I really wanted to like this book. The synopsis held so much promise, but the book failed to deliver as much as I hoped for from it. I enjoyed it well enough, but with a few tweaks it could have been an even more enjoyable read.

This young adult novel is told from the point of view of high school student Winnie, and takes place over the course of a month or two of her life as she deals with her dad’s diagnosis of ALS, friendship and boy drama, and joining the school improv comedy troupe (even though she had sworn off comedy after a disastrous attempt at stand up comedy at her bat mitzvah).

I have previously read Lance Rubin’s Denton Little duology, a quirky and funny set of hijinks-y YA books set in a world like our own but where people know the date they are going to die. Unlike those, this book was set in the actual real world, but was still funny. But it was also an emotional read with an extremely endearing main character who felt so real that I was very impressed that a male writer could write a teenage girl so accurately. But beyond that, so real that I did not want to let Winnie go when the book ended. It’s not that the book didn’t have a good ending, because it did - but that I need to know what is going to happen to her - what’s going to happen with her dad, with the rest of high school, college, young adulthood - even what she’s going to be like when she’s in her 40s like I am. I can’t remember the last time a book made me feel that way, so kudos to the author for that!

I’m embarrassed to say that I got this book from Netgalley back in 2019, but never got around to picking it. But I’m glad I finally did! And though it’s not well known, it is really worth a read by any fan of young adult novels whether teenage readers or adults (as are his first two books).

This book was one I went into completely blind. I had this book for 2 years before I finally read it and I regret every single minute of it! This story follows a teenage girl who goes outside of her comfort zone in school and joins an improve group. Little does she know her entire world is about to be turned completely upside down. This book had ALS representation in it and honestly I absolutely fell in love with the entire book. I will definitely go back and read the author's backlist.

A dramedy perfect for YA fans about one girl's bad luck, bad dates and bad life. I read this book in one sitting, you both laugh at and pity the main character

Great story and loved the romance. Loved the cast of characters and how the story came to be. Great story and I would read this author again.

DNF

When a book is about a comedian, there's extra pressure for it to be funny. While I thought Rubin's Denton Little was funny, this felt labored and forced. None of the jokes made me laugh, but the text constantly told me how funny the MC was.

Definitely an older YA book. This was very reminiscent of a Jordan Sonnenblick book. The voices felt authentic and the characters were flawed. I like that you see the parents become regular humans who make mistakes and how that impacts their relationship with each other and as a family.

Just a great book that had me laughing, crying and loving the characters in the story, it was just a enjoyable book that I’m glad I got the opportunity to read

**3.5 Stars**

"Evan won't bite."
“What about that dinosaur scene from last year?” Mahesh says, and most of the group laughs. “Oh man, good point,” Mr. Martinez says. “The controversial dinosaur bite scene.” What the hell? “I stand corrected. Evan probably won’t bite.” I don’t care how funny and charming he is; if Evan tries to bite me in this scene, I will judo-chop him in the testes.

I will admit that I was hoping that Crying Laughing would be along the similar feel of the author's previous book Denton Little which is one of my absolute favorite reads and full of over the top ridiculous encounters and a great main character. Instead, this was a more subtle read, and sure there was some humor that made me laugh, I feel like most of the book dealt with much harder topics like illness (and possible death), cheating, growing up, the perils of high school and fitting in, all the awkwardness of being a teen, as well as dating. I really enjoyed that this had a great cast of diverse characters, all unique and endearing in their own way, and that friendship was just as important as romance. But the star of the book was the great relationship between the main character and her parents, something that I think is missing in a lot of YA books.

Overall this was a cute read with some hard lessons about life thrown in. This is a great choice for younger teens sine the main character was only a high school sophomore and the content was very pg. I will definitely check out more books from this author in the future.

A surprisingly moving love letter to comedy. Enjoyable YA novel that is a bit quirky, and very entertaining.

3 stars.

First of all, I adore the cover of this book. I say this as a 40 year old and not a "young adult" (ouch).
This is a book about Winnie. A 15 year old who is navigating through high school and life. Through the funny moments, the sad moments, the hard moments and the happy moments.

She decides to join the improv group at her school at the encouragement of the boy she has a crush on. Much of the book is centered around this group (and their funny moments and not so funny moments). This is where the first 30% of the book fell a little more flat for me and didn't get a higher rating (mind you, 3 stars is not BAD!). I did not "connect" with the first 30%. It had nothing to do with writing style and everything to do with the fact that I am not a comedian & improv lover. The jokes in the beginning of the book weren't very funny to me. That all said, if humor and improv is your jam? I think you will adore and love this book.

This book also covers some important subjects (as in, the sickness of a parent). It delves into ALS and how a teenager and her family handle the disease.

After the first 30% I really started to get into this book a lot more. I read the rest in one day. The characters were developed a bit more for me and I actually cared what happened to them. I cared about Winnie and her family. I cried when they cried.

Pick this up if you're into funny crap. You'll like it,

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read it!

This title while well-written, and with an interesting premise, fell flat for me. I can see how many, younger than me, would enjoy this book. It just felt young to me. It was a cute, but I didn't feel connected to the characters.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC.

