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Available
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Publication
Soho Teen (2015), Epub, 304 pages
Description
After enduring his father's suicide, his own suicide attempt, broken friendships, and more in the Bronx projects, Aaron Soto, sixteen, is already considering the Leteo Institute's memory-alteration procedure when his new friendship with Thomas turns to unrequited love.
User reviews
LibraryThing member blakefraina
In the film Shadowlands, to help him deal with his grief, the dying wife of C.S Lewis tells him, “The pain then is part of the happiness now. That’s the deal.” It’s always been one of my favorite quotes. So moving. And if you've lost someone dear, you know it's so true.
I chose this book
And yet…throughout there's foreshadowing of darker undercurrents – particularly with regard to Aaron’s father’s suicide and his own subsequent attempt. For the most part, these two topics go unexplored, ostensibly due to Aaron’s reticence to dwell on negative things in his past. But is that the whole story? Is it the true story?
All I can say is once you get past the redundancy of the early chapters and the tale begins to unfold in earnest, it’s enthralling and gut-wrenching. And while the protagonist is gay, and certainly his coming to terms with that is integral to the story, Silvera is really addressing much bigger, more universal themes about coping with grief and pain. Aaron learns, perhaps too late, that the risk we take when we love someone is that we’ll eventually lose them, one way or another. Because the pain then is part of the happiness now.
That’s the deal.
This one really sneaks up on you. A sophisticated addition to the LGBT YA canon and an all-round powerful debut.
I chose this book
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because of its unique premise. It combines a gay coming of age story with an intriguing speculative fiction element. For the first two-thirds of the book, frankly, I thought I was going to be disappointed because author Adam Silvera spends way too much time on the set-up - covering similar ground as in countless other coming out stories. Sixteen year-old Aaron Soto hangs out with his group of rough neck friends in their Bronx neighborhood, worries about his over-worked but doting mother, feuds with his video-game obsessed older brother, loses his virginity to Genevieve, the girl he think he loves until he meets Thomas, the new hottie in town, who awakens his latent desires. Yadda yadda yadda – all the usual suspects.And yet…throughout there's foreshadowing of darker undercurrents – particularly with regard to Aaron’s father’s suicide and his own subsequent attempt. For the most part, these two topics go unexplored, ostensibly due to Aaron’s reticence to dwell on negative things in his past. But is that the whole story? Is it the true story?
All I can say is once you get past the redundancy of the early chapters and the tale begins to unfold in earnest, it’s enthralling and gut-wrenching. And while the protagonist is gay, and certainly his coming to terms with that is integral to the story, Silvera is really addressing much bigger, more universal themes about coping with grief and pain. Aaron learns, perhaps too late, that the risk we take when we love someone is that we’ll eventually lose them, one way or another. Because the pain then is part of the happiness now.
That’s the deal.
This one really sneaks up on you. A sophisticated addition to the LGBT YA canon and an all-round powerful debut.
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LibraryThing member mjspear
In this slightly-altnerative world, the drug Leteo promises to erase bad memories. Aaron is trying to be happy but is dogged with sad feelings and bad memories. His father has just committed suicide, one of his friends has been gunned down, and he has other secrets he's trying to repress.
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Surrounded by a posse of childhood friends, a steadfast girlfriend, and a wide city (Brooklyn? the Bronx?) to explore, Aaron does manage to have some fun. In his wanderings, he meets Thomas whose philosophical questions and intense listening make for a new kind of friend. But trouble appears when Aaron tries to change their relationship. All of this makes Aaron a perfect candidate for the Leteo procedure... but is he? Great, authentic voice with lots of natural humor, this book alternates in tone and was, at times, hard to swallow. Also, imho, way too long. Still, this will speak to LGBTQ youth and anyone who is tortured with "bad" thoughts. Show Less
LibraryThing member froxgirl
This is a YA mashup of Flowers for Algernon and Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, with a ripped-from-the-headlines twist: Aaron Soto has decided to have his bad memories erased, by Leteo, a biotech company.
Guess what doesn't work.
