that way. My dad passed away in 2005 during the early morning hours of New Year's Day. Today it is New Year's Eve--seven years later. I'm not sure you ever get over losing a parent or a child, but the way that I've tried to make sense of my personally horrific loss, has been to make my life matter. In honor of my father, I've chosen to live with courage and hope. The truth is that I would not be a debut author if my father died. So bitter sweet.
As I'm writing this review, I'm terrified that I won't be able to do it justice, that I'll be unable to express just how much it moved me. This book is beautiful. It speaks softly, but resonates deeply. It has everything that a real life has...love, shame, mistakes, friendship, hate, hope, loss, fear, regret, laughter and belief. It has the belief that it is never too late to want more from your life--even when life is short.
I found a connection with every single character in this book--saw myself in bits and pieces of every human interaction, but I loved Kaylee and Austin. They will haunt me--I'll think about them often. This is one of those books that doesn't feel like a story. It feels like it was real. I know them now and they are a part of me and I'm better for having had them in my life.
Megan Bostic is my fellow debut author at the Class of 2k12 and the Apocalypsies, but I urge you to champion this book. My love and admiration for it have nothing to do with my connection to her. This is a book that matters. This is a book that I believe in.
I would be extremely grateful if, when you read this book, you'll stop by and share your thoughts on it with me.
As I'm writing this review, I'm terrified that I won't be able to do it justice, that I'll be unable to express just how much it moved me. This book is beautiful. It speaks softly, but resonates deeply. It has everything that a real life has...love, shame, mistakes, friendship, hate, hope, loss, fear, regret, laughter and belief. It has the belief that it is never too late to want more from your life--even when life is short.
I found a connection with every single character in this book--saw myself in bits and pieces of every human interaction, but I loved Kaylee and Austin. They will haunt me--I'll think about them often. This is one of those books that doesn't feel like a story. It feels like it was real. I know them now and they are a part of me and I'm better for having had them in my life.
Megan Bostic is my fellow debut author at the Class of 2k12 and the Apocalypsies, but I urge you to champion this book. My love and admiration for it have nothing to do with my connection to her. This is a book that matters. This is a book that I believe in.
I would be extremely grateful if, when you read this book, you'll stop by and share your thoughts on it with me.
September 8, 2011
It might be a little early to review this book, seeing as it comes out about six months from now. But I saw the description on goodreads and it's been raining for a few days now and I guess I was in the mood cause I just knew I had to read it. Soon.
It was a beautiful story,
This book is about Austin, a 17 year old boy that has cancer. He wakes up some day and decides to do something meaningful with the time he has left, so with the help of his best friend and secret crush, Kaylee,
he's off in a mission to help the people he's known all his life, whose problems were always obvious to him but he never did anything
about it. But the time has come for him to face the fact that if he loves this people, he needs to do something to make them enjoy
their lives. Because that's something he no longer has, life time.
The journey was interesting, definitely interesting. ALL this people in Austin life were FULL of problems, they were literally sunk in an ocean of darkness that sometimes it was difficult to believe, I mean from a girl that was raped and turned into an anorexic drug addict to a gay friend still in the closet, to a lonely working mom that lost her child (one of Austin's bestfriends) a few years before,
and there was also the guy with a drinking problem and the separated parents that didn't speak to eachother anymore, and the renagated grandma. So yeah I might have found myself rolling my eyes at the pages a few times.
I just couldn't understand why a such a nice boy like Austin would let all this time passed without doing something about it before?
But I can't blame him though. I mean he had cancer, he was just a teenage boy, I think it's safe to say he might have been absorbed in his own problems.
The good thing is that he decided to change things and just in time. I loved him. I think he was sweet and loyal and selfless, but most of all, he was brave.
Not anyone would have spend his/her time (much less when he/she had so little time left) trying to help people that were by no means interested in getting help.
I really liked the parts when Austin and his best friend Kaylee were together. Those times when they were hiking, when they went to the fair or the music museum, or just when they were riding in her car.
It was an emotional ride; reading Austin struggling with his feelings was hard, but at the end I got rewarded with a beautiful
ending. The perfect ending. That last letter was perfect! I think it gave us the perfect last glance of who Austin Parker was, a joyful teenager that loved indie music,
the ocean, good books and most of all, he loved Kaylee. Epic romance, everyone that reads this will close this book wishing they had something half as amazing as Austin's love for Kaylee.
3.5 stars! <3
It was a beautiful story,
This book is about Austin, a 17 year old boy that has cancer. He wakes up some day and decides to do something meaningful with the time he has left, so with the help of his best friend and secret crush, Kaylee,
he's off in a mission to help the people he's known all his life, whose problems were always obvious to him but he never did anything
about it. But the time has come for him to face the fact that if he loves this people, he needs to do something to make them enjoy
their lives. Because that's something he no longer has, life time.
The journey was interesting, definitely interesting. ALL this people in Austin life were FULL of problems, they were literally sunk in an ocean of darkness that sometimes it was difficult to believe, I mean from a girl that was raped and turned into an anorexic drug addict to a gay friend still in the closet, to a lonely working mom that lost her child (one of Austin's bestfriends) a few years before,
and there was also the guy with a drinking problem and the separated parents that didn't speak to eachother anymore, and the renagated grandma. So yeah I might have found myself rolling my eyes at the pages a few times.
I just couldn't understand why a such a nice boy like Austin would let all this time passed without doing something about it before?
But I can't blame him though. I mean he had cancer, he was just a teenage boy, I think it's safe to say he might have been absorbed in his own problems.
The good thing is that he decided to change things and just in time. I loved him. I think he was sweet and loyal and selfless, but most of all, he was brave.
Not anyone would have spend his/her time (much less when he/she had so little time left) trying to help people that were by no means interested in getting help.
I really liked the parts when Austin and his best friend Kaylee were together. Those times when they were hiking, when they went to the fair or the music museum, or just when they were riding in her car.
It was an emotional ride; reading Austin struggling with his feelings was hard, but at the end I got rewarded with a beautiful
ending. The perfect ending. That last letter was perfect! I think it gave us the perfect last glance of who Austin Parker was, a joyful teenager that loved indie music,
the ocean, good books and most of all, he loved Kaylee. Epic romance, everyone that reads this will close this book wishing they had something half as amazing as Austin's love for Kaylee.
3.5 stars! <3
August 10, 2016
I did something really stupid. I decided to take a peek and just start a few pages and...*shuffles* I ended up finishing the book. Oh my gosh it makes your heart ache and all this time I should have been doing a paper and how am I going to be able to do that now? *sigh* It's not the book's fault of course. Review to come once I get some work done...if that's possible
May 12, 2011
Sounds like a depressing but inspirational piece, no? Would you be surprised if I told you that not only was it written in the most simplistic manner possible but that every trite situation in which Austin would want to redeem himself or help a friend was used?
