It's Kind of a Funny Story Review--Book Vs. Movie

Author: Ned Vizzini
Release date: April 2, 2006
Pages: 444
Publisher: Miramax
How I got it: Library 

Like many smart, ambitious New York City teenagers, Craig Gilner seeks entry into Manhattans most prestigious school, Executive Pre-Professional High School. With single-minded determination, he works night and day to ace the entrance exam and gets in. Thats when everything starts to unravel. Once Craig starts his new school, he realizes hes just one of many brilliant kids, and he isn't even brilliant, hes average. As Craig starts getting so-so grades, he sees his once-perfect future crumbling away. He begins to have trouble eating, sleeping, and thinkingthats when he tells his parents hes depressed. He goes on medication and talks to therapists, but things keep getting worse, until one night Craig feels so low that he seriously considers suicide. 

But instead, Craig calls a hotline. The counselor tells him to get to the nearest hospital, and before he knows it, hes signed, sealed, and delivered into one of Brooklyns finest psychiatric units.Craigs new roommate is an Egyptian schoolteacher who refuses to get out of bed. His neighbors include a transsexual sex addict, and a girl who has scarred her own face with scissors.But somehow in this motley crew, Craig finds real friends and kindred spirits who give him strength. This is a remarkably moving and authentic picture of the physicality, the despair, and even the hilarity, of depression.

It's Kind of a Funny Story took a bit of wading through, but in the end I ended up really liking this one and what I was able to take away from it.

I expected IKoaFS to start out at the hospital, but instead it starts out with the main character, Craig, explaining how he got to be so depressed. Part of me appreciates the back-story, but most of me thought it dragged a bit. Not enough for me to consider putting it down, but enough for me to grumble, "move along already," under my breath.

Of course about 150 pages in it started to pick up, and by then I was hooked on Craig's voice and trying to figure out how and/or if he got "better". Plus there were quite a few other things to keep me reading, too. Like the quirky, hilarious, and sometimes deranged side characters. Bobby, Ebony, Armelio, Jimmy, and more all kept me smiling 'til the end.

Then of course there was the relationship between Noelle and Craig, which I absolutely loved. It felt really easy and natural without feeling too instantaneous. Noelle was amazingly smart, quirky (quirky books rock), and another character that kept me entertained.

While it may have had a slow start, It's Kind of a Funny Story proved to be a winner. Its underlying themes will, I think resonate with anyone who's ever been less than happy. Definitely one of the better books I've read this year.

Plot: FINALLY a good book with a cast of mentally ill people. YAY.

Characters: Craig was cool in that classic guy-narrator way, and I loved the side characters, especially Noelle.

Writing: Really good.

Ending: Also really good.

Mature content: Mentions of sex, swearing, drug use.

Overall:

I'd groan if anyone tried to talk to strike up a conversation with me while I read this.

It's Kind of a Funny Story proved to be a really unique and touching book that I'd definitely recommend. I'll be interested to read Vizzini's other books. Also in seeing the movie.
Other reviews:
Adventures in YA Fiction
A Little Shelf of Heaven
Crunchings and Musings

Movie review:

The movie adaption of It's Kind of a Funny Story really surprised me, and I mean that in a good way. Where I think lots of the book's meaning and messages could've gotten lost and overshadowed, they kept them in tact, and I think the basic vibe from the book was there as well.

You know how I thought the beginning of the book was slow? Well the movie definitely isn't. Instead of starting from the beginning of Craig's journey the movie starts when Craig admits himself into the hospital and backtracks to information when you need to know it.

Zach Galifinakis--an actor I'd only seen in comedic roles--really rocked the role of Bobby, a character that got totally changed from the book and became a much larger role. I felt like instead of getting to know a group of interesting side characters, the movie focused mainly on Bobby. Sometimes this was okay, but I definitely wished that some other characters I'd enjoyed in the book got more screen time. Especially Noelle. Emma Roberts did a pretty good job playing the role, but we barely got to know her or why she was in the ward, and I thought her scars weren't visible enough. Keir Gilchrist (worst name EVER) did a good job with the character of Craig, though sometimes I felt like he made him a little too awkward.

