Am I Normal Yet? (The Normal Series)

by Holly Bourne

Paperback, 2015

Status

Checked out

Due 29-05-2021

Call number

823.92

Publication

Usborne Publishing Ltd

Description

Evie, Amber and Lottie: three girls facing down tough issues with the combined powers of friendship, feminism and cheesy snacks. Both hilarious and heart-rending, this is Evie's no-holds-barred story of struggling to live a normal teen life in the grip of OCD, from the acclaimed author of The Manifesto on How to be Interesting.

User reviews

LibraryThing member HeatherLINC

"Am I Normal Yet?" was a very relatable, down-to-earth look at mental illness. I loved Evie's voice, she was so real and sympathetic as she struggled with her OCD and general anxiety whilst trying to be 'normal'. The author, Holly Bourne, handled OCD with compassion and sensitivity, allowing the

reader a realistic insight into a world that is often hidden and stigmatised.

Despite the book's serious issues there were a number of light, funny moments and dialogues throughout the story which had me smiling. Evie's recovery diary entries and her good, bad and worse thoughts were a fabulous inclusion. I also loved the emphasis the author put on the importance of strong, healthy, supportive friendships, and Evie's friends were the best. Their interactions were funny and authentic. It was fabulous how they decided to reclaim the word spinster and make it cool again by creating The Spinster Club.

Rosie, Evie's ten-year-old sister, was also a great character and such a wonderful younger sibling. I hope she gets her own novel one day. I know the author intends to write Lottie and Amber's stories but, I think, Rosie deserves one, too.

Thankfully, there wasn't a cliched happily-ever-after ending, and the message that there is no such thing as 'normal' came through loud and clear.

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