In Case You Missed It.- Getting Over Garrett Delaney by Abbey McDonald

 

Published: January 24th, 2012

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Pages: 319

Copy: Library

Summary: Goodreads

Can a twelve-step program help Sadie kick her unrequited crush for good? Abby McDonald serves up her trademark wit and wisdom in a hilarious new novel.

Seventeen-year-old Sadie is in love: epic, heartfelt, and utterly one-sided. The object of her obsession — ahem, affection — is her best friend, Garrett Delaney, who has been oblivious to Sadie’s feelings ever since he sauntered into her life and wowed her with his passion for Proust (not to mention his deep-blue eyes). For two long, painful years, Sadie has been Garrett’s constant companion, sharing his taste in everything from tragic Russian literature to art films to '80s indie rock — all to no avail. But when Garrett leaves for a summer literary retreat, Sadie is sure that the absence will make his heart grow fonder — until he calls to say he’s fallen in love. With some other girl! A heartbroken Sadie realizes that she’s finally had enough. It’s time for a total Garrett detox! Aided by a barista job, an eclectic crew of new friends (including the hunky chef, Josh), and a customized self-help guide, Sadie embarks on a summer of personal reinvention full of laughter, mortifying meltdowns, and a double shot of love.


Getting Over Garrett Delaney was a fun, quick read that will appeal to most readers of contemporary fiction.  There's not a lot of serious angst in it and there is a fair bit of self-deprecating humour, but it manages to cover a fairly serious topic - self perception - and point out some major problems that many of us have when we a 'crush' on someone.

Sadie is an absolutely adorable 17 yr old who comes to the realisation that she has spent 2 years turning herself into someone else's idea of perfection, not her own.  The kicker being, that the someone else hasn't even really noticed.  Ms McDonald shows how easily we fall into the trap of agreeing with other people because it's easier than defending our own opinion.  We are so consumed with being liked by others that we give up our own selves and become what we think others want us to be. 

I realised when I had finished the book that it reminded me very much of myself when I was younger - not in actuality perhaps, but in concept. I spent several years as a pitifull doormat because I was too scared of losing my 'friends' if I stood up for myself.  As it turns out my friends were ok with the real me, as are Sadie's friends.  I've made this sound a little darker than it actually is, but the things is, while the story is light hearted and entertaining, the message behind it is very real. I'll be recommending this one a lot.

For Canadians - you might be interested to know that GOGD has been nominated in the Forest of Reading, White Pine category (grades 9-12) for this year.  I've added the list of all the nominees and there are some incredibly good titles there.  This makes a great reading list if you're wondering what to tackle next, and they are all written by Canadians. Which one would you vote for?


All Good Children
Written by Catherine Austen
Dark Inside
Written by Jeyn Roberts
First Day On Earth
Written by Cecil Castellucci.
Getting Over Garrett Delaney
Written by Abby McDonald
Karma
Written by Cathy Ostlere
The Opposite Of Tidy
Written by Carrie Mac
The Taming
Written by Eric Walters and Teresa Toten
Way to Go
Written by Tom Ryan
The Way We Fall
Written by Megan Crewe
Witchlanders
Written by Lena Coakley
.