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Psych Major Syndrome
Using the skills you've learned so far in Introduction to Psychology, please write a brief self-assessment describing how things are going in your freshman year.
Presenting Concerns:
The Patient, Leigh Nolan (that would be me), has just started her first year at Stiles College. She has decided to major in psychology (even though her parents would rather she study Tarot cards, not Rorschach blots).
Patient has always been very good at helping her friends with their problems, but when it comes to solving her own...not so much.
Patient has a tendency to overanalyze things, particularly when the opposite sex is involved. Like why doesn't Andrew, her boyfriend of over a year, ever invite her to spend the night? Or why can't she commit to taking the next step in their relationship? And why does his roommate Nathan dislike her so much? More importantly, why did Nathan have a starring role in a much-more-than-friendly dream?
Aggravating factors include hyper-competitive fellow psych majors, a professor who’s badly in need of her own psychoanalysis, and mentoring a middle-school-aged girl who thinks Patient is, in a word, naive.
Diagnosis:
Psych Major Syndrome
336 pages, Hardcover
First published August 11, 2009
About the author
Alicia Thompson
20 books979 followersAlicia Thompson is a writer, reader, and Paramore superfan. As a teen, she appeared in an episode of 48 Hours in the audience of a local murder trial, where she broke the fourth wall by looking directly into the camera. She currently lives in Florida with her husband and two children.
Annotations:
Also currently under consideration for other superfan distinctions, including but not limited to: Juliet, Naked (the movie), Phoebe Bridgers, Crash Bandicoot, Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael, Tegan and Sara, the audiobook for Sophie Kinsella’s I’ve Got Your Number, and taking really long naps
Does this sound creepy? You should’ve seen my face. It was really creepy.
Yes, I’ve seen an alligator in a neighborhood retention pond.
https://www.aliciathompsonbooks.com/
Annotations:
Also currently under consideration for other superfan distinctions, including but not limited to: Juliet, Naked (the movie), Phoebe Bridgers, Crash Bandicoot, Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael, Tegan and Sara, the audiobook for Sophie Kinsella’s I’ve Got Your Number, and taking really long naps
Does this sound creepy? You should’ve seen my face. It was really creepy.
Yes, I’ve seen an alligator in a neighborhood retention pond.
https://www.aliciathompsonbooks.com/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
November 22, 2011
Look at the Asian guy with Miley Cyrus in this picture:
As one of only a handful of Asian-Americans in my private high school, I've been the Asian guy in this picture. It was okay because Don't worry, Mags. You are cool. We're not making fun of you. No, you're just mocking everyone who looks like me, but being "cool" means going with the flow and taking the harmless teasing. Only it's not so harmless. And it's not so cool. It's fucked up.
I got Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson based on a few reviews and the fact that it was bargain priced on Amazon. It was a passably entertaining book -- not the greatest, not the worst -- until I got to the chapter titled Dream Analysis (page 163). The protagonist, Leigh, wins 2nd place in a state writing contest and gets a trip to the awards ceremony in San Francisco. She finds out the 3rd place winner is someone named Li Huang for a poem called Cherry Blossoms. This seems innocuous enough until Li actually speaks.
Okaaaaaay, so he's a Chinese national not Chinese-American. Got it. But there must be SOMETHING more to his character, right? I mean, he won 3rd place in a college level state writing contest. Then, Alicia Thompson has our oblivious-bordering-on-mentally-challenged Li commandeer the microphone at the awards dinner to read his poem even though no other 3rd place winner does. But first, Li tells everyone to "Close your eye, close your eye!"
Here is Cherry Blossoms:
And that's it. This poem and his disappointment at only winning a book and not money is all we see of Li. The only thing missing was Li shouting, "Miss Golightly!"
The only point of this character/caricature is that Alicia Thompson thought it would be funny. And it's INFURIATING because it's so unnecessary and pointless! My only theory is that Alicia Thompson thought Li Huang would be a Mr. Collins-type character but I've read Jane Austen. Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors, and Alicia Thompson is no Jane Austen.
A generous 2 stars for a book that had a promising start but ultimately fell short with its predictable plot, drawn out ending, and ridiculous characters.
As one of only a handful of Asian-Americans in my private high school, I've been the Asian guy in this picture. It was okay because Don't worry, Mags. You are cool. We're not making fun of you. No, you're just mocking everyone who looks like me, but being "cool" means going with the flow and taking the harmless teasing. Only it's not so harmless. And it's not so cool. It's fucked up.
I got Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson based on a few reviews and the fact that it was bargain priced on Amazon. It was a passably entertaining book -- not the greatest, not the worst -- until I got to the chapter titled Dream Analysis (page 163). The protagonist, Leigh, wins 2nd place in a state writing contest and gets a trip to the awards ceremony in San Francisco. She finds out the 3rd place winner is someone named Li Huang for a poem called Cherry Blossoms. This seems innocuous enough until Li actually speaks.
Why that person standing outside with sign?
Why they don't get real sign?
I only do for lots of money!
Okaaaaaay, so he's a Chinese national not Chinese-American. Got it. But there must be SOMETHING more to his character, right? I mean, he won 3rd place in a college level state writing contest. Then, Alicia Thompson has our oblivious-bordering-on-mentally-challenged Li commandeer the microphone at the awards dinner to read his poem even though no other 3rd place winner does. But first, Li tells everyone to "Close your eye, close your eye!"
Here is Cherry Blossoms:
Cherry blossom fall from the sky
Wrapped up in the most see-through butterfly.
Cherry blossom catch on the wind.
Cherry blossom want to be our friend.
And that's it. This poem and his disappointment at only winning a book and not money is all we see of Li. The only thing missing was Li shouting, "Miss Golightly!"
The only point of this character/caricature is that Alicia Thompson thought it would be funny. And it's INFURIATING because it's so unnecessary and pointless! My only theory is that Alicia Thompson thought Li Huang would be a Mr. Collins-type character but I've read Jane Austen. Jane Austen is one of my favorite authors, and Alicia Thompson is no Jane Austen.
A generous 2 stars for a book that had a promising start but ultimately fell short with its predictable plot, drawn out ending, and ridiculous characters.
July 1, 2011
In the movie So I Married An Axe Murderer, which is mega-quotable, Mike Myers’ dad (also played by Mike Myers, but with a Scottish accent) says that he believes there is a pentaverate of rich people that run everything in the world. My favorite member of the pentaverate is Colonel Sanders. (“because he puts an addictive chemical in his chicken that makes you crave it fortnightly, smartass!”) Anyway, I’ve started my own collection of people—the hilarious YA authors. Remember that old show called “Celebrity Poker” where we’d just watch a bunch of random celebrities play poker and shoot the shit for an hour? (or at least I did that?) Well, I’d love to watch the hilarious YA authors do their thing in an enclosed space. Who’d be funnier? I really don’t know.
Let’s meet the lineup:
Well, since you are reading my Psych Major Syndrome review, I bet you know the first player: Alicia Thompson. Next up is Lish McBride, who rocked my funny bone in Hold Me Closer Necromancer. In corner number three, Leila Sales, who cracked me up twice, first in Past Perfect (which is actually her sophomore effort coming out in a few months) and then in Mostly Good Girls. The fourth corner is saved for Megan McCafferty and the first few Jessica Darling books. (don’t fault her too much for the later ones!) I haven’t read her books in a few years but I think 18-year-old Flann might come after me with a cleaver if I don’t include her since she was my original funny YA love. Oh, you thought we were in a four-cornered room? Well, the joke's on you because I’m also including Louise Rennison in our pentagonal room. Her Georgia Nicolson series, though I’ve only read a few of them, is pretty hilarious. Some might try to argue that John Green belongs in here. Shush your mouth because while he is funny, his books aren’t consistently hilarious—it’s just every once in a while. A special mention must be put in here, though, for the Aussies. Their sense of humor always gets me. I particularly enjoy Lili Wilkinson’s jokes as well as the queen’s (The double-M, as if you didn’t know) and Laura Buzo's. If I hadn’t decided before I wrote this paragraph that there would be 5 people, Wilkinson would be a shoo-in. I guess she’ll just have to guest star all the time. I���m only going to talk about Ms. Thompson from here on out but I’m really curious to know who you all think is the funniest YA author out there. Any of these ones? Someone totally different?
In Psych Major Syndrome, Leigh Nolan is attending a small college in California where they do a lot of hippie things like let you decide how you’ll be graded and invent your own everything. (I’m still bitter about taking Development of Western Civilization every day for two years) She quasi-followed her high school boyfriend, Andrew, there and the relationship is less than ideal. This book follows Leigh for a few months during her freshman year as she tries to adapt to all the personalities that surround her—the uptight studyhard in the psych department, her flighty and fun art major roommate, the sassy junior high girls she is mentoring, her boyfriend, who only seems to care about schoolwork and not her, and last but certainly not least, his roommate who has taken a particular interest in Leigh. (that sentence has too many commas but you’ll get over it) While I wanted to slap Leigh upside the head for staying with Andrew for even one minute after getting to school, I (sadly) know people in relationships just like Leigh and Andrew’s. Gross. The whole plot of this book is rather well-worn territory and just by introducing the cast in one sentence, I bet you can see where it goes--> What makes this book so enjoyable is the narrator.
Everything I thought, Leigh thought. Everything I wanted a character to say (with limited exceptions), they said. Leigh is snarky, realistic, and hilarious. She’s definitely flawed but I found her immensely likeable. And Nathan? Swoonfest 2K11. Even though I kind of feel like a pedophile when YA guys are all over the place with no shirts on, at least this one was set at college so it wasn’t the worst of the worst. (He’ll definitely be joining the back of our Cougar Shirt—forgot about that thread, didn’t you? It WILL be happening, I just don’t know when) It felt like this book was written just for me. I love when psych majors overanalyze everything. I love Tom Waits and TMBG! I love when teenagers drive old cars in a non-hipster way, and I especially love pop culture references. (Hollaback Girl;-)) Oh, and I love reading about people being mortified in public speaking situations.
4.5 stars for the entertainment value and the laughs (and Nathan). Don't go thinking that I'm gushing all over this book and want YOU/EVERYONE to read it. I don't. It's YA contemporary romance with snark. If that's your bag, then I rec it to you.
Let’s meet the lineup:
Well, since you are reading my Psych Major Syndrome review, I bet you know the first player: Alicia Thompson. Next up is Lish McBride, who rocked my funny bone in Hold Me Closer Necromancer. In corner number three, Leila Sales, who cracked me up twice, first in Past Perfect (which is actually her sophomore effort coming out in a few months) and then in Mostly Good Girls. The fourth corner is saved for Megan McCafferty and the first few Jessica Darling books. (don’t fault her too much for the later ones!) I haven’t read her books in a few years but I think 18-year-old Flann might come after me with a cleaver if I don’t include her since she was my original funny YA love. Oh, you thought we were in a four-cornered room? Well, the joke's on you because I’m also including Louise Rennison in our pentagonal room. Her Georgia Nicolson series, though I’ve only read a few of them, is pretty hilarious. Some might try to argue that John Green belongs in here. Shush your mouth because while he is funny, his books aren’t consistently hilarious—it’s just every once in a while. A special mention must be put in here, though, for the Aussies. Their sense of humor always gets me. I particularly enjoy Lili Wilkinson’s jokes as well as the queen’s (The double-M, as if you didn’t know) and Laura Buzo's. If I hadn’t decided before I wrote this paragraph that there would be 5 people, Wilkinson would be a shoo-in. I guess she’ll just have to guest star all the time. I���m only going to talk about Ms. Thompson from here on out but I’m really curious to know who you all think is the funniest YA author out there. Any of these ones? Someone totally different?
In Psych Major Syndrome, Leigh Nolan is attending a small college in California where they do a lot of hippie things like let you decide how you’ll be graded and invent your own everything. (I’m still bitter about taking Development of Western Civilization every day for two years) She quasi-followed her high school boyfriend, Andrew, there and the relationship is less than ideal. This book follows Leigh for a few months during her freshman year as she tries to adapt to all the personalities that surround her—the uptight studyhard in the psych department, her flighty and fun art major roommate, the sassy junior high girls she is mentoring, her boyfriend, who only seems to care about schoolwork and not her, and last but certainly not least, his roommate who has taken a particular interest in Leigh. (that sentence has too many commas but you’ll get over it) While I wanted to slap Leigh upside the head for staying with Andrew for even one minute after getting to school, I (sadly) know people in relationships just like Leigh and Andrew’s. Gross. The whole plot of this book is rather well-worn territory and just by introducing the cast in one sentence, I bet you can see where it goes--> What makes this book so enjoyable is the narrator.
