Everything, Everything

This review originally appeared on my young adult book blog, herestohappyendings.com. This is one of those books that pretty much everyone has read by now, and for quite a while after it was released it was everywhere - it was talked about on Twitter and Instagram, promoted in bookstores and online, and reviewed on pretty much every blog I follow. Which kind of made me not want to review it for a while. I wasn't sure if I was even going to review it, considering the wonderful amount of praise it received, but I decided to anyway, because I really loved it. Madeline is seventeen years old, and she never leaves her house. Everything that she comes in contact with must be cleaned and decontaminated, so that potential germs and bacteria are kept away from her. This means she cannot go to a traditional school, she cannot spend time with friends, and she cannot do typical things girls her age do (go to the mall, etc.). If she needs medical attention, her doctors come to her. She even has a nurse who spends time taking care of her during the day, since her vitals must be monitored on a regular basis to make sure that she's staying healthy. When Madeline was a baby, she had a strange, life-threatening reaction, which led medical professionals to believe that she has a very rare condition that causes her to be allergic to the outside world, and all of the different particles, germs, dust...pretty much everything you can find outside that hasn't gone through the tried and true decontamination procedures that she has grown up with. Madeline's mother tries her best to make her life as normal as possible, from spending all the time with her she could want, playing games with her, watching movies with her, etc., to buying her anything she asks for, such as all the brand new books she could ever want to read. Madeline's father and older brother had died when Madeline was a baby - right before her diagnosis, so it's been just the two of them for years. One day, a new family moves in next door, and Madeline gets curious. She peeks out the curtain and sees a boy her age, and the more she watches him and his family, the more curious she becomes. Eventually the two begin talking on instant messenger and through e-mail, getting to know each other, and falling in love. Madeline will go to any lengths to spend time with him - even talking her nurse into letting him come over for a few minutes here and there so they can spend time together, despite the fact that he hadn't gone through all the medical precautions required to enter their home. Madeline's love for him and her curiosity about the world she cannot truly be a part of leads her to begin questioning her diagnosis...and her mother's judgement...and even causes her to do some reckless things, just so that she can feel normal for a little while. This is one of those books that truly deserved the hype that it received. It did something completely different than what's been done before - touching upon a disease that I haven't encountered in YA until now. The characters are so well written, especially Olly - and their relationship was sweet. It wasn't insta-love, either...they started off kind of not knowing whether or not they were going to like each other, and that turned into flirting...which led to them being completely in love by the end of the book. Everything, Everything was completely breathtaking and gripping. I couldn't wait to see what was going to happen next with Madeline, and between her and Olly. It had some light-hearted moments that were kind of funny, especially some of the interactions between her and Olly, but there were also some really deep parts that were hard to digest - especially the ending, which is something I would have never seen coming. It really surprised me, and I think that made the entire book that much more enjoyable. Nicola Yoon definitely has a way with words and knows how to craft a beautiful and well thought out story. I haven't read anything like this, but I know for a fact that she from now on will be on my list of must-read authors! The only complaint I have about this book is the fact that it was so good, it put me into a reading slump for like two weeks, because I couldn't imagine anything else at the time being as awesome as this book was! If you haven't read this one yet, I recommend that you get your hands on a copy and read it...and bring some tissues, because you'll need them!

