Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ Campbell's Reviews > You
You (You, #1)
by
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Edit: it's becoming a TV show?! Yessssss 😎
I love how it says "Praise for You" on the back of the book. Praise for me? Aww, you shouldn't have!
When aspiring author, Guinevere Beck, strides into a secondhand bookstore she has no idea that she's setting the wheels of something utterly terrible in motion. That's because the owner of said bookstore, Joe Goldberg, is a card-carrying psychopath who will do anything - ANYTHING - to get what he wants.
And he's just decided that he wants Beck.
Did you shiver? I know I did. Joe Goldberg is scary AF.
...And yet, at times, creepily relateable.
YOU is a thriller that pokes fun at all the new adult books out there with overly familiar, stalkery love interests. While reading from this book, you really only have one side of the story - Joe's - and he is very, very manipulative. Part of the fun about YOU is reading between the lines, ignoring his narrative and focusing on his gestures and his dialogue, and trying to figure out how Joe appears to others, without his bias.
Also, I love-love-loved the use of social media in this book. Beck is a little too open with her life, she's an over-sharer, and Joe is able to mine the heck out of that, to figure out where she's going, who she's talking to, what her likes and dislikes are. This gets especially creepy towards the middle of the story, although I'm not going to tell you why. You'll just have to find out for yourself.
The literary references and social commentary are also excellent. Joe has some very cutting (and in some cases accurate) remarks about the upper middle class, as well as those who to aspire to be but aren't. He made me laugh, Joe did, and then I felt bad about laughing because this guy is cray.
Then there's Beck and her horrible friends. Beck is so selfish. She's a liar. She's narcissistic, self-indulgent. A social climber. Ignorant and superficial and vain. Maybe a bit of a psychopath herself? I honestly don't know why Joe fell for Beck the way he did, or why he became so obsessed with her. Beck sounds like the type of person you'd complain about to someone else over coffee. Maybe that's the point, though. Obsession isn't necessarily about the person themselves; it's about the pedestal you put them on and the rose-tinted glasses you see them through -
And what happens when those glasses break.
YOU was all anyone who was anyone was reading last year and guess what? It deserves the hype. It's dark and clever and suspenseful and has one of the best unreliable narrators since Humbert Humbert in Lolita. Plus, Stephen King said it was awesome. (Not sure how Joe would feel about that...)
4.5 stars!
by
Nenia ✨ I yeet my books back and forth ✨ Campbell's review
bookshelves: dark-and-twisted, thriller, nenia-recommends, you-can-watch-it-on-the-telly
Jul 09, 2016
bookshelves: dark-and-twisted, thriller, nenia-recommends, you-can-watch-it-on-the-telly
Instagram || Twitter || Facebook || Amazon || Pinterest
Edit: it's becoming a TV show?! Yessssss 😎
I love how it says "Praise for You" on the back of the book. Praise for me? Aww, you shouldn't have!
When aspiring author, Guinevere Beck, strides into a secondhand bookstore she has no idea that she's setting the wheels of something utterly terrible in motion. That's because the owner of said bookstore, Joe Goldberg, is a card-carrying psychopath who will do anything - ANYTHING - to get what he wants.
And he's just decided that he wants Beck.
Did you shiver? I know I did. Joe Goldberg is scary AF.
...And yet, at times, creepily relateable.
YOU is a thriller that pokes fun at all the new adult books out there with overly familiar, stalkery love interests. While reading from this book, you really only have one side of the story - Joe's - and he is very, very manipulative. Part of the fun about YOU is reading between the lines, ignoring his narrative and focusing on his gestures and his dialogue, and trying to figure out how Joe appears to others, without his bias.
Also, I love-love-loved the use of social media in this book. Beck is a little too open with her life, she's an over-sharer, and Joe is able to mine the heck out of that, to figure out where she's going, who she's talking to, what her likes and dislikes are. This gets especially creepy towards the middle of the story, although I'm not going to tell you why. You'll just have to find out for yourself.
The literary references and social commentary are also excellent. Joe has some very cutting (and in some cases accurate) remarks about the upper middle class, as well as those who to aspire to be but aren't. He made me laugh, Joe did, and then I felt bad about laughing because this guy is cray.
Then there's Beck and her horrible friends. Beck is so selfish. She's a liar. She's narcissistic, self-indulgent. A social climber. Ignorant and superficial and vain. Maybe a bit of a psychopath herself? I honestly don't know why Joe fell for Beck the way he did, or why he became so obsessed with her. Beck sounds like the type of person you'd complain about to someone else over coffee. Maybe that's the point, though. Obsession isn't necessarily about the person themselves; it's about the pedestal you put them on and the rose-tinted glasses you see them through -
And what happens when those glasses break.
YOU was all anyone who was anyone was reading last year and guess what? It deserves the hype. It's dark and clever and suspenseful and has one of the best unreliable narrators since Humbert Humbert in Lolita. Plus, Stephen King said it was awesome. (Not sure how Joe would feel about that...)
4.5 stars!
