VeganYANerds: Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

Wednesday, 5 September 2012

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller

7:00 am | Posted by Mandee | | Edit Post

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller
Published June 19, 2012 by Bloomsbury USA
Source: Bloomsbury Australia
Rating: 5 paws

From the blurb: I just came home from Afghanistan. My parents are splitting up. My brother has stolen my girlfriend. (He also stole my car.) And I’m haunted by the ghost of my best friend. Then I run into Harper. (Technically, her fist runs into my face.) She’s beautiful, smart, funny... and wants nothing to do with the messed-up Marine who ruined her life. Sometimes the best you can hope for is something like normal. Sometimes what you get might be even better.

Something Like Normal is Trish Doller’s debut novel. Nineteen year old Travis returns home to Fort Myers, Florida after serving in Afghanistan for one and a half years. He’s not looking forward to coming home and doesn’t even consider it home anymore. His dad gave up on him when he quit playing football, his younger brother, Ryan, always gets what he wants and now has Travis’ ex-girlfriend, Paige, as well as the car that he worked so hard on. His best friend recently died via an attack and Travis is haunted by him in his nightmares and while awake. And then he bumps into Harper and suddenly he has found someone that makes him feel almost normal.

I liked Travis as soon as we’re introduced to him and enjoyed the male POV in this novel. He’s feeling guilty about the death of his friend, Charlie, guilty because he couldn’t do anything about it, guilty that he’s still alive. He hasn’t told anyone about his hallucinations but a higher up seems to know that something is wrong and suggests Travis take a month off before rejoining his fellow Marines.

His home life is complicated and I immediately disliked his dad, who sounded like a controlling and mean guy and at the same time I pitied his mum for being stuck with him. I liked the moments when Travis got to spend time with his mum, particularly when he attempted to cook dinner for them, their interactions put a smile on my face. And while Ryan wasn’t the worst brother I could understand Travis’ issue because I’m the eldest child, too.

I didn’t dislike Paige, in fact I felt a bit sorry for her, but I was annoyed when she kept showing up, even after Travis had made it clear about his feelings for Harper, who was an awesome girl. She’s into marine biology and takes Travis to watch a nest of sea turtles hatch which included a really sweet, swoony moment. I also liked that when faced with Travis’ issues she didn’t run away or tell him that there was something wrong with him, she stood by him, even when he hadn’t been very honest with her.

Having promised Charlie that he would go and see his mum in person if anything should ever happen to him, we are introduced to Charlie’s mum and I absolutely loved her character. She was a bit quirky and obviously still full of love and happiness even though she’d lost her only son. She also helps Travis to realise that he has to stop blaming himself and to stop wishing that he was the one dead instead of Charlie.

This story really broke my heart, I cried a lot. Partly because we have this guy who’s still a teenager, dealing with such a tough career and having killed people but not being able to speak up and say he’s having trouble because it’s not a manly thing to do. And also because war is horrible, there are so many people dying and it feels like it’s all for nothing.

Something Like Normal is a fantastic contemporary debut, with a cast of wonderful characters, a compelling story and bittersweet ending. I’d recommend it to all contemp YA fans.

Purchase a copy: Dymocks / Angus & Robertson / Bookworld / Book Depo

Thank you to the fantastic people at Bloomsbury Australia for my review copy.

Labels: 5 stars, be prepared to cry, contemporary fiction, review, Trish Doller, YA

34 comments:

elena said...: Aw, this sounds like a very touching book! I wouldn't have thought about reading this book, despite my love of contemps, because of the war aspect but people have been saying very good things about this one. I'm glad you enjoyed it.; 5 September 2012 7:30 am
Maree said...: Great review :) I am really looking forward to reading this one - I've seen so many glowing reviews and it sounds amazing.; 5 September 2012 8:13 am
Wendy Darling said...: Wow, everyone says this one creates weeeepy weeeepy tears, which is part of the reason I keep putting off reading it, hah. Great review, Mandee--it's always awesome to find books that move you.

