Extraordinary Means audiobook

I read this book as a birthday gift to one of the best people on Goodreads- Masooma, who is celebrating her birthday today and who clearly loved this book. (Click her name for the most beautiful review on the book.) Let’s give her a happy birthday rap y’all! ♪ It’s your birthday, Awesome Masooma-ha! It’s time to celebre-he-ate Let’s wish her a happy birthde-hey,let’s wish her a happy birthde-hey! Clap our hands in the air! (2x) Stomp our feet on the ground! (2x) The wheels on the bus go round and round… I mean… Happy Birthday to you, Awesome Masooma-ha! (Hope this made you smile. Lol!^^) ♫ REVIEW This is a sad and painful story but one that didn’t make me feel that way because the honest and charming writing simply told a believable story and because the characters weren’t trying to romanticize anything-not sickness, not life nor death. They’re plainly accepting things for what they are. The plot isn’t much. If anything, it was a bit predictable but in a pleasant way, in a way that is true to life. But what made this story special is the most inspiring message it suggests which eased its way through my heart like a favorite lullaby. I didn’t have to wrestle so hard with interpreting symbols to find meaning because the story isn’t trying to be overdramatic or too intellectual. It’s simple and genuine, exactly how I like most things.Living and dying aren’t all that different. The story reminded me that. The former is simply looking at a glass half full while the latter is looking at it half empty. For some of us, it has to take a tragedy, a phenomenon, a strong force or some sort of EXTRAORDINARY MEANS to realize life started its countdown the moment we took our very first breath but somehow, mundane things, plans and thinking too much of the future make us forget to actually live the moment. I appreciate the story for reminding me these things. Life as we know it rarely goes as planned. Who really knows what happens tomorrow or just a few hours later? There is very little in life we can control except the time we have now and while we have this moment, the story enjoins us to make meaning out of it, make room for people who really matter, laugh more, seize the day or whatever you may want to call it, take a detour, do anything fun- anything that makes you happy, anything that isn’t always planned out. “But at the last minute, I turned left, because I never had before, and because I had time to go down a different road.” Don’t you just love books and Goodreaders?! *sighs appreciatively*

My ECG throughout the book:One moment: steady, floating along the rhythm of the novelThe other moment: drumming to the thrill of adventures of broken rules and forbidden thingsAnother moment: hoping like a sandwich short of a picnicYet another moment: detonated like an atomic bomb in pain and griefAnd the final moment: *sigh* I guess my ECG explains fully how I felt throughout the novel. Robyn Schneider made sure she shoved a twister full of emotions. I felt all the emotions at once- pain, grief, hope, anxiety, sympathy, excitement and happiness. All at once. It would be suffice to say that Extraordinary Means is an extraordinary emotional ride.The plot uncurled around Latham, the sanitarium for an incurable strain of TB-hit victims. Amid the cold corridors of the horrible home of the sick arise 5 friends who standout on account of their throwing caution to the wind attitude.The author has made sure Latham, the setting, is horrendous with all the humdrum of sick life, dying kids, breakfast failures, charted health essentials and no coffee!Since I’m a lover of words, I couldn’t help but marvel at the perfection with which Robyn described each scene. And to give it a long-lasting effect she has thrown in plenty of bitter truths such as this one:“And the thing about trying to cheat death is that, in the end, you still lose.”Even if the book appears to be predictable sometimes, it still hurls that prediction like a bolt from the blue, striking at the most unexpected of times.All characters are unique. They wear a personal sort of personality, not the same old stereotypes.Sadie is a kitten in a tiger’s skin. Always scared and yet fearless.Lane is a nerd who decides to break all his nerdy boundaries and explore the monkey tricks territory.Charlie is an artist, he has his head always buried in some notebook but attentive enough to make a swanky comment.Nick is a genius, he is friendly and always mastering the art of shaping his food into weird shapes.And Marina, well she is a penny-ante character for all that I could gather. I madly wished there was some kind of a stronger role for her. It was, as if, she was ‘The Forgotten One’ among all the friends. Her response to the times where all hell would break loose was nada. Even if Latham would be hit with 7.2 earthquake on the Richter scale, she’d still be hiding somewhere in the deathly hollows of the book where I wouldn’t be able to see her response.But instead of this, for all their individuality, it is easy to like all the characters and feel their pain. They are always doing something goofy or legendary.All in all, the novel is a swift page turner. It is wild giggles and bitter sobs at the same time. You shouldn’t leave it sitting on a shelf just like that, that would be brutal.

