Adam Silvera was born and raised in the Bronx. He has worked as a bookseller, as a community manager at a literary development company, and as a reviewer of children's and young adult novels. His highly acclaimed debut novel, More Happy Than Not, was followed by History Is All You Left Me and the New York Times bestsellers They Both Die at the End and Infinity Son. He lives in Los Angeles and is tall for no reason.
Praise for More Happy Than Not A New York Times Bestseller
A New York Times Editors' Choice
A Paste Magazine Best Young Adult Novel of All Time
A Booklist Best First Novel of 2015 and a Booklist Editors' Choice
of 2015
A Kirkus Best Teen Book of 2015
An ABA Indie Next Selection
An Amazon Best Young Adult of 2015
A Refinery29 Best Diverse Young Adult Book
A Popsugar.com Best of 2015
A Bustle.com Best Young Adult Book of 2015
A New York Public Library Top 10 Young Adult Novels of 2015
A Los Angeles Public Library Best Teen Books of 2015
The Latinidad List Best Young Adult Novel of the Year
A Magill's Literary Annual 2016 Selection "A beautiful debut novel
[that] manages a delicate knitting of class politics through an
ambitious narrative about sexual identity and connection that
considers the heavy weight and constructive value of traumatic
memory . . . Aaron's Bronx universe [is captured] with a precision
that feels at once dreamy and casually reportorial . . . Mandatory
reading."
--The New York Times Book Review "Silvera is a master of creating
terrifying near futures that feature technology that's both
intriguing and troubling."
--Shondaland "Inventive and daring, Silvera's gritty debut kept me
turning pages until 2 A.M. His writing crackles with challenging
questions, searing and timely."
--Aaron Hartzler, author of Rapture Practice
"Aaron is one of the most interesting, authentic teen narrators
I've met, and his story is told with incredible courage and
unflinching honesty. Silvera managed to leave me smiling after
totally breaking my heart. Unforgettable."
--Becky Albertalli, National Book Award nominee and author of Simon
vs. The Homo Sapiens Agenda "Adam Silvera explores the inner
workings of a painful world and he delivers this with heartfelt
honesty and a courageous, confident hand. Combine these with a
one-of-a-kind voice and a genius idea, and what you have is a
mesmerizing, unforgettable tour de force."
--John Corey Whaley, National Book Award finalist and author of
Where Things Come Back and Noggin
"Adam Silvera is a voice missing in YA fiction. The honesty of his
words and his ability to tell a story make you realize that we've
been waiting for him. I'm blown away."
--Holly Goldberg Sloan, author of Counting by 7s and I'll Be
There
"[Silvera] throws in a hugely rewarding, whiplash-worthy twist in
the last third of the novel. A bold, inventive, raw look at male
sexuality in an irresistible sci-fi package."
--The Globe and Mail
"[An] important addition to speculative fiction for young adults .
. . Silvera's tale combines the best features of science fiction
with social justice in this engaging read, as Aaron finds a place
where he belongs."
--Los Angeles Times
"Heartfelt . . . The futuristic twist, with its poignant
repercussions, drives home a memorable, thoroughly contemporary
theme: who you are inside is not something that can or should be
erased . . . Lose your memories, lose your pain, lose
yourself."
--Chicago Tribune "A gut-wrenching story telling of race and
sexuality."
--The Guardian "This is definitely at the top of my YA list.
There's a realness to its main character, Aaron Soto, and his
struggle to be who he really is. It confronts race and sexuality in
a way I haven't seen in the genre before."
--Latina Magazine "Smart . . . Sensitively told."
--Good Housekeeping "Poignant . . . So engrossing that once you
start it, you won't be able to put it down. Don't say we didn't
warn you."
--TeenVogue.com
"This is a cry-on-the-subway book, so watch out."
--MTV.com "This is a beautifully written book that seems to get
sadder with every page, but never feels hopeless."
--Refinery29.com "Silvera's debut is equal parts gut-punch and warm
hug, not to mention sweet, funny, creative, and a really welcome
entry to YA with regard to having characters coming from a lower
socioeconomic background."
--BN.com "Silvera, like [Benjamin Alire Sáenz], is a beautiful
writer. Aaron's story is heart-wrenching, funny, inspirational, and
eye-opening. This is a really special novel from an extremely
gifted new writer."
--Bustle
"A compassionate read that you'll want to pass on to everyone you
know."
--Metro US "One of the most heartrending YA reads you'll ever pick
up. And despite the slight sci-fi twist, everything in the novel
feels so very real. More Happy Than Not will leave you shaken for
days, if not weeks."
--Paste Magazine "Offers a sci-fi take on 'conversion therapy, '
and faces the worst of anti-gay bigotry and violence head on."
