Take a photo of a barcode or cover
pucksandpaperbacks 's review for:
The Music Of What Happens
by Bill Konigsberg
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
TW: rape, racism
Rep: POC, #ownvoices for gay rep
The best way I can describe this book is unique. This was the most unique story I've read in a while. It tackles so many issues that are never discussed about boys and men! Through Max and Jordan, Bill Konigsberg shows how every guy is different and showing your emotions isn't a bad thing. Max feels like he always has to be a warrior yet he's hiding a big secret. Max and Jordan's romance is bittersweet, it was so different and I loved having a change in gay characters for once. Max is very macho and "dude bro" which I absolutely loved! I was laughing so much at the dialogue between him and his boys, Zay-Rod and Betts. As a guy who leans more on the bro side, I've been searching for a book that is more bro-like and I was so so happy with this! It was exactly what I was looking for.
This book also talks about relationships of every kind; friendships, parental relationships and romantic relationships. Max and Jordan both have rocky relationships with one of their parents, for Max it's his dad, who is a traveling comedian, and for Jordan, it's his mom who he feels like he has to babysit since the beginning of the story starts with him starting his dad's food truck with no experience to try and salvage overdue rent money so they won't lose their house.
Going into the book, I was so excited to read about a food truck and I really enjoyed this aspect! Mainly because I could tell the author really did his research, which he mentions in the acknowledgements. This is because we get to really see how much hard work a food truck actually is and the business side, like getting permits and licenses.
Next, I really liked the writing. You could tell the author really put his heart into this book by describing everything. In particular, I loved the descriptions of Max and Jordan's homes. They really came to life in my head!
Last, the title came full circle! For a bit, I kept wondering what the title meant. No spoilers :)
Ugh. I just loved this book and it's easily my favorite of the year. The characters were great and artsy! Max is an artist and Jordan writes poems.
TW: rape, racism
Rep: POC, #ownvoices for gay rep
The best way I can describe this book is unique. This was the most unique story I've read in a while. It tackles so many issues that are never discussed about boys and men! Through Max and Jordan, Bill Konigsberg shows how every guy is different and showing your emotions isn't a bad thing. Max feels like he always has to be a warrior yet he's hiding a big secret. Max and Jordan's romance is bittersweet, it was so different and I loved having a change in gay characters for once. Max is very macho and "dude bro" which I absolutely loved! I was laughing so much at the dialogue between him and his boys, Zay-Rod and Betts. As a guy who leans more on the bro side, I've been searching for a book that is more bro-like and I was so so happy with this! It was exactly what I was looking for.
This book also talks about relationships of every kind; friendships, parental relationships and romantic relationships. Max and Jordan both have rocky relationships with one of their parents, for Max it's his dad, who is a traveling comedian, and for Jordan, it's his mom who he feels like he has to babysit since the beginning of the story starts with him starting his dad's food truck with no experience to try and salvage overdue rent money so they won't lose their house.
Going into the book, I was so excited to read about a food truck and I really enjoyed this aspect! Mainly because I could tell the author really did his research, which he mentions in the acknowledgements. This is because we get to really see how much hard work a food truck actually is and the business side, like getting permits and licenses.
Next, I really liked the writing. You could tell the author really put his heart into this book by describing everything. In particular, I loved the descriptions of Max and Jordan's homes. They really came to life in my head!
Last, the title came full circle! For a bit, I kept wondering what the title meant. No spoilers :)
Ugh. I just loved this book and it's easily my favorite of the year. The characters were great and artsy! Max is an artist and Jordan writes poems.