The movie manages to keep things light but serious in the way of the book, and I definitely think Vizzini's novel was done justice with this adaption, though overall I do prefer the novel. I'd definitely recommend to see the movie, then read the book.

Crazy Review

Author: Amy Reed
Release date: June 12, 2012
Pages: 384
Publisher: SimonPulse
How I got it: For review via GalleyGrab 

He’s falling in love—and she’s falling over the edge of sanity. From the author of Beautiful and Clean, a heartwrenching exploration of a romance marred by mental illness. 

Connor knows that Izzy will never fall in love with him the way he’s fallen for her. But somehow he’s been let into her crazy, exhilarating world and become her closest confidante. But the closer they get, the more Connor realizes that Izzy’s highs are too high and her lows are too low. And the frenetic energy that makes her shine is starting to push her into a much darker place. 

As Izzy’s behavior gets increasingly erratic and self-destructive, Connor gets increasingly desperate to stop her from plummeting. He knows he can’t save her from her pain...but what if no one else can?

So before I start this review, can I get a WHAT WHAT for books about mental illness? Thank you. Now we may move on.

I hadn't heard much about Crazy, so my expectations for the novel were fairly low. However, after I finished it I immediately wondered why I hadn't heard more about it. I gobbled this one up and I have a good feeling that this story and these characters will be staying with me for a while.

Towards the beginning of the novel, Izzy seemed like your average manic pixie dream girl (which I have no complaints about, cause I'm known to have a weakness about books with manic pixie dream girls). But the deeper the connection between Connor and Izzy gets, the more we realize that she's not. Something else is going on. As you attempt to unravel more and more pieces of Izzy's life and maybe-not-so-normal mind, you won't be able to put this book down.

I loved that Crazy was written in emails. You get a real feel for Izzy and Connor's developing relationship, and a different look into each of their worlds than normal. I'm weird about books written through letters (it was one of my biggest problems with Perks of Being a Wallflower) but Reed managed to pull it off brilliantly, and it was surprisingly well-written.

Crazy was my first Amy Reed novel, but it definitely won't be my last. Crazy was different, twisted, grabbing, and just plain good. If you like contemporary with exciting yet scary characters, I'd definitely recommend Crazy.

Plot: Mostly revolves around Izzy's deteriorating health, but I still found it to be addictive.

Characters: Loved Izzy and Connor! 

Writing: Really, really good.

Ending: Perfect! 

Kid friendly? There was sex, swearing, and mentions of drugs and alcohol.

Overall:

I couldn't put this one down.

Once I started this book, I couldn't really stop. Not only is this novel a quick read, but it's also really good.

Every You, Every Me Review

Author: David Levithan
Release Date: September 13, 2011
Publisher: Knopf
Most appropriate for ages: 12+
How I got it: Library 

In this high school-set psychological tale, a tormented teen named Evan starts to discover a series of unnerving photographs—some of which feature him. Someone is stalking him . . . messing with him . . . threatening him. Worse, ever since his best friend Ariel has been gone, he's been unable to sleep, spending night after night torturing himself for his role in her absence. And as crazy as it sounds, Evan's starting to believe it's Ariel that's behind all of this, punishing him. But the more Evan starts to unravel the mystery, the more his paranoia and insomnia amplify, and the more he starts to unravel himself. Creatively told with black-and-white photos interspersed between the text so the reader can see the photos that are so unnerving to Evan, Every You, Every Me is a one-of-a-kind departure from a one-of-a-kind author.

This is technically not my first Levithan book since I read Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist about 3 years ago but I barely remember it and probably didn't appreciate it, so let's just say that I'm a Levithan newbie. And what I found was good with potential to be great.

