The Bookish Life of Nina Hill

I started this at some point last year. I was in a hotel room. I can't narrow it down further. I then forgot about it. But the portion I'd read was pleasant.

I stumbled across it again during a sorting out of books. I had to start it again.

Anyhow, I related to Nina's social anxiety. I, and a lot of other people, need this to be better understood. I related to those moments the most.

I appreciated the unabashed celebration of geekiness, books, and trivia. These people are my people!

For me, there were too many characters and plot lines for the author to give them the time and justice needed. She wanted Nina to be thrust into a family with tons of members, but because there was no time to deal with all these people, they were just there, taking up a bit of space. Described, even placed on a family tree, with the family tree discussed, but that was all.

One of the plots had this really predictable solution, that the characters even acknowledged as the predictable trajectory. And then that was exactly what happened. So, that felt anti-climatic.

I did not like the romantic relationship. I related so strongly to Nina's anxiety that the “hero” consistently doing things that would have made my anxiety worse, not seeking to understand her struggle, taking really personally her need for alone time, when there is nothing personal about that, made me unable to be optimistic for them as a couple.

The book seemed to portray Nina as being in the wrong for her struggles, expecting her to prove her love by risking public humiliation at the hands of the man who was ghosting her, as a penance. I mean, a guy who ghosts someone with anxiety is not exactly the pick of the litter.

To be clear, this is a pretty lighthearted read, perhaps too lighthearted when combined with all the under-explored plots, and so maybe I shouldn't take the romance seriously. However, I can't help but think people who struggle with anxiety, who already might feel they're at fault, don't need that reinforced by suggesting that the path to love involves a man who cannot allow for respecting his partner's needs.

Okay, she has a firm book night. He gets offended she will not go on a date with him that night. He is literally like the guy on the bus who won't shut up when you're reading because in his mind he isn't interrupting anything. Ending up with this guy is not a happy ending. Sorry.

A panty dropper for me would be him sending over some hot chocolate, a book mark, and a throw, with a note that he can't wait for their future date.

Marry HIM, reader ... Marry him!