Something Like Normal

I chose to read Something Like Normal because I wanted somethin

I chose to read Something Like Normal because I wanted something
contemporary. With all the baggage mentioned above, I was fully prepared
for the story to spiral into depression. That never happened. Instead, I
found myself very much drawn to Travis Stephenson, the 18 year-old
Marine returning home to Fort Myers for a month’s leave. What
impressed me about Travis is his startling maturity. He profoundly
honest about himself and his family. He accepts that things are far from
ideal: his estranged relationship with his over-bearing, alpha-male
Superbowl champion dad, his jealous, undermining younger brother and his
eager-to-please mom. His dysfunctional relationships don’t stop there.
There’s also his ex-girlfriend, Paige who sent him a “Dear John” letter
while he was in Afghanistan. The postage had barely stuck to the
envelope when she took up with his brother. Awkward! So you see, it’s
not exactly a happy homecoming. Throughout the story, Travis is
haunted by the death of his best friend and fellow Marine, Charlie.
Often he reminisces about his experience in Afghanistan but zeroes in on
his close bond with Charlie. He’s riddled with guilt over his loss and
has yet to process all the things he’s been through. It's a revelation
to realize that he feels more at home with his Marine brotehrs in a war
torn region than he does with his family in Florida. He feels like a
fish out of water. His year away has given him perspective, allowing him
to define his idea of what “family” is. And having been in the company
of his brothers, knowing that they’d stick with each other through hell
and worse, he’s not interested in mending fences with his father and
brother. When Travis runs into Harper, a girl who has been dogged by
awful rumors that Travis himself started, he is spun around on his head.
Initially she wants nothing to do with him and makes that clear after a
swift punch to the face. Hey, a girl deserves her moment of revenge
after going through high school hell, right? But they keep running into
each other and Harper starts to loosen up even offering to help him with
a family dinner. Here’s where I came to like Travis. Travis hates
himself and most everyone around him. He’s been disappointed by his
family. He has no pretensions about himself and can be a real ass. He
admits his flaws, acknowledges his mistakes and owns up to his jackass
nature. Harper is a breath of fresh air, opposite of him and his
ex-girlfriend. With Harper, he cares about what he says and does. He’s
enamored by her and picks up on her little mannerisms that make him go
weak: “ … she gives me a tiny bit-lip smile that knocks the wind out
of my chest.” And then there those moments when he shows his
vulnerability: “I want to tell her I won’t hurt her, but what proof
does she have of that? Thing is, I don’t want to hurt her. Harper brings
out something different in me than Paige. Something better. At least, I
want to believe that.” Every time he noticed Harper, I smiled because
he was genuinely happy then. This was something good finally happening
to him. Something worth protecting. With Harper’s sincerity and
patience, he starts to come to grips with Charlie's death and the
traumatic events he witnessed while in Afghanistan. He also steps up to
be the kind of man his mom needs in the light of his father’s many
transgressions. Something Like Normal was engaging from start to
finish. Travis’ drive to become a better person and work through is
issues is admirable. He's the underdog you root for. The story leaves
you feeling hopeful that each day gets better and brighter.

6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

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10 bucks for 144 pgs?!

Ok...I liked the book, the subject, and writing style...but 10 bucks for 144 pages?! I cant help but feel ripped off.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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One of my favorites

There are no words. This book is beyond words. I will reread this and i can honestly say that it hit me. I love this book.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

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if you have ever loved a soldier you will enjoy this book

if you have ever loved a soldier you will enjoy this book

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Travis comes home for a month on break from the Marines. He has

