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mljohnson2698's review against another edition
5.0
[enter our wonderful book reviewer who recently finished this gem of a book] Maren looks around the library, wondering what to read now. How could she read anything else after Open Mic Night at Westminster Cemetery?
MAREN: Mary Amato, how could you do this to me again? First there was Guitar Notes. I've read that 1,001 times (just like the Dalmations), and I thought it wasn't possible that I could read another book that had me laugh so hard and also want to die from the feels by the end. But then you DID IT AGAIN! And I'm upset!
A sudden chill fills the library, and fog appears from between the shelves, oozing between covers. A ghost of Mary Amato rises from the ground. Now reader, I know she's not dead. This ghost is just an imaginary Mary Amato, so don't you worry.
GHOST OF MARY AMATO: Why are you upset if you loved the book?
MAREN: Because I wasn't prepared to fall in love with legitimately one of the oddest books I've ever read. The format was exactly like this review, and I've never read a book like that before. But somehow that format only made everything better.
GHOST: That was my goal, you know. I don't try to write bad books or anything.
Maren sighs and stares into the distance for a minute, remembering how much she enjoyed reading the intermission in the book.
MAREN: But it wasn't just a unique format. It. Was. So. Funny. I was dying right from the start—pun completely intended since this book is about ghosts. Sam was endearing from the very first second. Lacy was interesting right from the start. I was laughing so hard when they met. And I continued laughing most of the book, and I can't believe you made me laugh at that.
GHOST: Why? I thought you liked funny books.
MAREN: I do. But this book shouldn't be funny. It's about a bunch of dead people, some of whom died tragically. I should not be laughing about them chatting in their graves.
The ghost of Mary Amato laughs. The fog flickers when she laughs because it's part of her imaginary ghost form, dear readers.
GHOST: Mwhahaha, that was my goal.
MAREN: But then it got worse. All of a sudden, I was emotionally attached to these characters and invested in discovering how Lacy died. And that's when we hit the last part of the book. I—
Maren pauses to feel all the feelings again. There were so many feelings in this book; she's now not sure how to describe them adequately to this imaginary ghost.
MAREN: Can't even handle what you did to me with the ending of the book. It was so emotional and beautiful. There aren't even words to describe how well you described grief. No one could read that ending and not be moved. Somehow, you had me laughing right from the start until you had me nearly crying over a cinnamon cake. It's Guitar Notes all over again. HOW DO YOU DO THAT?
GHOST: *describes exactly how she writes such perfect books that explore deep and relevant facets of humanity while also being hilarious and unique in format*
But unfortunately, nobody could hear the imaginary ghost of Mary Amato because the library cleaning crew chose that exact moment to come in and vacuum.
The end.
FADE TO BLACK.
MAREN: Mary Amato, how could you do this to me again? First there was Guitar Notes. I've read that 1,001 times (just like the Dalmations), and I thought it wasn't possible that I could read another book that had me laugh so hard and also want to die from the feels by the end. But then you DID IT AGAIN! And I'm upset!
A sudden chill fills the library, and fog appears from between the shelves, oozing between covers. A ghost of Mary Amato rises from the ground. Now reader, I know she's not dead. This ghost is just an imaginary Mary Amato, so don't you worry.
GHOST OF MARY AMATO: Why are you upset if you loved the book?
MAREN: Because I wasn't prepared to fall in love with legitimately one of the oddest books I've ever read. The format was exactly like this review, and I've never read a book like that before. But somehow that format only made everything better.
GHOST: That was my goal, you know. I don't try to write bad books or anything.
Maren sighs and stares into the distance for a minute, remembering how much she enjoyed reading the intermission in the book.
MAREN: But it wasn't just a unique format. It. Was. So. Funny. I was dying right from the start—pun completely intended since this book is about ghosts. Sam was endearing from the very first second. Lacy was interesting right from the start. I was laughing so hard when they met. And I continued laughing most of the book, and I can't believe you made me laugh at that.
GHOST: Why? I thought you liked funny books.
MAREN: I do. But this book shouldn't be funny. It's about a bunch of dead people, some of whom died tragically. I should not be laughing about them chatting in their graves.
The ghost of Mary Amato laughs. The fog flickers when she laughs because it's part of her imaginary ghost form, dear readers.
GHOST: Mwhahaha, that was my goal.
MAREN: But then it got worse. All of a sudden, I was emotionally attached to these characters and invested in discovering how Lacy died. And that's when we hit the last part of the book. I—
Maren pauses to feel all the feelings again. There were so many feelings in this book; she's now not sure how to describe them adequately to this imaginary ghost.
MAREN: Can't even handle what you did to me with the ending of the book. It was so emotional and beautiful. There aren't even words to describe how well you described grief. No one could read that ending and not be moved. Somehow, you had me laughing right from the start until you had me nearly crying over a cinnamon cake. It's Guitar Notes all over again. HOW DO YOU DO THAT?