So far it's 2 for 2 for this author. I read and fell in love with The Beginning of Everything last year, and even having high hopes for this one I was not one bit disappointed. This time we're taken to Latham House, a place where the sick are sent to try and get better. A place that is pretty much like a very morbid summer camp. Told in alternating point of views, we first meet Lane who's on the road to achieving his goal of going to an Ivy League school. He's a straight A student who'd rather study than have to deal with TB. Getting sent to Latham means losing the perfect GPA that he's been working so hard for. In a way it was incredibly sad to see him realize he had to give up the perfect future he was striving for, yet it was the opportunity for him to see what else there was to life. His character growth is incredible, and even through the heartbreaking moments, you know that he will not let it destroy him. He will learn from this whole ordeal, and instead of just living for the future, he'll get to experience the present, too. To experience life!Next we meet Sadie. She's been at Latham for so long that she has stopped looking forward to going home - she doesn't even want to anymore, she's finally fitting in! Her illness is not getting any better, nor worse, she's just floating in uncertainties. She and her group of friends are making the best of Latham, though. Sneaking out, breaking rules, taking risks, standing out; I found this really balanced out the darker side of the novel. They were having fun despite it all, and it made everything shimmer with hope. I didn't click with Sadie right away, though, she got on my nerves when she was giving Lane the cold shoulder over something the supposedly did years ago. As if it wasn't super obvious what had really happened if only she thought for a second. Fortunately she realizes this fairly quickly so my eye rolls soon faded, and before I knew it I found myself adoring her. Not only were both main characters brilliantly characterized, I was also made to care deeply for their whole group that was so full of personality. The characters don't end there, either, we have a complete boarding-school-like dynamic with different cliques and beliefs. Even the teachers were made to be distinct and memorable.Romance is also a fairly large part of this book, and it's one that is crazily bittersweet. With death looming on all of their heads, you can't help but feel as if they're doomed from the start. You can't have a book based around a cruel illness without expecting heartbreak. But still, you just never know, this may just be an obstacle they can both overcome, you know! The hope for a happily ever after is ever-present, and it makes the romance glow with anticipation and longing. It was sweet, romantic, and their connection easily felt. Still, due to the impending gloom and doom I kept myself from falling too deeply. As much as this novel is about sickness and death, it's even more about second chances and finding your own strength. It does pull at your heartstrings, throughout, but romance as well as a nice touch of humour keeps it from being overly depressing. Very much recommended for fans of tragic YA fiction.--An advance copy was provided by the publisher for review.For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads

Intriguing, perceptive and another enlightening coming of age story.Lane was about to begin his senior year with his whole life ahead of him. He had his friends, girlfriend and dream of going to Stanford to look forward too. Until he is diagnosed with TDR-turburculosis. He is sent to a sanatorium that has an 80% rate of survival. His world is tipped upside down as he struggles with his past, present and future. Not knowing how much time he has left live or what his future holds, Lane embarks on a road of self-discovery.This is a heartening story in an extremely interesting setting, a sanatorium.I enjoyed this book but not as much as I liked Schneider's other book; The Beginning of Everything. There were some things that I wish we saw happen in the ending that didn't, that would have definitely made the book better for me. Never the less I give this book 4/5 stars. I would recommend this book for those looking for a quick contemporary read, or if the setting/coming of age aspect interests you.The main message I took from this book was to enjoy the moment, to live life to the fullest and to say how you feel because you never know how much time you have left.

Siempre procuro tener historias como este en mis estanterías, repletas de significado, de aventuras, de recuerdos, de vida.La enfermedad es un período complicado en la vida de cualquier ser, y sobre todo cuando se trata de aquellas que todavía no tienen cura, la esperanza se reduce y la ilusión es un motivo más para luchar, y sobre todo para seguir viviendo.La vida, por ella vale todo y este libro lo plasma a la perfección.

What an extraordinary story!^^This is a story of a 17 year old young male adult named LANE,who seems to have a perfect life with a great future ahead of him,with high grades,and with a girlfriend whose pretty and smart until he was diagnosed with an incurable Tuberculosis,and was sent to LATHAM HOUSE,a boarding school and sanatorium for this kind of disease.There in Latham,he was reunited with SADIE,the girl he knew from summer camp 4 yeas ago.A girl who is carefree and who leads a selective group of friends who are eccentric and energetic inspite of their illness. And as she welcomed Lane into her group,they all did things and stuffs that were beyond the rules just to have fun. And Lane realizes what he's missing..he finally had a "life" in Latham,he finds real friends,and he finds himself falling in love with Sadie.And it's the friendship and the romance that I loved most in this novel. The story though is predictable and sad, it is beautiful and inspiring,and will give you a strong message. And I would definitely read more of Robyn Schneider.Thanks a lot to my friend who inspired me to read this book,and who is now celebrating her birthday!HAPPY,HAPPY BIRTHDAY MASOOMA! I miss and love you! :-*[image error]

The Fault in Our Stars meets The Perks of being a Wallflower....yet not as good as either of those titles.More in depth review on my BookTube channel - https://youtu.be/CEU-cRY8ddMDespite its title, there is nothing extraordinary about this book. However, it was quite an enjoyable read.Although it features MANY tropes, and it can get quite cheesy....I still liked it and I ALMOST cried at the end. I’m not a book cryer so ALMOST making me cry is an accomplishment. I’ll talk more about this soon on my booktube channel.

