No Cheating By Looking But Who Do You Think Your Spotify Top Artist Is Gonna Be This Year 👀

They Wish They Were Us: Book Review

Me and my partner both read his book and we want to share out joy with y'all! (I was forced to read it by Ice, and I still liked it.)

So, if you haven't read the book/are still reading it, stop reading this post if you do not want spoilers! Besides that, let's begin!

Alright so They Wish They Were Us (or TWTWU for simplicities sake) is a book about teenager Jill Newman who is entering her senior year of high school. She is part of an elite group called the players. They party hard, have all the answer sheets, and a brutal induction process.

About a year before the book starts Jill's friend and fellow player Shalia was murdered and all the blame is on her boyfriend Graham but Jill starts getting messages from Grahams's sister pledging his innocence.

The book also has heavy mentions and examples of sex, drinking, vaping, drugs, and hazing. Consider these things before reading further in this review or picking the book up for yourself. [Especially if you can't handle subjects like these.]

So! *Handclap* that was the summary from my partner, now. Let's talk about what we thought of the book. I'll go first!

So, as a person who doesn't really read, I was recommended the book by my partner when she was reading it in class. (I do this a lot) So, when I went to Indigo! to pick a copy up and read it. I must say, I would recommend it too!

Jessica Goodman's writing style is legible and has a bit of a lower reading level. But it makes the flow of the book smoother, so audiences can follow along better.

I can doubly agree! Even as someone who often times prefers books written for an older audience, this book continued to engage me with it's twists and turns. Even though I was never part of an elite high school group, I felt like I was truly there with Jill and experiencing the chaos for myself.

One of my favourite parts of the book is seeing Jill slowly realize that the players aren't that great. One way this is done is by showing flashbacks of Jill and Shalia's induction process where they were pressured into drinking, smoking, undressing. Another way this is shown is when Jill's brother Jared is joining the players and Jill see's how it changes him for the worse.

The book also shows that as much as Jill disagrees with what the players do, she feels like she can't leave because of her scholarship. She needs to keep her grades up to stay in the school and the players give her an answer sheet so she can't fail.

Besides that! What about the flaws? Not all books are perfect after all!

They Wish They Were Us, besides the long title. There are a LOT of flashbacks. Not bad, but sometimes they get in the way of the last 30 pages of the book. Although they are usually really important to the plot and the storyline. Also, I understand that the Players were a huge group in the book, but it felt like there were too many characters to remember, and I sometimes get them mixed up. Also, just generally if you accidentally stop paying attention to the page [Especially earlier and later in the book.] you get confused. Then you have to re-read that paragraph. (Not sure if it's just me though.)

And, the Paper-back edition of the book has worse durability than a McDonalds' play-place trampoline. So, if you tend to bend, chip or peel up the covers of your book, take the hardcover... Even if it has a weird slide-off cover. j us t t a ke the ha rd c ov er. (I had the paperback, and my partner had the hardcover.)

Last thing to mention on my half, THE BOOK IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND IN STORES HALF OF THE TIME, MY COPY WAS THE LAST COPY IN THE ENTIRE INDIGO! Other than that,

amazing job Jessica Goodman! you got me into reading again :D

I mean my biggest issue with the book was a plot line that got brought up then completely dropped. After an issue that leads Jill to not having answer sheets anymore, teachers start noticing her declining performance. Jill meets with her principal who kinda sorta threatens the safety of her scholarship. This never comes up after the chapter ends. Most of the issues that Air had didn't really apply to me but I'm just a weirdo who remembers like everything I read so *shrugs*.

But let's stop focusing on the negatives and talk about favourite scenes! One of my favs is when Jill takes part in the Road Rally. It's basically a giant scavenger hunt used as a way to weed out the pussies. With challenges like vaping with teachers and stealing, it places character morals in jeopardy.

Another one of my favourites was a flashback (sorry Air) [Awe come on man :( ] where Shalia takes a bullet for Jill and chugs some QuEsTiOnAbLe Alcohol. It shows both the irresponsibility of the players and how good of a friend Shalia is! Okay, my turn to talk about my favourite bits of the book.

