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Spontaneous
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
"Aaron Starmer skillfully welds sharp humor, deep loss, and roaring escapades. Truly the smartest and funniest book about spontaneous combustion you will ever read." John Green, #1 bestselling author of "The Fault In Our Stars" A darkly funny and spectacularly original exploration of friendship, goodbyes and spontaneous combustion. Mara Carlyle s senior year is going as normally as could be expected, until "wa-bam!" fellow senior Katelyn Ogden explodes during third period pre-calc. Katelyn is the first, but she won t be the last teenager to blow up without warning or explanation. As the seniors continue to pop like balloons and the national eye turns to Mara s suburban New Jersey hometown, the FBI rolls in and the search for a reason is on. Whip-smart and blunt, Mara narrates the end of their world as she knows it while trying to make it to graduation in one piece. It's an explosive year punctuated by romance, quarantine, ""lifelong friendship, hallucinogenic mushrooms, bloggers, ice cream trucks, Snooze Button, Bon Jovi, and the filthiest language you ve ever heard from the President of the United States. Aaron Starmer rewrites the rulebook with"Spontaneous." But beneath the outrageous is a ridiculously funny, super honest, and truly moving exemplar of the absurd and raw truths of being a teenager in the 21stcentury and the heartache of saying goodbye."
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Victoriahoperose
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Panpan

Meh. I thought this was going to be really good but I really didn‘t care for the writing. It was super sarcastic but it just didn‘t work for me. It was all over the place and I was just bored with it for the most part. I thought with a story line of spontaneous combustion it would have been really entertaining and fast paced, but I just couldn‘t get into this one. At least I had my reading buddy, Edgar, here to snuggle with on this rainy day!

ShelleyBooksie Edgar ♡ Nice coat. 2y
30 likes2 comments
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vanslibanan
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Still a few chapters in with the book but was blown away with the movie. This film left me in awe, made me swoon and laugh, felt sorry for the lead character then hopeful. A must read/watch! Just see it now!!! #bookstoscreen 📖🎬

48 likes3 stack adds
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SaunteringVaguelyDownwards
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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"When Katelyn Ogden blew up in third period pre-calc, the janitor probably figured he'd only have to scrub guts off one whiteboard this year."

This YA novel about a school stricken by a series of spontaneous human combustions is certainly vying for weirdest book I've read this year!

#FirstLineFridays
@ShyBookOwl

Sace Oh my what a strange concept! 4y
9 likes1 comment
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NerdyRev
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Mehso-so

File this one under a good so-so book. It is not great, it is not bad, but it is good/ok. It has a great premise-teens spontaneously combusting and it has a snarky, jaded protagonist. Somewhere though I just stopped caring what happened. Rushed romance, blurry message, and maybe too much snark lost me after a bit. I sped through the last few pages to see why these teens combust (spoiler/answer in comments). It was good for the first half.

NerdyRev It is left open ended, so no reason is given which disappointed me more. 6y
29 likes1 comment
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Robothugs
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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When high school seniors start spontaneously combusting in a New Jersey suburban town, the school year is halted and the seniors get a green light to do whatever they want while everyone, including the government, tries to figure out what's going on. #ChampagneSupernova #90sInJuly

61 likes7 stack adds
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Oryx
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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#funfridayphoto Jealous of all those who were closest to the Kindle. This one is fun so far, but it wouldn't sustain me long 👽👾 @Liberty

19 likes1 stack add
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Oryx
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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My first goodreads give away win 😀 Inspired to try it by folks on litsy, so thanks all. #freebook Litsy, is there anything you can't do? Looking forward to this read, sounds fun.

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JacintaMCarter
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Pickpick

#2017Book18
Mara's senior year is shaping up to be pretty normal...until her classmates begin to blow up in the middle of class. The FBI is called in to investigate these cases of spontaneous combustion, but no one can seem to figure out why these kids are exploding, or who will be next. While the premise of this novel seems absolutely ridiculous, it serves as a unique commentary of the fears of growing up and trying to figure out the future.

Michelle_mck You are powering through the books this year 💪🏻 7y
Suet624 Book 18!!! 7y
50 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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MorganNotMegan
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Pickpick

I picked this book up because I thought a book about spontaneous combustion might help warm me up during my commute (no such luck!) My one main problem with this book is that I listened to it on audiobook and the narrater sounded so much older than a teen in high school. Other than that - book is surprisingly sweet, not gory, has a romantic subplot, and plenty of weirdness to keep you turning the pages. Def for older YA readers though.

