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A review by trutru
Not My Problem by Ciara Smyth
5.0
10/5 Words cannot express how much I loved this book. I think this is one of those 'coming of age' books that really are for everyone. Something special akin to The Perks of Being a Wallflower. I usually give books 4 or 5 stars but this one REALLY deserves it. My second favorite book I've read this year (after The Color Purple) and quite possibly my favorite YA ever. I am suddenly filled with the urge to make a booktok account just to push this book on everyone and make it the next Red, White, and Royal Blue or Heartstopper (jk that won't happen and we all know why).
Now onto why I loved it.
1) It was SO funny. Genuinely my favorite type of humor. I laughed out loud many times. Not to make this comparison that I'm sure has been made but perfect for fans of Derry Girls.
2) The characters were well written. I instantly fell in love with the main character, and before long I was in love the side characters as well. Meabh starts out as a little annoying, but I fell in love with her just as Aideen did over time. Kavi was so likable, relatable, and laugh-out-loud funny. But my favorite was Ms. Delvin. Her reaction to Aideen's jokes are some of my favorite moments of the book.
3) It was angsty as fuck. I do love angst, and this book delivered. To put it more eloquently, this book caused me emotional catharsis. And that wouldn't be possible without the angst. This book painted such a real picture of a girl who needs help but can't reach out. I felt so bad for her but I also really understood the obstacles in her way. I really related to, and understood her complicated relationship with Holly. But I appreciated that Holly wasn't fully cast as a villain--but as also a complicated character. Of course for anyone who's been in a relationship like that, they know the feelings all too well, and it can be hard to empathize. Yet the catharsis of Aideen finally making real friends and growing relationships in the school almost made me cry.
4) It was entertaining as fuck. Nothing better than a heist and this book has multiple. Something that is often missing from adult literature is kids getting up to hijinks. This reminded me how much fun that can be (ok stop I hear how pretentious I'm being).
Anyway what a great book and if I were in charge of TV this would be getting a tv adaption ASAP.
Now onto why I loved it.
1) It was SO funny. Genuinely my favorite type of humor. I laughed out loud many times. Not to make this comparison that I'm sure has been made but perfect for fans of Derry Girls.
2) The characters were well written. I instantly fell in love with the main character, and before long I was in love the side characters as well. Meabh starts out as a little annoying, but I fell in love with her just as Aideen did over time. Kavi was so likable, relatable, and laugh-out-loud funny. But my favorite was Ms. Delvin. Her reaction to Aideen's jokes are some of my favorite moments of the book.
3) It was angsty as fuck. I do love angst, and this book delivered. To put it more eloquently, this book caused me emotional catharsis. And that wouldn't be possible without the angst. This book painted such a real picture of a girl who needs help but can't reach out. I felt so bad for her but I also really understood the obstacles in her way. I really related to, and understood her complicated relationship with Holly. But I appreciated that Holly wasn't fully cast as a villain--but as also a complicated character. Of course for anyone who's been in a relationship like that, they know the feelings all too well, and it can be hard to empathize. Yet the catharsis of Aideen finally making real friends and growing relationships in the school almost made me cry.
4) It was entertaining as fuck. Nothing better than a heist and this book has multiple. Something that is often missing from adult literature is kids getting up to hijinks. This reminded me how much fun that can be (ok stop I hear how pretentious I'm being).
Anyway what a great book and if I were in charge of TV this would be getting a tv adaption ASAP.