Review: The F- it List - Julie Halpern

Where I got it: Library
Rating: 3 stars  
Cover Rating: 5 stars (Very fitting, I quite like it.)
Genre: Young Adult
Publication Date: November 12, 2013
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Page Count: 256 p.
Add it: Goodreads

Alex's father died and on the day of his funeral her best friend slept with her boyfriend. Even if she wasn't keen on her boyfriend anymore, that doesn't mean she has to forgive Becca right away. She decides to take the summer to mull it over. When she is ready to forgive Becca though, she finds out that Becca has cancer now. Becca has a request for Alex, to complete her bucket list items in case she will never be able to. Alex does it to help her friend, but she might just end up helping herself figure out who she really is.

I'm usually a huge fan of Julie Halpern, so I was a bit disappointed when this one fell a bit flat for me.
I suspect it's from how poorly Becca and Alex treat each other. They are both just cruel at times. Alex just wasn't a character for me either. There was just something about her that rubbed me the wrong way.

This was also a bit strange for me, because in high school my friend Becca got cancer. It was a strange coincidence.

The story itself was interesting though. It was nice seeing a friend with cancer not the narrator or an adult. It feels more real and raw that way.

As expected, this book is quite hilarious most of the time. I love how Julie Halpern also takes a subject that's a bit serious and makes it easily digestible with humor, while not glossing over the issue. It's the perfect blend really.

If you're looking for a cancer book that is a bit humorous and a bit raunchy, check this one else. At the very least you'll get quite a few good laughs out of it.

First Line:

"The only thing worse than having my best friend sleep with my boyfriend the night of my father's funeral would be if she had killed my dad herself."

Favorite Line:
"Well, then you're an asshole for being in love with a bitch."