As a YA author, I enjoy, and learn from, reading books similar to mine. You Started It by Jackie Khalilieh caught my eye because its main character shares lots of characteristics, like anxiety and obsessive organization, with one of my MCs.

Jamie Taher-Foster can’t wait for her boyfriend Ben to return from summer camp so they can tackle all of the activities on her senior year bucket list. But his first day home, Ben breaks up with Jamie, triggering her anxiety and kicking off a master plan to win him back. Enter Alexander “Axel” Dahini, a dancer and YouTube star who agrees to pose as Jamie’s boyfriend so she can make Ben jealous. And Jamie can help Axel with his parents by pretending to be his “good Arab girlfriend.” Jamie even drafts a contract to define the limits of her relationship with Axel, but free spirited Axel never signs it, and Jamie’s plotting falls apart.

What I liked

This is a fun YA romance with a “fake dating” trope that works. The chemistry and banter between Axel and Jamie works well, and each of them discovers something important about themselves over the course of their unusual relationship. It was interesting to learn a little about Arab culture – honestly, I would have liked to see more. Khalilieh tackles relevant issues for teens, including self-discovery, strained family relationships, and learning to make healthy choices. Jamie battles anxiety and demonstrates constructive ways to manage it – most of the time. When she doesn’t, she deals with the consequences. The cast of characters is diverse and interesting.

What I didn’t like

Sometime the dialogue, especially for the teen characters, felt too on the nose or heavy handed with counselor speak. However, since Jamie has anxiety and works with a counselor, perhaps it’s reasonable to expect her to adopt some of the language from her therapy sessions. I did at times feel like I was being hit over the head with character revelations and would have preferred that the author allow me to draw my own conclusions instead of so blatantly pointing them out to me.

Recommendation

You Started It is a fun YA romance that would appeal to fans of Jenny Han or Nicola Yoon. It tackles relevant issues for teens and explores healthy ways to manage communication, relationships, and mental health.

You Started It will release May 2025. Check it out!

Can you recommend a fun YA romance, just in time for spring?

Thanks for getting nerdy with me!

Any self respecting Word Nerd embraces the challenge of keeping up with modern language. Words change meaning and usage based on culture and time. I particularly enjoy deciphering the ever changing language of teens. I’m not ashamed to ask for explanations of phrases like “rizz,” even if it sparks a condescending eye roll from a 15 year old.

Each January, I enjoy reflecting on words used to describe the past year. I consult Merriam-Webster, Oxford, and others to see what a few carefully chosen “Words of the Year” say about our present situation. This year packs some doozies.

Brain Rot

Oxford’s Word of 2024 is “brain rot,” a sad statement about our state of mind. Oxford defines Brain Rot as “the deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of over consumption of material (especially online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging.” It can also refer to “anything likely to lead to such deterioration.” Surprisingly, this term isn’t a 21st century phenomenon. Way back in 1854, Henry David Thoreau gave us the first recorded use of Brain Rot in his book Walden. He said, “While England endeavours to cure the potato rot, will not any endeavour to cure the brain-rot – which prevails so much more widely and fatally?”

Polarization

Merriam Webster’s word for 2024 is “polarization.” It comes from the Latin polaris, referring to the opposite poles of the Earth. M-W defines polarization as:

division into two sharply distinct opposites; especially, a state in which the opinions, beliefs, or interests of a group or society no longer range along a continuum but become concentrated at opposing extremes.”

Merriam-Webster

If you, like me, are tired of hearing about polarization and why it’s making everything difficult, think instead about the evolution of its meaning. When it originally came into use, it described a physical phenomenon- light waves vibrating to a definite pattern. It’s interesting how something that once described an objective law of nature now is used to describe intellectual, political, or social differences.

Sidebar, in an effort to combat polarization in my own sphere of influence, I plan to read Monica Guzman’s book I Never Thought of It That Way this year.

Whether you’re left, right, center, or not a fan of labels: If you’re ready to fight back against the confusion, heartbreak, and madness of our dangerously divided times—in your own life, at least—Mónica’s got the tools and fresh, surprising insights to prove that seeing where people are coming from isn’t just possible. It’s easier than you think.

