Why Every Exquisite Thing by Matthew Quick is our first book post!
It’s not often you find your tangled thoughts perfectly captured in the pages of a book. To suddenly find yourself on the page, to be able to relate to the characters in a layered way is not a regular occurrence. But as they say in the book,
“There are seven billion other people out there. Seven billion. Are you really pessimistic enough to believe you wouldn’t get along with any of them?”
The book follows Nanette, this introverted, almost destructively self-aware teenager who questions everything, can’t make sense of the status quo, and is trying to stay true to her authentic self. As people who are generally moving from one existential crisis to the next, we read this book almost expecting answers. Couldn’t agree more when Nanette says,
“The author has a responsibility to provide the answers. All the answers!”
But as you follow Nanette’s journey, you understand that no one really knows any more than the next person. Not the old reclusive neighbour, the rebellious poet, or even parents. Everyone is figuring it out as they go and that’s all we can really expect. Special mention to Unproductive Ted, a turtle that spends most of its time on a rock soaking up the sun, representing the oh-too-many days we end up doing nothing because everything feels overwhelming and confusing.
Our favourite quote from the book:
This quote 🙌🏽✨When you don't conform, there is a price you pay for your individuality. But at some point, you are out of reach, you go beyond their cages. Because people like their cages👏🏽The visual he creates is so simple and poignant. Has anyone said it better?
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