#aussieyafiction

[ya-book-blog]

What I Like About Me by Jenna Guillaume

This book had me gripped from the start. It was witty and funny and resonated with the voice of a 16-year-old in today’s society. What I Like About Me explored many themes, ranging from self-confidence, family dynamics, and societal norms to friendship, acceptance and courage. I found this novel to carry significant power, advocating and delving into many messages that deserve to be talked about. Right from the beginning, I have found a connection with Maisie, the narrator, on an emotional level. She was going through the stuff I’ve gone though, and seeing her positive outlook on the issues that many teenagers face has given me strength to do the same.

I loved the unique format that the novel was set in. The idea of a ‘discovery journal’ has shown how Maisie has grown over the summer, how her perspectives have changed, and her priorities as well. The light notes of a summer romance have given me a breath of fresh air. Sure, I love romance, but it’s nice to have have something else in the mix. I’ve found What I Like About Me to be a fun mix of key messages, romance, and a cosy setting I’d love to visit.

One thing I’ve taken out of this novel is that it’s okay not to be perfect. It’s okay not to have your career or uni goals sorted. It’s okay to have turbulent friendships. It’s okay to not fit the moulds and stereotypes of society. It’s okay to be different, weird, crazy, as long as you are happy and okay with that.

This was a wonderful read. I would recommend it to anybody, whether they’re twelve or twenty. The themes explored in What I Like About Me are relevant and need to be talked about, to ensure the world is a prejudice-free, safe, happy place for every person.