Being a seventeen year old myself, I know how draining it can seem being a teenager. We think far too much, worry when we should be having the craziest time and constantly find ourselves presenting a facade to the outside world so that we look completely cool and collected on the outside when in reality we’re just a super–hot mess. I’ve read books that open your eyes to this but not one makes you realise it as much as this.
‘Apparently I’m boring. A nobody. But that’s all about to change. Because I am starting a project. Here. Now. For myself. And if you want to come along for the ride then you’re very welcome.’
This is how Bree thinks of herself. It’s how she describes herself, but don’t feel sorry for her – this girl’s got guts! Words cannot describe what an amazing character she is; from the beginning Bree realises, or perhaps has always known, that she isn’t ever going to be truly a ‘popular’. An aspiring writer, Bree desperately wants to be published and couldn’t care less about the fact that she’s completely invisible to everyone apart from wonderful Holdo (her best friend) and Mr Fellows (the English teacher who has her heart).
However, Bree’s life isn’t going to plan, so when Mr Fellows tells her she needs to be more interesting Bree takes it too seriously. Starting a blog called, (can you guess?) The Manifesto On How To Be Interesting. She makes some drastic changes to herself (MAKEOVER) to infiltrate the enemy and the school for something worth writing, but without realising it Bree loses herself along the way. Maybe she doesn’t notice though, because she hasn’t even begun to find herself yet.
Calling all teenagers. READ. THIS. BOOK. You will be able to relate completely to Bree whether you’re a boy or a girl, because if you’re a teenager you’ll know. Holly Bourne herself is quite young and I think the way she wrote this book shows how much she really understands being a teenager. You know, I think this book is about appreciating ourselves and how, rather than stressing over how to be interesting, we should just focus on being happy. Whether you have one friend or 50, as long as you’re true to yourself and you’re happy...WHO CARES?! So next time you start worrying just let go and remember that you need to live life for yourself, not for anyone else.
I have to say I wish Holdo (Bree’s best friend) was in this book more, as he’s the cutest best friend – I think everyone secretly wants a friend like Holdo! And as for Mr Fellows – well, if you’re like me you’ll get drawn in and feel the same as Bree all the way through. So, if you liked this, please read this book. Heck, if we as teenagers had a YA literary canon this book should be in it for sure.
- Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop
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