Reviews

Just Happy to Be Here by Naomi Kanakia

sjsreads's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative tense fast-paced

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

2.5

dliterate's review against another edition

4.0

Just Happy to Be Here follows 15 year old Tara as she faces the challenges of existing as a transgender girl in a world that's largely hostile to her existence, in both subtle and overt ways. When she tries to join an exclusive club at her new all-girls school, she sparks a chain of events that will force her to face serious questions about who she is, who she wants to be, and who she wants (and needs) in her life if she's going to live the life she wants.

There's an authenticity to the character of Tara/Alecto that is simultaneously this book's greatest strength and weakness. I found her to be very frustrating at times, and it's been a while since I've felt such a strong desire to take a character aside and Have A Talk With(/At) Them. And that feels entirely appropriate. After all, I'm a 40 year old cisgender guy. I wouldn't expect to relate to all of the thoughts and feelings of a 15 year old transgender girl.

Kanakia addresses a number of issues with a sort of world-weary bluntness that is often confronting. She doesn't shy away from lampooning liberal politics whilst also making clear the dangers of right-wing politics for transgender people. In fact, liberal politics sit at the heart of several conflicts in the story, playing a key part on both sides of them. If you're going into this thinking that you're safe from being challenged, you're probably wrong.

There are a lot of references to mythology, the philosophy of debate, and historical quotes that made my eyes glaze over, and I didn't care about the concept of the Sybils (the exclusive club). I also found myself wondering if the dialogue was stilted at times, or if my memory of being a teenager has just been skewed by time and distance. It's likely both.

There's a lot more I could say, but to summarise my thoughts: it's not always an enjoyable read, but I do think it's a worthwhile read.

finnthehuman217's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

5.0

This was a good book about someone who is just trying to be a girl and everyone is telling her she isn’t because she’s only what others see outwardly. I know this feeling firsthand and I feel for girls like Tara. Kids like her are struggling to be themselves because of the way problematic adults with bigoted views push their own agendas on these kids. It’s so cruel. Fuck that teacher, Angel, and every other person who said that Tara shouldn’t be allowed to be a Sybil. She deserved it way more than anyone else. She is an icon! And one of the things that makes her important is that she’s asked “what are your ambitions?” Constantly and she keeps saying “i just want to be a girl, that’s it!” 

batbaby's review

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

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

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Transphobia

notartgarfunkel's review against another edition

emotional funny medium-paced

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

4.0

city_girl_writer's review against another edition

medium-paced

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

1.0

I...I don't know what to say. I am still in shock in how much I hated this book. Edit: I cannot be bothered to write a full review, so below is a link to the book club liveshow, which I read this book for. Without the liveshow, I would have dnf'd very quickly.

Link to Enby Book Club liveshow: https://www.youtube.com/live/5k5aXn49SGQ?si=1BzLNVkqURcnalKH 

sarahsbookstacks's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

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

4.5

dreamgirlhunt's review against another edition

4.0

Yesterday I listened to Just Happy To Be Here by Naomi Kanakia on audiobook, narrated by Bilal Baig. This is a YA book about Tara, the first trans girl in an elite all girls school. The 15 year old daughter of Indian immigrants parents, Tara just wants to be treated like all the other girls. She decides to compete to be apart of a Greek, Latin, and tradition loving society within the old school which leads to complications. Not only does she face micro and macro aggressions of transmisogyny and racism toward her daily at school perpetrated by her classmates and teachers, but she also has the conservative and hateful government of her state threatening her and her family’s safety with anti-trans legislation. She worries about being taken away from her family and her mother being deported. She wants to start hormone blockers to begin her physical transition but her parents think it’s dangerous and that she should wait until she’s an adult. She says “I just want my real life to start.” Throughout the struggles, Tara does develop friendships and even a crush, but it hurts to see how no one is fully in her corner, advocating for her wants and needs. I really loved the main character Tara and reading her grow into herself and become more confident, brave, and her most authentic self. This book is a good example of why I love reading Young Adult literature, there’s something that connects us all as we endlessly are searching for our true selves and our place in the world. 

grahk1107's review

emotional informative inspiring fast-paced

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

5.0

I read this in one sitting. Completely compelling and complex yet accessible. 

borrowedbyaudrey's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.0