Well ain’t that a cute cover! The story in itself is about a father who sells his life on eBay, spends his last few days the subject of a reality TV show and the impact the show has on his family. This book isn’t all bad however I found it difficult at times to stay within the story when there are 8, yes 8, different POVs going on. That is the major drawback of this story. There are some good reviews over on Goodreads so I suggest checking those out if it sounds like your jam.

Life in a Fishbowl was a cracking read. The book is very realistic showing how much ATN infringed on the family’s life and how obsessed the general public were with the show. This was an engrossing study of contemporary society’s obsession with fame and scandal and prying into other people’s lives. The people from ATN were pretty awful, playing the sisters against each other, controlling everything and punishing Jackie for exposing how the show manipulated the truth using her iPhone. I really wanted to punch someone in the face. The book is the perfect mix of happy and sad moments that made me laugh and cry, sometimes at the same time. The characters were great and well-written, painfully real at times. The ending tore me up but made me do a little victory hand-pump as well. Life in a Fishbowl also includes scenes from the perspective of Jared’s brain tumour as if it is a thinking creature that sees Jared as a host to control. This was very unusual but worked really well. I’d highly recommend this.

This is a darkly comic YA novel satirizing contemporary society's obsession with reality TV. It's also an exploration of family, love, identity, and the value of life. There are obviously some deeply affecting moments but the overall message is one of hope. I would definitely recommend this book but be prepared for an emotional ride.

A poignant, gently humourous tale of life with an aggressive brain tumour and the effects on its host, his family and the world. An original story of hope, love, teamwork and exploitation, which is beautifully and cleverly told. Jared, Dierdre, Jackie and Megan are engaging and easily recognisable characters who have to deal with the unthinkable and find themselves prey to greed from many quarters. I was gripped, I was moved, and was given plenty of food for thought.

This is a sad book. Using the tragic occurrence of Jared Stone’s brain tumour, Vlahos puts his family through a series of unmitigated events designed to horrify and appall readers. He pushes our boundaries of decency, and makes us realise these are not unrealistic ideas of a fanciful novelist, but are in fact, part of the everyday in contemporary society.

What does that say about the human condition? While Vlahos keeps us entertained and amused, he is also challenging us about how accepting we are when it comes to morally ambiguous behaviour. We think we are powerless, that people with the money and influence control the way the world works, but characters like Jackie, Jared’s daughter, and Hazel Huck, show us that it’s people with passion and determination who can change the course of events, and make a difference. For good, I mean.

The plot is simple. Jared discovers he has a brain tumour, it’s inoperable, and by the time he realises, it’s already destroyed some of his rational thinking neurons, so in order to provide for his family after he dies, Jared decides to auction his life on eBay to make some money.

The plot isn’t important. It’s the way we are led into the minds of Jared’s family, and the people who want exploit him that is the focus. Each villain is given a chance to explain his or her actions. They all feel completely justified in their decision to take advantage of this man who just wants to take care of his family. It’s despairing stuff.

But there are also people who want to help. So Vlahos goes someway to balance the evil with the good. I love how technology is depicted, as both ways to abuse people’s trust (reality TV programs, and cyber-hacking), as well as ways to support it (Online communities). The Internet itself isn’t inherently bad, it’s how people choose to use it.

I haven’t talked about the point of view of the tumour we are also given. Glio, as we come to know it, is probably the most poignant part of the novel. We glimpse Jared’s memories it devours—all the thoughts and associations that make him human, that make him Jared, and it’s painful. Mostly because Glio is merely following its own genetic code. There’s no intended malice, but it’s so malicious, so tragically unfair, we can’t help assigning blame and condemning it as the corrupting influence.

Anyway, Life in a Fishbowl is a complicated detailed and subversive novel. Its length is due to the many narrative voices, all given free reign to tell stories, remember past events, and build defenses of their (mostly) selfish and greedy actions. Thankfully Jackie is strong for her father, and ultimately, we see her triumph. It’s worth the journey.

Thanks to the publishers via Netgalley who provided access to this early ARC. Released January 12th, 2017.

Recommended to readers who prefer their books edgy and hard-hitting, with unapologetic authors who refuse to pander to stereotypes or follow predictable formats. Multiple narrators who often go off-road with little regard for plot. Unconventional conclusion, with no romance.

Life In A Fishbowl is dark. It’s a look at family and fame and the different points of the human psych. It stirred uncomfortable emotions in me. But I liked it a lot.

This is about the Stone family, who are devastated by their patriarch’s cancer diagnosis. This leads the patriarch, Jared, to make an eBay listing for his life. They have to deal with a TV mogul’s attempt to cash in on their tragedy with a reality TV show, which then leads to the family’s eldest daughter fighting to get their normal lives back.

Life In A Fishbowl is all about its characters. The people who bid on Jared Stone’s life range from well meaning to horrifying. There’s a well meaning high school gamer, a nun trying to change his mind about living, a rich man who vacillates being charitable to sociopathic (leaning more on the latter), and the TV executive.

Seeing Jared’s life change was heartbreaking; reading his parts was at times hard to do. Dierdre, Jared’s wife, goes from loving wife and mother to a shadow. Megan, the youngest daughter, while devastated by her dad’s diagnosis, is soon caught up in the fame. Jackie, Jared’s eldest daughter, starts off shy and quiet, but in her bid to save her family’s well being, she proves she’s just as cunning as Ethan, the show’s producer. We see what drives Ethan and the other bidders. We even hear from Jared’s tumor.

The tumor, who will later call itself Glio, instantly became one my favorite characters. Glio, while malignant, was curious and even funny. While he’s thriving, the Stone family is changing under the pressure of having their lives doctored for the small screen.

This is an ambitious book. It pushes boundaries with its characters and plot. There are twists and turns I was not expecting and kept me guessing. When I wasn’t reading the book, I was thinking about it. I could not get enough of Glio. When I saw how far Ethan would go to get the best footage, I was shocked. As I kept reading, I felt like I myself was invading the Stone family’s privacy. This made me queasy, and I think this is Life In A Fishbowl’s intention.

This is an interesting look into a media obsessed world and how it affects everyone. Recommended for more mature YA readers.