Fangirl

2021 Re-read/listen. I really adore this book. I have no idea why I only gave it 3 stars originally. Upping to 5 and will reread again in the future.

Fangirl isn't for everyone, but it's a great coming-of-age story for a nerdy girl. Our heroine Cath is damaged and doing the best she can to stay afloat. She and her twin, Wren, had a rough childhood, and as they were dealing with loss, they and the rest of the world read a new book about a young boy wizard set in a world of magic, akin to HP. Like HP, the book and its subsequent sequels are beloved worldwide. Cath and Wren grow up with the books, and they are starting college when the eighth and final book of the series is set to release.

Cath and her sister fall in love with the series. When in middle school, Cath and Wren read and then begin writing fanfiction set in the series' magical world. Cath is a great writer and gains lots of readers of her stories over the years. However, pretty much all other aspects of her life are falling apart by the end of high school. Cath is introverted and lacks confidence, and she uses fanfiction to escape life. Cath's twin is outgrowing the series and Cath in a lot of ways. When Wren announces she won't be sharing a dorm room with Cath, Cath has to figure life out. Cath can either keep living in the fantasy world or she can be brave and live her own life. Overall, it's a very sweet story with well-developed characters. At the end, I always want more.

The audiobook narrators are great too. 5 stars.