More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

RATING: 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗

Publisher: Soho Teen

Publication Date: June 2, 2015

Format: ebook

Pages: 304

 

 

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“It’s okay how some stories leave off without an ending. Life doesn’t always deliver the one you would expect.”

SYNOPSIS:
In the months after his father’s suicide, it’s been tough for 16-year-old Aaron Soto to find happiness again–but he’s still gunning for it. With the support of his girlfriend Genevieve and his overworked mom, he’s slowly remembering what that might feel like. But grief and the smile-shaped scar on his wrist prevent him from forgetting completely. 

When Genevieve leaves for a couple of weeks, Aaron spends all his time hanging out with this new guy, Thomas. Aaron’s crew notices and they’re not exactly thrilled. But Aaron can’t deny the happiness Thomas brings or how Thomas makes him feel safe from himself, despite the tensions their friendship is stirring with his girlfriend and friends. Since Aaron can’t stay away from Thomas or turn off his newfound feelings for him, he considers turning to the Leteo Institute’s revolutionary memory-alteration procedure to straighten himself out, even if it means forgetting who he truly is. 

Why does happiness have to be so hard?

REVIEW:

This is the first time that I’ve read an LGBT-themed book. For this reason, I don’t have the basis of whether or not it’s better than other LGBT books. However, I find myself enjoying this. I’ve been avoiding this kind of books because of the fear of disliking it for not being able to relate to the characters. Come to think of it, this is a good book especially when it comes to introducing someone the thoughts and emotions of the LGBT community as they face the people who do not accept them for who they are.

Some scenes in this book are very realistic while I’m playing it in my imagination. The discrimination of the people like Aaron and the things that he needs to undergo just because he is gay. The way Adam Silvera dealt with this topic was perfect. I would have to thank him for making me realize different things and how tough it must be for people like Aaron to deal with a cruel world who thinks you’re a freak just because you’re different.

I’m really in love with the plot, as a whole, of this book. However, it’s a bit hard to get into the book in the beginning. The 1/3 of it feels too dragging for me and I was thinking of stopping. Maybe it’s the writing style, which I’m really not a big fan of in the first half of the book. I’m not a big fan of contemporary and I think that’s part of the reason why I dislike the writing style. However as I gave it another chance and continue the book, it gets very interesting and the plot does not only revolve around petty childish issues but the depth of the story was finally taking its toll on me and I’m beginning to understand the protagonist more than I think I would. Plus the memory-alteration thing is creepy and interesting at the same time. It adds more depth to the story that not only the LGBT community would understand but also those people who wish to redo their lives.
I really love this book. I’m highly recommending this to people who needs to have a deeper understanding of the LGTB community. It is an eye-opener to people. I rated it 4 to 4.25 out of 5 stars. I dislike the 1/3 or probably half of the book. Plus the writing style does not appeal to me. The plot is what really gets me and encourages me to finish this book. You should definitely check this out still!