How to Survive a Summer by Nick White
Thoughts by Lauren
source: copy from Netgalley; all opinions are my own
Official Summary: Camp Levi nestled in the Mississippi countryside is designed to “cure” young teenage boys of their budding homosexuality. Will Dillard, a Midwestern graduate student, spent a summer at the camp as a teenager, and has since tried to erase that experience from his mind. But when a fellow student alerts him that a slasher movie based on the camp is being released, he is forced to confront his troubled history and possible culpability in the death of a fellow camper.
As past and present are woven together, Will recounts his “rehabilitation,” eventually returning to the abandoned campgrounds to solve the mysteries of that pivotal summer, and to reclaim his story from those who have stolen it.
Thoughts: This isn’t a review because I actually ended up DNFing this one. However, since it’s a book that I received for review, I wanted to at least explain my feelings a little bit and also share the book with you all in case you’re interested. This wasn’t a badly written book by any means. Perhaps I would have been able to really enjoy it at a different period in time. However, while reading, I just found it a bit too slow for my liking and it wasn’t quite what I expected. I was very much interested in the mystery of Will’s childhood at the camp, but I felt like there was too much detail about other aspects of his life – and his relationship with his mom, for example – that made continuing the book a bit of a chore for me. I’m sure it would have gotten more intriguing as it went on, and it’s definitely a bit of a literary book, so those are often written in a certain style and slower in pace. Basically, if this sounds good to you, give it a shot. I’m definitely not telling people not to read it. It just wasn’t a good fit for me, at least at this time.
I get it. Sometimes you’re just in the right place in time to read a book and it might hold greater meaning to you later on. Or never. I’ve had that happen to me, too.
Confession time. I just had to google DNF. SMH. LOL 🙂
It happens. Some times I’m able to come back to it when I’m in a different frame of mind.
But thanks for explaining so it can still find the right reader.
For What It’s Worth
Totally get it. I just wrote a DNF review the other day that goes up next week. Best to part ways if you aren’t enjoying what you read.
It’s never good when reading feels like a chore. I’m sorry you had to DNF this one! Hopefully your next read is much better!
Have a fabulous weekend. =)
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
sorry it wasn’t as strong as you wanted it to be. I hope your next read is better
Thanks for sharing this review, it is always nice to know when a book is not worth reading either!
Sorry this didn’t work for you. Slower books are hard for me to stick with.
I don’t have a lot of patience for slow books these days so this might not be for me either.
Aghh! I hate slow books, especially if they’re over 500 pages and I feel like they could have shortened them down to half the pages! Thanks for sharing your honesty on this one!
Carrie
curlycraftymom.com
I have a hard time with slow paced books too so I definitely get where you’re coming from.
I like stories that wind together past and present but I usually never finish a slow paced book either. Thanks for sharing your honest review!
Jill
Doused In Pink
I’ve read quite a few similar sounding books Lauren and the storyline sounds like one I would enjoy. I like books that challenge prejudiced views but the packing sounds completely off. It’s important to have that character back story, but not to slow down the narrative which ends up having a lesser impact. Sorry you could have enjoyed this a little more Lauren, perhaps when you’re in the mood you could return to it. Wonderful review sweetheart <3