Reviews

The Best at it by Maulik Pancholy

carolined314's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

A sweet coming out story with a loving family, a touch of OCD, and lots of Indian-in-Indiana context.

megpancoast's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

averypleasantpineapple's review against another edition

2.0

This felt to me very much like it was trying to be A Book About Important Issues. Rather than, you know, an engaging book that tackles some important stuff on the way. I also didn’t enjoy the rather simplistic writing. It’s been a while since I read children’s literature and I have no idea what kids read these days but I suspect the writing could have been more engaging while still keeping it level appropriate. 

Read for Storygraph’s genre challenge and indeed it was something I never would have read normally. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Mental illness, Homophobia, Racism, and Bullying

sagittariusreads_'s review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

anitralee's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

hannalliem's review against another edition

inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

dreaming_book_witch's review against another edition

5.0

This book literally gripped me so tightly in the chest it hurt. The story was fantastic and it was so real. Coming out is one of the hardest things I can think of doing and I related to Rahul’s struggles on a personal level. And I also saw one of my best friends in him too. I’ve always had a bit of trouble understanding her OCD as she and I have different ticks, but this book helped me understand her a little better. I highly recommend this book to everyone! It was a fantastic read I devoured in one day.

thebookishunicorn's review against another edition

4.0

“Rahul. Whether you place first or fifth or thirty-fifth or two thousand and fifth . . .” He pauses, and he looks me right in the eye. “And no matter who you are. Your mom and I will always love you.”

CW: racism, bullying, homophobia

andihoelzel's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring medium-paced

4.5

rorystoryhour's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0