Teen and adult fans of All The Bright Places, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, and Everything, Everything will adore this quirky story of coming-of-age, coming out, friendship, love...and agoraphobia.
Sixteen-year-old Solomon is agoraphobic. He hasn’t left the house in three years, which is fine by him.
Ambitious Lisa desperately wants to get into the second-best psychology program for college (she’s being realistic). But how can she prove she deserves a spot there?
Solomon is the answer.
Determined to “fix” Sol, Lisa thrusts herself into his life, sitting through Star Trek marathons with him and introducing him to her charming boyfriend Clark. Soon, all three teens are far closer than they thought they’d be, and when their walls fall down, their friendships threaten to collapse, as well.
A hilarious and heartwarming coming-of-age perfect for readers of Matthew Quick and Rainbow Rowell, Highly Illogical Behavior showcases the different ways we hide ourselves from the world—and how love, tragedy, and the need for connection may be the only things to bring us back into the light.
Download and start listening now!
“What looks like a typical friendship story is blended with issues of trust, vulnerability, and identity…Each character has an authentic voice and temperament that feel realistic, and the alternating narratives capture the perspective of the bright, witty, and decidedly quirky protagonists. The spare writing makes this a taut, tender, and appealing read.”
— School Library Journal (starred review)
Now a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year!
At a time when young adult literature is actively picking away at the stigma of mental illness, Whaley carves off a healthy chunk with style, sensitivity and humor. . . . ELECTRIFYING.
— The New York Times Book ReviewTender and funny.
— People Magazine, Summer's Best Books of 2016Raw, funny, and unforgettable.
— BuzzfeedA charming, heartwarming, and profound affirmation of the importance of connection.
— The Huffington PostJohn Corey Whaley has never disappointed us before, and he carries on that tradition with his funny, heartfelt, and oh-so-JCW-style Highly Illogical Behavior.
— Bustle*"Solomon's descriptions of his anxiety are achingly real..Readers will easily come to care about these bright, wonderfully nerdy, flawed characters.
— Kirkus Reviews, starred reviewPrintz Award–winner Whaley (Where Things Come Back) again tackles heavy, heady topics with a light touch, populating his perceptive and quick-witted story with endearing, believably flawed teens.
— Publishers Weekly, starred reviewThe alternating narratives capture the perspective of the bright, witty, and decidedly quirky protagonists...A logical choice for Whaley’s fans, Trekkies, and sensitive readers of all stripes.
— School Library Journal, starred reviewNoggin—outlandish as it is—has such wonderful resonance.
— The New York TimesYou can practically feel this book’s big, beautiful heart beating in your hands.
— Matthew Quick, New York Times bestselling author of The Silver Linings PlaybookA winner of a book.
— A.S. King, author of Ask the Passengers and Reality BoyNoggin is everything a great book should be.
— Andrew Smith, author of Grasshopper JungleThe voice of Travis Coates is like the voice of Holden Caulfield—iconic and ageless.
— Holly Goldberg Sloan, New York Times bestselling author of Counting By 7s *“A tour de force of imagination and empathy.*“Will resonate with teens who feel the same frustration at being treated like kids and told to act like adults.
— Publishers Weekly, starred reviewBeautifully and carefully wrought, this is a very fine book.
— Jenny Han, New York Times bestselling author of To All the Boys I've Loved BeforeEvery now and then a book rises to the top. Where Things Come Back soars.
— Ellen Hopkins, New York Times bestselling author of the Crank TrilogyBeautifully written and wholly original.
— Ruta Sepetys, New York Times bestselling author of Between Shades of GreyIt's a good story told remarkably well.
— Maggie Stiefvater, New York Times bestselling author of the Raven Boys series* “In this darkly humorous debut, Whaley weaves two stories into a taut and well-constructed thriller.
— Publishers Weekly, starred review*“This insightful story explores the challenges of intimate relationships and managing expectations.
— Shelf Awareness, starred review“Tender and funny.”
— People magazine“At a time when young adult literature is actively picking away at the stigma of mental illness, Whaley carves off a healthy chunk with style, sensitivity and humor…Electrifying.”
— New York Times Book Review“A charming, heartwarming, and profound affirmation of the importance of connection.”
— Huffington Post“Raw, funny, and unforgettable.”
— Buzzfeed“Funny [and] heartfelt.”
— Bustle“Printz Award–winner Whaley again tackles heavy, heady topics with a light touch, populating his perceptive and quick-witted story with endearing, believably flawed teens.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)“Chapters alternate between Sol’s and Lisa’s third-person narrations and brim over with warm, witty, authentic dialogue. Solomon’s descriptions of his anxiety are achingly real..Readers will easily come to care about these bright, wonderfully nerdy, flawed characters.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)“With plenty of geekery, charming repartee, and fairly realistic teen drama, this will have wide appeal among readers of contemporary fiction.”
— Booklist“Both narrators reflect marked changes as relationships deepen and the characters take risks and become more honest with each other and themselves. Mental illness is merely a backdrop. Well-rendered characters; witty, intriguing conversations; and complex friendships are center stage.”
— AudioFile“You will laugh, you may cry—and you won’t be able to put this book down.”
— RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!)Be the first to write a review about this audiobook!
John Corey Whaley grew up in Louisiana. His debut novel, Where Things Come Back, was the 2012 winner of the Michael L. Printz and the William C. Morris Awards. His second novel, Noggin, was a 2014 National Book Award finalist.
Julia Whelan is a novelist, screenwriter, lifelong actor, and multiple award-winning audiobook narrator. She graduated with a degree in English and creative writing from Middlebury College and Oxford University. She is a former child actor who has appeared in multiple films and television shows.
Robbie Daymond is an actor, voice talent, and four-time winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award. He graduated from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, with a master’s degree in acting and works primarily in theater but has made several forays into television, video games, and film.