Federle kills it again with the audiobook. So likable and funny and emotional. Lots of swearing and teenage boy stuff in this, but I wasn't put off by it. It all came across as realistic, if a little too witty to be true. Fans of John Green, Rainbow Rowell, and David Levithan look no further. This is for you. And if you liked [b:Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda|19547856|Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda|Becky Albertalli|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1402915678s/19547856.jpg|27679579] YOU MUST READ [OR LISTEN TO] THIS.

I will say that I've griped all year (so far) about the books I'm reading being too depressing. This one is sad as one of the main plot points is the tragic death of a young person. But somehow it was still enjoyable. Not saccharine, not maudlin. The story takes place six months after the tragedy, so it's not completely raw. The main characters have gone through the first stages and grief offscreen and are beginning to come to terms with life again.

Movie buffs will appreciate all the classic film references and the main character's habit of seeing life through the lens of a screenplay. I'm in my 30s, but I remember well being a teenager and wishing my life could be more like a movie (or a book or a TV show or a play - I wasn't limited by format). It really rang true.

At the end of the audiobook, Federle offers some behind-the-scenes stuff: his inspiration for writing the book, how he's similar to his main character Quinn, and the authors who've influenced him. He mentions the book [b:Mindset: The New Psychology of Success|40745|Mindset The New Psychology of Success|Carol S. Dweck|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1436227012s/40745.jpg|40330] as helping him to become a writer after being a dancer on Broadway. Thank you to the author of that book because Federle's work is so amazing for young readers! I hope he's working on a new one right now. ( )

teen fiction (LGBTQ dealing with death/loss of a sister). I enjoy Federle's writing tremendously. Lots of funny witty parts. The ending felt a bit.. abrupt? But it was OK. ( )

This is a powerful book about grief and love and life. Sixteen year old Quinn has been depressed for six months, since the tragic death of his beloved older sister in a car accident. Quinn never leaves his house, doesn't talk to his best friend Geoff, has given up on his dream of getting into the filmmaker camp in Los Angeles that he's always wanted to apply for. His sister was his muse and his director, filming his hardwritten screenplays and helping him in so many ways, and now he's just lost without her. But when Geoff drags him, finally, out of the house and to a college party, Quinn, closeted gay teen (though all of his friends know), meets the amazing Amir, gorgeous college guy, and as he falls in love, Quinn is gradually is able to come out of his griefstricken shell and move forward with his life. But there may still be some things about his sister left for him to learn, too. Sweet story, heartwrenching as well as very funny, with Tim Federle's wonderful style full of quips, self-deprecating humor, and many movie references. Some language maybe a little more appropriate for older readers, as well as a wee bit of mature content. ( )

Quinn Roberts has spent the last six months in hibernation; after the accident, he didn't think he could ever face the world again. Enter: Geoff. Quinn's best friend. One haircut later and Quinn is on his way to his first ever college party. Where he meets a guy. The week that follows has Quinn imagining all sorts of scenarios until he can finally take the reigns back and control his own life story.

This book was given to me by a friend for Christmas, and it was thoroughly enjoyable! Quinn's witty, sarcastic take on life shines through the text and hooks the reader right from the beginning. But it isn't pushed to the extent that Quinn feels fake--in fact, they almost make Quinn feel more real, using his sarcasm and humor to hide his true feelings. They make him more rounded, and they make the book difficult to put down.

None of the characters in this story are flat--they all have their quirks that together, create a cast of characters that you wish could be your friends. Federle is able to write with such an authentic teen voice that this book will be sure to remain in your thoughts long after you finish it.

For a YA debut, Federle has definitely hit it out of the park. ( )

I loved this book for the amazing take on movies, as well as the very [b:The Catcher in the Rye|5107|The Catcher in the Rye|J.D. Salinger|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1398034300s/5107.jpg|3036731] vibe it gave off.
I enjoyed all characters in this book BUT....
I think [b:Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda|19547856|Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda|Becky Albertalli|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1402915678s/19547856.jpg|27679579] is the better book because of how much more it evokes John Green!!!
I loved the fact that Quinn was giving great movie references, but i feel like i have read his type of Rainbow fiction story before. His characterization was very........ meh, i guess. I enjoyed Amir and Geoff more than i enjoyed the main character
With all that being said, it was I nice book!! ( )