Something Like Normal - Trish Doller

Young Adult
Pages: 224
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Children
Release Date: June 19, 2012

When Travis returns home from a stint in Afghanistan, his parents are splitting up, his brother’s stolen his girlfriend and his car, and he’s haunted by nightmares of his best friend’s death. It’s not until Travis runs into Harper, a girl he’s had a rocky relationship with since middle school, that life actually starts looking up. And as he and Harper see more of each other, he begins to pick his way through the minefield of family problems and post-traumatic stress to the possibility of a life that might resemble normal again. Travis’s dry sense of humor, and incredible sense of honor, make him an irresistible and eminently lovable hero.

I've mentioned quite a few times how much I love male narrators. When the story is told from a male POV, the story instantly becomes more fascinating to me. Sometimes, I secretly think no woman can really write it like a man can. But then I read Hannah Moskowitz and Holly Black and Swati Avashti and now... Trish Doller. Travis' voice was simply Travis' voice, nothing more or less. Being able to see through Travis' eyes has been amazing.

Travis has returned home from Afghanistan and is facing the fact that home is not really home anymore. It doesn't feel welcoming or... normal. 

It's not often that we find stories like this: emotional, raw, but at the same time witty and fresh. And yes, with some delicious sparkles of romance in between. Something Like Normal is the kind of book that sucks you in with its vividness and fun moments, and then gives you understanding, becoming one of your most memorable reads. This book is more than a wonderful debut, and Trish is an author to look out for, she has a talent worth envying.

I loved this book so much. I especially love Travis. He's the type of character we don't read often: flawed yet perfect. The story deals with many issues, like PTSD, but does it without becoming dark or hard to swallow. So this one is light while still being profound. It's the perfect kind of Summer read that's not fluffy at all but will warm your heart. I highly recommend it.

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