Levithan's writing has a very poetic feel to it, and it just draws you in immediately. Well, immediately after you get used to the strike-throughs. To be honest, if the writing in Every You, Every Me had been mediocre, this book would've been utter crap. So yay for good writing.

But when I take away the writing I was so awed by, I'm not left with much. Each of the characters felt very one-dimensional to me. They're completely defined by the emotions they're feeling in the brief frame of time we see them. This very well could have been Levithan's intention, but it bugged me because I was nowhere near as connected to these characters as I would could should have been. The story itself was also hard to connect to and kind of underwhelming, as well as anti-climatic.

And okay, I know I'm going to sound like a toddler when I say this, but: I love books with pictures. Granted, this is the first one I've read, but I loved each of the photos and how they were involved in the story.

If you're a person who's looking for a character-driven novel, I wouldn't recommend Every You, Every Me. BUT if you're looking for a unique way to tell a story and some awesome writing, you can't miss this. I know I'll be looking out for other Levithan novels.

Plot: Interesting and grabbing.

Characters: Kind of interesting, but mostly bland.

Writing: Really, really good.

Ending: Predictable in a way, but fitting.

Kid friendly? I believe there was some swearing, but I'm pretty sure that was it.

Overall:

I would sigh and groan at anyone who tried to interrupt my reading.

Despite my disconnection to the characters, I really did enjoy Every You, Every Me. It was fast, unique, and wonderfully written.

Zelah Green Review

Author: Vanessa Curtis
Release Date: October 1, 2011 (In US.)
Pages: 250 (Paperback)
Publisher: Egmont
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: For review from publicist

My Name is Zelah Green and I'm a cleanaholic.

I spend most of my life running away from germs. And dirt. And people. And I'm just about doing okay and then my stepmother packs me off to some kind of hospital to live with a bunch of strangers. It's stuck in the middle of nowhere. Great.

There's Alice who's anorexic. Caro who cuts herself. Silent Sol who has the cutest smile. And then there's me.

I was so excited to read Zelah Green when I read that description. I mean, who wouldn't be? But when I saw it's size (HUGE font, small pages) I became nervous. How could the author possibly develop the story and unique characters in that short amount of time? Luckily, I shouldn't have worried.

So I have a fascination with mental institutions, which is actually what drew me to this novel in the first place. The people you could meet and the entire experience just sounds like it would make a great book to me. ...Yeah, I know it's still weird. But Zelah Green definitely satisfied my craving for this type of book. Without spoiling the novel for you too much, let me just say that the institution is a different type of one than I'd imagined, and I loved it.

Zelah has severe OCD, which I know very little about besides what I've seen on Monk. But Zelah Green manages to keep the wit and humor that a wonderful protagonist has even though she's sick and going through some other stuff on top of it. Experiencing the story through her eyes is fantastic. Her voice manages to keep this story mildly light-hearted and fun, despite the side character's dark pasts that are revealed to us at different times throughout the book. Because of this, things are not usually spelled out for us, and I actually would've liked them once or twice.

Zelah Green was unique, grabbing, and fast. It's a great way to spend an afternoon.

Plot: Grabbing and different.

Characters: Exciting and different.

Writing: Very good, Zelah's voice really shines.

Ending: I'm interested to see what will happen in the sequel...

Kind Friendly? There was a bit of swearing, and mentions to abuse, death, anorexia, cutting, and (I'm pretty sure) rape.

Should I read it? Contemporary fans cannot go wrong with this one.

Overall:

Side-note: Why is the UK so much more environmentally and ethically responsible than the US? EgmontUK put a page in the back of Zelah Green, saying how their press was dedicated to providing fair conditions for the workers that helped make the paper and other products needed to make the book, as well as being as sustainable as possible. US publishers: take note, cause this NEEDS to be a thing here.

