The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried

I'm a bit torn as I really want to give this book a 4.5...it just isn't a 5 star book, but I feel it is better than 4 stars implies.What works: I love the diversity of characters. The relationship (hesitant to use the word "friendship" here) Dino and July feels real. I think back to my high school days and college days, and there were those drama filled friendships wounded by seemingly unforgivable events that then healed. July is a bit much to take at times, but I think that's the point. The plot is interesting, and though everything (the how) isn't really explained, the story is solid enough that I can suspend disbelief for the most part. There are some funny scenes, and there really is a nudge to think about the choices people make with friendships, life, careers, family, etc. The book has some depth without being so serious.What didn't work as well for me: I'll read more from this author, but there are minor issues that made this book a 4.5 for me. The adults in the book just accept the supernatural elements too easily (in a world where supernatural isn't the norm). And July's post-death life is interesting enough to keep me going, but at the same time, why would any force with the power to stop death stop death for just them? I can't figure out why their relationship is so special to warrant this.

The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried is wild. Like, what would you do if your ex-bff died, and came back to life to hang out? It turns out that an autopsy of unresolved issues between a gay teen, his trans boyfriend, and a zombified ex-BFF can be really anxiety inducing, and fun, and funny, and hopeful.I've always loved Shaun's books, the voice, and sense of self in them - plus I love the surrealism he plays with. But this book, and The Apocalypse Of Elena Mendoza have taken a turn. They're both so funny, and full of hope. Almost comedies. I know there are things in the world that made Shaun consciously take that turn. His books in the past have been very dark at times, not just with the horror or sff elements, but with the realism his surrealism lives inside. I love those books. But I think I love these last two even more. Idk - I hope that the HOPE in these this book (and Elena) mean that Shaun is in a place where he feels more hopeful, because this book definitely made me feel lighter. It let me breathe easier. And I love that this zombie ex-bff book is going to be in teens' hands soon.Ugh. That was quite a ramble . . . short version: This is a beautiful, funny, and fun book. Full of hope and love.

First, you should know that this is a slight departure from Shaun David Hutchinson's other works. There's still lots of angst and bad decision-making on the part of our complex YA characters, but the focus is moreso on the relationships and a little less on mental health this go around. Personally, I think this is a great change from the formula.The one con is that July isn't a likable or relatable character. That made her chapters a little distracting for me, but I'm not a young adult audience member. In other words, I'm not the primary audience for this book, and that's fine. I think teenagers will find something relatable to her, and that's all the book needs to achieve. Dino is much more relatable in that he wants to leave the toxic relationship, one in which July can't let go. It makes for an interesting and entertaining dynamic.Although this does have a form of zombie-like qualities, this is more Warm Bodies than the Walking Dead. Less about the apocalypse and more about the ability to let go of the past.

This book wasn't exactly what I expected from the description, but that didn't stop us from liking it. The characters are estranged friends, and coming back from the dead doesn't magically fix that.As an adult, I appreciated how the book dealt with the anger and unfinished business associated with death. As a little younger than the target, my daughter appriciated the gross out humor, that the book explored the physical effects of being a zombie, and was engaged by the plot.

This book was more of a short story and it definitely ruined SDH books for me. I wrote a longer review but amazon censored it so that tells you where there agenda lies. I don’t know if I’ll buy another one of his books, his earlier books before this one were good but this one was rushed and disappointing and didn’t feel meaningful.

Third book I've read by the author and they continue to be great reads.Couldn't put it down once I started and by the end made me reflect on past and current friendships.

I absolutely loved this book.

The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried follows Dino who's family owns a funeral home and as a result he has to take care of an ex-best friend named July who died recently. Although she is supposed to be dead, weird things begin to happen and now that she is up and moving no one is dying like they should.The cover and synopsis pulled me in but the story fell short. Although the plot was interesting and unique, the characters were flat and the friendship between Dino and July didn't really seem like much since they hadn't been friends for awhile and seemed to have moved on before her death. I am sure the author had a point in a lot of the death talk since their was a significant scene but it was lost since I felt no connection towards the characters.The book is also filled with a lot of fart jokes, rotting flesh smells, and just weird disgusting things decaying bodies do. I am sure others would find these things to be hilarious but I am not one of those people.It may have fallen short in numerous areas but the relationship between Rafi and Dino was cute even if their characters lacked a bit of development. Overall, it just wasn't for me but I am sure others will love what this book offers.(I received a digital copy from the publisher. All opinions are my own.)

Saying goodbye to your departed frenemy... who just happens to be a zombie.‘The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried’ is a hilarious and heart-warming tale told in alternating perspectives of best friends turned enemies Dino and July. But, July is now dead, well... undead. Death has been put on hold while these two teens make amends with each other and some other issues they have been struggling with.Dino’s family run a morgue, and he is currently undecided on a lot of things. His career path, his friendships, his relationship. How he can confront people. He’s kind of emo and artsy. He also has a gorgeous transgender boyfriend, Rafi, that he feels like he doesn’t deserve.July is loud and brash, the centre of attention, and very jealous of Rafi. He’s stolen all of Dino’s attention away from her and she’s left to float around other less important friends. So how does she deal with this abandonment? With passive aggressive comments and pranks on Dino.Now July is back from the dead – zombie style without the hunger for brains and human flesh, and with Dino as her only confidant. The both have to overcome their antagonism to figure out why people aren’t dying and what to do with July now that she’s a slowly decomposing, flatulent corpse. With witty banter, great pacing, and emotional reveals, I was hooked from the first page.The overall plot is predictable and obvious, but the subsequent plot points in-between were not. But all that middle-story stuff leant to some great character arcs for our two leads. With themes of friendship, redemption, loss, grief, and finding your place in this world ‘The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried’ is a brilliant read.I’m loving the more graphic art trend of the cover illustration – you can see something similar on another of Shaun David Hutchinson’s titles, ‘The Apocalypse of Elena Mendoza’ which I’m keen to pick up.Overall, a strong recommendation from me. Great characters, quirky storyline, and a well-paced read.

Nachdem ich bereits „We are the ants“ von Shaun David Hutchinston gelesen habe, war ich gespannt, ob mich dieses Buch genauso fesseln wird. Hat es nicht. Es hat mich mehr als nur gefesselt, ich habe dieses Buch verschlungen und danach getrauert als hätte Ich meinen besten Freund verloren.Ganz besonders die Freundschaft zwischen Dino und July war sehr authentisch und durch ihre kleine Fehler hat man ihre Freundschaft nur noch mehr zu schätzen gelernt. Die Charaktere waren vielschichtig und realistisch. Man kann sich leicht mit ihnen identifizieren, da ihre Fehler Hintergründe haben und sie dazulernen, was sie reifer und komplexer wirken lässt.Dieses Buch bringt einen zum Nachdenken, wie es nur die echt guten Bücher hinkriegen, über die wirklichen Probleme einer Freundschaft und der ein oder andere Zweifel in Beziehungen und natürlich, wie der Titel bereits andeutet, über den Tod allgemein und die Zurückgelassenen.Fazit: Dieses Buch wird einen nicht unbedingt durch spannende Handlung zum Weiterlesen drängen (obwohl die Handlung auch alles andere als schwach gehalten ist), aber vor allem zeigt sich die Spannung zwischen dem Gesagten und Nicht-Gesagten und drängt einen dazu, auch zwischen den Zeilen zu lesen. Ich würde es allen empfehlen, die ein etwas abstrakteres Buch lesen wollen und gerne Dinge hinterfragen.