Don't Miss

• Indiespensable™#16:
  Shadow Tag
• Paperback Favorites
  for Book Groups

More at Powell's

• Featured Signed Editions
• Rare and Collectible Books
• eBooks | Audio | DVDs | Blu-ray

---

Guests | December 29, 2009

Everyone Called Me "Happy"

0 comments By Alex Lemon

I have nystagmus and diplopia and chronic pain and ataxia, and I can tell that I'm nervous and excited that my new book is out today because all of... Continue »

---

1. 
   $17.50 Sale Hardcover add to wish list

   Happy: A Memoir

   Alex Lemon

Report Comment

---

You are reporting a comment on the following title:

---

You are reporting the following comment:

a_c, April 24, 2007

When you are a fifteen-year-old girl living a normal life, your greatest dilemmas should be what shirt to wear to the movies or whether or not your crush likes you back. In Side Effects by Amy Goldman Koss, Izzy’s biggest concern is trying to survive cancer. Izzy tells about her struggle to keep life as normal as possible while dealing with the side effects of chemotherapy. This story is a raw look into the hope and heartbreak of the life of a young cancer survivor. Izzy narrates with a very sarcastic view on her disease. Although there’s nothing funny about cancer, Izzy keeps a smart, witty sense of humor even at the hardest of times. After one round of chemo, while waiting for her results, Izzy is at the hospital cafeteria with her parents when a young couple sits down at the table next to them. When the woman starts crying Izzy says “I could see mom thinking ‘Who does that woman think she is trying to outcry me? Ha! You want tears? I’ll show you tears! Watch and Learn!’ And the pro let rip with an awesome display.” I thought this was a really great moment because it so refreshing to laugh while reading a book about such a depressing topic. Another quote that I found important in the story, was after going through her first round of chemo when Izzy says “Was it necessary that I have every possible side effect from chemotherapy? Couldn’t I just skip a few?” This stood out to me because the title is mentioned and it tells about how Izzy feels like a prisoner in her own body. These quotes also contribute to the theme of the story, which is “Optimism and a good sense of humor can help you through even the hardest of times. I would recommend this book to any girl who likes realistic fiction that is funny and relatable. I really enjoyed every aspect of this novel. For me, the book’s appeal was that it portrayed a devastating real-life situation through the eyes of a girl who anyone can relate to. I loved how the author created Izzy to be so real that reading her story is like hearing it from your best friend. I think every teenage girl should own a copy of this book. It I truly one of the most entertaining books you will ever read.

---

Your email address:

---

Reason for report:

---

Are you a robot? We didn't think so. But just to be sure, please type what you see in the following image into the box below.

---

Confirmation:

Are you certain you wish to report this comment?

---

Terms and Conditions

We welcome your comments and ideas, but we ask that you refrain from:

• Obscenity
• Spam
• Illegal content
• Copyrighted material
• Commercial solicitations

By posting your comments you are granting the good people of Powells.com the right (but not the obligation) to make your comments available to others over the Internet, and to copy and distribute your comments via other media, in each case on a royalty free basis. These terms govern the rights and obligations of the person posting comments and Powells.com; there are no intended third party beneficiaries of these terms.

Posted comments are subject to monitoring, editing, and removal at any time. Please see our Terms of Use for our complete terms and conditions.

---

Children's Online Privacy Protection Act

In accordance with The Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, you must be at least 13 to submit comments on Powells.com.