Title: The Art of Being Normal
Author: Lisa Williamson
Genre: Contemporary
Warnings: Bullying, mentions of mental health
Rating: 4 stars
Goodreads Review | Book Depository
Read as part of the Diverse Reads Book Challenge and the LGBTQIA Reading Challenge. An ebook copy of this book was provided to me via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Whilst David is being tormented by school bullies, Leo comes to his defence. Over detentions and tutoring sessions, the two become friends and find that they have more in common than anyone would think.
I have never read a story with transgender characters before, both because I had never sought them out and because I doubt there are many of them to find. I'm hardly an expert on what good representation is, but I feel like Williamson dealt with the topic very sensitively to create an endearing story about how there isn't really such thing as being 'normal'.
The two protagonists have such distinct voices that make them easy to root for and sympathise with. Although many of us haven't experienced what Leo and David have been through, we all know the struggle of high school and the teenage years. The story is told from the point of view of both characters, so it's easy to connect with them and see their story from both perspectives. Family and class are key themes and the characters are from different backgrounds which made the story much more layered.
The Art of Being Normal was an easy read that was sweet and heartwarming and showed that people are so much more than what they identify as.
Whilst David is being tormented by school bullies, Leo comes to his defence. Over detentions and tutoring sessions, the two become friends and find that they have more in common than anyone would think.
I have never read a story with transgender characters before, both because I had never sought them out and because I doubt there are many of them to find. I'm hardly an expert on what good representation is, but I feel like Williamson dealt with the topic very sensitively to create an endearing story about how there isn't really such thing as being 'normal'.
The two protagonists have such distinct voices that make them easy to root for and sympathise with. Although many of us haven't experienced what Leo and David have been through, we all know the struggle of high school and the teenage years. The story is told from the point of view of both characters, so it's easy to connect with them and see their story from both perspectives. Family and class are key themes and the characters are from different backgrounds which made the story much more layered.
The Art of Being Normal was an easy read that was sweet and heartwarming and showed that people are so much more than what they identify as.
I saw this on the LGBT+ challenge link up! I do really want to read this one. I hope I can get to it soon - I have a copy from Netgalley. I'm glad you thought the author did a good job representing the characters, even if you haven't read a book with transgender characters before. I recommend Luna by Julie Anne Peters. I think it was the first or ONE of the first YA books I've read that had transgender character. It's really good!
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I haven't heard of Luna but I'll definitely look into it! The Art of Being Normal is a really sweet book and it's really worth the read! Thank you for stopping by :D
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