History is all you left me By: Adam Silvera

I don’t usually like tragedies, but I loved this one.

The book is about a bot named Griffin, who struggles with his OCD. He loses his ex boyfriend, whom he’s still madly in love with to a drowning accident. He also meets Jackson, the boy that was dating Theo before he died. Together, they form a bond helping each other cope with losing the boy they both loved. The flashbacks, memories, and stories shared between them, revealed the sides of Theo they never got to witness themselves.

The story is told in first person but the narration was directed a Theo, as if Griffin was having a direct one way conversion with him. I really appreciate how it shows the process of healing of different people and how everyday becomes easier for them. It was also interesting to see how Theo’s death changed Griffin and how it caused him to make quite a lot of irrational decisions, but also taught him to fix what was important to him.

Another sideline in the story is Griffin OCD. I have read books involving Obsessive - compulsive disorder before although I cannot always relate to the struggles of facing the difficulties, I can sometimes relate to some of the situations. Even though it is of a much less degree, I have also experienced an obsession of something just not feeling right, and having the urge to fix it.

This is actually also one of the first homosexual romance books I have read as well and my thoughts are all very positive. It was fascinating to take in the differences and similarities between it and a straight romance book. Both in the people’s responses and the relationship itself.

The situations were unbearably sad sometimes, however, there was beauty in the way the grief and loss was eventually overcome, or at least controlled.

I think that whether you like this book or not, honestly depends on the person. If you are looking for a lighthearted and cheerful read, this book really won’t give you that. But if you so want a book that involves some tragedy, bittersweet memories and learning to grief, I think this book suits the category quite well.