We Are Totally Normal is a story about the messiness of fluid identity, navigating high school social dynamics and hierarchies, and how labels can be overwhelming and shape our experiences – and not always in an affirming way. If you plan to read We Are Totally Normal, or recently decided not to read it, you should understand this: We Are Totally Normal is not a cute YA romance. In the Author’s Note of We Are Totally Normal, Rahul Kanakia, who is a trans queer woman, talks about how the book is one that’s deeply personal, one so “deeply rooted in own shame and confusion and embarrassment over own sexuality”. This does not influence my opinions of the book review in any way. But is breaking up with the only person who’s ever really gotten him worth feeling “normal” again? CW’s review: And the more his anxiety grows about what his sexuality means for himself, his friends, and his social life, the more he wonders whether he can just take it all back. Still, Dave’s cool, and Nandan’s willing to give it a shot, even if that means everyone starts to see him differently.īut while Dave takes to their new relationship with ease, Nandan’s completely out of his depth. Then, one night after a party, Dave and Nandan hook up, which was not part of the plan-especially because Nandan has never been into guys. The high school social scene might be complicated, but Nandan is sure he’s cracked the code. He’s going to make sure all the parties are chill, he’s going to smooth things over with his ex, and he’s going to help his friend Dave get into the popular crowd-whether Dave wants to or not. Nandan’s got a plan to make his junior year perfect.

Just Happy to Be Here by Naomi Kanakia