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Reading Progress
July 9, 2016
–
Started Reading
July 9, 2016
– Shelved
July 9, 2016
–
0.24%
"Finally starting this! I can't tell you how many times this book has been recommended to me by friends. And now it's finally in my grubby little paws..."
page
1
July 9, 2016
–
19.91%
"This is SO GOOD. I'm already mentally preparing a list of people I need to force to read this book. It's that awesome."
page
84
July 10, 2016
–
45.02%
"I'm having a hard time putting this down! Joe is absolutely psychotic and it's both horrifying and thrilling to see what off-the-wall act of antisocial behavior he's going to commit next."
page
190
July 11, 2016
–
72.51%
"I've figured it out. Joe is Dexter's emotionally stunted, sex-obsessed, misogynistic younger brother."
page
306
July 11, 2016
– Shelved as:
dark-and-twisted
July 11, 2016
– Shelved as:
thriller
July 11, 2016
–
Finished Reading
October 30, 2016
– Shelved as:
nenia-recommends
January 11, 2020
– Shelved as:
you-can-watch-it-on-the-telly
Comments Showing 1-50 of 51 (51 new)
message 1:
by
Heather ~*dread mushrooms*~
(new)
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rated it 4 stars
Jul 11, 2016 08:54PM
Great review, Nens! I'm glad you liked this. I agree, Joe was creepily relatable. O_O
reply
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message 2:
by
Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)*
(new)
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rated it 4 stars
Heather *live on coffee and flowers* wrote: "Great review, Nens! I'm glad you liked this. I agree, Joe was creepily relatable. O_O"
He really was. Oh, how I disliked Peach. (view spoiler)
He really was. Oh, how I disliked Peach. (view spoiler)
Karly *The Vampire Ninja & Luminescent Monster* wrote: "What heatherdoll said ♥"
Thank you, Karly! <3
Thank you, Karly! <3
Oh god, you've read this! I so wanted to read this and then I forgot all about it. Thanks for the reminder. Your review was awesome.
:)
:)
Aileene wrote: "Oh god, you've read this! I so wanted to read this and then I forgot all about it. Thanks for the reminder. Your review was awesome.
:)"
Alienne! Me too! And then I saw it at the used bookstore and was like, "OMG, come here, I need you!" You should definitely read You. It's really good. :)
:)"
Alienne! Me too! And then I saw it at the used bookstore and was like, "OMG, come here, I need you!" You should definitely read You. It's really good. :)
Yuki wrote: "Thank you, Nenia. You're always helpful when I'm out for books hunting:)"
I'm so happy to hear that. Thanks, Yuki! And enjoy!
I'm so happy to hear that. Thanks, Yuki! And enjoy!
Latanya wrote: "Great review of a good book. The sequel disappoints, but I'm glad you read this one."
Several people have told me that the sequel is a letdown. I still want to read it but now I'm afraid I won't like it haha.
Several people have told me that the sequel is a letdown. I still want to read it but now I'm afraid I won't like it haha.
Destini Mia~ ♕ Sassy Lassie wrote: "I'm sold!!! Will definitely be picking this one up soon :D"
Excellent! Can't wait to see your thoughts. :)
Excellent! Can't wait to see your thoughts. :)
I do recommend giving the sequel a try. There are sarcastic observations on California, and even a stop at a creepy clown motel in Nevada! :D
Heather *live on coffee and flowers* wrote: "I do recommend giving the sequel a try. There are sarcastic observations on California, and even a stop at a creepy clown motel in Nevada! :D"
As a native Californian, I must say, that sounds hilarious.
As a native Californian, I must say, that sounds hilarious.
I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I just finished the sequel last month. I thought it held up well in some ways, but was disappointing in others. But overall, I liked it. You should give it a try if you get a chance! The California commentary is fun.
message 17:
by
Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)*
(new)
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rated it 4 stars
Nenia wrote: "Heather *live on coffee and flowers* wrote: "Great review, Nens! I'm glad you liked this. I agree, Joe was creepily relatable. O_O"
He really was. Oh, how I disliked Peach. [spoilers removed]"
Ahem, we are in total agreement on that spoiler..... and also your observation before it.
He really was. Oh, how I disliked Peach. [spoilers removed]"
Ahem, we are in total agreement on that spoiler..... and also your observation before it.
Madison wrote: "I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I just finished the sequel last month. I thought it held up well in some ways, but was disappointing in others. But overall, I liked it. You should give it a try if you ..."
Haha thanks for the tip! I'm always amused by other people's observations of my home state LOL, whether they're accurate...or not. ;)
Haha thanks for the tip! I'm always amused by other people's observations of my home state LOL, whether they're accurate...or not. ;)
Karly *The Vampire Ninja & Luminescent Monster* wrote: "Nenia wrote: "Heather *live on coffee and flowers* wrote: "Great review, Nens! I'm glad you liked this. I agree, Joe was creepily relatable. O_O"
He really was. Oh, how I disliked Peach. [spoilers..."
