The Thing I Didn't Know I Didn't Know (Russel Middlebrook: The Futon Years) Paperback – November 27, 2014

Brent Hartinger does the impossible in The Thing I Didn't Know I Didn't Know: he skillfully transitions a beloved young adult literature character to an engaging character for adults to read. In the quartet of the YA Russel Middlebrook series, other gay men had a chance for wish-fulfillment. Russel lives a life that gay men might have dreamed about in high school. He is part of GSA. He has hunky boyfriends, and, more importantly, a diverse group of friends to help him get through high school. Yet, as we know, live after high school and college ups the stakes. In this novel, Hartinger forces Russel to grow up by confronting his character with questions that can actually alter Russel’s life trajectory. His friends are moving on, and he isn’t quite settled about his career. Still, Russel maintains his positive attitude, which I appreciated from the YA series. Yes, Kevin Land reappears and Russel must face the ethics of cheating and loving someone, whom he lost. However, Hartinger makes these moments about Russel and his growth as a man. Quirky and fun, but also stimulating and sexy as hell—there’s no question that Russel has grown up. This read is totally awesome for a long-time Hartinger fan or the person who wants to read a fun and fantastic novel about a young gay man with a big heart faced with serious choices. For this writer and researcher of gay literature, Russel is the millennial answer to Armistead Maupin’s Michael (“Mouse”) Tolliver. Hartinger voices Russel with hope and sarcasm that makes the reader empathize and wish for the best for this character.

This was my first read by Brent, and I may be a bit hooked. I really liked how honest this book felt. How real it felt, and how it was messy and just read like Russel's life. I really liked how Russel being 23 did not have his life together, but he was responsible and he was just figuring it out, like so many other 20 year old's. Then you have his friends/roommates who added so much to the story. It was great, they were so multi-dimensional and interesting. I enjoyed reading about them. I also really like Vernie and how she was honest and it was just refreshing. Then you have Kevin, who is Russel's ex and first and only love and that hit me close, as I know how first loves can be, I think we can all relate to that. I am eager to continue their story and I hope that Josh Hurley is the narrator again, as it was done very well. Definitely recommend.

I have always loved a good romantic story, but I could never find the right one, Brent Hartinger captures the essence of gay lifestyle living in the 21 century incredibly interesting. So much so that I can't help but know when a certain character might pop up into the scene or one of them will go. Or maybe because I have read every single one of his books, some more than once. I just have this feeling every time I come across one of his books, he knows exactly what to say as I am feeling it and that is just it. His writing is not for the faint-hearted, but to be literally felt because scenarios such as these sometimes do happen in real life.I was incredibly mesmerized with the character and charisma of Vernie, a run-down screenwriter who had had her shot in Hollywood, yet seemed to think it was a load of s*** while still enjoying every minute of it. She mentions while talking to Russel that screenwriters nowadays do not have any role in the movies that their book is adapted from, but is severely taken apart and changed in a way that people in today's society will enjoy and sell. I would be lying to you (other readers who might be observing my review) if I didn't say I was thinking of the movie 'Geography Club' that was filmed years ago and released in 2013. The basic plots were all there: boy and boy iMed, they meet, they fall in love, they break up. But the fact that so much from the book to the movie was changed seemed a bit off to me from the beginning, that is. I was perplexed from the start and then when I read Vernie's rant to Russel, it felt as if Brent was telling me (I don't want to speak for anyone else) that he was a bit pissed at Hollywood for doing such things as tampering with the context of the book and its crucial elements. Don't get me wrong I enjoyed the movie! The cast was spot on and I can't help while reading the books to picture in my mind the cast of 'Geography Club' (well, what's left of them in later books) doing and saying the things in the books.The main point to this review is comfort. I feel very comfortable reading the Russel Middlebrook Series mainly because I explains, analyses, and answers many hard-hitting questions some LGBT youth have while or before or even after coming out. Some are right in front of us on the page and some you really need to read and simply contemplate on. These books in my opinion give us mainly a look into Russel Middlebrook's life but for me, it makes me wonder and think how will I deal with certain problems and triumphs that Russel and his friends go through. Me about to be in my twenties does make me wonder.This book is definitely a great read. I mentioned on twitter that this books contains so much, contained into about 250 pages and I will always give Brent so much credit on how he starts and ends his books. This one in particular made me really think about life and again about what Vernie had told Russel. How life is always cinematic, you just need to know the right time to fade to black. That quote really hit me in a positive way because I have never known when the right time was to stop stressing about what I can't control in life and to not let the little things in life get to me. Which is why I loved the ending line so much, but I won't give potential readers too much information, I've learned my lesson. HeheGreat work, much love, and keep on doing you, Brent.

