Review: Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

Title: Everything, Everything

Author: Nicola Yoon

Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers

Release Date: September, 1st 2015

Source: ARC Received from Publisher in Exchange for an Honest Review
  My Rating: 4/5

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster. (Summary from Goodreads)

I have this really weird tendency to put off reading books I know I'm going to love. It's like I'm prepping myself to fall in love with them. It's the reason I haven't read some of my most anticipated books and the reason it took me forever to pick up Everything, Everything. I wish I had picked it up sooner though, because this book was just wonderful.

I definitely haven't read anything like this book before. Maddie's stark, colourless world was so jarring. Even though I knew the basic plot, for some reason I didn't expect how intense it would be. Maddie's harsh reality never seemed to deter her, and it was so interesting getting to read about her life.

Sometimes, I really questioned Maddie's choices. I was so worried for her and didn't understand why she was taking these risks. But, I reminded myself to take a step back. Because there is no way I could ever understand. I couldn't imagine living my life inside the same four walls everyday, never venturing outside or meeting new people. It made perfect sense that Maddie would be willing to take risks after living that way for so long. I loved watching her grow, and ached thinking off all the things she was missing out on. But I was also so blown away by the incredible person she was. Optimistic and caring, smart and hopeful, Maddie was everything I could have hoped for in a protagonist.

And then there was Ollie. What a thoughtful, loving, sweetheart. There was so much going on with him, and I enjoyed getting to know him. I loved watching their relationship develop online, watching them share and learn and grow together the only way they could.  Ollie didn't always agree with Maddie's choices, but he always let her make them.  The fact that he supported her and her right to live her own life, to make her own decisions was so incredibly important. Honestly, it made me so happy I wanted to hug the book.

I wish I had savored this book just a little bit more. I have a tendency to rush through books with short chapters and/or pictures etc. and don't take enough time to read every word on the page. Near the end though, I told myself to slow down and soak up every last word. And they were beautiful, inspiring words. This book reminded me how precious life is, and encouraged me to really live it. It made me want to run outside and experience the world. It reminded me how much their is to life, and how colorful and beautiful it can be. That's really what I love about books like Everything, Everything. They offer a glimpse into a world outside your own and fill you with inspiration.

The only reason this isn't a five star book for me is that I'm still unsure about the ending. I don't talk about spoilers on the blog, so I'll just say it was both exactly what I expected and nothing at all like I expected. Take that however you like!

Everything, Everything was just as wonderful as everyone said it was. I really think this is a book I will read again and again. It was beautifully written, wonderfully crafted, and filled to the brim with life. Read this book. You won't regret it.

Find This Book: Amazon | Chapters/Indigo | Goodreads | Nicola Yoon's Website