The Rest of Us Just Live Here is certainly an unusual and unique book, often leaving me confused, however overall I loved it!
Although their town is currently in the middle of yet another apocalyptic event, Mikey and his friends just want to go to prom, without the school being blown up. Let the indie kids deal with the blue lights and the dying. The idea that this town has got to the point where they’re sick of the apocalypse is original and very entertaining.
I think what makes this book brilliant is the diverse and eccentric group of characters. There’s Mikey, desperate to be accepted and battling with anxiety problems; his older sister, recovering from almost dying because of anorexia; Jared, Mikey’s best friend, who just so happens to be the God of cats and mountain lions, and Henna, who leaves at the end of the year but who Mikey is hopelessly in love with. At times this book is incredibly funny and witty, however somehow it also manages to deal with serious issues such as coming out and anxiety without in any way making a mockery of them.
I laughed and cried more than I expected, even though at times I had no idea what was going on in the storyline! Overall I would rate this book 8/10, as I was sometimes a little lost however found it very funny and heart-wrenching at times.
• Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop
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