Not Quite YA Gold Level

Perhaps I was less enthusiastic about Weird Girl and What’s His name than badkittyuno because I didn’t have the X-Files connection to the character’s that my sister has. I was five when the series premiered and by the time I was old enough to appreciate it the show was winding down its run. However, I don’t think you need to be a sci-fi nerd to appreciate the characters and story line but it probably helps.

What’s His Name, Rory, is an overweight, gay junior in high school whose only friend is Weird Girl Lula. They binge watch nerdy TV shows and have Lord of the Rings marathons but their true fandom allegiance lies with the X-files. They are re-watching the show in chronological order at 9 pm on Fridays just like when the show was still going. Together they are writing a complete guide to the series and building up to the next movie release. Rory has begun living a secret life from Lula, including a much older boyfriend and football try-outs. Lula discovers Rory with his boyfriend and is so angry she runs away.

The story is broken up into two parts. Rory narrates before and during Lula’s disappearance and Lula narrates what happens when she comes back as well as flashbacks to her time away from home. It’s a bit angsty but most books narrated by seventeen year olds have some angst. Meagan Brother’s has a bright YA future ahead of her and I’m interested to see where she goes next.