Day 1 (5/16/19) I’m going to do this blog a little differently. I’m going to write it as I read the book. When something strikes me, or a quote is just begging to be underlined (but I can’t because it’s a library book), I’m going to hop on here and jot it down.
My Facebook friends wanted me to read “The Waffle Book.” Sometimes when I finish a book, I post a few books to my Facebook friends and let them pick the next read, unless there is a book I am just dying to read. The last two times, Tell Me Three Things has been an option, and everyone just called it “The Waffle Book.” It lost last time, but this time, the majority chose the waffles.
When I started reading this morning, I realized that I have started this book before. I’m guessing it was last summer when I was in the middle of grad school, and 11 of the 15 books I had on hold all became available from the library. I probably started it right as another set of classes was starting, and then didn’t get to read for fun at all.
The premise of the book – 16 year old girl (Jessie) loses her mother about 2 years prior to the start of the story somewhat suddenly – stage 4 ovarian cancer. Her dad, a pharmacist, falls in love with a woman he has met online, and they get married. He moves them from Chicago to LA where the woman is involved in film making and extremely rich. Jessie has to start a new school her junior year with completely different people than what she is used to. During her first couple weeks at school, she gets an email from an anonymous person calling themselves “Somebody Nobody” or SN who volunteers to help her navigate her new school.
Three chapters in – “Batman guy”/Ethan is the email guy. Has to be. It is so crystal clear that this is how this book’s romance is going to happen.
Nine chapters in – I find this concept interesting, that some random person at her school has sought her out to be her guide. I’m curious to find out the emailer’s reasons for hiding behind this anonymous email.
Page 74 – the first mention of waffle! “My favorite word, on the other hand is ‘waffle.’ Both a delicious breakfast food and a verb.”
A couple quotes I liked:
“I never asked her. Why didn’t I ask her? One of the worst parts about someone dying is thinking back to all those times you didn’t ask the right questions, all those times you stupidly assumed you’d have all the time in the world. And this too: how all that time feels like not much time at all.”
“By the transitive property you would think I’d be cool here, but no. Then again, I casually reference things like the transitive property, so maybe there are other, more valid reasons for my lack of popularity.”
Day 2 (5/17/19) So, I finished the book last night. I needed closure. I’m actually a little upset with myself that I finished it so quickly and didn’t get to write out all my thoughts like I wanted to. Now, I just will give my overall thoughts.
The book was well-written and I very much enjoyed the first person narrator’s voice. It was interesting to hear her thoughts and listen to her process her grief about her mom. The conversations between Jessie and SN are sweet and fun to read, but they aren’t overly mushy or too over the top.
This is definitely a feel-good, romantic YA book. There are some moments that bring out the feels, so I’m glad I read the majority of the book in the privacy of my own house instead of during SSR time at school.
Easy read (obviously since I read it in less than 24 hours).
How much did it make me cry?
Not at allA little sniffleA couple tears- A steady stream
Ugly Cry
Michelle Reads & Writes 