Dying Kid (Check)
Divorced Parents (Check)
Infedelity (Check)
Crush on Best Friend (Check)
Drug Dependent Friend (Check)
Rape (Check)
Rich Grandparent (Check)
Gay Friend (Check)
Abuse (Check)
Bullying (Check)
Drinking (Check)
Death (Check)
Imagine, as you will, a dying kid of 17. He decides that he wants to have “one last talk” with people that he has had issues with during his life time; to make amends before the inevitable. So he wants to take a “journey” with the only girl that he has ever loved. She also happens to be the his best friend. Imagine that. Also, by “journey” (you noticed the quotation marks) I mean, “Have her drive his pathetic ass around and then leave her to wait in the car hour after hour without so much an explanation while he accomplishes his tasks.” And he’s supposed to love her? Ppsh.
I know. I know. He’s dying of cancer so I should be easy on him. But I can’t. Not with a character that lacks in identity. I can’t relate. I can’t sympathize. Austin was not made real to me. It was like reading a bad story in a creative writing class. Where was her teacher, here? Why didn’t anyone encourage her to move beyond the predictable?
Austin and his driver, Kaylee, have the same exact voice. Kaylee is just as boring as he is and their dialogue between each other is predictable and superficial. But, anyway — all the activities in Day 1 up until the kegger feels like it should have taken all day and night and when he finally says that it’s only 9pm, I went, “Sure….” Plus the conversations he has with each person takes about 5 minutes, tops. How meaningful can a “last talk” be in just five minutes? However the reader was made to believe that his conversations took place over an hour or more. But really, the tasks were so brief that they almost seemed pointless.
Never Eighteen was just that bad. I really do not now what people were thinking giving it 5 stars, as I believe I am being rather generous at 2.5. I mean, the concept is great (for the most part) and I actually finished the book (in a few hours). But that’s about it. 5 Stars? People are really putting it up there in the “perfection” category, like nothing could be changed for the better? This book was just as good as the Harry Potter Series or The Hunger Games? I really do not think so and to say it was is insulting to the masters. Or are people just being nice?
One thing that I believe Bostic has some talent with is her poetry; two poems of which are shared in the novel. The poems were touching and meaningful. I think poetry is where her true talent is revealed and I think she should leave the teen YA genre behind and focus on her poetry.
It’s a good thing that this book hasn’t been officially released yet, because it needs a lot of work — like an entire rewrite. Maybe that sounds totally harsh, and it is — but someone has to be honest and it may as well be me.
Dying Kid (Check)
Divorced Parents (Check)
Infedelity (Check)
Crush on Best Friend (Check)
Drug Dependent Friend (Check)
Rape (Check)
Rich Grandparent (Check)
Gay Friend (Check)
Abuse (Check)
Bullying (Check)
Drinking (Check)
Death (Check)
Imagine, as you will, a dying kid of 17. He decides that he wants to have “one last talk” with people that he has had issues with during his life time; to make amends before the inevitable. So he wants to take a “journey” with the only girl that he has ever loved. She also happens to be the his best friend. Imagine that. Also, by “journey” (you noticed the quotation marks) I mean, “Have her drive his pathetic ass around and then leave her to wait in the car hour after hour without so much an explanation while he accomplishes his tasks.” And he’s supposed to love her? Ppsh.
I know. I know. He’s dying of cancer so I should be easy on him. But I can’t. Not with a character that lacks in identity. I can’t relate. I can’t sympathize. Austin was not made real to me. It was like reading a bad story in a creative writing class. Where was her teacher, here? Why didn’t anyone encourage her to move beyond the predictable?
Austin and his driver, Kaylee, have the same exact voice. Kaylee is just as boring as he is and their dialogue between each other is predictable and superficial. But, anyway — all the activities in Day 1 up until the kegger feels like it should have taken all day and night and when he finally says that it’s only 9pm, I went, “Sure….” Plus the conversations he has with each person takes about 5 minutes, tops. How meaningful can a “last talk” be in just five minutes? However the reader was made to believe that his conversations took place over an hour or more. But really, the tasks were so brief that they almost seemed pointless.
Never Eighteen was just that bad. I really do not now what people were thinking giving it 5 stars, as I believe I am being rather generous at 2.5. I mean, the concept is great (for the most part) and I actually finished the book (in a few hours). But that’s about it. 5 Stars? People are really putting it up there in the “perfection” category, like nothing could be changed for the better? This book was just as good as the Harry Potter Series or The Hunger Games? I really do not think so and to say it was is insulting to the masters. Or are people just being nice?
One thing that I believe Bostic has some talent with is her poetry; two poems of which are shared in the novel. The poems were touching and meaningful. I think poetry is where her true talent is revealed and I think she should leave the teen YA genre behind and focus on her poetry.
It’s a good thing that this book hasn’t been officially released yet, because it needs a lot of work — like an entire rewrite. Maybe that sounds totally harsh, and it is — but someone has to be honest and it may as well be me.
June 8, 2011
Also see the review on my blog.
Never Eighteen is a quick read. It's just over 200 pages, and I literally read it in about three spanned out hours. It's a sad novel, meant to tug on your emotions. It will make you fall deeply in love and then rip it out from underneath you. It's a common story, and versions of it have been heard a million times, but it was sweet, sad, and romantic nevertheless.
When first starting the novel, I seemed like I was thrown right in the middle of it all. There wasn't much of an introduction, but the author instead gave deliberate hints of what was going on. If I had not read the book summary prior to picking it up (which I don't often read the summary,) I think I would have been very lost. I felt as if the first half of the book were missing.
I'm somewhat surprised that this is Megan Bostic's first novel. She writes very well, although some scenes were overly described. I'm sure this was to draw attention to the fact that this all was going to be taken away from Austin, but it was unnecessary to the book. I would have understood the importance of his home without knowing every intricate detail. That said, it came in very handy when the scenes needed to be described. The waterfall scene was written perfectly. The detail was clear. All there has to be is some balance between significant scenery and insignificant scenery.
I thought the story was very beautiful. I'm a sap for inevitably sad romances – though I don't read them very often – so this was a good match for me. I fell in love with Austin and Kaylee's relationship; how Kaylee loved him despite the fact that he drove her crazy. When I was reading, I had a suspicion that Kaylee was denying her feelings for Austin, for fear that she would fall too deeply in love and then not be able to recover from his death. As sad as that seems, it made sense to me. I'm not sure if that was really the case, or if Kaylee was truly just too shy to admit her feelings. I would love to hear input from the author on that.
This book deserves four stars. With a little tweaking, this novel could be really wonderful. I'm definitely going to keep a watch on Megan Bostic for future novels!
Never Eighteen is a quick read. It's just over 200 pages, and I literally read it in about three spanned out hours. It's a sad novel, meant to tug on your emotions. It will make you fall deeply in love and then rip it out from underneath you. It's a common story, and versions of it have been heard a million times, but it was sweet, sad, and romantic nevertheless.