“Life is a gift, don’t take it for granted.” There are some people in the world who would love to enjoy the little things in life, but are just not privileged enough to do so.The book, Everything Everything, written by Nicola Yun is about an 18 year old girl named Madeline. Madeline is different from the average 18 year old though. She has a really rare disease that makes her allergic to the world around her. She cannot even step outside for fear that she will die. This means that she has to stay inside all the time. Madeline has only been outside a few times in her life, but only before she was diagnosed with her disease. Her house is filled with air filters and equipment to keep any and all germs out. As a result, she is never exposed to the outside air and can stay healthy and alive. Her over-sanitary house is where Madeline spends all of her days, either reading, doing school work, or wondering what life is like outside of her four, lonely walls. The story begins in Madeline's house where the only people she knows are her mother and her nurse. Everyday, she does the same thing and nothing new happens, until one day when she sees a moving truck. Since nothing new ever happens, Madeline gets really excited. As the new neighbors are moving in, she watches them and imagines what it would be like to be outside meeting the new neighbors. Watching them becomes a favorite hobby of hers and, as a result, she picks up on their personalities. She grows fond of their teenage boy named Olly and wishes she could meet him. After a little while, she realizes that her bedroom window is directly across from his window. They begin communicating with one another from their windows, then move on to email. After they talk for a while, Madeline asks her nurse if she can meet Olly in person. This takes a lot of persuading, but her nurse eventually gives in. The first time they meet in person, Madeline’s life is changed. Once Olly goes home, Madeline begs her nurse to allow him to come back. Again, her nurse lets him come over. This time, they hold hands. The next time he comes over, they kiss. This is Madeline’s first kiss and something she never thought she would get to experience. This made her extremely happy and she definitely didn’t take this for granted. After Olly left, Madeline felt like a new person and decided she didn’t want to be scared anymore. She bought two plane tickets, walked out the door, found Olly, and left for the airport. The whole book revolves around one key point: don’t forget to appreciate the little things in life. Everyone can benefit from reading this book because many people , people go through life taking everything for granted. However, once the little things are gone, there is a realization that it’s good to appreciate things. Everything Everything really spoke to me. It engaged my emotions, and I could feel everything the characters were feeling because of the intense imagery the author used. The author also did a good job of keeping the right tone throughout the book. I liked how there weren't too many characters. The author also did a good job of making sure every character had a purpose. The book also had a really good flow to it, and wasn’t hard to follow at all. It also seemed perfectly complete and nothing was left out, and all of the loose ends were tied up. This book is a 10 out of 10, but it’s aimed mostly for teenage girls. Ultimately, Everything Everything is a forbidden love story between Madeline and Olly as well as Madeline and the Outside world. The only thing I would change about this book is the ending. The book ended so abruptly and I wish it went into a little more detail about what becomes of Madeline. Overall, the book is an excellent story and by far, one of the best I’ve ever read. I would definitely recommend the book for anyone who enjoys love stories with a unique plot.

