Hate List

"Hate List" by Elizabeth Brown, was a spur of the moment read, decided by some book review website that I can't remember the name of.

It's about this girl, Valerie, whose (ex?)boyfriend (Nick) killed people in a school shooting. Valerie stepped in the way and was shot in the leg to stop Nick from killing more people. Then Nick killed himself.

But people still think that she is guilty, since she was the one that started the hate list that led up to the shooting (hence the title of this book).

Even her own parents think that Valerie is basically a school shooter (which makes me sadder than I would like to admit).

Some of the more Kumbaya-esque moments between Valerie and Jessica seemed a little staged and fake, but all of Valerie's thoughts feel real to the point that she could be a friend.

The most interesting thing about this book is definitely the perspective. We rarely hear about things from someone like Valerie, and this book is so real, it's crazy. I also borderline cried near the end, and I am not a huge book-crier.

The ending also threw me for a weird loop, which I appreciate (I read so many books that cliche ends make my eyes roll).

This novel is kind of amazing, and I would definitely read it if I were you.

Just don't read the author's note...she says she was inspired by Nickelback, which pretty much ruined the book for me.


Peace, Love, and Literacy.