When first starting the novel, I seemed like I was thrown right in the middle of it all. There wasn't much of an introduction, but the author instead gave deliberate hints of what was going on. If I had not read the book summary prior to picking it up (which I don't often read the summary,) I think I would have been very lost. I felt as if the first half of the book were missing.
I'm somewhat surprised that this is Megan Bostic's first novel. She writes very well, although some scenes were overly described. I'm sure this was to draw attention to the fact that this all was going to be taken away from Austin, but it was unnecessary to the book. I would have understood the importance of his home without knowing every intricate detail. That said, it came in very handy when the scenes needed to be described. The waterfall scene was written perfectly. The detail was clear. All there has to be is some balance between significant scenery and insignificant scenery.
I thought the story was very beautiful. I'm a sap for inevitably sad romances – though I don't read them very often – so this was a good match for me. I fell in love with Austin and Kaylee's relationship; how Kaylee loved him despite the fact that he drove her crazy. When I was reading, I had a suspicion that Kaylee was denying her feelings for Austin, for fear that she would fall too deeply in love and then not be able to recover from his death. As sad as that seems, it made sense to me. I'm not sure if that was really the case, or if Kaylee was truly just too shy to admit her feelings. I would love to hear input from the author on that.
This book deserves four stars. With a little tweaking, this novel could be really wonderful. I'm definitely going to keep a watch on Megan Bostic for future novels!
January 18, 2012
Never Eighteen is a quick read. Unfortunately, that’s the only good thing I have to say about it. It didn’t start off too badly. The preface introduces a good concept/thesis for the novel:
As I read through the early chapters of Never Eighteen, I had a an increasingly difficult time getting into the book. The craftsmanship of the sentences told the story without drawing me in. That can be a problem with first person narration: there’s a greater temptation to tell instead of show.
Bostic also has a tendency to throw in superfluous information:
In a paragraph about a car, why does Kaylee’s favorite book matter?
Kaylee’s character was one that I found difficult to understand. At first she’s surprisingly obliging, driving him all around town with no questions asked or worries about the cost of fuel. The main conflict with regards to her character is that Austin loves her but fears she doesn’t feel the same. Thus the age old trope: he won’t say anything to preserve the friendship. Yet less than twenty pages later: “She sounded kind of mad, or–wait, could it be jealousy? She never did seem to like Juliana all that much” (30). It’s awfully convenient.
The premise of Never Eighteen is that terminally ill Austin and Kaylee drive around visiting all the people who he’s touched, telling them to seize the day and live life because he can’t. Along the way he is occasionally insightful:
As I watched each of these visits go by, I wondered what Austin was actually doing for these people. Stirring up pain, mostly. The fact is that he was too inexperienced and under-qualified to help any of these people with their issues.
First visit: the mother of Austin’s dead friend, Jake. He makes Mrs. Briggs look at her son’s old room and talk about music and photos. Stirs up memories, holds her after he makes her cry, offers no lasting comfort, then leaves.
Second visit: Juliane, Austin’s ex, currently in an abusive relationship. In his youthful naiveté, Austin thinks that he can convince a victim to leave her abusive boyfriend with one conversation.
Fourth visit: Allie, a former friend. This is the point where Bostic goes too far trying to write an “issues” book by having a drug-addicted peer snort crushed OxyContin in front of him.
Allie’s chapter is over-the-top. It’s like a heap of every disaster cliche, clumsily thrown together.
The characters in Never Eighteen frequently contradict themselves. Allie says she doesn’t want to talk about being raped, and then goes into a detailed monologue about what happened.
After the monologue, under-qualified Austin dispenses the sage advice: “You need to talk to someone–a counselor, your doctor” (57). Going from person to person like this, it seems like his goal is to stir up trouble and pain more than it is to fix anything. He offers trite answers and flimsy solutions, never following through with anybody. What’s worse, some of them seem magically cured after his stock chats.
She appreciates having all her pain dredged up? She feels okay about the fact that her life is awful and he just reminded her of it? Really?
I wondered if Austin really thought that he could say anything to these injured people that they hadn’t heard a thousand times before? He doesn’t offer anything original. You’re loved. You’re worth it. You don’t have to live like this. Austin suffers from the same problem as the writing: he relies on words instead of actions; telling versus showing.
One of my biggest pet peeves came out in the midst of all this telling-not-showing: during Austin’s reminiscing with Kaylee they remind each other of things they already know purely for the reader’s benefit. No one really talks like that.
I winced a lot at the dialogue in Never Eighteen. In addition to moving through subjects and emotional responses too quickly, every time Austin pays a poke-your-pain house call, people are way too forthcoming with their personal demons. It’s like they prepared monologues in anticipation of his visit. The ones I hated the most were Allie’s and Trevor’s. It’s like Bostic didn’t try to did deep into these characters or really understand their issues. Instead the characters had cliches stuffed into their mouths.
It’s like Bostic is trying to squeeze tears out of the reader. It doesn’t work, and the attempt is so badly concealed within the writing that it seems ridiculous. When Austin cries, there’s no impetus to cry with him.
Sometimes behavior just doesn’t add up. After Austin visited Allie and gave her such awesome and original advice,
If I didn’t know from the description that Austin had cancer, I’d have never guessed it. Bostic makes frequent yet vague references to his limited time, but that’s it. No symptoms, no medication, no physical description or reactions thereto.
I figured Austin wasn’t terminally ill because he was able to For a guy with cancer in his CNS and a low white cell count, he sure has energy.
There are points where it’s painfully obvious that Bostic didn’t do much research into leukemia. In one scene Austin goes skinny dipping because it’s on his bucket list. He’s been through chemo and is scheduled for more–-he would likely have a Hickman or a PICC line. You can’t go swimming with either of those. He also apparently went into remission without a BMT. Highly unlikely.
Only at the very end of the novel is it made clear just how Austin’s body was affected by cancer. He’s undergone chemo and is still bald, pale, weak, etc. It made me wonder why no one in the last two hundred pages had reacted to that. He’s been sick for several years, but that isn’t sufficient explanation for why everyone, including strangers, is so at ease with his appearance. If Austin is obviously a cancer patient, why doesn’t Bertie hesitate to punch him? Why doesn’t Suz hesitate to make a move? Their actions weren’t realistic in dealing with a seriously ill person.
The last chapter and epilogue were fairly good, apart from the fact that everyone he’d visited was magically on the road to recovery after only a short period of time. The letter Austin left for Kaylee was beautiful, but not enough to redeem the entire book.
Never Eighteen tried too hard to be “rough” and “raw” and ended up being ridiculous. For a bucket list book, it’s not very moving. Buy it if you’re in the mood to read a badly paced lifetime movie.
These last few months I’ve come to realize that life doesn’t wait. If we stand still it passes us by, and by the time we understand that, it may be too late. The people I see this weekend–I hope they’re okay with this. I want them to take hold of it and not let go. I hope they at least listen. If they don’t, it will kill me (4).