Every Single Thought Everything, Everything was EVERYTHING I wanted in a contemporary YA romance and more! This book was unputdownable for me and the pages were just flying by and before I knew it the all-consuming romance between Madeline and Olly was put to an unfortunate end. The book overall just flowed right through me and it was such an easy and beautifully written read overall! The characters of Madeline and Olly were so delightfully youthful and full of that nostalgic first love that was almost too sweet and authentic to handle! Madeline and Olly are quirkiness overload and I indulged in every single second of it! "I keep picturing myself floating high above the earth. From the edge of space, I can see the whole world all at once. My eyes don't have to stop at a wall or at a door. I can see the beginning and the end of time. I can see infinity from there. For the first time in a long time, I want more than I have." -Madeline Whittier Meet Madeline (Played by Amandla Stenberg) The main character is a girl named Madeline Whittier (AKA Maddy who is nicknamed by Olly) who suffers from severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) which is known as the "bubble boy disease". She hasn't been able to get out of her own house in almost 17 years because she has a weak immune system. Maddy literally lives in a bubble consisting of a decontaminated house in Los Angeles filled with white walls. Madeline's whole universe consists of her caretaker nurse Carla and her mother. Maddy is described as half Jamaican and half Japanese. In YA novels usually, the diversity is lacking and it is refreshing to read about a girl named Maddy who comes from such a diverse background! Maddy is one of my favorite YA characters because of her outlook on life. She has an adorably curious nature about her and I love how she is fascinated with the outside world around her which she showcases in her notebook and doodles. When she writes about creating the perfect kissing atmosphere I fell in love with her pure innocence and found her to just be full of awesomeness! Maddy has made peace with her disease and even though she is immensely inquisitive about the outside world, she feels safe with her world of books, writing down random facts and quippy book reviews in her journal, and playing phonetic book scrabble with her mother. The Catnopsis The story really begins when a new family moves in next door to Maddy and she sees Olly outside her window. When Maddy becomes curious about Olly is the start of Maddy seeing beyond the confines of her pristine white walls. Olly is a boy that is deeply troubled due to some intense family issues and Maddy is just the girl to help him escape the madness of his life. Olly is at first seen as your typical broody teenager who wears all black and Maddy is the one to bring some color into his world. The dynamic between Maddy and Olly was unique and I absolutely adored reading their conversations and flirtations with one another! Since Maddy has the SKID disease, she cannot interact with anyone outside of her mom and caretaker Carla because she can catch any diseases or sickness new people can bring. In order for Maddy to have new people come into the house, they need to go through a medical and physical background including decontamination (Decontamination entails having a high-speed air bath for an hour.) which Olly endures before meeting Maddy face to face. Although in the beginning they really get to connect with one another online. Maddy and Olly on many nights exchange some hilariously sweet instant messaging chats. Both characters fell in love with one another through learning about one another more than the physical attraction aspect of it which is rare to find in many teen romances. "And then your eyes. I swear they change color. Sometimes they're almost black. Sometimes they're brown. I'm trying to find a correlation between the color and your mood, but I don't have it yet. I'll keep you posted." "Correlation is not causation," I say, just to have something to say. -Olly and Maddy Meet Olly (Played by Nick Robinson) Olly is one of the most selfless and protective characters that I have ever met and he will do anything to make sure that Maddy is safe. He is the kind of guy that is filled with energy and has a pension for headstands and hanging on things which frighten Maddy in the beginning. Throughout the story, Olly inspires Maddy to push past her comfort zone by living every ounce of life available to her even if it is her last. "ONCE UPON A time there was a girl whose entire life was a lie." -Maddy Everything, Everything was a book that completely touched me in so many ways and I love how different it is compared to other romances I have read in the past. The chemistry between the characters was genuine and you can feel that they truly loved and cared for one another whether they were together and even deeper when they were apart. You can feel the strong and unbreakable bond between Olly and Madeline. Their connection was so in sync to one another and so unique that no one could truly break it. This book made me laugh and I loved the idiosyncracies and banter between the two characters. I will never forget their amazing and spontaneous trip to Hawaii and Maddy's childlike fascination with the "humuhumunukunukuapuaa fish" (Which is a real fish by the way.), the gross bundt cake recipe, fascination with head stands, and obsession with outer space. Maddy and Olly speak their own language and it was a pleasure to delve into the world of Maddy and Ollie. Nicole Yoon's Writing Nicole Yoon's writing doesn’t prescribe to the normal conventions of a YA novel and there were so many eccentricities all throughout the book. One of the many things I loved best about Everything, Everything was Maddy's notebook. Maddy's notebook is the place where you are introduced to the world of Maddy. The notebook was filled with doodles, her own personal dictionary, medical charts, book reviews, and her own dramatic declarations of love for Olly. The voice of the characters in her writing is strong because you can really understand the struggle that the characters are going through. There were so many sentences in Yoon's book that I had to reread again and again in order to really experience her perfectly poetic language! The great thing about Nicole Yoon's writing is that not only is the writing impeccable, it is also an easy read that makes you want more of Maddy and Olly! Pop Culture References (Shawn and Angela) The chemistry between Maddy and Olly is as intense as the chemistry between Shawn and Angela in Boy Meets World! The sparks that flew between Shawn and Angela sometimes was more intense to watch than Cory and Topanga! Even though, this book has to be one of the best YA romances I have read all year I have to say that there was a significant plot twist to the story that changed the whole trajectory of the book. The plot twist in the book took me in for a surprise and I felt it was a bit rushed and underdeveloped. If it wasn't for the plot twist in the book I would have given this book five stars but instead, I give it a solid four and a half stars. Honestly, I feel like the plot twist was unnecessary for the book and it kind of devastated me in the end! I was completely and utterly surprised when I learned about this plot twist! I swear I didn't see it coming! My heart broke for the characters and I just found it hard to accept the truth because I felt it was so rushed. Even though the plot twist was disappointing please don't let the plot twist deter you from reading the book! This book is a must-read, it is unforgettable, and the chemistry and adventures between Maddy and Olly are everything you can ever imagine.

