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Optimists Die First
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
37 posts | 37 read | 22 to read
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review
Rylee_fitzhenry
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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Pickpick

At first I was very unsure of this book. I didn‘t think I would like it at all. Because the girl in this book owns like eight cats, and I hate cates. But then I got about halfway through the book and she started forming a connection with Jacob and other people at school, and I started loving it. I was so scared that Petula was not going to forgive Jacob for lying to her. But she forgave him and they ended up being happy with each other.

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Rylee_fitzhenry
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen

I have only read four chapters of this book so far, but I can already tell Petula and Jacob are going to have a strong connection. I wonder if Petula and Jacob are going to be friends or if they will be more than just friends?

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Jenny
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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Books read in April. Favorite was Optimists Die First.

Crazeedi Great job!👍🎉 6y
19 likes1 comment
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JoScho
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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These are the goodies I got at the bookmobile book store today. I am on a tight budget but I had to support such a cute and fun little book store. I collect enamel pins so of course those were a no brainer. @Kaye how pretty is that postcard? 💕

JenaJenkins Adorable earrings! 6y
Kaye That postcard is beautiful. It‘s great that you got to get souvenirs of your visit today. 😊 6y
GripLitGrl Nice haul!😍 6y
130 likes1 stack add4 comments
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Jenny
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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Pickpick

I just love stories that make me laugh AND cry and manage to be sweet and cute while dealing with some pretty heavy issues.

JoyNorstrom I‘ve been wanting to read this for months! I love her earlier titles. 6y
Jenny @joynordstrom. This was my first book of hers. I‘ll definitely be checking out the others. 6y
JoyNorstrom @Jenny I just finished Word Nerd (same author) and it was great! Quick read. 6y
Jenny @JoyNorstrom good to know. 6y
19 likes1 stack add4 comments
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RachLovesTV
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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Pickpick

A heart breaking story of grief, loss, and guilt. It's hard enough dealing with the death of someone you love, let alone if you blame yourself for their death. It doesn't even really matter if it's *really* your fault, the guilt weighs heavily on you all the same. I love this ragtag crew of kids that eventually became not just friends, but family. It's definitely a heavy book at times, but it has its funny moments, and I'd highly recommend it.

RachLovesTV Also, it's from #Canada and set in Vancouver! 6y
Jenny Interesting. I‘ll have to read it. Have you read Ketchup Clouds? It kind of deals with the same issues. 6y
RachLovesTV @jenny I haven't, but I'll have to take a look. Thanks for the rec! 6y
36 likes1 stack add3 comments
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Steph_EE
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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Pickpick
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cateeb
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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Pickpick

Pessimism was never more fun and lovable than experienced through Petula's eyes! Nielsen's witty narrative grabs hold from chapter one and carries positivity through many hard situations. A must-read for anyone new to middle grade or YA, or to realistic fiction!

RaimeyGallant Welcome to Litsy! #LitsyWelcomeWagon 6y
2 likes1 comment
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iamlewisherald
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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Pickpick

Non mi era mai capitato di creare un legame così forte e saldo con un protagonista com'è successo con Petula! Non posso esimermi dal consigliarvi questo coraggiosissimo libro!

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volatilestatic
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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Pickpick

I loved this one! It was so funny and heartfelt without being saccharine or sentimental. I also think it portrayed adolescent mental health concerns very realistically. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

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missdefying
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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Pickpick

I saw this book and knew it was meant for me. Picture me as the black Wednesday Addams. I wouldn't say I'm a pessimist, but rather a realist. The main character in this YA romantic drama is definitely a realist. There's no typical romantic ending--instead the reader is given something real to match the main character's perspective on life. A well-told story beginning to end.

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SassenachTheBookWizard
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
Pickpick

Not totally sure why (I really don't like realistic contemporaries) but I absolutely loved this book. A quick read (only took me 3 hours) that is based in Vancouver. I related so much to this character and really liked the author's writing.

RebL I liked this one too. Nielsen seems to have the teen reader in mind. 7y
66 likes1 stack add1 comment
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RebL
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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Binged it. Nielsen doesn't fill in the gaps, doesn't tell teens what to think and doesn't make adults totally flawed or perfect. It's the right kind of writing for the targeted age.

11 likes2 stack adds
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BookishTrish
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
Pickpick

I loved the book when it focussed on Tula and her family - what a use of Where The Wild Things Are - but merely liked it once it started dealing with Jacob's (somewhat predictable) baggage.

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BookishTrish
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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Leisurely late breakfast and audiobook

GypsyKat I had pineapple for breakfast, too! 😊 7y
64 likes1 comment
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BookishTrish
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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BookishTrish
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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...but first they revel in this view

Robothugs 😂🙈 7y
62 likes1 comment
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TeeCee
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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Pickpick

Intriguing title, smart, quick read. Teens dealing with tragedies, reacting in different ways, and finding their ways back to living life together. Interesting characters, good dialogue. One if the the rare books I wish had been longer!

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StaceyKondla
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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Pickpick

I always enjoy a new Susin Nielsen book and binged this one in a single sitting. She has definitely upped her game for older teens with this one. The main theme of this story is guilt and forgiveness and it was so well done! The story is told with humour and sadness in equal measure with quirky, interesting characters and cats, too.

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StaceyKondla
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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My Indigo order arrived today ❤❤❤

PurpleyPumpkin Lucky you!😍 7y
56 likes1 stack add2 comments
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bartsbooks
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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Pickpick

Loved meeting Petula and the rest of the gang. I've been in a bit of a reading slump since the end of last year, this did a great job of pulling me back out.

Proper review on my blog next week.

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Missusb
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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1 like1 stack add
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dani_reviews
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
Mehso-so

Mixed feelings about this one! I initially felt good about it and could complete relate to Petula's pessimism. I mean, I like to call my personal brand "realism", but whatever. But I started to get bored because it felt like the story was skimming the surface of feelings rather than digging in. There were some positives, though: a couple of really funny moments and super positive talk of teen sexuality. So not a total downer!

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overflowingklc
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
Pickpick

An awesome read. I really got Petula and all her worried worst case scenario planning. I loved her quirky habits and her group of friends. Plus she knits.

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overflowingklc
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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Epic book post today. I cannot wait to read this.

BookishMarginalia Love the title! 7y
BooksForYears I hope the content lives up to that epic title! 7y
13 likes2 comments
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CuriousTeeth
Optimists Die First | Susin Nielsen
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Pickpick

This is a preemptive pick as I have not technically finished it, but I am really loving it so far. I did not expect a book about crafting and cats to have me crying all the cries, but here we are. Perfect snuggly Sunday reading.

CuriousTeeth Update: Finished! Absolutely still a pick. 7y
16 likes1 stack add1 comment