As I read through the early chapters of Never Eighteen, I had a an increasingly difficult time getting into the book. The craftsmanship of the sentences told the story without drawing me in. That can be a problem with first person narration: there’s a greater temptation to tell instead of show.
Bostic also has a tendency to throw in superfluous information:
Kaylee’s car, her prized possession, her baby, her red 1969 Ford Mustang. She bought that car with the money she made working at the cafe at the Lakewood Barnes and Noble, a job she applied for because of her addictions to coffee and books. Pride and Prejudice is her favorite. The car’s not in mint condition by any stretch of the word (13).
In a paragraph about a car, why does Kaylee’s favorite book matter?
Kaylee’s character was one that I found difficult to understand. At first she’s surprisingly obliging, driving him all around town with no questions asked or worries about the cost of fuel. The main conflict with regards to her character is that Austin loves her but fears she doesn’t feel the same. Thus the age old trope: he won’t say anything to preserve the friendship. Yet less than twenty pages later: “She sounded kind of mad, or–wait, could it be jealousy? She never did seem to like Juliana all that much” (30). It’s awfully convenient.
The premise of Never Eighteen is that terminally ill Austin and Kaylee drive around visiting all the people who he’s touched, telling them to seize the day and live life because he can’t. Along the way he is occasionally insightful:
She gets my need to fix things that have broken along the way, to mend fences.Maybe if we all just tried to put the pieces back together as soon as they fell out of place, the puzzles in our lives would feel more like an accomplishment than a chore (48).
As I watched each of these visits go by, I wondered what Austin was actually doing for these people. Stirring up pain, mostly. The fact is that he was too inexperienced and under-qualified to help any of these people with their issues.
First visit: the mother of Austin’s dead friend, Jake. He makes Mrs. Briggs look at her son’s old room and talk about music and photos. Stirs up memories, holds her after he makes her cry, offers no lasting comfort, then leaves.
Second visit: Juliane, Austin’s ex, currently in an abusive relationship. In his youthful naiveté, Austin thinks that he can convince a victim to leave her abusive boyfriend with one conversation.
Fourth visit: Allie, a former friend. This is the point where Bostic goes too far trying to write an “issues” book by having a drug-addicted peer snort crushed OxyContin in front of him.
Allie’s chapter is over-the-top. It’s like a heap of every disaster cliche, clumsily thrown together.
The characters in Never Eighteen frequently contradict themselves. Allie says she doesn’t want to talk about being raped, and then goes into a detailed monologue about what happened.
After the monologue, under-qualified Austin dispenses the sage advice: “You need to talk to someone–a counselor, your doctor” (57). Going from person to person like this, it seems like his goal is to stir up trouble and pain more than it is to fix anything. He offers trite answers and flimsy solutions, never following through with anybody. What’s worse, some of them seem magically cured after his stock chats.
“I’ve got to go now, Allie. Are you okay?”
She looks up at me, nods again. “Yeah, I’m okay. Thanks for coming by. I appreciate it.”
She appreciates having all her pain dredged up? She feels okay about the fact that her life is awful and he just reminded her of it? Really?
I wondered if Austin really thought that he could say anything to these injured people that they hadn’t heard a thousand times before? He doesn’t offer anything original. You’re loved. You’re worth it. You don’t have to live like this. Austin suffers from the same problem as the writing: he relies on words instead of actions; telling versus showing.
One of my biggest pet peeves came out in the midst of all this telling-not-showing: during Austin’s reminiscing with Kaylee they remind each other of things they already know purely for the reader’s benefit. No one really talks like that.
I winced a lot at the dialogue in Never Eighteen. In addition to moving through subjects and emotional responses too quickly, every time Austin pays a poke-your-pain house call, people are way too forthcoming with their personal demons. It’s like they prepared monologues in anticipation of his visit. The ones I hated the most were Allie’s and Trevor’s. It’s like Bostic didn’t try to did deep into these characters or really understand their issues. Instead the characters had cliches stuffed into their mouths.
It’s like Bostic is trying to squeeze tears out of the reader. It doesn’t work, and the attempt is so badly concealed within the writing that it seems ridiculous. When Austin cries, there’s no impetus to cry with him.
Sometimes behavior just doesn’t add up. After Austin visited Allie and gave her such awesome and original advice,
If I didn’t know from the description that Austin had cancer, I’d have never guessed it. Bostic makes frequent yet vague references to his limited time, but that’s it. No symptoms, no medication, no physical description or reactions thereto.
I figured Austin wasn’t terminally ill because he was able to For a guy with cancer in his CNS and a low white cell count, he sure has energy.
There are points where it’s painfully obvious that Bostic didn’t do much research into leukemia. In one scene Austin goes skinny dipping because it’s on his bucket list. He’s been through chemo and is scheduled for more–-he would likely have a Hickman or a PICC line. You can’t go swimming with either of those. He also apparently went into remission without a BMT. Highly unlikely.
Only at the very end of the novel is it made clear just how Austin’s body was affected by cancer. He’s undergone chemo and is still bald, pale, weak, etc. It made me wonder why no one in the last two hundred pages had reacted to that. He’s been sick for several years, but that isn’t sufficient explanation for why everyone, including strangers, is so at ease with his appearance. If Austin is obviously a cancer patient, why doesn’t Bertie hesitate to punch him? Why doesn’t Suz hesitate to make a move? Their actions weren’t realistic in dealing with a seriously ill person.
The last chapter and epilogue were fairly good, apart from the fact that everyone he’d visited was magically on the road to recovery after only a short period of time. The letter Austin left for Kaylee was beautiful, but not enough to redeem the entire book.
Never Eighteen tried too hard to be “rough” and “raw” and ended up being ridiculous. For a bucket list book, it’s not very moving. Buy it if you’re in the mood to read a badly paced lifetime movie.
August 2, 2019
This was sad.
August 7, 2022
i’m emotional & i don’t know how to move on from this book.
February 17, 2012
I've been in a little bit of a funk lately. It seems that the last several books I've read have all just not lived up to my expectations, and I've really just wanted to read something that, well, made me feel something (other than annoyance). So I picked up "Never Eighteen". It's slim, so I thought it would be a quick read (I was right - I finished it in a little over two hours), and that it would make me feel that 'something' I have been missing (right again).
In a lot of ways, this book was great. I couldn't put it down once I started and sped through it like the wind. I wanted to know about Austin, about those people around him that he cared about and wanted to help, about how he was going to help them. I wanted to know about Kaylee, about these best friends' history, their future, everything. I loved seeing little bits of Austin's life being revealed with each visit, but I won't deny that it felt rushed, the visits short and direct.
I don't really count that as a bad thing, though. This book should feel rushed. Austin is dying, and he knows it, and he's trying his best to not only live as much as he can in the little time he has left, but also trying to help the people he loves to live their own lives to a fuller extent. Each visit to someone felt short, to me, but Austin probably felt like there was a giant ticking clock following him, slowly (but far too quickly) counting down to when his time will run out. The visits were short, but his situation seemed to speak the introductions, so he could just get to the point. Sometimes we just don't have the luxury of beating around the bush.
