3 1/2 stars

I enjoyed Jandy Nelson's I'll Give You The Sun several years ago, so I was excited to read something new from her. When the World Tips Over is the story of the Fall family - not just the current Fall siblings, Dizzy, Miles and Wynton, but also the Fall family through multiple generations and how trauma and decisions can leave echoes through time. Family secrets and dysfunction, secrets, misunderstandings and love are all at the heart of this novel.

I admit I had a difficult time getting started on this book because I wasn't particularly interested in viewing the world through 12-year-old Dizzy's perspective. Dizzy is immature for her age and the beginning felt so unnecessarily cruel. Fortunately things turned around quickly and within a few chapters I was fully invested in the Fall siblings and curious about what could possibly tie them to Cassidy and others in the book.

Nelson is a beautiful writer and truly paints a picture with her words. I do think that sometimes she gets a little too lyrical with her prose, but it fit better with some characters in this novel than others. I also found some of the family ties confusing and while I realize that was intentional, thank goodness for the family tree at the end of the book because I had lost the thread of who was who by then. A family tree earlier in the novel would be very helpful (to be fair, I think there WAS one, but I'll be darned if I can find it by "leafing" through the digital version).

The story is told through multiple narrators and points of view as well as notes, letters, diary entries, transcripts and other correspondence. I thought the variety of story-telling techniques was interesting and really worked when a different perspective helped move the story along.

Once again, Nelson has a fascinating, inclusive cast of characters. The LGBTQ+ characters are no doubt going to get this book on the radar of our modern-day book banning brigade and that would be a shame because I think the portrayal in this book of all the realities and differences among the characters was beautifully written; no matter how you identify yourself, you are likely to find a character to relate to.

This book does have a slow pace, which I can tell by how long it took me to read it. The slow pacing does not mean it's boring, by any stretch, but it did allow me to feel like I spent plenty of time getting to know the characters so that I could truly enjoy the book's ending.

Thank you to the Penguin Group, Dial Books, NetGalley and Jandy Nelson for the advanced reader copy. This book will be published on September 24, 2024
(Review posted to Goodreads, will add to blog at the publication date)

Told in multiple voices, we follow the past and current lives of Wynton, Miles, and Dizzy - three kids who live in Paradise Valley, CA with their restaurant owning mom and of Cassidy, a girl who arrives in town and both clarifies and upends their lives as she begins to make sense of her own.
With phrases like: “Are stories prayers? Mirrors? Storms? Or maybe they’re homes”, Nelson’s writing is amazing. And, if you’re like me, you will be pulled into this story and not be satisfied until you have finished it. And then you’ll be sorry it was over.

"Desiderium, n. An ardent desire for something lost."

This novel is bizarre and beautiful.

Its slow pace gives it a dreamlike quality, and the characters drift through magical realism.

But each of the characters feels very real. Dizzy grabbed my heart and didn't let go. Miles is broken, and a healer, and wholly breakable. Wynton's connection to the past and future makes him part of both - and somehow neither.

Each of the siblings feel very much like Neverland's Lost Boys. In fact, the entire book feels like a Peter Pan fever dream. (Nightmare?)

I'm obviously explaining it all wrong.

I loved this novel.

"Reading about these woo-woo things made Dizzy's soul buzz and Dizzy wanted a buzzy soul. A buzzy everything."

When the World Tips Over by Jandy Nelson is charming, emotional and nothing short of magical. This is one of the most unusual books I have read in a very long time and I found myself falling in love with almost every single character over the course of the book though Dizzy has a very special place in my heart.
This book tells the story of the Fall siblings who live in California with their chef mother and are still reeling from their father leaving years ago, before the youngest sibling Dizzy was even born. Each of the siblings carry the scars of that abandonment in their own ways, from the eldest , 19 year old Wynton, the so called bad boy of the family who dreams of becoming a professional musician, to Perfect Miles, the golden boy who does his best to be good at everything, the one that nobody needs to worry about , though in fact they really really should, and of course Dizzy, now twelve who misses the father she never new and seemingly sees spirits. In fact each of the siblings have some unusual abilities, like Miles' ability to converse with dogs, and each of them are hiding secrets, some bigger than others. When a mysterious rainbow haired girl shows up in their home town she will have a huge impact on each of them in different ways and will play a role in healing the many wounds that have cursed the family for generations.
This is a book with more than a hint of magical realism, something that I often struggle with in books, but actually really loved here. I loved the whimsy of having a talking dog character, it made for a nice juxtaposition with all of the very real traumas and issues the family was dealing with. The book is long at over five hundred pages but the story is complex and in fact is told over the course of several generations , so it never felt like it was too slow or bogged down. As I said earlier this is very much a character driven book, and as a reader I found myself caring about these fictional characters in a way that rarely happens.
An exceptional book from an exceptional writer.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

