Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth (Release Date: May 25, 2021)

 Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth is a refreshing change from the books I have been reading. I chose it for this reason. I needed something a little lighter. In addition, it fell under LGBTQIA genre. Because I am interested in sharing diverse books and good LGBTQIA stories can be difficult to find, I knew I had to read this.

Aideen has plenty of problems she can’t solve. But when she stumbles upon overachiever Meabh Kowalska having a full-blown meltdown, she sees one that she can actually fix. Meabh is desperate to escape her crushing pile of extracurriculars. Aideen volunteers to help—by pushing her down the stairs.

Problem? Solved. Meabh’s sprained ankle is the perfect excuse to ditch her overwhelming schedule. But when one of their classmates learns about their little scheme, more “clients” start asking for Aideen’s “help”—kicking off a semester of traded favors, ill-advised hijinks, and even an unexpected chance at love.

Fixing other people’s problems won’t fix her own. But it might be the push Aideen needs to start.

The story is set in a private school in Ireland. The main character Aideen is a teenager facing typical teen issues, but also dealing with a home life that leaves much to be desired. She is a well developed character and it's easy to fall into the rhythm of this story. The writing is clear, concise and soothing.  The plot moves along nicely, giving the reader just enough tension to keep it interesting. 

While there are numerous characters from different teen groups, the author carefully avoids stereotyping. The reader is introduced to each individual and is left wanting to get to know everyone. I found this added to great depth and set this novel above so many others. It's hard to demonstrate a real  experience while keeping characters believable, but Ciara Smyth does this very well.

Nothing about this book is predictable, yet no twist is outlandish. Every "favor" Aideen completes and cashes in could happen and can be relevant to almost anyone. Even if you're no longer a teenager, we have ALL survived it. 

Finally, my favorite part of this novel--the ending. It took my breath away. The compilation of events that led up to that moment certainly built up to a satisfying resolution, but the very last line will stay in my soul for a very long time. If a closing line was eligible for an award, this one would win. BUT it's only good if you know the story, so DO NOT JUMP AHEAD!

Not My Problem is a book I would suggest to both teens and adults who love a good book. Ciarra Smyth did a great job of weaving marginalized populations into one story while avoiding stereotypes. She kept the writing light when the topics were heavy. She added a touch of romance without stealing the importance Aideen's character growth. Overall, this was a great read that should be enjoyed by many.

Blogger's note: I read the Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of this book. The book had not yet been "translated" --meaning many terms and references were not "Americanized". This did not take away from the story at all. If the book is only available in Ireland or UK, I still suggest reading it.

Tell Me My Name by Amy Reed (Released March 2021)

 I don't often re-read books, but Tell Me My Name by Amy Reed is a book I will need to read again. 

The short description:

    An enthralling, mind-altering psychological thriller, Tell Me My Name is about the cost of being a girl in a world that takes so much, and the enormity of what is regained when we take it back.

This may sound bizarre, but I  think I have to re-read it because I bought the digital copy. This is a layered story and I felt a little disconnected because I could not easy turn back to previous chapters.  Or maybe it was because I read the author's notes first. When you read this book, don't do it! Amy warns you there are spoilers. And there are. This may have distracted my mind because I was playing detective instead of reader. Therefore, in this review, I will avoid sharing details of the story.

The book opens with a soft, warm description of the setting: Commodore Island, a ferry ride away from Seattle, Washington. This is where my mind played a trick--I envisioned Martha's Vineyard, outside of Massachusetts. I have no idea why. It took a long time for me to accept the setting was the West Coast, not the East. But really, it kind of fit, so it played out well for me. I think it also forced me to reflect on my biases, as well.

Early on, Amy weaves societal constructs right into the heart of the story, using both the setting and the plot. The reader is immersed but not suffocated in a world of rich and not-so-rich. Seeds of thought are planted among description, dialogue and action, but not forced. The brain is free to have its own thoughts about things that are going on, mostly because the writing has a calming rhythm to it. In the back of my mind, I thought a lot about privilege, global warming, friendship and love while getting to know the main characters, Fern and Ivy.

The middle of the book really brings the societal themes to life via action and plot twists. The things the characters do reflect on their previous experiences, yet foreshadow what might be coming next. The development of the setting demonstrates the cost of careless human behaviors and hints at how things could be different--if we tried. The balance of positive versus negative makes the exploration of these difficult topics intriguing instead of preachy.

Overall, this was a great book. I would not call it a mindless beach novel nor recommend it as such. This book deserves to be late-night, thought provoking read. It will permeate your dreams. It will make you think.