Wednesday 18 July 2012

Why We Broke Up Review & GIVEAWAY!


Scroll to the end of this review to enter my INTERNATIONAL giveaway of one paperback copy of this book!

Why We Broke Up by Daniel Handler
Paperback, 354 pages

Expected publication: 6th August 2012 by Electric Monkey
(First Published 27th December 2011)

My shelves: 
arc-or-review, books-i-own, contemporary, cover-appeal, currently-reading, read-in-2012, realistic-fiction, really-good, title-appeal, young-adult

Description via Goodreads:
This is the box, Ed. Inside is everything. Two bottle caps, a movie ticket from Greta in the Wind, a note from you, a box of matches, your protractor, Joan's book, the stolen sugar, a toy truck, those ugly earrings, a comb from the motel, and the rest of it. This is it Ed. The whole story of how we broke up.

Buy this book:

My thanks go to Electric Monkey for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review.

As soon as I heard about this book from American book reviewers, I began wishing that it'd be released here in the UK. My prayers were answered by Electric Monkey and I was so unbelievably excited to start reading this book as soon as it came into my home! I didn't know all that much about the book - the short blurb doesn't give that much away, but I liked it that way - It was fantastic to discover more about Why We Broke Up as I worked my way through the book.

Sleeping is my favourite thing to do, yep - even more so than reading. However, this book stole my sleep from me. It takes quite a lot for me to stay up flicking through pages, but this one managed it. There was something  about this book that was just so compelling and made me want to keep reading just one more page. I wanted to know what happened next, what Min was feeling, just exactly why they broke up.

The book is written as a letter from Min to her ex-boyfriend, Ed, explaining why they broke up, using a variety of objects (illustrated by Kalman). It is a very simple concept, but I absolutely loved it. It really made for an interesting and heartfelt story. I did connect with Min, though I did have my reservations about Ed from the moment they entered a relationship. The reason why Min and Ed do break up is quite predictable but to be honest I don't think that matters because, in truth and as Min explains, there were several things that contributed to their eventual split.

The characters that were included in this book were very strong - even those who were only mentioned sporadically. I really liked Al and Lauren, Min's closest friends. It was interesting to see how her relationship with Ed affected her friendship group. I really loved the bond between Min and Al and I really felt for Al as he became distanced from Min. He is genuinely one of the nicest, kindest characters I have come across. I did like Min too - I thought she was quite easy to connect with - she was a generally likeable character. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on the way you look at it!) I didn't really fall for Ed - although to a lot of people he may seem near perfect, he just didn't sit right with me and I found him to be a bit immature.

If you've gone through a break-up as a teenager, then I think you'll appreciate this book. It feels real and although it doesn't feel overly intense, there is definite feeling behind it that runs quite deep, the fact that it is written in epistolary form only adds to this feeling. I think that the emotion behind this book is very interesting, though hard to put into words. It is quite easy to relate to, in my opinion, though I think every reader will have a different experience with this one. 

I haven't read any of Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket)'s previous books, but if he does write more young adult contemporary reads like this one, I would definitely pick it up. I also really enjoyed the illustrations - they simply added some extra enjoyment to the reading experience. I have found this book difficult to review as I do think it's really quite personal - everyone has their own individual pasts and I think that will affect how you read this book. For me, this book was addictive, different and extremely enjoyable.



This is one of the most enjoyable books I've read for a while, so I thought that I should offer you the chance to read it too! 

One winner. 
One brand new paperback copy of Why We Broke Up
International.  

All you have to do is fill in the Rafflecopter form below!
Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

53 comments:

  1. This one has been on my wishlist for quite a long time so thanks for the opportunity! :)

    What made me want to pick it up in the first place (apart from the fact that I like the concept) is that it's written as a letter AND it's illustrated. It sounds quite unique! :)

    I'm glad you enjoyed it, Steph. x

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  2. Oh wow, what a coincidence! I was JUST talking to a friend on goodreads about this book. I've wanted to read it for sometime as well! My friend is enjoying it and I'm really glad you liked it too!

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  3. great review and make me want to read that^^

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  4. i love ur review...and i love giaway too... :p
    thx u :)

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  5. I checked this book out at the library but never got to read it. Maybe I should check it out again. Great review! Thanks for the giveaway!

    Lisa @ Shatterbooks

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  6. I like the idea behind this book - and the way it's written like a letter - actually quite excited for it!

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  7. tnx 4 the lovly giveaway and review

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  8. This sounds really interesting though I think I can guess what happens!

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  9. I've been very intrigued by this books o I'm so happy you liked it!!
    It just sounds like such an original idea :D

    And thanks for the giveaway :D

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  10. Thanks for the giveaway, this book looks quite good! Great review :)

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  11. I am so glad this book got a 4 AND you're doing a giveaway for it too! While I haven't gone through a break up (not yet anyway) I'm sure I'll enjoy it all the same :)

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  12. OMG!!! Lemony Snicket??? *-* I LOVE his books!!! I have GOT to read this one. :) And it's written as a letter? Sounds pretty different. thanks for the chance!

