Book Review: Sorta Like a Rock Star

Sorta Like a Rock Star by Matthew Quick.  Little Brown and Company, May 2010.
Review copy from personal ebook collection.

[synopsis from Goodreads]

Amber Appleton lives in a bus. Ever since her mom’s boyfriend kicked them out, Amber, her mom, and her totally loyal dog, Bobby Big Boy (aka Thrice B) have been camped out in the back of Hello Yellow (the school bus her mom drives). But Amber, the self-proclaimed princess of hope and girl of unyielding optimism, refuses to sweat the bad stuff. Instead, she focuses on bettering the lives of her alcoholic mother and her quirky circle of friends: a glass-ceiling-breaking single mother raising a son diagnosed with autism; Father Chee and The Korean Divas for Christ (soul-singing ESL students); a nihilist octogenarian; a video-game-playing gang of outcasts; and a haiku-writing war vet. But then a fatal tragedy threatens Amber’s optimism—and her way of life. Can Amber continue to be the princess of hope?

With his zany cast of characters and a heartwarming, inspiring story, debut YA author Matthew Quick builds a beautifully beaten-up world of laughs, loyalty, and hard-earned hope. This world is Amber’s stage, and Amber is, well…she’s sorta like a rock star.

First I must say this was the book I needed to read at the time I read it.  This book pulled me out of a reading slump as well as a personal slump.  This book was an excellent reminder of how precious life is and just how short it can be.  Needless to say I loved this book.  So if you are looking for a heartwarming story that will inspire you, pick this one up.

Amber Appleton is the princess of hope.  Even though she is lives in a bus with her alcoholic mom she still manages to keep other people in good spirits.  Case in point she goes to a local nursing home and battles with a patient who is determined to make her cry and Amber is determined to make her smile.  She is strong beyond belief.  I don't think I could be that strong given her circumstances.

The cast of characters is wonderful and zany.  The Five as Amber refers to herself and her boys, a group of outcasts who come together to help Amber in ways she never could have imagined.  Father Chee and the Korean Divas for Christ were wonderful.  Everyone plays a role in Amber's sorta rock star life.  But is her eternal optimism strong enough to overcome the greatest tragedy.  Well I'm not going to tell you, instead go out to your nearest library, bookstore, or buy the ebook version but you MUST read this book.  It is truly an inspiring story and a favorite of the year.  Highly Recommended.