I picked up this book at the last minute from a book club meeting because I saw the words "time travel" on the cover blurb, but when I saw that the main character was trans, I put The In-Between Bookstore (#1,295) back in my bag to take back to my next meeting. Then I got a recommendation from my local library for this coming-of-age novel by Edward Underhill, and I decided to give the book a second chance. I'm glad I did.
Darby is not having a great day. The start-up company he works for in New York City has just failed, his landlord has just raised his rent on his studio apartment to an amount he couldn't afford even with his job, and he has to meet his friends for a birthday party at an unknown trendy bar. It's enough to make him think about moving back home to Oak Falls, Illinois, just until he can get things sorted out. He has an excuse - his mother has sold his childhood home, and he tells his friends he's going back home to help her move. But in his heart Darby is at a crossroads; he doesn't know if he'll ever come back to his chosen family here in New York.
Back in Oak Falls, Darby is drawn back to The In-Between Bookstore, where he worked in high school. When he walks into the store, it's all exactly as he remembered it - including his younger female self working behind the register. Bumping into Michael Weaver, his best friend growing up on the street outside, Darby is forced to confront issues which he's never really resolved about his transition.
It's all very relatable when couched in terms of the painful process of growing up with additional layers to deal with. How Darby deals with his past and his present make for an engaging story. Take a chance on The In-Between Bookstore yourself. I'll bet you'll be glad you did!
No comments:
Post a Comment