This was a fantastic read. I wasn’t sure what I was getting into with this one. I haven’t encountered this author before, but this was wonderful. There are parts of this book that cover extremely heavy topics. These topics are navigated in such a fantastic way. Cue a dog that you can talk to in your thoughts, or a rainbow haired angel, or a story full of fantasy and magic. Pick this one up. You won’t regret it.

I have mixed feelings about this. While I enjoyed the plot and the intriguing magical abilities of each of the children, the book focused a bit too much on sexual content. YA books are aimed at children as young as 12, and I didn't think this was appropriate for 12 year-olds.

“I do believe now that when the world tips over, joy spills out with all the sorrow. But you have to look for it.”*

What happened to Theo Fall? After his mysterious disappearance years ago, his family slowly seems to be falling apart. A wife who leaves a plate for him every night at her restaurant. Wynton, an extraordinary violinist, who plays with as much passion as he lives his life, on a path of self destruction. Perfect Miles, who is slowly breaking down inside hiding who he really is. And Dizzy, trying to find her way into teen hood while navigating losing her best friend.

A few chance encounters with a mysterious rainbow-haired girl who has what seems like a dictionary of words tattooed on her start to change the way the Falls see their world. But who is she? Is she an angel, an Energy Being? Or just a not-so-average girl who in short periods of time comes to mean so much to this family? And how does her involvement help put their world back together when it seems like it is ending when tragedy strikes?

I can’t tell you how much I love this book. It alternates points of view between characters and between time, weaving the stories into one final conclusion. I love the coming of age aspect, exploration of budding sexuality (and changes), the love stories… but especially about how a broken family can come together despite challenges they face.

*Quote based on uncorrected proof

Recommended if you like: YA, coming of age stories, magical realism, lgbt+

This book will easily be in my top ten of the year, I loved it SOOOO much. These are characters you just want to hold & give big hugs too - they'll stick with me forever. Such a great story.

Three siblings living in Northern California wine country each encounter a mysterious rainbow-haired girl who changes their lives as they navigate love, loss, and a touch of magic.

The author masterfully balances humor and authenticity in portraying the sibling relationships and complicated family lore. The Fall siblings each bring their own quirks and charm—Dizzy sees ghosts, Miles communicates with dogs, and Wynton has otherworldly musical talent.

These characters are far from one-dimensional, with each having qualities that make them both relatable and easy to root for. Miles' search for identity was especially heart wrenching and sweet.

This is a delightful read that celebrates the bonds of family and the magic that can be found in everyday life.

Jandy Nelson’s “When the World Tips Over” is a story that intertwines the lives of three siblings with a mysterious rainbow-haired girl. Each sibling possesses a unique gift, adding layers to this intriguing story. The novel is set in an atmospheric, otherworldly realm with softened edges, creating a dreamlike quality that envelops the reader.
The writing is full of quirky, beautiful words that paint vivid pictures and evoke strong emotions. This book is an excellent choice for adults looking to explore Young Adult books, as it avoids the typical teen angst and school drama.

There is no possible way to sing enough praises for this book. It is pure perfection—storytelling at its finest.

This is a character driven novel, and the character development is exceptional. The characters are diverse. They are raw and real. They are rich and unique—absolutely vibrant. And what this novel does, that I haven't seen any other book do with nearly as much success, is capture the magic in the mundane. I know that sounds like an oxymoron, but you will understand after you've read this book. Never have I seen real life depicted so magically.