Everything I thought, Leigh thought. Everything I wanted a character to say (with limited exceptions), they said. Leigh is snarky, realistic, and hilarious. She’s definitely flawed but I found her immensely likeable. And Nathan? Swoonfest 2K11. Even though I kind of feel like a pedophile when YA guys are all over the place with no shirts on, at least this one was set at college so it wasn’t the worst of the worst. (He’ll definitely be joining the back of our Cougar Shirt—forgot about that thread, didn’t you? It WILL be happening, I just don’t know when) It felt like this book was written just for me. I love when psych majors overanalyze everything. I love Tom Waits and TMBG! I love when teenagers drive old cars in a non-hipster way, and I especially love pop culture references. (Hollaback Girl;-)) Oh, and I love reading about people being mortified in public speaking situations.
4.5 stars for the entertainment value and the laughs (and Nathan). Don't go thinking that I'm gushing all over this book and want YOU/EVERYONE to read it. I don't. It's YA contemporary romance with snark. If that's your bag, then I rec it to you.
May 30, 2022
I wanted to read it for AGES. Set in college. With an older protag. It sounded fun and maybe a little bit mad crazy. Which is how I love my books to be...
When I finally got it, I started reading and couldn't put it down. Sneakily, (despite my, erm, new years resolution Reformed Sleeping Habits Commitment) I stayed up until 3:30am to finish it.
It's probably an odd book to find un-put-downable. It's not because I was sucked in to the plot, or waiting for some major twist/secret to be revealed. It's because I was JUST HAVING SO MUCH FUN reading it. It was compulsively addictive.
It's gorgeous.
And KINDA SWEET with this FUNKY VIBE. It's FUNNY (oh, I so love books that make me grin) and often cringe-worthy and honest and, dear God, I was also in a state of swooning and sweating over Nathan. Boy, talk about a new fictional crush. Phew...
Leigh felt like every-girl. I so loved her with all her flaws.
It's not a deep book. It's not going to blow your mind. It won't have you on the edge of your seat. You can kind of see the ending coming. You get things before our spunky, OCD protagonist does. Okay, sometimes way before she does. You sometimes want to scream some sense into her. But you just love being taken along for the ride. (I've slipped into second person POV here :)
I haven't really said what it's about. Mainly it's just about Leigh and her first year of college, classic coming of age stuff. Growing up and freaking out and wanting to lose your virginity and figuring out what you want to be and how to get there, yada yada yada.
It's an older YA read ~ a few older themes but still done in a squeaky clean kinda way.
My fave part? The road trip with Nathan and thanksgiving back at home.
Psych Major Syndrome @ goodreads
Recommended: This one is for fans of Rebecca Sparrow and Kirsten Murphy's Raincheck on Timbuktu. It's like a witty, fun-filled blend of these three books (below) ~which are favourites of mine.
Others have recommended it for fans of Meg Cabot and Megan McCafferty's Sloppy Firsts series. I can see why ~ it's reminiscent of both their work. I personally loved it more than Sloppy Firsts and Meg Cabot's work. It's got a bit more of a funky edge. Think, throw in a little bit of Beatle Meets Destiny...
and now I'm getting carried away... haha.
So I recommend it for fans of contemporary.
For when you're in the mood for a rainy day comfort read.
In the mood for grinning and swooning and just relaxing into a slightly crazy, fun story.
I'm not ashamed to say I've already re-read parts of it, curled up in the hammock the next day (after pulling my all-nighter).
It's a new favourite of mine because books like this just make me happy
When I finally got it, I started reading and couldn't put it down. Sneakily, (despite my, erm, new years resolution Reformed Sleeping Habits Commitment) I stayed up until 3:30am to finish it.
It's probably an odd book to find un-put-downable. It's not because I was sucked in to the plot, or waiting for some major twist/secret to be revealed. It's because I was JUST HAVING SO MUCH FUN reading it. It was compulsively addictive.
It's gorgeous.
And KINDA SWEET with this FUNKY VIBE. It's FUNNY (oh, I so love books that make me grin) and often cringe-worthy and honest and, dear God, I was also in a state of swooning and sweating over Nathan. Boy, talk about a new fictional crush. Phew...
Leigh felt like every-girl. I so loved her with all her flaws.
It's not a deep book. It's not going to blow your mind. It won't have you on the edge of your seat. You can kind of see the ending coming. You get things before our spunky, OCD protagonist does. Okay, sometimes way before she does. You sometimes want to scream some sense into her. But you just love being taken along for the ride. (I've slipped into second person POV here :)
I haven't really said what it's about. Mainly it's just about Leigh and her first year of college, classic coming of age stuff. Growing up and freaking out and wanting to lose your virginity and figuring out what you want to be and how to get there, yada yada yada.
It's an older YA read ~ a few older themes but still done in a squeaky clean kinda way.
My fave part? The road trip with Nathan and thanksgiving back at home.
Psych Major Syndrome @ goodreads
Recommended: This one is for fans of Rebecca Sparrow and Kirsten Murphy's Raincheck on Timbuktu. It's like a witty, fun-filled blend of these three books (below) ~which are favourites of mine.
Others have recommended it for fans of Meg Cabot and Megan McCafferty's Sloppy Firsts series. I can see why ~ it's reminiscent of both their work. I personally loved it more than Sloppy Firsts and Meg Cabot's work. It's got a bit more of a funky edge. Think, throw in a little bit of Beatle Meets Destiny...
and now I'm getting carried away... haha.
So I recommend it for fans of contemporary.
For when you're in the mood for a rainy day comfort read.
In the mood for grinning and swooning and just relaxing into a slightly crazy, fun story.
I'm not ashamed to say I've already re-read parts of it, curled up in the hammock the next day (after pulling my all-nighter).
It's a new favourite of mine because books like this just make me happy
February 11, 2012
3 stars
means I liked it but darn, I am so disappointed. This book could have been awesome. It had potential. A great idea. A nice plot. Snark, witticism, fun, clever remarks. Swoon-worthy guys.
Then why did it start off so great, deceived me for three quarters of it and then suddenly went down the drain?
Leigh Nolan is attending her first year at Stiles College, a some, alternative and barely known school in California, where her high-school sweetheart and boyfriend, the overachieving, self-centered and ambitious Andrew is also attending. Leigh is considering majoring in psychology and is certainly very good at over-analyzing herself and everything around her, so much so that she misses the obvious: what a jerk Andrew is and how intriguing is his roommate Nathan instead. A colorful cast of characters surround Lee; from her Latino artist roommate Ami, to the teenage-at-risk Rebekah, to the eternal boy scout advisor with the Spongebob Squarepants watch.
Mark page 286. That's when I started rolling my eyes. Ok, that's actually not true, there was one scene that really, really irked me even before (I'll get to that later), but page 286 was when I lost all hope.
Before that, I thought I had a winner in my hands. Or almost, at least. Jerkface (Andrew) aside - together with the mandatory presence of some "mean girls" - I liked Leigh a lot. A good sense of humor is sometimes all I need in a character in order to like him/her. She's got plenty, and a tad self-deprecating too. Her obliviousness to the situation slightly annoyed me, but nothing majorly unbearable.
Then Thompson had to go and pull the "dumb" chinese stereotype. Man, I got pissed. There's this scene in which Leigh and this Li Chang guy go to San Francisco for an award ceremony. The Chinese guy won third place with a poem - a very idiotic one, at that. The whole debacle is supposed to be funny, but in my opinion, it really isn't. Trying to make fun of the super-trite cliché of asian people not being able to speak English well and coming out just as plain dumb is lame and so last decade, miss Thompson. So one star goes for that.
The second star goes on the infamous page 286, when the real romance kicks in. Unfortunately, what I had thought a sassy, fun and spunky story up to that moment, suddenly turns into a mush of cheesy moments and of extremely stupid choices, so predictable and trite I turned the cover of the book around to check if I hadn't, by mistake, picked up another book. So disappointing!
So, begrudgingly, 3 stars, but just because I really liked the first part. I'm sure other people will enjoy the romance too but this book really left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.
For this review and more visit The Nocturnal Library.
Then why did it start off so great, deceived me for three quarters of it and then suddenly went down the drain?
Leigh Nolan is attending her first year at Stiles College, a some, alternative and barely known school in California, where her high-school sweetheart and boyfriend, the overachieving, self-centered and ambitious Andrew is also attending. Leigh is considering majoring in psychology and is certainly very good at over-analyzing herself and everything around her, so much so that she misses the obvious: what a jerk Andrew is and how intriguing is his roommate Nathan instead. A colorful cast of characters surround Lee; from her Latino artist roommate Ami, to the teenage-at-risk Rebekah, to the eternal boy scout advisor with the Spongebob Squarepants watch.
Mark page 286. That's when I started rolling my eyes. Ok, that's actually not true, there was one scene that really, really irked me even before (I'll get to that later), but page 286 was when I lost all hope.
Before that, I thought I had a winner in my hands. Or almost, at least. Jerkface (Andrew) aside - together with the mandatory presence of some "mean girls" - I liked Leigh a lot. A good sense of humor is sometimes all I need in a character in order to like him/her. She's got plenty, and a tad self-deprecating too. Her obliviousness to the situation slightly annoyed me, but nothing majorly unbearable.
Then Thompson had to go and pull the "dumb" chinese stereotype. Man, I got pissed. There's this scene in which Leigh and this Li Chang guy go to San Francisco for an award ceremony. The Chinese guy won third place with a poem - a very idiotic one, at that. The whole debacle is supposed to be funny, but in my opinion, it really isn't. Trying to make fun of the super-trite cliché of asian people not being able to speak English well and coming out just as plain dumb is lame and so last decade, miss Thompson. So one star goes for that.
The second star goes on the infamous page 286, when the real romance kicks in. Unfortunately, what I had thought a sassy, fun and spunky story up to that moment, suddenly turns into a mush of cheesy moments and of extremely stupid choices, so predictable and trite I turned the cover of the book around to check if I hadn't, by mistake, picked up another book. So disappointing!
So, begrudgingly, 3 stars, but just because I really liked the first part. I'm sure other people will enjoy the romance too but this book really left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.
For this review and more visit The Nocturnal Library.
May 27, 2011
Rating 4.5 stars
Favourite Quote: "You . . . smell like rain." Whatever I expected, that hadn't been it. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" "Good," he said. "Definitely good."
This book is a hidden gem. I hadn't heard anything really about Psych Major Syndrome until my friend and book guide Nomes read and wrote a rave review for it. I then couldn't get my hands on it fast enough and she was right this book is AMAZING! Psych Major Syndrome is funny, warm, irresistible read that is slightly quirky in a good way.
Thompson writing is clever, witty and charming. It just has a great flow that makes it so easy to get caught up in this story. It is the kind of writing that keeps you amused and causes a silly grin on your face. Please note that as a warning if you read this in a public place.
Leigh, is the girl you want to be bestfriends with. She is just a normal girl and is someone easy to relate too. I love that she drives an old beat up car, likes to read 'incredibly unrealistic and badly written romance novels' and tends to over analyze everything.
And then there is Nathan......awwww ~sighs dreamily~. He ticks all the boxes for me to make a great literary crush. Can play guitar, check. Has a crooked smile, check. And tends to walk around shirtless, check. He also is just a great guy, no bad boy attitude in sight. It will be impossible for anybody not to like him.
The romance in this book is delicious and sweet. The kind that you keeping going back and re-reading again and again and again.
Overall, Psych Major Syndrome is a book that makes you feel good. I say to all contemp and romance fans run out and get this book now!
Check out how I imagine Nathan http://irresistiblereads.blogspot.com...
Favourite Quote: "You . . . smell like rain." Whatever I expected, that hadn't been it. "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" "Good," he said. "Definitely good."
This book is a hidden gem. I hadn't heard anything really about Psych Major Syndrome until my friend and book guide Nomes read and wrote a rave review for it. I then couldn't get my hands on it fast enough and she was right this book is AMAZING! Psych Major Syndrome is funny, warm, irresistible read that is slightly quirky in a good way.