Can't find the words to describe how great this book were. Wonderfully written and such an amazing story. I cried four times.

Extraordinary Means is, basically, like Thomas Mann's The Magic Mountain for the YA crowd. I have read Mann's behemoth of a book while studying literature (few years ago, different continent, whole different life), and it's one of the books that imprinted itself on my memory. I still remember the vividly described, enchanting setting and intelligent, sharp, insightful prose. (Really, you should read The Magic Mountain if you get a chance, it's a work of utter brilliance and erudition). That being said, if you like contemporary books that are quietly powerful, predictably heartbreaking, thoroughly unsettling, thought-provoking, memorable and filled with existential themes, you should definitely read Extraordinary Means, too. Just like TMM, it's a book destined to become a classic. From the moment I started reading Extraordinary Means, I kept thinking about The Magic Mountain and how much the atmosphere of Schneider's book reminded me of Mann's story. The similarities in the plot line itself aren't all that many (the tuberculosis, the isolated setting of sanatorium, etc), but they're clear and it's hard not to notice them. Lane, Sadie, Marina, Nick and Charlie are all sick with a drug resistant, incurable strain of TB. Latham House, part sanatorium part boarding school, is their new world. They live there, they sleep and eat and go to classes there, and they wait to either get better and be sent back home, or, well, get worse and probably die. When Lane arrives at Latham, Sadie and her friends have been there for a while now. They're close-nit friends, the cool kids, the laugh-too-loud and refuse-to-follow-rules kind of kids. Lane knows he wants to be part of their group. But though Sadie and Lane know each other from a summer camp many yeas ago, they're not exactly good pals. Lane remembers Sadie as the shy and quiet wallflower girl, always taking pictures with her camera. Sadie remembers Lane as the one who stood her up, broke her heart, and scarred her for life. Is their running into each other a second chance at making things right, or is it yet another nail in the coffin of their incredibly depressing, hopeless lives? Extraordinary Means is quite a profound and stimulating read. It's a slow moving, darkly funny, beautifully tragic and very smart kind of book. I loved the characters, the relationships, the interactions, dialogues, friendly banters and the almost excruciatingly shy romance between Sadie and Lane. Everything seemed authentic, real, convincing. The characters and their emotions, their worries, regrets, needs, hopes, reactions.. All of it really spoke to me and I was sucked into their world almost instantly. Both Lane and Sadie are complex characters. They're almost polar opposites of each other, but their attraction to one another is undeniable. The chemistry between these two was phenomenal. And it didn't feel forced, or rushed. It was.. really quite awesome. At the same time, this is not just some tragic love story. It's so much more than that. Honestly, the romance part is maybe 35% of the whole thing. This book is mostly about living and dying, being diagnosed with a life-changing disease and having to face all that comes with it, staying strong despite feeling utterly hopeless, finding something worth holding on to, something worth living for. It's about being uprooted and isolated, lost, scared, confused, sad. It's about all the things that matter in life. And in death. It's just.. beautiful. I took my time reading this book. It demanded my undivided attention. I kept re-reading some of the more insightful and thought-provoking passages ("Latham was my Hogwarts, and protocillin was the cure for my magic"). I savored the lyrical prose. I laughed at all the clever inside jokes, I hoped and I mourned. Extraordinary Means is the kind of contemporary fiction that you can not only easily connect with, but you can also benefit from it on many levels. It's intelligent. It's emotionally affecting. It's, to some extent, cathartic. It makes you think about certain themes and issues, and then ask yourself questions like: "What would I do in a situation like that?", "How would my life change if I was the one infected with a drug resistant strain of TB?", "How would it affect my family?" etc.. I know this book will stay with me for a long time. I am so glad I picked it up!

Review coming soon...

