Am I Normal Yet?

Reviews / Votes

A contemporary, feminist teen story. * The Bookseller * A brutal and brilliant takedown of how we talk about mental illness, feminism, and friendship. * The Guardian * This YA novel takes a very funny and poignant look at OCD, secrets, feminism and friendship. * The Telegraph * An involving look at feminism, friendship and the secrets we hide even from those who know us best. * The Observer * "I'm actually quite smart when I'm not being sectioned." So enjoying the humour & honesty of Am I Normal Yet? * Fiona Noble, The Bookseller * A beautiful tale on the reality of being normal. * Paper Trail YA * A brutal and brilliant takedown of how we talk about mental illness, feminism, and friendship. If you've ever felt out of the ordinary, this is for you (ie everyone). It manages to be enjoyable without being flippant, incisive without being preachy. My first thought having finished it was "I wish I'd read this when I was a teenager", but in all truth I think it's just as valuable to have read it now. * The Guardian * A fantastic and enjoyable read whilst confronting series issues such as relapse, feminism and growing up in general. * Gem, Waterstones Birmingham * A fantastic story that has to be my favourite YA book of 2015. A fantastic read on the topic of mental health and I can't recommend it enough. * Words from a Reader * A deeply compassionate, sensitive & funny examination of OCD, recovery & relapse. * The Guardian * A fresh young adult contemporary story that packs so many important things into one book. * All the Pretty Books * A fun and enjoyable type of book. You'll just continue reading until you find out what will really happen to the characters. * Home of a Book Lover * A real eye opener, especially when paired with the issues of feminism and how it is perceived. A definite recommendation for all of those wishing to read between the lines * Delilah Acworth, for lovereading4kids.co.uk * A wonderfully vivid story of female friendship in all its glory. The descriptions of Evie's condition leave the reader in no doubt as to the depth of her suffering, but this is a positive, often very funny, and life-affirming read. * Lovereading4kids * A word that perfectly encompasses this book is 'thought-provoking' - by challenging stigma and addressing topics that are sometimes avoided and brushed under the carpet, it really makes you think. We need more books like this! * Snazzy Reads blog * Am I Normal Yet? is 100% brilliant. Only on p.100 and it's already the best portrait of the nuances of OCD I've ever read. * Alexia Cascale, Twitter * Am I Normal Yet? is such a important novel that I urge everyone to read it, regardless of age or gender. Everyone will be able to take something away from this novel, whether it's a greater understanding about mental health, a comfort that you're not alone, or even just the knowledge that if someone looks OK on the outside, it doesn't always mean they're OK on the inside. * Blabbering About Books blog * An epic and unique release this summer that I plead you all to pick up! This novel has a distinct British feel with moments mixed with laughter, tainted with tears and bound with love. Holly Bourne has created a beautiful tale. * Paper Trail YA * At last a YA book has come along that challenges the mixed messages that modern society sends out to girls and introduces young openly feminist characters who I'm sure will become heroes to teen girls everywhere. Am I Normal Yet? is a must read for anyone who recognises just how tough being a girl really is. * Jess Hearts Books * Funny and sad and beautiful and brilliant. * Girls Heart Books * The book every young woman needs on her bookshelf this year. * Red magazine * Funny, heart-breaking, insightful and meticulously researched. * The Metro * Holly Bourne is an incredibly important voice in YA and I'll definitely be digging into her backlist and putting her future releases straight on my wishlist. Am I Normal Yet? is an empowering, emotional and honest novel that should be available to all teens. * So Many Books, So Little Time * Holly Bourne is becoming something of a writing sensation in the world of Young Adult fiction. Using humour, high emotion, compassion, sensitivity and some hard-hitting drama, Bourne creates a beautiful, resonant story that tackles serious issues with the lightest and sometimes darkest of touches, giving real and moving insights into what it means to be young, confused and isolated. * Lancashire Evening Post * Holly Bourne is exploding across the YA scene with her incredible Spinster trilogy, all about feminism and friendship. * Maximum Pop * Holly Bourne, you're a genius and I cannot wait for the second book in the Normal series. BRING IT ON. * Emma Lou Book Blog * Holly has a knack for tackling sensitive issues like this without triggering or undermining their seriousness. .. The tone and voice in Am I Normal Yet? is so realistic and refreshing. * Famous in Japan * Holly is the pure, real, honest voice of YA. She is the future. For those who haven't picked up her novels, you are missing out terribly. * Never Judge a Book by its Cover * I enjoyed this book, and plan to read more of Holly Bourne's novels. * Emma Hughes, for lovereading4kids.co.uk * I love the Spinsters Club, and I so want my own! What I love is how Bourne breaks down these ideas so they are so accessible! ... There are a few feminist YA stories out at the moment, but this is the first I've read that actually talks about feminism and discusses how to be a feminist, and I think it really could be a game changer! And I am so happy! I am so, so happy and excited! * Once Upon a Bookcase * I love, love, loved the fact that strong female friendship was the absolute foundation of this book. There is some romance in this story, but Evie and her friends take centre stage, and I thought they were brilliant (and hilarious) together. * Mud and Stars * I loved this book, as soon as I started reading it I couldn't stop! * Immy Fisher, for lovereading4kids.co.uk * I really do think that this book is incredible and it is absolutely on the list of my favourite books this year... [It's]honest and utterly