Thompson writing is clever, witty and charming. It just has a great flow that makes it so easy to get caught up in this story. It is the kind of writing that keeps you amused and causes a silly grin on your face. Please note that as a warning if you read this in a public place.
Leigh, is the girl you want to be bestfriends with. She is just a normal girl and is someone easy to relate too. I love that she drives an old beat up car, likes to read 'incredibly unrealistic and badly written romance novels' and tends to over analyze everything.
And then there is Nathan......awwww ~sighs dreamily~. He ticks all the boxes for me to make a great literary crush. Can play guitar, check. Has a crooked smile, check. And tends to walk around shirtless, check. He also is just a great guy, no bad boy attitude in sight. It will be impossible for anybody not to like him.
The romance in this book is delicious and sweet. The kind that you keeping going back and re-reading again and again and again.
Overall, Psych Major Syndrome is a book that makes you feel good. I say to all contemp and romance fans run out and get this book now!
Check out how I imagine Nathan http://irresistiblereads.blogspot.com...
May 1, 2011
Rating clarification: 4.5 stars
Alright, this was so not the plan. Actually, I am reading Redeeming Love right now, or well, at least I’m supposed to be reading it right now, which I’m obviously not, but when my dear friend Mr. Postman delivered my copy of Psych Major Syndrome yesterday, I just couldn’t help myself.
See, my friends Nic and Nomes had made me so curious about this that after a few hours of constantly sneaking glances at the book, I finally caved in and abandoned Redeeming Love (which I am really enjoying btw) for Psych Major Syndrome. After the first few pages I could already tell that this was something I was going to love, because there were so many things about our protagonist Leigh which I could totally relate to. While reading I kept thinking "Hey, I’m exactly like that, too!" which tells those of you who have already read the book that I am a little neurotic. I, too, get overly emotional over songs and movies, I have a thing about getting my head under water, I don’t like going to the beach much because I hate how the sand sticks to my feet when they’re wet, I often get hung up on small and unimportant details while completely ignoring the bigger picture, I tend to overthink everything and while I love making lists and am kind of a neat freak I’m always late whenever I have to turn in some kind of assignment because I’m working best under extreme pressure. Like, oh shit I have to turn in this paper tomorrow morning and I haven’t even started kind of pressure. Anyways, back to the topic at hand. This was so much fun! The writing was brilliant and witty and I just couldn’t help but getting sucked into the story. Leigh is weird, insecure, neurotic, sarcastic, witty and even while I wanted to strangle her several times because she was being so incredibly stupid; overall, she was utterly loveable.
I also thought the secondary characters were very well done. While I loved Ami and Rebekah; Jerkface really made my blood boil. I cannot begin to tell you what terrible things I had in mind for him. Let’s just say they involved scissors. Sharp and shiny scissors...Gah, what an a-hole.
Alright, enough with the cussing! Let’s swooooooon! Oh, Nathan *dreamy sigh* Now this is what I call a really great guy - and I’m talking Wes from The Truth About Forever great. I can tell you the exact page number when I fell in love with him. 213. Yes, it takes that long before the actual romance between those two is starting to happen and that’s also my only complaint. Things could have started to happen a little earlier for my taste because before that, Nathan only made some brief appearances and I was getting a little frustrated by that. And ok, there’s also the predictability of the story that bothered me a little. I had the whole thing figured out after the first 100 pages or so and the story pretty much played out as I expected. Still, it was fun. Definitely recommended!
Alright, back to Redeeming Love. *sheepish grin*
Alright, this was so not the plan. Actually, I am reading Redeeming Love right now, or well, at least I’m supposed to be reading it right now, which I’m obviously not, but when my dear friend Mr. Postman delivered my copy of Psych Major Syndrome yesterday, I just couldn’t help myself.
See, my friends Nic and Nomes had made me so curious about this that after a few hours of constantly sneaking glances at the book, I finally caved in and abandoned Redeeming Love (which I am really enjoying btw) for Psych Major Syndrome. After the first few pages I could already tell that this was something I was going to love, because there were so many things about our protagonist Leigh which I could totally relate to. While reading I kept thinking "Hey, I’m exactly like that, too!" which tells those of you who have already read the book that I am a little neurotic. I, too, get overly emotional over songs and movies, I have a thing about getting my head under water, I don’t like going to the beach much because I hate how the sand sticks to my feet when they’re wet, I often get hung up on small and unimportant details while completely ignoring the bigger picture, I tend to overthink everything and while I love making lists and am kind of a neat freak I’m always late whenever I have to turn in some kind of assignment because I’m working best under extreme pressure. Like, oh shit I have to turn in this paper tomorrow morning and I haven’t even started kind of pressure. Anyways, back to the topic at hand. This was so much fun! The writing was brilliant and witty and I just couldn’t help but getting sucked into the story. Leigh is weird, insecure, neurotic, sarcastic, witty and even while I wanted to strangle her several times because she was being so incredibly stupid; overall, she was utterly loveable.
I also thought the secondary characters were very well done. While I loved Ami and Rebekah; Jerkface really made my blood boil. I cannot begin to tell you what terrible things I had in mind for him. Let’s just say they involved scissors. Sharp and shiny scissors...Gah, what an a-hole.
Alright, enough with the cussing! Let’s swooooooon! Oh, Nathan *dreamy sigh* Now this is what I call a really great guy - and I’m talking Wes from The Truth About Forever great. I can tell you the exact page number when I fell in love with him. 213. Yes, it takes that long before the actual romance between those two is starting to happen and that’s also my only complaint. Things could have started to happen a little earlier for my taste because before that, Nathan only made some brief appearances and I was getting a little frustrated by that. And ok, there’s also the predictability of the story that bothered me a little. I had the whole thing figured out after the first 100 pages or so and the story pretty much played out as I expected. Still, it was fun. Definitely recommended!
Alright, back to Redeeming Love. *sheepish grin*
November 17, 2011
3.5 stars
Self-Assessment:
The Reviewer (that’s me) finished Psych Major Syndrome two days ago and presents with a mild yet persistent state of indecision over how to review and rate said book.
The Reviewer states that she highly enjoyed the experience of reading Psych Major Syndrome, identifying with the main character and the sensation of “flailing” through the late teen years. Reviewer has a tendency to over-analyse (case in point: this review) and thus found many of Leigh’s observations to be very relatable and quote unquote LOL-worthy. The Reviewer appreciates Leigh’s complicated feelings and certain amount of denial over her relationship with Andrew, the passive-aggressive (or just plain aggressive) competition between classmates, and the cold, hard realisation that she is, in fact, slightly naive.
During the reading of this book, the Reviewer experienced some education-related feelings of envy. This is probably a subject for another day – as the Reviewer has not so much a chip on her shoulder about this, but more of a massive chunk out of it.
While the Reviewer was entertained by the romantic element of the plot, and the chemistry between the characters, she does feel the denouement was slightly unrealistic and the literary equivalent of the ending of a John Hughes film. She also freely admits that she’s possibly just a cynic. She secretly loves the escapism.
The Reviewer enjoyed Thompson’s writing style, and as aforementioned, it made her laugh. It’s a clever, relatable book with a voice she connected to. She feels conflicted about the mildly saccharine ending.
Diagnosis: Rating Anxiety - The protest and distress exhibited by a chronically indecisive reviewer at the end of a mixed reading experience.
The Reynje Incomplete Sentences Blank Review
Name: Reynje
Major: Ambivalence!
I read Psych Major Syndrome along with the lovely Choco
Because I had seen some great reviews around and sometimes I’m just in the mood for some snarky funny romance, you know?
The cover is delightfully green, and from a certain angle that girl really reminds me of a smiley Kristen Stewart – odd but true.
The synopsis pretty much leaped off the screen at me and said “Hey, Reynje, you should read this because late-teen-analyses-her-life-and-herself-too-much has your name written all over it. “
Leigh is a relatable character that I found myself identifying with so much sometimes that it was a little bit frightening (and not just because we both hate the misuse of “you’re” and “your”..)
The narration blends Leigh’s snarky humour with emotional depth, and I thought her introspection and tendency to analyse were refreshingly realistic without being laboured.
Andrew is a character that steadily climbed the list of fictional people I want to punch in the face
Nathan is quite scrumptious, but maybe I just have a thing for musician type guys who are good at Maths and like cats..?
I loved the way definitions of psychological theories were incorporated as chapter headings and how they were woven into the plot because I’m fond of clever stuff like that.
I don’t believe that guys tell girls they smell like rain. Come on, Alicia Thompson and works of YA romantic fiction in general! Why do you build up my expectations only to have the real world kick them over? Why?!
Hooray for emotional snap-decision haircuts that actually turn out to be amazing, because this also doesn’t happen in real life.
Boo for emotionally manipulative, self-centred jerks who drive BMWs with heated seats.
Rebekah is a surly little champion who tugged at my heart.
I wish I had a cat called Euclid. And an eyepatch.
Is it possible “to analyse something to the point where you could no longer see it?” Ab.so.lutely.
The ending played out a little too rom-com style for me (is it possible to swoon and roll your eyes at the same time?)
You should definitely read Psych Major Syndrome if you’re a fan of the upper YA realm of fiction with great voice and humour in a similar vein to Mostly Good Girls (and shirtless acoustic guitar players).
EDIT:
Self-Assessment:
The Reviewer (that’s me) finished Psych Major Syndrome two days ago and presents with a mild yet persistent state of indecision over how to review and rate said book.
The Reviewer states that she highly enjoyed the experience of reading Psych Major Syndrome, identifying with the main character and the sensation of “flailing” through the late teen years. Reviewer has a tendency to over-analyse (case in point: this review) and thus found many of Leigh’s observations to be very relatable and quote unquote LOL-worthy. The Reviewer appreciates Leigh’s complicated feelings and certain amount of denial over her relationship with Andrew, the passive-aggressive (or just plain aggressive) competition between classmates, and the cold, hard realisation that she is, in fact, slightly naive.
During the reading of this book, the Reviewer experienced some education-related feelings of envy. This is probably a subject for another day – as the Reviewer has not so much a chip on her shoulder about this, but more of a massive chunk out of it.
While the Reviewer was entertained by the romantic element of the plot, and the chemistry between the characters, she does feel the denouement was slightly unrealistic and the literary equivalent of the ending of a John Hughes film. She also freely admits that she’s possibly just a cynic. She secretly loves the escapism.
The Reviewer enjoyed Thompson’s writing style, and as aforementioned, it made her laugh. It’s a clever, relatable book with a voice she connected to. She feels conflicted about the mildly saccharine ending.
Diagnosis: Rating Anxiety - The protest and distress exhibited by a chronically indecisive reviewer at the end of a mixed reading experience.
The Reynje Incomplete Sentences Blank Review
Name: Reynje
Major: Ambivalence!
I read Psych Major Syndrome along with the lovely Choco
Because I had seen some great reviews around and sometimes I’m just in the mood for some snarky funny romance, you know?
The cover is delightfully green, and from a certain angle that girl really reminds me of a smiley Kristen Stewart – odd but true.
The synopsis pretty much leaped off the screen at me and said “Hey, Reynje, you should read this because late-teen-analyses-her-life-and-herself-too-much has your name written all over it. “
Leigh is a relatable character that I found myself identifying with so much sometimes that it was a little bit frightening (and not just because we both hate the misuse of “you’re” and “your”..)
The narration blends Leigh’s snarky humour with emotional depth, and I thought her introspection and tendency to analyse were refreshingly realistic without being laboured.
Andrew is a character that steadily climbed the list of fictional people I want to punch in the face
Nathan is quite scrumptious, but maybe I just have a thing for musician type guys who are good at Maths and like cats..?
I loved the way definitions of psychological theories were incorporated as chapter headings and how they were woven into the plot because I’m fond of clever stuff like that.
I don’t believe that guys tell girls they smell like rain. Come on, Alicia Thompson and works of YA romantic fiction in general! Why do you build up my expectations only to have the real world kick them over? Why?!
Hooray for emotional snap-decision haircuts that actually turn out to be amazing, because this also doesn’t happen in real life.
Boo for emotionally manipulative, self-centred jerks who drive BMWs with heated seats.
Rebekah is a surly little champion who tugged at my heart.
I wish I had a cat called Euclid. And an eyepatch.
Is it possible “to analyse something to the point where you could no longer see it?” Ab.so.lutely.
The ending played out a little too rom-com style for me (is it possible to swoon and roll your eyes at the same time?)
