Welcome to Avery Reviews! My 14 year old (almost 15!) daughter shares her thoughts on her latest read:
Mosquitoland by David Arnold
Publisher: Viking Press
Publication Date: March 03, 2015
Source: Viking Press
Publisher’s Description:
I am a collection of oddities, a circus of neurons and electrons: my heart is the ringmaster, my soul is the trapeze artist, and the world is my audience. It sounds strange because it is, and it is, because I am strange.
After the sudden collapse of her family, Mim Malone is dragged from her home in northern Ohio to the “wastelands” of Mississippi, where she lives in a medicated milieu with her dad and new stepmom. Before the dust has a chance to settle, she learns her mother is sick back in Cleveland.
So she ditches her new life and hops aboard a northbound Greyhound bus to her real home and her real mother, meeting a quirky cast of fellow travelers along the way. But when her thousand-mile journey takes a few turns she could never see coming, Mim must confront her own demons, redefining her notions of love, loyalty, and what it means to be sane.
Told in an unforgettable, kaleidoscopic voice, Mosquitoland is a modern American odyssey, as hilarious as it is heartbreaking.
After the sudden collapse of her family, Mim Malone is dragged from her home in northern Ohio to the “wastelands” of Mississippi, where she lives in a medicated milieu with her dad and new stepmom. Before the dust has a chance to settle, she learns her mother is sick back in Cleveland.
So she ditches her new life and hops aboard a northbound Greyhound bus to her real home and her real mother, meeting a quirky cast of fellow travelers along the way. But when her thousand-mile journey takes a few turns she could never see coming, Mim must confront her own demons, redefining her notions of love, loyalty, and what it means to be sane.
Told in an unforgettable, kaleidoscopic voice, Mosquitoland is a modern American odyssey, as hilarious as it is heartbreaking.
Avery’s Thoughts:
Holy crap. How do I review Mosquitoland without spewing out a jumble of words and emotions that make no sense? Well, I’m about to make an attempt.
First of all, I think it’s important that I mention that I greatly related to this story. Or more specifically, to the main character. (Which might make me biased in my love for this book) There’s nothing quite like reading a story and feeling like you could insert yourself right into that character’s place, in some way or another. You get that character, and that character gets you. That just goes to show how well written Mosquitoland is.
This book was heartwarming, heartbreaking, and a million things in between. Clever, funny, sad, quirky, thought provoking…I could go on, but I won’t. Bottom line, it was incredible. There were times while I was reading (numerous times!) that I actually stopped, took my phone out, and took a picture of a page just to capture a specific line or quote. That may have been my favorite thing about this book. There were so many good one-liners. And it didn’t feel like it was trying too hard.
I don’t cry when reading books, watching movies, listening to songs. Nothing. But if anything were to make me come close, it was this book. I’m not sure there’s much else I could write to do this book justice. Ask me to pick my favorite moment in the book? Impossible. Ask me to pick a favorite moment per chapter? Doable.
Lucky for all of you, this book went on sale as of March 3rd! I highly recommend you go out and buy it immediately.
The Relentless Reader 
Nothing better than finding a book that totally speaks to you! So glad this one did just that 🙂
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I love that you had your daughter review this one! She's a fantastic writer 🙂 And – I added this one to my TBR last week.
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Great review Avery! I agree with you, there is nothing like reading a book where you could put yourself in the life of the main character.
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Thanks for the review Avery. I've read several really positive reviews for this, but yours makes it sound even better! It's on my tbr list for sure.
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Love books that do that! Avery, you really make me want to read this. Great review!
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There's nothing better than a book you can fully relate to! I've been hearing great things about this book, and now I really want to read this.
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It really is so awesome when you find a book that you just click with, whether it's characters, setting, timing, or a mixture. So glad this one worked for you! Off to investigate it.
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Wow. I have this on my wish list and now I want to read it even more! Thanks for your fun review and letting me know about the sale. On my way to get it now!
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Wonderful review! It's always so nice when you really relate to the main character in a book. Doesn't happen all that often, but when it does, it makes for such an amazing read.
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This is the second rave review I've seen of this book. Hooray for finding a character you adore!
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Gah, this sounds AMAZING! Must pick up!
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This sounds like something I need to add to my TBR! I love that you used your phone to capture sections/quotes you love- so much smarter than the post-it flags I use!
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Great review, Avery! I read a warning in a review that there is a trigger scene with an assault. That's got me cautious about it, but doesn't mean I won't read it at all. Because often times those are the books that stir the soul!
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Welcome to the blogging world, Avery!! I love your writing style and appreciate that you can share how awesome of a book it is, without spoilers!! I look forward to more reviews from you, as it is always great to get the perspective of a teenager, like yourself! Excellent review and it's a book I plan on buying to read and passing on to my teenage son!
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This is a GREAT review, Avery! And while I didn't really have this book on my radar before, I am captivated now! Also, you get extra cool points for the \”Glass cage of emotion!\” gif. Fave!
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Okay – her first sentence of the review makes it 100% clear that she belongs to you 🙂 Welcome, Avery!
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Good review, Avery! No spoilers, but you really conveyed your enthusiasm for the book as well as what appealed to you about it. Welcome to the blogging world! 🙂
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Great review Avery. It's on my list to be read.
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