Originally, I saw friends reading this and they loved it. I immediately put my request in for it at the library. The ebooks always take time, so by the time I was notified that a copy was available I had forgotten about this book. This turned out to be a great YA read. It had me sucked in right from the start. "I've read many more books than you. It doesn't matter how many you've read. I've read more. Believe me. I've had the time. Seventeen year old Madeline lives with her mother and hangs out with her nurse/friend Carla throughout the day. See she can't leave her home because she's been diagnosed to have a rare disease that leaves her basically allergic to the world. It's called SCID. Each time her mother or nurse come and go into the house they have to go through a decontamination process to make sure they don't bring anything into the sterile environment that Madeline needs to live. Never leaving your house makes for a lot of free time of which Madeline reads, watches movies or plays games with her mother. One of the things that I loved was how she writes her name in her books and rewards to who ever will return it if it's ever lost. She was so creative and funny. "Property of Madeline Whittier Reward if Found (Check all that apply) - Picnic with me (Madeline) in a pollen-filled field of poppies, lilies and endless man-in-the-moon marigolds under a clear blue summer sky. - Drink tea with me (Madeline) in a lighthouse in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean in the middle of a hurricane. - Snorkel with me (Madeline) off Molokini to spot the Hawaiian star fish - humuhumunukunukuapuaa. This was her normal life. She was content with it. Until one day, when she hears the familiar sound of a moving truck at the house next door. She watches from her window while the family moves in. That's when she sees him, Olly and he sees her. Later, Olly and his sister Kara bring over a bundt cake their mother made wanting to meet Madeline. Unfortunately, her mother has to refuse the food and can't let them in because of Madeline's disease. The things Olly did with that bundt cake latter had me cracking up. Soon though, Olly and Madeline begin chatting through emails or IMs. It takes Madeline some time, but eventually she opens up about her disease and why she can't go outside. Olly was awesome about it. He didn't stop talking to her or run away and their friendship grew stronger. With Carla's help they do sneak some visits and let Olly come over to meet Madeline. The rules are to never touch, just talk. And they follow those rules...in the beginning. But later they test their boundaries by holding hands and then a kiss. Soon Madeline is willing to risk it all for him. "I was happy before I met him. But I'm alive now, and those are not the same thing." Gah! I loved this book! More than I thought I would. I even dreamed about it. Maybe it's because I had a connection with the Hawaii part. I had been to the exact places that were discussed in this book. The attached picture is one I took of Black Rock. Whatever the case may be, this book made me stop and realize that life is short and precious. We take so many things in life for granted and it's nice to have a reminder every now and then. "Everything's a risk. Not doing anything is a risk. It's up to you." This was my first read by Nicola Yoon. I loved her husband's drawings that were added. The writing was perfect, captivating and really made me feel. I also liked the plot twist added towards the end. I wasn't expecting it. I was actually expecting a different ending, but the twist, while while sad made for a better ending to me. If you like YA then I would definitely recommend this one.

This is by far one of my favourite reads of 2015. I devoured this book and was so sad to see it end! I was a bit worried about the book being over-hyped and so I went into it with really low expectations. Oh, what a beautiful, pleasant surprise this turned out to be. Maddie and Olly are easily one of my top favourite couples, right up there with Dash and Lily, Lia and Rafe, Anya and Win, Rory and Stephen and Anna and Etienne - just to name a few (and that is only my YA couple's list)! Their relationship could not have been shaped, formed, described, told any better than it was. It was so adorable, I wanted to hug this book to my chest and never let go. Maddie is an 18 year old girl who is literally allergic to the outside. She lives in a super sterilized environment at home created by her mother with an airlock that prevents outside contaminants from entering. Maddie is an only child, having lost her father and brother at a very young age, and therefore her mother is extremely protective over Maddie's well being and having her stay as healthy as possible. Meaning, no contact whatsoever with the outside world. Maddie goes to school "online" and has a private tutor who has to undergo a lengthy sterilization before entering the home environment, as well as a special nurse/caretaker who looks after Maddie when her mom's at work. Maddie spends all her time reading...that is, until Olly. When Olly moves in next door with his family, Maddie is fascinated and begins to watch their every movement and interaction - particularly that of Olly's. Olly attempts to communicate with Maddie and introduce himself with a very special bundt cake, but is warded off by her mother. This begins a series of events that leads to the cutest relationship ever. Suicidal bundt cakes, messages on windows, emails and online chatting, these two realize they are in too deep...and with a little help find a way to meet and be together. Until Maddie gets really sick. I loved the structure of the book, the illustrations, the little notes, and emails and drawings. Nicola Yoon did a fantastic job in allowing us, the readers, to connect with these characters and feel invested in their love story and their seemingly impossible happy ending. I kept preparing myself for the tears that would come, knowing that suffering was inevitable for these two, given Maddie's disease. Heart-wrenching and beautifully told, this is a love story that will stay with you long after it's over. The twist at the end is one that you will either love or hate. Personally, I liked it and didn't see anything wrong with taking that route, even though it vilifies certain characters. Everything, Everything is a book that will make your chest constrict and your heart flutter simultaneously.

