Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

What it's about:
"In Rainbow Rowell's Fangirl, 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?" -Amazon.com

What I thought:
OMG!! I just wanted to curl up inside this book and never leave.  So many feels.

I have never read or written fanfic (although I am kind of motivated to give it a try now).  I have never dressed up as a character from my favorite book.  I have never gone to a midnight release of anything.  But I still related to Cath and the other characters in this book so much.


I especially relate to Cath's struggle with the word "just" (“Cath wished she didn't use the word "just" so much. It was her passive-aggressive tell, like someone who twitched when they were lying.”).  My writing is splattered with the word.  When editing begins, my first plan of attack is always to strike out every occurrence of the word "just."

And Levi...I just have no words.  I am pretty sure that I love everything about this guy.  If it weren't for the receding hairline, he might be too perfect :)  Although I think I kind of love his receding hairline too.

Stars:  5/5  I couldn't put this book down.
Would I recommend it?:  Yes!  Absolutely!
Favorite Quote(s):
"If you come off all moody and melancholy in a text, it just sits there in your phone, reminding you of what a drag you are."

"This class is for writers," she said.  "For people who are willing to set aside their fears and move past distractions."

Have you read Fangirl?  What did you think?