Review: The Catastrophic History of You and Me

my thoughts in a few sentences: Oh, gosh. *tries to breathe* Jess Rothenberg reins nothing in, leaving emotion strewn about in just about every place we stumble across through Brie's wrenching journey to peace and acceptance. Right within the first couple of chapters, my face was openly drenched for all to witness my sorrow and grief, mourning the loss of a young character's life—a character, incidentally, who I barely knew at the start yet I wept for this world Rothenberg exposes to us since it was now bereft of such a bright, happy girl with a deeply loving family, which includes a little brother who will be deprived of his older sister's presence in the years of his life to come. Literal heartbreak as a story concept isn't as corny as it initially sounds; a dagger breaks into our hearts every time Rothenberg pumps anguish into her words and into the discoveries she unveils.

hooking first line: "There's always that one guy who gets a hold on you."

Rating: Special Shelf | Penguin • Borrowed • Contemporary/Paranormal • 2/21/12 • $14.88

Jess Rothenberg's This or That + Giveaway

About the Author:

Jess Rothenberg grew up in Charleston, South Carolina, graduated from Vassar College, and spent most of her twenties editing books for teens and middle grade readers (like the bestselling titles VAMPIRE ACADEMY, STRANGE ANGELS, and I AM A GENIUS OF UNSPEAKABLE EVIL & I WANT TO BE YOUR CLASS PRESIDENT, to name just a few). She lives in Brooklyn where she writes full-time, dances interpretively (http://bit.ly/xeGlEZ), and dreams of one day owning a sheepdog named Leo.

THE CATASTROPHIC HISTORY OF YOU AND ME is her first novel.

The Catastrophic History of You and Me is one of my most anticipated reads for 2012 and I'm so excited to welcome Jess Rothenberg on the blog today!

WOULD YOU RATHER EAT/DRINK:

Cupcakes or muffins? I’ll say muffin, but only under one condition: it has to be an APRICOT muffin from NYC’s Terallucci e Vino (to die for). If not, cupcake all the way.

Peanut butter or jelly? Homemade jam, like you’d buy at a farmer’s market. Preferably raspberry.

Ice cream or icees? Coffee Häagen-Dazs and/or Cookies and Cream.

Pastries or junk food? Nobody better lay a finger on my Butterfinger.

Coffee or tea? Coffee in the morning and tea allllll day long.

Soda or juice? Fresh-squeezed orange juice, please.

WHICH WOULD YOU RATHER READ:

Sci-fi or dystopian? Dystopian. (Don’t tell my Dad, he’ll be heartbroken.)

Contemporary romance or paranormal romance? As long as it’s forbidden, I’m in.

Urban Fantasy or High Fantasy? High fantasy. Secret Lord of the Rings fan girl here.

Myth retellings or fairy tale retellings? Fairy tale!

Tragedies or comedies? To me, the best stories are those that successfully blend both. Sometimes a good cry is just as satisfying as a good laugh.

WHICH WOULD WIN IN A FIGHT?

Vampires or werewolves? I just feel like werewolves would have the upper hand. Er, paw.

Ghosts or the living? Ghosts. (That whole walking through walls thing.)

Gods/Goddesses or demi-gods? I’d put my money on absolute power.

Witches or faeries? Witches. They’re better at blending in with the crowd and striking when you least expect it... Cackle.

Mermaids or sharks? Sharks. Stronger, faster, chompier. (Swim, Ariel, swim!)

WHEN YOU READ, YOU WOULD RATHER:

Sit in a chair or lay on a bed? Curling up in bed with a good book = the best.

Speed through the story or savor it? Savor! I get too sad when a fabulous story ends to rush through it.

Dog-ear the book or bookmark it? Dog-ear. Why is there never a bookmark around when you need one? (Or maybe I just need to tidy up my room.)

A long book or a short book? A good book.

A physical copy or an ebook? Physical. I love the texture of a cover, the delight of turning actual pages, and the sense of accomplishment I feel when I reach the end and can add it to my sprawling living room bookshelf.

YOU WOULD CHOOSE:

Stefan or Damon? (The Vampire Diaries) Can’t say, since I haven’t read the series or watched the show…

Christian or Tucker? (Unearthly) Same goes for Unearthly, alas.

Ash or Puck? (Iron Fey series) Eeek, I haven’t read this series either. I know, I must! *Hides face in shame.*

Edward or Jacob? (Twilight) Bella and Edward belong together, 100%. But personally, I’d go for Jacob. For one thing, he’s alive, which is always a plus in a significant other. But more than that, Jacob is sweet, snuggly, adorable, and—most importantly—a loyal friend. My kind of guy.

Dimitri or Adrian? (Vampire Academy/Bloodlines) I actually edited the entire Vampire Academy series, beginning to end, back when I was an editor at Razorbill, so THIS is one I can answer! Adrian is hilarious, no question about it, but I’m Team Dimitri all the way. : )

Thanks again for hosting me, Asher!
Hope you enjoy The Catastrophic History of You and Me when it lands in bookstores on 2/21!

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Oh my gosh, Jess, it was such a pleasure! Thanks for answering so honestly and for happily participating! I'm so revved to pick up The Catastrophic History of You and Me and will at the first opportunity.

Dying of a broken heart is just the beginning.... Welcome to forever.

BRIE'S LIFE ENDS AT SIXTEEN: Her boyfriend tells her he doesn't love her, and the news breaks her heart—literally.

But now that she's D&G (dead and gone), Brie is about to discover that love is way more complicated than she ever imagined. Back in Half Moon Bay, her family has begun to unravel. Her best friend has been keeping a secret about Jacob, the boy she loved and lost—and the truth behind his shattering betrayal. And then there's Patrick, Brie's mysterious new guide and resident Lost Soul . . . who just might hold the key to her forever after.

With Patrick's help, Brie will have to pass through the five stages of grief before she's ready to move on. But how do you begin again, when your heart is still in pieces?

Purchase The Catastrophic History of You and Me, from Penguin, today!

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