This is one of my favorite books of all time. I have read it at various stages of my life, and the older I get, the more I understand it and the more connected I feel with the characters in the world of Fangirl. Once upon a time, I was a girl who read and wrote fanfiction. Back then, I saw a piece of myself in Cath and I understood her connection to fictional worlds. Now, as a 21-year-old college student, I see myself in Fangirl in a very different way, in more ways than before. The book helped me reflect on the experiences in my own life - on the struggles of growing up, on my familial issues, etc. in a way I hadn't before. It is rare to find a book that makes characters that are so incredibly real and that experience life in a way that is so incredibly real, that I can see myself in it so well. Can real be boring sometimes? Yes, but not to me. Not really, at least. I mean, I am someone who also thoroughly enjoyed Ladybird, which is a movie largely regarded as boring...so...lololol

There is a lot to love about this book. I love the characters - their relationships and interactions with one another, their senses of humor, their distinct personalities, and, of course, how incredibly real they feel. I love that they feel like they have whole lives outside of Cath's. It really makes it feel like they are real, breathing (often imperfect) people. I love Rowell's writing style - simple but honest and clever and witty. I love those lines that made me go "how did she come up with that?" I love the little peeks we got into the world of Simon Snow, even if at times they felt a bit long. I love how they often connected to what was happening in the book itself and how it helped us understand something that is such an important part of Cath's life. I love, I love, I love. 

This book was a lot more reflective for me than I expected. It reminds me that experiences like the ones Cath went through (keeping it as vague as possible) can be universal. It reminds me that I am not alone. And that every experience - whether it is horrible or anxiety-inducing or traumatic - is survivable. It reminds me that life is full of lessons and opportunities to grow, as well as really great moments that make life worth living. I can't wait till my next reread - maybe I will reflect on something new next time... 

I don’t know what I was expecting from this book, but having an intense emotional reaction to this one and absolutely falling in love with all the characters wasn’t it. I found Cath so relatable and my heart ached and sang for her at every turn. Now I’m going to have to immediately read the manga series and the Simon Snow series—can’t get enough of the world Rainbow Rowell has created!

THE NARRATIVE

Characters: 5/5
Honestly, five billion out of five. I can't even begin to explain how real and beautiful and flawed the characters in this book are. I just love them so much, and I want to hug Cath and have a long chat with Levi and judge people with Reagan - I love them all, and even the less loveable characters, like Wren, I ended up loving by the end. While I was reading I felt like I was in Cath's dorm, watching everything unfold between her and Levi, or in the cafeteria scrutinising the people in line with her and Reagan. Rainbow Rowell just has such a real way of writing. Her characters are so consistent and halfway through the book you realise you know them almost as well as your own best friends.
Plot: 4/5
I want to give this 5 stars but there isn't really a plot? The story revolves around the characters, which is what makes the book so special and wonderful to read.
Writing: 5/5
The writing flows so perfectly and the dialogue - the dialogue - is so hecking good. Witty and funny and unique to each and every character.

THE THEMES

Family: 5/5
I love love love reading YA books where there are actual present families that are supportive and flawed and communicate with each other. Cath's dad tries so hard and she cares about him so much, and the two of them and Wren are so complicated but so loving. Wren and Cath's relationship is hilarious and sad and I like that the twin thing isn't played up too much.
Mental Illness: 4.5/5
I'm so appreciative of all the recent mental illness rep in YA fiction, but sometimes I feel like every character with a mental illness is barely functioning, and inevitably ends up in a psych ward. And there are people whose experiences with mental illness are like that, but there are also those who are constantly affected by their illness but still live what looks like a normal life from the outside. Cath is one of those people, and I love her portrayal of mental illness - specifically social anxiety - in this book.

MY THOUGHTS 

So. Can we just take note that when I first read this book I have it two stars. TWO STARS?!?! I don't know what I was thinking, because this is a five star read through and through. I love the characters, I love how easy it is to read, I love the snippets of Simon and Baz, and I even love the cover.