Highly Illogical Behavior

Solomon Reed hasn't left his house in three years due to his severe agoraphobia and panic disorder. His self-imposed isolation has made him content with his routines of reading, watching Star Trek, and spending time with his supportive family. Lisa Praytor, an ambitious teenager with dreams of studying psychology, learns about Solomon's situation and decides to "cure" him as material for her college admission essay. She introduces herself to Solomon and begins visiting him regularly, eventually bringing along her boyfriend Clark. The three teens form an unexpected friendship as Lisa implements her secret plan. Solomon starts to experience changes in his life and perspective through these new relationships. At its core, this novel explores mental health, authenticity in relationships, and the complex motivations behind helping others. The story raises questions about the nature of recovery and what it means to truly connect with another person.

Readers highlight the book's authentic portrayal of agoraphobia and anxiety, with many noting its balance of humor and serious mental health themes. The friendship dynamics and character development receive consistent praise, particularly Solomon's perspective as an agoraphobic teen. Liked: - LGBTQ+ representation without making it the main focus - Realistic depiction of panic attacks and mental illness - Quick pacing and engaging dialogue - Three-person narrative structure Disliked: - Lisa's initial motivations feel manipulative to some readers - Ending feels rushed or too neat for some - Side characters could be more developed - Some found the story predictable Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (33,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (300+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (150+ ratings) One reader noted: "The humor never feels forced or disrespectful to mental illness." Another criticized: "Lisa's college essay plan made me uncomfortable throughout."

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🎭 Author John Corey Whaley drew from his own experiences with anxiety and panic attacks to create Solomon's character, bringing authenticity to the portrayal of agoraphobia. 📚 The book was named one of the Best YA Books of 2016 by Kirkus Reviews and was a Junior Library Guild Selection. 🏆 Whaley became the youngest recipient of the Michael L. Printz Award for his debut novel "Where Things Come Back" at age 28, before writing "Highly Illogical Behavior." 🖖 The Star Trek references throughout the book serve as both Solomon's coping mechanism and a metaphor for exploring unknown territories, reflecting his personal journey. 🌈 The novel was praised for its positive representation of LGBTQ+ characters, particularly for portraying Solomon's sexuality as just one aspect of his identity rather than the central conflict.