Title: The Beginning of Everything
Author: Robyn Schneider
Publisher: Katherine Tegen
Published: August 27, 2013
Source: audible.com
Summary (from Goodreads): Golden boy Ezra Faulkner believes everyone has a tragedy waiting for them—a single encounter after which everything that really matters will happen. His particular tragedy waited until he was primed to lose it all: in one spectacular night, a reckless driver shatters Ezra’s knee, his athletic career, and his social life.
No longer a front-runner for Homecoming King, Ezra finds himself at the table of misfits, where he encounters new girl Cassidy Thorpe. Cassidy is unlike anyone Ezra’s ever met, achingly effortless, fiercely intelligent, and determined to bring Ezra along on her endless adventures.
But as Ezra dives into his new studies, new friendships, and new love, he learns that some people, like books, are easy to misread. And now he must consider: if one’s singular tragedy has already hit and everything after it has mattered quite a bit, what happens when more misfortune strikes?
Robyn Schneider’s The Beginning of Everything is a lyrical, witty, and heart-wrenching novel about how difficult it is to play the part that people expect, and how new beginnings can stem from abrupt and tragic endings.
Review: This is more than a coming of age story. It’s a story of loss, love, and true friendship. Ezra and Cassidy are such great characters. I have to admit that I liked Ezra a little more when he was knocked down a little and that at times I found Cassidy to be a bit much, but the fact that I cared that much about them is what makes them such well developed characters. As I listened to this book, I couldn’t help but be reminded of Paper Towns by John Green. In fact, there are many aspects that reminded me of John Green’s writing. Cassidy reminded me of Alaska from Looking for Alaska. If you are familary with Green’s writing then you know that you can expect, heartbreak and humor throughout; this book is no different. I found myself with tears in my eyes from saddness and laughter. I highly recommend this book if you enjoy comptemporary ya literature.
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