Right? I thought it added an interesting element to the story here but it also kind of annoyed me because boo, stereotypes.
He really was. Oh, how I disliked Peach. [spoilers..."
Right? I thought it added an interesting element to the story here but it also kind of annoyed me because boo, stereotypes.
message 20:
by
Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)*
(new)
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rated it 4 stars
message 21:
by
Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)*
(new)
-
rated it 4 stars
Karly *The Vampire Ninja & Luminescent Monster* wrote: "But it was also from his vantage point.... Soooooo dodgy, basically."
That's true. Do you think he made the encounter up? Or that (view spoiler)
That's true. Do you think he made the encounter up? Or that (view spoiler)
message 23:
by
Karlyflower *The Vampire Ninja, Luminescent Monster & Wendigo Nerd Goddess of Canada (according to The Hulk)*
(new)
-
rated it 4 stars
They were all such horrible horrible people. Every single one. It made me weep for humanity, and want to lock myself in my house alone...forever...
Nenia wrote: "Aileene wrote: "Oh god, you've read this! I so wanted to read this and then I forgot all about it. Thanks for the reminder. Your review was awesome.
:)"
Alienne! Me too! And then I saw it at the u..."
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Well, I can see the book didn't hesitate to come to you.
I will definitely read it. Hopefully soon though.
:)"
Alienne! Me too! And then I saw it at the u..."
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Well, I can see the book didn't hesitate to come to you.
I will definitely read it. Hopefully soon though.
I always love reading your reviews! This book has been on my radar for a long time and just moved up on the list thanks to your review :)
Dichotomy Girl wrote: "They were all such horrible horrible people. Every single one. It made me weep for humanity, and want to lock myself in my house alone...forever..."
LOL! Yes! And hide my phone, and disconnect from the internet, and turn into a reclusive hermit forever. XD
LOL! Yes! And hide my phone, and disconnect from the internet, and turn into a reclusive hermit forever. XD
Aileene wrote: "Nenia wrote: "Aileene wrote: "Oh god, you've read this! I so wanted to read this and then I forgot all about it. Thanks for the reminder. Your review was awesome.
:)"
Alienne! Me too! And then I s..."
Excellent! Hope you enjoy it!
:)"
Alienne! Me too! And then I s..."
Excellent! Hope you enjoy it!
Allie wrote: "I always love reading your reviews! This book has been on my radar for a long time and just moved up on the list thanks to your review :)"
That's a lovely compliment, Allie. Thank you! It's definitely worth reading, especially if you enjoy thrillers.
That's a lovely compliment, Allie. Thank you! It's definitely worth reading, especially if you enjoy thrillers.
Ellen Gail wrote: "I'm so happy you loved this. It's basically perfect. You is the best! Praise for you! ;)"
I did feel that the pacing suffered in the last quarter of the book, but it was very well written, unique, and suspenseful. So good. :D
I did feel that the pacing suffered in the last quarter of the book, but it was very well written, unique, and suspenseful. So good. :D
♆Hayley wrote: "I love this book so much! And Joe! There needs to be a third one!"
Yes! It was creepy in all the best ways
Yes! It was creepy in all the best ways
OMG. I'm planning to see that show!! It's on the Lifetime channel and I love Lifetime (guilty pleasure) Did you see the trailer for it yet? I am so excited!!
Leia wrote: "OMG. I'm planning to see that show!! It's on the Lifetime channel and I love Lifetime (guilty pleasure) Did you see the trailer for it yet? I am so excited!!"
I have not! But it looks great!
I have not! But it looks great!
I’m watching the premiere episode of the lifetime show now and I’m digging it. Nice to see the book is good too.
Korey wrote: "I’m watching the premiere episode of the lifetime show now and I’m digging it. Nice to see the book is good too."
The book is so good! I'm happy to hear that the show is good too!
The book is so good! I'm happy to hear that the show is good too!
I just bought it and I’m going to get right on reading it. I was certainly hooked in by the premiere of the show
Korey wrote: "I just bought it and I’m going to get right on reading it. I was certainly hooked in by the premiere of the show"
I'm glad you're liking it! I was skeptical of the cast when I saw the trailer but I'm still going to give it a shot, lol.
I'm glad you're liking it! I was skeptical of the cast when I saw the trailer but I'm still going to give it a shot, lol.
"Obsession isn't necessarily about the person themselves; it's about the pedestal you put them on and the rose-tinted glasses you see them through" Ah, this is so true!!
Sonja ✧・゚。★* wrote: ""Obsession isn't necessarily about the person themselves; it's about the pedestal you put them on and the rose-tinted glasses you see them through" Ah, this is so true!!"
Thank you :)
Thank you :)
WTF hahaha I have been wanting to read this for the longest time and I didn't even realize the Netflix YOU was based on this book!
Wynne wrote: "WTF hahaha I have been wanting to read this for the longest time and I didn't even realize the Netflix YOU was based on this book!"
Hahaha yeah! It's based on the book! You should totally read it. :)
Hahaha yeah! It's based on the book! You should totally read it. :)