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A review by xxivo
Something More by Jackie Khalilieh
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
5.0
I tabbed so many passages in this book because there were so many parts of this book I just wanted to remember forever.
The book starts off with Jessie just recently having gotten her Autism diagnosis. And god how I loved how she acted towards the psychologist. I was reading while with some friends and said a loud "fuck yeah!" when she went back at psychologist when the woman just suggested to mask without explaining any of the issues masking can bring. It felt so healthy to see that called out. Yes masking can save lives, but newly discovered Autistics definitely need to be made aware of the problems with it too. Throughout the book there were many other moments where talk around Autism came up and it... it healed me to see a book handle it like that. I felt extremely seen and accepted with this book. It was a warm hug to see someone have the same issues in high school as I did. Not that Jessie per se handled it better than I did, her life is really messy. But to read an experience so close to my own was extremely welcome.
I know as well some people didn't like as much how obsessed Jessie is with Levi. But that is exactly one of the Autism things I loved so much about this book. As an Autistic person I go just as much all in with my own crushes. I almost felt ready to say "I love you" to my current partner on our first date. It's kind of all or nothing for us and this book showed that perfectly.Then as well the way she just couldn't let go, because at that point everything in her brain revolved around Levi is such an Autism experience just the same.
The drama between the friends was also very well done. It felt like a minefield to navigate in my own teenage years and this book captures that perfectly. There is indeed good drama but just as much there are lovely moments where Jessie has some real connection with her friends and that definitely made me all sappy.
I also really enjoyed reading more of the Palestinian experience through this book. The descriptions of all the Palestinian food makes me wanna google some recipes and try some myself because damn did it sound delicious. I loved the conversations Jessie had with her parents on the issue a lot too.
To conclude this book is an absolute gem and I'll be recommending it to many of my friends when they ask for learning more about Autistic loving.
The book starts off with Jessie just recently having gotten her Autism diagnosis. And god how I loved how she acted towards the psychologist. I was reading while with some friends and said a loud "fuck yeah!" when she went back at psychologist when the woman just suggested to mask without explaining any of the issues masking can bring. It felt so healthy to see that called out. Yes masking can save lives, but newly discovered Autistics definitely need to be made aware of the problems with it too. Throughout the book there were many other moments where talk around Autism came up and it... it healed me to see a book handle it like that. I felt extremely seen and accepted with this book. It was a warm hug to see someone have the same issues in high school as I did. Not that Jessie per se handled it better than I did, her life is really messy. But to read an experience so close to my own was extremely welcome.
I know as well some people didn't like as much how obsessed Jessie is with Levi. But that is exactly one of the Autism things I loved so much about this book. As an Autistic person I go just as much all in with my own crushes. I almost felt ready to say "I love you" to my current partner on our first date. It's kind of all or nothing for us and this book showed that perfectly.
The drama between the friends was also very well done. It felt like a minefield to navigate in my own teenage years and this book captures that perfectly. There is indeed good drama but just as much there are lovely moments where Jessie has some real connection with her friends and that definitely made me all sappy.
I also really enjoyed reading more of the Palestinian experience through this book. The descriptions of all the Palestinian food makes me wanna google some recipes and try some myself because damn did it sound delicious. I loved the conversations Jessie had with her parents on the issue a lot too.
To conclude this book is an absolute gem and I'll be recommending it to many of my friends when they ask for learning more about Autistic loving.