This book is very much about love, but it’s not a love story. It’s about the love between friends. It takes places in the 80s to the present and I loved all the 80s and 90s vibes. The two main characters are gamers and they meeting a hospital as children. They reconnect in college and create a video game and then go on to launch a gaming company. I think readers who are into video games will probably be really into that aspect of the book, but it was over my own head a lot of the time, like I wasn’t in on the inside joke.

2.5 stars, but I'm rounding down to 2 stars for GR.

When I first recieved a widget from Netgalley a few months ago, I turned it down. Even with the promise, that you didn't have to be a lover of video games to enjoy, a book revolving around video games just did not seem like something I would be interested in, so I had no desire to read it. I should have listened to my initial gut instinct. Although, I have grown up playing video games, loved Super Mario on Nintendo 64 and was obsessed with The Sims, I don't classify myself as a gamer.

But I began to experience FOMO a few weeks ago when I began to see this book everywhere. It was a Book of the Month selection and then I began to see lots of high ratings and rave reviews from other trusted readers that usually coincide with my opinion of books, so I requested it not really expecting to be approved since it was already released. Shockingly, I got the approval and I was so excited.

When I first started reading this book, I became immersed, thinking to myself, "They were right. I didn't need to love video games to appreciate this book!". Unfortunately, that feeling ended about 30% into the book and I became bored, easily distracted, and was having to force myself to pick it up just to get to the finish line.

It's only 400 pages but it feels so much longer than that. I felt it became tedious and certain sections of this book were unnecessary and could have been omitted. I was disappointed and frustrated with Sam and Sadie's behaviors during certain parts of the story and that frustration caused me to also not enjoy reading this book. Some sections didn't flow particularly well for me and I was questioning what was going on, i.e. the Pioneer section towards the end. You get clarification after, but I hated being confused while reading that part.

All in all, I am glad that others enjoyed this book and I am also glad that I was able to join in to see what the hype is about, but I am glad I didn't purchase it or choose it as my BOTM selection.

**Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my Goodreads account immediately and will post it to my Amazon & Instagram accounts upon publication.

DNF early on because there are themes right off of the bat that are triggering for me that I was not prepared for. I may return to this one at another time when I am better prepared to manage these emotions. TW: Childhood cancer.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is centered around game design, but focuses on the relationships between the characters. It spans the lives of the main characters from childhood through adulthood, but not in chronological order. It's a very realistic story with complex characters, appropriate surprises, and a look at an industry I wasn't very familiar with and found very interesting. I especially enjoyed seeing into some of the gaming industry from the earlier days and how it evolved with technology improvement. As a former English teacher and current librarian, the reference and connection to Shakespeare's Macbeth and learning how the book got its title was special and emotional for me. It is an altogether emotional ride and leaves the reader feeling enriched with the lives and experiences of the characters.

Lifetime friendships can go through many changes including disagreements, being separated by time and space. This is true of Sam and Sadie. They meet in a hospital. Sam was in a horrible accident and is recovering. Sadie is at the hospital because her older sister is having chemo. Their friendship develops while playing video games. After a falling out, they did not see each other for many years. They literally ran into each other while in college. With their love for video games, their friendship comes together and they decide to start a company and develop a video game. (DISCLAIMER: I did put the book down for a few days as I do not play video games.) When I went back to reading, I did skip through some of the gaming details. What I did love was the survival of their friendship through the good and the bad. I also enjoyed some of the minor characters.
My thanks to Knopf Doubleday and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own.

It’s always a little nerve wracking to read a new book by an author who has written one of your all-time favorite books. Gabrielle Zevin’s “The Storied Life of AJ Fikry” had such a hold on my hear that I was both apprehensive and excited to pick up “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.” To my surprise, I fell equally in love with the characters here. This is such an epic story, told over the course of decades: following the ups and downs and inside outs of 30 years of friendship between Sam and Sadie. I was worried I wouldn’t be “into” the subject matter because I’ve never been much of a gamer, but it really doesn’t matter. While it may have added an extra layer of appreciation, it did not in any way diminish my love for the book.

Make no mistake, this is a sad book. Sam and Sadie go through so much over the course of their lives, and sometimes it was not easy to read. But through it all, I found hope and comfort in their relationship with each other and those around them. They are not always nice. They are not always likable. But they are human, and that is very essence that Zevin always seems to manage to capture with such perfection.

I'll be honest: I did not initially want to read this book just because it did not seem like something I would enjoy, but the FOMO won out and now I'm so happy I read it. This was a very unique story that spans thirty years of friendship and it felt very enriching. There are so many life lessons sprinkled throughout the story that the reader can take away and ponder within their own lives, including forgiveness, patience, and grief. I can now understand why this has quickly become a favorite amongst the reading community. I couldn't help but think this would translate well as a tv show adaptation! I am now onboard with whatever the author chooses to write next.

I received a temporary digital advanced copy of Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin from NetGalley, Knopf Publishing Group, and the author in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Reunited in Boston after not speaking for six years, Sam and Sadie decide to create a video game. With Sam's roommate Marx as producer, Ichigo is born. What started as a summer project, becomes a career and much more for the three friends. Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow isn't just about video games, but about love, failure, limitations, hope, and loss.

