IT'S KIND OF A FUNNY STORY by Ned Vizzini — Restarting January 27th 2018

[Mei]

"Like many ambitious New York City teenagers, Craig Gilner sees entry into Manhattan's Executive Pre-Professional High School as the ticket to his future. Determined to succeed at life -- getting into the right high school to get into the right college to get the right job -- Craig studies night and day to ace the entrance exam, and does. That's when things start to get crazy.

At his new school, Craig realizes that he's just average, and maybe not even that. He soon sees his once-perfect future crumbling away. The stress becomes unbearable and Craig stops eating and sleeping -- until, one night, he nearly kills himself.

Craig's suicidal episode gets him checked into a mental hospital, where his new neighbors include a transsexual sex addict, a girl who has scarred her own face with scissors, and the self-elected President Armelio. There, isolated from the crushing pressures of school and friends, Craig is finally able to confront the sources of his anxiety.

Ned Vizzini, who himself spent time in a psychiatric hospital, has created a moving tale about depression, that's definitely a funny story.


**************

Jacquelyn, Megan, Tori and I will be reading this. Everyone welcome :)

[Jacquelyn]

YAY!

[[deleted user]]

Yay!! I am so excited to read this!!!

[Mei]

I know this is a bit out of topic and an ugly announcement to make, I just read that the author passed away on the 19th December (2013). I didn't know that. :/

[Jacquelyn]

Oh yeah I know. He committed suicide and was only 32. :(

[jam]

Imma join. ^_^

[jam]

It's really sad to hear about the author's death. May he rest in peace.

[Jacquelyn]

Jamira wrote: "Imma join. ^_^"

Yay and I know, so sad!

[[deleted user]]

Oh wow. That's really sad. I didn't know about that. :(

[Jacquelyn]

Tori wrote: "Oh wow. That's really sad. I didn't know about that. :("

Yeah, so sad.. :(

[Tayla]

I have another book on this date but i will try to squeeze it in

[[deleted user]]

Yay Tayla! Glad you can join! :)

[Chelsie]

I think ill join this one, I've read it before but its so so good.

[Mei]

Welcome Tayla and Chelsie! :)

[Kenzie]

I'll join. I've been wanting to reading this book for a while now :)

[Tayla]

woot

[Mei]

Welcome McKenzie :)

[Dr. Andy]

I'll join, this book has been on my TBR list for a while. I also have seen the movie, and it was extremely cute and touching. It was great, so I bet the book will be even better!

[[deleted user]]

Yay Andrea! Glad you can join us! I still have yet to see the movie, so maybe I will watch it after we read the book first! :)

[Mei]

Welcome to the reading circle Andrea! :D Haven't watched the movie, yet, but I will after finishing this book :) Glad you liked the movie!

[[deleted user]]

I want to join!

[Mei]

Sure! Welcome Lindsey!

[Princess Lea]

Read the book, now the movie!

[Mira]

I want to join :)

[Rachael]

I'll be joining :)

[Mira]

Hiya Rachael! We meet again hehe x)

[Mira]

13% Finished part 1 (view spoiler)[ "It’s so hard to talk when you want to kill yourself. That’s above and beyond everything else, and it’s not a mental complaint—it’s a physical thing, like it’s physically hard to open your mouth and make the words come out."

That was the opening line. I'm blown away by how it's put. I've never looked at it that way. I know it's based on a true story so I'm pretty sure the writer knows what he's talking about.

And I now know why the cover looks like that. I remember thinking it was weird before. But, it's kinda cool actually. (hide spoiler)]

[Mira]

20% (view spoiler)[ I like the family and his attitude towards them. He's not an angry teen. He's grateful for what they've done and what they're doing to help him. If anything he's ashamed that -as he puts it- taking up a lot of money and resources.



He's so depressed. Yet, not whiney or annoying. He doesn't feel sorry for himself. He's trying to fix it. I feel so bad for him.

“You all right, man?”
This should be my name. I could be like a superhero: You All Right Man.

(hide spoiler)]

[Mira]

@Isela (view spoiler)[ Yes! Exactly. And I agree with you. He's very aware. You always get the impression that depressed people live on their own island because they never talk. Or barely. But apparently that is not true.

I do like the way it's written though. But I get how it might be difficult for you. English is my second language too but I find it harder to read formal English. I guess I'm the opposite hehe :)

I think the writing style is supposed to be humorous. And it is. At times. But they story is heartbreaking actually. I feel worse about it every time I remember that the author had depression and ended up killing himself anyway at the age of 32. It's just heartbreaking. (hide spoiler)]

[Mira]

40% (view spoiler)[ "Next to the pad was a cup that read Zyprexa, which I thought was the craziest-sounding medical name I’d ever heard. (It turned out to be a drug for psychotics, I wondered if maybe a psychotic person had called a doctor a “zyprexa” and that’s how they came up with the name.)"

I love how he notices things and makes funny assumptions. I wonder why he always switches off the bathroom light. It's weird. (hide spoiler)]

[Rachael]

Ahhhh I gotta finish shadow & bone and then I'll start this.. Hopefully tomorrow

[Mira]

@Isela (view spoiler)[You see I wouldn't read something as classic as the Catcher in the Rye. Too difficult and I get frustrated LOL.

