How to Be a Normal Person

DNF @ 19%

The humor is just not hitting right, and literally every character annoys the fuck out of me, so I guess I'm an even bigger grump than Gus. Klune is really hit or miss for me, and this one's a miss.

I have a very specific sense of humor. This makes watching comedies of any type more annoying than amusing, usually. It also makes it somewhat less than easy when I find ‘humorous' books to read because, more often than not, I don't actually find the author funny.

This author I find funny. This book actually made me laugh several times which it rather impressive. What I don't understand, though, is how I can be laughing one page, then two pages later I'm struck right in the feels and left tearing up.

That being said, I think I have a slight preference for the sequel over this one. This one works better mechanically for me as a romance, but I think I am more attached to the couple in the sequel (I think I relate to them better) than I do Gus and Casey.

That being said, Gus and Casey are both such sweethearts and I wish we got Casey's POV, too.

This was a pretty funny and enjoyable read. I laughed out loud a handful of times. But everyone sort of had the same language quirks – they just happened to be funny quirks. I wouldn't mind visiting this town and people. Key word: visiting.

I found Mr. Klune's wacky characters to be similar to Christopher Moore – enjoyable, but also noticeably artificial.

I liked the inclusion of an asexual person in the romance, but I think it would have been more interesting to see this character and his love interest, the main character, work through it. Instead, Gus seemed to have a low sex drive, which sweeps away an adjustment and a natural source of tension.

I'm not sure if I'll read more from this author, because, um, I judge books by their covers, and find his book covers really unappealing. Which is my loss, I understand. The right premise might draw me in though.