Scan barcode
drraytay's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Bullying, Misogyny, Medical content, and Grief
patricktreads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
We Are All Good at Smiling is a haunting story of two friends who lost their siblings and blame themselves for their losses. The work passes through the journey of their grief and fight to free themselves using fairytales and fantastical stories.
This was one of the first books I have read in a verse format, and while it was a little hard to get used to, once I did I loved it. The way the characters are written pulls us further into the journey without letting go. Also, as someone who has dealt with lose of friends, family, and more it was a journey that cause me to reflect on my own losses.
I think and hope that this story can help readers understand and move forward from their grief, especially the young readers that this book is targeted for. It is an absolute recommend from me.
This was one of the first books I have read in a verse format, and while it was a little hard to get used to, once I did I loved it. The way the characters are written pulls us further into the journey without letting go. Also, as someone who has dealt with lose of friends, family, and more it was a journey that cause me to reflect on my own losses.
I think and hope that this story can help readers understand and move forward from their grief, especially the young readers that this book is targeted for. It is an absolute recommend from me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
seyfert's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is a wonderful novel, but was hard to read for two reasons: the prose and the subject matter.
First, it is written in verse. While perfect for this situation, if you don't read verse often, it might take a bit for your brain to adjust to reading it. This is something that can be overcome.
But for the second? So many trigger warnings. Many of us need to be in the right headspace to read this novel. Those of you who haven't ever experienced depression and dark thoughts, you'll be fine, but this touches so close to some very sensitive, hard subjects. It'd be hard to read when in the depression pit, and yet, it's exactly who the novel is written for - but once you're in a better mental state.
More than anything, it's very quotable. There's so many small tidbits to save to later. It's unique, and different, and understanding - and we need more of that.
(But it did introduce me to the poetry of Lucille Clifton, and I am excited for that).
First, it is written in verse. While perfect for this situation, if you don't read verse often, it might take a bit for your brain to adjust to reading it. This is something that can be overcome.
But for the second? So many trigger warnings. Many of us need to be in the right headspace to read this novel. Those of you who haven't ever experienced depression and dark thoughts, you'll be fine, but this touches so close to some very sensitive, hard subjects. It'd be hard to read when in the depression pit, and yet, it's exactly who the novel is written for - but once you're in a better mental state.
More than anything, it's very quotable. There's so many small tidbits to save to later. It's unique, and different, and understanding - and we need more of that.
(But it did introduce me to the poetry of Lucille Clifton, and I am excited for that).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Bullying, Racial slurs, and Racism
Minor: Child death and Panic attacks/disorders
lettuce_read's review against another edition
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, and Self harm
bookish_ann's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Absolutely gorgeous. There are a lot of very heavy things in this book, and so much pain, but all the bad is transformed into beautiful, meaningful art.
I normally have a very hard time reading long-form poetry, but not here. Perhaps because the verse is free, and flowing. It feels natural and right, not forced. It does not feel like an affectation layered onto the story but the most fitting way to tell it.
There were a few moments in this that literally took my breath away - I just gasped and sat with the phrase for a bit. It’s a truly stunning book. Highly recommended.
I normally have a very hard time reading long-form poetry, but not here. Perhaps because the verse is free, and flowing. It feels natural and right, not forced. It does not feel like an affectation layered onto the story but the most fitting way to tell it.
There were a few moments in this that literally took my breath away - I just gasped and sat with the phrase for a bit. It’s a truly stunning book. Highly recommended.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Grief
Moderate: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Forced institutionalization
leahrosereads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
As someone who's been lost in my own Sorrow Garden for so many years, this story broke me. I read it slowly, savoring every word, and am trying to stamp Faerry and Whimsy's strength into my brain to call up when the Sorrow gets too great.
If I could give this novel more than 5 stars, I would. I knew when I read Me (Moth) in 2021 that Amber Mcbride's storytelling is something special.
This story solidifies that thought.
If I could give this novel more than 5 stars, I would. I knew when I read Me (Moth) in 2021 that Amber Mcbride's storytelling is something special.
This story solidifies that thought.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Mental illness, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Minor: Child death
amobrien's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Thank you Netgalley for providing a digital ARC.
We Are All So Good at Smiling is a beautiful, magical novel-in-verse about depression and trauma. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook!