Aaron's father committed suicide and he doesn't know why. Or
The plot points may be a bit unlikely, but the dialogue, Bronx neighborhood setting, childhood recollections, and characters are all memorable and beautifully drawn and structured. It would be on a required summer reading list if those things were remotely cool. I hope there are more great reads to come from Adam Silvera.
Guess what doesn't work.
Aaron's father committed suicide and he doesn't know why. Or
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does he? Aaron loves Genevieve. Aaron loves Collin. Aaron loves Thomas. Or does he?The plot points may be a bit unlikely, but the dialogue, Bronx neighborhood setting, childhood recollections, and characters are all memorable and beautifully drawn and structured. It would be on a required summer reading list if those things were remotely cool. I hope there are more great reads to come from Adam Silvera.
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LibraryThing member EllsbethB
This book is thoughtful and prompts us to consider some very interesting issues. Be sure to pay attention to the sparse visuals as you progress through the book.
LibraryThing member samseabornesq
Medical memory blackout goes haywire in this bittersweet tale of unrequited love.
LibraryThing member Susan.Macura
This is the story of Aaron, a teenager who wishes to undergo a memory-relief procedure in an attempt to forget that he is gay. Growing up in the projects in Bronx, he knows what it is like to be poor, how his father killed himself, how tough life is and what it means to be accepted by your peers.
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That is why Aaron has a girlfriend who adores him but it is also why he wants to fight his feelings for his new friend Thomas. What Aaron has forgotten is that he went through this procedure before trying to forget his sexual preference, so this second time is much riskier. This is an interesting look at what it means to be gay and how you can never change who you truly are. Show Less
LibraryThing member lilibrarian
Aaron Soto has always known about the Leteo Institute. But until he realizes something, he would rather not know, he had no interest in the procedure for himself. Now, with his history, his friends' ostracizing him and rejection by his best friend and girlfriend, he is changing his mind.
LibraryThing member Salsabrarian
*SPOILER* So emotionally intense I can't bring myself to read it again to clear up the confusion I encountered after Aaron's memories unwind. Had he already had the Leteo procedure to forget Collin and being gay by the time he met Thomas? In any case, it's a deep exploration of forming one's
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identity and presents a debate on the value of life's joys and pains. Show Less
LibraryThing member AltheaAnn
This is a "Flowers for Algernon" for today's generation of youth.
Aaron Soto is a kid from the Bronx projects. He's got a group of friends that he's hung out with all his life, and a girlfriend that he's wildly in love with. These two things have been helping him keep it together since his father's
The pain of that loss makes him think twice when he hears the new ads that are popping up all over the place for the Leteo Procedure - a new medical treatment that promises to erase traumatic memories. Someone he knew even had the procedure - a neighbor whose twin brother was murdered. Of course, he hasn't seen the guy since it happened.
But, with the support of of his girlfriend, Aaron is managing.
Then one day, he meets Thomas. He finds a kindred soul in this new friend, who quickly becomes the one he's spending most of his free time with. The friendship leads him to start re-evaluating some of his life attitudes... and starts driving a wedge into his more long-term relationships. And then, things really start unraveling.
Five stars, not because this is going to be one of my personal favorites of all time (although I did very much enjoy it), but because I don't think that what this particular novel set out to do could have been done any better. A masterful, emotional work that will touch hearts and change lives.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Soho Press for the opportunity to read. As always, my opinions are solely my own.
Aaron Soto is a kid from the Bronx projects. He's got a group of friends that he's hung out with all his life, and a girlfriend that he's wildly in love with. These two things have been helping him keep it together since his father's
Show More
suicide.The pain of that loss makes him think twice when he hears the new ads that are popping up all over the place for the Leteo Procedure - a new medical treatment that promises to erase traumatic memories. Someone he knew even had the procedure - a neighbor whose twin brother was murdered. Of course, he hasn't seen the guy since it happened.
But, with the support of of his girlfriend, Aaron is managing.