Love is worth everything. Everything. There is something about Everything, Everything, that was uniquely different. It wasn't just one particular moment that made me fall in love with this book, it was an culmination of a perfect story, fantastic characters, and romance. The writing flowed so effortlessly and it was infused with such whit and emotion, that it had me eager to escape into the story. The story centers Madeline Whittier. She's eighteen and she just happens to be allergic to the world. Her disease has prevented her from ever leaving her house, so Madeline has never had the chance to have the normal teen-aged experiences. Other than her mom, her nurse, Carla, and her tutors via Skype, she has very little interaction with the outside world. "Wanting just leads to more wanting. There’s no end to desire." Maddy is usually ok with the life she lives. Yes, she sometimes imagines what it would be like to be "normal", but for the most part she's accepted her circumstances.... until Oliver "Olly" Bright. When Olly moves in next door, she becomes intrigued by him. She fascinated with all of his quirks and moods and the two form an unlikely friendship. Their electronic interactions become the highlight of her day. They are her one piece of normality. The more she interacts with Olly, the more Maddy begins to question all the what ifs, and for the first time she wants so much more than what she has. “Do you ever wonder what your life would be like if you could just change one thing?" Honestly there were so many things I loved about this book. Madeline! God this girl, I love her. She was bookworm (score!!) and she had kept these amusing diaries and journals. Maddy was hilariously funny without even trying, not to mention smart, cool, and I loved her honest whit. It was also awesome to see a multi-ethnic character (Maddy was half Japanese/half black.) Now, Olly he made my hear go pitter patter. Seriously, he was a great mix of being smart, athletic, sweet, funny, and oh how I loved his quick sarcasm. He was a perfect balance to Maddy and he CARED, truly cared about her. "Today is the same as yesterday. Tomorrow will be the same as today. In the Book of Maddy, all the chapters are the same. Until Olly." This book stole a little piece of my heart. There was an overall feeling that I got from this story and it crept up on me and consumed by attention. This book made me laugh out loud more than once but it also made me tear up. There was such sweet romance, a plot twist, and experienced so many different emotions. Hats off to Mrs. Yoon. This was a fantastic debut novel and I'm anxious to read more from this author. "Life is a gift. Don’t forget to live it.”