Travis comes home for a month on break from the Marines. He has just
lost his best friend Charlie in Afghanistan. His girlfriend Paige is now
dating his brother, yet still wants to screw him. His father is a
retired professional football player who is pissed at him for not
following in his footsteps. He has been gone for a year and feels lost
and disassociated from his former world. And he keeps seeing his dead
friend everywhere. It's yet another case of PTSD and not a topic often
found in YA literature. It's a heart-wrenching story that makes you feel
sad as you're reading it. Travis tells his story in his own words and
shares a lot of his feelings, but has a hard time being completely
forthcoming with it all. He has to come to terms with a lot of emotions
and decisions made in the heat of the moment, both in country and
abroad. As he explores these, he reveals more and more. We're just along
for the ride. His silver lining comes in the form of Harper. She is the
girl he kissed during a game of Seven Minutes in Heaven during middle
school. Stupidly telling the other guys that he had gotten a little boob
action while making out with her, Travis accidentally starts a rumor
that quickly spirals out of control and ruins Harper's reputation for
good in school. When they first meet up with each other, she gives him a
deserved punch in the face, but then softens toward him. It's a
plausible type of relationship. Something Like Normal is a desire that
many of us have in life, especially those who are thrust into situations
that change their lives. It isn't going to leave with a sunny, happy
feeling about life, but will make you think about your choices in life
and those about whom you really care. The publisher recommends this
book for ages 14 and above. Sexual scenes are present and alluded to,
but not detailed. I received a complimentary set of galleys in exchange
for my honest review. This also appears on Andi's Young Adult Books.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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Good story

It was ok. Well written and good storyline.

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I chose the book Something Like Normal for my english project. A

I chose the book Something Like Normal for my english project. As a junior, I personaly think this is a great book. Through out the book I found my self more and more into. I found myself drawn into the main charcerter Travis Stephenson, Travis is an 18 year old who had just come home on leave from the Marines. Travis has reacurring nightmares of the death of his bestfrined while on duty in Afghanistan. Something Like Normal is a somewhat enotional boo, just as you start to think all the drama is over fit all starts again. while Travis is gone his ex-girlfriend Payton sends him a "dear Jon" letter and says that she is inlove with his brother Ryan. As soon as Travis comes back he stumbles upon a gril that he use to go to school with "Harper" by the end of the book they start to become more than just tipical friends. aside from the sexual scenes this book is over all a really good book and sets a good time sene for what really happens to the men and women that come back home from the war..

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So much potential ... but it didn't meet it.

Travis is a Marine on leave, struggling with PTSD and learning how to sort through home life when his little brother has stolen his car and his girlfriend. But there is this other girl in town– Harper– who makes Travis feel like things could be okay again, even after all he’s experienced in Afghanistan. This book had so much potential– but it just fell flat. The conflict was far too easily resolved (says the writer who always needs to add more conflict!), and even the climax was just too … anti-climactic. I plowed through this book, and it had some great moments, but it fell short for me.

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Good but..

It was a well written story with so much emotion and reality. However i wished they would have good deeper into the relationship because i didnt feel like it was real.

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Reading from Travis' point of view was my favorite part of the s

Reading from Travis' point of view was my favorite part of the story. To start off, Travis is not perfect,
which makes him an incredible character to read from. Travis has recently returned home from
Afghanistan and he is continually haunted by the events there. Returning home, Travis seems to have
unknowingly matured and has begun to look at life a bit harsher. Before flying over seas, Travis was...
to put it lightly, not the kindest person in high school. He was the big shot, the one almost every girl
wanted. ALMOST every girl.

Harper definitely knows how to make an impression. She's sweet and caring while also having an
edgier side. Travis and Harper have a history that go way back. A history that earned Travis a punch
in the face. Harper is a character that feels real with all of her realistic qualities. Even with her rough
history with Travis, Harper is the one that slowly helps him move forward with his life and makes him
realize the change in himself.

There was so much angst. As beautifully as they came together, the start was rough. It was one of
those slow building relationships that I've started to love. The relationship created between Travis and
Harper is one of the most well written and believable stories I have read so far. The two balance each
other while making the other a better person. They just fit perfectly together with all of their flaws and
problems.

Not only were there amazing characters and a well crafted relationship, but there was also the story of
family. There was so much in this story and I loved every moment of it. One thing I will always remember
is the strong and moving voice. Something Like Normal has just became one of my favorite
contemporaries this year. This is an amazing debut from Trish Doll and I can't wait to read more.

I highly, HIGHLY reccomend picking up Something Like Normal.

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Tricky product placement

Why is this $8 book listed in the section for books costing under $2.99.

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This book...oh this book. I loved it so much. The connection I h

This book...oh this book. I loved it so much. The connection I have to the military made this book difficult to read but impossible to put down.

