Did you enjoy this book?

[Betty]

Every time I read a Patrick Ness novel, I am utterly blown away. I have never once been disappointed in anything he's written.

The Rest of Us Just Live Here was no exception to this. I was completely in love with the concept of the book, and I think he's executed the entire idea perfectly. I love all of the characters - I find his characters very real and relatable - and I couldn't stop crying. This happened when I read A Monster Calls, too; I thought I would be fine and then Ness comes from behind right in the last quarter of his books and delivers the sort of content that just shatters me into pieces.

What did everyone else think of the book? Did you love it? Hate it?

[Anna]

I absolutely LOVED the ending how Henna and Mickey (view spoiler)[ didn't get together! (hide spoiler)] It was just another beautiful touch of realism to a story about realistic people.
I think Patrick Ness has such a beautiful way of weaving stories and characters, but they are always something different. Nothing I've read by him has ever been like anything else. I absolutely adore him.

Also, the scene with his therapist? I loved how it was almost entirely dialogue and so it was so easy to just immerse yourself in what was being said, rather than making the whole chapter over encumbered with descriptions. It was almost like he was allowing Mickey to be a mouth piece and by not describing the therapist, or the room, or what was happening around, it meant that everyone reading had the opportunity to be Mickey for a second.
I feel like the whole book lived for that chapter and it was so perfectly done. He should be required reading in High-schools because he is just so on to it when it comes to YA issues.

[Mel]

Anna wrote: "I absolutely LOVED the ending how Henna and Mickey [spoilers removed] It was just another beautiful touch of realism to a story about realistic people.
I think Patrick Ness has such a beautiful way..."

You took the words right out of my mouth! The therapist scene was so good. In fact, I really appreciate the way Ness dealt with mental illness throughout the whole book - there were so many times where I thought, 'oh he Gets It.' There are so many terrible representations of mental illness out there that it was so refreshing to read something that was actually well done.