You should definitely read Psych Major Syndrome if you’re a fan of the upper YA realm of fiction with great voice and humour in a similar vein to Mostly Good Girls (and shirtless acoustic guitar players).
EDIT:
Read
June 2, 2022Alicia Thompson must feel really embarrassed now for what she wrote here. At least I hope she does. Although I jive with the writing style, this is 2009 YA at its worst, meaning there is a lot of racism, slut shaming and general girl-hate. Tough look.
July 3, 2011
Rating Clarification: 4.5 Stars (closer to 5)
Cognitive Fictional Character Association: A common affliction wherein an avid reader becomes highly sympathetic of a main character due to the numerous similarities in characteristics, experiences and habits.
Just in case you’re wondering, yes I made that condition up, but it best describes why I enjoyed Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson so much. This book caused some serious tear-inducing laughter with its hilarious and snarky narrative and awesomesauce characters and their romantic moments. I had this book sitting on my shelf for a couple of months and if it wasn’t for my trusted Street Corner Bookers, I would never have known it needed to be read ASAP (pronounced A.S.A.P not A-SAP... just saying). :D
In Psych Major Syndrome Leigh finds herself struggling to adjust to the demands of college life. She’s attending Stiles, a smaller more independent style college with her high school boyfriend Andrew. Among her list of challenges include a highly competitive fellow Psych major, a boyfriend who she can’t seem to move to the next level with, a mentee with an honest opinion of Leigh and a bag load of issues of her own, and her boyfriend’s shirtless roommate that’s played the starring role in an interesting dream of hers. Well as you can see, her first semester in college proves to be full of demands and possibilities for change, so how does Leigh respond to these confounding variables? You’ll have to read it to find out. :P
Leigh has moved to my list of top favorite female fictional characters. I had so much in common with her that I felt a sense of connection that I often crave when reading books, which made me enjoy it so much more. Here’s just a small list that had me shouting... me too!! me too!!
Scored a J on the Myers Briggs personality test = check
Drove to college in what others would classify as a cringe-worthy vehicle = check
Attended the university with my high schoolsweetheart boyfriend = check
Suffered from food envy when going out with friends = check
Reluctant to submerge head under suspicious lake/beach/pool water = check
Procrastinated on projects but still delivered quality papers = check
Took Psych 101 my first semester of college = check
Becomes emotional over books and music = double check
Ain’t no Hollaback Girl = triple check
I could go on and on, but those are just a few of the things that had me smiling and laughing out loud as Leigh shared her story. Also, I loved the mini-road trip and the relationship between Nathan and Leigh that developed during that little episode. It was nice to see they both had a vulnerable side they were willing to share with each other. They were definitely a great pair.
So in conclusion, let me leave you with one last psychology term that happens to be fact:
Pleasure Principle: In Freudian psychology, this is the psychoanalytic concept describing people seeking pleasure and avoiding suffering (pain) in order to satisfy their biological and psychological needs. (Example = Psych Major Syndrome)
Song Choice: (Also happens to be in the book) Blink-182 - Dammit
Cognitive Fictional Character Association: A common affliction wherein an avid reader becomes highly sympathetic of a main character due to the numerous similarities in characteristics, experiences and habits.
Just in case you’re wondering, yes I made that condition up, but it best describes why I enjoyed Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson so much. This book caused some serious tear-inducing laughter with its hilarious and snarky narrative and awesomesauce characters and their romantic moments. I had this book sitting on my shelf for a couple of months and if it wasn’t for my trusted Street Corner Bookers, I would never have known it needed to be read ASAP (pronounced A.S.A.P not A-SAP... just saying). :D
In Psych Major Syndrome Leigh finds herself struggling to adjust to the demands of college life. She’s attending Stiles, a smaller more independent style college with her high school boyfriend Andrew. Among her list of challenges include a highly competitive fellow Psych major, a boyfriend who she can’t seem to move to the next level with, a mentee with an honest opinion of Leigh and a bag load of issues of her own, and her boyfriend’s shirtless roommate that’s played the starring role in an interesting dream of hers. Well as you can see, her first semester in college proves to be full of demands and possibilities for change, so how does Leigh respond to these confounding variables? You’ll have to read it to find out. :P
Leigh has moved to my list of top favorite female fictional characters. I had so much in common with her that I felt a sense of connection that I often crave when reading books, which made me enjoy it so much more. Here’s just a small list that had me shouting... me too!! me too!!
Scored a J on the Myers Briggs personality test = check
Drove to college in what others would classify as a cringe-worthy vehicle = check
Attended the university with my high school
Suffered from food envy when going out with friends = check
Reluctant to submerge head under suspicious lake/beach/pool water = check
Procrastinated on projects but still delivered quality papers = check
Took Psych 101 my first semester of college = check
Becomes emotional over books and music = double check
Ain’t no Hollaback Girl = triple check
I could go on and on, but those are just a few of the things that had me smiling and laughing out loud as Leigh shared her story. Also, I loved the mini-road trip and the relationship between Nathan and Leigh that developed during that little episode. It was nice to see they both had a vulnerable side they were willing to share with each other. They were definitely a great pair.
So in conclusion, let me leave you with one last psychology term that happens to be fact:
Pleasure Principle: In Freudian psychology, this is the psychoanalytic concept describing people seeking pleasure and avoiding suffering (pain) in order to satisfy their biological and psychological needs. (Example = Psych Major Syndrome)
Song Choice: (Also happens to be in the book) Blink-182 - Dammit
September 22, 2011
Although "Psych Major Syndome" serves the reader a cute romance as the main course and some rather heart-melting bonding moments between the heroine, a first year student of psychology, and her hard-shelled and streetwise middle school project partner as the dessert, in my personal opinion both story and character developement turned out to be of the highly predictable and pretty much forgettable kind. After two chapters I could have outlined the rest of the plot by myself withought steering off too far from the author's chosen path: A typical, but enjoyable three star young adult chicklit novel. What made me go for four stars instead is the accute and funny style the first-person-narrator uses to describe the people around her, herself and her own behavior, her family, her college, her society and the world. For example ...
"Andrew just shrugged, and I fiddled with the napkin in my lap while glancing idly around the restaurant. The obligatory mirrors hung on the walls, and there was one of those fountains with fake lily pads in the entryway. The restaurant was also lit like a mine shaft. I've never understood why dim lighting is supposed to be so romantic. Night vision belongs into a Paris Hilton sex tape - not in a restaurant that could potentially poison me with peanut sauce."
I simply loved the sharp perceptiveness, the sarcastic, but cheeky side-remarks, the defeated but unbitter musings of the heroine, who I would have liked to scold polka-dotted most of the time for patiently playing doormat for her arrogant loser boyfriend and creating endlessly pseudo-psychological excuses for keeping him in good moods.
I haven't checked her CV, but I do imagine that the author's "real life occupation" could easily be something like being the successful writer of a super hilarious women's mag's social column. I hope she runs a blog that I can visit for a healthy dose of witty truth about everyday life.
Rating edited on 09/22/2011: When I compare this to other books I've read this year and think about how much I can remember, I have to go down to three stars in spite of the enjoyable style.
"Andrew just shrugged, and I fiddled with the napkin in my lap while glancing idly around the restaurant. The obligatory mirrors hung on the walls, and there was one of those fountains with fake lily pads in the entryway. The restaurant was also lit like a mine shaft. I've never understood why dim lighting is supposed to be so romantic. Night vision belongs into a Paris Hilton sex tape - not in a restaurant that could potentially poison me with peanut sauce."
I simply loved the sharp perceptiveness, the sarcastic, but cheeky side-remarks, the defeated but unbitter musings of the heroine, who I would have liked to scold polka-dotted most of the time for patiently playing doormat for her arrogant loser boyfriend and creating endlessly pseudo-psychological excuses for keeping him in good moods.
I haven't checked her CV, but I do imagine that the author's "real life occupation" could easily be something like being the successful writer of a super hilarious women's mag's social column. I hope she runs a blog that I can visit for a healthy dose of witty truth about everyday life.
Rating edited on 09/22/2011: When I compare this to other books I've read this year and think about how much I can remember, I have to go down to three stars in spite of the enjoyable style.
August 16, 2011
What’s there to say about Psych Major Syndrome. Well, it was another book I was psyched to read (pardon the pun), but that didn’t fully deliver. It was fun as long as it lasted and I finished it in one night, but it didn’t really make a lasting impression. I knew up front that it would be very predictable, but I actually didn’t care. With books like these, the journey is the destination.
Yet, I was often annoyed by Leigh’s douche bag boyfriend and they way she let him treat her – and still believed she loved him despite the obvious signs against it. Nathan was definitely a crush-worthy love interest (guitar playing math major!!) though and he and Leigh had a great chemistry. Loved the scenes when the two of them were together.
Still, too many of the side characters seemed more like caricatures of themselves than real people for this to end up being a favourite. Especially the way the poetry writing Chinese student and Circe-du-Soleil lover Tim were described did not sit well with me. It was so over the top, but in a very condescending manner.
Yet, I was often annoyed by Leigh’s douche bag boyfriend and they way she let him treat her – and still believed she loved him despite the obvious signs against it. Nathan was definitely a crush-worthy love interest (guitar playing math major!!) though and he and Leigh had a great chemistry. Loved the scenes when the two of them were together.
Still, too many of the side characters seemed more like caricatures of themselves than real people for this to end up being a favourite. Especially the way the poetry writing Chinese student and Circe-du-Soleil lover Tim were described did not sit well with me. It was so over the top, but in a very condescending manner.
May 7, 2010
PSYCH MAJOR SYNDROME is an absolutely winsome novel, easily one of the sweetest reads this year. It’s the literary equivalent of pictures of cute kittens and puppies, and will leave you sighing happily and “aww-ing” at the end.
The book crackles with humor, mostly the result of the stellar protagonist. Leigh has just the right balance of “intelligent college student” and “blind, drama-attracting girl” to win over both lovers of intelligent AND just-for-fun fiction. Leigh’s snarky and self-deprecating narration is charmingly funny, and there are enough hints of cultural references that will make even the most well-read reader smile indulgently. PSYCH MAJOR SYNDROME takes the classic narrative formula—well-put-together main character realizes her non-debilitating blindness and overcomes that critical flaw to become a better and happier person—and rebuilds it again as something that will ring true for us. It’s tried-and-true, without making us sick of the “tried.”
PSYCH MAJOR SYNDROME has more to do with a love story than psychology, and far from being disappointed that the title and synopsis were a bit misleading, I was absolutely delighted. Without giving anything away, I just want to say that if the love interest doesn’t make your list of Top 10 Swoon-Worthy YA Boys, then you either have a hard-to-win heart, or else you recognize the few flaws in this novel that make it not nearly as enjoyable as it could be: a rushed ending, not enough character development in the one character we’d like to see developed more, and a happy ending that’s so perfect as to be a little cringe-inducing.
Ultimately, your enjoyment of PSYCH MAJOR SYNDROME may depend on how much the conventions bother you. However, I absolutely loved this novel and would pick it up again at a moment’s notice to have more than my fair share of funny, sweet, and sigh-worthy romance. Readers who adored but have for the most part outgrown Meg Cabot’s books will find a fantastic alternative in Alicia Thompson’s debut novel.
The book crackles with humor, mostly the result of the stellar protagonist. Leigh has just the right balance of “intelligent college student” and “blind, drama-attracting girl” to win over both lovers of intelligent AND just-for-fun fiction. Leigh’s snarky and self-deprecating narration is charmingly funny, and there are enough hints of cultural references that will make even the most well-read reader smile indulgently. PSYCH MAJOR SYNDROME takes the classic narrative formula—well-put-together main character realizes her non-debilitating blindness and overcomes that critical flaw to become a better and happier person—and rebuilds it again as something that will ring true for us. It’s tried-and-true, without making us sick of the “tried.”
PSYCH MAJOR SYNDROME has more to do with a love story than psychology, and far from being disappointed that the title and synopsis were a bit misleading, I was absolutely delighted. Without giving anything away, I just want to say that if the love interest doesn’t make your list of Top 10 Swoon-Worthy YA Boys, then you either have a hard-to-win heart, or else you recognize the few flaws in this novel that make it not nearly as enjoyable as it could be: a rushed ending, not enough character development in the one character we’d like to see developed more, and a happy ending that’s so perfect as to be a little cringe-inducing.