44 likes2 stack adds
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JacintaMCarter
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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My #JanuaryTBR is much bigger, but these were the books within arm's reach. #ReadJanuary

JulieAnn Loved Case Histories! 7y
45 likes1 comment
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Bookies
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Mehso-so

This is often a clever book. When I revived an arc at bea I found the marketing clever as well. The book was packaged with a plastic rain poncho! So much of the writing was good. I never felt like the story got bogged down. Mara's voice was believable even in an insane situation. In the end, however, I was left unsatisfied with the resolution -- or lack thereof. It's a daring book though.

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kathyellendavis
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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#firstlines #youngadult #kidlitsy
Does this line draw you in/make you want to read more?

SuperPunkNinja Definitely! 7y
BookishMarginalia This was a good book, though I wish explanations had been forthcoming about why the spontaneous combusting. I guess that wasn't the story the author wanted to tell. 7y
kathyellendavis Sweet @McShelfington we can chat about it. 7y
kathyellendavis @BookishMarginalia I'm close to the end but saw in reviews people commenting on that. 7y
10 likes1 stack add4 comments
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kathyellendavis
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer

Reading now. Rosemary is not sleeping as well at night (new place and people messes up a routine!) so we're taking it Day by day and I'm reading for sanity. This one is funny so far! Maybe 50 pages in.

readinginthedark My son always sleeps worse while we're on vacation or visiting family. I hope it's gotten better! 7y
9 likes1 stack add1 comment
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ExLibris_Kate
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Mehso-so

Overall, the writing was really funny. (If you're looking for realism or characters to sound like "real teens" a book about spontaneous combustion probably isn't a good place to start.) It reminded me a lot of the darkness of Heathers. The ending kind of fell apart, though.

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Germmagazine
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Pickpick

"Told with a fresh and unique voice and a plot that is unlike anything ever written for teen audiences, Spontaneous is sure to be one of the most brilliant YA books written all year. Starmer has combined action, romance, and even a bit of thrilling moments into one novel that both male and female readers will find satisfying and completely hilarious."

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Jonezee
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Pickpick

A dark comedic and snark filled romp that holds more below the surface. This touches on issues such as fear in the media, racism, and coming to grips with your own mortality. Loved. 4.5 out of 5 stars.

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Sara_Planz
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Pickpick

Spontaneous combustion and a senior high school class come together (or rather blow apart) to create a story about how drastically things change as we get older and reach the milestone of graduating and adulthood; the need to hold on to each other but at the same time realizing we have to let go of our pasts in order to move forward, sometimes without the people we depend on.

67 likes1 stack add
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Sara_Planz
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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The most important bag to pack for holiday travel.

Gleefulreader I spend days plotting reading choices even for the shortest trip away from home. It is at least half the fun of going away! 7y
89 likes1 comment
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ExLibris_Kate
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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"When Katelyn Ogden blew up in third period pre-calc, the janitor probably figured he'd only have to scrub guts off one whiteboard this year." #firstlines

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Robothugs
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Panpan

Stramer's writing, as well as the first 150 pages, left me on the brink of bailing. The style is reminiscent Me, Earl And The Dying Girl... in theory, great. But it didn't work for him. Told from the perspective of Mara, there is eventually emotion filtered through the sarcastic, smart aleck narration (with the story underneath). I was on board with the unusual plot. But I was grasping for anything to connect me with the story. It didn't happen.

minkyb Well this just moved to the bottom of the TBR! Thanks for the review. 7y
Robothugs @minkyb I wanted to love it 😩 7y
23 likes2 comments
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Robothugs
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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We are having a lazy Sunday finishing up this book. #CatsOfLitsy #LittenKitten

Hollie So sweet! 7y
I-read-and-eat 😻😻😻😻 7y
CherylDeFranceschi ❤️😻 7y
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Robothugs @Hollie @I-read-and-eat @CherylDeFranceschi thanks! 😻 7y
Bette 🐱 looks so toasty. ❤️🐱 7y
sunflowers Awwwww...... 7y
35 likes6 comments
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Sara_Planz
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Did some decorating with my son tonight while he is home on leave and now it's time to enjoy the weekend!

jessberk13 I'm putting my tree up Sunday and will decorate on Thanksgiving. I can't wait!! 🎄 7y
72 likes2 stack adds1 comment
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Robothugs
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Katelyn is the first, but she won't be the last senior to blow up without warning or explanation. With the whole country watching, the FBI soon rolls into Mara's New Jersey hometown and the search for answers is on.

