Reviews

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac by Gabrielle Zevin

lumenmews's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

airyyyn0921's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

I kept expecting there to be deeper character development and some self reflection. There never was. I've seen Hallmark movies with more depth than this book (and with the same plot). Also, there are two spellings of the main character's name that are used interchangeably throughout the the book, at least the ebook version. Is it supposed to be Nomi or Naomi?

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide

gpmuli100's review

1.0

This book was not good. A qualifier: it wasn't aimed at my demographic. Still, not a good excuse. The main character was shallow, finicky and annoying, despite the authors best attempt to convince to reader other wise. The plot was aimless, the supporting characters boring, as a love story it made no sense, as a medical drama it wasn't that dramatic. I read it because I loved A.J. Fikry. I still do. But the young adult genre, specifically YA books aimed at 16 year old girls, should be illegal.

shannonreadstheworld's review against another edition

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac follows Naomi, whose life takes a dramatic turn after a coin toss leads to a head injury and subsequent amnesia. Suddenly, she must navigate a world where she can't remember her boyfriend, Ace, her best friend, Will, or her family dynamics, including her mother’s new family and her father’s fiancée. The twist is that she also meets James, a boy with a mysterious past, who complicates her journey of self-discovery.

I picked this book up after enjoying Tomorrow & Tomorrow & Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. However, I think I might be a bit too old for this particular story. While I appreciate young adult fiction, I found this one leaned a little too YA for me.

That said, the message behind the story is beautiful. It explores themes of identity, memory, and the importance of connections, illustrating how our experiences and relationships shape who we are.

I particularly liked how the narrative addresses mental health and how that storyline is handled with sensitivity. Through Naomi’s journey, we are reminded of the power of love, friendship, and the complexities of growing up. Overall, while it may be a book for me, I do think that younger readers might find impactful

charlotte_elizabeth_reads's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars.

Definitely prefer Gabrielle Zevin’s adult books. It took me a while to get into and it was okay. Just nothing extraordinary.

rumay's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

danoreading's review

4.0

I don't know if I really liked this book or not, honestly. The language was beautiful, I liked the characters and they were well written, and the plot was pretty original and interesting. But somewhere in between when Naomi gets her memory back and the end, it just kinds of splutters. The whole romance with Will and the romance with James both seemed odd to me - I didn't really buy either one. I loved Naomi's interactions with her parents, though, and with her ex-boyfriend Ace. I guess the main point of the book was Naomi's personal growth, and that is well done. I loved Naomi's dad's speech about time and memory at the end of the book - some good stuff there.

danoreading's review against another edition

3.0

I think I rated the print copy of this too high when I read it a couple of years ago. I listened to the audio book and had the same problems with it that I did when I read it. James was even more annoying to listen to - I guess I just didn't have any patience for that character. Caitlin Greer does do a good job of reading this.

angevba's review against another edition

3.0

3.5
No es exactamente lo que esperaba, debo admitirlo, pero me gustó. Gabrielle Zevin logra transmitir un mensaje importante acerca de descubrimiento personal y del valor de las relaciones.
La protagonista es un dolor de cabeza, eso si, y ni como negarlo, definitivamente sus decisiones fueron las que hicieron que no disfrutara tanto de este libro.

Reseña completa: http://leercomoformadevida.blogspot.com/2014/12/memoirs-of-teenage-amnesiac-gabrielle.html

latveria's review

emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5