Then one day, he meets Thomas. He finds a kindred soul in this new friend, who quickly becomes the one he's spending most of his free time with. The friendship leads him to start re-evaluating some of his life attitudes... and starts driving a wedge into his more long-term relationships. And then, things really start unraveling.
Five stars, not because this is going to be one of my personal favorites of all time (although I did very much enjoy it), but because I don't think that what this particular novel set out to do could have been done any better. A masterful, emotional work that will touch hearts and change lives.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Soho Press for the opportunity to read. As always, my opinions are solely my own.
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LibraryThing member leahlo89
Review to come after I fee like I can catch my breath again.
LibraryThing member Iambookish
Thank you Netgalley for suggesting this book for my reading list, because I'm doubtful I would have found it on my own!
It is suggested in the synopsis that it's a bit like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and there is a sliver of that story in this one, but that is only a small part of this
Learning that this is the author's debut was hard to fathom, since the quality and content are full of depth and brilliance. I look forward to reading much more from this amazing talent.
It is suggested in the synopsis that it's a bit like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and there is a sliver of that story in this one, but that is only a small part of this
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beautifully written book about a young man's discovery of who he is and why it's impossible to forget. Learning that this is the author's debut was hard to fathom, since the quality and content are full of depth and brilliance. I look forward to reading much more from this amazing talent.
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LibraryThing member jess_reads
This may be a book to reread within weeks of the initial experience. It's unsettling, at times slow and awkward, and confusing. That may very well be due to the expression of Aaron Soto's experience throughout the story. To say he's going through a rough patch is an understatement.
Minority
Aaron's Puerto Rican heritage was a really interesting read and gave context to the cultural perspectives of his family and friends. It shaped the world and his environment. You could see how easy it was to be friends when growing up together like that. This makes the violent betrayal that much more devastating.
The desire to forget everything is understandable, and that desire is manifested in the Leteo Institute's technology. This plot point fell short due to how easily it came about. The analogy of quick fixes backfiring is a bit repetitive and a bit of a let down. I think the story may have been more powerful if there was an actual opportunity for Aaron to recover and work through the difficulties. It's important to show the realities of hate crimes in addition to the feel-good stories, but the ending fell flat and was a bit disappointing.
More Happy Than Not can be an important book, and provides a great opportunity for discussion for more than just the YA crowd.
Minority
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representation - and dual instances of race and sexual orientation - is slowly becoming more common in YA but still might be considered a niche topic for a specific audience. My question would be whether this could be considered an erasure of bisexuality in favor of simply being understood as gay; there are even fewer books that consider bisexual characters, much less protagonists.Aaron's Puerto Rican heritage was a really interesting read and gave context to the cultural perspectives of his family and friends. It shaped the world and his environment. You could see how easy it was to be friends when growing up together like that. This makes the violent betrayal that much more devastating.
The desire to forget everything is understandable, and that desire is manifested in the Leteo Institute's technology. This plot point fell short due to how easily it came about. The analogy of quick fixes backfiring is a bit repetitive and a bit of a let down. I think the story may have been more powerful if there was an actual opportunity for Aaron to recover and work through the difficulties. It's important to show the realities of hate crimes in addition to the feel-good stories, but the ending fell flat and was a bit disappointing.
More Happy Than Not can be an important book, and provides a great opportunity for discussion for more than just the YA crowd.
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LibraryThing member Brainannex
Memory modification is available to people but not everyone trusts it. Sadly, while a promising premise, not a great story.
LibraryThing member jdifelice
4.5/5 stars. I found this book to be pretty great! i loved the character development and really enjoyed the story. Aaron was a really relatable character and I enjoyed getting to know him and about his life. It was a great read to pick up after reading a creepy book :)
LibraryThing member Criticalnes
the twist blew me away, i wasn't expecting it.
i couldn't srop crying at the ending either.
when you're comfronted with the possibility of erasing or changing your painful past in memories, would you take it?
tbh, yes i would.
and maybe I'd be as bad off in a totally different way.
i actually didn't
a sequel wouldn't work, but I'm still pretty devastated. and i will remember him, happy or not.
now I'll just go continue to cry on my corner /sobs
i couldn't srop crying at the ending either.
when you're comfronted with the possibility of erasing or changing your painful past in memories, would you take it?
tbh, yes i would.
and maybe I'd be as bad off in a totally different way.
i actually didn't
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know this book dealt with depression or suicide, otherwise I wouldn't have read it without preparation, but they were broached and tackle with reality, so definitely pleased.a sequel wouldn't work, but I'm still pretty devastated. and i will remember him, happy or not.
now I'll just go continue to cry on my corner /sobs
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LibraryThing member marjorie.mallon
4.5 stars.
