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January - Two Week Read > Everything, Everything - Week 1: The White Room - More than This

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message 1: by Taryn (new)

Taryn Rydell | 94 comments Mod



message 2: by Taryn (last edited Jan 15, 2017 01:55PM) (new)

Taryn Rydell | 94 comments Mod
Okay, Proud Readers, from the classic to the contemporary, I've heard a lot about this one. Let's go!


message 3: by Letitgo (new)

Letitgo | 62 comments Mod
On it!


message 4: by Emma (M) (new)

Emma (M) Just started, liking it so far.


message 5: by Emma (M) (new)

Emma (M) It seemed promising to start, but I'm finding it lacks any sort of depth or character development. It's scratching at the surface of some significant issues, but those issues aren't really explored in any meaningful way (so far).


message 6: by John (new)

John Winston (johndarrylwinston) Emma wrote: "It seemed promising to start, but I'm finding it lacks any sort of depth or character development. It's scratching at the surface of some significant issues, but those issues aren't really explored..."

And they seem to be deep issues. We shall see, Emma.


message 7: by John (new)

John Winston (johndarrylwinston) Definitely much lighter reading. I can breathe a bit. Clear and definite setup.


message 8: by Anna (new)

Anna | 20 comments John wrote: "Definitely much lighter reading. I can breathe a bit. Clear and definite setup."

It is John :). I picked it up Saturday night intending to glance at it and finished it yesterday morning. It's a very quick read!


message 9: by Gregori (last edited Jan 16, 2017 08:22PM) (new)

Gregori White | 2 comments I heard about this book. I'm into it already.


message 10: by Sera (new)

Sera (seraseah) | 4 comments It's so easy to get into this one. I'm loving it so far. Plan to finish it tonight!


message 11: by Eivette (new)

Eivette Martinez | 11 comments This is definitely more my style. If nothing else, it's in the first person which is what I'm pretty much used to.


message 12: by Janelle (new)

Janelle (jebarton) I'm still waiting on my library's copy to come back in, hopefully by the end of this week! I mean, I'd like to participate in at least one of this month's discussions. But if it's like most YA, it'll go fast and I'll be able to catch up in no time. Seems like everyone is liking it, so I'm looking forward to it!


message 13: by Taryn (new)

Taryn Rydell | 94 comments Mod
Janelle wrote: "I'm still waiting on my library's copy to come back in, hopefully by the end of this week! I mean, I'd like to participate in at least one of this month's discussions. But if it's like most YA, it'..."

Excellent, Janelle. It's an easy quick read. I'll wait on you. :-)


message 14: by John (new)

John Winston (johndarrylwinston) Eivette wrote: "This is definitely more my style. If nothing else, it's in the first person which is what I'm pretty much used to."

Do you prefer first person, Eivette?


message 15: by John (new)

John Winston (johndarrylwinston) I'm curious. The first two reads were third-person, almost omniscient, and past tense while Everything, Everythings is first-person, present tense. What are some of your preferences and why?


message 16: by Eivette (new)

Eivette Martinez | 11 comments John wrote: "Eivette wrote: "This is definitely more my style. If nothing else, it's in the first person which is what I'm pretty much used to."

Do you prefer first person, Eivette?"


Yes, can't you tell by my profile pic. Lately, that's all I've been reading. Divergent, Hunger games, Legend series. I love them all. All female main characters. All first-person present tense.


message 17: by Marquette (new)

Marquette | 3 comments John wrote: "I'm curious. The first two reads were third-person, almost omniscient, and past tense while Everything, Everythings is first-person, present tense. What are some of your preferences and why?"

I'm a big fan of first-person too. It makes me feel like I'm right there as opposed to being told the story at a distance.


message 18: by Sera (new)

Sera (seraseah) | 4 comments John wrote: "I'm curious. The first two reads were third-person, almost omniscient, and past tense while Everything, Everythings is first-person, present tense. What are some of your preferences and why?"