I felt for Austin trying to find the courage to speak up about his feelings for Kaylee, too. It's so easy to think, "Jeez, what do you have to lose?" but I completely understand his reticence. She's been his best friend for 9 years, and he doesn't want to risk tainting their remaining time with hurt feelings or rejection. I also could understand from Kaylee's perspective, too, not wanting to have that pressure put on her. I would not envy someone who finally opens up their heart knowing it can't last and that it will only hurt more when it ends. I don't know if it is better to go for it. They say it is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all, but who are these "they" people anyway?
I did like that not everything was fixable, or worked out how Austin wanted. This would have felt incredibly unrealistic if things just worked out perfectly because Austin is a sympathetic character. It was enough that he tried. Enough that he cared enough to try. That says a lot about him, as well as the people around him.
I mostly loved the writing in this book, as well. It was simple, but evocative. Not overdone, but honest. I felt like some of the dialogue was a bit wooden and unnatural in some spots, particularly for 17 year olds, and I thought that the 'The End" chapter was a little awkward.
There were some "young adult" situations: drinking, cursing, sex, drug use, etc, and some other issues, abusive relationships and rape, mentioned as well, just an FYI.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one, and I'm glad that I read it. It definitely makes me look at my life in a new way, and makes me appreciate the time I have here.
In a lot of ways, this book was great. I couldn't put it down once I started and sped through it like the wind. I wanted to know about Austin, about those people around him that he cared about and wanted to help, about how he was going to help them. I wanted to know about Kaylee, about these best friends' history, their future, everything. I loved seeing little bits of Austin's life being revealed with each visit, but I won't deny that it felt rushed, the visits short and direct.
I don't really count that as a bad thing, though. This book should feel rushed. Austin is dying, and he knows it, and he's trying his best to not only live as much as he can in the little time he has left, but also trying to help the people he loves to live their own lives to a fuller extent. Each visit to someone felt short, to me, but Austin probably felt like there was a giant ticking clock following him, slowly (but far too quickly) counting down to when his time will run out. The visits were short, but his situation seemed to speak the introductions, so he could just get to the point. Sometimes we just don't have the luxury of beating around the bush.
I felt for Austin trying to find the courage to speak up about his feelings for Kaylee, too. It's so easy to think, "Jeez, what do you have to lose?" but I completely understand his reticence. She's been his best friend for 9 years, and he doesn't want to risk tainting their remaining time with hurt feelings or rejection. I also could understand from Kaylee's perspective, too, not wanting to have that pressure put on her. I would not envy someone who finally opens up their heart knowing it can't last and that it will only hurt more when it ends. I don't know if it is better to go for it. They say it is better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all, but who are these "they" people anyway?
I did like that not everything was fixable, or worked out how Austin wanted. This would have felt incredibly unrealistic if things just worked out perfectly because Austin is a sympathetic character. It was enough that he tried. Enough that he cared enough to try. That says a lot about him, as well as the people around him.
I mostly loved the writing in this book, as well. It was simple, but evocative. Not overdone, but honest. I felt like some of the dialogue was a bit wooden and unnatural in some spots, particularly for 17 year olds, and I thought that the 'The End" chapter was a little awkward.
There were some "young adult" situations: drinking, cursing, sex, drug use, etc, and some other issues, abusive relationships and rape, mentioned as well, just an FYI.
Overall, I really enjoyed this one, and I'm glad that I read it. It definitely makes me look at my life in a new way, and makes me appreciate the time I have here.
January 11, 2012
Let me start by saying Megan is a friend of mine, so if that puts you off about my review, I get it. I received her book as part of an agreement to read it, review it, and pass it on. This is Part 2 of that agreement. So with that caveat, let's begin.
Never Eighteen is a good book. It's not groundbreaking. It's not the kind of book that is going to change lives. But it's a good read. The story telling is great, and the writing is engaging and familiar. One might instantly be reminded of Chris Crutcher's Deadline in similar theme. But, to be sure, it is its own book.
It starts out abruptly with the waking up cliché, and many of the situations are just a little too convenient, but I can see how the storyline, and particularly the main character, Austin, will appeal to teen girls, 14-17. It's a heartbreaking story, with a predictable ending (the title is Never Eighteen, after all). I even found myself, usually quite stoic about these things, getting a little touched by the ending. I wanted Austin to pull through, but that's not real life. It was nice that Megan stayed true to the promise of the story, even if it's a sad ending.
There are a couple of graphic places that might spook some younger readers, but mature teen readers will enjoy it, and it's not overly gratuitous.
Overall, I'd recommend this book to female teen readers.
Never Eighteen is a good book. It's not groundbreaking. It's not the kind of book that is going to change lives. But it's a good read. The story telling is great, and the writing is engaging and familiar. One might instantly be reminded of Chris Crutcher's Deadline in similar theme. But, to be sure, it is its own book.
It starts out abruptly with the waking up cliché, and many of the situations are just a little too convenient, but I can see how the storyline, and particularly the main character, Austin, will appeal to teen girls, 14-17. It's a heartbreaking story, with a predictable ending (the title is Never Eighteen, after all). I even found myself, usually quite stoic about these things, getting a little touched by the ending. I wanted Austin to pull through, but that's not real life. It was nice that Megan stayed true to the promise of the story, even if it's a sad ending.
There are a couple of graphic places that might spook some younger readers, but mature teen readers will enjoy it, and it's not overly gratuitous.
Overall, I'd recommend this book to female teen readers.
June 19, 2011
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has been extremely gracious as to allow me to read an ARC of this novel, through Netgalley, prior to its release in January 2012, for which I am eternally grateful! This is an amazing novel, and I do mean AMAZING! I highly recommend it. Bostic is a phenomenal writer, and her debut novel comes from the heart. Bostic has created such authentic, vivid characters that, as the reader, you can’t help but feel for them; it’s like they’re your best friends too. I love Austin and Kaylee, and though the story obviously doesn’t have a fairytale ending, it does offer comfort. I cried. This is not the norm; novels very rarely evoke that much emotion from me. Emotions, yes, but to the point of tears? Not often. Yet, Bostic ability to create very real characters, struggling with a very real sickness, is written with such love and care that it’s impossible not to make a connection and be saddened, and heartened, as you read...
To read my full review:
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
To read my full review:
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
March 10, 2011
Never Eighteen is a story about a boy who knows he's dying and wants to make a difference to the lives of those he's leaving behind. The story was really sad but there was something about the writing that felt distant and I couldn't relate to the MC's feelings or experiences. I couldn't connect to the other characters either. The plot was heartbreaking but the story was laid out very matter of factly and there was no effort to introduce the reader to Austin and his life before he got sick, which could've given some insight to his character. Maybe it's just me but it was just one sad storyline after the other and felt a bit contrived at times.