I absolutely adored this book! Everything about it was hysterical! Such a light hearted read and fun read. It was a breath of fresh air!

PICKETT’S PICKS: FALL 2019 EDITION!

It’s time for another round-up of Pickett’s Picks! For the Fall 2019 Edition, I’ve compiled an intriguing (if I do say so myself) baker’s dozen of debut novels, brand new books from favorite authors, must-read crossover releases, and at least one eye candy cover (can you guess which one?). These are the books that I’m most looking forward to reading and sharing with students at Ridley High School during the upcoming semester. What are YOUR picks?? Leave a comment and let me know!

The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh
This series-starter from bestselling author Renée Ahdieh is described as a combination sumptuous, sultry romance and decadent, thrilling mystery, set in 19th century New Orleans where vampires hide in plain sight.

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
This is the highly anticipated adult debut by the author of my personal favorites Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom! It promises to be a mesmerizing tale of power, privilege, and dark magic set among the Ivy League elite. Oh, and secret societies, too!

Gravemaidens by Kelly Coon
An honor, a tradition … a death sentence? Sixteen-year-old Kammani, a healer’s apprentice, must try to cure the ruler of a walled city-state in order to save her beautiful little sister, who has been chosen as one of three sacred maidens to join him in the afterlife. Gravemaidens is the opening installment in a debut fantasy duology … and I just really love that cover!

10 Blind Dates by Ashley Elston
Did you know that the rom-com is back? Well, it’s back! And Ashley Elston is right on trend with 10 Blind Dates. After an unexpected breakup, 17-year-old Sophie lets members of her eccentric extended family set her up on ten blind dates during Christmas vacation. I fell head over heels for Ashley Elston’s remarkable The Lying Woods, and I’m ready for a date with her newest novel!

The Tenth Girl by Sara Faring
In 1978, to avoid becoming a desaparecido like her mother, eighteen-year-old Mavi takes a teaching job at the Vaccaro School, an isolated finishing school at the southern tip of South America that is rumored to be haunted. Simmering in Patagonian myth, The Tenth Girl is a gothic psychological thriller with a haunting twist. Gothic. Psychological. Thriller!

Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles
Del has had a crush on Kiera Westing since kindergarten. And now, during their junior year, she’s finally available. So when Kiera volunteers for an opportunity at their church, Del’s right behind her. But as he plots and plans, he neglects to ask the most important question: What does Kiera want? Once he gets the girl, it’ll all sort itself out. Right? The incredibly versatile Lamar Giles spotlights the consequences of social pressure, confronts toxic masculinity, and explores the complexity of what it means to be a “real man.” Turns out, it’s not so pure and simple…

Two Dead by Van Jensen and Nate Powell
A stunning crime noir graphic novel exploring the intertwining threads of crime, conspiracy, racism, and insanity in the post-World War II Deep South. I love reading graphic novels, but it’s been a neglected category amongst Pickett’s Picks … until now!

The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
No one speaks of the grace year. It’s forbidden. In Garner County, girls are banished for their sixteenth year, to release their magic into the wild so they can return purified and ready for marriage. But not all of them will make it home alive. This speculative thriller in the vein of The Handmaid’s Tale is squarely in my wheelhouse!

The Wolf Wants In by Laura McHugh
In a small town ravaged by the opioid crisis, a woman confronts a dark secret about her brother’s shocking death. Like Laura McHugh’s previous thriller, The Weight of Blood [insert heart emoji], her latest atmospheric novel barrels toward a twisting, chilling conclusion as small-town secrets unravel. Sadly, this novel was inspired by the unresolved sudden death of the author’s own brother.

The Miracle & Tragedy of the Dionne Quintuplets by Sarah Miller
In this masterful work of narrative nonfiction, Sarah Miller examines the lives of five identical sisters (weighing a total of just 13 pounds when they were born in 1934) who were forced to endure the most publicized childhood in history — and how they survived their turbulent teenage years to forge identities of their own. Nonfiction, like graphic novels, has been a neglected category amongst Pickett’s Picks, so this is a welcome addition.

The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
The author of the much-beloved The Night Circus returns! Grad student Zachary Rawlins discovers a mysterious book containing loyal acolytes, captive lovers, key seekers, and (surprisingly) the story of his own childhood. Following enigmatic clues, he is led to a doorway opening on a time-worn underground library and a strange new world where he will find his true purpose.

Crying Laughing by Lance Rubin
The author of Denton Little’s Deathdate gives us a tragicomic story of Winnie Friedman, a girl who’s caught up in a spiral bad dates, bad news, and bad stand-up comedy routines. But finding the humor in high school is exactly what Winnie needs to see her through. I laughed out loud with Denton Little, and I’m looking forward to a more lighthearted read to balance out my picks.

The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys
Master storyteller Ruta Sepetys shines light into one of history’s darkest corners in this epic, heart-wrenching novel about identity, unforgettable love, repercussions of war, and the hidden violence of silence, all inspired by the true post-WWII struggles of Spain.

