Monday, June 3, 2013

Review: You Look Different in Real Life by Jennifer Castle

You Look Different in Real Life
You Look Different in Real Life by Jennifer Castle
For the rest of the world, the movies are entertainment. For Justine, they're real life.
The premise was simple: five kids, just living their lives. There'd be a new movie about them every five years, starting in kindergarten. But no one could have predicted what the cameras would capture. And no one could have predicted that Justine would be the star.
Now sixteen, Justine doesn't feel like a star anymore. In fact, when she hears the crew has gotten the green light to film Five at Sixteen, all she feels is dread. The kids who shared the same table in kindergarten have become teenagers who hardly know one another. And Justine, who was so funny and edgy in the first two movies, feels like a disappointment.
But these teens have a bond that goes deeper than what's on film. They've all shared the painful details of their lives with countless viewers. They all know how it feels to have fans as well as friends. So when this latest movie gives them the chance to reunite, Justine and her costars are going to take it. Because sometimes, the only way to see yourself is through someone else's eyes.
Smart, fresh, and frequently funny, You Look Different in Real Life is a piercing novel about life in an age where the lines between what's personal and what's public aren't always clear.
”add
Publishes in US: June 4th 2013 by HarperTeen
Genre: YA Contemporary
Source: Harper Teen via Edelweiss
Series? No

Buy it: IndieBound | Barnes & Noble | Amazon

Find Jennifer online: site   twitter   facebook

     I liked Justine and connected with her right away, I felt confused for the first part of the book. I knew the premise but it just felt like everyone was going around knowing something that I didn't. Why Justine had changed, why she felt like such a disappointment, and what had changed at school. 
     But I think that was the whole point. Because as you get into the story, Justine remembers the moments as the film crew is there again, and things all begin to fit together. 
     One of the themes is that Justine is disappointed, and it comes out as anger. She is disappointed that she didn't live up to what her eleven year old self thought she would be. But then she begins to see what is special about her, what makes everyone special. That we all have a story to tell. It may not be one that makes millions, and then again, maybe we aren't looking at it the right way. But I loved each moment where something clicked for her. Where she realizes that it is okay to change, that she needs to love who she has become, and that she can always start working for another goal again. 
      Another theme is friendship. How it can change or how some relationships just reach an end, whether natural or by a fight or other circumstances. I liked watching her with Felix, seeing how they encourage one another, how a true friendship should be and what we should strive for. Then there are the others that ended, and how Justine deals with the parts that were her fault. 
    There was one part near the end where they were all together and had went through a lot, and she said that they helped make each other whole. They realized more about themselves and life by being together. 
    The characters are all fleshed out well, and the pacing was good. The ending wrapped things up really well and I enjoyed the story overall. 

Bottom Line: A refreshing premise that delivers emotion, and shows the lives of characters that were changed both positively and negatively by being on screen.

My question to you, my lovely readers:
Would you ever agree to be on a documentary or reality tv show?

33 comments:

  1. Not at all what I was expecting, given the title I was convinced this was going to be some kind of memoir.

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  2. This usually isn't my type of story, but Justine does sound like an interesting character :)

    Janina @ Synchronized Reading

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  3. This sounded a little like the Real Real which I liked. I'll have to check it out!

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  4. Hmm. I'm really interested in this book, it looks amazing. I like the themes that you're talking about-- friendships and growing up. Awesome review, Brandi!

    Um, no. I don't even HAVE TV, so I'm not exactly interested in being on it. LOL.

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    1. LOl, I didn't know that. Do you not watch or use netflix

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  5. I like the whole idea of the friendship theme in this. Great review Brandi :)

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  6. I love the concept especially with all the reality TV shows that are gaining popularity. Not sure this one is for me, but glad you enjoyed it despite a few issues. Wonderful review Brandi!

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  7. The more reviews I read of this, the more I think I'd actually love it. I had no plans to get a copy of this but now I really want to grab one. I think the premise is so interesting, especially given our obsession with reality TV, and I love the strong focus on friendships and growing up in the public eye. Fantastic review!

