In his twisty, gritty, profoundly moving New York Times bestselling-debut-also called "mandatory reading" and selected as an Editors' Choice by the New York Times-Adam Silvera brings to life a charged, dangerous near-future summer in the Bronx.
Adam Silvera was born and raised in the Bronx. He has worked in the publishing industry as a children's bookseller, marketing assistant at a literary development company, and book reviewer of children's and young adult novels. His debut novel, More Happy Than Not, received multiple starred reviews and is a New York Times bestseller, and Adam was selected as a Publishers Weekly Flying Start. He writes full-time in New York City and is tall for no reason.
Praise for More Happy Than Not
A New York Times Bestseller
A New York Times Editors' Choice
A Paste Magazine Best Young Adult Novel of All Time
A Booklist Best First Novel of 2015 and a Booklist Editors' Choice
of 2015
A Kirkus Best Teen Book of 2015
An ABA Indie Next Selection
An Amazon Best Young Adult of 2015
A Refinery29 Best Diverse Young Adult Book
A Popsugar.com Best of 2015
A Bustle.com Best Young Adult Book of 2015
A New York Public Library Top 10 Young Adult Novels of 2015
A Los Angeles Public Library Best Teen Books of 2015
The Latinidad List Best Young Adult Novel of the Year
A Magill’s Literary Annual 2016 Selection
"A beautiful debut novel [that] manages a delicate knitting of
class politics through an ambitious narrative about sexual identity
and connection that considers the heavy weight and constructive
value of traumatic memory . . . Aaron's Bronx universe [is
captured] with a precision that feels at once dreamy and casually
reportorial . . . Mandatory reading."
—The New York Times Book Review
“Adam Silvera’s debut novel takes on the delicate balancing act of
covering some of life’s weightiest of topics: suicide, coming out,
trauma, grief and urban poverty . . . Fully in control of the
ambition of its plot, Silvera’s best seller marries the
page-turning elements of a sci-fi narrative with incisive
commentary on sexuality.”
—Time
“Silvera is a master of creating terrifying near futures that
feature technology that's both intriguing and troubling.”
—Shondaland
"Inventive and daring, Silvera's gritty debut kept me turning pages
until 2 A.M. His writing crackles with challenging questions,
searing and timely."
—Aaron Hartzler, author of Rapture Practice
“Aaron is one of the most interesting, authentic teen narrators
I’ve met, and his story is told with incredible courage and
unflinching honesty. Silvera managed to leave me smiling after
totally breaking my heart. Unforgettable.”
—Becky Albertalli, National Book Award nominee and author of Simon
vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda
"Adam Silvera explores the inner workings of a painful world and he
delivers this with heartfelt honesty and a courageous, confident
hand. Combine these with a one-of-a-kind voice and a genius idea,
and what you have is a mesmerizing, unforgettable tour de
force."
—John Corey Whaley, National Book Award finalist and author of
Where Things Come Back and Noggin
“Adam Silvera is a voice missing in YA fiction. The honesty of his
words and his ability to tell a story make you realize that we’ve
been waiting for him. I’m blown away.”
—Holly Goldberg Sloan, author of Counting by 7s and I'll Be
There
"[Silvera] throws in a hugely rewarding, whiplash-worthy twist in
the last third of the novel. A bold, inventive, raw look at male
sexuality in an irresistible sci-fi package."
—The Globe and Mail
"[An] important addition to speculative fiction for young adults .
. . Silvera's tale combines the best features of science fiction
with social justice in this engaging read, as Aaron finds a place
where he belongs."
—Los Angeles Times
"Heartfelt . . . The futuristic twist, with its poignant
repercussions, drives home a memorable, thoroughly contemporary
theme: who you are inside is not something that can or should be
erased . . . Lose your memories, lose your pain, lose
yourself."
—Chicago Tribune
"A gut-wrenching story telling of race and sexuality."
—The Guardian
“This is definitely at the top of my YA list. There’s a realness to
its main character, Aaron Soto, and his struggle to be who he
really is. It confronts race and sexuality in a way I haven’t seen
in the genre before.”
—Latina Magazine
"Smart . . . Sensitively told."
—Good Housekeeping
"Poignant . . . So engrossing that once you start it, you won't be
able to put it down. Don't say we didn't warn you."
—TeenVogue.com
"This is a cry-on-the-subway book, so watch out."
—MTV.com
"This is a beautifully written book that seems to get sadder with
every page, but never feels hopeless."
—Refinery29.com
"Silvera’s debut is equal parts gut-punch and warm hug, not to
mention sweet, funny, creative, and a really welcome entry to YA
with regard to having characters coming from a lower socioeconomic
background."
—BN.com
"Silvera, like [Benjamin Alire Sáenz], is a beautiful writer.
Aaron’s story is heart-wrenching, funny, inspirational, and
eye-opening. This is a really special novel from an extremely
gifted new writer."
—Bustle
"A compassionate read that you'll want to pass on to everyone you
know."
—Metro US
"One of the most heartrending YA reads you’ll ever pick up. And
despite the slight sci-fi twist, everything in the novel feels so
very real. More Happy Than Not will leave you shaken for days, if
not weeks."