2.5 stars
2.5 stars
April 28, 2011
I’ve read many, many books that deal with the topic of a teen’s death but this one is, without a doubt, the most uplifting and courageous one I’ve come across. The short chapters give brief scenes that take place over a single weekend and make this a great story for reluctant readers. Rather than focus on the negativity that permeates YA literature these days, this book instead takes readers on a journey of one teen’s attempt to live life to its fullest – a lesson we could all benefit from. From making amends to helping others to trying things he’s always been too scared to try, this story is beautifully crafted and I offer it my highest praise. (ARC edition)
January 31, 2012
Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. To say it was great, fantastic or any other word just does do it for this book. For me the word EPIC comes to mind, totally EPIC!
"Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday." This one line had me wanting to read this book. I was gripped by the book cover because of the car but then I read the blurb and the first line said he was not making it to his eighteenth birthday. I just had to read it and I am so glad I did.
The story starts out with Austin having a crazy dream and all he can think about is setting things straight. He has this idea and he is not sure if it will work but he is going to try. The only thing is is that he needs his best friend Kaylee's help. He is not so sure she will do it but he is going to ask her anyways. So he gets up and gets dressed and walks the four streets over to Kaylee's house to see if she will do what he is about to ask her.
When Austin gets there and asks Kaylee for her help she says yes without even knowing what he is about to ask of her. When he explains to her what he is going to do she is a little hesistant but she says are you sure you want to do it and he says yes. That is all she needs so she agrees and they are off to do this adventure. Austin has this feeling that if he goes and sees people he hasn't in a while he can right the wrongs that have been done to them. He feels if he can give them a little piece of happiness then he has done a good deed.
Along this journey what Austin finds is that some people just never really want to face what they have been through. They rather just leave it well enough alone, but with his urging he challenges them to do the impossible. Also along this journey Austin must come to terms that he is in love with someone that he will never be able to make happy because in a short while he will die. But he is so determined to tell this person how he feels and spend the little time he has left with her he finds that she has always felt the same way and she tells him how much she loves him.
They share a few magical nights together and do some amazing things. They become so close he realizes he does not want this to end but he knows it will and can accept it because he speant as much time with her as he could. I laughed and I cried and I screamed at this book. I have never had so many emotions about a story before. I love how megan puts it all together and the ending was EPIC! Yes it may not be what people want but it is reality and that is what counts. Austin got his happily ever after and Kaylee got to see first hand what it was like to love and be open and free with someone.
This is an AMAZING story of love, illness and friendship. Megan has done a wonderful job and I look forward to reading more form her.
"Austin Parker is never going to see his eighteenth birthday." This one line had me wanting to read this book. I was gripped by the book cover because of the car but then I read the blurb and the first line said he was not making it to his eighteenth birthday. I just had to read it and I am so glad I did.
The story starts out with Austin having a crazy dream and all he can think about is setting things straight. He has this idea and he is not sure if it will work but he is going to try. The only thing is is that he needs his best friend Kaylee's help. He is not so sure she will do it but he is going to ask her anyways. So he gets up and gets dressed and walks the four streets over to Kaylee's house to see if she will do what he is about to ask her.
When Austin gets there and asks Kaylee for her help she says yes without even knowing what he is about to ask of her. When he explains to her what he is going to do she is a little hesistant but she says are you sure you want to do it and he says yes. That is all she needs so she agrees and they are off to do this adventure. Austin has this feeling that if he goes and sees people he hasn't in a while he can right the wrongs that have been done to them. He feels if he can give them a little piece of happiness then he has done a good deed.
Along this journey what Austin finds is that some people just never really want to face what they have been through. They rather just leave it well enough alone, but with his urging he challenges them to do the impossible. Also along this journey Austin must come to terms that he is in love with someone that he will never be able to make happy because in a short while he will die. But he is so determined to tell this person how he feels and spend the little time he has left with her he finds that she has always felt the same way and she tells him how much she loves him.
They share a few magical nights together and do some amazing things. They become so close he realizes he does not want this to end but he knows it will and can accept it because he speant as much time with her as he could. I laughed and I cried and I screamed at this book. I have never had so many emotions about a story before. I love how megan puts it all together and the ending was EPIC! Yes it may not be what people want but it is reality and that is what counts. Austin got his happily ever after and Kaylee got to see first hand what it was like to love and be open and free with someone.
This is an AMAZING story of love, illness and friendship. Megan has done a wonderful job and I look forward to reading more form her.
January 20, 2012
I found all of the characters in this one to be dislikable, and then I found myself feeling guilty for disliking a teen who was dying of cancer. But my reasoning for disliking the characters, especially Austin, was they were underdeveloped. They were sketches of problems, rather than fully fleshed individuals. Austin himself is on his last leg of life because of his illness, and he's trying to talk sense into everyone around him -- whether they were a strong part of his life or not. He's trying to convince them their lives are worth something (and they are, I don't disagree), but he's also decided .
Austin's trying to be a hero here, and while I want to feel for him and cheer him on, it felt more like sticking his nose into business he didn't belong in. It grated on me each time he spoke as if he knew the best way for everyone else to live. The characters never got my sympathy, and Austin never made me want to give them sympathy either.
This is a short book, but there are a lot of issues tackled here, and because of the length, they're all sketches, rather than anything deeper or stronger. As I've mentioned previously, cancer kid books are hard for me to read because the onus is on the reader to have sympathy. But I didn't have it here. Therefore, I feel guilty. But I shouldn't have to feel guilty because the story itself should have offered me enough heft and development to develop that relationship with Austin. Likewise, I never understood why he liked Kaylee, other than she went along with his harebrained scene without asking many questions. He never really told me why she mattered until the very, very end, which was too late.
Really . For me, this book didn't tread any new territory; while I don't think all books need to do that, this one didn't offer me anything else, either.
As much as this book didn't resonate with me, it's one I can definitely see having a good teen readership. It'll work for more reluctant readers, as well. It's fast-paced (I read the entire thing in about two hours), and the story's cut and dry. No twists, straightforward and serviceable writing, and an interesting premise will hook readers and keep them invested.
Likely will write a longer review of this one. I'm usually not opposed to dislikable characters (in fact, I often LIKE them, but this time the rest of the story failed to keep me engaged.
Full review here: http://www.stackedbooks.org/2012/01/n...
Austin's trying to be a hero here, and while I want to feel for him and cheer him on, it felt more like sticking his nose into business he didn't belong in. It grated on me each time he spoke as if he knew the best way for everyone else to live. The characters never got my sympathy, and Austin never made me want to give them sympathy either.
This is a short book, but there are a lot of issues tackled here, and because of the length, they're all sketches, rather than anything deeper or stronger. As I've mentioned previously, cancer kid books are hard for me to read because the onus is on the reader to have sympathy. But I didn't have it here. Therefore, I feel guilty. But I shouldn't have to feel guilty because the story itself should have offered me enough heft and development to develop that relationship with Austin. Likewise, I never understood why he liked Kaylee, other than she went along with his harebrained scene without asking many questions. He never really told me why she mattered until the very, very end, which was too late.
