Review: Again, But Better

Again, But Better by Christine Riccio
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

My last reading session was 32 minutes. I finished reading this book on Wednesday (Shwednesday), July 12, 2023 at 4:12 p.m.

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Again, but Better by Christine Riccio-Notes & Highlights

Ale and I were going through my "Want to Read" bookshelf here on Goodreads and we both decided to read this book for the month of July 2023.

I checked out the book from the Main Library on Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at 10:46 a.m. I held it there cuz there was a copy already in that branch. There were two copies available in their system, so Ale had to get a physical library card in order to borrow it. So she got her second library card on that same day! She said that she lost her first one when she was playing on the computers lol! XD

Ale said the bonus chapter wasn't worth it. It basically was just Pilot saying what he would have done if they didn't time travel.

The book discussion will be on Wednesday (Shwednesday 😄) July 12, 2023 after we read the bonus scene at Barnes & Noble and read the epilogue. We will head to Pita Jungle with Mom for our discussion and dinner. Book club dinner!! Hehe!!

We ate shawarma at Pita Jungle to celebrate! It was good and yummy!

Ale read last.

This will be the nineth book from our Sister Book Club.

Again, but Better by Christine Riccio Spotify Playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3RY0aGUOJbFStJCAGTvZ0a?si=1a171046775b4c2d

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* What does shawarma taste like?

“Headphones are back in my ears. Nobody speaks to me, despite the tsunami spilling down my face. That’s the way it is on the Tube. You can always trust people not to talk to you.

Shame snakes through me. I made Pilot cry. Wendy doesn’t like me. I killed Sawyer. I didn’t stay late when there was a meeting I could have listened in on. I haven’t made any tea at the office. I have no connection to the internet. I told Pilot to go back to Amy! All my files are gone. I can’t reset. I ride aimlessly, switching lines every once in a while, feeling perpetually nauseated.

The sky is streaked in darkness when I step outside again. I exited at a stop called Bethnal Green. My eyes are swollen and raw as I roam the sidewalks.

At some point, I come to a halt, blinking at the building across the street. It’s … a bookstore? There’s a bookstore.

I swipe my face dry and cross the street. Inside, the air smells of wooden shelves, fresh paper, and a hint of must. I inhale it gratefully. The place is narrow, but there are two floors, and every inch is packed with book-laden furniture. 

I explore thoroughly, slowly winding through the shelves, reading every title, running my fingers over spines. I pick up and caress books I’ve already read. I examine all the different editions of the classics. I haven’t picked up a book that wasn’t medically relevant in so long. When did I stop reading fun books? Two years ago? Before that? How did I let that happen?

My lip curls up the slightest bit when I finally stumble across the Harry Potter section. It’s been years since I’ve reread them. I miss them. I slide out the British edition of my favorite, Prisoner of Azkaban, and hold it to my heart.

I stroll around the store with it, hunting for the perfect reading spot. When I’ve scoped out the least visible nook between shelves, I slide onto the floor. As soon as my butt hits the ground, I’m gasping for air again.

I am stuck six years in the past.

I drop my head between my knees. This means I’m redoing the last few months of London in an internship where they don’t take me seriously, with no computer, and reliving the nightmare with my parents. I can’t do that. I can’t handle it. I don’t want to. I want out. I want to go home. I want to start over. I’ve lost my one connection to the rest of the world. This phone I have is a piece of crap. I can’t do any of my internet stuff without Sawyer. My body shakes.

I focus on the book in my hands. Breathe. My favorite book. I have my favorite book. An edition I don’t own of my favorite book. Breathe. I run my fingers over the British cover art. These are the stories that made me want to write stories. These are the stories that shaped my heart. I slowly pull open the cover.

My breath catches at the sight of a handwritten note. There’s a note in the book. I huff an airy laugh. I’ve heard of people doing this, leaving notes for strangers in Harry Potter books. I heave in more oxygen and dip closer to read the tiny, slanted handwriting.

Dearest Reader,

Even in the darkest of times, one must only remember to turn on the light.

Dreams live up in the highest of mountains; the pursuit is ominous, but without 

them, we’re just asleep.

When you need it, Hogwarts will always be here to welcome you home. x

New tears slip down my cheeks. I read it again. And again. And again. And again. And again. And again. For fifteen minutes, I sit there and read it. Then I swallow hard, sniffle, close the book, and bring it to the register.

I have a fucking mountain to climb” (326-327).

I love this scene because Shane went to her comfort place when she was feeling really down and went for her favorite book. I really liked the inspirational quote inside her favorite book. I love it because it inspired her to get her life straight and right all her wrongs. I really love to see Shane focusing on herself again. Although she was happy with Pilot, I realized that she wasn’t doing what she loved to do before and was all consumed with Pilot and forgot about her own passions.

“‘You throw this education away, and you’re going to be living in a fucking box on the street! And don’t think for a second you’re going to be able to call me for help!’ His words thunder around the dining room.

‘Dad, why won’t you believe in me? Why would you say that? What have I ever failed at to make you think that would happen? I’m working so hard! I always work so hard!’” (337-338).

For real, no lie, no fooling, I shed a tear when I had to read what Shane said to her Dad. It was really sad that her parents would not accept her following her dreams.

“Leo

I’m gay” (340).

https://youtu.be/ajlkhFnz8eo

“Shane

… Call me, beep me, if you need to reach me =)” (342).

So cute! That’s like a voicemail sign off! XD :P By the way, I found the hex code for the pink version of this book: f8c0c1 = very light shade of pink-red.