Member Reviews

What can I even say to describe how this story impacted me? It's stunning, it's heartbreaking, it's full of hope. The themes of this book are heavy, yes, but the way the content is explored....masterful. I've never read anything that so accurately described grief, sorrow, and clinical depression. It's written so lyrically and yet it felt so relatable. This one will break you and heal you, so go lightly. ⭐️ 5 stars

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We Are So Good At Smiling is an angsty teen story set in a fairy realm, but with the same drama of human existence. It was a bit hard to get into the audio book version due to the poetic nature of the introduction. I feel like that part of it is better suited for the written page. It was beautiful, but I had to listen to it a couple of times, because it was unexpected as an entry point to the story. Nevertheless, once the story started to become more cohesive timeline-wise, I was able to settle in and my attention wasn't struggling as hard to follow along. McBride still tells her story in a poetic format with musical transitions between chapters. Told from the perspective of a teenage girl with family issues, a romantic interest, abilities/changes she is contending with, being Black, being on medication, being in high school, it is heartbreaking in it's truth and correlation to feeling separate in so many ways from society. Trying to remember what's important when the world seems hell-bent on discouraging you is what I believe the central theme of this book to be.

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Whimsy hasn’t had the easiest childhood, and she’s currently back at the hospital for her clinical depression. While there, she meets a boy named Faerry and comes to realize that they both have magic in their bodies. As they get to know each other and find out that they are new neighbors, they begin to realize that their lives may be more interconnected than they remember. They both fear the forest at the end of their road but learn that it holds the secrets they need to make sense of their lives.

This was a fascinating and unique read that I quite enjoyed. It took a little bit to become situated within the story and the author’s writing style, but I enjoyed the lyrical style. The chapters began with tea leaf readings and their meanings, which was a wonderful inclusion. While this work wasn’t plot heavy, it never felt stalled, and the characters made up for the slower plot. I also loved the inclusion of folklore/fairytales from different cultures, as well as how these things were incorporated with Whimsy’s magic and The Forest.

The characters were lovely. Faerry and Whimsy are the only two with real page time and so are the only two with any real development. I loved how unique they were – Whimsy had a fixation with making lists, and the way the author incorporated this was perfect. The way their different trauma/mental health struggles were presented and discussed was well done and added meaningful depth to them.

This is an imaginative, semi-abstract work of magical realism that explored mental health, trauma, memory, and healing. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narrator did an excellent job, but because of that I didn’t realize the work was written in verse like a poem. Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to read this work. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

Join McBride on a powerful journey with Whimsy traveling through the forest. Whimsy moves through her grief, trauma, and depression in an alliterative novel in verse. McBride paints such a vivid picture and experience of Whimsy and Faerry's emotions using fairy tales to draw parallels to their experience. She addresses well-meaning parents, and how parents trying to protect their children from their trauma and sadness can't. It remains- clouded and unclear.

Just smile. How many times in my own life have I been told this? Mask the pain or "Fake it til you make it" I could not count the times. The power of hearing the author read this in audiobook format is powerful to say the least.

Mental health is so important and this wonderful novel in verse had me tearing up consistently. It can leave you vulnerable but also help you feel and move forward through challenges. Everyone has challenges at different points in their lives and some of us face more than others but supporting one another we can keep moving through the tough times.

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This book will win awards for it's inventive format: the narrative is woven with fairytales, the main characters are battling their demons literally and figuratively, and this beautiful story is written in prose. Whimsy begins her story in a Psychiatric ward, where she meets Faerrie, a non-binary teen who has colorful hair and a hint of fairy wings. Together they bond over their struggles and loss and work together to fight there demons in a figurative fairytale battle.

I want to reread and study this for all of the figurative language and discover all the folktales that the author embedded in this book. It is such a moving story, and I know teens will absolutely love it. I highly recommend it as a literature study in high school language arts lessons.

This is a must-add for your library or classroom!

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This was such a personal novel that touched on all the ugliness of depression and trauma, all while showing there is a light at the end.

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The audiobook for “We Are All So Good at Smiling,” narrated by author Amber McBride, many difficult topics are addressed in a way that is relatable and digestible for YA readers. Keeping style with her previous book “Moth,” the book is written in verse and is told from the perspective of the main character, a high school aged girl of color names Whimsy. Along with her friend Faerry, Whimsy navigates trauma and depression that presents itself in the form of a menacing forest in which all of her deep rooted fears and nightmares grow wild. Using the forrest as an embodiment of Whimsy’s mental health issues is an effective method in opening up conversations about the mental health issues that may be present in the lives of readers. It gives physical characterics to thoughts that can be difficult to describe for many young adults. In today’s world, the topics of depression, anxiety, self-harm, and more are very real concerns. “We Are All So Good At Smiling” prompted some [personal self-reflection and lead to a deeper understanding of my own feelings that surround my own life experiences.

The audiobook includes some special effects that added to the reading experience. Particularly helpful, there are sound effects between each chapter that make is easy to organize the events as they unfold. In terms of pacing, this audiobook is read slower than the typical audiobook in my experience. Rather than set the speed to 1.7x, I listened to the entire book at 2.0x speed. Once I adjusted the speed, it was just right and very enjoyable. It is also worth mentioning that this book is only 3 hours and 45 minutes when read at the normal pace, so it is a quick read for most readers.

I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy YA novels and anyone who regularly interacts with high school aged readers that deal with mental health issues and/or trauma. Additionally issues surrounding race are included making it a good read for young people of color and the adults in their lives. As a high school teacher, I cannot think of anyone I interact with (both students and adults), that I would not recommend this book to This is a 5 star book, without a doubt. . Special thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio production from Feiwel & Friends for sending this book for recommendation. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

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Let me start with the obvious this cover is Gorgeous!! I immediately wanted to read the book when I saw the cover. The cover captivated me and drew me in before I read a word not only because of how beautiful the art work is also the girl isn’t smiling on the cover yet the title is We are all so good at smiling. This was my first book by YA author Amber McBride and I’m impressed!! McBride takes us on a magical journey with
Whimsy who is a Black teenage girl dealing with depression. This book is very well written!!
I’m grateful to NetGalley and Macmillan audio for granting me an DRC.

