Not Anything

In the six years since her mother's tragic death, Susie Shannon seems to have withdrawn from the world, relying on only her best friend Marisol and her mother, and occasionally her absent-minded father to keep plowing though life. She's sad most of the time, and painfully shy, only truly coming alive with Marisol. Then her favorite teacher asks her to tutor Danny Diaz, a popular junior. Reluctantly, Susie agrees. She is shocked by Danny's easygoing nature and even more surprised when he seem eager to become her friend. Slowly, Danny draws her out of her shell, setting off a series of sudden and fast paced events that culminate in a massive blow out with the people Susie loves most. Things can never go back to the way they were... NOT Anything was a surprisingly absorbing read. Susie is a freshly realistic character, and her indecision and grief are tangible. The captivating, witty, and honest dialogue easily propels the reader through the book. Rodrigues writes with a confidence that proves she knows teenagers and the emotions that being a teen often entails. Full of mistakes, regrets, forgiveness, humor, and love, NOT Anything is one rewarding read.

I wasnt sure what to expect from this book when I started it. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I could relate to a 15 year old character in a teen book. I'm far from being a teen, but I found this book to be really good! It reminded me of Sarah Dessen's books and her writing style. I do recommend reading this if you love her books. I'll definitely be reading Carmen Rodrigues' next book!

Not Anything I fell in love with Susie Shannon and did not want this amazing novel to end. Dealing with her mother's death and her father's emotional abandonment, Susie is unable to feel her own worth as a person. Luckily, she has her one and only best friend, Marisol, who always understands her. Susie's fears prevent her from connecting to anyone else. When requested to tutor super cute Danny Diaz, her life becomes less routine, less safe. Susie tries her best to run away from it all. She is unable to see the obvious, that the first boy she has ever connected with is falling for her too. Susie makes some mistakes and isn't always so nice, but in taking chances and by learning she doesn't have to always be perfect, Susie begins to find herself. Maybe she could learn to love herself too. Not Anything by Carmen Rodrigues is a must read.

Everything changed when Susie Shannon's mother passed away. Susie's once attentive father is now oblivious toward her, finding solace in his writing. Susie used to trust everyone, opening up to them, cracking a smile here and there, but now she doesn't trust her best friend or even herself. She used to love her life and everything in it, but once her mother passed away, keeping to herself was the way to go. No boyfriend, one true friend, never smiling, trying to adapt to her changing father -- this is how Susie lives. It seemed like everyone around her had moved on, but Susie and her father just couldn't. What Susie doesn't know, though, is that the new school year, her sophomore year, will be life-altering, in both good and bad ways. Her boy troubles begin when her favorite teacher, Mr. Murphy, decides that it would be best for Susie if she tutored Danny Diaz, the very cute and very popular athlete, to shape him up a little. Of course, Susie doesn't think this is the best idea and the first few study sessions prove this. But as time progresses, not only do the study arrangements work out, Susie begins to see Danny in a whole new light -- especially the side of him that she wouldn't mind having as her boyfriend. Yet, Susie isn't so sure that a boyfriend is a good idea. Aside from her Danny troubles, Susie's best friend, Marisol, begins to drift away, her next-door neighbor is trying to become friends with her again, and her father is showing interest in her best friend's mom. Now that she sees her dad moving on, Susie wonders if it's her time to do so too, since the perfect boy is right in front of her and moving on would be the only way to reconnect with her old friends. But will this prove to be the worst decision she makes or will it be the beginning of something good? With her debut novel, Carmen Rodrigues crafts a successful story of a girl lost in a world she thought she knew, only to figure out that she needed a little push, a little strength, to overcome her obstacles. While making decisions, both worthwhile and regretful, Susie discovers a new part of herself that she never knew she had. Beautifully written, NOT ANYTHING is just the beginning of something special. Reviewed by: Randstostipher "tallnlankyrn" Nguyen

Not Anything This a fantastic debut novel about a girl living in a glamorous city living a life that is everything but that. Susie Shannon has been trying to guard herself from everything since the passing of her mother. No boyfriend, an increasingly gone best friend, and a father who can't seem to give her the time of day. With all of this baggage in tow she meets Danny Diaz. Her teacher Mr. Murphy has begged her to tutor him claiming his life is the one she could change, and make a difference in. As this story unfolds Susie begins to see how her life intertwining with Danny's could possibly change not only him but her as well. Susie Shannon is a character who will not soon be forgotten. Carmen Rodrigues has written a story that is vivid and beautiful. It is a must read for anyone who has experienced the internal struggle of not being anything.