Me Being Me Is Exactly as Insane as You being You - Todd Hasak-Lowy

Me Being Me Is Exactly as Insane as You Being You – Todd Hasak-Lowy

I received a copy of this through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review, and to be honest, I am really not sure where to start.

Firstly I would like to say I did not finish this book, I tried my hardest to, but I physically could not bring myself to continue. Don’t take this as a sign of it being a bad book, as it really wasn't, the characters were interesting as was the story, however I really found it was not for me.

First let’s have a look at the synopsis

‘Darren hasn't had an easy year.

There was his parents’ divorce, which just so happened to come at the same time his older brother Nate left for college and his long time best friend moved away. And of course there’s the whole not having a girlfriend thing.

Then one Thursday morning Darren's dad shows up at his house at 6 a.m. with a glazed chocolate doughnut and a revelation that turns Darren’s world inside out. In full freakout mode, Darren, in a totally un-Darren move, ditches school to go visit Nate. Barely twenty-four hours at Nate’s school makes everything much better or much worse—Darren has no idea. It might somehow be both. All he knows for sure is that in addition to trying to figure out why none of his family members are who they used to be, he’s now obsessed with a strangely amazing girl who showed up out of nowhere but then totally disappeared.

Told entirely in lists, Todd Hasak-Lowy's debut YA novel perfectly captures why having anything to do with anyone, including yourself, is:

1. painful
2. unavoidable
3. ridiculously complicated
4. possibly, hopefully the right thing after all’

The concept of this story really caught my eye, the story seemed intriguing and the fact the story was told in lists, I just wasn’t sure how this was possible. But it really was. The whole story is page to page lists carrying the story and taking you on a journey from short points of what is happening. It almost feels like a short but sweet journal. Giving you the facts and not flirting around the unnecessary background noise. However this is what I feel made me struggle, at first I was captivated by this concept to see where it was going, how it would progress, but eventually you realise, it is actually going to be like this the whole way through. I think this is what I struggled with most, as I slowly began to lose interest and patience in the style of the writing, as I wanted to know more, I wanted the insignificant and yet needed background details.

I found the characters interesting, like I have said, and there seemed to be a lot of depth and I feel a lot more to learn about each of the characters overall. In any standard written book I would have enjoyed learning more about them, rather than having to figure pieces out myself through the lists, I guess that just makes me seem an impatient reader.

I honestly feel for the right type of reader this book will be great, you just have to be incredibly open to the idea of a novel written entirely of lists and be patient with this writing style throughout. As I have said, just because I couldn't go on to finish this book doesn't mean this is a bad story; it just wasn't the right style of story for me.

I would encourage anyone to give this book a read, as I personally have never seen a book like it, and it is worth a read and if you managed to finish it, or have read the entire book I would love to know your thoughts, as It may encourage me to persist and carry on through the abundance of lists.

I have given this a 3 out of 5 star rating.