Ultimately, your enjoyment of PSYCH MAJOR SYNDROME may depend on how much the conventions bother you. However, I absolutely loved this novel and would pick it up again at a moment’s notice to have more than my fair share of funny, sweet, and sigh-worthy romance. Readers who adored but have for the most part outgrown Meg Cabot’s books will find a fantastic alternative in Alicia Thompson’s debut novel.
December 19, 2017
*BEFORE READING*
It's here.
Too bad I have classes today. Why is life so cruel?
*AFTER READING*
does this book have such a low rating? Did we not read the same thing?
It was so sweet,like on Stephanie Perkins' level of cuteness. OK,maybe not that cute but still cute to land on my favorite shelf. Everybody knows I don't give those pretty lightly. So,our girl,Leigh(pst, that's her middle name. Wait till you find out her real name) is one of those Rory Gilmore type of girls which you should love(and if you don't,well,then you...suck) who has a douche of a boyfriend(just like Rory had Logan,yuck) but all she needed was Nathan(alias Jess,yum). *sigh* Nathan,oh Nathan,how adorable you are,how gallant,how fine...
*inside voice*Oh,God...This is turning to be one of those reviews where you just ramble about how hot was the guy and forget to mention what this book was actually about. I don't care,you have a blurb for that. I want to talk how great Nathan was because,damn it! I want him too! And also I kind of pretended I was Leigh and I got to touch him and kiss him and watch stars with him... Oh,Nathan,you perfect man,you...
If you are boy crazy individual like me,then you are going to love this book. There are a couple of very funny scenes I almost cracked up while riding the bus.
Note to self: stop using GIFs so much in the future.
It's here.
Too bad I have classes today. Why is life so cruel?
*AFTER READING*
does this book have such a low rating? Did we not read the same thing?
It was so sweet,like on Stephanie Perkins' level of cuteness. OK,maybe not that cute but still cute to land on my favorite shelf. Everybody knows I don't give those pretty lightly. So,our girl,Leigh(pst, that's her middle name. Wait till you find out her real name) is one of those Rory Gilmore type of girls which you should love(and if you don't,well,then you...suck) who has a douche of a boyfriend(just like Rory had Logan,yuck) but all she needed was Nathan(alias Jess,yum). *sigh* Nathan,oh Nathan,how adorable you are,how gallant,how fine...
*inside voice*Oh,God...This is turning to be one of those reviews where you just ramble about how hot was the guy and forget to mention what this book was actually about. I don't care,you have a blurb for that. I want to talk how great Nathan was because,damn it! I want him too! And also I kind of pretended I was Leigh and I got to touch him and kiss him and watch stars with him... Oh,Nathan,you perfect man,you...
If you are boy crazy individual like me,then you are going to love this book. There are a couple of very funny scenes I almost cracked up while riding the bus.
Note to self: stop using GIFs so much in the future.
November 15, 2011
Readalong with Reynje!!
This is a story of a psych-major Leigh with her boyfriend Andrew, his roommate Nathan and some fun, crazy (sometimes unrealistic) side characters. I rarely put a book with 3 stars on my enjoyed shelf unless there was something special about the book. In this case, special-something came in a package of Nathan, who plays the guitar, majors in math and has a nice voice and a very nice chest.
At the start, the book was promising with a part like this:
I'll spend countless hours every day wishing that I could undo something about myself, but when it comes down to it, I hug every last little foible of mine as though it were my security blanket. (p 10)
But unfortunately, Leigh's self-awareness ends there. I understood her cluelessness despite her tendency to overanalyse everything was the point necessary for the book. However, coupled with unrealistic side characters, it became a bit unbearable at a time. Then it hit me. I was reading the book wrongly! I was trying to read this book like I would read other more realistic YA novels. I should've been reading it as I would read Sophie Kinsella's books. Discrepancy between readers' expectations and books' genre / direction can lead to dissatisfaction, which almost occured reading I'll Be There but nicely saved only because I am used to reading books like (don't click unless you've read I'll Be There). A shift in my attitude withPsych Major Syndrome didn't come as smoothly as with I'll Be There, but I started enjoying it more still with a certain level of suffering. So beaware of your expectation!
Nathan may not have been realistic (all the goodness in one neat package! *swoon*), but he provided a point of sanity. Leigh became more normal (in my opinion) when she was around him, and the highlight of the book was every scene with Nathan and Leigh in it. Due to this Nathan effect, it felt like two books were mushed into one. With Nathan it felt like a nice romantic read like Lola and the Boy Next Door, and without Nathan it was like a over-the-top yet another Shopaholic book without the shopping but with plenty of craziness.
The book was, therefore, 3 stars for its overall quality, but it earned a spot on my enjoyed shelf for Nathan as well as the Nathan effect.
As for all the psych reference in chapter titles (all very Psych101), it didn't make my reading experience more enjoyable or less enjoyable. I felt very neutral about it, which was surprising. It probably has something to do with my (personal info)
This is a story of a psych-major Leigh with her boyfriend Andrew, his roommate Nathan and some fun, crazy (sometimes unrealistic) side characters. I rarely put a book with 3 stars on my enjoyed shelf unless there was something special about the book. In this case, special-something came in a package of Nathan, who plays the guitar, majors in math and has a nice voice and a very nice chest.
At the start, the book was promising with a part like this:
I'll spend countless hours every day wishing that I could undo something about myself, but when it comes down to it, I hug every last little foible of mine as though it were my security blanket. (p 10)
But unfortunately, Leigh's self-awareness ends there. I understood her cluelessness despite her tendency to overanalyse everything was the point necessary for the book. However, coupled with unrealistic side characters, it became a bit unbearable at a time. Then it hit me. I was reading the book wrongly! I was trying to read this book like I would read other more realistic YA novels. I should've been reading it as I would read Sophie Kinsella's books. Discrepancy between readers' expectations and books' genre / direction can lead to dissatisfaction, which almost occured reading I'll Be There but nicely saved only because I am used to reading books like (don't click unless you've read I'll Be There). A shift in my attitude withPsych Major Syndrome didn't come as smoothly as with I'll Be There, but I started enjoying it more still with a certain level of suffering. So beaware of your expectation!
Nathan may not have been realistic (all the goodness in one neat package! *swoon*), but he provided a point of sanity. Leigh became more normal (in my opinion) when she was around him, and the highlight of the book was every scene with Nathan and Leigh in it. Due to this Nathan effect, it felt like two books were mushed into one. With Nathan it felt like a nice romantic read like Lola and the Boy Next Door, and without Nathan it was like a over-the-top yet another Shopaholic book without the shopping but with plenty of craziness.
The book was, therefore, 3 stars for its overall quality, but it earned a spot on my enjoyed shelf for Nathan as well as the Nathan effect.
As for all the psych reference in chapter titles (all very Psych101), it didn't make my reading experience more enjoyable or less enjoyable. I felt very neutral about it, which was surprising. It probably has something to do with my (personal info)
July 22, 2010
Ok can I just say that I had NO idea that Disney actually published young adult books! I can't believe how blown away I was about this.
I have to give the author major kudo points for setting this book in a college campus. It's a scarce area explored in the young adult genre. I'm guessing it's harder to reach the younger audience if you set them away from home for the first time. I actually thought it was always weird that more authors didn't write about this time in a young person's life.
Leigh is a Psych major in the small liberl arts college of Stiles, located in California. Just like people would expect she tends to over analyze things, but maybe some of her musings have some merit to them? After all she is studying Psychology for a reason. She has committed the much looked down upon decesion to follow her high school sweetheart Andrew, so they can stay together. They haven't entered the "next level" into their relationship and it's something that is pretty relevant in both Leigh and Adam's mind, but both have different takes on it. There is of course her lovable roommate Ami and the *raised eyebrow* swoon worthy Nathan. Seriously this guy is just a little too great for his own good.
I can't say the book portrayed college life accurately, but not everybody's experience is the same. It is probably different here because she does go to small college that does not give out GPAs! Man, why haven't I heard of these colleges? The book was definitely funny and as the reader I could get a good sense of who Leigh was because of her many quirks. As we all know quirks are one of the prevelant things that make up a person's personality. The writing could have been a little tighter and more original, but as a whole I throughly enjoyed it. Leigh learns just that because things are expected doesn't mean they are always right.
When I finished a gave sigh and cringed a little that I could fall for something so cheesy. Oh but who cares! Read and let your stomach flutter from the sweetness:D
I have to give the author major kudo points for setting this book in a college campus. It's a scarce area explored in the young adult genre. I'm guessing it's harder to reach the younger audience if you set them away from home for the first time. I actually thought it was always weird that more authors didn't write about this time in a young person's life.
Leigh is a Psych major in the small liberl arts college of Stiles, located in California. Just like people would expect she tends to over analyze things, but maybe some of her musings have some merit to them? After all she is studying Psychology for a reason. She has committed the much looked down upon decesion to follow her high school sweetheart Andrew, so they can stay together. They haven't entered the "next level" into their relationship and it's something that is pretty relevant in both Leigh and Adam's mind, but both have different takes on it. There is of course her lovable roommate Ami and the *raised eyebrow* swoon worthy Nathan. Seriously this guy is just a little too great for his own good.
I can't say the book portrayed college life accurately, but not everybody's experience is the same. It is probably different here because she does go to small college that does not give out GPAs! Man, why haven't I heard of these colleges? The book was definitely funny and as the reader I could get a good sense of who Leigh was because of her many quirks. As we all know quirks are one of the prevelant things that make up a person's personality. The writing could have been a little tighter and more original, but as a whole I throughly enjoyed it. Leigh learns just that because things are expected doesn't mean they are always right.
When I finished a gave sigh and cringed a little that I could fall for something so cheesy. Oh but who cares! Read and let your stomach flutter from the sweetness:D
August 30, 2009
Hmmm. I have mixed feelings about this one. Psych Major Syndrome is the story of Leigh (first name: Tuesday) Nolan's first semester at Stiles College, which is an alternative to the mainstream college experience. I'll outline the things I liked and did not like below, but I won't get too specific to avoid being spoiler-y.
Pluses: Relationship confusion during freshman year of college is a biggie. I was in a long-distance relationship with my high school boyfriend (now husband) through my own university years. However, I saw the metamorphosis and destruction of plenty of other relationships. The changes in a relationship that come from being suddenly thrust into a freer environment with lots of new people really rang true. I really liked Leigh's roommate, Ami. I had an art student roomie when I was a senior, and Ami made me think of her and smile. The best part is how all of the characters defer to others as experts in their major, even though freshmen haven't exactly learned much in their areas yet. I remember that well, and thinking I was an authority on all things language & literature because I was majoring in English (and feeling panicky when I couldn't answer a question because of that). I also enjoyed the ending. It made me happy.
Minuses: Where's the school part of college? Aside from the occasional study group scene, school and schoolwork were absent. Does this school really have no exams, papers, or classes? I found that hard to believe. While a large part of college is the social experience, it's not the only thing going on. Another big problem was the mentoring program Leigh participated in. I found Leigh's behavior behavior rather unbelievable, and the sponsoring middle school teacher's handling of the situation even more so. A lot of the supporting characters seemed more like caricatures than real people. Li especially bothered me. The treatment of his Chinese accent ("Close your eye!") gnawed at me. It seemed disrespectful at least, racist at worst. Additionally, his poem is just so... bad. I can't believe that something like that would win any sort of prize in a college-level statewide contest. Granted, it was rewritten from memory en route, but still. The time between the beginning of school through Thanksgiving took up almost 300 pages, and then everything was wrapped up neatly in the last 40. The ending felt rushed.
All in all, this book is a fun bit of fluff. There's nothing deep about it, but it's pretty enjoyable, and the storyline goes pretty much as expected. It's the book version of comfort food. This would be a good read for the college-bound still in high school relationship. It certainly would give them something to think about. Ultimately, though, it's not really to my taste. I was looking forward to reading a story about the transition to college, since it can be so traumatic (but so fun), and Thompson's book didn't deliver the sort of insight I was expecting.
Pluses: Relationship confusion during freshman year of college is a biggie. I was in a long-distance relationship with my high school boyfriend (now husband) through my own university years. However, I saw the metamorphosis and destruction of plenty of other relationships. The changes in a relationship that come from being suddenly thrust into a freer environment with lots of new people really rang true. I really liked Leigh's roommate, Ami. I had an art student roomie when I was a senior, and Ami made me think of her and smile. The best part is how all of the characters defer to others as experts in their major, even though freshmen haven't exactly learned much in their areas yet. I remember that well, and thinking I was an authority on all things language & literature because I was majoring in English (and feeling panicky when I couldn't answer a question because of that). I also enjoyed the ending. It made me happy.