Suet624 What??? 7y
Suet624 For some reason that struck me as a very odd plot. But I'm not sure why. There are crazier ones than that, for sure. 7y
Robothugs Spontaneous combustion 😳🙀 @Suet624 7y
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Robothugs Yes, it seems odd at first but the book is pretty good so far, as YA go. I've seen "picks" and "so-so" reviews on here. Sometimes I enjoy an outlandish idea a plot. ? Good when you've just read a heavy book. @Suet624 7y
Suet624 @Robothugs actually spontaneous combustion is easier to imagine as something I might want to read. 👀. 7y
Robothugs You might want to or might not want to? 😂 @Suet624 7y
Suet624 @Robothugs want to. Originally I thought it was about bombs. 7y
Suet624 Not so keen on bombs. 7y
Robothugs Ah! Yeah, gotcha. Wouldn't of been my cup of tea from the description, either. So far it's good 😊 I'll be posting about it when I'm done reading. @Suet624 7y
20 likes1 stack add9 comments
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jmtrivera
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Mehso-so

I enjoyed the snarky narration and interesting descriptions, but overall found it a bit unsatisfying.

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jmtrivera
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer

"I was coming to realize that if you don't look for something, then you rarely find it."

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jmtrivera
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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A #bookandbrew in bed. The tag on my teabag tonight read "Plant kindness, gather love." #PhotoadayNov16 @RealLifeReading

20 likes1 stack add
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Sara_Planz
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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It's The End of The World panel at #texasbookfestival with AS King, Aaron Starmer, Siobhan Vivian and Rachel Cohn

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jmtrivera
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Not quite sure what I want to put on my #NovemberTBR since I never finished my October TBR, but I'll start with these: one a series I really want to finish, and the other my YA Book Club read that I still need to do! #photoadayNov16 @RealLifeReading

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Nitpickyabouttrains
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Mehso-so

I enjoyed the story-telling and the characters. But the end got a little abstract and did not satisfy. Read with caution.

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SarahSaysRead
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Took a nap -oops! Now trying this out for my second book. And also enjoying my fave #readathon snack. 😍

#readersgonnaread #booklife #24hourreadathon #Spontaneous

Zelma Jalapeño poppers? 7y
17 likes1 comment
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mischa
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Pickpick

This...wasn't what I was expecting. I don't mind the ending - a lot of things I have seen have expressed disappointment at it - but it ended up being quite different to what the blurb made me think it was. I enjoyed it yet felt a bit underwhelmed.

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LauraJ
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Pickpick

Smart, funny story about spontaneously combusting seniors along with a nice dose of friendship, a non-gushy romance and self-discovery. This is the story that I wish My Best Friend's Exorcism would have been. #HelloOctober

Texreader Beautiful cat!! ❤️ 7y
LauraJ She's very smart too. And a foster kitty looking for a home. 😿 7y
Notafraidofwords Great review. 7y
LauraJ @Notafraidofwords Gee, thanks! ☺️ 7y
31 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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LauraJ
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Thank you @bookriot for Spontaneous! All five of us are really enjoying it 😻. Btw, the poor little kittens are looking for homes if anyone in the #losangeles area is interested... #catsoflitsy

LauraBeth Awww - look at those littles 😻😻 7y
LeahBergen When I first saw this pic, I thought you had "spontaneously" brought home a box of kittens! ? 7y
Riveted_Reader_Melissa So beautiful! 7y
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Gezemice Awww! So much cuteness, I can't bear it! ❤️❤️😻😻 7y
DebinHawaii So sweet! ❤️🐱🐱🐱🐱🐱 7y
DreesReads They are so cute! But I don't think my #catsoflitsy would appreciate any new felines lol.🐈🐈 7y
25 likes1 stack add6 comments
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arocknrollmom
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
Pickpick

This book was so fun! I am not usually a YA fan, but this was funny, a bit raunchy, and moving. I loved the friendship between the girls.

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BookishMarginalia
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Pickpick

I love the premise of this novel: what happens when the seniors at one New Jersey high school inexplicably start to blow up? And for the most part I like the execution, though the ending feels like it's the setup to a sequel. Narrator Mara --the best thing about the book-- is our snarky guide to the goings-on, a witness to several of the spontaneous combustions. Bloody but never gory, this novel explores what it means to live feeling cursed.

