Before Reading:
Yes, I am aware that this book will definitely make me cry. Yes, I am aware of the consequences that I will have to face once I start reading. I had a soft spot for Adam Silvera ever since I read More Happy Than Not. Now when it comes to things I cannot turn down, it can be books by authors I love very much, or any fandom stuff in between.
I was genuinely surprised because it was intertwined somehow. Alright, my eyes are ready. I have a bucket, just in case I need more reassurance that I will cry while I read this book. Adam, I give you the permission to tear out my heart again.
Title & Author: History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, LGBT
Year Published: 17th of January 2017
Series: None
Pages: 320
Publisher: Soho Teen
Source: Hardback, provided for the tour
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Summary:
When Griffin’s first love and ex-boyfriend, Theo, dies in a drowning accident, his universe implodes. Even though Theo had moved to California for college and started seeing Jackson, Griffin never doubted Theo would come back to him when the time was right. But now, the future he’s been imagining for himself has gone far off course.
To make things worse, the only person who truly understands his heartache is Jackson. But no matter how much they open up to each other, Griffin’s downward spiral continues. He’s losing himself in his obsessive compulsions and destructive choices, and the secrets he’s been keeping are tearing him apart.
If Griffin is ever to rebuild his future, he must first confront his history, every last heartbreaking piece in the puzzle of his life.
After Reading:
Some memories have resurfaced, and some tears were shed. I love Griffin, and I love Theo as well. But my heart breaks as I continue to remember them. I swear, Adam Silvera must live off from his reader’s tears. Semi-kidding. Alright, let’s get to the review.
A reader’s mind can conjure a lot of thoughts while reading a certain book. Meanwhile, an author has that power over the reader that can be effectively played out if you add the right tone to it. History Is All You Left Me has the capability to make a reader feel the highest and lowest emotions that can be felt, and there is no in between.
We have history, where we join Griffin as we go through a journey of being true and accepting who he is. We also get a glimpse of what Theo was like, making it somewhat difficult to transition to today. Because like Griffin, Theo is the kind of character that you can easily get attached to. But it’s like a spike in the heart to remember that he has already past in the beginning of the novel. History manages to capture the essence of young love, same-sex relationship, and accepting oneself (re: OCD). How Adam Silvera managed to capture all of that while talking about zombie pirates and alternative universe theories, I will never know how.
But we also have today, in which we join two significant others that left a mark in Theo’s life, one way or another. Dealing with grief and loss is not easy to do, and coping up with it is certainly tough. That is why we also get to see another side of the characters that we did not get to see in history. Today matters because it gives a new light to the brutally honest truth on what everyone has to face in the aftermath. Adam writes with the truth; the beautiful yet heartbreaking truth.
History Is All You Left Me is practically an invisible roller coaster. You cannot see it, but you don’t exactly know that you are on it. You ride it once you start reading, and you will get all of these honest human emotions reflected on every single page. The ride is enjoyable, but it is one that you won’t forget because it has that huge of an impact. If you want to read a book that is beautiful, wonderfully crafted, and a true expression of #ownvoices, then this one’s for you.
(Know more about my rating system here.)
Connect with Adam!
Twitter || His official site || Goodreads || Youtube
Adam Silvera was born and raised in the Bronx. He has worked in the publishing industry as a children’s bookseller, marketing assistant at a literary development company, and book reviewer of children’s and young adult novels. His debut novel, More Happy Than Not, received multiple starred reviews and is a New York Times bestseller, and Adam was selected as a Publishers Weekly Flying Start. He writes full-time in New York City and is tall for no reason.
Alright, I think that was enough tears in one review. Huge thanks to Nicka at Read by Nicka for letting me be a part of this tour. It has been wonderful. ❤
So, have you read History Is All You Left Me? If so, share your feels with me! If you haven’t read it yet, why not? You should soon! Or if you have not yet read a book by Adam Silvera, what exactly are you waiting for? GO PICK UP ONE OF HIS BOOKS BEFORE THE OTHER ONE COMES OUT. You will not regret it, I swear. Now we go big tonight, okay?
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