Post Grad Book

Final Thought: This book is filled with meaningless conversations, two-dimensional characters, an annoying protagonist and jejune writing. The plot is extremely predictable and romantic partners are practically based on insta-love. It has barely anything to do with post-grad. It's time to throw this book out of the window.

*FACEPALM* What have I just read? I really didn't want to finish this book, but I needed to know if it gets worse. It did. I finished reading it so I can write a lengthy review and hopefully warn others not to make the same mistake as me. If you do want to read it, here is one piece of advice: Read it as if everything is supposed to be a joke. That way you might not suffer as badly I did.

Throughout this book, I only felt frustration and anger. The idea of "life doesn't go according to plan" seemed interesting, but I quickly discovered Ryden's way of handling unemployment is childish and immature. Isn't this novel supposed to be about self-discovery after graduation? Whilst the theme appeals to me, the plot failed to deliver (due to many issues) and I cannot relate to Ryden or any of the characters in this book. To me, this book is full of Ryden's complaints and a tonne of meaningless conversations and A LOT OF BAD DECISIONS. The plot truly and only begins when I only have 20 pages to go. 80% of this novel is about family dilemmas, not about post-graduation.

POOR RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT
If you witnessed your BBF arguing with his drunk father, would you have a conversation with him afterwards? Of course, you would! Well, not Ryden. This would have provided readers with an insight into Adam & Ryden's BFF friendship and feel relatable. But instead, the chapter ended straight after the argument and a new chapter begins with Ryden moving back home. So saying they are BFF since childhood just doesn't convince me.

MEANINGLESS CONVERSATIONS AND BORING PLOT
Conversations are supposed to build relationships and move the plot along. But throughout this book, many conversations are so pointless. In fact, a majority of the conversations revolve around Ryden being a melodramatic and pessimistic graduate who hates the world. No appreciation, just constant complaints and frustrations about being unemployed.

Adam and Ryden love playing "This or That" since childhood. But this game gets in the way and interrupts the pace of the novel. Plus, what is the point? Adam would ask Ryden which she prefers: snake or tarantula. (pg. 74-75) This conversation occurs while Ryden is sorting out her resume and panicking if she has accidentally faxed a Domino menu to one of the publishing firms. But Adam, as Ryden's best friend since childhood, DIDN'T show any sign of concern at all. Instead, Adam completely IGNORES Ryden and continues on with his snake or tarantula conversation. WHY? HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? I was fuming by this point! What is the point of this conversation? Does it help with character or relationship development? NOPE! Not when you do it so many times throughout the book. Does it help with the plot? NOPE!

RYDEN DOESN'T CARE ABOUT GETTING A JOB
Ryden is an English major graduate (second in her class) and supposedly is a smart girl in the novel. But across all the nine interviews she seems to have no idea why she wants to join those firms. Any slow-witted person knows the number one task to do before an interview is to do extensive research on the firm. Instead, she has one standardised answer for various questions asked of her across all nine interviews. It seems like she doesn't care about the jobs she applies for and I would really like to knock some sense into her.

"I lost my job peddling luggage". (pg. 148) Okay for the record, she didn't lose her job. Instead, this happened. "I ripped off my horrible itchy hat and threw it on the floor, and then I flung off my polyester jacket, too. "Dad," I hollered. "You've got a customer!" And then I stormed out of Luggage World. (pg. 111)

Also, the title of this book and the blurb about coming up with a "new plan" are both traps. There is no plan. Everything she gets throughout the book is handed to her without effort (i.e. her job at Luggage World because of her dad and her job as a PA because of David the next door neighbour). Yes, I understand many people nowadays get a job through their network. But how the employment opportunities are introduced in this book have made me believe Ryden is a spoiled brat.

Ryden's Relationship with Jessica Bard
I know Ryden doesn't like Jessica. But the reason why she doesn't like her is so superficial. It's one of the most annoying things I don't like about Ryden. Jessica is a perfectionist, whom I think, is a portrayal of Hermoine from Harry Potter. Perfect grades. Top of the class. Valedictorian. Great fashion sense. However, Ryden thinks she is arrogant. But in my opinion, Jessica isn't arrogant enough to be an antagonist that I truly despise. In fact, Ryden appears to be jealous of Jessica's achievements and how she excels at everything compares to Ryden. I personally like Jessica a hundred times more than I like Ryden.

