YA LGBT Books discussion

We read this book 7 years ago, but a fan suggested it was time for a reread and it looks like folks agreed.

History Is All You Left Me by Adam Silvera

When Griffin's first love and ex-boyfriend, Theo, dies in a drowning accident, his universe implodes. Even though Theo had moved to California for college and started seeing Jackson, Griffin never doubted Theo would come back to him when the time was right. But now, the future he's been imagining for himself has gone far off course.

To make things worse, the only person who truly understands his heartache is Jackson. But no matter how much they open up to each other, Griffin's downward spiral continues. He's losing himself in his obsessive compulsions and destructive choices, and the secrets he's been keeping are tearing him apart.

If Griffin is ever to rebuild his future, he must first confront his history, every last heartbreaking piece in the puzzle of his life

Content Warnings (view spoiler)[ Loss, mental health ?maybe others- post if so please (hide spoiler)]

I liked this book a lot - 4* from me ; this was the first Adam Silvera book I read, but not the last.

This is the story of Griffin, a teenager whose boyfriend graduated a year ahead of him, moved to California, and died there. In some ways I liked the format, which opens with us knowing Theo has died, as Griff tries to get himself together for the funeral. It then alternates the past, at the beginning of their relationship, with the present, as Griff meets Theo's grieving California boyfriend Jackson. There are surprises that repeatedly shift the opening straightforward narrative.

At the same time the back and forth past-to-present felt like it robbed some of the immediacy from the past scenes. I was not as invested in Griff-and-Theo because I knew a lot about where it was going. Watching Griff grieve was not the same as seeing him fall in love and then being blindsided by the loss. In some ways, it avoids the teen-angst cliche, but it also put a little remove into the emotions for me.

I wish we saw more of Wade before the 3/4 mark - he and Jackson were the more sympathetic characters, and he went from minor to major rather fast. It's a trade off between surprise and completeness, but I felt like the effort not to signal twists in advance robbed us of some understanding of who Wade is.

I appreciated that these are all flawed characters, who make some bad choices, especially Griff. It's good to have a protag with real weaknesses. Some significant issues got a bit of short shrift IMO - (view spoiler)[ and the way Wade acted vis Griff's OCD, and his response, felt a bit like the magic healing powers of love. There was therapy beginning too, but that little piece felt a bit off, like Griff is now suspected of having exaggerated his issues to keep Theo interested. It's not supportive of a disability if there's a suggestion a character was partially faking or indulging in it. (hide spoiler)]

For me, this was not a tear-jerker, although I think if it had been told in a linear way it might have been. But then it would have lost some of the surprises that come as a bigger twist because of the parallel structure. It is an interesting picture of teen relationships and how easy it is to hurt each other, and to self-sabotage. The writing was good.

Loved, loved, loved this one!

Adam Silvera writes such gorgeous stories. I don't think I'd ever be able to reread any of them though, they're too powerful and intense. I do hope everyone reads it at least once though.

Trio wrote: "Loved, loved, loved this one!

Adam Silvera writes such gorgeous stories. I don't think I'd ever be able to reread any of them though, they're too powerful and intense. I do hope everyone reads it ..."

I agree - the writing really connects. Intense is a good word.

This is my favorite book of all time. I have it in multiple versions, got Adam to sign them for me, cannot say enough good things about this book. My family thought I was losing my mind when I could maybe go 10 pages without tears streaming down my face. Love it so much.

Ron-Michael wrote: "This is my favorite book of all time. I have it in multiple versions, got Adam to sign them for me, cannot say enough good things about this book. My family thought I was losing my mind when I coul..."

The best books are the ones we connect with emotionally. And it's a gift to find those.