If you enjoyed the earlier Russel Middlebrooks books I imagine you'll appreciate the continuation of his life post-college. The writing was very familiar and the characters have aged and developed as you might expect given their trajectories set out in the earlier novels. I appreciated the consistency. Hartinger captures well the angsty process and search for meaning that comes with growing through your 20s.

Having been a while since i read Geography Club, I was surprised to discover this continuation of the story. I found the characters realistic and believable The storyline was organic and developed in such a way that the events seemed natural and yet not predictable. The ending was satisfying even though not telegraphed beforehand. Me. Hartinger has a very readable style without being pedestrian. His character development is a strong element of the novel. I enjoyed this story so much i purchased a copy for a friend

As always, reading about Russel's life is a pleasure. 23-old Russel still feels like teen Russel, but with the added anxiety of the post-college experience. The book is smart, sweet and a pleasure to read from start to finish. I was truly pleased that Min and Gunnar (and Kevin) were still there and I also really liked the new characters. Brent Hartinger gives Russel a unique voice, impossible to forget.

I started reading The Russel Middlebrook's Series some weeks ago... And man, did I get hooked on! And then when I learned The Thing I Didn't Know I Didn't Know would be released now in december, it definitely was like a Christmas' present!At first, I was afraid of how it would be. The last one before it (The Elephant of Surprise) had ended in such a good way, that I feared that it would be ruined.But it turned out to be wonderfully good! This very deep subject of someone wanting to find his way in life was so well written and perfect to Russel Middlebrook's character. So let's to it.First there was that initial shock to see that Russel, such a good student at high school, was lost in his post university life, working in two jobs that he had no joy for. But then you realize that's something we all are at risk of being: not knowing what we want for life, even worse getting to know how to conquer things we don't know we want.So it's good to follow Russel in his struggle to finding the purpose of life - his life, at least.It was very good to see Min and Gunnar still on his side, and both the same way they were 6 years ago (so lost in their own worlds, but really willing to help each other in the times of need). Their friendship is really something really wonderful!Then there is Russel's love life. I was sad that he no longer was with Kevin, but at least I was relieved that their relationship ended after all their years of high school, so it was really important for them (I really wish there was a book inbetween showing us how was their actual relationship! There was the only thing I missed so far in the series).But then, surprise!! There's is Kevin back in Russel's life! Stunning and cute as always! But now with a new boyfriend, that seems to have everything that Russel is trying to figure out (including the best of them: Kevin!!).Even so, is good to see that Kevin also sees Russel as a very important part of his life, and still wants him around. That just shows how much of a good person Kevin turned out to be, as I always thought he would!Other important part of the story was Vernie. I absolutely loved her!! She was like the angel that Russel needed to go through his struggle to find his way. And the person to... well, save his life.Anyway, these are my thoughts on the book. And I can't wait for the next one!! Really, I wish it was August already!That said, I apologize for any grammar mistakes.English is not my native language (I'm brazilian).

I like how it wasn't all focused on Kevin and Russel getting together but in general how Russel basically grew up and find his final path that was kinda cool to join him in his journey it was also interesting to make sense of his thughts cant wait to read more of their story finally

Russel Middlebrook is now 23 and navigating his way through the awkward life of a young gay man. Fans of the series will slip seamlessly back into Hartinger's warm narrative which presents a more mature Russel, but one that is still absurdly questioning what life is truly about.It is refreshing to read a story that confronts the often awkward stages between coming out and settling down as a mature gay person. Issues such as hook ups, sex, relationships and finding drive in life are all handled by Russel, but not always well. Which is what makes this book so appealing, because nobody is perfect.This book is both cosy and challenging at the same time. If you have enjoyed the previous books in the series I highly recommend you read this.

Brilliant Book. Really enjoyed it. Was laugh out loud funny while being honest and moving at the same time. Brent Hartinger has taken a character and a world and matured them, I wondered if I would like this book having previously loved the other books that are written for a younger audience. I shouldn't have doubted. He is the same old Russel, just older and in more mature situations. I couldn't put this book down and when I finished it I found myself really missing it. Can't wait for the next one!The description of Seattle is so wonderful and detailed it really made me want to buy a plane ticket. I really think anyone will love this book. It makes you happy.