I found out about it a while back. It happened on my birthday. I know I'll never forget that now.

Maybe you're right about the lights thing. It does make sense.

I love his sister. I have a cousin in the fourth grade and she's kind of an a-hole xD But Sarah is great and so supportive. Like the rest of his family. But yeah I don't think we'll know much about her since she's not very important to the story. (hide spoiler)]

I still haven't gotten to chapter 21 so I'll view your spoiler when I get to it :)

[Mira]

Rachael wrote: "Ahhhh I gotta finish shadow & bone and then I'll start this.. Hopefully tomorrow"

Hopefully! :P

[Dr. Andy]

Will be starting a little later today, finishing up the selection stories!!!

[Rachael]

I'm starting now :)

[Mira]

@Isela (view spoiler)[ Oh I'm sorry that must have been awful. And you know I don't see how people could think it could be treated by just going out or something like that. It's a physical thing. Lack or serotonin in the brain would do it. It has to be treated with medication not a nice outing lol.

I love how relate-able he is, though. I mean I relate to a lot of aspects in his personality specially when he gets overwhelmed with stuff and ends up doing non of it. And other things too. It's kind of cool actually. A little creepy since he's clinically depressed but also kind of cool xD

Your class sounds nice. Without the writing essays part hehe I read Heart of Darkness, Brave New World and 1984 for classes but I really hated all of them. My attempts with classics were not very successful lol

Also I wanted to ask, how do you say your name? :P (hide spoiler)]

[Mira]

64% (view spoiler)[ His friends are jerks. But I don't think his new friendships would last considering where he is. I cannot believe Nia told on him. What a b$%#@! She was supposed to understand! (hide spoiler)]

[Rachael]

Okay I finish part 1 (view spoiler)[

I'm excited for this book and then to watch the movie! This is one of those books that probably doesn't have much action but is mostly in the MC's head and I'm okay with that! This first part was sad and depressing but I guess that's the point haha (hide spoiler)]

[Rachael]

Mira wrote: "Hiya Rachael! We meet again hehe x)"

Hi friend :) happy reading!

[Rachael]

Isela wrote: "Mira wrote: "13% Finished part 1..."
I just finished part 1, too! :) I agree with you, it's a powerful line. And I was thinking about how people when they feel sad just don't want to talk... gues..."

Ahhh I agree so much, the way it's written as it would be spoken is kinda annoying but I get it... It's part of how Craig's brain works.. He's super in touch with his thoughts, so that's cool

[Rachael]

Oh I had no idea it was that old!! I thought it was a new movie! So it was before Zach Galifinakis was famous for the hangover?

[Dr. Andy]

5% I like how Craig thinks. I just find it really fascinating. He’s interesting and unique. The only question I have so far, is how much was this coming from the author’s own life?

[Rachael]

Isela wrote: "Yep, it's from 2010! :D and no, Hangover 1 was released in 2009. That's why I watched it, because I loved Galifianakis so much from Hangover that I wanted to watch all of the movies he had been on :D"

Have you seen his stand up something about the purple onion? And his skit with the president and Justin bieber? Sooo funny, I love him

[Rachael]

Andrea wrote: "5% I like how Craig thinks. I just find it really fascinating. He’s interesting and unique. The only question I have so far, is how much was this coming from the author’s own life?"

I wonder that too! I want to know more about the author after I finish the book

[Rachael]

This is just SO interesting! All the books I've read where the main character is depressed there's always some big traumatic reason for the depression... Craig doesn't. He just is. There's just something off with his brain chemistry. Just so intriguing!

I just started part 3 and this is some heavy stuff man.

[Mira]

89% (view spoiler)[ I do not like Nia. Or even Aaron anymore. She's such a slut. And now she's back with Aaron? Wth? After what? Two minutes of making out with Craig? Wow. Really? I wish Craig had told Aaron about what she did in the hospital.

I'm glad he decided to leave the school. It was the tentacle. The root of all his problems. I think things might start looking up now. (hide spoiler)]

[Rachael]

This is putting me in a really emotional state of mind

[Mira]

@Isela (view spoiler)[ You have much more luck with classics. I tried but I still don't like them. Maybe I'd give one a shot in the future. Maybe I've matured or something xD

I don't speak Spanish. I'm actually from Egypt. Like smelly Muqtada. Ew! That's so not how people are here. Don't want you getting the wrong idea hehehehe

I'm an EFL teacher too! But I don't like it much. I agree with you though. I usually try to set the bar low because I don't like it when people expect me to do things. Sneaky huh? :P

I wish he'd tell somebody about the soldier voice too but I don't think it is that big of a deal. I think it's just away for him to think. We all have inner monologues. But I guess his is a bit different.

The mood is lightening up I agree. I really loved the card game. It was hilarious! And him and Noelle are cute together. A much better fit than him and Nia.

I do believe Aaron. I just don't like him anymore.
(hide spoiler)]

[Mira]

@Rachael I'll watch the movie as soon as I finish too! :)

[Mira]

Andrea wrote: "5% I like how Craig thinks. I just find it really fascinating. He’s interesting and unique. The only question I have so far, is how much was this coming from the author’s own life?"

You know for some reason I never asked myself that. I just read it like an autobiography you know? I'm not sure why. I seem to enjoy it more that way. xD