Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin -- Restarting July 1st 2025

[Brigia]

In this exhilarating novel by the best-selling author of The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry two friends--often in love, but never lovers--come together as creative partners in the world of video game design, where success brings them fame, joy, tragedy, duplicity, and, ultimately, a kind of immortality.

On a bitter-cold day, in the December of his junior year at Harvard, Sam Masur exits a subway car and sees, amid the hordes of people waiting on the platform, Sadie Green. He calls her name. For a moment, she pretends she hasn't heard him, but then, she turns, and a game begins: a legendary collaboration that will launch them to stardom. These friends, intimates since childhood, borrow money, beg favors, and, before even graduating college, they have created their first blockbuster, Ichigo. Overnight, the world is theirs. Not even twenty-five years old, Sam and Sadie are brilliant, successful, and rich, but these qualities won't protect them from their own creative ambitions or the betrayals of their hearts.

Spanning thirty years, from Cambridge, Massachusetts, to Venice Beach, California, and lands in between and far beyond, Gabrielle Zevin's Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a dazzling and intricately imagined novel that examines the multifarious nature of identity, disability, failure, the redemptive possibilities in play, and above all, our need to connect: to be loved and to love. Yes, it is a love story, but it is not one you have read before.

[Brigia]

Part 1

(view spoiler)[
So, I've read this part before and then put the book down and got distracted by other books. I'm not sure if I'm a fan so far. There are certainly some deep thoughts and you can get a ton of amazing quotes. I also like that both MCs are flawed, though I think my main problem is that I don't feel emotionally invested in them, so far. (hide spoiler)]

[Brigia]

Part 2

(view spoiler)[I keep really struggling with this book, I don't know. It's not that I dislike it, I'm just not really interested for some reason.

Dov is aweful and I don't get why Sadie is with him. Why does she have such low self-esteem? I don't get it.

I felt for Sam breaking his ankle just when he was so happy. He is an interesting character and his pov is one of the highlights in this book. I liked his thoughts about appropriation and couldn't help but agree.

Hopefully I'll get into the story at some point :P (hide spoiler)]

[Brigia]

Finished

(view spoiler)[So... I finished lol What to say about this book? First, I think from an artistic point of view it is stunning. The writing style is amazing and the whole structure of the book is interesting.
I struggled with the storyline. The back-and-forth between points of view and present/past kept me a bit disengaged. The only part I was completely emotionally invested in was Marx's dying scene - I loved how that was done.
The characters were difficult to like. Sam grew on me as the story went on - I felt for his struggles and his loneliness and I admired how he took responsibility. He was really loyal, too. Marx was a character I felt distant to; he was nice, but I wasn't really feeling him. Sadie, I disliked. A lot.
So, on the whole, this was not entirely my thing lol

As an aside, there is a whole thing about the meaning of the German "Zweisamkeit" that's completely wrong. That was a bit irritating for me as a native German :P Zweisamkeit is most often used in the phrase "in trauter Zweisamkeit" which basically means having a harmonious time with your loved one. Alone, just the two of you. It's pretty much the opposite of the author's "being lonely in a crowd". I don't know what that was about, and it wasn't an important part of the story, but it keeps bugging me. (hide spoiler)]

[Alina]

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Date changed. Restarting February 2, 2023. Happy Reading ☺

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[Maddie]

I might join!

[Jess]

When a book on a topic that I'm not that knowledgeable on or interested in can grab me like this, it is something very special. I was truly invested in these characters even when they were acting in ways that frustrated or upset me, I really wanted everything to turn out well for them. I feel like I went on a journey through the ups and downs of their lives and was celebrating and commiserating with them.

This book gave me a much deeper understanding and appreciation of video games and the ways that playing them can mean different things to different people: a creative outlet, a de-stressor, a way to escape your life and live out another, a way to challenge your preconceptions. All this and more was explored here with aplomb. I will be recommending this book to lots of people in my life.

[ellen]

Settling in with this book on this wintery day at the moment. Looking forward to discussing it with you!

[Alina]

I plan to start on this book later today, and also look forward to discussing the book :)

[Alina]

10% (view spoiler)[
This book definitely has an interesting premise, and I really like the video game references throughout the book. I do find the 2 different timelines hard to keep up with at times, as it seems as if the timeline changes abruptly during some of the chapters.