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*3.75*

This novel-in-verse is a beautiful look at trauma and sorrow. It uses fairytales and their themes to analyze the aftermath of burying grief and the way that sadness and sorrow grow when they are not confronted.

The writing and storytelling was lyrical and painted an intricate inside world. Although a tad heavy handed at times, the lesson that “the only way out is through”, is nonetheless a very important one.

This was a quick heartwarming read, but be sure to check trigger warnings. I think it would be perfect for fans of books like The Midnight Library and other works that explore depression and mental illness in a more whimsical manner.

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This entire book is a metaphor for the fight that one has with their mental health. It is a beautiful story and one I can see sharing with my daughters. We are all fighting some kind of battle, even if it isn't against an actual mental health diagnosis.

There were two quotes that jumped out at me from this story. They might not be transcribed perfectly as I was listening while working. The first one is from around 14% in the book:
A rough day, a bad year -- does not equal a bad life.
It is a good reminder to stick on your mirror or in your phone to see every day.
The second one was around 53% of the way through:
Fairy points at my neck, "Sorrow left its fingerprints on you, it always does, doesn't it?"
Another one that makes you think of your own life, of the things that leave fingerprints on you.

I listened to this audiobook read by the author. It has a great note after by her as well as some resources. I would love to take a quick look at a hard copy just to see it. It is a beautiful cover.

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It's hard to describe this book. It has fairytale elements which make it seem light but it deals with a very heavy topic - clinical depression. Whimsy is a teenage girl hospitalized for depression. While there, she meets a boy named Faerry and the two become fast friends. Although this novel in verse deals with difficult things, the magical elements keep it from weighing the reader/listener down. The audiobook is narrated by the author which added a lot to the listening experience.

Thanks to Macmillan Young Listeners and NetGalley for an advanced listening copy of this title.

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WE ARE ALL SO GOOD AT SMILING is a haunting, beautiful story about clinical depression and healing from trauma in this young adult novel.

While I love a light read, I appreciate when a story has more depth, and thought this was such a powerful book! The mental health rep was done well, and the emotion and feelings felt so raw and realistic.

I listened to the audiobook copy, and enjoyed the narrator, Amber McBride.

*many thanks to Macmillan Audio and netgalley for the gifted copy for review

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Thank you to NetGalley for sending me the audiobook and Edelweiss for sending the eARC of this book.

2/5 Stars

This was the first time reading a book written in-verse, and unfortunately I just realized the writing style was not for me. However if you do like this writing style I recommend checking this book out, it has a beautiful cover, and is written in such a whimsical way. The author does a great job of showcasing the main characters struggle with trauma, grief, and depression.

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I wanted to love this book so badly; especially, after enjoying McBride's debut. Alas, It just fell flat for me, and I found myself trudging through it. McBride is a skillful poet, but this story felt a little all over the place. It could just be me since this book has been getting glowing reviews.

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Thank you to NetGalley and Feiwel Friends for allowing us to read this book in advance in return for our full and honest review.

Just beware that this book comes with a lot of trigger warnings and deals with themes such as mental health and racism.
We recieved this book in audiobook form so listening to it threw off how the book is supposed to flow. Voiced by the author herself this book is written in a whimsical and poetic style with reality and fantasy colliding to tell the story of Whimsy's life dealing with depression.

I feel like it is difficult to rate a book like this because it deals with a lot of the authors real life experiences. Overall I feel like this is an important book to read. Sometimes it is hard to describe what depression can feel like in someone's head but this book does a really great job presenting depression as more than just a feeling. I feel like this book can be appreciated more as a physical book than an audiobook. I really did enjoy listening to this book and as someone who deals with depression I felt like I could relate a lot with this themes in this book.

Just remember that you are not alone and if you need help please reach out.

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I liked the authenticity of the main character Whimsy. Her struggle with depression seemed very real.

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We Are All So Good at Smiling is a novel-in-verse by Amber McBride. I loved that the author narrated the book. The narrator was clear and easy to listen to. There was music and special effects throughout the audiobook that was very entertaining. This book is about Whimsy and Faerry, who are connected by pain and magic. The book deals with clinical depression and trauma. This was not my favorite book by Amber McBride. I was so looking forward to reading this one because her previous book, Moth, is one of my favorite books of all time! Her writing is very beautiful and whimsical, just like the main character's name. However, I felt very lost at times with the flowery writing. I love that the author brings to light mental health awareness and depression. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of the audiobook for my honest opinion.

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A tremendous novel in verse that pulls heavily on culture and mental health awareness. The ambiance given in this audio by the sounds and the narrator added a great deal and make it a breathtaking listen.

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This was a really quick audiobook and covered some important topics, i loved the fairytale versions and the talk about mental health. However it reminds me alot of the writing for Alice in Wonderland which for me is always hard to follow along.

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If anyone needs to know what depression and trauma feel like, this is the book for you. This book takes you o through the experiences of Whimsy and Faerry who are dealing with clinical depression and trauma.

The visualization of trauma and depression is what blew me away with this book. I mean I could take all the fantasy away and seriously see the way depression and trauma can affect a person. Also in all the different ways it can harm and make someone suffer

Although this isn't a long read it was impactful and important.

Amber McBride was also the narrator of the audiobook. she was able to put the emotions into the characters. I was moved and transported with Whimsy and Faerry throughout their experiences.

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