My Never Ending List

It was amazing, just totally amazing. The grit and the integrity, the honesty and the sarcastic humor screaming inside this book appealed to me. It read to me like a combination of The Breakfast Club and the narration from the movie, Stand by Me. Harry moves the story forward and backwards entering snapshots of current events in his life while at the same time playing the part of the narrator, all with his straight-forward remarks. It was his truth and the way he dealt with life that won me over. There are times when I reading that I forgot that Harry was a misfit, a word that he uses to describe himself, and it also seemed that Harry himself, forgets his own obstacles too. It is only when things start to go awry does Harry fall back on these obstacles as the root of his problems. That’s what I love about Harry, there was so much inside him, he’s got the potential and he’s got the attitude, he just needs a road to follow. If only Harry had not been tied to that tree that day of the thunderstorm. Bullying had taken a toll on Harry life before but now being burned, crushed, unconscious and scarred for the rest of his life would just add more trauma to his daily struggles. When Johnny and Harry become friends, Johnny doesn’t judge him for his looks but sees him for who is really is. It’s a different type of relationship and Harry realizes that but he’s fine with it as he finally has a friend. It’s when Harry gets his heart crushed with Gabrielle that I was riveted to the book. Johnny decides it’s time to create a band, so with four individuals with no musical talent between them but lots of ambition and heart, they piece together their first song. At the end of their first gig, they have survived unsuccessfully they thought but the crowd loves them. It’s beautiful reading about Harry and his band, their dreams and their life searching for the perfect tune. They sing about they know, they search for what they want and I was along for the ride. It was one of the best rides I have had all year.

I wish I could give it more stars.