So far I'm not a fan of Dov, I feel as though he's definitely hiding a lot more things apart from his distant wife. Nonetheless, I'm curious to see how things play out with Saide and Sam (hide spoiler)]

[ellen]

Part 1: Sick Kids (view spoiler)[ The slow emergence of information about both Sadie and Sam's lives given in the present day and the flashbacks are exciting to me. I like that a phrase or a drawn picture that was a gift incites a flashback. Learning about each character is slowly building their complex relationship and personality. I feel for Sadie and the aftermath of her relationship with Dov. He was highly predatory and just overall that part of the book gave off a lot of ick feelings, especially when she would erase her own thoughts and just become submissive to his views. It was a realistic and relatable portrayal of codependency and social power dynamics. (hide spoiler)]

[Alina]

Part 2
(view spoiler)[
I feel so bad for Sam, I can't even begin to imagine how he feels to be back in the hospital after everything he went through in his childhood.

Honestly, it seems as though both Dov and George care more about
themselves than they do about anyone, and I do wonder why Sadie continues things with Dov even after how things ended earlier.

I have very mixed thoughts on this book so far. Although I find the journey of Sam and Sadie making the game interesting, I don't really feel as though I am fully invested in the book.
(hide spoiler)]

[Alina]

ellen wrote: "Part 1: Sick Kids [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I have similar feelings about Dov, and I definitely also feel for Sadie. It sucks to see that Dov pursued having a relationship with Sadie despite having a wife elsewhere, and the obvious difference in power. (hide spoiler)]

[Alina]

Part 3
(view spoiler)[
Finally! I'm so glad that Sadie was able to leave Dov, I was fuming when he began yelling at her.

I'm really liking Zoe so far! She seems like a funny person and its interesting to see the relationship she has with Marx.

I don't understand why Sadie starts doubting whether Sam's intentions were genuine or not at the end though, I feel as though he has already expressed that he needed money in order to pay for his medical and school bills, and he also mentioned that they maintain their privacy.

Nonetheless, I'm thankful that the pace of the book is picking up :) (hide spoiler)]

[ellen]

I’ve hit a mini reading slump. Blargh. Hopefully with free time this weekend I can get back that reading mojo.

[Alina]

ellen wrote: "I’ve hit a mini reading slump. Blargh. Hopefully with free time this weekend I can get back that reading mojo."

I feel you. I've also been getting through this book slowly and I feel as though I'm going back and forth between a reading slump.

[Alina]

Finished
(view spoiler)[ Honestly, I'm still a bit conflicted about this book. While the videogame concept and story sucked me into this book, I felt as though the amount of perspectives (and perspective changes) that this book utilizes made the book overwhelming and difficult to follow at times.

The change in times and locations (between the past, present, and the videogame world especially towards the end) also made the book confusing.

Although I generally liked Sam, Ant, and Simon, I was not very fond of Sadie or Dov. At times, Sadie's discontent towards Sam was definitely justified, but I felt as though she was assuming and skipping to conclusions for the most part.

Nontheless, the writing itself was great, but I was not fond of the constant back and forth between different characters, places, and time periods. 3.5/5 (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

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Date changed. Restarting May 15 2024. Happy Reading ☺

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[Maddie]

I'm 45% in!

(view spoiler)[Well so far this is not what I was expecting. What was I expecting? I can't exactly say. But this isn't it. It's super slice of life, but I also don't feel like I know the characters. The plot is moving forwards, but I wouldn't say it's exciting. It's just a nice time to read, easy and doesn't use my brain much
I haven't read 180 pages in a day in a few weeks and it was a nice surprise to get through this all yesterday. I'm really glad that Sam got over his grudge, I feel like that grudge would be the cause of a lot of third-act breakups in romance novels, especially from such a young age, but they grew up and got over it. I love that
Plus it isn't a romance which is great! It just feels very true (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

51% (view spoiler)[I love those LOTR references. Also dang this threesome kind of? I love it! (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

57% (view spoiler)[I love how this just follows the trajectory of life. Relationships, breakups, shit times and good times. Doesn't make a big deal out of anything (hide spoiler)]

[Maddie]

Finished (view spoiler)[That definitely didn't go in the direction I thought it would! It was rather sad, I didn't know Marx would die! But I did like how it ended, with Sam and Sadie as friends again, knowing that the cycle would probably continue. I liked seeing Sadie as a teacher and a mother, even though she wasn't a natural mother. I liked seeing her rough pregnancy.
I didn't like the insertion of them in the games towards the end, and seeing Marx in second person going through his memories and his death was odd to me. I don't know if that fit.

