By The Book
By: Amanda Sellet
Published Year: 2020
Publisher: Clarion Books
Pages: 384
Summary (Provided by Goodreads): As a devotee of classic novels, Mary Porter-Malcolm knows all about Mistakes That Have Been Made, especially by impressionable young women. So when a girl at her new high school nearly succumbs to the wiles of a notorious cad, Mary starts compiling the Scoundrel Survival Guide, a rundown of literary types to be avoided at all costs.
Unfortunately, Mary is better at dishing out advice than taking it—and the number one bad boy on her list is terribly debonair. As her best intentions go up in flames, Mary discovers life doesn’t follow the same rules as fiction. If she wants a happy ending IRL, she’ll have to write it herself.
First Impressions
This cover immediately got me. It is just way too cute. The title also sucked me in as I am always drawn to books about books and readers. When I read the summary I knew that it was a book that was going to be right up my alley. When I needed a good quick summer read, this one immediately jumped to the top of my list.
What I thought
Oh yes. This book was so cute!
Mary is the second youngest of 5 and the youngest girl. Right before the beginning of the school year, her parents tell her that the progressive private school she’s been going to has closed and she has to go to public high school for her sophomore year. Not sure how to navigate the high school scene, Mary uses her knowledge of books to lead her through life and eventually help give advice to her new found friends. But when the people in real life don’t turn out like those in the books she has read, she learns that life is a lot harder than it seems.
I think a lot of people might find Mary unrealistic and naïve but I kind of related to her. I often find myself using knowledge I’ve gained from the mass amount of reading I do and applying it to real life. Now, I don’t tend to categorize real people as literary characters, but I understand where she’s coming from.
I also loved the friendship storylines and how it grew. Making friends is hard and I appreciate that Mary feels awkward making friends and doubts the friendships at first. But I also appreciate there isn’t any of the stereotypical conniving teenage girl drama. They’re all genuinely nice kids who don’t have any motives other than wanting to be friends.
And Alex? I was immediately in love. Swooned and taken in by his charm for sure. He was so fun and I almost wish he had been around a little bit more.
While I did appreciate the literary references, sometimes it did become a bit much. Mary seemingly knows every literary classic and can recite parts of the story off the top of her head. Now remember, she’s only 15, so it seemed a bit much to me. Then again, her parents are literary professors so it’s not completely implausible.
What made this book stand out from other YAs for me (besides the literary element) is that it seemed real. Nothing seemed overly dramatic or over the top and I appreciated that. I loved all of the relationships and found every storyline was a fun one. I would gladly read books about any other characters that appear in this one.
This book was a fun, quick read with enjoyable characters. I flew through it and it stuck in my brain when I wasn’t reading it. Mary is an easy character to root for in all of her awkward and nerdy glory (but not over the top awkward and nerdy). I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy high school stories with friendship as the main focus and love secondary. It was a delight to read and I look forward to other books by this author.