My Invented Life Book

This book was not what I expected at all. I thought it had to deal with a girl realizing she was a lesbian, and I thought it would take the format of the classic coming-out story. But that's not really what it was, like at all. It was much quirkier and more original and it totally won me over!

The main character/narrator Roz is a total drama chick, in both senses of the word: she's a self-described drama geek AND due to some impulse control and lack of tact and a love of gossip she creates a lot of drama wherever she goes. At times the book almost seemed narrated by a bunch of rambunctious puppies, as Roz has a way of having her thoughts flit from one thing to another very abruptly. At first I was annoyed at Roz's narration: I am a very linear person and her impulsive antics seemed really annoying; she is just one of those people who is constantly "on" ALL THE TIME which I can find exhausting in real life. And I dislike people who cause drama all the time. But after a while, Roz grew on me as her big heart came out and she gained some self-awareness. By the end of the book, I wanted to be her friend!

The big theme of the book is not really about a girl coming out as a lesbian, but rather an exploration of the Kinsey sexuality spectrum: everything from homosexual to heterosexual to in-between and even a character who admits that they feel asexual. And even though this theme is dominant, if rarely feels like the author is writing to Give a Lesson About Sexuality. The different facets of sexuality are illustrated by various characters in pretty natural ways.

And there were lots of Shakespeare jokes / insults...so bonus!