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I want more!

I want more!

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I stayed up ALL night to finish this. Sleep was definitely begg

I stayed up ALL night to finish this. Sleep was definitely begging me to succumb to its lure because I had stayed up all night the night before to finish reading another book. Both books, btw, were AMAZING.

I absolutely loved this book!

It’s been two days since I’ve read it and I’m still filled with emotion. I cannot begin to explain how real and familiar this book was. As I sit at my computer typing up this review I cry.

Travis is on leave after a tour in Afghanistan that resulted in the death of his best friend. Needless to say he is having a hell of a time dealing with not only the death but just being back in the States. Everything is familiar but not. Everyone is the same except he’s not. With the help of his supportive mother and girlfriend he tries to find a way to cope and live.

My brother -in-law enlisted in the Army about 3 or 4 months prior to 9/11 happening. He enlisted because, much like Travis, he didn’t feel like there was much else to do at that point in his life. I was on the phone right after my brother-in-law’s first mission. I sat next to my mother-in-law when she would join the online support groups or when she would spend endless hours searching for news about my brother-in-law’s company. I’ve also witnessed how my brother -in-law and his friends dealt with the loss of one of their brothers. He might not know it but every tour had my heart palpitating and my nerves a wreck, ALL THE TIME. Another thing, just like Harper, my sister-in-law was the one my brother –in-law opened up to. So I witnessed how hard his tours were on her. I love my brother-in-law. I love my sister-in-law.

So yeah, Trish Doller, you did your research well. This story was so accurate/real it felt like Déjà vu. The writing was on point, the emotions were on point, the characters were well developed, the love story was well balanced, Travis was an amazing character who I would love to meet one day if he were real J, Harper, two words, KICK ASS. This just flowed so well that you couldn’t help to read it in one sitting.

I think I’ll stop now because honestly I just can’t find the right words. Trish Doller, thank you for bringing awareness to PTS in a respectable manner. Thank you for trying to get people to understand what war is like for those that have never had to experience it. Thank you for creating such a wonderful read.



ARC provided by Bloomsbury Children’s Books via NetGalley

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I previously tweeted that I was going to allow myself to read bo

I previously tweeted that I was going to allow myself to read books for pleasure for the remainder of the summer without the pressure of writing reviews. Well, I loved this book so much that I had to make sure others know about it, too.

Travis Stephenson has returned home after his first tour in Afghanistan. He would almost rather be back facing the Taliban. His former girlfriend is now dating his brother, his parents’ relationship has deteriorated, and he is having trouble leaving his battles behind. Travis was his Dad’s focus until Travis quit football. A former pro football player, Travis’ Dad had expected that Travis would go the same route. Instead, after high school graduation, Travis joins the Marines.

The problem is that Travis sees Charlie everywhere, even though he knows Charlie didn’t make it out of Afghanistan. The guy that knew him better than anyone is gone. And Travis feels guilty for still being alive.

All Travis wants to do is take his leave and return to his friends in the Marines. There’s nothing for him in Fort Myers...or is there? Even though a chance “reunion” with a girl from school nets him a black eye, Travis is enthralled with Harper Gray. Sure, he deserved the hit, mainly because he didn’t dispel the rumors about Harper in middle school that were started after they played seven minutes in heaven. Maybe Travis needs more than one second chance.

Though I can’t remember how I found out about this book, I am so glad that I did. What a refreshing shift from young adult fantasy that I have been eagerly consuming over the past year. Plus, another change for me is it is written from a male perspective. To read something this real and heartfelt and heartbreaking was a real treat. This boy, so young, having to deal with so much - war, death, betrayal, the reality of his parents’ relationship. That’s a lot. But how does a person, who’s seen so much, deal with the life that was moving on without him? How does that person process what he’s seen and done in battle? How can he reconnect to home life? How can those people who love him help?

I would have read this straight through last night, but sleep claimed me. I picked it up immediately upon awakening, so I had a nice cry before I even stepped foot out of bed. It was an eight-tissue cry, fyi. I was so sad for the death, happy that Travis found someone he could talk to, pained that Travis even had to deal with all this, and delighted that I got to read this story.

