"This book is a fantastic read. At its heart, it is the story of a young woman finding herself through the first year of college at KU, far from her childhood home. Several supernatural episodes provide one catalyst for self-discovery... The characters feel real and lived-in, and some of the dialogue is downright hilarious. ... Fraley is a natural storyteller, and I am happy to follow wherever she leads."
-Karen M. Vaughn, author of Death Comes for the Trophy Wife & Other Stories and A Kiss for a Dead Film Star and Other Stories
"Fraley's writing is humorous, insightful, and, all in all, kind as Kymer steps into adulthood, meeting new people, recognizing her privileges, making mistakes, and finding that home is wherever you want it to be. That there is a little paranormal activity in a coming of age story set at a university may be a surprise, but Fraley's writing makes it easy to suspend any disbelief. All these elements come together so that it's hard to put the book down."
-Eden D, NetGalley Reviewer
"The characters ... are diverse, and the author has taken these opportunities to briefly highlight ... conversations about privilege and inequality that occur when you're young and na¯ve and finally meeting people with truly different life experiences. ... and her interest in bugs and entomology was such a fresh theme to explore-it really set the book apart from other coming of age stories! I also liked the queerness of this book, and not just the explicitly queer side characters. ... it was refreshing to feel this queerness built into the story so naturally without being picked apart and labelled. ... I really enjoyed this book and would definitely return for a sequel to see what happens next in the lives of these characters! (- And of course for more bugs!)"
-Mary J, NetGalley Reviewer
"Amber Fraley's The Bug Diary is a loving and authentic tribute to undergraduate life, to the risks, vulnerabilities-and ultimately profound misunderstandings and awareness-that can arise when young people expose themselves to personal transformation."
-Nathan Pettengill, editor, Sunflower Publishing
A great read from beginning to end. Fraley had me at the first paragraph. It also doesn't hurt that it is set in Lawrence, Kansas. Rock Chalk Jayhawk. Go KU! -Mark Davoren
The tale of Kymer Charvat and her first-year-of-college adventures is a wonderful coming of age story that is altogether relatable, at times hilarious, at others painful, yet decidedly entertaining at all turns. The intertwining of her fictional story with guest appearances from characters taken straight from the historical archives of the University of Kansas is weaved together through paranormal elements that are sure to keep you captivated. Locals from Lawrence, Kansas, as well as KU alumni, will delight in the placement of familiar locales that help illuminate the backdrop for Kymer's story. Though at times readers may worry about some of the protagonist's choices, the fact that they are so engrossed in how Fraley's narrative unfolds leaves this reader longing for a sequel to The Bug Diary. -Tracey Kastens
The Bug Diary follows as Kymer, a freshman at the University of Kansas, begins her entomology studies while navigating the changes young adulthood brings-the blossoming of new relationships and reevaluation of established ones, the loosening of family ties, the allure of experimentation. While her academic and life lessons themselves are not atypical, they often come to her in strange ways.
I haven't seen many books in any genre which feature a character who loves bugs and isn't portrayed as a weirdo for it, and it's refreshing how her genuine fascination with entomology shines through the book's other details and events. â'M. A. Blanchard. NetGalley Reviewer