This debut novel surprised me. I started off not being too sure about it and then loved it! Sometimes I'm like that I need a little convincing and then kapow - it hits me full force. Great idea, fantastic characters, particularly the main protagonist Aaron Soto, thought provoking
This debut novel surprised me. I started off not being too sure about it and then loved it! Sometimes I'm like that I need a little convincing and then kapow - it hits me full force. Great idea, fantastic characters, particularly the main protagonist Aaron Soto, thought provoking
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questions about his emerging sexuality, and interesting setting - the Bronx. Have added to my favourites list. Show Less
LibraryThing member Charlotte_Kinzie
This book made me cry in a shopping center food court.
If that doesn't scare you off, then get it.
Adam Silvera is one of my favorite authors at the moment. He doesn't sugar coat the world. He writes about real life, real loss, and real people. I find his books captivating from the start. I fall in
If that doesn't scare you off, then get it.
Adam Silvera is one of my favorite authors at the moment. He doesn't sugar coat the world. He writes about real life, real loss, and real people. I find his books captivating from the start. I fall in
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love with his characters and ... if... they don't make it to the end, I grieve. Show Less
LibraryThing member ainjel
I thought I knew what to expect. I was wrong. I should have expected it, considering the novel is clearly heavily influenced by Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but this novel still took me for a spin, and in the end, it hurt my heart so badly that I don't even know what to think.
I finished
And boy oh boy, do I hurt.
I wouldn't change a thing about this book, no matter how badly I wish things turned out differently for the characters in the book. It's a perfect ending, and it shows the difficulties of the pursuit of happiness, and the effects our choices have. I cannot recommend this book enough.
I finished
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about an hour ago, and I still feel like crying. I'm so sad. But the thing about this sadness, is that it's a needed sadness. It isn't a book that is sad to be sad, or that gives you a sugar-sweet happy ending just to satisfy that desire in all of us for happiness. It's a book about finding happiness within yourself, and how sometimes, we have to hurt to find out what happiness is.And boy oh boy, do I hurt.
I wouldn't change a thing about this book, no matter how badly I wish things turned out differently for the characters in the book. It's a perfect ending, and it shows the difficulties of the pursuit of happiness, and the effects our choices have. I cannot recommend this book enough.
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LibraryThing member Kat.Nova
So many things happened by the end of the book. So many things that made my heart clench. This was heartbreaking to read.
I was gonna give this four stars, but that ending really deserves the five. Can't wait to read more of Silvera's books!
I was gonna give this four stars, but that ending really deserves the five. Can't wait to read more of Silvera's books!
LibraryThing member Isana
Honestly, the first part of this book is boring by itself. Like actually boring for like 150 pages. But don't give up because everything gets so much better and the boring makes sense and you end up feeling feels that you never thought you would feel.
I will say that the point when Aaron walks away
All in all, a really good YA story that leaves you with some darkness but also a bit of light.
I will say that the point when Aaron walks away
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feels too easy and not emotionally grueling enough. There is also a lot of presenting things and giving the context later if that makes sense. Which is a twist in a big way but it also kind of annoying at times. All in all, a really good YA story that leaves you with some darkness but also a bit of light.
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LibraryThing member JReynolds1959
Aaron has decided to have a procedure to wipe out his memory. His memories are too hard to handle, especially after discovering that he is gay and his life-long friends have discovered it and have beaten him so bad.