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  8. I like the sound of the themes! And that's great that the characters are fleshed out, that's important to have in a story. I might have to check this one out :)

    Great review!

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  9. Probably isn't something I would read, but you made the book sound really interesting. I like the growth Justine goes through!

    Great review!

    Magen Corrie
    ~Corrie the Book Crazed Girl

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  10. it sounds interesting but I have a problem with the cover... too much writing I think.

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  11. I didn't know what this one was about, I have been seeing the cover around. Reality tv is not my favorite it has gotten so sensational and I question the reality of it anymore. I am glad though that this book works. To answer your question, absolutely not! I would never ever want to be on reality tv!

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  12. I don't think I was ever interested in this book, but then again, I never really took the time to read the synopsis. Glad you enjoyed it! I always love books that have a strong sense of friendship (NOT romance), and with nicely developed characters, You Look Different in Real Life sounds promising.

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  13. To be in a reality show or a documentary, no way, not ever

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  14. I would have to get paid a good amount of money to be on a reality show! LOL
    It would be difficult for the world to see your ups and downs. I think most of us never end up exactly where we were hoping. We all dream of the perfect life and job and things are just not that easy. I'm glad the character learned to still love who she became. Sounds good! There is a real documentary that is a little bit like this book where they checked back in with people every 10 years or so. Obviously not as popular as the show in this book seems to be.

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  15. Sounds like a nice read. I love that you said that the characters were well fleshed out. Usually that means that I will enjoy the book but not loving the reality show angle. Not a concept I enjoy since I don't watch those shows. :)

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  16. I love how important friendship is in this book and especially that the characters seem to be so well done. I have a copy on the way, fortunately.
    Great review.

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  17. Fleshed out characters and wrapped up endings. sounds awesome. I love the concepts.

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  18. To answer your question- No Way! I would never let cameras film my family or my life! Too intrusive.

    I remember this book, your review makes it sound really worth reading. I think I'll take a look at it.

    Heather

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  19. Glad you liked this one. I probably wouldn't like camera's in my house or filming my family. I have a teenager - 16yrs old, the things that would wind up on film, lol!!!

    :d
    Mich

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  20. Having read this book, I would definitely not be on a documentary or reality show. I don't think anything good would come of it.

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  21. It does sometimes happen in stories where memories are revealed throughout the story that the reader can be confused for a little while until it all becomes more clear. Great review of this one! Sounds like there were a lot of good aspects. Jaclyn @ JC's Book Haven.

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  22. I just read this one and really enjoyed it too. I liked how things clicked for her. I was a little thrown by the sudden romance at the end as I didn't feel there was any hint of it. I had actually thought the romance was going to be between two others. I liked it, but I could have used some warning. ;)

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  23. Sounds like a fun read! I don't think I could be on TV EVER!! I'm not that kind of person! I'd rather be behind the scenes!!

    Naomi @ Nomi’s Paranormal Palace

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  24. Would you ever agree to be on a documentary or reality tv show? Nah I don't think I can. It's just hard to act natural when the camera follows you everywhere or maybe it's just me.

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  25. Im so boring that I can't imagine anyone wanting me to be a documentary. ;-) I've heard of this book, but this is the first review I've read. I'm happy you enjoyed if!

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  26. So glad to see someone has reviewed this! It's been on my TBR list for months but the whole time I was sort of on the fence about it. I couldn't really tell whether it was going to be good or not. Thanks for the review! It sounds like the perfect kind of summer read. I couldn't imagine being on a reality tv show/movie. I would be the one that everyone gets tired of seeing because I'm a bit boring. What would be even weirder is only have your life filmed every five years. A person can change so much during that time period, as appears to have happened in the story. I'm curious to see whether everyone worked everything out and grew, character-wise, for the better

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  27. I am really looking forward to reading this one, the plot sounds so new and different, I have seen on Netflix that their is a real British documentary series that follows a group of people throughout their lives. I feel like I will be able to relate a lot to Justine especially since I know when I was young I had many ideas for my future that didn't necessarily pan out the way I planned it. Great review!

    Kristin @ Young Adult Book Haven

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