Oh my gosh.
Oh my gosh.
Oh my gosh.
OH MY GOSH.
WHY IS THIS EVEN HAPPENING?!
Okay. Okay, Erin. Take a deep breath. Calm yourself. Curl up tighter in the blankets. Stop freaking out. BUT HOW CAN I? I’ve seen Rainbow Rowell’s Eleanor and Park cropping up everywhere, and several people told me I had to read it. So, I did. I did it. I went to the bookstore, I headed over to the YA aisle, and I bought this book. And now I’m just staring out at the window, like ‘what even is this life?’
It was good. No, it was really good. I’m not going to write a review about this book since so many other people have that I feel like everyone in the world but me has read this book. But can I just say this? If you haven’t, do it. If you are over the age of fifteen, read this book. If you are over the age of fifty, still read this book. It caught me right in the feels. It makes you think, and it makes you want to listen to good music, and it makes you wonder about the horrible people in this world, and about the great people in this world, and the people caught in-between. It was so good that I even got a little book hangover from it. Not as much as my utmost favorite series (which is like having not one, but two Pan Galactic Gargle Blasters) but definitely some shots-after-shots action going on with this on.
If you don’t already know, a book hangover is when you finish an amazing book, then return to the “real” world, only to find that you’re still actually living in that book. It can be the best feeling in the world, but it’s also often the worst. Anyways, Eleanor and Park definitely fit the bill. I can’t stop thinking about it. I can’t.
…
But the worst thing is, this isn’t an uncommon occurrence. In fact, I’ve found that this book hangover feeling has been happening more and more often. So much, even, that I’ve come to a realization. It takes my upmost strength to say this, and I hope that you don’t judge me.
But, guys…
I think I’m a bookaholic.
Yep.
It’s not recreational anymore. I don’t think it ever was. I have a problem. And I hope that problem never goes away.
Raised Reading 
I love Eleanor and Park, and I am beyond excited for Landline to come out! I haven’t actually read any books that gave me a book hangover, but a couple weeks ago I was reading a Rush by Eve Silver, and I disliked it so much that I could not bring myself to finish it or start another book for several days. It was pretty depressing. I’m now starting The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken in hopes that I will have the staring out the window moment as well. I hope your book hangover gets better!
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Ooooh, I didn’t know she has another book coming out! I still haven’t read Fangirl, so I have something to look forward to first.
Aw, wow, that sounds so awful. There has to be some kind of term for that. What is the opposite of a book hangover? A book slump? A book paralysis? I have no idea.
I hope the Darkest Minds will give you a proper book hangover, haha, and thank you!
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I haven’t read this yet (I know!) and while I really loved Fangirl it didn’t give me book hangover. I usually get book hangover from fantasy series (because you’re literally in a different world in those books and then have to come back to the normal one) so I’m intrigued that a contemporary book seemed to hit you so hard with book hangover!
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I haven’t read Fangirl yet, so I’m not sure if that, too, would have given me a book hangover. I totally agree with you, though. Fantasy series are my predominant source of book hangovers, like Harry Potter, the Princess Bride, and Gregor the Overlander. I think Eleanor and Park wasn’t so much a book hangover because of the plot or the world, but more just the characters and their thoughts. I can’t stop thinking about what would be happening if the book kept going…
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The only Rowell book I’ve read is Attachments.
The Hunger Games trilogy give me an awful book hangover, but that doesn’t stop me from binge reading them!
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Yes to the Hunger Games. After I finished those books I had to go hunting online for games that stimulated the hunger games. I remember taking this super long quiz to see whether you’d survive or not, and feeling like this was THE life or death decision, haha.
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Your post really makes me regret that I haven’t read the book yet! I mean, EVERYONE seems to have read it already and I actually feel like the last person on earth who hasn’t done so yet 😀 I don’t exactly remember my last book hangover but when I do have one, I always have this strange desire to read a YA contemporary book to overcome it.
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Don’t worry–there’s still time for you! 😀 After all, I just jumped on the bandwagon a few days ago. But really, I do recommend it! Especially for you, since Eleanor and Park is a YA contemporary book. If you happen to experience a book hangover any time soon, you can just pop over to the bookstore or library and read this! 🙂
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The ending though. It left me feeling weird. At first I was like… what, it’s over? Just like that? SURELY IT DOESN’T END LIKE THAT???? But then I realized how well that sort of ending fit with the story and I was satisfied. Fangirl did that book hangover feeling for me though, not Eleanor & Park, because I felt such a strong connection with the main character. The Shatter Me series crushed me too. I couldnt stop thinking about it for a solid week!
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I know, same here. I blinked a couple of times, shook my head, and then had to reread the last page, like ‘did I miss something?’ A stuck page? An epilogue? Something?? But after having my little fit, I came to accept it, and love it.
I haven’t read Fangirl yet, but it’s on my list now. I think I connected a lot with Eleanor and Park because I saw so much of my family in Park’s family. (Half-Korean, military dad who met mom while overseas). I haven’t read Shatter Me yet, either, but I’ve heard nothing but good things about it, so I must get to it!!
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OMG I’m getting excited just by hearing that you’re loving this book! Park is beyond awesome, isn’t he? I’m still hungover too, haha. It’s a nightly ritual for me to re-read a chapter or two now. Still get nice chills every single time.
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Yes, Park is so great! I love that he’s really quite sweet, even though he starts out cold. There’s definitely no Insta-Love here!
Yes, I could see myself re-reading it, too, it’s always nice to fall asleep reading something wonderful.
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Ahaaa, I love this post so much! The amount of times I’ve had this reaction after reading a book…
I have yet to pick up this novel although I’ve owned it for a little while. I read Rowell’s Fangirl and loved it, and I’ve heard that this one is even better. 🙂
So glad you liked it and good luck with your book hangover!
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Aw, thanks! Yes, I loved Eleanor and Park, but I heard Fangirl was great, too, so I definitely want to read that, soon!
Thank you!
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Great review! I’ve wanted to read Rainbow Rowell since forever and when I found Fangirl at the store I thought I’d read it. But you’ve convinced me to go buy this too, now. I mean – I. want. that. book. hangover. Seriously. 😀
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Thanks! 😀 Yeah, I heard Fangirl was great, too, was it? Yes, you do need to go buy this book! If you like contemporary YA it’s awesome. I’m more of a fantasy and sci-fi person myself, but even I swooned over this.
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