Silvera explores the way the true you always comes through, even when you want to suppress that part of yourself. This is a story not just of a young man coming out, but a dramatic and heart-wrenching story of first loves, first heartbreaks, grief and the quest for happiness. Reading Guide |  With its urban setting and diverse characters, More Happy Than Not is a rare and poignant look at how a struggling gay kid from the Bronx deals with pain, grief, and the heartbreak of love. Aaron lives in a one-bedroom apartment with his brother and their mother, who shuffles between two jobs, one at a hospital and another at a supermarket. Unforgettable.”—Becky Albertalli, author of Simon vs. In his twisty, gritty, profoundly moving New York Times bestselling debut Adam Silvera brings to life a charged, dangerous near-future summer in the Bronx. Reviews |  He's slowly remembering what happiness might feel like this summer with the support of his girlfriend Genevieve, but it's his new best friend, Thomas, who really gets Aaron to open up about his past and confront his future. How are Aaron and his friends unlike the typical young-adult protagonist. My bed is basically one level better than a cot. You can still order a signed copy of the hardcover from Books of Wonder and you can request personalization in the comments. Join now. Common Sense Media, a nonprofit organization, earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes when you use our links to make a purchase. In some ways it's a pretty heavy book, but it's also accessible for young readers - it would get the message across that not everyone has a squeaky clean life, and that's ok. All rights reserved. More Happy Than Not was published by Soho Teen on June 2nd, 2015. Where do you think the characters (specifically Aaron, Thomas, Genevieve, Brendan, and Collin) end up ten years later? . It is forbidden to copy anything for publication elsewhere without written permission from the copyright holder. Summary | Excerpt | Reading Guide | Reviews | Beyond the Book ... Less Happy Than Before, More Happy Than Not.) What are your thoughts on Aaron cutting a smile into his wrist? Reader Reviews. Would Aaron's story have felt complete or forced if he got a clean break? . Even his romantic relationship is somewhat based on gratitude to the one girl who stuck by his side while everyone else (even his crew) distanced themselves. The novel “Panic,” for example, by the best-selling Y.A. Is it used gratuitously? More Happy Than Not.). Aaron Soto and his neighbors in the Bronx projects have had more than their share of bad experiences and tough times. We're updating our reviews to better highlight authentic stories and accurate, diverse representations. At the center of the story is a teenager named Aaron Soto, a lover of art and comic books, a seeker of friends, a funny and soulful product of the projects. The language isn't graphic, usually just a matter-of-fact "we had sex," although occasionally the language used is coarse ("plow," "tits," "blow job," etc.) Teens drink at parties, a occasionally to excess. What did you think of the way the author structured the novel with different levels of happiness to measure Aaron's journey? You can still order a signed copy of the hardcover from Books of Wonder and you can request personalization in the comments. Subscribe to receive some of our best reviews, "beyond the book" articles, book club info, and giveaways by email. This is a story not just of a young man coming out, but a dramatic and heart-wrenching story of first loves, first heartbreaks, grief and the quest for happiness. More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera. While Genevieve is away at art camp, Aaron begins to think about Thomas so often he questions whether he's straight, bi, or gay. Despite the heavy themes and serious plot points, author Adam Silvera's debut book conveys a hopeful message about happiness, acceptance, and love. What did you think of the Bronx setting and culture? "—Booklist Starred Review"Places a straightforward concept—what if you could erase unwanted memories?—squarely within an honest depiction of the pains of navigating the teen years and upends all expectations for a plot resolution . Become a Member and discover books that entertain, engage & enlighten. He writes full-time in New York City and is tall for no reason. More Happy Than Not (2015) is Adam Silvera’s debut novel. ", "This is a cry-on-the-subway book, so watch out. Unforgettable.”. When you purchase an independently reviewed book through our site, we earn an affiliate commission. Silvera managed to leave me smiling after totally breaking my heart. But the book serves as a powerful treatise on the complexities of coming out, as well, in a place where such an announcement is not reflexively met with loving embraces from nurturing, progressive adults. . PRAISE "A beautiful debut … Just $12 for 3 months or Grab your copy now on IndieBound, Barnes & Noble, or Amazon. He doesn't really love the girl he thought he once loved. To this list, we can now add “More Happy Than Not,” a beautiful debut novel by Adam Silvera, a child of the Bronx who manages a delicate knitting of class politics through an ambitious narrative about sexual identity and connection that considers the heavy weight and constructive value of traumatic memory, as well. a procedure like the Leteo Procedure?