"As I rode the elevator down the lobby I crossed my fingers and wished for an entire stack of manuscripts to fall crashing down onto her head." (pg. 41) This is Ryden's thought at the start of the novel when Ryden realises Jessica is attending the same interview as she is. From a reader's viewpoint, Jessica hasn't come across as a mean person (yet). But all the sudden Ryden is making evil wishes which I don't agree with. It makes me think Ryden is evil.

PROTAGONIST PERSONALITY & DEVELOPMENT ARE HORRENDOUS
I love it when my protagonist is smart, can handle herself and doesn't need anyone to tell her what to do. She seems demeaning and loves to criticise people which makes the writing jejune and difficult to read. Ryden frustrates me as she has no sense of gratitude or appreciation for her family (a majority of the time). Although as I progress through the book I realised the family gets crazier and wilder (in terms of weird hobbies and personalities) but they aren't harmful! But her constant criticisms on her family members' decisions and behaviours give me a headache. Because this is supposed to be about post-graduation, not about family dilemmas! Some reviewers find it funny, but I grew up in an Asian culture where respect and forgiveness run in the family. Besides, this is not supposed to be a humorous novel!

Here is an example of when Ryden criticises others.
"Who were these people, and why were we supposed to care what they were doing with their lives? That's what I wanted to know." (pg. 124)

Ryden is also needy and demanding which doesn't help.
"Because if you're too busy to cheer me up now I can call back later." I said this, but I didn't mean it. I wanted him to cheer me up now." (pg. 65)
Honestly, what do you mean you don't mean it but you still mean it? Stop contradicting yourself and stop expecting you will get everything you want whenever you want it. The protagonist sounds like a whiny child demanding attention from her parents.

Ryden also loves to engage in self-loathing. Yes, it is a very real challenge faced by every graduate who is unemployed. We also hate ourselves sometimes. But when the protagonist constantly downgrades herself with no sign of improvement on her thoughts, it annoys the SH*T out of me.

ROMANTIC PARTNER 1: DAVID THE NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOUR
This romantic relationship doesn't begin to develop until I'm about 70% done with this book (pg. 166). It's essentially an immature college graduate (22-year-old) hooking up with a 34-year-old Brazilian (also a father). Ryden's dad is spot on in calling his neighbour a potential "sex pervert" (pg. 153).

Ryden shows up at her neighbour door, barely knows the owner and wishes to score a date?! What on earth is going on? The neighbour's cat just passed away and she shows up with a bottle of wine supposedly apologising for killing the neighbour's cat, but she has an "ulterior motive" in which she hopes she could score a date with her neighbour? The neighbour then IGNORES the apology for his favourite dead cat and invites Ryden for a dinner? TELL ME, DOES THIS EVER HAPPEN IN REAL LIFE? WHY ARE THEY FLIRTING? If my cat died 5 minutes ago I would not have the heart fo flirt with its murderer. Mind you the next door neighbour has a 4-year-old daughter and is 12 years older than Ryden AND IS A COMPLETE STRANGER!!

"I saw him notice my legs under my sundress, and I stretched them somewhat ostentatiously." and there is this "David kept his gaze on my calves." (pg. 149) *FACEPALM* All this for a neighbour that could have been a serial killer. If I saw my stranger neighbour keeps staring at my legs, I would feel uncomfortable and would want to leave. But then again, I wouldn't walk into a stranger's house.

ROMANTIC PARTNER 2: ADAM THE BFF
Adam, who is supposedly in love with Ryden since forever, doesn't make any move on Ryden and their relationship essentially remains at friendship status for a majority of the book. There is no development at all! Ryden just suddenly realises she wants to kiss Adam and suddenly sees him in a different light. The ending is also very predictable.

Writing is horrible
There are times when characters A, B & C would be in the same room. But when A & C have a conversation, C would have no input at all and nowhere to be found. But then when A & B's conversation ends, C would suddenly appear out of the blue. Like what on earth is going on?

Most Relatable / Funny Quotes
"It's funny. It's like our parents want what's best for us, and we want what's best for them, and none of us can get our shit together." (pg. 82)

"Food is my only comfort these days." (pg. 115)

"...and it was a box from Domino's because that's how flat the poor thing [the cat] was." (pg. 140)

"As my dad began to shovel dirt on top of the box, he noticed a pizza coupon still affixed to it. He reached into the hole. "Twenty-five percent off! Gee, thanks Buster!" he said brightly, and tucked the coupon into his pocket. (pg. 141)