Working out of a Public Library ensures that I never run out of things to read. I've never in my life had a TBR (To Be Read...) pile of books. However, since I've started my new job I find that there's a never ending, alarming tower of books waiting for my attention.
I've discovered (actually, re-discovered would be the appropriate term) that Young Adult fiction is truly some of the best stuff out there. Now, I'm not talking about the recent Stephanie Meyer craze, although I'm not discounting the appeal of a ruthlessly handsome vampire who's going to stay that way for all time, he is of course also rich, well-dressed and old-fashioned in his ways... fabulous enough to make me feel slightly like a cougar waiting to pounce on the unsuspecting young heartthrob... wait a minute I better haul myself back on track. ;) Where was I? Oh yes, Young Adult novels. If they are well written these books can delve deep into the human psyche and instigate a series of questions about who we are and what is the purpose of it all.
Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac is a very well-written novel about a young girl who at the very beginning of the novel has an unfortunate accident which causes her to lose the last four years of her life. The remainder of the narrative forces Naomi to question everything about her life. The person she was before isn't someone she can identify with now. James, the brooding (somewhat crazy) new guy envies Naomi her forgotten past and is perhaps the perfect companion for Naomi because she isn't required to remember anything about him. Her relationship with Will Landsman, or 'Coach' as she used to call him, is probably the best part of the novel. He's quirky, campy and unwavering in his loyalty to his best-friend 'Chief' (Naomi).
Gabrielle Zevin delivers a quick and entertaining read in Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac. All in all I would recommend this book with four out of five stars.
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