First-person gives a more intimate feel. I'm able to connect and relate to the characters better. For me, first-person much preferred.


message 19: by Armani (last edited Jan 19, 2017 10:35AM) (new)

Armani Porterfield | 9 comments I'm with Sera, Marquette, and Eivette. First person all the way for me. I particularly like the Legend series. With the switching first-person chapters of June (female character) and Day (male character). It really opens the story up and at same time keeps it intimate and personal.


message 20: by Taryn (new)

Taryn Rydell | 94 comments Mod
I really like this POV discussion. With the exception of Hunger Games, I'm a third-person reader. I often find first-person stories a bit limiting. Also that character better be on point. I think in The Hunger Games the story is so immediate, personal, and crucial, it works for me.


message 21: by John (last edited Jan 22, 2017 05:52PM) (new)

John Winston (johndarrylwinston) I was thinking, "It's kind of quiet in here, Proud Readers." Then, It hit me; I'm supposed to be leading this discussion. Oops! Here we go. I for one am liking this read more than the other two reads. No weird stuff going on or breaks in the narrative, and it's contemporary which is my speed.

I will say this, the narrative is entertaining and moves pretty fast. But as Emma said, it definitely lacks character development and is scratching at the surface of significant issues. But this might suit its YA targeted audience.

What do you you guys think about the plot/premise? Is it riveting or barely keeping your attention? Are we liking/hating the characters or are they wooden and we could care less?


message 22: by John (new)

John Winston (johndarrylwinston) Emma wrote: "It seemed promising to start, but I'm finding it lacks any sort of depth or character development. It's scratching at the surface of some significant issues, but those issues aren't really explored..."

So, what are we thinking, Emma? Has the author tackled some of those development/surface issues yet?


message 23: by John (new)

John Winston (johndarrylwinston) Sera wrote: "It's so easy to get into this one. I'm loving it so far. Plan to finish it tonight!"

What's the verdict on the first half of the book, Sera?


message 24: by John (new)

John Winston (johndarrylwinston) Janelle wrote: "I'm still waiting on my library's copy to come back in, hopefully by the end of this week! I mean, I'd like to participate in at least one of this month's discussions. But if it's like most YA, it'..."

How's goes it, Janelle?


message 25: by John (new)

John Winston (johndarrylwinston) Eivette wrote: "John wrote: "Eivette wrote: "This is definitely more my style. If nothing else, it's in the first person which is what I'm pretty much used to."

Do you prefer first person, Eivette?"

Yes, can't y..."


How does this compare with your other first-person reads. Eivette?


message 26: by Janelle (last edited Jan 23, 2017 01:36PM) (new)

Janelle (jebarton) John wrote: "Janelle wrote: "I'm still waiting on my library's copy to come back in, hopefully by the end of this week! I mean, I'd like to participate in at least one of this month's discussions. But if it's l..."

I received it just in time for this weekend! I'm about 3/4 of the way through. Everyone wasn't kidding, this is a fast read with its short chapters and illustrations (which are pretty cute, I have to admit).

I do agree though, it's just scratching the surface of deeper issues. It feels like a rom-com movie...Maddy and Olly's circumstances are just present enough to give them a "quirky" relationship. The character development as a result is then also lacking, which is disappointing considering how much room Maddy has to grow, considering she's experiencing "the world" for the first time. But I'll wait and see...I think things are about to come to a head, so maybe these things will improve. I have found myself wondering what the mom is doing and thinking throughout this, so maybe once's back in the story, she'll help the teen characters realize the deeper consequences.

And I'm with Taryn, I prefer third-person, past tense. Yet considering the main character is someone who lives mostly alone, so spends a lot of time in her head, first person would be the best POV for this story. A theme of the story is also living, being in the moment, so that justifies present tense.


message 27: by Emma (M) (new)

Emma (M) John wrote: "Emma wrote: "It seemed promising to start, but I'm finding it lacks any sort of depth or character development. It's scratching at the surface of some significant issues, but those issues aren't re..."

After finishing it I find I am still disappointed at the character development and depth of the story, however it was a quick, entertaining YA and I quite liked how it ended. I think it had some great potential that wasn't explored.


message 28: by Taryn (new)

Taryn Rydell | 94 comments Mod
Great points here, Janelle and Emma. I'm 3/4 into it and entertained but also not feeling quite satisfied. I'm hoping for the big ending to bring it all together.


message 29: by Letitgo (new)

Letitgo | 62 comments Mod
I think I'm with everyone else on this one, easy to turn pages but not quite a page turner. Time for a new discussion thread.


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