Waiting On is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating.
Reality Boy by A.S. King
October 22, 2013
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Website | Twitter | Goodreads
Pre-order: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository
Gerald Faust knows exactly when he started feeling angry: the day his mother invited a reality television crew into his five-year-old life. Twelve years later, he’s still haunted by his rage-filled youth—which the entire world got to watch from every imaginable angle—and his anger issues have resulted in violent outbursts, zero friends, and clueless adults dumping him in the special education room at school.
Nothing is ever going to change. No one cares that he’s tried to learn to control himself, and the girl he likes has no idea who he really is. Everyone’s just waiting for him to snap…and he’s starting to feel dangerously close to doing just that.
In this fearless portrayal of a boy on the edge, highly acclaimed Printz Honor author A.S. King explores the desperate reality of a former child “star” who finally breaks free of his anger by creating possibilities he never knew he deserved.
Why I’m waiting?
I am always fascinated when I find fictional books about reality shows. I cannot begin to imagine what it is like to be scrutinized by millions of viewers. I assume there’s a lot of pressure and stress that comes with it. I would not want to put myself out there to either swim or get ripped apart by the media. I like having my privacy, thank you very much. ;D
I love the idea that this boy is trying to control himself, control his anger. I just wonder how Gerald will grow, especially in a world that only knows him as the kid who got angry a lot on TV.
What books are you waiting on?
i don’t usually go for books with the premise of reality shows (just not my cup of tea) but her other novel please ignore vera dietz is on my tbr pile–i’ve had it for years but i just kept putting off reading it. have you read it? did you like it?
hope you can stop by my WoW.
-michelle @ Michelle & Leslie’s Book Picks
Wow, this one looks unique…and timely. Thanks for sharing. Here’s MY WOW POST
I’m looking forward to this one too! Great pick. Please check out my WoW! And take a look at our giveaway of Hostage Three by Nick Lake.
I loved King’s last book Ask the Passengers so I’m excited for this one. Seems like a really interesting read.
I love reality shows and it’s always interesting to read books about fictional ones.
I definitely would like to try an A.S. King novel, but I think it’ll be the one I heard about the other day (rakes head for title, comes up empty, resolves to visit goodreads and figure it all out later…). Cool pick, if I like that one I’ll try this as well!
I very much looking forward to this book for the same reasons you are. I do think I will read Ask the Passengers first though. King sounds like a hit or miss author for most. Hopefully, I likey!