Mrs. B's Read to Lead Blog: Fangirl

Summary: Fangirl tells the story of Cather Avery and her twin sister, Wren during their freshman year of college. Wren has decided she doesn't want to live with her sister and Cath is crushed. Cath has always been with her sister and isn't sure she wants to do the college thing if she can't be with her. Cath is the main character and she writes fan-fiction for a series called Simon Snow (similar to Harry Potter). This is woven into her identity. Cath and Wren are both very independent primarily because their mother left them at a very young age. Their father has emotional break downs from time to time and doesn't like to take medication. Cath meets her roommate, Reagan, who doesn't even bother to get to know her until October. Reagan's boyfriend, Levi, is always in their room. Cath and Wren get into a fight when her father has a break down and Cath chooses to go home and Wren doesn't. Cath's writing is extraordinary. Her writing partner, Nick and her professor think so. Cath is trying to finish her fan-fiction book Carry On before the last book in the Simon Snow series is released. Levi, her new boyfriend is a distraction but she realizes that being in the here and now might be better than living vicariously through Simon, Baz and Penelope.

Rowell, R. (2015). Fangirl. New York: St. Martins Griffin.

Commentary: This book is a New Adult book intended for audiences aged 18 - 30. I truly enjoyed this book, maybe because I have a college student and it was something she and I could talk about. The comparison Rainbow makes in the book about months... “Months are different in college, especially freshman year. Too much happens. Every freshman month equals six regular months—they're like dog months.” I love this quote and my college daughter completely related. I could relate to all of the characters. I am much like Cath myself. I would rather stay in that go out. My husband on the other hand is the Wren in our relationship. He thrives on people and human interaction. I liked the connection to Simon Snow, where you find yourself attached to things from days past and struggling to let go. Growing up is hard to do.

Connections: I would consider this book a Realistic Contemporary Fiction novel about the life and experiences of Cath, during her first year of college. The book does a good job developing a love story, no matter the kind of love, between Cath and Wren, Cath and Levi, Simon and Baz, their father and the sisters. Rainbow helps you to fall in love with all of the characters, their stories and their history. The book eventually focuses on the consequences of Cath's choices and she grows into her own person, one separate from her "twin sister."

The link to the author's page for Rainbow Rowell.

Book Trailer