Really . For me, this book didn't tread any new territory; while I don't think all books need to do that, this one didn't offer me anything else, either.
As much as this book didn't resonate with me, it's one I can definitely see having a good teen readership. It'll work for more reluctant readers, as well. It's fast-paced (I read the entire thing in about two hours), and the story's cut and dry. No twists, straightforward and serviceable writing, and an interesting premise will hook readers and keep them invested.
Likely will write a longer review of this one. I'm usually not opposed to dislikable characters (in fact, I often LIKE them, but this time the rest of the story failed to keep me engaged.
Full review here: http://www.stackedbooks.org/2012/01/n...
May 4, 2012
Chris Chu
Have you ever wondered, "What will I do if I only had a few weeks to live? What's my bucket list? "If you did, "Never Eighteen is the book for you.
"Never Eighteen" is a book written by Megan Bostic. The main character, Austin Parker, was diagnosed with chronic leukemia as a freshman. Austin would not live to see his eighteenth birthday. Now 17, Austin opened his eyes to see that his loved ones took life for granted and gave it up too easily. Austin asked his best friend and girlfriend, Kaylee, to drive him around in her red Mustang so he could meet with people needing help, and find solutions for them. Austin talked to a depressed girl that was raped, a mother of a deceased friend, a drug addict, and a girl who was abused by her boyfriend. He gave them hope in their life. Austin also made a bucket list of things to do with Kaylee. On the list were riding the scariest roller coaster in Tacoma, taking Kaylee to Mount Rainer, and eating the hottest wings in the Puyallup fair. This book is an account of Austin's final weeks of life as he strived to help his friends with their problems and capture final memories with his love Kaylee.
A theme from the book is that "Helping people will make you happy". Even though Austin only had a few weeks to live, he traveled around to help people. On his death bed, Austin died happily, knowing that everyone he helped would live a meaningful life.
This book is in first point of view. When Austin was the narrator of the book, I can actually picture his feelings and his pain in my mind. First person account actually gives me a vivid description of the story.
The conflicts in this story are Man vs. Self and Man vs. Nature. Austin had to battle against his own frail cancerous body, so he was not as energetic, athletic, or strong as he was in the past. Time never stops. That's the essence of nature. In the book, Austin did not have much time to live. He had to utilize his very limited remaining time to help others and complete his bucket list.
"Never Eighteen" is truly a touching story. It taught me to help others and enjoy life. Thank you for listening to my presentation.
Have you ever wondered, "What will I do if I only had a few weeks to live? What's my bucket list? "If you did, "Never Eighteen is the book for you.
"Never Eighteen" is a book written by Megan Bostic. The main character, Austin Parker, was diagnosed with chronic leukemia as a freshman. Austin would not live to see his eighteenth birthday. Now 17, Austin opened his eyes to see that his loved ones took life for granted and gave it up too easily. Austin asked his best friend and girlfriend, Kaylee, to drive him around in her red Mustang so he could meet with people needing help, and find solutions for them. Austin talked to a depressed girl that was raped, a mother of a deceased friend, a drug addict, and a girl who was abused by her boyfriend. He gave them hope in their life. Austin also made a bucket list of things to do with Kaylee. On the list were riding the scariest roller coaster in Tacoma, taking Kaylee to Mount Rainer, and eating the hottest wings in the Puyallup fair. This book is an account of Austin's final weeks of life as he strived to help his friends with their problems and capture final memories with his love Kaylee.
A theme from the book is that "Helping people will make you happy". Even though Austin only had a few weeks to live, he traveled around to help people. On his death bed, Austin died happily, knowing that everyone he helped would live a meaningful life.
This book is in first point of view. When Austin was the narrator of the book, I can actually picture his feelings and his pain in my mind. First person account actually gives me a vivid description of the story.
The conflicts in this story are Man vs. Self and Man vs. Nature. Austin had to battle against his own frail cancerous body, so he was not as energetic, athletic, or strong as he was in the past. Time never stops. That's the essence of nature. In the book, Austin did not have much time to live. He had to utilize his very limited remaining time to help others and complete his bucket list.
"Never Eighteen" is truly a touching story. It taught me to help others and enjoy life. Thank you for listening to my presentation.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2012
Never Eighteen is a sad little story about a 17 year old boy, Austin Parker, who has leukemia and has decided not to undergo any further chemotherapy treatments... this leading his doctors to tell him that he would probably not live to see his eighteenth birthday. Austin decides to make a 'to do' list one weekend ... trying to wrap up what he perceives as the 'loose ends' in his life. He enlists the help of Kaylee, his best friend since third grade and whom he is secretly in love with (though it doesn't remain a secret for long!), to drive him around over the course of the weekend to visit particular people from his past and to visit some beautiful locations around his home in the Pacific Northwest, which were the sites of some of his happiest memories.
I recently read a beautiful story which I absolutely loved, whose plot was similar to this one so I'm afraid the writing in that book may have set the bar a little too high and has left me unable to appropriately appreciate this one. I really liked the premise of this story and there were a couple of really important life lessons for the reader to take away. One such lesson was stated so nicely by Austin himself..."she gets my need to fix things that have been broken along the way, to mend fences. Maybe if we all just tried to put the pieces back together as soon as they fell out of place, the puzzles in our lives would feel more like an accomplishment than a chore." Great advice for anyone...
Although I did like this story, I felt that perhaps Ms. Bostic tried to cram too much into such a little book. Austin's interactions with the other characters seemed rushed and I don't think anyone really believes that you can always 'mend fences' with just one conversation. Perhaps if the author had slowed down the pace and allowed things to play out better or eliminated some characters, the touching scenes at the end of the book would have had more of an emotional 'punch'.
A sad little story with a couple of great life lessons... just not a GREAT story!
I recently read a beautiful story which I absolutely loved, whose plot was similar to this one so I'm afraid the writing in that book may have set the bar a little too high and has left me unable to appropriately appreciate this one. I really liked the premise of this story and there were a couple of really important life lessons for the reader to take away. One such lesson was stated so nicely by Austin himself..."she gets my need to fix things that have been broken along the way, to mend fences. Maybe if we all just tried to put the pieces back together as soon as they fell out of place, the puzzles in our lives would feel more like an accomplishment than a chore." Great advice for anyone...
Although I did like this story, I felt that perhaps Ms. Bostic tried to cram too much into such a little book. Austin's interactions with the other characters seemed rushed and I don't think anyone really believes that you can always 'mend fences' with just one conversation. Perhaps if the author had slowed down the pace and allowed things to play out better or eliminated some characters, the touching scenes at the end of the book would have had more of an emotional 'punch'.
A sad little story with a couple of great life lessons... just not a GREAT story!
May 17, 2012
First off, I didn’t give this one a squee rating because I didn’t feel that it was appropriate. There is too much emotion and real life in this book to give it that sort of rating.
