Review: The Rest of Us Just Live Here

Author: Patrick Ness
Started reading: May 3rd 2018
Finished the book: May 7th 2018
Pages: 336
Genres: YA, Fantasy, Contemporary
Published: October 6th 2015
Source: Bought the book
Goodreads score: 3.75
My score: 

Synopsis
What if you aren't the Chosen One? The one who's supposed to fight the zombies, or the soul-eating ghosts, or whatever the heck this new thing is, with the blue lights and the death?

What if you're like Mikey? Who just wants to graduate and go to prom and maybe finally work up the courage to ask Henna out before someone goes and blows up the high school. Again.

Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week's end of the world, and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life.

My thoughts

Thanks to Arjen for doing this Buddyread with me! When I heard we were going to read a book from Patrick Ness, I was excited, because I LOVED A Monster Calls. Second book I've read by Patrick Ness, second 5 star score. I have very high expectations for this author from now on, but I do know he is one of my favorites as of today!

Pros

• Chapter beginnings: At first I was a bit confused about the chapter beginnings, because you read about totally different people and strange things that happen. While in the story you don't read much about it. Me and my buddyread were pondering on what it meant and it got us a bit confused about how the story would play out. I loved being kept in the dark and while the story unfolds, I was excited to read the chapter beginnings.
• Anxiety: There aren't many main characters in books that have anxiety the way Mikey has it. I think it's described so well and Mikey is able to tell that he knows what he's doing doesn't make sense and he should stop, but he can't. He explains this with the word loops. It's so important to write about subjects like this, because I feel it's a bit of a taboo to share that you might have anxiety and that you need help with it.
• Narrator: Mikey, I LOVE him. The book really feels like it's told to you by a real person. The little jokes in between narrating are what keeps the story light, while it still describes a pretty heavy subject. Mikey feels real and so do the other characters.
• Fantasy: The chapter beginnings feel like Fantasy, while the story feels like a Contemporary. I was so put off by the chapter beginnings at first, because I felt like the book wasn't a fantasy book. I love how Patrick Ness is able to make you doubt and how he keeps you in the dark.

Cons

Wait, wut?

Overall

This book is exactly what you'd expect if you love Patrick Ness. He is able to create a certain atmosphere in books and to write characters that feel alive. The emotions portrayed in his book are gripping and I can appreciate the mix of maybe-Fantasy with Contemporary.

Other opinions on this book

"Fresh, funny, and full of heart: not to be missed."

- Kirkus Reviews

"Ness' deadpan sci-fi novel pokes fun at far-fetched futuristic fantasies while emphasizing the important victories of merely living. This memorable, moving, and often hilarious read is sure to be a hit."

- Booklist

Memorable quotes from this book

"Because sometimes there are problems bigger than this week's end of the world and sometimes you just have to find the extraordinary in your ordinary life."

"I don't want to die. I want to live. I want to live long enough so I can really live."

"We share our craziness, our neuroses, our little bit of screwed-up-ness that comes from our family. We share it. And it feels like love."

Thanks for reading!

Please let me know what you think about this book.