Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Review: Winger - Andrew Smith

Where I got it: Library
Rating: 5 stars  
Cover Rating: 5 stars (This is simply fantastic.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: May 14, 2013
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Page Count: 439 p.
Add it: Goodreads

Ryan Dean West doesn't have it easy. He's fourteen, a junior and stuck at a boarding school for delinquents. Everyone makes fun of him for being so young. He wants Annie, but she just sees him as an adorable little boy. Ryan Dean West has decided to take Annie's advice and "grow up" or at least grow a pair of balls. This is his year and he's going to make some changes.

Sometimes you are going along reading a perfectly good book and then all of a sudden the book changes. Maybe you don't even noticing it happening, but all of a sudden you're mind is someplace completely different than where you started this book. Andrew Smith, is clearly made of some genius. By the end of this book, everything I thought it was about was wrong. By the time I saw it coming it was too late and my chest was already tight with ALL OF THE FEELINGS! This book is a roller coaster of emotions, so keep your arms and legs inside the car at all times and just enjoy the ride.

Ryan Dean West, oh how I love you. He made me laugh so much (well maybe giggle). He just felt so real and unscripted. He was such a little shit sometimes, but very true. I would have hung out with him if we went to the same school even if he is a bit pervy (aren't we all). The other characters in this novel were fantastic too. Each of them just worked so well and even if you couldn't like them they fit. Mostly, there are a couple of people I did not care for and began to loathe as the story progressed. There are just terrible people in the world and there's no avoiding that fact. Joey was a great mediator for all the crap that Ryan was stirring up. Ryan was just so lost and Joey was always there to try to set him straight.

Don't think this is just a book about the guy getting the girl though. If that's all you think this is you'll be very surprised. There are so many things that this book holds, I couldn't even begin to list them all. This book is a delicious rainbow cake. Layer after layer of scrumptious story cake. (Does that even make sense?) Anyways, this book is amazing and I'm too O_O to talk rationally about it. I also don't want to spoil a glorious (tear-filled) second of it. If you want a book to make you feel all of the things. Do not miss reading this one.

First Line:
"I said a silent prayer."

Favorite Lines:
"I said, 'Okay. I don't care. I lose.'"

"'The Wild Boy of Bainbridge Island doesn't talk,' I said. 'He grunts.'"

5 comments:

  1. Oh, this sounds just perfect. Story cake? I want a slice! I've been keeping my eye on this one, but the cover always deters me. But I love that it's real and funny and unscripted. And I have a special place in my heart for boy POVs. I love them. I may actually buy this one now. Thanks for the great review, Britt!

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  2. I like realistic fiction. Based on your review, it seemed "unscripted", and I like that. Plus male POVs? Win!

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  3. I only read 75 pages before I had to return this one to library (because I didn't want to get any more late fees) - I really need to check it out again and make time to finish reading it!

    " He just felt so real and unscripted." -- Yes!!

    Fabulous review :D

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  4. I've loved the idea of this book ever since I saw the covers (both front and back) and now I feel so annoyed at myself for not reading it sooner! Love your review & can't wait to make time for this!

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  5. I started this book a little while ago but had to return it before i finished it. But happily it just went on sale today for Kindle for $1.99 and I got it. Glad that you liked it so much. I definitely want to jump back into this one and see what happens.

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