Symptoms of Being Human || Review

Symptoms of Being Human by Jeff Garvin

(cover pic + summary from goodreads)

Riley Cavanaugh is many things: Punk rock. Snarky. Rebellious. And gender fluid. Some days Riley identifies as a boy, and others as a girl. The thing is…Riley isn’t exactly out yet. And between starting a new school and having a congressman father running for reelection in uber-conservative Orange County, the pressure—media and otherwise—is building up in Riley’s so-called “normal” life. On the advice of a therapist, Riley starts an anonymous blog to vent those pent-up feelings and tell the truth of what it’s REALLY like to be a gender fluid teenager. But just as Riley’s starting to settle in at school—even developing feelings for a mysterious outcast—the blog goes viral, and an unnamed commenter discovers Riley’s real identity, threatening exposure. Riley must make a choice: walk away from what the blog has created—a lifeline, new friends, a cause to believe in—or stand up, come out, and risk everything.

(all views in this review are my own)

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It's not that simple. The world isn't binary. Everything isn't black or white, yes or no. Sometimes it's not a switch, it's a dial. And it's not even a dial you can get your hands on; it turns without your permission, or approval.

I've just been sitting here staring at this book and whispering,"oh my god I love it," over and over again, tbh. 

Symptoms of Being Human is about Riley, a gender fluid teen, who isn't really out yet, and who starts up an anonymous blog after the advice of their therapist. I can't stress enough just how important and fantastic this book was-- not to mention it being extremely informative + eye-opening as well. There was so much detail + info on being gender fluid, as well as the struggles and hardships that come with trying to find acceptance and coming out. 

Something was just so magnetic to me about Riley's voice, and within the first chapter, I already knew that this was going to be a book that I loved and treasured. I adored how Jeff didn't ever disclose what Riley's birth-assigned gender was, + his little note at the end about how he viewed Riley as simply a person. I felt for Riley all throughout the book, and thought that their narration was extremely well-done. There were moments where Riley wasn't perfect, and even made assumptions about other people and their identities-- showing that we all try to fit people into categories and judge, but that it's our feelings after realizing otherwise, + trying to break that mind-set of judging, that truly make a difference in the scheme of things. 

As for Riley's friends-- SOLO WAS A PRECIOUS BEAN OH MY LORD. He was such a teddy bear kind of guy, and was (surprisingly) a really geeky Star Wars/Doctor Who loving guy. The scene where he brought Riley his chewbacca backpack was just so utterly precious and warmed my heart. His friendship, itself, with Riley was really sweet, + he and Bec also bounced off of each other magnificently. 

"I couldn't find Bullet Head," Solo says. 

"You've been there," Bec says. "And it's Bullet Hole." 

Solo throws up his hands. "Well, that's why. I was looking for a sign with a head on it." 

"The sign does have a head on it, you nincompoop. A head with a bullet hole in it." 

Solo frowns. "Did you just use the word 'nincompoop'?" 

"I'm reviving the Dickensian insult movement." 

"There is no Dickensian insult movement." 

"Then I'm starting one."

SPEAKING OF BEC-- I LOVE THAT GIRL, OKAY. 

"People are not canned goods, Riley. We don't need labels."

For whatever odd reason, she reminded me so much of Chloe from Life Is Strange. (???) I adored her and thought she was such a terrific character. The story about her sister made me so emotional. Bec has worked so hard to try and keep the family together; taking care of her sick and frazzled mom, and her rude brother. I'm glad she singled out Riley and took them under her wing, + was their friend/girlfriend. Their banter with one another was one of my favorite aspects of the book. 

"Do we have to go?" I say. Bec glances out the window, then back at me. "If we leave now, we could be in Mexico before the game ends. No one would know we were gone." "We could take on fake names." "We could wear sombreros." "And six-guns."

I've seen a lot of reviewers say that there wasn't really a plot/arc, but I guess I'm going to be the odd one out, and disagree with that. The book was about Riley accepting that they are the way they are, and that there's nothing wrong with that. It was coming to terms with people's reactions, and coming out to their parents. The plot was acceptance, and though it sounds basic (and probably was to some), I found it be really moving, and an important message for others out there going through similar things to Riley. I'm sure in years to come there will be authors who happen to write stories like this and write it with even more of an emotional and enhanced plot-- but I thought Symptoms of Being Human was pretty damn good and important. I sincerely hope this starts the flow of more books about gender fluid, + other, teens. 

Bottom-line: I thought this was terrific, and I think Jeff Garvin did a wonderful job, considering this is his debut book. The story is an important one, and I think there's a very good chance that it will help people like Riley. Bec & Solo have become two of my new favorite characters, and I'll cherish this book for a long while. 

"People are complicated. And messy. Seems too convenient that we'd all fit inside some multiple-choice question."

*5 out of 5 stars*



Have you read Symptoms of Being Human? If so, what did you think? Have you read any books that discuss important/relevant things that you'd recommend? 

Have a lovely morning/day/evening/night. Don't forget to smile. You're magnificent. ^-^