This was an interesting read. To mince words, I didn't think "transsexual" was the most pc, inclusive word but this book used it often. Is it because they're located in a kinda backwards community in the south? Is it, as BetterHelp states, a distinction to demarcate those trans people who've undergone interventions like hormones and surgeries? The author declared herself trans so I would think if it's offensive, she would have used another term. I believe Amanda describes herself as a transsexual, but maybe it is only others describing her this way. I think in my conversations I'll continue to use transgender because of the historic negative connotation of transsexual.

Read harder 2021: a trans or nb romance ✅

What a beautiful novel. I'm sad I delayed reading this for 3 years.

Schadenfreude

I felt so much emotion reading this book. I thought it was meaningful. She has a way with words and I liked how she followed the paths of dates on the dating apps. I think this would translate well to TV. I've been watching Love Life with Anna Kendrick on HBO and this feels like a poignant British version.

In the words of Simba: slimy, yet satisfying. I wasn't sure how this would pull together but at the end, I was happy -- which really means creeped out -- with this horror. I would definitely read more from this writer. I loved all the references to 2001.

You have to care at least a little to yell at someone, and he has to care about you at least a little to yell back.

Eh. A little cheesy. Not a realistic character to me. Her family was kind of flimsy and more suggested than fleshed out. Even her best friend was one-dimensional. That didn't sit right with me, for a friend she's known for years. I'm not sure I would read this author again. I cringed into the center of the universe at the whole Sound of Rehab scene, with our Protagonist being the cool 'big sister' saying she's "gangsta" even ironically. Pass.

I was influenced to read this new release. I thought the story was pretty good and the setting was interesting. The writing was pretty good. But as soon as I saw we were looking at diaries, my mind went "Gone Girl" like a bird dog pointing. This isn't a dupe but if you like Gone Girl, you'll probably like this similar structured thriller. I feel like this woman could have/has written romance, she shines at describing loving interactions in a saccharine Nicholas Sparksy way.

Was this the best book I read since A Little Life? I think so. It's similar... A boy growing up without love, learning to love, kind of like the Goldfinch too. Please never make a movie of this, let it be great as a novel. If there are more books like this, multigenerational with beautiful storytelling and weaving of stories while also being pretty sad, that's exactly the kind of book I want. Send them my way. I found it on bookstagram being compared to ALL. I'm glad I took a chance on a random recommendation.

This is a cool format. While you follow the main character, Sadie, there's also an Ira Glass character producing a podcast about her story. It's kind of like the Lovely Bones but voice acted with a podcast. This was a cool listen.

What in tarnation.