When I read the synopsis of this book, I knew I was going to have a hard time with it. This is definitely not one for the faint of heart and I would recommend having a box of tissues near by.
The pain and heartache that the characters go through is so intense that I found myself in tears throughout the whole thing. I also knew that sadder moments were coming, so I had to brace myself.
You will cry reading this. If you don’t, then I worry about you. Having experienced the death of loved ones, I’ve contemplated how I’d spend my last days. Austin did exactly what I would do if given the chance to know my time was up. The people he reaches out to and the changes he tries to make are strong and emotional. I knew right away there was going to be an emotional moment with Kaylee and it came for sure.
This was a tear jerker and hard read for me, but I recommend it. This book will make you think about the people in your life and the impact you have on them. You’ll feel pain, guilt and loss just like I did. I felt connected to Austin and Kaylee, which made the end so much harder to read. Being a avid YA reader, I’m used to so much fluff and happy stuff. This book is not the case. I wouldn’t recommend this one if you’re currently dealing with grief, but it is worth the read.
When I read the synopsis of this book, I knew I was going to have a hard time with it. This is definitely not one for the faint of heart and I would recommend having a box of tissues near by.
The pain and heartache that the characters go through is so intense that I found myself in tears throughout the whole thing. I also knew that sadder moments were coming, so I had to brace myself.
You will cry reading this. If you don’t, then I worry about you. Having experienced the death of loved ones, I’ve contemplated how I’d spend my last days. Austin did exactly what I would do if given the chance to know my time was up. The people he reaches out to and the changes he tries to make are strong and emotional. I knew right away there was going to be an emotional moment with Kaylee and it came for sure.
This was a tear jerker and hard read for me, but I recommend it. This book will make you think about the people in your life and the impact you have on them. You’ll feel pain, guilt and loss just like I did. I felt connected to Austin and Kaylee, which made the end so much harder to read. Being a avid YA reader, I’m used to so much fluff and happy stuff. This book is not the case. I wouldn’t recommend this one if you’re currently dealing with grief, but it is worth the read.
October 20, 2011
From the minute that I heard about this book, I had to read it and was lucky enough to be sent an ARC by Megan Bostic...... The writing style makes it very easy to read and connect with the characters.
Never Eighteen is the story of Austin. A 17 year old boy who knows he will never make it to 18 and so sets out on a road trip of sorts with his best friend and secret crush Kaylee.
“There are some things I want to do, some crazy things, some wild things, some fun things, things I’ve never done, thing’s I’ve never seen.”
Austin wants to make an impact. To know that he has made a difference even if it's in just a small way. So he visits people who have been a part of his life and have had their own struggles to deal with. He lets them know that he cares and that there are other people who care..... And throughout the weekend with Kaylee he makes time for their friendship. And it's a beautiful friendship..... I really loved the interaction between the 2 of them.
You know going into Never Eighteen that this story is not a happy ever after.... Yes it's a story of death, but it's also a story of love and hope... It is heartwarming, heartbreaking and heart wrenching and it will touch your heart as it did mine.
5/5
Never Eighteen is the story of Austin. A 17 year old boy who knows he will never make it to 18 and so sets out on a road trip of sorts with his best friend and secret crush Kaylee.
“There are some things I want to do, some crazy things, some wild things, some fun things, things I’ve never done, thing’s I’ve never seen.”
Austin wants to make an impact. To know that he has made a difference even if it's in just a small way. So he visits people who have been a part of his life and have had their own struggles to deal with. He lets them know that he cares and that there are other people who care..... And throughout the weekend with Kaylee he makes time for their friendship. And it's a beautiful friendship..... I really loved the interaction between the 2 of them.
You know going into Never Eighteen that this story is not a happy ever after.... Yes it's a story of death, but it's also a story of love and hope... It is heartwarming, heartbreaking and heart wrenching and it will touch your heart as it did mine.
5/5
April 1, 2011
Stay tuned for a full review closer to the release date. But for now, here's a mini one.
I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading this. Mostly because I’m horrible and never read a summary as a refresher before starting to read the novel, but also because with all the Lurlene McDaniel and Nicholas Sparks type books out there plots can seem all alike. This novel was different.
But first off, bravo to Megan Bostic for a debut novel that most definitely never seemed like a debut. This novel had an air about it that, while raw, never lacked in that professional undercurrent. And to be fair, the subject matter and the pure emotion were what made for a raw experience.
This is a fantastic novel and while it made me cry I would highly recommend it. I can’t wait to see what else Bostic comes out with after this amazing debut. You can be sure that I’ll be reading it. I give it an 8/10.
My thanks to netGalley and Graphia for allowing me to read this advanced copy.
I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading this. Mostly because I’m horrible and never read a summary as a refresher before starting to read the novel, but also because with all the Lurlene McDaniel and Nicholas Sparks type books out there plots can seem all alike. This novel was different.
But first off, bravo to Megan Bostic for a debut novel that most definitely never seemed like a debut. This novel had an air about it that, while raw, never lacked in that professional undercurrent. And to be fair, the subject matter and the pure emotion were what made for a raw experience.
This is a fantastic novel and while it made me cry I would highly recommend it. I can’t wait to see what else Bostic comes out with after this amazing debut. You can be sure that I’ll be reading it. I give it an 8/10.
My thanks to netGalley and Graphia for allowing me to read this advanced copy.
November 23, 2015
Really liked this story. Austin has cancer and is dying, he won't see his 18th birthday. He decides before he goes to try to right wrongs and make amends for things he does. With a list and his best friend, Kaylee as his 'driver' he sets off on a a quest to leave this world with no regrets and that includes Kaylee, the girl he has loved since he met her.
While the list it done in a 'too methodical' way for my liking the stories of those on his list are interesting and thankfully everyone doesn't get the happy ending, sometimes things just don't work the way we want them too.
While the list it done in a 'too methodical' way for my liking the stories of those on his list are interesting and thankfully everyone doesn't get the happy ending, sometimes things just don't work the way we want them too.
October 1, 2012
A FANTASTIC NOVEL!
17 year old Austin Parker woke up one day knowing that he doesn't have much time left. And wanting to accomplished things that he have never done before and mend the fence between him and others.
This novel really touch my heart, normally I wouldn't go for these type of books but this one was an exception and that it had me crying and thinking about how it would've been if it was me or a close friend.
I would recommended that everyone should read this.
17 year old Austin Parker woke up one day knowing that he doesn't have much time left. And wanting to accomplished things that he have never done before and mend the fence between him and others.
This novel really touch my heart, normally I wouldn't go for these type of books but this one was an exception and that it had me crying and thinking about how it would've been if it was me or a close friend.
I would recommended that everyone should read this.
April 12, 2012
Megan is definately one of my favorite authors. This book was SOOOOOO GOOOOOOOD ! I loved every single second of it. Kaylee and Austin will forever have a place in my heart. I definately sheded ???!?! lol alot of tears ., Great STory . YOLO!
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