From Goodreads

Demure

Dictionary.com chose demure as it’s word of the year. The word experienced a 1200% increase in usage online in 2024. Demure comes from Middle English dem (e) ur(e), meaning characterized by shyness and modesty; reserved. It can also mean coyly decorous, sober, or sedate. Dictionary attributes its popularity to TikToker Jools LeBron, who used demure in videos to describe modest, subdued, respectful appearance and behavior at work or in other public spaces. Seems like it’s more about an awareness of presentation than an interest in modesty. Darn.

Allision

Finally, a new word to me from the 2024 collection is allision, from the Latin allisus, to strike against. Back in March 2024, the cargo ship Dali crashed into the Frances Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Many called the event a “collision,” but, collision describes two moving objects colliding. A more accurate term for the Dali event is allision: the act or an instance of a ship striking a stationary object (such as another ship that is not underway) —distinguished from collision. Why would you need to know this? Because you’re a Word Nerd, and you care about specifics!

Do any of these words resonate with you? Let me know in the comments. The term “brain rot” hits me hardest, as something I want to avoid. I’ve spent less time on social media in the past month, and I don’t miss it. I’m looking for ways to use my precious moments mindfully in 2025 and focus on consuming content that inspires and informs.

Happy New Year, and cheers to learning more about language in 2025!

Thanks for getting nerdy with me!

Gift idea lists started floating around the Internet the week of Thanksgiving. I considered adding my own Word Nerd edition to the mix. But here’s the thing. The part of Christmas I dread, the part that makes me want to avoid leaving my home this time of year, is SHOPPING. COMMERCIALISM. That special December (or perhaps more accurately these days, October) pressure to buy the things.

I don’t need more things. In fact, the theme in my house for 2024 was “purge.” That theme will continue into 2025 because, well, we only got to the basement. :/ I’m guessing many of you also don’t need more stuff. However, one can never have too many books. Books can be shared, re-gifted, donated to the local library or free little library. Books offer education, inspiration, armchair travels, suspense, and laughter. Those sound like excellent gifts to me.

Favorites from a year of reading

I did better with my reading goals this year, quickly closing in on my 30 titles for 2024. Listening to audio books helps. (Yes, you doubters, that does count as reading!) I recommend several- click the links to read my reviews:

• The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt: non-fiction about the role of the internet and social media in the emotional development of children. Lots of data and ideas worth considering.
• Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray: Historical fiction about the life of Frances Perkins, the first woman appointed to a US President’s Cabinet.
• Those We Thought We Knew by David Joy: Fiction set in the mountains of North Carolina that unflinchingly and thoughtfully explores how racism affects communities.
• The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer. Christian based self improvement
• The Maid by Nita Prose: A funny fiction mystery – a good antidote to the seriousness of our times and my other reading!

Titles I’ve got my eye on for next year

My “to read” list grows with the exuberance of a two year old. But I’m not daunted. Next year, I hope to spend more time reading newsletters, Substack, quality journalism I’m willing to pay for, (like Cardinal News), and of course, books! Titles I’m looking forward to include:

• The Pivot Year by Brianna Wiest (self help)
• Patriot: A Memoir by Alexei Navalny (biography)
• The Small and the Mighty: Twelve Unsung Americans Who Changed the Course of History, from the Founding to the Civil Rights Movement by Sharon McMahon (non fiction)
• Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Issacson (biography)
• More David Joy!

I’m excited and inspired by this list, but do you see the problem with it? Hardly any fiction. I need fiction recs! Please share in the comments or shoot me an email. I’m not a fan of space or sci fi so keep those to yourself. 😉

Shop for books responsibly

I’m newly irritated with Jeff Bezos, current owner of The Washington Post, for refusing to endorse a candidate in the 2024 Election in the name of objectivity. I suspect he actually was more concerned about the guy rolling into Washington in January than journalistic standards. Besides, I’m tired of his company taking over the world. So, I’m currently trying to divest from Amazon (for a person living in a rural community with few shopping options, this is hard.) If you buy books this holiday season, consider using Bookshop.org, a website that supports independent bookstores.

In that vein, please suggest viable replacements for Goodreads and Audible, also part of Amazon. 🙁

Happy reading and don’t sweat the shopping!

Thanks for getting nerdy with me!