There is also a lot of great subtext in this book. This is one of those books that begs to be scrutinized and studied (maybe on a second reading, because the first reading should be purely for the pleasure of it). Themes of family and family trauma, love—both familial and romantic, mistakes and forgiveness, and metamorphic self-discovery. There's even an underlying nod to the transformative power of literature and storytelling.

This book feels like magic—words and language that transcend the mundane, dancing across the page in a jubilant celebration of life. Hands down, this is one of the best books I have ever read.

YA is such a tricky category, containing a multitude of ages, stages, and genres. When I read the blurb for When the World Tips Over, I imagined a story written for younger readers -- so it took me a while to readjust my expectations. (I would maybe classify this as "new adult," but maybe that's just because I was ultra-naive when I was Dizzy's age...and Miles', too, probably.)

Jandy Nelson is an extraordinary writer, building entire worlds and creating authentic voices for a variety of characters. (And the magic realism was incredible!) This story really does span generations and continents, culminating in one gorgeous moment at the end where everything comes together.

Trigger warnings for parental neglect, abandonment, SA, underage drinking, drug use, and several other mature themes.

Review 9/10✨ What a magical adventure this story was! I requested an arc of this as soon as I saw a handful of amazing reviews for it. I loved I’ll Give You the Sun and was so happy this one had the same character driven story with uniquely enchanted vibes.

One of my favorite things about this book was the writing. The authors stories aren’t really magical realism, but also they kind of are… it’s hard to describe. The author has a way of making the history of one family so sound thrilling and mysterious. You devour the pages trying to piece together the past and line it up with current story events. A lot of the themes are sad but the magic woven through it all cushions the heaviness by wrapping you in hope.

I loved every single character and would give them all a hug if I could. Dizzy was my favorite I think, but I also loved Miles.

Overall it was such an amazing read. It’s long at over 500pgs but I felt like it was over in the blink of an eye. This comes out September 24th and I highly recommend picking my it up! If you’re itching for it but haven’t read I’ll Give You the Sun definitely check that one while you wait!

Thanks to netgalley and Dial Books for a copy of this book! I already preordered a physical copy for my shelves😍

Genre: Young Adult, Magical Realism
Subgenre: LGBTQ Fiction

Brief Summary: Dizzy, Wynton and Miles are three siblings who are direct descendants of the well known "Fall Family", this includes Theo Fall, their father who abandoned them when they were very young. When Dizzy meets a beautiful angel who saves her life, Miles meets the same angel who shows him what love can truly look like, and Wynton falls in love with the same angel who also saves his life...the legend of The Fall Family Curse begins to be uncovered. leading to self discovery for each of it's members.

Thoughts:
What a delightful book that I wish I had read when I was much younger. The entire time I read this book I could only think about how many people will want to ban this book based on it's themes of belonging, acceptance, and human's search for healing in self destructive ways. And, I can't wait for this book to make it's entrance into the world because of those same themes.

This book has it all - a little romance, a lot of family history, and so much whimsy and magic that you'll not be able to put it down. I loved the nods to family curses and the classic family novels like East of Eden and appreciated the more modern twist. I think this will be a knock out for youth who are looking for a book that enthralls them while also shows them some pieces of themselves...the representation is wonderful and a reader will see a bit of themselves in every character.

Wow. This book was a slow burn but once I met the characters, I was invested. Ultimately, a book about love of all kinds, the book follows the Fall family - whose father disappeared one day and never returned. The character development is done through the eyes of various characters in the present and in the past. The author does a great job connecting all the stories in the family so that it doesn't feel disjointed when the story switches between characters. It all starts with the rainbow haired girl that Dizzy calls an "angel" but all the Fall siblings feel a connection to her.
Stick with this in the beginning when it's a bit slow, because the payoff for the story and the ending are worth it.

It feels so good to read Jandy Nelson’s writing again. There’s a delightful weirdness to it, I love the colorful adjectives, her way of describing characters that is unlike anyone else.

There’s the little girl who sees ghosts and knows fun and sometimes inappropriate facts, there’s the middle brother who can talk to dogs and is the most teenage boy sounding boy I’ve read in so long, there’s the oldest brother who is a genius musician but overall disaster, and the rainbow haired girl who unites them all.