Overview/ Review (with Spoilers) Everything, Everything is similar to Recovery Road in terms of format. It is setup like a diary, though unlike Recovery Road it has pictures, and each would be chapter is short. However, with a movie coming up this August, starring Amandla Stenberg and Anika Noni Rose, you know I couldn’t resist. Though, let me tell you, this is by no means the best YA novel I’ve ever read. Characters & Storyline Since she was a baby, Madeline hasn’t left her house. Her mother, a doctor, has diagnosed her with SCIDs (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency) after her getting gravely ill as a baby. What this basically does is turn her into a bubble child (Think Jake Gyllenhaal’s Bubby Boy). Which, if you saw the movie, you’ll remember means a lot of remodeling of the family home in order to accommodate the disease. So, with some money Maddy’s mom came into, she is able to redo the house to keep Maddy healthy. Thus leading to, for more than 15 some odd years, the only people Maddy interacting with being her mom and nurse Carla. However, then comes Olly, a boy who moves in next door. His curiosity, his being new to the area, draws him to the cute girl who just watches people from the window. So, thanks to a bit of perseverance, and Maddy’s own curiosity, they become friends and so blooms the desire to become something more. But is that possible when Maddy can’t do things normal girls do? Will Olly, considering his family situation, as well as the ability to meet tons of girls at school, really give him the time to deal with the frustration which is having to adjust his life to meet the requirements of what he needs to do just to see Maddy? Well… Highlights Maddy and Olly’s Relationship Is Adorable No matter what the YA novel is, pretty much it is the relationships and/or the friendships, that keep you interested. Especially in books like these which don’t have their lead with some serious sort of affliction which can give the reader a quick shock or scare. So, it makes it where as you read Maddy meeting and getting to know Olly, it is very cute. After all, once you take into account how isolated Maddy has been, and this is probably one of the few boys her age she has had the chance to interact with, it makes you a bit nostalgic. This is, of course, assuming you are my age, nearly a decade away from Maddy’s, and reading her talk about the butterflies and how being within a couple of feet from someone you are into makes the hairs on your arms stand. All of it, truly, reminds you of what it was like to be young and have a full-fledged, it could happen, type of crush. The kind you dream about and so much more. It’s Not Too Heavy or Sensationalized I think I’m not alone in saying that the YA novel genre has become saturated with drug addiction, accidental deaths, various kinds of abuse, and with that it makes books which don’t include that seem tame. Heck, they seem boring in comparison. For, after all, books are about escapism, going into someone else’s world, usually more interesting than yours, and getting away. Yet, at the same time, books are also about finding someone, or something, to relate to, despite your difference. Maddy’s life is bare. She has her mom, Carla, and a computer she strangely only does school work on. Even when Olly enters her life, there is nothing sensationalized about their relationship. He isn’t some bad boy she is trying to save nor is he just some curious dude who is bored. In a lot of ways, Everything, Everything reminds you that storytelling, and coming of age, isn’t just about having sex for the first time, your first drink, your first smoke, or what often are considered things that adults do. It’s about experiencing life with the only influence your parents having is how they live by example and you deciding what to, or not to, take from that. Which includes how you handle being offered sex, drugs, and etc., as well as how you handle tragedy, how you are as a friend or partner when that other person is hurting and more. Overall: Mixed (Borrow) While I really have nothing but praise for Everything, Everything here is the thing. It’s not for everyone. This book isn’t about escapism but providing perhaps a character to relate to. Hence why Maddy is Black and Asian, just like Nicola Yoon’s children will be. This book, in a way, is about breaking the mold, not giving in to the need for sudden shocks and the usual beliefs of what teens get themselves, and each other, into. This book is for those who may have issues with their parents, maybe never been kissed, but nonetheless are completely normal. With that, as much as the book has quotable lines up the ying yang, it doesn’t really bring me to say you should buy it nor can I strongly recommend it. It’s a quick read which won’t be taxing on your time and emotions but with it just being cute, even with Maddy’s diagnosis, it doesn’t come up with ways to make you wanna read this over and over again. As much as we get to know Maddy and Olly, as well as their friends and family, they don’t leave a strong impression for they are so normal that, minus or plus one or two things, you probably already know someone like them. Hence the Mixed (Borrow) label for while those prepping for the movie I think may enjoy the insight, and surely will look forward to certain moments in the movie, I think on its own Everything, Everything may do things differently, but not in such a way it becomes exemplary.