GHOST: *describes exactly how she writes such perfect books that explore deep and relevant facets of humanity while also being hilarious and unique in format*
But unfortunately, nobody could hear the imaginary ghost of Mary Amato because the library cleaning crew chose that exact moment to come in and vacuum.
The end.
FADE TO BLACK.
readingrobin's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I absolutely love the play format of this book. Gave it a nice sense of identity, along with all the great slam poetry we are treated to. May only get four stars from me, since it didn't have those five star vibes, but it gets a 10/10 for ghost anarchy.
oblatecordon's review against another edition
4.0
This was a joy to read! I flew through the pages! The characters were done so well! I wish there was more. It definitely gave me The Graveyard Book vibes but so much happier.
acouplereadss's review against another edition
4.0
I am always drawn to covers with birds on them. Not sure why! But when I saw the cover for Open Mic Night At Westminster Cemetary I had a nagging feeling that I needed to read it. So glad I did! It was fantastic.
The format of this book was really neat. It was written in play format with poetry interlaced which made the pace of the book snappy and quick. I liked how odd the book was, it worked well and kept me reading.
The characters were so quirky and funny! I absolutely loved the residents of Westminster Cemetary from the grouchy old lady to innocent Sam to the funny Edgar Alan Poe himself. What a great read. I’m so excited to promote this book! For those of us who are fascinated by the macabre you need to read this one. I mean, it’s set in a cemetary, is that perfect or what?!
This will definitely put you in the fall mood and have you anticipating Halloween even more than before if you’re searching for a read set in a spooky environment. Please pick up this book. I had such a fun time reading it and the perfect moments were emotionally charged. I really think Tim Burton would make this into a great film! If you like stand up comedy or plays you’ll appreciate this book on a whole different level kind of like my appreciation for Michael Macintyre’s stand ups!
**Thank you Thomas Allen & Sons Ltd for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
The format of this book was really neat. It was written in play format with poetry interlaced which made the pace of the book snappy and quick. I liked how odd the book was, it worked well and kept me reading.
The characters were so quirky and funny! I absolutely loved the residents of Westminster Cemetary from the grouchy old lady to innocent Sam to the funny Edgar Alan Poe himself. What a great read. I’m so excited to promote this book! For those of us who are fascinated by the macabre you need to read this one. I mean, it’s set in a cemetary, is that perfect or what?!
This will definitely put you in the fall mood and have you anticipating Halloween even more than before if you’re searching for a read set in a spooky environment. Please pick up this book. I had such a fun time reading it and the perfect moments were emotionally charged. I really think Tim Burton would make this into a great film! If you like stand up comedy or plays you’ll appreciate this book on a whole different level kind of like my appreciation for Michael Macintyre’s stand ups!
**Thank you Thomas Allen & Sons Ltd for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
romancelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this.
1. The play format is something that will really work shopping this book to teens who seek story and alternate format.
2. The size of the book, content, alternate format will all work for reluctant readers.
3. The storyline moves. Set over the course of 3 or 4 nights, the story moves with consistent speed.
4. Characters are interesting. Concept is fresh. Poe is involved but it's a pretty surface level involvement (teens won't have to have any type of understanding of Poe to get into this story).
5. Normally, I hate an omniscient narrator. But due to the play format ... the inclusion of the omniscient narrator really allows the reader to see setting and internal thought and what would be visually seen in a traditional play (with stage direction, blocking, etc).
This was unexpected. I have so many teen readers who are really going to like this one.
1. The play format is something that will really work shopping this book to teens who seek story and alternate format.
2. The size of the book, content, alternate format will all work for reluctant readers.
3. The storyline moves. Set over the course of 3 or 4 nights, the story moves with consistent speed.
4. Characters are interesting. Concept is fresh. Poe is involved but it's a pretty surface level involvement (teens won't have to have any type of understanding of Poe to get into this story).
5. Normally, I hate an omniscient narrator. But due to the play format ... the inclusion of the omniscient narrator really allows the reader to see setting and internal thought and what would be visually seen in a traditional play (with stage direction, blocking, etc).
This was unexpected. I have so many teen readers who are really going to like this one.
shmuley's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
LACY LACY LACY
victorianvalkyrie's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
elephant's review against another edition
4.0
This is an excellent book! Written in the form of a two act play, it begins with sixteen year old Lacy awakening, as it were, dead, in a the cemetery where Edgar Allen Poe is buried. Prior to her arrival, the last resident arrived in 1913, so Lacy is seen as a "modern", by the other residents who include Sam, who died during the civil war, Poe's wife Virginia, two sisters who do needlework, and Sam's overly controlling mother, Mrs. Steele, who rules the cemetery and has the disorderly dead "suppressed". Lacy doesn't know she is dead and doesn't remember dying. Her last memory is of being on the way to participate in an open mic night to perform her poetry. Throughout the story we get to know the various dead and they work through their troubles from the past, and present. I would love to see this performed as a play! I think it would be very entertaining. It has humor and sadness and seems original and fun.
jbird_reads's review against another edition
dark
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
erin_reads_boooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was a strange and unique read that hit me right in the feels 8 pages from the end.