Every Exquisite Thing

By: Matthew Quick

Narrated by: Vanessa Johansson

Nanette O'Hare is an unassuming teen who has played the role of dutiful daughter, hardworking student, and star athlete for as long as she can remember. But when a beloved teacher gives her his worn copy of The Bugglegum Reaper--a mysterious, out-of-print cult classic--the rebel within Nanette awakens.

As she befriends the reclusive author, falls in love with a young but troubled poet, and attempts to insert her true self into the world with wild abandon, Nanette learns the hard way that rebellion sometimes comes at a high price.

A celebration of the self and the formidable power of story, Every Exquisite Thing is Matthew Quick at his finest.

Critic reviews

"Any listener interested in a coming of age story with a difference will fine Every Exquisite Thing makes for a powerful saga."—California Bookwatch/Midwest Book Review

"Every Exquisite Thing lives up to the hype...You're going to wish you could follow Quick's awesome heroine Nanette for another 500 pages or so when you get to the end."—Bustle.com

* "The author's beautifully written first-person narrative captures the thoughts and feelings of a sensitive eighteen-year-old girl struggling against the shallowness she sees around her....All of the elements of this novel work together to make this an outstanding coming-of-age story."—VOYA, starred review

* "Quick continues to excel at writing thought-provoking stories about nonconformity.... [and] paints a compelling portrait of a sympathetic teenager going through the trial-and-error process of growing up."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

* "Like the many anticonformity books before it, this will find a dedicated audience among teen readers."—School Library Journal, starred review

"Quick's story will speak to teenage eccentrics: loners, rebels, and creative types; the kind to follow Booker's suggestions to read Bukowski and Neruda; those ripe for transformation."—Horn Book

"A strong, well-written female protagonist sets this coming-of-age novel apart."—Kirkus Reviews

"Quick creates beautifully well-rounded characters, particularly Nanette, whose first-person narrative, rich with wry observations and a kaleidoscope of meaningful emotions, offers great insight into the mind of a teen on a sometimes sluggish, spiraling path toward sorting herself out."—Booklist

"[Quick] will give readers lots to chew on as they join Nanette in sorting out angst from general privileged malaise."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

perfect

I couldn't have read this book in the more perfect time. I honestly connected with me in a way I didn't know if book could do. I didn't know I could relate to someone in a book. Again in the perfect timing I literally had some events are quite similar that happened in this book, and it's nice to know that I'm not alone even though I may be. But I'm okay and I learned one thing from this and, it is that It's okay shit is hard, and life is harder. But and we can't stay contained within our selves or live for others forever, and everyone that is her and gone will stay right where they are...And it's okay. In the end it's only you yourself and you. Do it your way, just don't kill everyone doing it.

thought provoking - blissfully painful and real<br />

slow start. amazing lessons. never had a book make me think like this. an interesting cast that i was glad to meet

Every exquisite story

Everything Matthew quick touches is gold from his inspiring quotes to his broken characters. This novel grips at the very core of the human heart and leaves you breathless. Never accept the labels we are given. Embrace your inner weirdo and read this novel.

Good book

There's a lot of me in Nanette O'Hare....brings back all sorts of emotions from high school. I think about my 12 year old daughter as she enters JR high and high school years to follow. His story & characters are ALWAYS so corky & out THERE!! This is my 5 read novel my Matthew Quick!