I told myself I wasn’t going to read any more young adult novels for a while. I love to read and usually read anything that looks good regardless of genre. And there are many young adult novels that I’ve loved. But recently I’ve been bothered by the fact that they don’t tell the permanent story, the happily ever after. The story that decides the life course that will stick. The choices chosen, the dice thrown. Instead they tell the story of a pretty cool thing that happened once that changed how the main characters look at their world going forward, but didn’t really decide their fate.
Which lately has felt like it’s not enough.
Lately I have wanted the whole story. The decisions that shape lives permanently. Scary ones from which there is no turning back. Right or wrong, these tough decisions show us who we are in the end. Because, as adults, we are closer to the end.
But I put those feelings aside to read the young adult novel Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum. I’m so glad I did! I loved this book. I’ve already bought it for three of my friends. It’s a lighthearted tale about a high school girl who moves to L.A. with her father and his new wife and finds herself an outsider at a fancy prep school. Jessie doesn’t have any friends until a mysterious classmate starts emailing her, giving her insight and helpful hints about navigating their school. Through their correspondence a close friendship develops. As Jessie searches for her mystery pen pal in real life, she starts to hope for more than just friendship.
This book was exactly what I wanted it to be. It was fun and funny and just full-out enjoyable. I loved it! I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a light, romantic book that will make you feel happy.