If you or someone you care about needs any information regarding PTSD, contact the National Center for PTSD.

4 of 5 Stars (Based on Ink and Page’s Rating System)

Genres: Young Adult Fiction Reality Romance War
Ages: 14 and up
You might want to know: Mild sexual references; occasional bad language

Something Like Normal by Trish Doller was published June 19, 2012 by Bloomsbury.

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If you've ever wanted a taste of life as a soldier, you can f

If you've ever wanted a taste of life as a soldier, you can find it in this gritty, touching and romantic book by Trish Doller.
Travis has his faults, but he is such a great narrator and it was quite a journey being in his head, living out his story with him. I got so lost in what he was going through--from his memories of Charlie (his dead best friend), his frustrations with his parents, his nightmares and triggers to the story with Harper. Speaking of, she is such a great girl. Their story from middle school is rough, and I hope that it can get across the message to others that it did for me. Lies of omission can still hurt, and labels that get put on you or because of you doesn't go away as easily as one might think. But I am glad that they could overcome that because I love how their friendship progresses and what happens to them. Harper also lightened the mood a lot with her remarks. She added a whole other dimension though with how she rolled with the punches (and sometimes doled them out) and how she responded to Travis.
Another character that I adored was Charlie's mom. We didn't get much of her, but what we saw was nice.
The dynamics between Travis and his parents felt authentic to me. His mom was behind him, making support packages and joining military mom's groups. She had this feeling of familiarity to me, which is a good thing. Watching her character change and evolve in here made me smile, and seeing it through Travis' eyes made it all the better. Travis and his dad had a rocky relationship and I think that its portrayed well in the present although we do get some peeks at what got them to that point.
Trish Doller has a nack for writing emotions. I was moved by the story and his flashbacks of what happened in Afghanistan as well as the guilt he carried with him. There are so many layers to this book, and it kept my attention the whole way through.

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A realistic US Marine book narrated by a guy. Fabulous flawed ma

A realistic US Marine book narrated by a guy. Fabulous flawed main character.
Travis is a marine who comes back to his hometown, Fort Myers to visit his family. His profession as a marine has provided him with a short leave of 30 days. His ex-girlfriend is dating his younger brother, Ryan. Travis' mother has never liked Paige, his ex-girlfriend. He views himself as a son who was a disappointment to his father. His parents are on the verge of getting a divorce. While in Afghanistan his best friend, Charlie Sweeney was killed.

I learned that "Semper Fidelis" means always faithful and it is the motto of the US Marine Corps. Travis is diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

Travis feels like he is a disappointment to his dad, because he stopped playing football at the end of his sophomore year. His dad was a former Green Bay Packer football player. He did not want to continue to play football because he no longer enjoyed it and he did not want to live his father's dream. Travis always felt people saw him as only the son of a Green Bay Packer football player. They never viewed him as an individual who had his own identity. The Marines let him escape his father's anguish. In reality, Travis' father made his life horrible, since the day he quit football.

Favorite Quotes from Travis

"You should probably stay away from me." I say resting my head on my knees. "I'm a mess." P.94

I laugh. "If my dreams were about you,Harper, it would make sleeping a whole lot more appealing." Her cheeks go pink. "What does that mean?" P.120

Travis was a character who was well flawed. I grew to like him and eventually looked past his flaws. For example, he slept with his ex-girlfriend, Paige two times, even though his brother, Ryan was currently dating her. Next, he had a difficult tome communicating with his mother. Then Travis struggled to receive therapy for PTSD. One of the best things that happened to him was the fact that he met Harper. Travis was able to amend all the terrible things he did to her when he was younger.

Harper was an incredible girl. She was strong, caring and friendly. Also, Harper was exceptional love interest and probably one of the best I have read about in a while. Travis and her were both compatible for one another. I loved how Harper always seemed to bring the good side of Travis. She was their to support him through his daily battles. Harper was my ideal best friend. I surely wouldn't mind to have her as my best friend.

Overall, Trish Doller did a spectacular job on capturing Travis' point of view. The male protagonist view was phenomenally written. I was truly impressed her writing. I look forward to reading more books form Trish Doller.

