Symptoms of Being Human

Symptoms of Being Human follows Riley Cavanaugh, a gender fluid teenager navigating life at a new school while keeping their identity private. Riley experiences their gender as fluid - sometimes feeling more masculine, sometimes more feminine, or neither - and maintains an androgynous appearance to avoid others making assumptions. Riley creates an anonymous blog to share their experiences with gender fluidity and connect with others facing similar challenges. The blog becomes a source of support and community, allowing Riley to express themself freely while maintaining privacy in their everyday life as the child of a U.S. congressman. As Riley's blog gains followers and provides guidance to other questioning teens, an anonymous threat emerges from someone claiming to know Riley's true identity. The story centers on Riley's journey of self-discovery and the tension between living authentically and staying safe. Through Riley's perspective, the novel examines how rigid gender expectations impact identity formation and self-expression in contemporary society. The narrative highlights both the challenges and importance of finding one's voice in a world that often demands clear categorization.

Readers highlight the book's authentic portrayal of gender identity struggles and its educational value for understanding non-binary experiences. Many appreciate the use of a blog format to tell the story and note the strong character development. Liked: - Clear explanations of gender terms and concepts - Relatable protagonist voice - Balance of serious topics with humor - Strong supporting characters - Positive representation without feeling preachy Disliked: - Some found the plot predictable - Blog post sections felt forced to some readers - Several noted the ending seemed rushed - A few readers wanted more depth in secondary character development Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (25,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (500+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.5/5 (100+ ratings) Reader quote: "This book helped me understand my own child's journey and opened important conversations in our family." - Amazon reviewer

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🌟 The novel was published in 2016, making it one of the earlier YA books to feature a gender fluid protagonist in mainstream publishing. 🌟 Author Jeff Garvin was the lead singer of a rock band called 7k before becoming a novelist, performing at venues like the Viper Room and the Whisky a Go Go. 🌟 The book's title comes from a medical term "symptoms of being human," reflecting both Riley's experience with anxiety and the universal aspects of human identity. 🌟 The character Riley's gender is never explicitly stated throughout the entire novel, allowing readers of any gender identity to relate to the protagonist's journey. 🌟 "Symptoms of Being Human" was named one of the Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults selections by the American Library Association in 2017.