This was different. Felt a little lost near the end, not really understanding the
This was different. Felt a little lost near the end, not really understanding the
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procedure and the choice for a second one. Show Less
LibraryThing member heike6
I gave up about 80 pages in because it seemed pretty boring, but I picked it back up and it turned a corner.
LibraryThing member nilaffle
This is a spoiler-free review, so I leave a lot of details out, but I hope it gives you a sense of the novel!
MORE HAPPY THAN NOT is sci-fi story that feels contemporary. Silvera's debut novel takes place in New York City during the rise of the Leteo procedure, which promises to erase or modify
The pace of the story is steady, never boring; if it's slow, then it's in the service of developing the characters and activities that fill Aaron's life. Things are getting serious with his girlfriend, Genevieve, and he's found a new friend in Thomas, a kid from another housing project.
MORE HAPPY THAN NOT deals heavily with identity, relationships, and how our memories shape us. Aaron's life seems ordered and simple at the start. He knows who he is and who his friends are, and his days are filled with work at the local bodega and childhood games on the street. But underneath the surface life is messier than even Aaron wants to acknowledge. The story takes a turn in the latter half of the book that sends everyone spiraling and left me misty-eyed. For Aaron, the pursuit of happiness proves dangerous, but necessary for his survival. Strange that sometimes the promise of happiness stings even more than sadness. The novel does some things with memory and perception that get a bit tricky, but I thought Silvera handled it well.
MORE HAPPY THAN NOT is sci-fi story that feels contemporary. Silvera's debut novel takes place in New York City during the rise of the Leteo procedure, which promises to erase or modify
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painful memories and give patients a new lease on life (think ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND). For the first half of the book, Leteo exists as little more than advertisements and news articles in main character Aaron Soto's life; he only knows one friend who's been through the procedure, due to a death that deeply affected his Brooklyn community, but now that friend has moved away. Aaron has suffered his own traumas worth erasing, but he pushes through life with his girlfriend, small family and squad of friends, determined to be happy.The pace of the story is steady, never boring; if it's slow, then it's in the service of developing the characters and activities that fill Aaron's life. Things are getting serious with his girlfriend, Genevieve, and he's found a new friend in Thomas, a kid from another housing project.
MORE HAPPY THAN NOT deals heavily with identity, relationships, and how our memories shape us. Aaron's life seems ordered and simple at the start. He knows who he is and who his friends are, and his days are filled with work at the local bodega and childhood games on the street. But underneath the surface life is messier than even Aaron wants to acknowledge. The story takes a turn in the latter half of the book that sends everyone spiraling and left me misty-eyed. For Aaron, the pursuit of happiness proves dangerous, but necessary for his survival. Strange that sometimes the promise of happiness stings even more than sadness. The novel does some things with memory and perception that get a bit tricky, but I thought Silvera handled it well.
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Awards
Lambda Literary Award (Finalist — 2016)
Eliot Rosewater Indiana High School Book Award (Nominee — 2018)
Nutmeg Book Award (Nominee — High School — 2018)
Oregon Reader's Choice Award (Nominee — 2018)
Virginia Readers' Choice (Nominee — High School — 2018)
Kids' Book Choice Awards (Finalist — 2016)
ALA Rainbow Book List (Selection — Young Adult Fiction — 2016)
James Cook Teen Book Award (Honor Book — 2017)
Best Fiction for Young Adults (Top Ten — 2016)
CCBC Choices (2016)
Nerdy Book Award (Young Adult Literature — 2015)
Los Angeles Public Library Best of the Year (Teen — 2015)
Penn GSE's Best Books for Young Readers (Selection — Young Adult — 2015)
New York Public Library Best Books: For Teens (Fiction — 2015)
Language
Original publication date
2015-06-02
Local notes
The Leteo Institute's revolutionary memory-relief procedure seems too good to be true to Aaron Soto -- miracle cure-alls don't tend to pop up in the Bronx projects. But Aaron can't forget how he's grown up poor or how his friends aren't always there for him. Like after his father committed suicide in their one bedroom apartment. Aaron has the support of his patient 'girlfriend', if not necessarily his distant brother and overworked mother, but it's not enough.