Notafraidofwords Great review ! 8y
Zelma Intriguing premise! 8y
SarahSaysRead I'm picking this up from the library tomorrow. So excited. 8y
109 likes14 stack adds3 comments
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BookishMarginalia
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Delicious dinner prepared by @WanderingBookaneer : beef tenderloin a la Pollan with beef jus, roasted Brussel sprouts paired with Riesling. #booksandwine

MrBook Mmmmmmm 😋 8y
wrenaymuhree Yum! I'm drinking Riesling, as well! Cheers! ☺️ 8y
BethFishReads Yummm 8y
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BethFishReads I'm drinking a Syrah 8y
AbstractMonica This looks amazingly delicious! 8y
Cortg Beef tenderloin is my all time favorite! Yummmmmmm! 8y
kspenmoll Looks divine! 8y
melbeautyandbooks Yummy! 😋 8y
98 likes5 stack adds8 comments
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BookishMarginalia
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Loving Mara, the first-person narrator of this novel about high school seniors who start spontaneously combusting in a New Jersey town.

94 likes11 stack adds
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BookishMarginalia
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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A glass of Riesling and a great book -- halfway through Spontaneous on this dark, rainy second #blackout night in Puerto Rico.

RanaElizabeth This book sounds great, my kind of crazy! 8y
BookishMarginalia @RanaElizabeth it is! And I love the narrative voice: Mara is so snarky! 8y
GlitteryOtters Ahh, you were smarter than I am, you chose a non-audiobook version of it! 😂👍👍 I'm still mad at the person in charge in selecting the audiobook reader for this book--she didn't do the narrator justice. Hope you like it! 8y
NeeSwee I really liked this book! It was so dark and weird. Have you read DOWN WITH THE SHINE by Kate Kayrus Quinn? It came out earlier this year and I thought it had the same of dark and funny thing going on...📚 8y
BookishMarginalia @NeeSwee Hadn't heard of it -- I need to track it down! 8y
78 likes4 stack adds5 comments
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BookishMarginalia
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Waiting in the car for @WanderingBookaneer means I can start on this new purchase! #epigraph #CharlesDickens

gibblr Oooh this sounds interesting! You'll have to let me know how it is. 8y
BookishMarginalia @gibblr Definitely! I saw this at Costco and didn't get it because I figured I could bit to it from you: 8y
BookishMarginalia *borrow t 8y
gibblr Yes! We can trade off! 8y
80 likes2 stack adds5 comments
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SeeJulieRead
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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To wrap up the weekend, I'll go out with a bang of a book.

34 likes1 stack add
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J.Alt
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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And this is what I did on Labor Day!!! I'd say it was a damn good day!! 👊🏻

J.Alt Oh I forgot! #bibliogiveaway thanks @Liberty !!! 8y
Karkar Amazing stack! 📚📚😍😍 8y
10 likes2 comments
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kay89
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Teenagers spontaneously combust! Do I need to say more?

LitHousewife I need this book! 😂😂😂 8y
brendanmleonard I keep seeing this book pop up - I'm not a YA person really but I can't resist the concept 8y
7 likes1 stack add2 comments
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GlitteryOtters
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Pickpick

Good book, a fun sarcastic YA book about high school seniors who spontaneously combust. 4 out of 5 stars...nothing life changing or perspective changing, but enjoyable. Get a print version, though, NOT audio as the audiobook narrator has both a terrible, at least somewhat fake, bad vocal fry AND a permanent smirky tone which gets obnoxious over 9+ hours of listening.

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abbylibrarian
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Mehso-so

????? I am just not sure what I am supposed to think about this book. It's one crazy ride, for sure.

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GlitteryOtters
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer

Reading this on audiobook right now (because I needed a lighthearted yet sarcastic book about spontaneous combustion today) and while I will say that I really like the story so far (6 chapters in), I will say that I wish I had chosen a physical or ebook instead of audio. This narrator has a really bad, I think mostly fake vocal fry which is annoying the heck out of me. I will stick with it, because I like the story, but this narrator is the pits.

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NeeSwee
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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^^^ this.

I loved Starmer's RIVERMAN trilogy, and so far, this is just as good!

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Caridactyl
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer
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Best opening to a book, probably ever.

3 likes1 stack add
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Caridactyl
Spontaneous | Aaron Starmer

Best opening to a book, probably ever.