The Music of What Happens

This is a story that centres around two teenage boys, Max and Jordan. They have both suffered some form of trauma and it has had an impact on their personalities and how they view themselves as people. Max is a sporty guy who comes across as a stereotypical “Dude Bro” he has come out as gay to the people closest to him, his two best friends and his mum and dad, and it’s not a big deal. He has a “Warrior Up” and doesn’t show his feelings easily. Jordan is a highly strung guy who loves poetry and is also openly gay. He has a great dislike for himself, and this isn’t helped by his mother who isn’t very good at living up to her responsibilities. A chance encounter outside a food truck sets them on a journey to help each other overcome their trauma and fall in love. Wow, this story really hit me hard. If I had of searched for trigger warnings before I started reading, I think I would have been able to handle some of the content a bit better (TW: Rape and Mental Abuse in the form of neglect and toxic masculinity) In saying that though, the sexual abuse is never shown, only spoken about in conversations and a hazy flashback, and the mental abuse the characters dealt with was the result of mental health struggles and the patriarchal view of men as being weak if they show emotion. This story really made me FEEL what was going on for both Max and Jordan, both the good and the bad. My heart broke for them when things went wrong, and then I was elated when things went right. I was right with them rooting for things to go their way. They weren’t just characters in a book, they were REAL people, at least that how the writing made me feel I watched as they both actively grew as people through the narrative, learning from their mistakes, and offering each other the support they needed to become better people, for themselves and each other. I would have really liked to see an epilogue to show what happens to them as a couple after everything that happened, But I’m also content with where the story was left. I can imagine the rest for myself …. And yes they are still together and have a thriving food truck business. I wish this book was around when I was younger, but I am glad it is here now as I feel like it could teach a few lessons on how to be good people. I would recommend this story to anyone who likes coming of age, opposites attract, and character driven/development. Just keep the trigger warnings in mind as they can be quite jarring if you are unprepared.

Maybe it was fate that Max was drawn to the sad attempt of a food truck when he was. Maybe it was luck. Either way, he finds himself with job, working side by side with Jordan. For Max, making the truck a success means having a summer job. For Jordan it means paying the thousands of dollars he needs to still have a house. Both boys are very different but little by little they get to know each other and become friends. Then they become more. But nothing in life is that simple and reality hits with punches that keep knocking them down. Luckily, they have eachother. This book was good. Not only does it tell a cute love story of boys defying the odds but it bridges tougher topics like rape, race, and mental health. (There are definitely some triggering moments, so read with caution.) While the dialogue between all the friends was really over the top and annoying at times, the characters were overall likeable. I couldn't put the book down and read it in one sitting.

The Music of What Happens by Bill Konigsberg is a contemporary YA love story between two boys going through a rough time in their lives. Jordan and his mom attempt to start running their food truck when Max happens to check the truck out. What he sees has him volunteering to help work on the truck for the summer and make it a successful business. Now that's just a small part of the story but I hate spoilers. This book was so wonderful, that you should read it and find out for yourself what else happened. It was beautifully written. Konigsberg is one of my favorite authors for his ability to write these amazing characters that I get so caught up in. I find myself thinking about them long after the book is closed and wondering what else is happening in their lives. I absolutely loved that Jordan and Max were there for one another during what was probably the worst days of each of their lives. If they had to go through things without one another, they may not have been able to. I appreciate that Max immediately saw Jordan and not any of his flaws. This was a boy who thought very little of himself and Max helped him grow and change. The parental roles were so significant in both of their lives and making them who they were. Jordan's more so than Max but Max deserved better than what he got from his father. He hid his pain thanks to his fathers influence. As I read through this, it sounds more like a book report than a review. But to the point, I loved it and highly recommend this as well as his other books.

Konigsberg really brings these two characters to life in "The Music of What Happens" by being a narrator for both characters, as every other chapter is from the perception of one of the two main characters. It's a useful dynamic because you get both sides to one story, not just one opinion, which is interesting. This kind of writing really mades you understand how each of the characters feel. With all of that said, I would definitely recommend reading this book! There is so much packed into one book with so many sensitive topics that everyone can relate to. I don't see this book as "everything but the kitchen sink," kind of book, but a book with many layers that tells an incredible story. The topics include things like sexual assault, sexuality, death, financial issues and addiction. This beautiful book has a fantastic message to people of all ages and all sexualities. Try it out!

The book is very sweet and fun to read. The two main characters are distinct and likeable. The story is a bit unfocused. Too many mini-dramas take us to a meandering soap-opera territory. The second half of the book felt rushed and unresolved. The writing can be juvenile at times (though that can be excused as it is coming from the thoughts of two teenage boys).

Having read all of Bill Konigsberg’s works I obviously had to preorder this book the second if became available. I waited nearly a year for this release and could not wait to get my hands on this story. Plain and simple “The Music of What Happens” has easily become my favorite of all his works! (Thus Far) From the moment I met Max and Jordan I could not put this book down! I hope to keep this Spoiler-Free but all I can say is this story made me laugh out loud, made me cry, I literally felt like Max and Jordan were real people I could know & wish I actually knew. Their experiences make for a phenomenal story, from a phenomenal author, and an important story not just for us LGBTQIA, but for anyone looking to experience life through the music of what happens.

