Highly Illogical Behavior, John Corey Whaley
Highly Illogical Behavior, John Corey Whaley
List: $23.99 | Sale: $16.79
Club: $11.99

Highly Illogical Behavior

Author: John Corey Whaley

Narrator: Robbie Daymond, Julia Whelan

Unabridged: 6 hr 17 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 05/10/2016


Synopsis

From the Printz Award-winning author of Where Things Come Back comes a quirky, highly relatable story of an agoraphobic teen who somehow becomes the perfect project for the perfect college essay.

“Raw, funny, and unforgettable.”—BuzzFeed

“Examines mental illness, connection, and the inner worlds that shape us with empathy and grace.”—The Boston Globe

Sixteen-year-old Solomon is agoraphobic. He hasn’t left the house in three years, 2 months, and 1 day . . . which is fine by him.

Ambitious Lisa desperately wants to get into the second-best psychology program for college (she’s being realistic). But how can she prove she deserves a spot there?

Solomon is the answer.

Determined to “fix” Sol, Lisa thrusts herself into his life, sitting through Star Trek marathons with him and introducing him to her charming boyfriend Clark. Soon, all three teens are far closer than they thought they’d be, and when their walls fall down, their friendships threaten to collapse, as well.

Highly Illogical Behavior showcases the different ways we hide ourselves from the world—and how love, tragedy, and the need for connection may be the only things to bring us back into the light.

About The Author

John Corey Whaley's first novel, Where Things Come Back, was the winner of the 2012 Printz Award and the 2012 Morris Award. His second novel, Noggin, was a 2014 National Book Award finalist. He lives in Newport Beach, California.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Laura on December 30, 2016

Highly Illogical Behavior is a sweet coming of age story that dives into topics of agoraphobia, anxiety disorders, and accepting who we are. John Corey Whaley does so blending humor with heart while being sure to write with a touch of empathy that readers will also experience. The book is written i......more

Goodreads review by Whitney on July 24, 2016

3.5 stars This was pretty enjoyable! I think this is the second book I've read by John Corey Whaley, and I can't help but thinking that his books don't live up to the hype for me. I didn't enjoy Where Things Come Back very much, and this one just missed the target for me a bit, too. I was super inter......more

Goodreads review by emma on July 22, 2021

The problem with books about deliberately annoying characters doing intentionally annoying things is that they're still annoying. This, for example, is about an annoying teenaged girl who decides to use a gossiped-about mentally ill peer, deciding she will ~fix him~ in order to write a kickass applic......more

Goodreads review by Jennifer on May 19, 2016

4.5 Completely Adorable Stars for "Highly Illogical Behavior" by John Corey Whaley!!! Young Adult is not my genre of choice so 4.5 says a lot about this book! "Highly Illogical Behavior" is about Solomon Reed, a 16 year old who hasn't left his house in three years. Solomon has agoraphobia due to anxi......more

Goodreads review by April (Aprilius Maximus) on August 08, 2016

I related to this book so, so much and really loved it, but it didn't blow me away or anything and I'm trying not to give out five stars willy nilly, ya know?......more


Quotes

“At a time when young adult literature is actively picking away at the stigma of mental illness, Whaley carves off a healthy chunk with style, sensitivity and humor. . . . ELECTRIFYING.”The New York Times Book Review

“Tender and funny.”People

“Raw, funny, and unforgettable.”BuzzFeed

“A charming, heartwarming, and profound affirmation of the importance of connection.”The Huffington Post

“John Corey Whaley has never disappointed us before, and he carries on that tradition with his funny, heartfelt, and oh-so-JCW-style Highly Illogical Behavior.”Bustle

“Solomon's descriptions of his anxiety are achingly real. Readers will easily come to care about these bright, wonderfully nerdy, flawed characters.”Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Printz Award–winner Whaley (Where Things Come Back) again tackles heavy, heady topics with a light touch, populating his perceptive and quick-witted story with endearing, believably flawed teens.”Publishers Weekly, starred review

“The alternating narratives capture the perspective of the bright, witty, and decidedly quirky protagonists . . . A logical choice for Whaley’s fans, Trekkies, and sensitive readers of all stripes.”School Library Journal, starred review