This is a refreshing read involving coping with pain and the use of humor. I think as young girls were told we're not funny. Instead it's more acceptable for girls to be quiet and studious. Serious and maybe even prudish. The role of class clown often labels boys whether they want to are not. It's a nice take to revisit this sort of trope.

Winnie wants to be known as the funny person she's always considered herself. The one obstacle is her crippling shyness and a traumatic incident at her bat mitzvah. It isn't until a boy notices her and laughs at her jokes she decides it's time to try again. Heads up, I want to say the jokes didn't always land and the humor can be juvenile. So while Winnie claims she's hilarious it can be up for debate.

Yet that's beside the point because what really matters and what I appreciate about this story is the layers of meaning. When something tragic happens to you how do you cope with that. Maybe humor is enough but sometimes you have to let yourself feel the seasons of pain. Winnie's relationship with her father evolves from what she initially idolizes into a more complex human being. Beneath the jokes is a person who has made mistakes and hasn't necessarily dealt with them healthily.

What really fall short for me as how's the writing beats the reader over the head. Maybe the target audience is young and these feminist concepts are newly introduced. If so it's kind of simplistic but it gets the job done. We can sum it up to women can be funny at the end of the day. Don't slut shame. I wish I read a book like this when I was younger just to get the ball rolling. Overall I recommend this book to middle grade readers despite these characters being in high school they certainly don't sound like it. It's okay to fail as long as you try.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Children's for an advance reader's copy in exchange for a fair review!

Based on cover and title, first impressions of CRYING LAUGHING by Lance Rubin was that it would be a pretty funny book. So when I started reading and realized it had a seriousness to it, I was a bit surprised. The main character, Winnie's father was diagnosed with a life-changing illness which we are hit with right at the start. I loved the side characters mainly Winnie's best friends. I appreciated the unique setting of a high school improv troupe. I felt Winnie's unease and anxiety up on stage. Overall, thoroughly enjoyed CRYING LAUGHING and crying and laughing I did!

This book flew by for me. Once I started I could not put it down. The ups and downs were great. You will laugh and cry just like the title suggests.

Run, don't walk to get your copy of Crying Laughing. This book will not disappoint. It is in my top 5 favorite books that I read this year. I did not know anything about it going in to the book and was pleasantly surprised by how much I LOVED it. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will not want it to end. I loved the characters and relationships in this book. I cannot recommend it enough!!

Initial Impressions: As soon as I read the summary on NetGalley, I knew I had to read Crying Laughing. It sounds humorous yet painfully realistic, a genre I adore and am naturally attracted to. Just a few pages in, I am already getting "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time" and "We are All Made of Molecules" vibes. I'm excited to continue reading!

Halfway-Through Notes: Unfortunately, I am not as impressed with Crying Laughing as I thought I would be. After a few pages, the fun, quirky writing style became irritating and repetitive. I am still unaware of Winnie's age, gender, and familial situation, a few things that would aid my understanding and enjoyment of the read. I am also struggling to connect with the characters because their situation is drastic, confusing, and unrealistic. The only question that has raised so far is "who treats their kid like this?"

Opinions: All in all, Crying Laughing was a thematic but undesirable read. Firstly, while the situation was realistic, the characters were not. Winnie's parents treat Winnie like a friend, chatting casually and apologising needlessly; two things most (but not all) parents do not do with their children. To add on to this, Winnie was also an anxious, forgetful, talentless American teenager who forgets the Pledge of Allegiance. Her lack of humour and decisiveness makes it difficult to connect to her. The plot and conflict was also unclear: Rubin was focusing on too many aspects, including sickness, parental relationships, history, romance, friendship, first love, humour, and even more. Because the author was attempting to insert so many positive themes and outlooks, the overall plot experienced a reverse-affect and I as a reader was left grasping for a storyline to hold on to. On the other hand, because most of the themes were evident, Crying Laughing will appeal to younger readers who don't analyse the writing style and situation as much. I suggest you give this book a try, because it may suit you!

My Favourite Thing: As I said in Opinions, I recognise and appreciate Rubin's attempts at creating a thematic, inspirational, educational read. There are evident themes regarding friendships, sickness, honesty, loyalty, and growing up that stick with the reader after finishing the book. Even if the characters were silly or the story wasn't compelling, Crying Laughing was worth the read because of what the reader learns!
My Least Favourite Thing: Overall, I did not enjoy reading Crying Laughing and I do not plan on reading it again. I found the characters expressionless and incompetent, the relationships unrealistic and awkward, and the writing style simplistic and inexperienced. As a whole, Crying Laughing covered too many topics but still did not take enough risks; we have a very basic and controllable ALS patient, a basic and controllable fifteen-year-old girl, a basic and controllable romantic interest, and more basic, controllable elements. Readers were lost trying to focus on too many things while not being excited with plot twists, drama, or actual conflict.

An emotional journey with Winnie through friend drama, boyfriend stuff, and her dad's diagnosis of ALS. There are some fun moments, and there's some humor, along with lots of honest emotions. I loved the ways the improv troupe backed Winnie up. Great wrap up of the story. (Language, LGBTQ+)