Minuses: Where's the school part of college? Aside from the occasional study group scene, school and schoolwork were absent. Does this school really have no exams, papers, or classes? I found that hard to believe. While a large part of college is the social experience, it's not the only thing going on. Another big problem was the mentoring program Leigh participated in. I found Leigh's behavior behavior rather unbelievable, and the sponsoring middle school teacher's handling of the situation even more so. A lot of the supporting characters seemed more like caricatures than real people. Li especially bothered me. The treatment of his Chinese accent ("Close your eye!") gnawed at me. It seemed disrespectful at least, racist at worst. Additionally, his poem is just so... bad. I can't believe that something like that would win any sort of prize in a college-level statewide contest. Granted, it was rewritten from memory en route, but still. The time between the beginning of school through Thanksgiving took up almost 300 pages, and then everything was wrapped up neatly in the last 40. The ending felt rushed.
All in all, this book is a fun bit of fluff. There's nothing deep about it, but it's pretty enjoyable, and the storyline goes pretty much as expected. It's the book version of comfort food. This would be a good read for the college-bound still in high school relationship. It certainly would give them something to think about. Ultimately, though, it's not really to my taste. I was looking forward to reading a story about the transition to college, since it can be so traumatic (but so fun), and Thompson's book didn't deliver the sort of insight I was expecting.
December 11, 2011
A couple of chapters in and I knew what I was getting. That said I have no problem recommending this to anyone with a penchant for cutesy happy-happy rom/coms. Because basically that’s what PSYCH MAJOR SYNDROME is. The best thing about the book is Leigh, whom I adore!
Leigh has most everything going for her… or maybe not. A girl with the tendency to over-analyze, drag her feet and take her time in everything she did, has compensate elsewhere, right? And she does, she’s funny and made observations that made me laugh. If I had to compare her to anyone, I’d say she’s a bit like Ruby Oliver whose various quirks had me laughing (but cringing too.)
Leigh’s descriptions of her study habits (nil) and habit of stretching the truth are all quite entertaining. And just like Ruby, she’s not that self-aware. While she could see the wrong in other things and nitpick over details like a champion, she never really saw herself. And as she first observed, she sometimes ignored the big things. It’s because of these that her problems got bigger. I enjoyed most every tangle she got in because there was always her humor to count on.
Then there be the boys… oh the boys. Actually, it’s just “the boy,” because from the get I was wondering what was keeping her with Andrew, who read like a douche. But Nathan, my goodness! This time, I can honestly say that it wasn’t the guitar. That boy is positively yum.
Now there are two things one might take issue with~ (a) the unbelievably sweet ending (i.e. unlikely declarations) and (b) how Li and Rebekah were depicted. As to the first, I did say is cutesy sweet rom-com material, so it’s not that big a deal. As to the last, at least it wasn’t as bad as HoN.
3.5/5
Leigh has most everything going for her… or maybe not. A girl with the tendency to over-analyze, drag her feet and take her time in everything she did, has compensate elsewhere, right? And she does, she’s funny and made observations that made me laugh. If I had to compare her to anyone, I’d say she’s a bit like Ruby Oliver whose various quirks had me laughing (but cringing too.)
Leigh’s descriptions of her study habits (nil) and habit of stretching the truth are all quite entertaining. And just like Ruby, she’s not that self-aware. While she could see the wrong in other things and nitpick over details like a champion, she never really saw herself. And as she first observed, she sometimes ignored the big things. It’s because of these that her problems got bigger. I enjoyed most every tangle she got in because there was always her humor to count on.
Then there be the boys… oh the boys. Actually, it’s just “the boy,” because from the get I was wondering what was keeping her with Andrew, who read like a douche. But Nathan, my goodness! This time, I can honestly say that it wasn’t the guitar. That boy is positively yum.
Now there are two things one might take issue with~ (a) the unbelievably sweet ending (i.e. unlikely declarations) and (b) how Li and Rebekah were depicted. As to the first, I did say is cutesy sweet rom-com material, so it’s not that big a deal. As to the last, at least it wasn’t as bad as HoN.
3.5/5
August 30, 2009
I LOVED this book!
"Psych Major Syndrome: A common affliction wherein a psychology major, overwhelmed by conditions, effects, and disorders, begins to overanalyze her own life.
ROTTER INCOMPLETE SENTENCES BLANK
1. I like...to read incredibly unrealistic and badly written romance novels.
2. The happiest time was...I can't remember.
3. Back home...the house smells like incense all the time
4. I regret...buying Avril's first album on the basis of one song
5.At bedtime...I make up stories in my head.
6. I am...very sensitive about the weirdest things
7. What annoys me...is when people confuse "you're" with "your" or "its" with "it's"
8.People...are stupid.(see above)
9. A mother...can really embarass you sometimes, espescially when she insists on bringing her tarot cards to all parent-teacher confrences
10. I feel...a low level of dread on a regular basis.
11. My greatest fear is...of being stranded in the desert or buried alive. Or never finding happiness.
12. When I was a child...I liked to play "pretend" a lot.
13.I suffer...every time I have to drive my car.
14. I failed...geometry. Twice.
15. Guys...are confusing, but nice to have around.
16. I need...Dunkin' Donuts coffee to live.
17. I hate...the way parking services hunts you down.
18. This schoool...is a small liberal arts college in California.
19. My father...wears an eye patch as an affectation.
20. I wish....Rotter had never graduated with a psychology degree."
I found myself yelling "You IDIOT!" to the heroine in my head several times, but it was a tingly, giggly sort of exclamation.
"Psych Major Syndrome: A common affliction wherein a psychology major, overwhelmed by conditions, effects, and disorders, begins to overanalyze her own life.
ROTTER INCOMPLETE SENTENCES BLANK
1. I like...to read incredibly unrealistic and badly written romance novels.
2. The happiest time was...I can't remember.
3. Back home...the house smells like incense all the time
4. I regret...buying Avril's first album on the basis of one song
5.At bedtime...I make up stories in my head.
6. I am...very sensitive about the weirdest things
7. What annoys me...is when people confuse "you're" with "your" or "its" with "it's"
8.People...are stupid.(see above)
9. A mother...can really embarass you sometimes, espescially when she insists on bringing her tarot cards to all parent-teacher confrences
10. I feel...a low level of dread on a regular basis.
11. My greatest fear is...of being stranded in the desert or buried alive. Or never finding happiness.
12. When I was a child...I liked to play "pretend" a lot.
13.I suffer...every time I have to drive my car.
14. I failed...geometry. Twice.
15. Guys...are confusing, but nice to have around.
16. I need...Dunkin' Donuts coffee to live.
17. I hate...the way parking services hunts you down.
18. This schoool...is a small liberal arts college in California.
19. My father...wears an eye patch as an affectation.
20. I wish....Rotter had never graduated with a psychology degree."
I found myself yelling "You IDIOT!" to the heroine in my head several times, but it was a tingly, giggly sort of exclamation.
August 1, 2010
I think this is my first book set in college life. Nearly all young adults books are set in high school which makes sense, but I still liked the change.
Now this book is no great piece of literature. It's chick-lit and mostly fluff. Leigh is a bit annoying in the beginning. Looks like she's making drama where there is none. And Nathan likes cats, not that I have anything against cats; just that it's strange. I feel like guys who like cats should be dealt with caution.
Though if you can pass this it's really an enjoyable read. It's funny above other things and had its sweet moments. The book talks quite a bit about sex without it being preachy and it was a realistic take on the subject. Characters like Rebecca give the book more substance then just being all fluff.
An easy read.
Now this book is no great piece of literature. It's chick-lit and mostly fluff. Leigh is a bit annoying in the beginning. Looks like she's making drama where there is none. And Nathan likes cats, not that I have anything against cats; just that it's strange. I feel like guys who like cats should be dealt with caution.
Though if you can pass this it's really an enjoyable read. It's funny above other things and had its sweet moments. The book talks quite a bit about sex without it being preachy and it was a realistic take on the subject. Characters like Rebecca give the book more substance then just being all fluff.
An easy read.
Shelved as 'wishlist'
October 17, 2021THIS IS RELEVANT TO MY INTERESTS
April 25, 2009
Why doesn't goodreads allow us to do half stars? Seriously, asking this has become a cliché and yet nothing is done to solve it.
Anyway, I'd give this 3.5 stars (a B-/C+), and I absolutely mean that in a good way because I read this in one sitting and really enjoyed it. I'd give it four stars because up until the ending, I thought it was a very good light romance read with a character who's very aware of herself and THERE, as opposed to being an Everygirl and a developed hero and antihero who were both compelling in their own right.
The ending was a bit too cheesy for a novel that had common tropes like hippie/offbeat parents who name their children strange names and like taking pictures of their auras, not detract from the story. The main character made note of these things in passing, which made it not be a total device. But then we get to the end and it's like all the restraint the book exerted to not be sickly sweet went out the window and it just Had To Express Itself.
Which isn't something I mind myself because I love light, fun, (somewhat exaggerated) romance books. I thought there was a lot of potential for it to stand out from a crowded genre, and that charging $16 to read it is robbery when anyone can get their fix with the Simon Pulse ro-coms for $7 until this is out in paperback.
Anyway, I'd give this 3.5 stars (a B-/C+), and I absolutely mean that in a good way because I read this in one sitting and really enjoyed it. I'd give it four stars because up until the ending, I thought it was a very good light romance read with a character who's very aware of herself and THERE, as opposed to being an Everygirl and a developed hero and antihero who were both compelling in their own right.
The ending was a bit too cheesy for a novel that had common tropes like hippie/offbeat parents who name their children strange names and like taking pictures of their auras, not detract from the story. The main character made note of these things in passing, which made it not be a total device. But then we get to the end and it's like all the restraint the book exerted to not be sickly sweet went out the window and it just Had To Express Itself.
Which isn't something I mind myself because I love light, fun, (somewhat exaggerated) romance books. I thought there was a lot of potential for it to stand out from a crowded genre, and that charging $16 to read it is robbery when anyone can get their fix with the Simon Pulse ro-coms for $7 until this is out in paperback.
November 12, 2011
so this book was definitely a read-in-one-sitting book for me! such a light and easy and fun and swoony book. I flipped through the pages laughing and smiling with the main protagonist, Leigh, and then scowling with dislike about Andrew, (seriously wanted to slap him sometimes) and then getting all fluttery whenever Nathan was around.... the book was so engaging I found myself talking to Leigh ( good thing I was at home on the couch when doing this talking!!), these one sided conversations mainly occurred in the last third of the book and were things like, 'C'mon Leigh...wake up to yourself and get rid of him', 'C'mon Leigh...you are better off without him', 'C'mon Leigh, listen to Ami', 'C'mon Leigh...hello...Nathan!!)
a totally gorgeous book that left me with a smile :)
a totally gorgeous book that left me with a smile :)
December 20, 2020
OH. MY. GOSH.
I have never before experienced reading about myself. This girl is ME. LITERALLY. ME. I AM SHOOK. Down to the littlest details, I felt like I was reading about myself. It made me cry. I felt more understood than I ever have. I couldn’t put it down. (Literally - I should have been doing homework the past two hours.)
This book is good, but if you’re expecting something deep, that’s not what it is. It’s simply a fun, relaxing, non-complicated read. So for that, and for how much I related to it, it gets 5 stars.
Leigh got her happy ending- being that we are so similar, I hope I get mine as well.
I have never before experienced reading about myself. This girl is ME. LITERALLY. ME. I AM SHOOK. Down to the littlest details, I felt like I was reading about myself. It made me cry. I felt more understood than I ever have. I couldn’t put it down. (Literally - I should have been doing homework the past two hours.)
This book is good, but if you’re expecting something deep, that’s not what it is. It’s simply a fun, relaxing, non-complicated read. So for that, and for how much I related to it, it gets 5 stars.
Leigh got her happy ending- being that we are so similar, I hope I get mine as well.
December 30, 2013
If you're anything like me, this book will make you laugh.