Ultraviolet Review

Author: R.J. Anderson
Release Date: June 2, 2011
Pages: 330 (egalley)
Publisher: Orchard
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: For review through Netgalley

Once upon a time there was a girl who was special.

This is not her story.

Unless you count the part where I killed her.

Sixteen-year-old Alison has been sectioned in a mental institute for teens, having murdered the most perfect and popular girl at school. But the case is a mystery: no body has been found, and Alison's condition is proving difficult to diagnose. Alison herself can't explain what happened: one minute she was fighting with Tori -- the next she disintegrated. Into nothing. But that's impossible. Right?

If I was asked to only review the first two hundred pages of Ultraviolet, then this would be a much more positive review.

But THOSE LAST HUNDRED PAGES. UGH.

Sorry. Anyways:

Ultraviolet grabbed from the first page. The whole "am I crazy orrrr..." plot-line kept me on the edge of my seat. Even when I failed to connect to any of the characters, I kept reading because I still had to know what happened next and because I found Alison's "illness" fascinating.

Another thing that I loved about it was that it was so original. Reading about the way Alison sees things is an experience in itself, one that I was really enjoying.

And throughout the book, we have a mystery that obviously has something to do with something supernatural. The mystery builds throughout the book, and when the answers we were looking for are finally revealed, I was left feeling so...

Upset. I mean, seriously? WTF just happened?

I don't want to give you any spoilers, but basically, I thought the big conclusion was--I know this sounds mean but it's how I feel--stupid. And unoriginal. I can't even properly review it because I was just sort of skimming through the last hundred pages, only reading the dialogue.

But it's not like I completely hated this book. It started strong, and just ended poorly. Alison's abilities were new and fascinating, and I was interested by the whole mental-hospital-thing. If you're looking for something different and don't mind weird endings, maybe try it?

Plot: Different. Until the end...

Characters: Eh...
Writing: Good.

Ending: NO.

Kind Friendly? There was swearing, sexual harassment, and mentally disturbed teens.
Should I read it? Check out more reviews of it on Goodreads and see for yourself if you think you'd like it. I seem to be one of the few that had major issues with it.

Overall:

A Blue So Dark Review

Author: Holly Schindler
Release Date: May 8, 2010
Pages: 288 (PB)
Publisher: Flux
Most Appropriate For Ages: 14+
Where I Got It: From library

Fifteen-year-old Aura Ambrose has been hiding a secret. Her mother, a talented artist and art teacher, is slowly being consumed by schizophrenia, and Aura has been her sole caretaker ever since Aura's dad left them. Convinced that "creative" equals crazy, Aura shuns her own artistic talent. But as her mother sinks deeper into the darkness of mental illness, the hunger for a creative outlet draws Aura toward the depths of her imagination. Just as desperation threatens to swallow her whole, Aura discovers that art, love, and family are profoundly linked—and together may offer an escape from her fears.

With an enticingly emotional plot that was beautifully executed, A Blue So Dark hooked me quickly and I stayed up late into the night to see how Aura's story would close.

Throughout the book I felt nothing but pity for Aura; her mom's a schizophrenic, her dad's abandoned her and her mother, and her best friend is too wrapped up in her new baby to help. But her inner voice isn't self-pitying at all, instead it's wonderfully witty and true. And that's why I loved her.

I was really impressed with Schindler's writing when I read Playing Hurt, and I think I was even more impressed with it this time around. I literally found myself re-reading passages, and thinking how great of a Facebook status it would make.

Full of desperation, hope, love, fear, A Blue So Dark was just...awesome. I really loved it. Read it, k?

Book Report:

Plot: Grabbing.

Characters: Loved all of them. And Jeremy was pretty swoon-y.

Writing: GREAT.

Ending: Perfect.

Kid friendly? There's some swearing, and a teen mom.

Should I read it? Fo SHO.

Overall:

Other reviews:

Candace's Book Blog
Steph Su Reads
Opinionated? Me?