Now is Not the Time to Panic

This is an intriguing and compulsive coming-of-age story about two teenagers in 1996 who meet that summer and the poster they create goes viral before social media and going viral was even a thing.

I honestly don’t know how to write a review for this book. On one hand I found the characters unrelatable, Frankie very unlikeable, and the first half of the book slow and repetitive. But, on the other hand the story is so well written, the characters are very well fleshed out and stay true to their personalities and traits throughout the story. So, I was bored, and I was drawn into the coming-of-age story of trying to make your mark and finding your place in the world as a teenager. Make any sense?? Just trying to give you an idea on what my brain was experiencing as I read.

Now is Not the Time to Panic is a slow burn, character driven, adult contemporary fiction book, but to me it had a YA feel and I kept thinking about how I would like to teach this book to my 11th grade English Honors class and all the different things I could do with the story. I’m also really curious as to how teenagers today would view this story. Overall, I think the themes are universal and resonant, so this book could have widespread appeal.

I’m so thankful to have read this book with Rachelle. I will say that she enjoyed it more than I did, so make sure you check out her review. too!

Please note: If you are wanting to read this book because you loved Nothing to See Here, this book is nothing like it at all.

Thank you, Ecco Books, for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.

Yesterday

It has just been some miserable weather for several days. We dealt with 40 mph sustained winds with gusts well over 65 mph, and of course some snow. I hunkered down at home with my books and did some baking.

For our Sunday night dessert I went with a new recipe from Half-Baked Harvest for Crinkly Salted Caramel Snickerdoodle Pie!

This pie was surprisingly super easy to put together, and I had it in the oven baking up in no time. Although, I should note that I used a store-bought piecrust.

As you can see from this picture it was gooey, rich and be on the yummy! Definitely one I’m making again.

Thankfully before I dove into that amazing dessert I had made a nice and healthy dinner with some good old veggies! I love Plant Based RD and you find so many amazing vegetarian recipes on her site. This Grilled Chickpea Veggie Pita was full of flavor and I loved the dip that went with it.