June 11, 2021
Ah, as compras horríveis da Duda de 2015 na bienal... (ainda bem que só falta uma)
Esse livro foi tão sem graça, além de ser bem problemático todo mundo achar que a menina é maluca, quando na real ela é só uma jovem universitária com ansiedade (e que jovem universitário não é ansioso) e com alguns problemas de autoconfiança.
Supostamente era pra ser um romance, mas 60% do livro é basicamente ela num relacionamento abusivo com um cara babaca, uns 20% dela sofrendo com o término e os últimos 10% ela percebendo que gostava de um cara que poderia até ser legal, mas tudo que a gente sabe sobre ele é de uns flashbacks jogados no final pra dizer que ele estava aqui o tempo todo, só ela não viu.
Esse livro foi tão sem graça, além de ser bem problemático todo mundo achar que a menina é maluca, quando na real ela é só uma jovem universitária com ansiedade (e que jovem universitário não é ansioso) e com alguns problemas de autoconfiança.
Supostamente era pra ser um romance, mas 60% do livro é basicamente ela num relacionamento abusivo com um cara babaca, uns 20% dela sofrendo com o término e os últimos 10% ela percebendo que gostava de um cara que poderia até ser legal, mas tudo que a gente sabe sobre ele é de uns flashbacks jogados no final pra dizer que ele estava aqui o tempo todo, só ela não viu.
January 25, 2021
Honestly, I couldn’t enjoy it anymore past the racist stereotype being portrayed with the character Li. I forced myself to finish the book only because I didn’t want to leave it half read. My favorite character was Rebekah because she seemed to have some common sense and personality.
June 18, 2012
Original post at One More Page
When I was applying for admission to different colleges ten (!!!) years ago, my top 3 courses were Computer Science, Journalism/English-related course and one fall back course that seemed pretty interesting. One of them was Electronics and Communications Engineering which was crazy because I don't know how I would survive college with all the math if I got into that course. In another college, I remember choosing Behavorial Science, which was the closest I could get to a Psychology degree. When I finally got into college (Computer Science, my first choice) and took my one and only Psychology subject, I remember thinking that if ever I do decide to shift out of my course for reasons that I do not want to think about, I will probably take Psych. I don't know why, but I guess I found it fascinating to study about human personalities and everything related to it. Color me naive, but back then I thought that if you want to read a person more than you normally can, take Psychology.
I remembered all those course picking things while I was reading Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson, and quite honestly, I think I saw myself in Leigh. Leigh Nolan is a college freshman in Stiles College majoring in Psychology -- she has a good knack in helping her friends with their problems, but when it comes to her own? Well, she isn't so good. But what's to be worried about, anyway? Leigh likes what she's taking (albeit her teachers seem to be bent in making her take more responsibilities and her arch-nemesis Ellen is always waiting for a way to bring her down), and she has a steady boyfriend, Andrew, that she has been with since high school (never mind that he has never invited her to spend the night, and that her boyfriend's roommate, Nathan, seemed to hate her guts and that Nathan was the star of a recent dream that left her feeling a bit confused about her feelings). What's to be worried about? Leigh's tendency to over analyze things gets her to start questioning everything, and she's not quite sure if she will ever find any of the answers. Shouldn't Psych majors be able to figure that out?
From the first page, I recognized Leigh as a girl after my own heart. I feel like I will be like her if I did take up Psychology, sans the arch-nemesis and the high school sweetheart. :p Leigh was such a fun character that being in her head was so entertaining -- she's nice and snarky and her affection for nice pens and her tendency to over-analyze was really just a bit too familiar that I can't help but laugh. Leigh's problems, while quite typical, come off as legitimate things that girls her age go through. Come on girls, tell me: who doesn't over-analyze things? At one point in our life, we have over-analyzed a situation to death, and Leigh is a character who sympathizes with that.
I liked that every chapter of the book has some sort of psych concept that describes the chapter. There were several scenes that got me laughing out loud, as well as some scenes that made me feel warm and fuzzy all over. However, if you're looking for a different kind of romance here, there's really nothing to find. Come on, we all know who Leigh is going to end up with from the blurb alone. How she ends up with him is another question, but there really was no surprise there, right? There's the love triangle, the loyal friend and the one who didn't seem like a friend but turned out okay at the end. There were also some stereotypical characters that kind of made me raise an eyebrow, and I understand how other readers got kind of miffed with that.
Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson is a very entertaining contemporary YA read, even if there's really nothing surprising about it. There was enough sass and sweetness in it that it was really just the right fluff that my brain needed back when I was reading it (I was in the middle of some serious books back then). I read this in a day, and it was a pleasure to get lost in a world that didn't have magic, zombies or foreign lands that do not exist. :) If you're in the mood for good and funny fluff or if you're even the least bit interested in Psychology, you'll probably like this.
Oh, and if I were to have a do-over for what college course I'll choose? As much as Psychology feels exciting, I will still go for Computer Science. I have a feeling that if I was actually allowed to over-analyze things and situations for school, I would've gone crazy with that opportunity. And over thinking is really not something I should allow myself to indulge in. :P
When I was applying for admission to different colleges ten (!!!) years ago, my top 3 courses were Computer Science, Journalism/English-related course and one fall back course that seemed pretty interesting. One of them was Electronics and Communications Engineering which was crazy because I don't know how I would survive college with all the math if I got into that course. In another college, I remember choosing Behavorial Science, which was the closest I could get to a Psychology degree. When I finally got into college (Computer Science, my first choice) and took my one and only Psychology subject, I remember thinking that if ever I do decide to shift out of my course for reasons that I do not want to think about, I will probably take Psych. I don't know why, but I guess I found it fascinating to study about human personalities and everything related to it. Color me naive, but back then I thought that if you want to read a person more than you normally can, take Psychology.
I remembered all those course picking things while I was reading Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson, and quite honestly, I think I saw myself in Leigh. Leigh Nolan is a college freshman in Stiles College majoring in Psychology -- she has a good knack in helping her friends with their problems, but when it comes to her own? Well, she isn't so good. But what's to be worried about, anyway? Leigh likes what she's taking (albeit her teachers seem to be bent in making her take more responsibilities and her arch-nemesis Ellen is always waiting for a way to bring her down), and she has a steady boyfriend, Andrew, that she has been with since high school (never mind that he has never invited her to spend the night, and that her boyfriend's roommate, Nathan, seemed to hate her guts and that Nathan was the star of a recent dream that left her feeling a bit confused about her feelings). What's to be worried about? Leigh's tendency to over analyze things gets her to start questioning everything, and she's not quite sure if she will ever find any of the answers. Shouldn't Psych majors be able to figure that out?
From the first page, I recognized Leigh as a girl after my own heart. I feel like I will be like her if I did take up Psychology, sans the arch-nemesis and the high school sweetheart. :p Leigh was such a fun character that being in her head was so entertaining -- she's nice and snarky and her affection for nice pens and her tendency to over-analyze was really just a bit too familiar that I can't help but laugh. Leigh's problems, while quite typical, come off as legitimate things that girls her age go through. Come on girls, tell me: who doesn't over-analyze things? At one point in our life, we have over-analyzed a situation to death, and Leigh is a character who sympathizes with that.
I liked that every chapter of the book has some sort of psych concept that describes the chapter. There were several scenes that got me laughing out loud, as well as some scenes that made me feel warm and fuzzy all over. However, if you're looking for a different kind of romance here, there's really nothing to find. Come on, we all know who Leigh is going to end up with from the blurb alone. How she ends up with him is another question, but there really was no surprise there, right? There's the love triangle, the loyal friend and the one who didn't seem like a friend but turned out okay at the end. There were also some stereotypical characters that kind of made me raise an eyebrow, and I understand how other readers got kind of miffed with that.
Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson is a very entertaining contemporary YA read, even if there's really nothing surprising about it. There was enough sass and sweetness in it that it was really just the right fluff that my brain needed back when I was reading it (I was in the middle of some serious books back then). I read this in a day, and it was a pleasure to get lost in a world that didn't have magic, zombies or foreign lands that do not exist. :) If you're in the mood for good and funny fluff or if you're even the least bit interested in Psychology, you'll probably like this.
Oh, and if I were to have a do-over for what college course I'll choose? As much as Psychology feels exciting, I will still go for Computer Science. I have a feeling that if I was actually allowed to over-analyze things and situations for school, I would've gone crazy with that opportunity. And over thinking is really not something I should allow myself to indulge in. :P
January 30, 2014
Actual Rating: 4.5 Stars!
After seeing a raving review from my soulmate Angie at Disquietus Reads, I just knew that this book was going to be something that I needed to read, and stat. Her raving and my impeccable sense of what I will and will not like proved to be correct: I really liked this book!
Leigh is starting her freshman year of college and is studying to become a Psychology major. She, like everyone who has ever taken a Psychology class, is taking everything she is learning in class and is applying it to her real life and those around her. Andrew, her high school boyfriend of over a year is a Philosophy major and he is seeming to have fewer and fewer patience with Leigh or their relationship in general. PSYCH MAJOR SYNDROME follows Leigh during her first semester of school, her relationship, friendships, and just trying to figure out life along the way.
I immediately liked Leigh. She deals with the very common issues that happen when you first start out college: figuring out what you want to do with the rest of your life, stressing over grad school decisions that don't matter until your senior year, what to do about your slowly dying high school relationship, the delicate balance between school and your social life, etc. She is also addicted to Dunkin Donuts coffee just like me. She was an incredibly likable and relatable character. She had a fresh personality with a witty humor and wasn't afraid to go against the typical grain. There were moments when I thought she was being a bit dumb but could understand her motives, especially in regards to her dud of a boyfriend, Andrew. She had some great character growth, learned from her mistakes, and made things right.
Thompson's secondary characters were just as interesting and well-developed. Andrew was a jerk, to put simply. I could not for the life of me understand what Leigh saw in him and why she continued to stay with him. It was probably the whole "he's safe" thing but still! Nathan, Andrew's roommate on the other hand, was awesome. He was the complete opposite of Andrew in every way. He was kinder, wasn't too preoccupied with his studies to notice things, and was easily my favorite guy in the whole book. I loved Leigh's roommate, Ami, and thought she brought a great dynamic to the table. She was an art major and was quirky and complemented Leigh in the best way.
One of my favorite subplots in the book was the mentoring program that Leigh volunteered in. She went to a middle school with a group of other psych majors and helped mentor "at risk" adolescents. Leigh had a tendency to stick her foot in her mouth about some issues but wasn't afraid to expose these girls to the cold hard facts about life. I loved watching her make an impact on these girls and let them be themselves around her, and she them. I really appreciated the fact that Thompson let the readers get a glimpse into one girl's life in particular, Rebekah. She was 15 and was spunky as hell. Her story line intrigued me and the friendship she built with Leigh was perfect.
PSYCH MAJOR SYNDROME is about growing up, not settling for something you think you deserve when clearly, you deserve better. It's about not competing with others. It's about following your heart and trusting your instincts and not being afraid to take a leap, even if you might fall. With extremely enjoyable characters, a well-drawn out plot, and real world issues, PSYCH MAJOR SYNDROME is a great contemporary to pick up.
This review can be found at: The Bookish Daydreamer
After seeing a raving review from my soulmate Angie at Disquietus Reads, I just knew that this book was going to be something that I needed to read, and stat. Her raving and my impeccable sense of what I will and will not like proved to be correct: I really liked this book!
Leigh is starting her freshman year of college and is studying to become a Psychology major. She, like everyone who has ever taken a Psychology class, is taking everything she is learning in class and is applying it to her real life and those around her. Andrew, her high school boyfriend of over a year is a Philosophy major and he is seeming to have fewer and fewer patience with Leigh or their relationship in general. PSYCH MAJOR SYNDROME follows Leigh during her first semester of school, her relationship, friendships, and just trying to figure out life along the way.
I immediately liked Leigh. She deals with the very common issues that happen when you first start out college: figuring out what you want to do with the rest of your life, stressing over grad school decisions that don't matter until your senior year, what to do about your slowly dying high school relationship, the delicate balance between school and your social life, etc. She is also addicted to Dunkin Donuts coffee just like me. She was an incredibly likable and relatable character. She had a fresh personality with a witty humor and wasn't afraid to go against the typical grain. There were moments when I thought she was being a bit dumb but could understand her motives, especially in regards to her dud of a boyfriend, Andrew. She had some great character growth, learned from her mistakes, and made things right.