My video game knowledge is limited to the games I played in the 90s -- Crash Bandicoot, Oregon Trail, PacMan, etc. -- but that makes no difference while reading Tomorrow, Tomorrow, Tomorrow. I didn't need an extensive knowledge of video games because that isn't really what the story is about. Five stars to an amazing love story that has you rooting for all of these amazing characters and their growth in the face of adversity.

An intricate novel of friendship between Sam and Sadie as they navigate youth, success, friendship, relationships, moves, health challenges, memories, growth, and more.

⁉️What’s a book you have TBR that you anticipate being a 5 ⭐️ read?
Based on the many glowing reviews of this one, I had a feeling it would have 5 star potential for me.

BOOK REVIEW
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by @gabriellezevin
Pub date: July 5, 2022
@aaknopf
@jimmyfallon book club pick

There’s not a lot that I can say that hasn’t been said of this book. It was brilliant. It’s a book about video games and gamers, while stirring nostalgia for even the most casual of game players (think Pac-Man). It was so smartly written and still a totally accessible commentary on the rise of the gaming industry, yes, but also of friendship, love and grief. It’s definitely got me moving The Storied life of AJ Fikry up on my TBR.

You don’t want to miss this one. Also, @gabriellezevin’s episode on the @virtualbooktour podcast was a lot of fun to listen to, if you’re into podcasts.

Check the trigger ⚠️ warnings always, but definitely a handful to consider with this one

Thanks @netgalley for the ebook, @librofm and @prhaudio for the amazing audiobook and finally @bookofthemonth for my physical copy 📖

#shakespeare #tomorrowandtomorrowandtomorrow #netgalley #netgalleyreads #netgalleyreviewer #netgalleyreview #bookreview #bookthoughts #bookrating #poolsidereading #botm #botmclub #bookofthemonthclub #jimmyfallonshow #librofm #audiobooks #audiobookstagram #audiobookreview #bookselfie #bookself #gabriellezevin #bookinfluencer #fivestarread #5starread #bookrecommendations #booksilove #readthisbook

4 Stars!

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow is a book about two video game designers. We follow Sadie Green and Sam Masur as the meet as children and watch them over the next 30 years. Their friendship started when Sadie met Sam in a hospital, and they start talking about video games. What makes this meeting so special is that according to the nurses, Sam hasn’t spoken to anyone in months. They ask Sadie to continue coming to the hospital to talk with Sam some more in exchange for service hours, but soon after, Sadie becomes real friends with Sam. Over the next few decades, they work together to create new video games and amazing worlds. They become legends in the video game industry and create their own company called Unfair Games. After the release of their big hit game, Ichigo, tensions and fame pull the friends apart, and yet they always still come together for their company.

This book has a lot going on with loss of a parent, emotional abuse, post-partum depression, loss of a loved one, gun violence, sexism in the workforce, abortion, and so many other big issues. I didn’t know the book was going to contain so many heavy topics when I started reading it. Even with all these darker topics, I think people who like books that follow characters through ups and downs in life over the span of years will enjoy this story. It was very cool to hear how the idea behind video games came to be. I really enjoyed that part of the book, and I’m not even a video gamer.

I really loved the beginning of this book, but the second half of the book into the ending fell a little flat for me. There were so many things going on for me. This is definitely a character driven story, which I really do enjoy! I love following characters throughout a story and really getting to know them. I also liked how the characters were extremely flawed. They grew up as friends, but man, they could fight and say some extremely hurtful things to each other. These main characters are nowhere near perfect people.

Overall, I enjoyed this book and would pick up more by this author!!

I was so excited to read this book. I really enjoyed Zevin’s previous book, Young Jane Young. Having been a teen of the 80s, the description of Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow sounded interesting. The hype by booksellers and bookstagrammers was high. But, guess what? I didn’t like the book. I did enjoy the beginning as main characters, Sadie and Sam, first became friends, bonding over video games in a hospital. But as time went on, Sadie and Sam just became unlikable. I especially disliked the section where Sadie was sleeping with her married professor, who, by the way, gives her bruises and welts from their S & M sexplay and then later handcuffs her to the bedpost when he is angry with her. But, the main thing I disliked was the amount of far left agenda items Zevin kept layering into the storyline. Add in the overly detailed gaming background and the ridiculous vocabulary choices the author makes, this makes the almost 400 page book seem longer. Thank you to NetGalley and Alfred A. Knopf Publishers for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A deeply researched love letter to the video game industry, from the perspective of three college students who go on to found a "game"-changing game studio. While the relationship dynamics between the main three characters were often tense and dramatic, they didn't come across as unrealistic or out of character due to strongly established character motives and stakes. The nerd in me greatly appreciated the small video game references to Ico, Commander Keen, Bioshock, Animal Crossing and The Last of Us- as well as the use of game mechanics as metaphor. My only critique is that I preferred the pace of the first half of the book to the back half in terms of pacing and style.

This is a story about all of the yesterdays you accumulate when you love someone.

