1. You should read this.
2. It hit me in the gut and I'm still processing a few days later.

The book itself is relatively short, so in that sense it's an accessible and quick read. But Iweala packs a LOT into these 224 pages.

The story is split between two narrators/protagonists in Washington, DC. First Niru, a Nigerian American teen, struggling to find a way to live his life as a gay young man and come into his own while split between his father's Nigerian culture and the realities of the US. Second Meredith, a white girl and Niru's best friend, who is both supportive and conflicted in her relationship with him. I love the way Iweala's writing style changes to reflect each character at different stages of their lives. Niru's prose is urgent, nonstop. Meredith's is curious, confused, reflective.

I thought the story was going in one direction and I was sucked in. Then BAM a twist that shocked me to the point I had to set it aside for a couple days, before picking it back up and devouring the rest of it in one go.

Highly recommend.