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  13. I have been hearing about this book more & more in recent weeks. I'm glad you enjoyed this so much, yes, it does say a lot if it can keep you from your sleep, as I am exactly the same! Addictive, different & extremely enjoyable, that's what I like to hear, I will definitely be putting this on my TBR pile. Thanks for a great review & for the chance to win. :)

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  14. Reading excerpts from this book make me want it BAD. Great review, Steph :D

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  15. I borrowed this book from the library and never got around to reading it. I cannot wait to read it.
    Thanks for another great review
    http://inthekitchenandonthecouch.blogspot.com/

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  16. Sounds familiar, I'm sure I have this on my tbr mountain though with a different cover. Glad you enjoyed it, it must have been good to have kept you awake like this.

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  17. I love to sleep too, but several books have stolen sleep from me....Lol...loved how you phrased that! I could let this one keep me awake too!

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  18. thanks for the giveaway,,
    i love this cover,,wish i win...

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  19. Thank you for this interesting giveaway, hope that i will have luck :)

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  20. Hey, new follower! also entered your giveaway :)
    http://youonlywritesomuch.blogspot.com/

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  21. Great review!

    Thanks for visiting my blog. I am following you.

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  22. I remember hearing a lot about this when it came out and then the talk about it seemed to drop off. I am really happy to a. be reminded of it and b.find out that you liked it, I really enjoyed your review and I think your line 'anyone who went through a break up as a teen will enjoy it' really hooked me in! Thanks so much for making this international :)

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  23. Thanks for becoming a follower of my site. I'm an old follower and wish you a wonderful weekend.

    The Scarf Princess

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  24. I love it. Make me wanna read this book. Looking forward to read it.
    Thanks for giveaway :)

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  25. I didnt realise this was by the same person as Lemony Snicket!! I love the sound of this, its waiting for me on my tbr and I love the sound of it!

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  26. I'm glad that you enjoyed this. I've been hearing a lot of great things about this book and this review only adds to that growing list. I haven't read any of Daniel Handler's other books either.

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  27. Oohh this book sounds awesome
    Thanks for the giveaway

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  28. Thanks to make a review for this book. sounds good.

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  29. This book looks pretty awesome. I've heard good things about this one.

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  30. I love the idea of the book being a letter. It sounds different and I really enjoy reading a different book. I'm also in full support of books being released in the UK and not just America. Wooo! Go UK! haha.

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  31. I've been thinking about this book quite a lot recently, then saw this giveaway. Is this relationship meant to be? haha xo

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  32. Nice review, simple yet intriguing :)
    Thanks for hosting this giveaway!
    By the way, I just found out from your review that Lemony Snicket is the pseudonym of this writer, thanks for sharing the info :D

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  33. Thanks for your visit Steph :)

    Your new follower from http://musings-over-nothing.blogspot.in

    Love
    Elgee

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  34. Great review! Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway! Following you back from Compelled By Words! :)

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  35. Love the review, can;t wait to read this!

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  36. Hi Stephanie! Thank you so much for leaving me a comment on my blog! I'm now following you. (: (Your blog is stunning, btw! :D) Haha, awesome review - btw! It sounds great! :D Thanks for the giveaway. (:

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  37. This was a lovely review!!! <3 and thank you for the giveaway!
    I really like how you mentioned that this book is easy to relate to. That's always a super good thing for a book, and even though I've never gone through a break-up... (hmmm, would unrequited love apply?), this still sounds like a promising read for me! Awesome review! oh, and who doesn't love sleep? ^_~

    New follower via GFC ~ omg, we're owl theme buddies! XD
    Vivian @ Vivaciously, Vivian

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  38. Great give away!! We've joined in :)
    Also thanks for your really great comment on our blog!!

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  39. great review and giveaway.

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  40. You along with another author are going to KILL ME!
    Seriously, I've been pinning for this book WAY too long, I cannot wait to get it. Thanks for the review :D And the chance to win one :D

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  41. Thanks for the heads up on the giveaway! I've been dying to get my hands on this book! I loved your review. I've seen some that were not complimentary so I was worried about it, but your review made me trust my gut instinct about this book. : )

    New GFC follower, btw. : )

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  42. awesome giveaway! what makes me want it is the fact that it could probably answer my questions on why we broke up with my long-time boyfriend. the review did so much help me to want it, this bad.. :)

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  43. Great review!
    Thanks for the giveaway. New Follower!

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  44. This sounds like something that many people can relate to. Sounds good.

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  45. Excellent review.

    @gholmes724
    Please enter me in the draw – thank you x

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  46. I read somewhere this book is going to get a movie adaptation. Can't wait to see it.

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  47. Great review please enter me

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  48. great review, the book sounds interesting, actually I never read a YA book, but I wanna give it a try and looking forward for this book.
    thanks for this chance :)

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  49. Hi! I'm a new follower from You Only Write So Much! I really like your blog! :)
    http://17hnak.blogspot.ca/

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  50. Thanks for the review and giveaway!
    Why we Broke up sounds good :)

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  51. What a thorough review. I love illustrations in books, too. Will have to add this to my TBR list! Thanks for sharing. :D

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  52. Thank you for this giveaway!! Thank you. I have not heard of this book and it sounds amazing! How did i not know about this book? I will add it to tbr pile. Amazing review, well written and makes me want to read it even more. If you would miss sleep and i love my sleep then it's a definite haha x

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  53. Like your review
    sound a good book (:

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