Book #6: Fangirl

Well that was fast: another blog post, another book review. I hope you aren’t too put off by my intermittent blog posts but working full time and tutoring on the side leaves me exhausted most days and I’m just dying to crawl into bed by the end of the day.

So for my sixth book this year, I read “Fangirl” by Rainbow Rowell. It’s the first book in the official Tumblr book club and though I didn’t follow the chapter guidelines exactly, I read the book in my own time and just finished it this afternoon.

I think I’m most impressed by Rainbow Rowell’s ability to write like a college freshman. She captures the anxiety of moving into a new dorm and the insecurities of reaching past what you’re comfortable with. Cath is a reliable narrator, unlike the character in the stories she writes, and her being a twin, adds a new layer to a character that is already so unique.

“Fangirl” is an easy read thought I didn’t love the interjections of fanfiction and the real “Gemma T. Leslie” text. Mostly because I have an incessant need to know the entire story and not just parts. I think the book would be able to stand on its own without those intercalary chapters. To me, they don’t add that much to the story other than proving that Rainbow Rowell is able to switch penning characters with believable skill.

All in all, a fast and easy read. I completely relate to Cath as being part of a fandom though my experiences with fanfiction are not nearly as extensive as hers. My favorite fanfic is easily the The ShoeBox Project.

What about you? What are your favorite fanfics?