loveable, and I really can't wait for the next two books to be published (oh yeah, there's more to come!!!) * Jazzyfizzle * I really enjoy the tone and voice of the book. It is able to talk about the serious topic of OCD while still being humorous. It is a perfect mix of informative and amusing. * Charlotte Crisp, age 14, for lovereading4kids.co.uk * I want to commend the way Holly Bourne has written Evie's experience of OCD, she has done her research, she writes with compassion but her words are a slap into reality. * Hello I am Mariam * I would absolutely recommend this book to anyone suffering from OCD, anyone who knows someone with OCD (or any mental illness) and honestly, anyone who wants a real insight into the mind of someone with OCD. * The Blarney Bear * If I could, I'd make this book obligatory reading for everyone. * Beth Reekles, YA author (The Kissing Booth) * If I could, I'd make this book obligatory reading for everyone. It's that good. That perfect. That 'holy frick I haven't read anything this powerful in a long while'. * Beth Reekles, YA author (The Kissing Booth) * It was a real heart wrenching book and I recommend every single teenage girl and boy read it. I couldn't put it down, a truly inspiring book. A massive 5 stars. * Rose Heathcote, age 16, for lovereading4kids.co.uk * It's not a book that I can find fault with because it was just written so perfectly and so carefully and sensitively. I just enjoyed it so much. * Lucy the Reader * It's refreshing to read a novel which discusses what it's really like to be a teenage girl ... this book is fantastic. It's original, funny and realistic. * Annalise Books * Mental illnesses everybody says they have them, not really, I don't think you really understand what it's like, not like Evie does. * Amelia White, age 15, for lovereading4kids.co.uk * Once in a while, you stumble across that one book that not only amuses you but also opens your eyes to the wrongs of this world and compels you to somehow help to make it right. This happened to me unexpectedly after reading Am I Normal Yet? * RurouniJenniReads * One of my favourite books, this one is about mental illness. "How can a book about mental illness be funny?" I hear you ask. I don't know, but Bourne pulls it off and gets the balance just right. It's a wonderful book and you need to read it. * FutureMakers * One of the most real and honest accounts of teenage life in a fiction book I have ever read. It was interesting, exciting, sad, and to top it all off it really made me think. * Lauren Coffman, age 15, for lovereading4kids.co.uk * Seeing anxiety disorders through her eyes was raw and at times heart-breaking, but it is that way, and it was great reading a good representation of what it is really like to have. * Edel Waugh, for lovereading4kids.co.uk * Takes a hard look at young people's experiences with mental health. * Buzzfeed * Teens are extremely lucky to have this book available to them and I hope it reaches the widest possible audience. An essential and vital book for teens today. * Jade Craddock, for lovereading4kids.co.uk * The friendship between these girls is something I long to see in many more books. * Hello I am Mariam * This amazing book by Holly Bourne deals with topics such as medication, and tackling school social interactions while having obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). Throw a potential relationship into the mix and things get complicated. * Howling Reviews * This book is a stigma buster and I love it for that. * Guardian reader review * This book is a stigma buster, and for all the right reasons. It's incredible. * Joshua, Goodreads * This book is just as much about feminism as it is about mental illness. It is my dream book... Bourne truly is one of the best YA writers. * The Mile Long Bookshelf * This book is one of the most important books published in 2015, exploring important concepts such as feminism and mental health, and also family tensions, friendships, and romance, it's a book everyone should be reading * Enchanted Bookcase * This book is really important for two reasons.
1. The insight it gives the reader into the mind of someone suffering from OCD.
2. The constant references to and exploration of feminist ideas and theories.
Besides the fact that it's important and deals with serious issues, it's well written with fully realised characters you really care about. I wish I had read this book when I was 15. Highly recommended. * Louise O'Neil, Goodreads * This book was amazing... it really tells the truth about everything... If you've not read this I really suggest you do. * The Readers Corner * This book was kind of astounding to me... I got through Am I Normal Yet? in one sitting. * A Novel Youth * This is not a novel about a condition: Evie's condition is that of being a contemporary young woman, and through her guerrilla feminist group with new soulmates Lottie and Amber (who will each get a novel to themselves shortly) she learns new pathways through life that all her peers can follow. * The Observer * This was a book that I really wanted to read and it didn't disappoint. Such funny and sad parts will make this an amazing book! * Sophie Ufton, for lovereading4kids.co.uk * This was a great book which had a gripping storyline as well as featuring important themes such as feminism. It was very interesting and included relatable characters. * Chloe Mcilroy, age 15, for lovereading4kids.co.uk * Those who immerse themselves in the world of teenage
fiction will have heard of Holly Bourne-and if you haven't,
then you will. * Country Life * What we love about this book is that Evie is not reduced to her condition. She might have OCD and that make her life complicated, but it's not the only complication: there's also college, friends, feminism and first loves to deal with too. All she wants is to be normal. But does normal even really exist? * MTV * Topical, thought-provoking, honest, current, relevant, kind of quirky. * What Kids Are Reading 'Quiz Writers' Choice Award' judges * Wow, just finished AM I NORMAL YET, which was absolutely fantastic!! What a well needed, moving, and brill book! * Louise Corcoran, Foyles *