Audible Review Overall 4 out of 5 stars Performance 5 out of 5 stars Story 4 out of 5 stars I need a peek into the future! What an emotional story! I wasn't quite expecting to be tearing up on my drive to work, but found myself doing so a few times-Jordan and Max both had me going. This wasn't just a story about a sweet summer fling, it had a lot of depth and dealt with some difficult topics that surprised me. Mr. Konigsberg handled both Jordan and Max's situations in a careful and considerate way and I appreciated that. My heart broke for both boys. I understand Jordan's mother has some underlying issues, but I'm just going to put it out there- she's the kind of parent I hate to read about. Lady, you're his mother, the PARENT! Your 17yo son shouldn't be the one out there trying to save your house. Or at the very least, not the only one. Ugh. Poor Jordan. Thank goodness for Max's mom. She's everything those boys needed. I love the relationship Max had with her, they were close but she was still his parent- not his friend, not his buddy, his mom. I really enjoyed this story, even though it wasn't exactly what I was expecting- which was something a little more light-hearted and fun. It was both of those things, at times, don't get me wrong! It was just heavier overall than I had it in my head it was going to be, I liked both Jordan and Max, they were both very charming and compelling characters and I thought they were the perfect complement to the other. I would have loved a little peek into the future. I know this is YA and you can't expect things to last, but I guess I hoped it would for these 2! I loved the narration! Joel is always a winner in my book. This was my first Anthony Ray Perez book and I thought he was wonderful as Max. The only problem I had was the sound quality- about halfway through or so I would have to keep adjusting the volume between chapters. The ones in Jordan's pov, voiced by Joel, were much louder than Max's. It wasn't a big deal, just sightly frustrating.

Konigsberg’s latest book, The Music if What Happens, is his best yet. The Music of What Happens is a beautifully written story of two high school boys, Max and Jordan, as they work together on amateur food truck trying to raise money to save Jordan’s house from foreclosure. Along the way, these two opposites attract, and learn how to deal with the secrets that each one carries. In regard to the writing, Konigsberg’s characters jump off the page with their authenticity and the setting of Chandler AZ is vibrant and real. I have never felt as close to a book as I have with this one. Beyond the story and writing, The Music of What Happens is a pivotal book in young adult literature. LGBTQ+ young adult literature has a rich history of coming out stories about protagonists affirming their identity and encouraging countless readers to do the same. But there has been fewer books that look the lives of LGBTQ+ youth beyond their coming out. The Music of What Happens explores issues including: heteronormativity, toxic masculinity, and sexual assault in the LGBTQ+ community. I couldn’t recommend The Music of What Happens highly enough.

Edición en pasta dura, con sobre cubierta en idioma ingles ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Historia: tiene una premisa muy clicle, con personajes que repiten una y otra vez lo mismo, no se ve una avance en su desarrollo. La narrativa es ágil; sin embargo los capítulos son muy similares entre si, no aportan nada a la trama y van de "problemas" que no transcienden en nada. ⭐⭐ Entretenido, pero hay mucho mejores.

A wonderful novel with a timely reminder of how our lives are dependent on economic circumstances we may have no control over. The food truck that Max and Jordan end up running together makes demands of all their skills and the discover each other's strengths... but that may not be enough.

Absolutely loved this book. The characters, the story! Just loved it all the way frew!

Pas si complexe, mais captivant, oui. De nombreux sujets sont abordés ici, aussi bien économiques, sentimentaux, raciaux, personnels, sexuels, impossible d'en dire plus sans en dévoiler trop ;-) Ce n'est pas fouillé et finement analysé, mais a le mérite d'être abordé. Les personnages sont attachants et l'histoire se lit vite et bien. Un bon moment de lecture.

Gott bewahre uns vor den zahllosen Young Adult Gay Novels, die die immer gleichen Klischees wiederkäuen. Zum wer-weiß-wievielten Mal verliebt sich hier der Jock/coole Sportlertyp (Max) in den seltsamen Außenseiter (Jordan). Vermutlich soll das dem Leser helfen, sich mit Jordan zu identifizieren und von einem Max zu träumen. Solche Bücher werden schließlich als Realitätsflucht und zum Träumen geschrieben und gelesen. Nun denn. Die stereotypen Charakter beiseite hat mich vor allem die andere große Last der YA Gay Novels gestört: das progressive Rumgepredige. Kann junge schwule Literatur nicht auch mal ohne linke Moralpredigten auskommen (Zoo ist böse, weiße heterosexuelle Cismänner sind böse, white privilege, rape-culture, Rassismus usw.)? Die Dialoge waren aufgrund der Vorurteile des Autors teils recht anstrengend: Wenn Max mit seinen heterosexuellen Jungs rumhängt, wird ausschließlich gefurzt und "Deine Mutter"-Witze gerissen. Wirklich interessant ist vor diesem Konzept von "Maskulinität" wie sich der Autor sie vorstellt, dass die Lösung des Konflikts der Geschichte ist, dass Jordan dem "Antagonist" sehr männlich mit der Faust den Kiefer ausrenkt. Der verweichlichte Jordan darf zum Ende des Buches also seine Mannwerdung durchleben - Fitnessstudio inklusive. Überhaupt ist Jordan ein fürchterlicher Charakter, er versinkt ständig im Selbstmitleid, würde am liebsten alles Anstrengende sofort abbrechen und ist unfähig, ohne Max seine Probleme zu lösen. Dieser unausstehliche Charakter gepaart mit einem wenig schmeichelhaft beschriebenen Aussehen (Akne) lässt es umso unwahrscheinlicher wirken, dass ein attraktiver Sunnyboy wie Max sich in ihn verlieben könnte. Insgesamt also keine Leseempfehlung. Ich hoffe noch auf einen jungen schwulen Roman, der nicht den vollen Katalog woker Politik auf den Leser abladen will.