Play Book Tag discussion

Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson - 4.5* - My Review

In 1996, Frankie is a sixteen-year-old living in Coalfield, Tennessee, with her mother and triplet brothers. She meets Zeke, who has arrived for the summer from Memphis, and they become friends. She is an aspiring writer, and he is an artist. They create a poster, containing a drawing by Zeke and an enigmatic phrase written by Frankie. They copy it and hang it all over town, making sure not to be seen. Other groups appropriate the art for their own ends, igniting the Coalfield Panic, and eventually gaining national attention. Twenty years later, a journalist calls Frankie to discuss the poster and its impact. Frankie worries that her past will damage her current life, as she has never told anyone about her (and Zeke’s) role in the Panic.

It is a story of youthful infatuation, individuality, artistic expression, obsession, and how events of adolescence can have a lingering effect. It also comments on how art takes on a life of its own once created and sent out into the world. It is a most unusual and creative work. This is my first time reading anything by Kevin Wilson, and I definitely plan to read more.

4.5

Sounds good, I had read some lukewarm reviews but now I'll reconsider it. I liked Nothing to See Here.

Great review! I really enjoyed this one as well. It was so thoughtful/ thought provoking. I don't always love two timeframes but it worked so well here to understand the summer to the teens and then Frankie reflecting back and understanding outside of her teen view of what was going on.

It is my second from Kevin Wilson and may have cemented him a one to always add.

This is so high on my list!

Robin P wrote: "Sounds good, I had read some lukewarm reviews but now I'll reconsider it. I liked Nothing to See Here."
I know it has mixed reviews, but I really enjoyed it. I could relate to a traumatic event in adolescence hanging around and impacting life as an adult.

Jen K wrote: "Great review! I really enjoyed this one as well. It was so thoughtful/ thought provoking. I don't always love two timeframes but it worked so well here to understand the summer to the teens and the..."
Thanks, Jen. Glad you enjoyed it too. I have marked him as an author to watch. I am going to read one of his other books later this year (maybe Nothing to See Here).

Amy wrote: "This is so high on my list!"
Hope you enjoy it, Amy!

I love Nothing to See Here. I have this one on a suspended hold, but there are too many other books trying to get my attention! I'm glad you liked it.

NancyJ wrote: "I love Nothing to See Here. I have this one on a suspended hold, but there are too many other books trying to get my attention! I'm glad you liked it."
Thanks, Nancy. I plan to read Nothing to See Here at some point.

I loved nothing to see here, and in fact, it made my top 10 years and I listened to it. But I think it was really fabulous an audio, and I’m not sure I would’ve had the same experience and print. I plan to listen to this one in audio as well.

Amy wrote: "I loved nothing to see here, and in fact, it made my top 10 years and I listened to it. But I think it was really fabulous an audio, and I’m not sure I would’ve had the same experience and print. I..."
I will see if I can find the audio. Thanks for the tip.

I agree with Amy. I did the audio for Nothing to See Here too and the narrator really made it for me. She was just so soothing with the kids which hit really well when I needed soothing during the pandemic.