Read while sitting in the sun listening to "The Pop Singer's Fear of the Pollen Count" by Divine Comedy. I don't think I really understood the horror movie pieces.

But I'm all there for Arliss. What a human! Oh, and thanks for a romance that actually made sense and built up in an adorable way. ( )

I love a good book about friendship, and these two cracked me up repeatedly. They were hilarious. It was an unexpected pleasure to read. ( )

I just about always love a novel by Jeff Zentner. I hadn't read this novel and had to catch this one as well!

Best friends Delia and Josie host a horror movie night on the local access TV channel every week, but it's time to graduate from high school and make changes. Josie sees her future in television and helping Delia with her show has been fun and has taught her a lot about prepping a show. Josie's smart talk makes you laugh because she doesn't suffer fools. Fools seem to gravitate to Josie, for all guys notice her. She rarely sees anyone with whom to be impressed. Delia doesn't have the support Josie has at home. Josie's family is solid middle class--if not above--with expectations that Josie will attend college. Delia's mom struggles with mental illness and paying bills challenges her. Delia's main source of joy is the show. She and her father used to watch old horror flicks, and Delia possesses expert knowledge because of her dad. She secretly hopes that her dad will come across the show one day, be impressed, and maybe even contact her. At the beginning of the novel, Delia's private detective finds her father. Throughout the novel, Delia struggles with what to do now that she knows where he is. Delia wants to take their show to the next level and seeks help from horror television people. Josie is expected to take an internship in Nashville at the Food Network; if Josie moves, the show would change, maybe end.

Delia and Josie talk fast! They have great banter that solidifies why they're friends. After borrowing a dog and his owner for one of their shows, Delia and Josie add Lawson (the dog owner) to their show. Josie doesn't have time for a guy to like her, but he is so sincere that she finds herself seeing a guy with whom to be impressed. He dedicates himself to fighting--MMA fighting and hopes to build a career. He's undefeated so far. Lawson fits in with the girls, enjoying their banter. In hopes of taking their show to a higher level, Josie and Delia discuss attending a horror convention in Florida. Josie makes a deal with her parents: if the trip goes well, Josie can stay closer to home for college and continue to work on the show; if not, then Josie has to move to Nashville and accept the internship. The convention isn't far from where Delia's dad now lives. Does she want to see him? This trip could be life changing for both of the girls.

I enjoyed this novel; it's not my favorite Zentner novel, but it's still a top notch story. I wish I were as quick as Josie. Delia makes one's heart break because of all of her losses and struggles. She's a survivor, for sure. This story about growing up, changing, recognizing your interests and allowing others to have theirs, and letting people go without dissolving a friendship touches your heart and allows you to be moved by resilience and possibility. ( )

I never ceased to be amazed, and grateful, when a book finds me right at the perfect moment that I need it. Zenter's latest novel is that book at this moment. I laughed, I cried, I cringed, I learned a little about myself along with Josie and Delia. I'll end with two gems I just need to record for my own propitiation: "It suddenly hits me, more raw than it ever has before: everything ends. Some things last longer than others, but everything ends. . . I'm glad things end, though. It forces you to love them ferociously while you have them." p. 367 "'Remember that Florida is a land of weirdos and bizarre happenings, and conduct yourselves accordingly.'" p. 227 Words of such veracity and import each. ( )

Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars

Oh man, I really loved this book. I was actually laughing out loud at points. First, the description of the bassett hound (comparing it to a tan garbage bag - hilarious.). Despite the humor, this book dealt with the emotion that comes from growing up and the change that comes with it perfectly. The sad moments were still sad, but it never felt like emotional whiplash. Also, I love that it harped on how important it is to a) get help when you need it if you're struggling with depression, and b) TAKE YOUR PILLS EVERYDAY!

But, on the opposite side of that - my only qualm with this book was that Delia and her mom started taking antidepressants and were suddenly cured. Obviously the point of the book wasn't to focus on mental health, so long paragraphs about trying out different medications and doses wasn't going to happen. But also, medication doesn't necessarily stop the bad days from coming. It just stops them from hitting as hard or coming as often. I don't know - it's a little piece of the book, and genuinely it's just a little complaint. The rest of it was beautiful and funny and all the other nice words that people used to describe a good book. ( )