I love how Nelson writes families and that is essential to this story.

It reminded me at the beginning and in parts of the movie “Raise Your Voice” (yes the one with Hillary Duff) paired with Emily Henry’s “The Love that Split the World”, all in Nelson’s unmistakable hand.

It took me a few chapters to get invested, I haven’t read middle-grade in a while so being flung into a 12 year old’s head was unexpected. I rarely read blurbs if I know the author so it caught me off guard. Miles perspective brought much of the comedic relief and was my favorite for a lot of it. I wish I had gotten more of Wynton.

As for Cassidy, I liked her but there was so much she had to do, so much she had to be. It was almost too much for one character and her chapters felt longer than everyone else’s. I wanted more time with the siblings. More bright interludes.

This was a really heavy read, it tore me up in the way disappointed children always do. It is also the whole reason I created a netgalley account. “I’ll give you the sun” changed my life, an opportunity to read a new Jandy Nelson book after years… I had to take it. That this book lived up to even half of all the expectations I thrust upon it is a feat.

I loved the recipes, the writings that all tied together in the end.

The romance made me kind of uncomfortable honestly. And again I wanted to see more of a set conclusion to the Cain and Abel arc, I wanted to see Miles and Wynton while he was conscious. I hope Wynton plays again.

If this novel had been a little less ambitious it might have been more impactful in parts, I was always more interested in the Fall siblings and I was reading to find my way back to them. The past in contrast was of less interest though I did enjoy watching the puzzle unfold.

I would have liked the curse to have been more than it was, more looming somehow. It did not give me that ominous feeling familial curses normally do.

Overall, I really enjoyed it though so much was happening and it made it difficult to piece together a truly satisfying ending. I am as in love with Nelson’s writing and characters as ever and could not be more grateful to have been approved for this e-arc. My first ever approval and certainly one I will treasure forever.

I adored Jandy Nelson's I'll Give You the Sun, so I entered this story with extremely high expectations. Even though When the World Tips Over didn't exactly meet these standards, I still had a lovely experience reading it. As always, Nelson does an incredible job portraying complex familial relationships, especially the connections between Wynton, Miles, and Dizzy. The writing also stood out to me, with so many beautiful quotes sprinkled throughout the story. Overall, I found the plot progression and the many interwoven threads coming together to be very satisfying. One thing Nelson is very talented at is writing multilayered story lines that intertwine in unexpected ways, and this is no exception.

While my overall experience was positive, there are few personal gripes that impacted my enjoyment of the story. First of all, five hundred pages is a lot, especially for a contemporary YA novel. The length of the story never caused me to lose in interest in the novel, but it did occasionally make it difficult for me follow the story, which I can imagine would be even more difficult for younger YA readers. Although I appreciated moments from the past being incorporated into the novel, they sometimes took over the plot and detracted from the current story line. Another very small critique is that there is a specific relationship included in the story that I just couldn't get behind, and I wish it could've been portrayed as a fully platonic relationship instead. However, none of these things had a major effect on my reading experience, and I don't think that they will register with most readers. My overall impression of the story was quite positive, and it is definitely one that I'll be thinking about far into the future. If you're looking for a heartfelt YA contemporary with touches of magic and you don't mind a longer and slower paced story, you should definitely check this out!

This was absolutely beautiful. It is the kind of book that leaves an imprint on your soul. After staying up all night to finish reading, I immediately wanted to start over, and have not stopped thinking about it since. It feels very special when a book hits you like that.

The sexual content in this YA book made me uncomfortable, especially when a lot of it was from a 12-year-old girl’s perspective.

Twelve.

It just felt so unnecessary and potentially harmful. I liked the writing style and character dynamics, but it was just really difficult to put aside my issues with reading about a child masturbating (as one example). The teen watching an excessive amount of porn didn’t help.

Just because something happens doesn’t mean we need to normalize it or romanticize it or enjoy witnessing it. I really tried to give this a chance, but I couldn’t do it.

Is there anything Jandy Nelson can't write? Every book delivers like a weapon straight to your heart. It leaves you open, bruised, bleeding, and changed. It would be an absolute honor to carry this book on our shelves!