Winger (Winger, #1)

 

Author: Andrew Smith
Series: Winger, #1
Pages: 439
Challenge: Goodreads Challenge 2014
Genre: Contemporary
Acquired: Simon & Schuster Pulseit
Rating: ★★★★★

*****

Goodreads Summary:

Ryan Dean West is a fourteen-year-old junior at a boarding school for rich kids in the Pacific Northwest. He’s living in Opportunity Hall, the dorm for troublemakers, and rooming with the biggest bully on the rugby team. And he’s madly in love with his best friend Annie, who thinks of him as a little boy.

With the help of his sense of humor, rugby buddies, and his penchant for doodling comics, Ryan Dean manages to survive life’s complications and even find some happiness along the way. But when the unthinkable happens, he has to figure out how to hold on to what’s important, even when it feels like everything has fallen apart.

Filled with hand-drawn info-graphics and illustrations and told in a pitch-perfect voice, this realistic depiction of a teen’s experience strikes an exceptional balance of hilarious and heartbreaking.

  *****

 My Thoughts:

Ryan Dean West, also known as Winger, is definitely that kid that just doesn't fit in at his new boarding school, but maybe that's because he's two years younger than everyone in his grade. As he struggles to find his way, he learns lessons in love, friendship, and acceptance along the way.

I always root for the underdogs, and Winger is all that and more! He is a super smart 14 year old on the rugby team, and he is CRAZY and MADLY IN LOVE with his best friend Annie. I mean.... what could go wrong.... right?.... haha.... nearly everything.... and I loved every minute of it! I thought that this was well written story with a heartbreaking twist at the end that I partly saw coming. Nevertheless, I was still loved the story in its entirety!

Winger's character development: It chronicles his growth from a little, bullied kid who just wanted to get through junior year without his head stuck in a toilet.... to a boy that his peers like, respect, and in turn stick up for. I enjoyed reading about his transition especially from the perspective of Winger and how he tries to deal with the ups and downs of high school.

I would definitely say that this was different from what I expected! I had convinced myself before that I didn't want to read this book, for no real reason at all. I kept telling myself it didn't look like it was a book that I would enjoy.... DON'T judge a book by its cover guys! :) Sometimes you're pleasantly surprised.

My favorite scene was when Winger and Annie spent the weekend at her parents' house. That weekend changed EVERYTHING, it was great! I would say that what I liked most would have to be all of Winger's different friendships throughout the book, he had a way of connecting to the other characters in different ways, and I loved that he came into himself with the help of these friends. I also LOVED the cartoon aspect, it was such a unique and different way to balance out the book. I liked that although some parts of the novel were heavier and heartbreaking, the pictures incorporated with the story made for a nice balance within the funny and lighter moments. I liked least the twist at the end, but it shows the real life horrors of how far terrible and cruel individuals are willing to take their actions when all could have been avoided with acceptance.

I liked the direction Andrew Smith took this book; its storyline was well thought out and I enjoyed reading every bit of it! I tend to not pick up contemporary books because..... to be honest..... they bore me to sleep, LITERALLY, so I was naturally happy when I gave this book a chance and it kept my attention long enough to allow me to finish it and appreciate the story! I can say that I was not ecstatic about the ending as it was heartbreaking, but I was satisfied with it. This is not your average super cheesy happily-ever-after contemporary story, so if you're looking for a light, happy read, I don't this is for you.

Cover: 4/10. The man on the cover looks WAY too old to be14 year old Winger! But I love the cartoon version of him on the back.
Rating: 5/5!!! It was GREAT! Highly recommend! I thoroughly enjoyed this from start to finish especially with the incorporation of the cartoons throughout added to the overall reading experience!

If you have read this book, let me know your thoughts below!!

*****

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

 

 Author: Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Series:No
Pages: 359
Challenge: Goodreads Challenge 2014
Genre: Contemporary
Acquired: Library
Rating: ★★★★★

*****

Goodreads Summary:

A lyrical novel about family and friendship from critically acclaimed author Benjamin Alire Sáenz.

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be.

  *****

 My Thoughts:

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe is told from the POV of Aristotle (Ari). This book is more of a coming of age story about a teenage boy and how he comes to understand the meaning of life rather than your typical contemporary novel. With strong focuses on family and friendship, this book was an incredible account on the pressures and the uncontrollable nature life and the surprises it brings.

Although Ari is one of those characters that you grow to love, in the beginning it was hard for me to understand him well enough to connect with him. His negative nature in the beginning made it difficult to want to get to know him as a character. Dante, on the other hand, was completely lovable from the moment he was introduced. I found myself loving all the characters in this book especially Dante's parents. I even loved Legs!

I liked the realistic elements and problems the characters faced in this book like bullying, moving states, and acceptance. All very strong issues in this book that made the story even more powerful. All the problems the characters faced were believable and allowed the reader to better connect to the story's message because of how most can relate with common issues such as bullying.

I was very pleased that Ari changed throughout the novel for the better and I thoroughly enjoyed reading his story and how different events that happened in his life went into shaping his character and personality. I really loved that this story wasn't what I had originally expected it to be. It was better I feel to go into this story blind, you get more out of it that way. I feared that the hype would kill my love for the book by setting my expectations too high, but for me the hype was rightfully deserved!

My favorite scene had to be Ari's recovery. It put a lot into perspective and allowed me to understand why he behaved as he did. I liked the friendship between Ari and Dante the most.... Duh lol.... it's the main focus of the story's plot. I liked the bullying aspect least for obvious reasons. It was heartbreaking but served its purpose in the novel.

I feel that the ending was very well done and I was left content with how it ended. I would recommend this to those looking for a coming of age story from a boy's POV. I would not recommend this to someone who is close-minded or judgmental. I feel that you have to be open-minded to really enjoy this story and appreciate it for what it is. I rated this 5/5 and rate the cover 8/10 despite the novel's crazy long title! It's a very quick, enjoyable read with amazing writing. I was thoroughly pleased with this novel and can say that it is different in a good way from what I have read in contemporary lately!

*****