(as reviewed on my Goodreads): I'm conflicted between a 3-star (average) rating and 4-star one. During the reading process, I definitely would give it 4-stars. The concept behind the plot of the story is without a doubt extremely interesting! In fact, it was the trailer for the movie that caused me to make this purchase. I loved that we got a biracial character (especially one where both of sides are ones of color). Her disease drew me in! The love interest drew me in! I enjoyed the book. It was short, but covered a lot of ground - which I thoroughly enjoyed. It was easy to become fascinated with Maddy. I mean, the girl was persevering despite her challenges, and she was brilliant! But I found myself leaning more towards Olly. He was intriguing. I think that's because Yoon was able to capture the reader in a way that allowed us to see everything through Maddy's eyes - especially the handsome, mysterious next door neighbor with the screwed up family. Nicola Yoon really manifested the reader into the story for me - that's something that I love and is shockingly (sadly) hard to find in a lot of books today. Even the twist towards the end was something I completely wasn't expecting and I felt it really added to the story and showcased the broad scope of not only child abuse, but also mental illness. I've read quite a few reviews where people were very upset about the plot twist - but while I understand their emotions on the matter, I thought it was quite the shocking twist that really defined the turn of the story for our characters. Basically, I loved the story. So why am I giving it three stars? To be honest, I can't really put it into words. Yes, the plot was good, and the characters lovable; yes, I absolutely couldn't stop reading it. I was addicted and could not put it down. But, I realized that once I reached the final page, I didn't feel complete. I felt like the story had just dropped and wasn't left feeling entirely satisfied. And I don't mean that in the sense of "Oh my goodness, I hope there's a sequel" - but more of a feeling that the story didn't hold on to me once I was finished. Of course, this was just my first time reading - and sometimes once I read more than once I grow more attached. Nonetheless, good book!

amazing quality and really copy

Ho pianto tantissimo leggendo questo libro: all'inizio, durante e alla fine, perché separarmi dai personaggi è stato uno strazio. Storia ben pensata, costruita ancora meglio, con uno stile da cui staccarsi sembra impossibile. La svolta finale è un pochino prevedibile, ma ho comunque apprezzato tantissimo il modo in cui è stata raccontata la storia. Meravigliose anche le illustrazioni che danno un tocco in più al libro. L'inglese utilizzato non è difficilissimo, per un livello intermedio può andar bene, ma munitevi di dizionario perché incontrerete parole che non conoscete!

Madeline Whittier is 17 years old and she does not go outside her home because she has Severe Combined Immunodeficiency, basically she is allergic to the world. However, new neighbours move into the house next door and Madeline spots a teenage boy called Olly. Follow Madeline as she looks out of her window and dreams of a life outside. Everything, Everything is a debut novel but you would never guess it because her writing is of such high quality and polished. I loved the format of this book, first person with a linear time scale. Madeline wonderfully describes her life to the reader so that we know what it is like to be trapped in her home and to fear the big, dangerous outside world. The story is so engaging and although told from a female perspective, blokes can so easily relate to it. There is a lot of romance here but it is not slushy or off-putting. The romance is soft and tender, drawing the reader in with hope. You can only wish for things to turn for the better with Madeline. I loved the philosophy weaved into this story. The dialogue shared with the reader leads to some wonderful quotes to take away with you… “Everything’s a risk. Not doing anything is a risk. It’s up to you.” “It’s not your fault. Life is a gift. Don’t forget to live it.” “You’re not living if you’re not regretting.” ...I thoroughly enjoyed reading Everything, Everything. Many people are finding it a challenge staying at home during the Coronavirus pandemic which makes this book extremely easy to relate to. I just wish that Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales would read this book and reconsider his decision to keep Wales stuck at home, lagging and trapped behind the rest of the UK, as most of Great Britain eases out of lockdown. Although this book is set in California, readers in lockdown around the globe can relate so easily to Madeline’s entrapment. Everything, Everything is basically a love story but with a lot more thrown in. It is a TOP CLASS read with a happy ending that gets 5 stars from me.

Love this book

Ah! I'm not a teenager but this book was captivating! I loved the way it was written in simple ways but also very eloquently, making anyone really appreciate everything in life that you take for granted. I read this in 3 nights ... I didn't want to stay up as late as I did but it was that addicting. The plot and ending were not completely predictable and I was definitely surprised. I liked the whole thing. Only thing was that I had the Kindle edition and some text on some of the pages with images were difficult to read. The images added a funny and interesting perspective and definitely added to the book. Could have been hard for me to read because it was so late at night! I'm looking forward to reading the The Sun Is Also A Star!