We Are All So Good at Smiling is a beautiful, magical novel-in-verse about depression and trauma. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Racism, Suicide, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racial slurs, and Self harm
Minor: Bullying and Child death
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
While back in the hospital being treated for her clinical depression, Whimsy meets a strange boy named Faerry. They find a kinship with each other when they both realize that they have magic in their bones. When she moves back home, Whimsy is surpsied to learn that Faerry and his family have moved to her street.
As they get to know each other, they both realize they have a paralyzing fear of the Marsh Creek Forest. And that maybe their paths have crossed before. But the forest whispers to Whimsy and Faerry, despite the dangers that it holds. After all, It just might hold the answers that they both have been looking for, if they're brave enough to face the truth.
Thanks to Feiwel and Friends and NetGalley for an advanced copy of We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride to review! Me (Moth) was honestly such a masterpiece, and I don't know why more people don't talk about it. Plus, just look at this cover. It's on par for one of the best covers of 2023, and the year hasn't even started yet.
This is a novel in verse that doesn't shy away from the difficult topics. McBride pulls on her experiences with clinical depression, and she is a master at conveying these emotions in words. There were so many times where I had to pause while reading because this book is so emotional. It's about depression, about working through trauma, with two main characters that find solace in each other. It may be written in verse, but that almost makes it all the more powerful.
There is a magical realism element to this book as well, which at times made it difficult to figure out what was actually going on. It's one of those books that lends itself to multiple readings because I'm sure that you'd find something different every single time you read it. Not only does it deal with Whimsy and Faerry trying to work through their own mental health, but also how they are perceived as Black teenagers with mental health issues. All of this is so well done, and I think this book will get a lot of buzz when it comes out in January.
All in all, be prepared for an emotional ride, but this should definitely be on your TBR for January.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Bullying, Child death, and Death
readingwithtrey's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"Remember you don't have to be brave, you live, you are (both) already bravery itself."
"There is someone out there rooting for you. You are not alone, in any Forest. You there, hello, bonjour, hola-we are rooting, cheering for you to live and thrive."
Written through metaphorical prose, this story follows Faerry and Whimsy through their struggles with depression and what appears to be PTSD following a traumatic event. It is so hard to find the right words for this review. This book was heartbreakingly beautiful. I loved the message of the only way out is through. One thing that I've learned in therapy is to not try to avoid the negative feelings, but to rather allow myself to feel them, use my coping skills to work through them, and then work to move on from them. The more I would try to avoid negative feelings and thoughts, the worse things got and I could appreciate how that was addressed throughout this book.
As someone who has suffered from depression, PPD, and PPA, it was like someone took exactly what I went through while in the thick of it and put it in poem form. Just like the author, it took me a while to get the help and therapy I needed. For some, myself included, you get so far into that dark pit that it's almost impossible to see how anything or anyone can help to get you out of it. Whimsy says that 11 minutes in the Garden (depression) could feel like 11 years and man, that is so true. I don't think this could have been any more perfect.
I love that more and more authors are writing novels normalizing therapy, especially for the Black community. It warms my heart to think that so many lives will likely be saved due to the decreasing stigma around seeking help.
I cannot recommend this enough!
CW: depression, self harm, suicidal thoughts, death, child death, ptsd
"There is someone out there rooting for you. You are not alone, in any Forest. You there, hello, bonjour, hola-we are rooting, cheering for you to live and thrive."
Written through metaphorical prose, this story follows Faerry and Whimsy through their struggles with depression and what appears to be PTSD following a traumatic event. It is so hard to find the right words for this review. This book was heartbreakingly beautiful. I loved the message of the only way out is through. One thing that I've learned in therapy is to not try to avoid the negative feelings, but to rather allow myself to feel them, use my coping skills to work through them, and then work to move on from them. The more I would try to avoid negative feelings and thoughts, the worse things got and I could appreciate how that was addressed throughout this book.
As someone who has suffered from depression, PPD, and PPA, it was like someone took exactly what I went through while in the thick of it and put it in poem form. Just like the author, it took me a while to get the help and therapy I needed. For some, myself included, you get so far into that dark pit that it's almost impossible to see how anything or anyone can help to get you out of it. Whimsy says that 11 minutes in the Garden (depression) could feel like 11 years and man, that is so true. I don't think this could have been any more perfect.
I love that more and more authors are writing novels normalizing therapy, especially for the Black community. It warms my heart to think that so many lives will likely be saved due to the decreasing stigma around seeking help.
I cannot recommend this enough!
CW: depression, self harm, suicidal thoughts, death, child death, ptsd
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Grief
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Death, and Racial slurs