Hi Bookstackers! I’ve got two short reviews for you today!
I feel like obsession is a hot topic right now. Maybe it’s because I keep getting fed ads for that new horror movie (will not be watching nope TOO SCARY FOR ME!) but I digress. I’ve got two book recommendations for you! Check it out and let me know if you plan to pick up either!
The Obsessed by Lizzie Buehler
First let me say, wow. What a funky, quirky, delightful book. I flew through this and desperately need to debrief with someone! Thank you so much to Putnam for the gifted copy! Low key one of my favorite book covers of the year too.
The Obsessed follows female protagonist Astrid who is at a major crossroads in life. She is embarking on her PhD in comparative literature at Harvard while beginning a long distance relationship with her boyfriend Charlie, who begins his studies in Japan. Grappling with changes in city, friendships, and distance from her boyfriend, Astrid appears to be hyper fixated on two women - both named Sofiya. Sofiya #1 - Charlie’s seemingly effortlessly cool ex girlfriend - shares many similar pathways and physical features to Astrid. Sofiya #2 - Sofiya Sova - is a famous Russian novelist who Astrid finds parallels to her own life and the protagonists in Sofiya’s novels. Then Charlie dumps Astrid, and Astrid meets Elijah on Hinge. Elijah and Astrid immediately bond over their shared admiration for Sofiya Sova. I’ll refrain from more of the plot to keep this review spoiler free, but the rest of the novel explores Astrid’s navigation of relationships, self identity and direction, and her obsessions.
I adored this book. It was such an authentic examination of “figuring life out”, while remaining interesting and humorous. What I loved about this book is the deviation from a standard coming of age story, and a typical female protagonist navigating life in her 20s. Astrid’s quirks are not rooted in characteristic trauma that has seemingly dominated the literary fiction space in recent years (and a trope exhausted by the romance genre, sigh). Her quirks are more likely related to some form of neurodivergence or possibly ADHD/OCD (I won’t pretend I’m an expert on this!!) and almost in a refreshing way because….AH! finally someone who is relatable.
Astrid’s obsessions with the two Sofiyas and Elijah isn’t whacky - it’s familiar. As much as most of us would hate to admit it, we’ve all had obsessive moments over certain people, events, or things and have gone on wild deep dives to obtain answers, seek information, or validate some internal feelings. It is potentially more true to say too that the limbo of a relationship drives us a little extra to these certain actions as well. I mean what is more infuriating than waiting over a day for someone you’re pining over to respond to a text!? What separates Astrid’s lives from our own is that her obsessions are vocal and known to her friends and loved ones (and to us from reading!).
Astrid also finds herself projecting her own idealizations onto people around her while also extrapolating idealized characters and situations from her favorite Sofiya Sova novel, in an attempt to disassociate or avoid forging her own life path. At her crossroads of a failed relationship and a grueling PhD program, while also in the midst of arguably the most turbulent of decades, Astrid is lost. But quite frankly, who isn’t to some degree in their 20s?
There’s so much in this novel that I feel I need more time to unpack, sit, and reflect on. The best books are the ones that inspire us to look inward. Although some of Astrid’s antics can feel farfetched at times, it also simultaneously hit close to home. The Obsessed is kind of about taking your life into your own hands, and letting go of expectations - your own, and others. This book probably won’t be for everyone; it’s not a linear/typical plot and the subject matter is quirky, but it’ll land for the right people. It gave me sort-of a mix of Emily Austin, Marie Semple, and Madeline Cash vibes. If this one interests you, let me know!
This book publishes tomorrow, July 28.
Nerve Damage by Annakeara Stinson ()
Clarice is a girl living in New York and balancing a traumatic past, friendships, relationships, and a job. She was in a turbulent relationship with a guy named P.T. for about a year, that is until P.T. decided to cheat on her. When Clarice immediately dumps P.T., he spirals into an obsessive, deranged ex-boyfriend who will not leave Clarice alone. Incessant calls, texts, emails despite Clarice’s firm directions that she wants to cut all communication, the situation becomes more than she can bear. Years later while living in LA, Clarice thinks she spots P.T. at a bar. In an effort to confirm her suspicions, Clarice assumes a similar “stalker” role. Anddddd I’m stopping there!
Starting Nerve Damage, I thought it might be a mix of wit and spice as Clarice “stalks” her stalker ex-boyfriend in an act of juicy vengeance. I was surprised to find it wasn’t quite that. Nerve Damage is much more an exploration of domestic abuse and trauma and the limitations of protections by the legal system, rather than an action paced thriller. Although (hopefully!) most readers have never been in Clarice’s shoes and cannot fully relate to her situation, it’s quite easy to sympathize and empathize with Clarice’s obsessive native in the wake of her trauma. Her own spirals into paranoia and obsession are not far fetched.
I believe the intention of this book was the educate more than entertain (although it’s still very entertaining!), and I appreciated the author’s intent to do so. A surprising element of this book for me was the courtroom/legal chapters. It’s no surprise that women are exhausted-out of bringing justice to their perpetrators. I commend the author for giving a voice for these women. Although darker topics are explored, Nerve Damage was never graphic or difficult to stomach for me.
A short novel at around 200 pages, Nerve Damage packs a punch. It’s can challenging to balance tension, pacing, and character development in a book but Stinson nailed all three. While there are plenty of witty, humorous elements to the book, I found myself feeling more morose than giddy at the antics of Clarice and P.T.’s characters. The character development was deeper than I expected for a short novel, and really embellished the story. The pacing was excellent with dual timeline chapters; I would have finished in one sitting if I wasn’t so dang busy all week!
I’m a little annoyed at some of the other low GoodRead reviews - they primarily center on missed expectations. Nerve Damage supposedly took a different direction than readers anticipated based on the blurb (think people were hoping for more action). While I would have had a blast with an action packed juicy thriller, I loved the direction the author took, and I find those reviews misleading. If you’re looking for a short, insightful read, give Nerve Damage a go!
Nerve Damage published in May.
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