Book Review | Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

Hi Readers

I love Becky Albertalli’s books and this is just another example of why she can do no wrong. I now go into her books without any fear because I know I’m going to enjoy myself. She’s quickly become one of my go-to authors.

This is the sequel to Simon Vs the Homo Sapiens Agenda where we once again meet the lovable characters of Creekwood. This time Simon’s best friend, Leah, takes centre stage.

She’s a drummer, an artist and has a young single mum who she tells everything to, even that she is bisexual, something she has yet to tell her closest friends. But when her squad starts to fracture, college on the horizon and she starts falling for someone she can’t have, Leah doesn’t know what to do.

I love everything about the Creekwood characters. Becky is, putting it simply, one of us. She gets us and our nerdy ways and that makes it so easy for her to create characters that we relate to. She just hits the nail on the head on what it’s like to be a teenager these days.

I love the references in this book, Hamilton, Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, Anime, Troye Sivan, there’s even a Six of Crows reference. Again, it just makes these characters so relatable and so real. It’s impossible not to find a character in one of her books that you just think ‘is she writing about me right now?’

As for Leah, she’s fat, she’s bi, she’s single af and I loved reading about her. There aren’t many books I’ve read where the main female character isn’t straight and it’s so refreshing to see this narrative. When it comes to representation Becky does it so flawlessly. I’m 22 now so I’m not a teenager, and I really wish this book had been around when I was one.

“I swear, people can’t wrap their minds around the concept of a fat girl who doesn’t diet. Is it that hard to believe I might actually like my body?”
Leah On The Offbeat

Not only does this achieve peak cuteness and adorableness, it also brings up some very important current discussions. Racism and calling it out when you hear it, labels and what they can mean and also growing up constantly thinking about money because it doesn’t come easily for your family like it does others.

If you’re looking for a light read this summer that is comical, cute and angsty then this is the book for you. Seriously, read it.

Would I Read Again? Yes
Would I Recommend? Yes