Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Graphic Novel, Teen, LGBTQ+ Thoughts: This may be one of the most complex and reaching installments of Heartstopper yet with everyone working with Charlie on his recovery and questions around the next steps in the older members of the groups lives such as university the book handles it all well. I liked the way that different people were portrayed in regards to Charlie as it can be hard for family members to know how to help or communicate with people with mental illness and we got to see both sides and also how to advocate for ourselves with both sides. I also liked seeing the tour of universities with the older 3 as it shows a normal stage in life for 17/18 year olds and reinforces that they are just normal teens who happen to be LGBTQ+. I appreciated the way in which Oseman managed to communicate the natural nervousness of a first time to show just how normal it all is while still remaining closed door and respectful for younger readers. Favourite Quote:...
Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Poetry Thoughts: I picked this book up as someone living with a rare disease and chronic illness the blurb called to me and many of these poems made me feel seen. The section ‘What it Feels Like’ and ‘The Language of Pain’ were especially helpful for me and the first poem (not in a section) ‘How to Behave with the Ill should be shared with everyone with an ill person in their life as it gave voice to things I’d struggled to communicate when first trying to navigate my new life as a sick person. I liked the further reading at the end as this is my first introduction to Poetry and Health but it’s definitely an interesting premise and I’m intrigued to know more Favourite Quote: “You ask me how I'm going to live the rest of my life Well, nothing is predictable with pain”