Wendy @ The Midnight Garden; 5 September 2012 9:03 am
Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...: this sounds just different enough to be interesting! thanks for the great review!!; 5 September 2012 9:22 am
Jasprit said...: This is such a beautiful review Mandee, I've read a lot of achy books recently and this one definitely sounds like one I would enjoy! I can't believe the amount of awesome debut reads we are getting this year!; 5 September 2012 10:22 am
Keertana said...: Gosh, I am SO glad you enjoyed this one, Mandee! I love your review for this, especially because there is so much heart and soul in it. I really liked this one, just not as much as you did, but my heart definitely broke while reading it. I can't wait to see what Trish Doller comes up with next as she is such a phenomenal author! Yet another stunning review, dear!(:

~Keertana
Ivy Book Bindings

P.S. - I think I fixed the problem with my blog comments! I didn't have too many people complain, but I think one of the widgets was giving it some trouble, so let me know if you still have problems commenting! I hope not! *fingers crossed*; 5 September 2012 11:01 am
Rachel said...: Wow 5 paws Mandee?! I've seen this one around quite a bit but now I'm a little afraid to pick it up with the comment of a bittersweet ending. Hmmm...
Lovely review as usual. :); 5 September 2012 11:02 am
Celine said...: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE YES! SO GLAD YOU ENJOYED Something Like Normal! This book was definitely one of the best contemporary novels I've read this year. Trish Doller's writing was heart-breaking, realistic and I loved reading about Travis' developing relationship with Harper!

Awesome review, Mandee! ♥ So glad you enjoyed it!; 5 September 2012 11:16 am
Danielle said...: Fantastic review of a stunning debut :); 5 September 2012 1:01 pm
Alex (A Girl, Books, OtherThings) said...: You made me want to read this now! I'm going to try to bump it up on my Reading list"!
Thanks for this lovely review :D; 5 September 2012 1:03 pm
Magan @ Rather Be Reading said...: So, so, so glad this was a hit for you! I loved it, too. The male POV was so refreshing! It was definitely a nice and welcome change! The subject matter - post-war - was so captivating. Love your review, lady! :); 5 September 2012 1:36 pm
Rebecca said...: YES. Yes to everthing thing you said. Just thinking about this makes me sad yet at the same time it make's me incredible happy because it was SO GOOD. I think before the year is up, I'll have already reread it. Yay! *throws confetti* Yet another reader who loves SLN! *welcomes you into the group* Brilliant review, Mandee! ♥; 5 September 2012 2:34 pm
roro said...: i agree w/ everything . Travis' voice really was spot on . i immediately liked him. gr8 review; 5 September 2012 4:37 pm
Sharon ObsessionwithBooks said...: This sounds like such a touching read, I am really looking forward to reading it.

Thank-you for sharing your wonderful review Mandee :); 5 September 2012 5:21 pm
Maja (The Nocturnal Library) said...: YES! I liked this book so, SO much, and I'm so glad you did too. Oddly enough, I completely forgot about the sea turtles bit, and it was one of my favorite things about this book. I agree with you about Travis, he found a place in my heart so quickly. And I loved that it wasn't just a love story.
Wonderful review!; 5 September 2012 6:21 pm
Britt said...: So glad that you liked this one! I wasn't sure if I was going to read it, but now I definitely have too. I'll just wait until I'm ready for a good cry. Great review!; 5 September 2012 10:47 pm
Jac (For Love and Books) said...: I've been looking for a good "make you cry" book lately, maybe this one is the way to go? I am loving the military trend in books lately - although sometimes they really hit too close to home. (My good friend is on her 5th deployment.)