It’s taken me days to review this book, because I loved it so much, but I’m having such a hard time putting it into words. This is a transcend story- I suppose it’s technically literary fiction, but some much of it exists in the world of video games, and the non linear elements felt almost like time travel. I laughed & cried and have had dreams that the games in it exist (can @bethesda get on that please?). It’s already been optioned, and I can’t wait to watch the adaptation!

Thank you so much Knopf Doubleday @netgalley @prhaudio & @librofm for the e & audio copies!

Alright folks, I think I've found it: my favorite book of 2022 (so far). I know a book has launched itself into my favorites list when I want to live in its world forever - and when the emotions I feel at the end of the book are all-consuming, exhausting, fulfilling: like I've been on a journey with the characters. There is so, so much heart here, with the characters and their growth, the backstories and worlds of the games created, and the perfectly imperfect evolution of relationships.

Sadie and Sam are two kids growing up in Los Angeles who meet in the game room of a children's hospital. They immediately bond over their love of games and start playing Super Mario together - Sadie keeps coming back to play with Sam, and they spend literally hundreds of hours doing nothing but enjoying the intimate act of childhood play. They have a falling out and don't talk for several years, but they reunite again when they are both college students in Boston - Sam at Harvard and Sadie at MIT. Soon enough, Sam proposes that he and Sadie take a summer to build a game together. As the reader, you learn that this game goes on to be hugely successful, the start of an epic game production partnership between Sam, Sadie, and their roommate/funder/producer/jack-of-all-trades, Marks.

There are so, so many things to love about this book. First and foremost is the evolution of the characters. You truly feel like you're growing up with them, watching not only their creative career progression, but the complex and sometimes frustrating dynamics of their relationships together and individually, change over time. The characters are not perfect - rather, they are flawed humans whose decisions don't always make sense. But they're so real and so human. Second is the rich construction of the games that Sadie and Sam (and Marks) build together, each with a beautiful, storied history, representing the most intimate parts of the game designers' lives that they choose to share with others. I have never really been a "gamer," but that didn't matter whatsoever - I loved living in that world for a a time. Third are the difficult concepts that the book addresses - most importantly, grief and loss. Zevin does an excellent job of showing and allowing you to live in these emotions in a way that feels so accurate to the real-life experience of losing someone dear to you.

I am so impressed by Gabrielle Zevin's range and depth, as this is so different from the other books I've read from her. I know I'll be thinking about this for a long time to come (another mark of a five-star read). Thank you to Knopf Doubleday for the ARC via Netgalley.

This book was very complicated for me to read and review. I liked the story line, and the characters, and i wanted to really love this book, but it just felt so long and drawn out and i found myself skimming. I really enjoyed the first maybe 40 % of this book as we dove into Sam and Sadie’s story, but it became very dull past that point and became a hard read.

The marketing for Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin had a very specific mission-get cool millennial literary girls who have never played a video game in their lives on board with a book that is, on the surface, about gaming culture, specifically making video games. A big mission IMO, but guess what-it worked.

For the first half of the book I was skeptical. I liked the almost fairy tale like element of 90s nostalgia and young adult friendships forming, but felt like I may not make it through all the video game nuances and highly specific references. And I’ve very lightly dabbled in video games throughout the years, I’ve just never been passionate about them, so I was trying to imagine how someone who had truly never played a video game would relate…

But then the second half of the book did exactly what I was looking for, which was that it leaned into beautifully immersive prose, describing the main characters’ relationships with each other and drawing attention to the parallels between empathy and human relationships as reflected in video games in the exact same way that I understand literature to create space for understanding, connection, and feeling seen on a page.

Needless to say, my emotional journey with this book ended with finding myself reading the last pages sitting by a hotel pool crying over a book about, of all things, video games.

Honestly, I would read anything that Ms. Zevin releases. I waited for years for this and then I read it in one sitting. Now I have to wait for years. She captures characters better than almost anyone in the game. She manages to write for teens, new adults and adults with such ease that the writer part of my brain is jealous.

The only thing I felt was remotely problematic with this was that the final act sort of dragged on. Still, I highly recommend anything that Ms.Zevin does to anyone who listens.

Several years have passed since I read and loved Gabrielle Zevin’s The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry, and I always enjoy a well-written book about book lovers and book stores. However, I was not sure I would like Zevin’s latest—Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow. Recognizing the title borrowed from Macbeth’s soliloquy as he recognizes the futility of his ambitions, I took a chance on this novel about video game developers. I could not have made a better decision.

Readers don’t need an interest in gaming to fall for Sam and Sadie. From the moment they meet in a California hospital playroom as preteens through their years of ups and downs, their overnight fame, love, rescues, and misunderstandings, their talent and their brokenness, they are sure find their place in hearts and minds and to remain there.

This reacquaintance with Zevin also served to remind me how beautifully she writes and how I enjoy her introductions to an occasional unfamiliar word. I need to read the books I have missed and look forward to the next.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Knopf Doubleday for an advance reader copy of this highly recommended new novel.

Posted to Barnes and Noble.

I don’t even have any coherent thoughts or words on this one. Trust the people. Trust the reviews. READ THIS!