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The Universe Is Expanding and So Am I
The Universe Is Expanding and So Am I | Carolyn Mackler
9 posts | 7 read | 15 to read
"[Mackler's] teens feel lived in to me--smart, observant, but realistic in terms of their insecurities and limitations. I particularly appreciate the candid and non-judgmental way she depicts teen sensuality and female desire . . . Much to discuss here in the age of #metoo." --Gabrielle Zevin, New York Times bestselling author From Carolyn Mackler, author of the Printz Honor-winning The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things, comes a story of what happens when the "happily ever after" turns out to be less than perfect. It's been five months since sixteen-year-old Virginia Shreves thought her life was finally back on course: she has come to terms with who she is both inside and out, and she's even started to rebuild her relationship with her older brother Byron, whose date-rape charge completely shattered everything. But just as she's getting used to the new normal, Virginia's world turns upside down again. Sparks with boyfriend Froggy Welsh the Fourth fade, her best friend Shannon bombshells bad news, and then the police arrest Byron. As Virginia struggles to cope, she meets Sebastian, an artist with his own baggage. The pair make a pact not to share their personal dramas. But secrets have a way of coming out, and theirs have the potential to ruin everything. In this follow-up to the acclaimed The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things, Carolyn Mackler brings Virginia's story satisfyingly full circle in a hope-filled tale of forgiveness, love, friendship, and the beauty in life's imperfections.
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Ravenpuff
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Pickpick

I agreed with their message on being an overweight teenager: you can be overweight and still be beautiful and have someone love you. I liked that it discussed rape. I think that it‘s important to bring up those tough topics for teenagers. I also thought it was interesting that the author provided a point of view of a rapist‘s family.

mavey That is a very important message. Beautiful cover too! 3y
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Ravenpuff
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Missusb
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Pickpick

I finally wrote a new review. It‘s been a while. I did enjoy this novel that challenges our assumptions about consent and privilege. Virginia is a great main character trying to find steady ground while around her, her family scramble. https://trishtalkstexts.wordpress.com/2018/09/04/review-the-universe-is-expandin... #blogging #review #trishtalkstexts #yaliterature

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readingjedi
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While this has the lightness of touch, the subtle humour and requisite 'quirk' of good YA, it is also a little deeper, more intense and therefore in the realm of excellent YA. Gin is a great character, her emotions/thought-processes/reactions/development all authentically teenage. The parents are the obligatory YA monsters that come good though their irrationality is a bit OTT at times. Cont. in comments ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

readingjedi The date rape element and Gin's relationship with her brother is well done, thought-provoking and adds substance ... as I did find the romance a little fluffy and Insta. The tension of the forbidden love/secret relationship was great as was Gin's growing emotional independence & body confidence/acceptance 6y
readingjedi Oops posted too soon! The ending was a little twee for me - cos I'm a sick puppy at heart I kinda wanted a heartbreaker end with Gin and Sebastian never seeing each other again! The happy hopeful ending was lovely but to my mind highly unlikely given the circumstances & just too neatly wrapped up. Still a great read though! 6y
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readingjedi
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1. Ghostbusters
2. Onion rings but only from the Pea Bung fish and chip restaurant on Freeman Street market in Grimsby.
3. Crushing hard on Waterparks.
4. Current read tagged - enjoyable and fun so far.
5. I will gladly do so!

#friyayintro @jesshowbooks

posierope Without sounding like a creep, you can't possibly mean Freemo in Grimsby up in Lincs can you?! 6y
readingjedi @posierope The very one! It's my home town and I'm, er, mildly proud-ish of it ... sometimes 🤣 6y
posierope @readingjedi well I'll be damned, I grew up in Market Rasen - currently live in Louth! Such a small world 😂 nearly spat my tea out when I read it. 6y
See All 9 Comments
readingjedi @posierope I did the unthinkable & left GY and Lincs to live in Yorkshire! Near Hull no less! But my childhood was there so it will always have a special place in my heart. 6y
Soozee @readingjedi I grew up in Hull! And then did the unthinkable and moved to Lancashire! 😂 6y
readingjedi @Soozee It's got its knockers but I got a lotta love for 'Ull! 6y
LeeRHarry Wahey I grew up in Lincs - I‘m in Melbourne now but get back when I can as my family is still there, know Grimsby, and Louth well @posierope 😊 6y
readingjedi @LeeRHarry The Litsy Yellowbellies are out in force tonight 😃 6y
LeeRHarry @readingjedi 😂 love it!!! 6y
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readingjedi
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Just started this one. Thanks #netgalley

eeclayton That's a great title! 6y
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Missusb
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ericarobynreads
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The Universe Is Expanding and So Am I by Carolyn Mackler is the follow up novel to one of my all time favorites, The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things. I'm so very happy that we finally got to see what happened next in the life of Virginia Shreves.
I waited 15 years for this one and I‘m so glad to say it didn‘t disappoint! ❤️❤️

https://www.ericarobynreads.com/2018/07/book-review-universe-is-expanding.html?m...

#youngadult

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WeeziesBooks
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I wasn‘t sure if I would love this one the way I did the first book (The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things), but I did! Virginia is a delightful protagonist who is figuring out body acceptance, family, love, and herself as a sexual being. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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