--Vulture "What to expect if you read this unique story: complete
and absolute heartbreak, probably tears (unless you're heartless,
that is), and moments that will make you smile ear to ear."
--PopCrush.com "[Silvera] explores the possibilities of a world
where death, and life, can be forgotten, roles rewritten and broken
hearts mended. This is a story not just of a young man coming out,
but a dramatic and heart-wrenching story of first loves, first
heartbreaks, grief and the quest for happiness."
--Shelf Awareness, Starred Review "For its explorations of
sexuality, poverty, and race in the Bronx along with its subversion
of the traditional hero's journey, More Happy Than Not is one of
this summer's most anticipated YA debuts. And if you're hesitant
about its 'YA' distinction, the novel is also an absorbing,
thought-provoking, and timely read for people of all ages--perfect
for a day on the beach."
--NEXT Magazine "[A story] of love and expectation and
self-discovery, and of declaring yourself to a world that will
never give you a soft landing."
--B&N Teen Blog "A dark and deeply affecting book, More Happy
than Not asks young readers to reflect courageously on the value of
memory and self."
--The Monitor "Throughout the story, the reader will find herself
wanting to hug Aaron, shake him, and ultimately her heart will
break for him. This reporter finished the book as though Aaron's
life depended on it."
--Planet Jackson Hole "No matter who you are, More Happy Than Not
is almost impossible not to enjoy."
--Bucks County Courier Times "A mind-blowing story . . . A story
about love, and acceptance that will absolutely break your
heart."
--PopCrush.com "This is not like any story you've ever read about
self-discovery and acceptance. This is the story about
self-discovery and acceptance."
--YA Books Central "Revolutionary . . . strikingly poignant . . .
It is a stunning examination of why we make the choices we
make."
--BookBrowse.com "On top of the fact that More Happy Than Not is a
great young adult novel and a great debut novel, this is just a
good book. It's heartbreaking, funny and hopeful, and I don't think
I'll be able to forget it."
--The Spencer Daily Reporter "Many readers will identify with
Aaron, whether or not they are dealing with issues of orientation .
. . Silvera draws wonderfully complex characters and deftly
portrays the relationships among them. The true beauty of this book
is the way Silvera subtly reveals the plot--readers find Aaron
coming out to them in a gradual way."
--VOYA "Vividly written and intricately plotted: a well-executed
twist will cause readers to reassess what they thought knew about
Aaron's life . . . Beyond gritty . . . Silvera pulls no
punches."
--Publishers Weekly, Starred Review "A fresh spin on what begins as
a fairly standard, if well executed, story of a teen experiencing
firsts--first love, first sex, first loss--and struggling with his
identity and sexuality . . . Prejudice is illustrated with
gut-wrenching brutality and its effects are scarring, but Silvera
tempers it with the genuine love and acceptance Aaron receives from
a few important friends and family members . . . Ingenious."
--Booklist, Starred Review "Places a straightforward concept--what
if you could erase unwanted memories?--squarely within an honest
depiction of the pains of navigating the teen years and upends all
expectations for a plot resolution . . . A multifaceted look at
some of the more unsettling aspects of human relationships. A
brilliantly conceived page-turner."
--Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review
"A gripping read--Silvera skillfully weaves together many divergent
young adult themes within an engrossing, intense narrative."
--School Library Journal, Starred Review "The novel takes an
unexpected, complex turn . . . In the end, readers are left with a
gripping story about one memorable teen, and if it also leaves them
pondering how his life might have been different if various
elements had been improved, that is likely the exact takeaway
intended."
--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books "[Silvera is] a
phenomenal talent and is destined to be a star."
--James Dawson, author of This Book Is Gay "Raw, emotional, and
genuine."
--Nerds and Beyond "An important new voice in YA literature, in
More Happy Than Not Adam Silvera has created a passionate, searing
narrative with characters who feel unique and totally familiar. I
found myself rooting for Aaron Soto and his family from page one.
More Happy Than Not is an unforgettable read."
--Alex London, author of Proxy and Guardian
"A debut as deft as it is sharp, as honest as it is assured, and,
above all, extremely moving. Silvera pulls his punches with an
energy, daring, and intensity that left me spellbound--and reminded
me why I love to read."
--Adele Griffin, author of The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone
"Adam Silvera's More Happy Than Not is a fantastic magic trick I
haven't stopped thinking about since I finished reading and suspect
will stay with me for some time to come."
--Jasmine Warga, author of My Heart and Other Black Holes "Adam
Silvera harnesses a certain reckless energy and unleashes it
through the voice of Aaron Soto. Aaron Soto is astounding, full of
heart, wit, youthful energy, and a deep desire to be honest about
who he is in the world. He sinks into your skin so you can't stop
thinking about him even when you aren't reading. High on story,
character, and some perfectly executed twists, I loved this
book."
--David Arnold, author of Mosquitoland
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