Thompson's secondary characters were just as interesting and well-developed. Andrew was a jerk, to put simply. I could not for the life of me understand what Leigh saw in him and why she continued to stay with him. It was probably the whole "he's safe" thing but still! Nathan, Andrew's roommate on the other hand, was awesome. He was the complete opposite of Andrew in every way. He was kinder, wasn't too preoccupied with his studies to notice things, and was easily my favorite guy in the whole book. I loved Leigh's roommate, Ami, and thought she brought a great dynamic to the table. She was an art major and was quirky and complemented Leigh in the best way.
One of my favorite subplots in the book was the mentoring program that Leigh volunteered in. She went to a middle school with a group of other psych majors and helped mentor "at risk" adolescents. Leigh had a tendency to stick her foot in her mouth about some issues but wasn't afraid to expose these girls to the cold hard facts about life. I loved watching her make an impact on these girls and let them be themselves around her, and she them. I really appreciated the fact that Thompson let the readers get a glimpse into one girl's life in particular, Rebekah. She was 15 and was spunky as hell. Her story line intrigued me and the friendship she built with Leigh was perfect.
PSYCH MAJOR SYNDROME is about growing up, not settling for something you think you deserve when clearly, you deserve better. It's about not competing with others. It's about following your heart and trusting your instincts and not being afraid to take a leap, even if you might fall. With extremely enjoyable characters, a well-drawn out plot, and real world issues, PSYCH MAJOR SYNDROME is a great contemporary to pick up.
This review can be found at: The Bookish Daydreamer
April 15, 2015
Nós chegamos a um livro novo (e desconhecido) por muitas formas diferentes. Na maioria dos casos, são as sinopses. Em outras, são as capas. Muitas vezes são um autor, ou até mesmo um gênero favorito. No meu caso em especial com o "Síndrome Psíquica Grave'', o meu interesse surgiu através de uma... citação. E, devo ressaltar, foi a primeira vez na minha vida de leitor que aconteceu isto. Geralmente, citações alimentam o meu interesse - mas nunca o criam. Só que, neste caso, não era uma citação qualquer. Não mesmo. Quem recomendava o livro, em letras pequenas no canto da capa, era ninguém menos que ela: Meg Cabot, uma das minhas autoras favoritas de todos os tempos. E, se você acompanha a escritora, sabe que ela não é muito de aparecer recomendando outros livros. Então, eu simplesmente pensei: ''preciso realmente ler este livro agora''. E foi exatamente o que eu fiz, solicitando ele para resenha com a editora Galera e o passando na frente de todos os outros quando chegou.
.
Entretanto, esta minha curiosidade oriunda pela recomendação da Meg acabou acarretando um pequeno problema: A comparação antecipada. Sim, eu não conhecia nada sobre a Alicia Thompson, mas o fato dela ter recebido o aval de uma autora como a Cabot deixou já incutido no meu subconsciente que o livro precisava ser leve e despretensioso e divertido como todas as obras da autora de ''O Diário da Princesa'' - o que pode não parecer, mas é uma responsabilidade muito grande. Todas as histórias da autora parecem ter todas as doses de humor e romance e tiradas na medida perfeita... E esperar que uma outra pessoa siga o mesmo caminho é perigoso. Mesmo assim, neste quesito, Alicia Thompson se saiu espetacularmente bem. Tão bem que eu achei que estava lendo um livro da própria Meg Cabot!
.
E isto foi meio assustador. E bizarro. Pois se não fosse pela citação, e pela biografia, eu teria acreditado de verdade que Alicia Thompson na verdade era um pseudônimo da Meg... Pois tudo, desde o clima leve do livro, passando pelas referências a cultura pop e a própria escrita da autora me remeteram aos livros da criadora de Mia Thermopolis e cia. Como eu disse no Instagram, assim que terminei de ler o romance, o livro - que é um Novo Adulto que se passa em uma pequena Faculdade da Califórnia - parecia ser uma versão de "Fangirl" (de Raibow Rowell) escrito pela Meg Cabot. O que por um lado foi incrível, pois é um romance muito gostoso de se ler. Mas, por outro, acabou que tirou um pouco da ''identidade'' que eu poderia criar com a narrativa de Alicia Thompson.
.
Mas não me entendem mal, eu gostei bastante do livro. Leigh, nossa narradora, é uma jovem bastante peculiar - sempre analisando a tudo e a todos (inclusive a ela mesma), só que sem soar arrogante ou chata. Por ser formada em Psicologia, a autora sobre inserir estes elementos na vida universitária da protagonista (que é uma caloura do curso) de uma forma bem natural, sem parecer raso ou fora do lugar. Além do mais, a história em si é divertida, perfeita para se ler em uma tarde de muito frio. Ou de muito calor. Minha única ressalva seria na condução da primeira metade do volume. A autora se preocupou tanto em preparar o ambiente para que a sua trama acontecesse que, quando ela finalmente começa, nós já estamos na metade do livro.
.
Mesmo com todos estes porém e pormenores apontados, eu me diverti bastante com "Síndrome Psíquica Grave". Quem for fã dos livros da Meg Cabot (como já deixei mais do que claro durante toda a resenha) com certeza vai adorar. Mesmo os personagens estando na Faculdade, a trama não tem apelação e pode ser lida até pelo público mais ''Jovem Adulto''. Com certeza, perfeito para ler depois de algo mais denso ou quando você está sentindo que está entrando em uma ressaca literária.
.
Entretanto, esta minha curiosidade oriunda pela recomendação da Meg acabou acarretando um pequeno problema: A comparação antecipada. Sim, eu não conhecia nada sobre a Alicia Thompson, mas o fato dela ter recebido o aval de uma autora como a Cabot deixou já incutido no meu subconsciente que o livro precisava ser leve e despretensioso e divertido como todas as obras da autora de ''O Diário da Princesa'' - o que pode não parecer, mas é uma responsabilidade muito grande. Todas as histórias da autora parecem ter todas as doses de humor e romance e tiradas na medida perfeita... E esperar que uma outra pessoa siga o mesmo caminho é perigoso. Mesmo assim, neste quesito, Alicia Thompson se saiu espetacularmente bem. Tão bem que eu achei que estava lendo um livro da própria Meg Cabot!
.
E isto foi meio assustador. E bizarro. Pois se não fosse pela citação, e pela biografia, eu teria acreditado de verdade que Alicia Thompson na verdade era um pseudônimo da Meg... Pois tudo, desde o clima leve do livro, passando pelas referências a cultura pop e a própria escrita da autora me remeteram aos livros da criadora de Mia Thermopolis e cia. Como eu disse no Instagram, assim que terminei de ler o romance, o livro - que é um Novo Adulto que se passa em uma pequena Faculdade da Califórnia - parecia ser uma versão de "Fangirl" (de Raibow Rowell) escrito pela Meg Cabot. O que por um lado foi incrível, pois é um romance muito gostoso de se ler. Mas, por outro, acabou que tirou um pouco da ''identidade'' que eu poderia criar com a narrativa de Alicia Thompson.
.
Mas não me entendem mal, eu gostei bastante do livro. Leigh, nossa narradora, é uma jovem bastante peculiar - sempre analisando a tudo e a todos (inclusive a ela mesma), só que sem soar arrogante ou chata. Por ser formada em Psicologia, a autora sobre inserir estes elementos na vida universitária da protagonista (que é uma caloura do curso) de uma forma bem natural, sem parecer raso ou fora do lugar. Além do mais, a história em si é divertida, perfeita para se ler em uma tarde de muito frio. Ou de muito calor. Minha única ressalva seria na condução da primeira metade do volume. A autora se preocupou tanto em preparar o ambiente para que a sua trama acontecesse que, quando ela finalmente começa, nós já estamos na metade do livro.
.
Mesmo com todos estes porém e pormenores apontados, eu me diverti bastante com "Síndrome Psíquica Grave". Quem for fã dos livros da Meg Cabot (como já deixei mais do que claro durante toda a resenha) com certeza vai adorar. Mesmo os personagens estando na Faculdade, a trama não tem apelação e pode ser lida até pelo público mais ''Jovem Adulto''. Com certeza, perfeito para ler depois de algo mais denso ou quando você está sentindo que está entrando em uma ressaca literária.
July 20, 2011
Posted on K-Books
http://kayleigh-m-books.blogspot.com/...
When I heard about this book, I instantly wanted to read it. As a psychology major myself I was really interested in reading this story and thought it would be quite enjoyable to read.
I was not disappointed, I really enjoyed this book. It's a great chic lit book and if you are a sucker for a love story then Psych Major Syndrome is definitely for you.
Leigh is a Psychology major at Stiles college. She chose to go to Stiles as it was the same college her boyfriend Andrew was going to. As she delves into her psychology course suddenly everything she learns seems to relate to her life and she starts to over-analyse everything in her life. Her relationship with Andrew being the main thing.
Andrew starts acting like a jerk and Leigh finds herself drawn to his roommate Nathan. Nathan seems to hate Leigh but little does she know the events that happen in the first few months of college may change her life forever, pushing current relationships to breaking point, leaving room for new ones.
I was very torn while reading this book. At first I really liked Andrew and really wanted him and Leigh to work things out. I really thought Nathan was being horrible, showing a dislike towards Leigh that she hasn't done anything to deserve. However it wasn't long before I started to dislike Andrew, he treats Leigh so bad and I wanted her to break up with him so much. Soon enough I saw that there was more to Nathan, that maybe he was acting like he was not because he disliked Leigh but because he dislikes Andrew.
By the end of the book, I love Nathan, he is just perfect and I would love a guy like Nathan. He is sweet and caring and when things go sour between Andrew and Leigh, he's the one there for her and helping her through her heartbreak.
It's true that I hate Andrew, I think he's an idiot and deserves exactly what he got.
I loved the book and it's such a great teen love story. I am such a hopeless romantic and if there's a love story in a book I am totally sold.
I love Alicia's writing, she completely hooked my attention and I felt so much while reading. I was angry at Andrew for his treatment of Leigh and I just wanted to jump in the book and slap him. I totally sympathised with Leigh when she was dealing with her heartbreak but I also wanted to tell her "open your eyes, the perfect guy is right in front of you."
This is a great teen love story that any fan of love stories will enjoy.
I loved every moment of this book and I will definitely re-read it again and again. Can't wait to see what happens with this author and I would pick up another of her books just based on this one.
http://kayleigh-m-books.blogspot.com/...
When I heard about this book, I instantly wanted to read it. As a psychology major myself I was really interested in reading this story and thought it would be quite enjoyable to read.
I was not disappointed, I really enjoyed this book. It's a great chic lit book and if you are a sucker for a love story then Psych Major Syndrome is definitely for you.
Leigh is a Psychology major at Stiles college. She chose to go to Stiles as it was the same college her boyfriend Andrew was going to. As she delves into her psychology course suddenly everything she learns seems to relate to her life and she starts to over-analyse everything in her life. Her relationship with Andrew being the main thing.
Andrew starts acting like a jerk and Leigh finds herself drawn to his roommate Nathan. Nathan seems to hate Leigh but little does she know the events that happen in the first few months of college may change her life forever, pushing current relationships to breaking point, leaving room for new ones.
I was very torn while reading this book. At first I really liked Andrew and really wanted him and Leigh to work things out. I really thought Nathan was being horrible, showing a dislike towards Leigh that she hasn't done anything to deserve. However it wasn't long before I started to dislike Andrew, he treats Leigh so bad and I wanted her to break up with him so much. Soon enough I saw that there was more to Nathan, that maybe he was acting like he was not because he disliked Leigh but because he dislikes Andrew.
By the end of the book, I love Nathan, he is just perfect and I would love a guy like Nathan. He is sweet and caring and when things go sour between Andrew and Leigh, he's the one there for her and helping her through her heartbreak.
It's true that I hate Andrew, I think he's an idiot and deserves exactly what he got.
I loved the book and it's such a great teen love story. I am such a hopeless romantic and if there's a love story in a book I am totally sold.
I love Alicia's writing, she completely hooked my attention and I felt so much while reading. I was angry at Andrew for his treatment of Leigh and I just wanted to jump in the book and slap him. I totally sympathised with Leigh when she was dealing with her heartbreak but I also wanted to tell her "open your eyes, the perfect guy is right in front of you."
This is a great teen love story that any fan of love stories will enjoy.
I loved every moment of this book and I will definitely re-read it again and again. Can't wait to see what happens with this author and I would pick up another of her books just based on this one.
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