My favourite scenes is whenever Nikki is in it, doing something crazy. Same with on the last few chapters of the book. Jill fighting Adam. Although it wasn't intense, it was still interesting either way. Same with the final scene, when everything about The Players goes up in flames. I JUST REALLY LIKED THEM, NO REASON, I LI K E D TH E M.

So, what have we learned? TWTWU was a phenomenal book (though does have a few issues plot wise, as all books do!)

I hope you enjoyed reading our humble review and maybe consider adding They Wish They Were Us to your personal reading list! That's all folks! Hope you have a great rest of your day! And... Happy Reading!

paldea elite four

Pokepinion-tober: 6

Let's fuck shit up.

So far: Dragalge, Skuntank, Cramorant, Lechonk, and Delibird

6 Elgyem

Look at the little baby! It's so cute!

Honestly this is the essential alien Pokémon, no question. It keeps the simple classic green alien look to it but is still unique with the blinky light hands and head symbol.

I love the name too. Elgyem is a pun/word funsie on little green man.

L.G.M-El.GY.Em.

Cute while not feeling too punny and still original.

I also love the glowing green eyes. They're so BIG and INNOCENT and he looks like he wants to give you a hug but it's an alien.

7/10. My silly alien baby will always be precious.

apple juice

Don't care what you ask! Just say anything if you desire!

Reblog if you’re bored and you want anons.

Still be careful about what you use him in, as Disney is likely still going to be very protective of their mascot!

(Not a lawyer by any means, just don't want anyone to get in trouble on this ceremonious day)

mickey going public domain on jan 1st 2024

Sex ed... It happened.

So... I was in class today with my friend, and it was Sex ed.

We were doing Kahoot! and just hanging out until this question came up: "What would happen if the testosterone levels in a female rises?" or something along those lines-

Then somebody asked my teacher "Wait, does this mean a girl can grow a penis if they have more testosterone?"

Then, my teacher had to explain to the WHOLE class, that girls can't grow a penis if that happens.

(Right after that, somebody though people pooped through their urethra.)

So I'm certainly not the first person to notice this but I've literally never seen anyone else talk about it so screw it. i will

Scarlet and Violet seem to have his really big theme with the characters and them defying expectations and having things you just wouldn't expect (I hope I'm explaining this well lol)

Honestly there's too many examples to list them all so I'm going to stick with Team Star because I love them.

Even the whole storyline has this as the thing because you're introduced to them as just these delinquent kids who cause trouble but as you go through the story you learn that there's way more to them than just that and that they're honestly pretty nice.

Giacomo being a dark type trainer can weigh into this as dark types can be associated with evil acts and criminals in Pokémon but he ain't evil. Also having someone part of the evil team but also being a huge rule stickler in the past is contrast as well.

Mela being really shy underneath her outward appearance works like this too as she looks threatening and mean but is just shy is contrast. It also works and goes against preconceived notions with fire trainers in the franchise being loud and boisterous (there are other exceptions though like Kabu).

Atticus follows through with the previous trends of poison trainers being ninjas but breaks other things. Like having him interested in sewing and having him make all the clothes goes against gender stereotypes in a way y'know like a male character sewing???

(again I know that he isn't the first Pokémon character to break gender ideas but let me gush ok)

And then there's Ortega who is a very cutesy fairy trainer but also is kind of the meanest in the team and like openly insults people semi-regularly. Also having the fairy specialist being the mechanic is kind contrasty because fairies are weak to steel so yeah. Also rich boy mechanic, you love to see it

Eri is certainly the most intimidating looking of the team but in probably like one of the nicest people in this game. Also unrelated but I like how frilly and princessy her clothes are and she even has a cute little tiara but she also could beat you up like you don't have to choose between being a princess and beating people up.

And then Penny

Oh boy Penny

Like shy nerd is the true mastermind??? Like who could've thunk it and like even though she looks very non threatening and sweet and stuff she stole from practically like the school board/government and nearly gets away with it. Another bit is like she sounds so confident and mysterious as Cassiopeia but the we get to see PENNY and she's so shy and stammering and it's just perfect.

so TLDR: I really like Team Star and breaking expectations.

just created this creature i think im gonna turn him into a sticker

LOOK AT IT

I love it so much.