—Paste Magazine
“Offers a sci-fi take on ‘conversion therapy,’ and faces the worst
of anti-gay bigotry and violence head on.”
—Vulture
"What to expect if you read this unique story: complete and
absolute heartbreak, probably tears (unless you're heartless, that
is), and moments that will make you smile ear to ear."
—PopCrush.com
"[Silvera] explores the possibilities of a world where death, and
life, can be forgotten, roles rewritten and broken hearts mended.
This is a story not just of a young man coming out, but a dramatic
and heart-wrenching story of first loves, first heartbreaks, grief
and the quest for happiness."
—Shelf Awareness, Starred Review
"For its explorations of sexuality, poverty, and race in the Bronx
along with its subversion of the traditional hero’s journey, More
Happy Than Not is one of this summer’s most anticipated YA debuts.
And if you’re hesitant about its 'YA' distinction, the novel is
also an absorbing, thought-provoking, and timely read for people of
all ages—perfect for a day on the beach."
—NEXT Magazine
"[A story] of love and expectation and self-discovery, and of
declaring yourself to a world that will never give you a soft
landing."
—B&N Teen Blog
"A dark and deeply affecting book, More Happy than Not asks young
readers to reflect courageously on the value of memory and
self."
—The Monitor
"Throughout the story, the reader will find herself wanting to hug
Aaron, shake him, and ultimately her heart will break for him. This
reporter finished the book as though Aaron’s life depended on
it."
—Planet Jackson Hole
"No matter who you are, More Happy Than Not is almost impossible
not to enjoy."
—Bucks County Courier Times
"A mind-blowing story . . . A story about love, and acceptance that
will absolutely break your heart."
—PopCrush.com
"This is not like any story you've ever read about self-discovery
and acceptance. This is the story about self-discovery and
acceptance."
—YA Books Central
"Revolutionary . . . strikingly poignant . . . It is a stunning
examination of why we make the choices we make."
—BookBrowse.com
"On top of the fact that More Happy Than Not is a great young adult
novel and a great debut novel, this is just a good book. It's
heartbreaking, funny and hopeful, and I don't think I'll be able to
forget it."
—The Spencer Daily Reporter
"Many readers will identify with Aaron, whether or not they are
dealing with issues of orientation . . . Silvera draws wonderfully
complex characters and deftly portrays the relationships among
them. The true beauty of this book is the way Silvera subtly
reveals the plot—readers find Aaron coming out to them in a gradual
way."
—VOYA
"Vividly written and intricately plotted: a well-executed twist
will cause readers to reassess what they thought knew about Aaron's
life . . . Beyond gritty . . . Silvera pulls no punches."
—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review
"A fresh spin on what begins as a fairly standard, if well
executed, story of a teen experiencing firsts—first love, first
sex, first loss—and struggling with his identity and sexuality . .
. Prejudice is illustrated with gut-wrenching brutality and its
effects are scarring, but Silvera tempers it with the genuine love
and acceptance Aaron receives from a few important friends and
family members . . . Ingenious."
—Booklist, Starred Review
"Places a straightforward concept—what if you could erase unwanted
memories?—squarely within an honest depiction of the pains of
navigating the teen years and upends all expectations for a plot
resolution . . . A multifaceted look at some of the more unsettling
aspects of human relationships. A brilliantly conceived
page-turner."
—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
"A gripping read—Silvera skillfully weaves together many divergent
young adult themes within an engrossing, intense narrative."
—School Library Journal, Starred Review
"The novel takes an unexpected, complex turn . . . In the end,
readers are left with a gripping story about one memorable teen,
and if it also leaves them pondering how his life might have been
different if various elements had been improved, that is likely the
exact takeaway intended."
—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"[Silvera is] a phenomenal talent and is destined to be a
star."
—James Dawson, author of This Book Is Gay
"Raw, emotional, and genuine."
—Nerds and Beyond
"An important new voice in YA literature, in More Happy Than Not
Adam Silvera has created a passionate, searing narrative with
characters who feel unique and totally familiar. I found myself
rooting for Aaron Soto and his family from page one. More Happy
Than Not is an unforgettable read."
—Alex London, author of Proxy and Guardian
"A debut as deft as it is sharp, as honest as it is assured, and,
above all, extremely moving. Silvera pulls his punches with an
energy, daring, and intensity that left me spellbound—and reminded
me why I love to read."
—Adele Griffin, author of The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone
“Adam Silvera’s More Happy Than Not is a fantastic magic trick I
haven't stopped thinking about since I finished reading and suspect
will stay with me for some time to come.”
—Jasmine Warga, author of My Heart and Other Black Holes
"Adam Silvera harnesses a certain reckless energy and unleashes it
through the voice of Aaron Soto. Aaron Soto is astounding, full of
heart, wit, youthful energy, and a deep desire to be honest about
who he is in the world. He sinks into your skin so you can't stop
thinking about him even when you aren't reading. High on story,
character, and some perfectly executed twists, I loved this
book."
—David Arnold, author of Mosquitoland
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