walk the beat

GOODREADS SYNOPSIS

A coming-of-age tale of fan fiction, family and first love. 

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?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

MY REACTION

I'll really be surprised if there ever comes a day I give a Rainbow Rowell book less than 5 stars. Her writing style is beautifully simple and simply beautiful. These characters, for lack of a better term, are just REAL. This is the third book I've read by Ms. Rowell and it just gets better and better. She has a talent that can't be denied. Even the fanfic in the story had me wishing Simon Snow was an actual book series. Harry Potter who? Put your wands down, guys. I'm only kidding. Cath is introverted, anxiety-ridden and unsure. Levi is sweet, overtly social and painfully charming. Sounds like a perfect match, right? Ha! They were entrancing to watch read. Anytime an author can leave you wanting more, I think they've succeeded at their job. This isn't a case of wanting more because I need questions answered or situations resolved. This is because I'm being outright selfish and I want more time with Cath & Levi. I want more time in the world that is Fangirl.