AWWW MAN THAT WAS SAD!!! But I loved it. I was instantly attracted to the illness part of this book, which sounded really interesting and futuristic to me (even though I know it isn't). It's scary, but I like to think about living such a sad life and being in this world, as similar as it is to ours, except for the illness. The sadness of these kids' destiny hit me really hard, with all the similarities to summer camp that their quarantine camp has. Comparing to opposite things like that makes the whole situation even more weird, desperate and tragic, which is why I could basically not sleep until I finished this book.Although it wasn't the most important point in this novel for me, I really liked the romance in this book. I loved how Sadie and Lane pretty much always liked each other, which sounds very fairy-tale-like to me (I'm aware that it's pretty much the opposite). Their love provided them with comfort when they needed it the most, which is one of the reasons why their relationship worked so well, in my opinion. Their late-night phone calls are the most adorable thing ever, especially to me, who's basically a phone calls lover. It sounds really romantic and if a guy ever did that with me, you can be assured he'd be the one I'd want to marry. I think the most important theme in this book is probably growing up, in general. Lane represents those of us who live for good grades and won't have a moment to rest until we've done everything we could to succeed, which is really useless if you want to have a happy life, like Lane realized. This character development is amazing, because he went from someone who'd die instead of not applying to college to someone who spends hours on the phone with his girlfriend instead of studying. Also, making good friends and sticking with them is another lesson learned by Lane and the new friends he makes, especially for them, who never know when their last day might be. This tragic way to live reinforced their friendships, in my opinion, because they were forced to see how much their friends matter to them and spend as much quality time as they can. It's a nice philosophy, even though it's created by a sad situation.I pretty much enjoyed everything in this book, so I'd highly recommend it.

Yes, yes, and yes. Robyn Schneider kicked some asses again. Both Lane and Sadie have a good impact on the story. However, Lane, as a boy, doesn't really sound like a guy in some parts of the story. There are some parts that are quite unbelievable for a guy to do or say. Nevertheless, believe or not, when I was reading this book, I felt like I was on a train slowly closing in to another train. Then finally, boom! Train-wreck it is."But that's the thing about odds. Roll a die twice, and you expect two different results. Except it doesn't work that way. You could roll the same side over and over again, the laws of the universe intact and unchanging with each turn.It's only when you consider the past that the odds change. That things become less and less likely."Well, that quote above is incredible. I have no words for it. Every word of it was giving me feels. And, can you see the writing style? I have no complaints. It's simply beautiful. This is way incomparable to Robyn Schneider's other book, The Beginning of Everything. Extraordinary Means is something you can't forget that easily. Because: 1) The cover is super-duper nice. 2) The catch-phrase in the cover is catchy. 3) The ending. The main characters having a sense of rebellion is way too good to add in the story. And there is this one word that struck me the most in this book and made me laugh even though I shouldn't laugh at that part is 'potato'. Well, aren't words like that surprising to see?Not to mention that every part of this book is averagely realistic for me and I felt like diving in with them in Latham House. "My miracle wasn't a cure. It was a second chance. But second chances aren't forever. And even miracles have an expiration date."Some parts just left me in awe. Some parts were just meh. And some parts just made me sad. And if you ever want to read this, read it. The cover isn't misleading.

This is my first of Robyn Schneider's books and I really wasn't disappointed. It reminded me of Looking for Alaska but with the added element of having an incurable disease from The Fault in Our Stars. Don't get me wrong, though, Extraordinary Means is not a copycat and has its own, separate, world to immerse yourself in.The story begins with Lane's point of view. He is a straight A student who spends his life studying to keep his GPA up and working his way towards admission at an Ivy League college. It is a major inconvenience for him to be sent to Latham House, a sanatorium for sick kids, to deal with his incurable strain of TB. Lane's character development was immense. He realises that by focusing so much of his time on school and the future, he has forgotten to live. He has missed out on so much fun and so many opportunities that he didn't think were important until it was too late. Seeing him start to live his life, even if it's a restricted life, was so nice to see. Our second point of view is in the form of Sadie. She has been at Latham House for over a year and is sort of drifting as she isn't getting any better or worse. She doesn't know when she'll get to go home but she is fitting in at Latham in a way that she never did at home. She is cool, has a great group of friends and is a sneaky rule-breaker. The romance in the book is between Sadie and Lane who actually met before at summer camp when they were thirteen. Sadie thinks that Lane is responsible for something bad that happened to her at camp but that is quickly resolved and they begin to fall for each other. I thought they were really cute together and having the two view points was great as we got an insight into both of their thoughts and feelings. Whilst loving their relationship I couldn't help but dread how things would turn out given that they are both suffering from TB (and the fact there are two view points for two people in a relationship is always suspicious!). I really couldn't help but hope for them at the same time though which I guess is one of the messages here: however dark things seem, there is always hope.This could have been extremely depressing but there is a lot of humour which lightens the story just enough whilst also keeping enough gloom for you to keep wondering what the outcome is going to be. It's a book about hope, second chances and living in the moment.“There’s a difference between being dead and dying. We’re all dying. Some of us die for ninety years, and some of us die for nineteen. But each morning everyone on this planet wakes up one day closer to their death. Everyone. So living and dying are actually different words for the same thing, if you think about it.”---I received a copy of this book from the publishers via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All reviews are also posted to my blog: Nicola Reads YA