Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley

When Solomon Reed was in seventh grade he had a panic attack at school that was so severe that he never went back. And three years later, he still hasn't gone back to school. He also hasn't left the house. Battling agoraphobia and panic disorder, the only people Solomon ever interacts with are his parents and his grandmother.

Until Lisa Praytor.

Lisa has her heart set on a university with a prestigious psychology program, but in order to earn a scholarship, she needs to write an essay about her personal experience with mental illness. Since she has no personal experience, she decides to go looking for some. Lisa remembers Solomon from her middle school days and now has decided that she's going to fix him in time for her to turn in her scholarship essay.

What she doesn't anticipate is that both she and her boyfriend Clark will hit it off with Solomon and form a bond so special that it leaves Lisa questioning everything about her future, her friendships, and her relationship with Clark.

Highly Illogical Behavior is a novel that will stay with me for a long time. It's not one of those books that has a suspenseful, fast-paced plot. Instead, it's more of a quiet book. And yet, despite that quietness, the story arc is unique and page-turning and the characters are memorable. And it's not so much that the characters are lovable individually, but instead, you find yourself rooting for these three unusual friends because you love the bond that they've formed together, no matter how deceitful and dysfunctional the original intention was.

If you liked John Corey Whaley's book Noggin, chances are, you will enjoy Highly Illogical Behavior due to both novels' unique plots and memorable characters.

Lastly, I'd like to comment on the cover of this book. Not only is it visually appealing when you see it on a shelf, but as you read the book, there are so many layers to peel back, on both the front and the back. It's one of those covers that becomes more meaningful the more you read the book. I really hope that the marketing team at Penguin doesn't redesign this cover when it goes to paperback because it is perfect just how it is.


Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley
Published: May 10, 2016
Publisher: Dial
Pages: 249
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Audience: Young Adult
Disclosure: Finished copy provided by publisher

If you buy this book or any book through Amazon, it is my hope that you also regularly patronize independent bookstores, which are important centerpieces of thriving communities. While I am an Amazon Affiliate, that by no means implies that I only buy my books through their website. Please make sure you are still helping small, independent bookstores thrive in your community. To locate an independent bookstore near you, visit IndieBound.