Fangirl

By: Rainbow Rowell

Narrated by: Rebecca Lowman, Maxwell Caulfield

Length: 12 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

In Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl, Cath is a Simon Snow fan. Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan, but for Cath, being a fan is her life - and she's really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow Series when they were just kids; it's what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath's sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can't let go. She doesn't want to.

Now that they're going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn't want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She's got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words...And she can't stop worrying about her dad, who's loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this? Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories? Open her heart to someone? Or will she just go on living inside somebody else's fiction?

©2013 Rainbow Rowell (P)2013 St. Martin's Griffin

Not my favorite by Rainbow, but...

... very listenable. I related a lot to Cath's "freshman blues" and her family dynamic, so she was an enjoyable character for me to read. I just didn't get the same kind of electricity as I did from Eleanor & Park or, oddly enough, Carry On. Perhaps because, in this instance, Rowell's phenomenally written characters were participating in a simpler, less exciting storyline? Also, I would've loved to have heard this book done in the dual perspective style of her others, as I feel that has really added depth to her characters' relationships in her other works.

Bloop

The end doesn't feel like an end. But I loved this story! I think I need a Levi in my life.

Unexpectedly wonderful

4.5 stars. I have to admit, I avoided this book for a long time because I was judging it by its cover. It looked like it was going to be a light, beach read type of story about a girl who writes fanfic and her plain vanilla romance with a cute guy. This is NOT that book. There is so much depth to the characters and the story; it’s not at all what you would expect. As with Rowell’s other books, the writing is simple (and by that I mean every word is carefully chosen, with no excess and no purple prose) yet elegant, and there are some beautiful moments described as only she can. Rowell has a way of drawing you into the heart and mind of the protagonist almost instantly, so that you feel everything Cath feels from the first moment to the last, and you keep thinking about her afterward. The narrators were also perfect—Rebecca Lowman is one of my new favorites. Highly recommend.

Fantastic Audio!

I adored this book! Well, until the end at least. Also, I listened to the audiobook which was fantastic! Great narration.

When Cath's twin decides to spread her wings at college, Cath is left to fend for herself. She's completely out of her comfort zone and has a rough time adjusting. She's too shy, she's too nervous, she's too nerdy and she's completely miserable. Luckily, her surly roommate takes pity on her. And with Reagan comes Levi, her always happy and smiling boyfriend.

"I feel sorry for you, and I'm going to be your friend."
"I don't want to be your friend," Cath said as sternly as she could. "I like that we're not friends."
"Me, too. I'm sorry you ruined it by being so pathetic.”

Like I said, I adored this. The characters were real to me. I felt like I was there going through everything right along with Cath. I was rooting for her. I was also rooting for "you know who"!

That being said, the ending needed some work. As in an actual ending! I was listening and all of a sudden it was over. "Thank you for listening, blah, blah blah." It could have been a 5 star book if not for that non-end.

Fantastic for fangirl

I loved this book. I think Rainbow Rowell is a phenomenal writer who has thoughtful and brilliant character development. This is an intelligent book but also sweet and romantic. For me that's a winning combination. I loved Eleanor and Park as well but this was even better. I think I would read anything she writes.

I Didn't Expect to Enjoy it SO MUCH!

If you could sum up Fangirl in three words, what would they be?

Hope
Strength
Love

What did you like best about this story?

The characters.

Have you listened to any of Rebecca Lowman and Maxwell Caulfield ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Rebecca Lowman is one of my favorite narrators. I can't imagine listening to this book being read by anyone else.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I was thoroughly disappointed when it was over! I wanted to know more about all of the characters. It made me want to start writing Cath Avery fan fiction!

Any additional comments?

I have listened to two books by Rainbow Rowell now. I can't wait to listen to the rest of this author's amazing work. She is quickly moving to the top of my list of favorite authors! I can't wait for Carry On!

Beautiful story

I love this story. It feels so real. The characters relatable and their archs, relationships and interactions are beautifully written. I have listened to it multiple times and always find myself walking away smiling.

A Story of Emowpering Growth

The narrative of this novel was soothing, a voice to Cath that I had pictured in my own head and a voice that helped me in a way I didn't even know I needed. Needed almost as much as the story itself.

I read this when I wasn't in the best of places, a place I seem to spend a lot of time in, but Rainbow Rowell has a way of taking those times and showing the good in what might seem a poor situation. The journey Cath takes is such a strong overcoming of self doubt and personal hardship that it was easy to relate to. Each character was well developed, individual, and flawed in a way that made them more human. Rainbow Rowell has quickly become one of my favorite authors and has earned that through her beautiful writing.

While reading this novel I was able to still escape reality (one of the main reasons I crave books) and yet it also helped me solve personal problems within my own life. Rowell outdid herself and many other authors when she wrote this and I couldn't be more grateful that I found it and gave into the hype to read it.

Great book!

I loved everything about this story, even though the ending wasn't the best, the rest was. It was super cute and made me giggle a bunch. The narrators were really awesome as well.

Fangirl for life❤

Love this book!!! I confess I actually read the manga first before going into the Book since the manga will be in different volumes and it left me wanting more. While listening to this book I was laughing and smiling with the interaction with Cath and Levi. The voice actress was a perfect fit for Cath in my opinion. This furthers my love for Rainbow Rowell since I loved Eleanor and Park as well. A great YA novel that anyone at any age can enjoy.