-Jac @ For Love and Books; 5 September 2012 11:13 pm
Erin W. said...: Great review! Glad you enjoyed this one. Been wanting to read this book for a while now considering the high praises it's been receiving lately.; 5 September 2012 11:45 pm
Sam said...: Travis sounds like a great character - one that you wouldn't forget in a hurry. Honestly, I've been putting this book off for a while now because I'm almost certain it will make me cry. Maybe when I am in the mood, I'll finally pick this up. Brilliant review, Mandee! I love the sound of the sea turtles bit. ;); 6 September 2012 12:26 am
Estelle @ Rather Be Reading said...: I absolutely devoured this book. I loved Travis' voice and how he dealt/didn't deal with everything that had happened to him.

Doller does a great job of balancing multiple storylines I think... other authors might have added too much but she was so pitch perfect.

I'm looking forward to her future work for sure!

P.S. Totally agree about Paige. She was trouble!; 6 September 2012 2:03 am
Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...: I have read countless good reviews on this and If I Lie. War is horrible and I am glad so many authors are out there reminding us if the sacrifices soilders and their families make. I will remember this when I need a good emotional contemporary. I am glad that this book really got to you!; 6 September 2012 3:02 am
Ann @ Tea And Text said...: Great review! This seems like a bit of a departure from what I read, but once in a while something like this piques my interest. I'll definitely have to look into it, I need a good cry once in a while :D; 6 September 2012 4:44 am
April (BooksandWine) said...: YES! 100 times yes.

I did intensely dislike Paige, but that was because she could not seem to get the hint.

And Harper!

She was totally my favorite.; 6 September 2012 5:21 am
Lauren M said...: I've heard such good things about SOMETHING LIKE NORMAL! I really need to pick up a copy. I'm so glad you loved it, too! Travis sounds like a very interesting narrator. :)
- Lauren; 6 September 2012 6:31 am
Jennifer Messerschmidt said...: This book sounds a bit too sad for me but like a wonderful story. Coming home from war with guilt must be so difficult especially when your brother takes your girlfriend. How sad! Glad he finds Harper. I love male POVs.; 6 September 2012 6:51 am
Leanne said...: *wipes tear* Stunning review, darling. :) I love how this book affected you so deeply, as it did many other awesome people. :) Five paws + recommendation from Mandee & Co. + promise of a tearful, beautiful read = MUST READ.; 6 September 2012 8:59 am
Shooting Stars Mag said...: Gah, I need this book! It sounds fantastic. I love books like this...It might make me a bit more sad than normal though because my brother is in the Army. not overseas, thank goodness, but he could go at any moment really.

-Lauren; 6 September 2012 10:26 am
Brodie said...: Oh gosh. This is the second review I've read in as many days and both times I've wanted to run out and grab a copy. This sounds like such an amazing novel; I love that it deals with such a deep, emotional topic and it really pulls it off. I know I'm going to need a box of tissues to accompany it! (I'm a sucker for a book that makes me cry). Fantastic review, Mandee, I cannot wait to read this.; 6 September 2012 10:48 am
readingdate said...: I really enjoyed this book too, Mandee. Your review captures everything I liked about it and makes me want to read it again! I liked Travis and Harper a lot, and thought Paige was just bad news. Lovely review!; 6 September 2012 4:17 pm
Lori said...: This is probably my favorite contemporary of the year. I LOVED it and I agree with everything you said!; 6 September 2012 7:33 pm
Bailey said...: This book is on my TBR list! It sounds to good not to be. I haven't read to many male point of view books but the few I have I enjoyed. Oh no you cried? Better have tissues handy for this one! Awesome review! Can't wait to read this one now. :); 6 September 2012 10:50 pm
Melissas Eclectic Bookshelf said...: Wow, this sounds like such a powerful and emotional read! Probably one that you have to be in the right mindset for though.; 7 September 2012 1:25 am
YA Anonymous said...: This was a one sitting book for me. I loved Charlie's mom so much and cried cried cried. Sea turtles! Yes!; 7 September 2012 8:36 pm
Busy Bookblogger said...: My brother-in-law is a 20-yr-old Marine that just returned from deployment. I am definitely picking this one up for him! Great review!; 14 September 2012 6:38 am