#I’m not becky home ecky!!

[talkfastcal]

Jill during that one episode of dance moms

[twentysevenletters]

Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

“Imagine going about your day knowing someone’s carrying you in their mind. That has to be the best part of being in love- the feeling of having a home in some else’s brain.” 

Much like the rest of the population that has come into contact with the Simon Spier world, I love any chance I have to go back to that world. And, in going back to that world, I’m able to follow Leah’s narrative? Sign me up. 

The past few months or so have brought a heavy reading slump (thanks to the excitement and heartbreaking qualities from Harry Potter), and I was still able to finish Leah within two days.

Leah on the Offbeat centers on Leah Burke, other half of Simon Spier (you know, before the whole “Blue” thing), as she navigates through the usual frustrations of senior year: college, prom, crushes. The lot. We’re able to learn about Leah’s relationship with her mom and with herself as the grasp on her self-identity shakes. Even when she’s so close to someone who had recently come out as gay, Leah is hesitant to tell anyone about her bisexuality. Until the moment it becomes too difficult to continue hiding it.

Considering I was in a reading slump when approaching this book, I obviously enjoyed it because of my finishing it in two days. The characters were real and their emotions were raw; despite being entirely fictional, I could feel them breathing on the page. And much like Simon, Becky is able to write the voice of a struggling teenager so incredibly well. She nails the hesitation one feels in high school and the self-conscious nature of most teenage girls. The story was relatable, and I loved that. However, aside from the character’s lovable qualities and intriguing nature, I wish there was more character development. (Here’s where it can get a little spoilery, you’ve been warned).

Abby Suso, the love of literally everyone at Creekwood, also struggles with her own self-identity. I’m beyond thrilled she was able to figure herself out, but I would have loved to see more of that journey and how she got to where she was in the ending. Even though we can’t get inside Abby’s head like we can we Leah, I would have loved to see more of Abby’s transformation. Then again, this could be another whole book in the Creekwood world. Becky, I’m looking at you. 

Leah on the Offbeat tackles incredible self-identity issues that a number of people have to go through today, and I love that that is getting representation in popular media. It was a easy and fun read, and it kept me captivated until the very end. I only wish I could learn more about the characters that captured my heart.

3.5/5

[kodzusken]

i’M nOt BeCkY hOme-EcKy