I thought this would be more VR type stuff, with them going into the games and playing. Similar to Ready Player One. Turns out that comp was very off. I can't see why people are obsessed with this, but then literary fiction slice of life type novels aren't for me. I do enjoy a contemporary, but never tend to love them (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

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Date changed. Restarting July 1, 2025. Happy Reading ☺

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[Gohnar23]

Starting now :DD

[Gohnar23]

2%

(view spoiler)[oh i already expected this to be a detailed thorough explanation on the aspects of death, Fredrik writes balanced and neat discussions in that topic. (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

I have been binging this today lol. I was doing a lot of driving and listening to the audiobook, and I honestly feel like this would be more enjoyable as a physical read. I dont really enjoy the narrators voice.

48% (view spoiler)["Sam's doctor said to him, "The good news is that the pain is in your head."
This infuriated me. But a great representation of how even doctors didnt give a shit about mental health back then. (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

65%
(view spoiler)[The author does a great job writing these very flawed characters that you just love and hate all at the same time. I feel like this book is super realistic. I can see all of this happening in real life; which as a fantasy and romance heavy reader is pretty different from what I'm used to. I have really been enjoying the video games - I loved how her initial games were described, the Emily one and the Nazi one - I honestly cant remember the name right now. And all the references to the old consoles and games is really fun. (hide spoiler)]

[Gohnar23]

OMG IM SORRYYYYYYY

[Gohnar23]

I thought u havent started it yet and im just gunna start when u posted your first update in here hehe 😅😅

[Gohnar23]

Cuz i have 5 other buddy reads other than this haha

[Gohnar23]

So uhhhh, since yes, you just posted an update...like right about now.immm gonna start.......right now :)))))

[Brianna]

71% (view spoiler)[I swear if the only good character in this book dies. (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

LOL no worries! Sorry I didnt post any early updates! I did most of the reading on a long drive. I also saw you had a bunch of reads lol its no problem, no stress haha. I am leaving to the cottage on Saturday, so Ill try and keep up on updates but may be a bit sporadic.

[Gohnar23]

10%

(view spoiler)[i'm already introduced to probably the main character? Already and many psychiatrist and i just want to say that all of them are so interesting 🥰🥰, even all the programmers and game developers are soo well writtennn (hide spoiler)]

[Gohnar23]

22%

(view spoiler)[ooohhhhh i am loving the characters, the grandparents are sooooooo loving and caring and the fact that that its reciprocated is kinda heartwarming 💞 (hide spoiler)]

[Gohnar23]

25%

(view spoiler)[wonder when Ichigo will actually talk in here 😆😆 (hide spoiler)]

[Gohnar23]

Part III:

(view spoiler)[is this even SamxSadie or DovxSadie????????????? Because Dov is getting ALL the screen time right now (hide spoiler)]

[Gohnar23]

38%

(view spoiler)[WAIT I DIDNT REALIZE THE TWO OF THEM ARE ACTUALLY IN A RELATIONSHIP 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 I THOUGHT THEY WE'RE LIKE COWORKERS OR SMTH (hide spoiler)]

[Gohnar23]

49%

(view spoiler)[oohh kinky, the hell are they talking about consuming and devouring people all of a sudden 😭😭😭 (hide spoiler)]

[Gohnar23]

50%

(view spoiler)[we really didn't need to be shared about that information about Sam 😭😭, that was hella uncomfortable and out of place for a sudden (hide spoiler)]

[Gohnar23]

Part V Ch. 1

(view spoiler)[yeah part IV was like one of the most weakest parts of this book, expecting this one to be better 🥰, cuz Part IV has like unnecessary drama and reaaaaaaaaally unnecessary sex infos that we really didn't need to know about (hide spoiler)]

[Gohnar23]

Finished Part VI:

(view spoiler)[it really is one of the better parts of this book, it has the sufficient amount of drama and the discussions between the three of them and what their future is going to be. (That pregnant dilemma is pretty funny though, i know it's not supposed to be funny) (hide spoiler)]

[Gohnar23]

Starting Part VII ch. 6

(view spoiler)[are we really mentioning the number of days after Marx has been shot? 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 gurl stawppppppppp (hide spoiler)]

[Gohnar23]

Finished:

(view spoiler)[Pioneers mas one of the most longest chapters that i've ever read phewww, but overall i really loved this one!!! That was such a big conclusion and a final goodbye to our three main charactersssss, all of them are so memorable and their interactions and misunderstandings are exactly what made this book really interesting and realistic and also the discussion on success and how it affects you and your social life. (hide spoiler)]

[Brianna]

I finished this on Friday and didn’t get a chance to update before I left! I posted a spoiler review and will post here once I am back to my computer