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Mon, May 20, 2013

You Look Different in Real Life by Jennifer Castle Review

You Look Different in Real Life
By Jennifer Castle
Publication date: June 4, 2013
HarperTeen, 368 pages
Source: Publisher

For the rest of the world, the movies are entertainment. For Justine, they’re real life.

The premise was simple: five kids, just living their lives. There’d be a new movie about them every five years, starting in kindergarten. But no one could have predicted what the cameras would capture. And no one could have predicted that Justine would be the star.

Now sixteen, Justine doesn’t feel like a star anymore. In fact, when she hears the crew has gotten the green light to film Five at Sixteen, all she feels is dread. The kids who shared the same table in kindergarten have become teenagers who hardly know one another. And Justine, who was so funny and edgy in the first two movies, feels like a disappointment.

But these teens have a bond that goes deeper than what’s on film. They’ve all shared the painful details of their lives with countless viewers. They all know how it feels to have fans as well as friends. So when this latest movie gives them the chance to reunite, Justine and her costars are going to take it. Because sometimes, the only way to see yourself is through someone else’s eyes.

Smart, fresh, and frequently funny, You Look Different in Real Life is a piercing novel about life in an age where the lines between what’s personal and what’s public aren’t always clear.

— Goodreads.com description

Ooooh I definitely enjoyed You Look Different in Real Life by Jennifer Castle.

First of all: The concept. Just imagine how hard it would be to have your whole life displayed for the world to see. Hard as a kid, but even harder as a teen. Blech! No, thank you. So it was really interesting to see how Justine coped (or didn’t cope, as the case may be).

Plus: The dynamics between the kids were so spot-on. Okay, sure, the reality movie thing isn’t an everyday situation, but the way Castle depicted the drifting friendships was something we can all relate to. It’s a natural part of growing up, and I love how well it was addressed here. I’ve been thinking I’d like to see move of that in books lately — especially in New Adult books because it gets even worse when everyone splits up for college — so I really loved that aspect of the book.

Otherwise, was it a little predictable? Yes. But I was still entertained.

Wed, February 6, 2013

Waiting On You Look Different in Real Life

“Waiting On” Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine to shine a spotlight on upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.

You Look Different in Real Life
By Jennifer Castle
HarperTeen, 432 pages
To be released June 4, 2013

The premise was simple: five kids, just living their lives. There’d be a new movie about them every five years, starting in kindergarten. But no one could have predicted what the cameras would capture. And no one could have predicted that Justine would be the star. Now sixteen, Justine doesn’t feel like a star anymore. In fact, when she hears the crew has gotten the green light to film “Five at Sixteen,” all she feels is dread. The kids who shared the same table in kindergarten have become teenagers who hardly know one another. And Justine, who was so funny and edgy in the first two movies, just feels like a disappointment. But these teens have a bond that goes deeper than what’s on film. They’ve all shared the painful details of their lives with countless viewers. They all know how it feels to have fans as well as friends. So when this latest movie gives them the chance to reunite, Justine and her costars are going to take it. Because sometimes, the only way to see yourself is through someone else’s eyes.

Smart, fresh, and frequently funny, “You Look Different in Real Life” is a piercing novel about life in an age where the lines between what’s personal and what’s public aren’t always clear.

— Goodreads.com description

I’m a sucker for reality shows. I’m a sucker for books. Put ‘em together, and what does that get? AWESOME!