If I say that this young adult novel was on my radar because the cover was designed by Gingerhaze, who I follow on Tumblr, because someone linked me to her fanart for Avengers and Lord of the Rings… then I guess it’s safe to say I’m a fangirl. And I’m not alone!
Cath is a college freshman and an extreme introvert. Her first year at university is complicated by the fact that she’s generally more comfortable with her laptop, sitting up until the wee hours of the morning writing fanfiction, than with actual people. Online, she’s a BNF, a Big Name Fan, the author of an epic work-in-progress set in the World of Mages, a thinly-veiled homage to the Harry Potter-verse, if Draco Malfoy were a vampire, or maybe Loki went to Hogwarts. In “real” life, she’s worried about her dad’s mental health, increasingly estranged from her more outgoing, frat-partying twin, and she suspects her roommate hates her. And her fanfiction about mages Simon and Baz isn’t going to help her through writing class, where she’s supposed to find a narrative voice of her own.
Author Rainbow Rowell is having a good year: both Fangirl and her other 2013 novel, Eleanor and Park, are on “best of the year” lists for teens at Amazon and the New York Times. As in Eleanor and Park, Rowell writes with empathy for a wide range of characters. I particularly liked Cath’s roommate, who is abrasive and sarcastic and still a good friend. Hanger-about Levi is a welcome contrast to high-strung Cath, having perfected the art of being laid back. (“He looked like he was leaning on something even when he wasn’t. He made standing look like vertical lying down.”)
As a bonus, it cheered me to see the love for Harry Potter still percolating through pop culture a generation later. Reading about Cath’s fannish enthusiasms brought back fond memories of the midnight release for Book 8. This is a light, quick read with a sweet romance (a much sweeter and easier romance than in Eleanor and Park). Readers who enjoy books by John Green or Sarah Dessen should give it a try.
Check the WRL catalog for Fangirl.
Blogging for a Good Book 
The cover got me, too. This looks adorable! Thanks for sharing!
Reblogged this on Musings in the Morning and commented:
Well. I’ve been dumbfounded when I found out about this new book! I just finished reading Attachments a few weeks ago and am longing for a new fun read. I’m looking forward to it! Eleanor & Park made me experience first love all over again. Attachments taught me that life is full of unexpected twist and turns and sometimes you just might find love in the most unconventional way. Here’s another one by Rainbow Rowell! I have high expectations! :)
Thanks for sharing this! :)
After reading this, I just had to get that novel and finish it..I just loved it
[…] read a review of this book , Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, here. I have been eyeing the books Eleanor and Park and this for some time, but didn’t work out to […]
Reblogged this on siroctavius's Blog.
OH GOD TUMBLR INTRODUCES YOU TO SUCH BEAUTY x <33
This book is my most recent read and I was pleasantly surprised by how good it is. I usually avoid hyped up books, but I’m glad I caved into reading this one.
Great review and happy reading! :)
Reblogged this on Desolated Randomness.