Hello!

On Writer Wednesday, I discuss another author and his or her book. Today’s pick is Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell.

Fangirl is the first book that I read by Rainbow Rowell and it’s also the first book I’ve read that is part of “new adult” fiction. New adult books rest between traditional adult and young adult books. They explore coming of age stories in the earliest years of adulthood.

Fangirl explores the story of twin sisters entering college, their relationship to each other, their relationship with their bipolar father and the mother who left them as children, as well as their love of fan fiction. A character that seems like a cross between Harry Potter and Twilight exists as the cultural phenomenon of Fangirl’s world: Simon Snow. Cather (the main character) clings to her secluded life, preferring her internet fans to real life. Her twin, Wren, is ready to embrace all that college offers, mostly through new friends and drinking.

Each chapter begins with a portion of the Simon Snow books or a portion of the Simon Snow fanfiction. This idea was really effective in portraying how life can impact an author’s work and how the books that we read can speak to us and the happenings of our own lives in sometimes very personal ways.

At its heart, Fangirl portrays one very important lesson: growing up doesn’t mean outgrowing your personality, but finding the people who embrace it and can help your inner light shine even more.

My best to you all,
Megan