I thought the portrayals of teenagers were very realistic. Amnesia or not, high school is full of "drama" and ever-changing relationships. Being a teenager is all about trying to figure out who you are and where you fit in, and this book reflected that well.

I really liked the “love” themes in the book with all the different types. I will say at first I was a little disappointed with the end there wasn’t a big pretty happily ever after delivered with a bow. But then I started thinking about it High School isn’t a happily ever after, so now I think it was pretty appropriate. I am looking forward to reading her other books now too.

Just finished reading the book. It kept me going most of the evening--I needed to know what would happen.
Quite realistic about teen issues.
Loved Will's character. So always there and reliable.
It's like he "will" always love her and care for her. Sweet.

I also kept waiting for that to happen (I guess I have read one to many vamp books lately!!)


But I did love this book I was hooked as soon as I read the first page!!

I really liked this book. it was very deep and profound that It keep me thinking and analyzing and rethinking. and the writting style was right up my ally. She was really inside the mind of a teenager when she wrote this book. and the footnote were awesome and it was my first ever Audio book and the girl that does this audio book is really good. she sounds like naomi, and she changes her tone and inflection for the other character and she does it in a way that is perfect not over dramatic

I saved the book for my return trip on a 25 hour train trip and ended up reading it within the first 4 hours. Oops! I couldn't put it down for long. I can't wait for Stephenie's next recommendation!

At first, I had issues with Naomi and her dealings with her sister. I didn't buy it because I would never do that to a sibling (ignore existence basically) but then I realized I do know people like that. There were other things like that in the book that I was able to relate to or find those characteristics in other people so it made it that much more real which I love. My daughter read it right after me and also really enjoyed it!

I read memoirs at the end of may (I read it in like 2 and a half days) with a detour to revamp NM and now I am already reading Elsewhere-another Gabrielle Zevin book that I like just as much if not more. She is really tallented. if you want a non steph recommendation that would be the one that i give.

I finished this book today on my lunch hour. Stayed up past the tornado sirens last night. I hated putting it down to work and sleep. I really related and remember how it was for me in high school. Yes I was a yearbook/photography/band/choir geek. The yearbook actually carried over into college where I was on the "Royal Purple" staff and paid for it. Its funny how what was important one day can be nothing the next. Then the youthful inexperienced relationships that you know will last for ever and then you have to learn to deal. I remember how painful it could be but I just look at how strong I became, not saying my choices were always wiser but maybe at least more considered. I loved this book and am considering get her other one.

Just finished this tonight. Excellent read. I too requested Elsewhere to read. Hope it gets here soon. I thought she did an excellent job of capturing teenagers. And really gave you a lot to think about in regards to the choices we make.

I just finished it this morning...and I loved it! It took me a while to get started but I ended up not wanting to put it down, I can't wait to read Elsewhere.

I enjoyed this book. It kept my interest. As much as I like Will, I was rooting for James, there is something about him that drew me in...

I liked how Naomi was able to see through so many people because of her amnesia, some of those kids she hung with were real phonies...I DO NOT like them. Wish we all had the opportunity to see through others like that...it is a skill to learn.

The characters were easy to get to know and I was able to get involved.

I really enjoyed the book. I think if Naomi didn't fall and suffer the amnesia she would have just continued on the course her life was taking. I think the amnesia caused her to see things differently and make changes in her life that needed to be made. This book is definitely a keeper.

I also then read Elsewhere. Which I also enjoyed. Thanks Stephenie for introducing me to a new author that I would have never thought to read.

I really enjoyed this book also. The storyline was fun and original. Although it did show more of the darker side of being a teenager which I had been happy to block from my mind until now. One of the only things that I would have changed about it is the language that was used occasionaly. I'm not real keen o0n bad language in the literature I like to read. It's usually a way from me to get away from that sort of stuff that you are forced to hear in everyday life. If I could have taken out those words I would have enjoyed so much more. Unfortunately I have yet to see a company or website that can give you ratings on books concerning bad language. Hopefully some of the other books that Stephanie suggested won't have the same problem. It really makes me dissapointed in her judgement.

Dear Karen.

I've really enjoyed talking to the group this month, so when I read your post (and the last one in this forum!) it made me a bit sad.

Here's how I define "bad language": 1) when a person uses words of hate and/or 2) language with the intent of hurting another person. All other words are, in my mind, just words. I pick words because I hope they are the most expressive of a character in a given situation. If I choose to have a character curse, I have not done so lightly. And if I chose not to have a character curse because I was worried about offending, I would consider this to be a different kind of "bad language" -- "bad language" in that it would be dishonest language. This book (as supposed to my other book, ELSEWHERE) takes place in a modern, realistic setting and I felt the language used in it needed to reflect this.

I hesitated over whether to respond to this post at all, but I felt I had to when you wrote that you were "disappointed" in Stephenie's judgment. Stephenie is only responsible for the content of her own books, not mine. And, as an aside, I think it's a really fine thing she's done in turning her fans onto other authors' books. Most writers aren't nearly so generous to their fans or their colleagues.

Respectfully Yours,
Gabrielle Zevin

P.S. The website commonsensemedia.org does give ratings for books, by the way.

Gabrielle, I am so thankful that you made that post^^..I totally agree with you on the language part.These words are used all the time and are basically meaningless because they hurt no one...they are sort of a decoration and they are certainly a part of life.

Steph also suggested:The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian by Sherman Alexie, this book containes lots of "language" I felt it was one of the most memorable books I have ever read and one of the most realistic.

Thank you Gabrielle for visiting with us.