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Timely, moving, and utterly engrossing

Timely, moving, and utterly engrossing--these are the words that come to mind when I think about trying to describe Trish Doller's debut Something Like Normal. From the first page, her narrator, Travis, will suck you into his story. The emotional roller coaster of Travis' return home on leave will take your breath away. The magnificent writing and storytelling make this story the emotional journey that it should be; it shows you the inner struggles that are so much deeper than the "simple" images and actions of war--the things that stick with you long after the battlefield.

After his first year in Afghanistan, Travis is a different person and he clearly doesn't know how to reconcile the person he was when he left--the person his family and friends expect him to be--with the haunted, changed person he's become. Travis' emotional turmoil will break your heart at points. His story is one that I think is probably more common than most of us experience and it's eye-opening for those of us who probably never will.

The whole story that Ms. Doller has crafted is so RAW and heart-wrenching from the very beginning. Nothing ever seems forced or contrived and Travis' story will carry you through to the end. You rejoice in the moments where someone is willing to stop and attempt to really see what he's going through, even though he doesn't want to let anyone in. The characters, the story, the writing--this one is really a whole package deal.

There's not much else that I really feel like I can say about this one! It's the type of story that you really have to experience for yourself to understand, and it's going to affect different people in any number of different ways based on personal experiences. I highly, highly recommend that you pick this one up and give it a try. I really don't think you'll be sorry if you do.

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Something like Normal was an amazing book that pulled at your he

Something like Normal was an amazing book that pulled at your heart and had you crying, laughing, or just plain old swooning. This book had me up until the wee hours of the morning, okay 1 am, but that’s not the point! I read it in three hours, and I have to say those were three well spent hours!
Cover:
What is with all the close up covers lately? I mean, the cover definitely drew me in cause I like romances, but these covers have been dominating lately. I don’t know why, but I like them. The cover was cute, and fit the book.
Plot/Writing:
It had a good storyline, it was relatable and it seemed real. You could relate to Travis with the things he was going through, even if you weren’t a Marine. It was a very interesting story to read because it was told from Travis’s POV and you got a different look on the world from his eyes. You travel with Travis through the past, to when he was happy, with his Marines. Then you are with him as he suffers through the present with a deep regret of something you can’t help. This story just pulled at your emotions, I was either laughing my butt of, crying my eyes out, or swooning like a little girl.
Characters:
Travis was a douche at the beginning. I will admit that. He never wrote to his Mom during the war and was just annoyed with her when he came home. All he wanted to do was run away from his life and got back to the war. Sure, his dad was mean and his brother took everything from him, but his mom never did anything wrong besides loving him. He made some stupid choices, but in the end he was stronger and became a normal person. He let the strong, caring person he really is shine through and I loved seeing that side of him.
Harper is well… How I picture myself in four years, minus the still living at home part. She is strong and has a good head on her shoulders. I won’t give away any spoilers, but she proves herself to be awesome when she first see’s Travis again. I love how you see a strong girl who didn’t let rumors destroy her. Harper was amazing!
All in All:
I really loved Something like Normal. It was a cute, quick easy read that brought up some good reasons and points. I look forward to reading any more of Trish’s writing! ¿

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It seems like every writer's conference I attend, someone is alw

It seems like every writer's conference I attend, someone is always trying to pin down what is meant by that wonderful, but hard to define thing called VOICE. In my opinion, the best way to explain the magic of voice is to have a list of books that contain a distinct and powerful one. Trish Doller's SOMETHING LIKE NORMAL would absolutely go on my "voice list." I'm in awe of what she did here.

I'm not sure where to start, because this book has endless depth and layers, but what I do know is that it's going to be one successful debut. Doller's knowledge of the military, the amazing nuanced relationships between all the characters, the internal and external struggles, the friendships and the love--It's all here and I adored every minute of it. There are certain books that I read, where I connect very deeply to the story and the characters because the author has stripped down to his or her vulnerable parts and risked a lot to put a kind of truth down on the page. This is one of those books and Trish Dollar is one of those authors. I am officially a fan-girl for life.

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