##books discussion

April is here, so let's talk about this month's book: The Art of Being Normal. Read, think, discuss!

I enjoyed this book a lot more then I thought I would. Although there are a lot of people treating each other poorly, there are also many characters with hearts of gold. Its uplifting to read about such people.

My favorite character was David, followed by Leo's younger sister.

I really enjoyed the British slang, a lot of the terms I liked a lot- specifically to 'clock' something.

My favorite part of the book was when David and Leo go to see Leo's father and David is dressed up as a girl and they both have a great time with each other. Specifically, David's glee when people treat him like a girl was heart warming.

The only complaint I had was this book was really hard to acquire- I had to get it imported, as it does not appear to be available in the United states yet.

Last, somewhat superfluous observation is the cover of the book- for whatever reason I was contemplating it and I realized it has a double meaning depending on your perspective and attitude towards transgender in general. It can either be interpreted as David, a mental woman inside of a mans physical body. Or it can be interpreted as Leo, a physical woman who appears to be a man. I interpret it as David, as I think what someone mentally identifies with is more important then physical appearances, but I found it interesting that one could see it the other way as well. At least in my culture there is a bias towards seeing that which is on 'the inside' as more pure and meaningful, and I see mental life as more inside then physical life.

I thought a lot about what could've been Leo's secret. And I thought about a lot of different options to that - but I didn't think the secret would be what it was, even though that seems quite obvious to the story after you find out.

Having been in a relationship for six years with a person who has the same troubles that David doed (and yes, he is now a she) this story kind of got a bit too personal for me. It's an easy read, and the story is not out to haunt you - but it felt as if my ex was, somehow. Like this is the type of book he would've wanted me to read back then, to understand everything. So I couldn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to.

I also liked the part where they went to look for Leo's dad. But I also liked how things didn't turn out to be the way Leo dreamed that they would be - and that his mother got to be the hero, and the father remain the villain. Cause I don't think any of us thought she was a good mother throughout the bigger part of the book - but she got her redemption. :)