A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares
From the author of Our Chemical Hearts comes the hilarious, reality-bending tale of two outsiders facing their greatest fears about life and love—one debilitating phobia at a time.
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Ever since Esther Solar’s grandfather was cursed by Death, everyone in her family has been doomed to suffer one great fear in their lifetime. Esther’s father is agoraphobic and hasn’t left the basement in six years, her twin brother can’t be in the dark without a light on, and her mother is terrified of bad luck.
The Solars are consumed by their fears and, according to the legend of the curse, destined to die from them.
Esther doesn’t know what her great fear is yet (nor does she want to), a feat achieved by avoiding pretty much everything. Elevators, small spaces and crowds are all off-limits. So are haircuts, spiders, dolls, mirrors and three dozen other phobias she keeps a record of in her semi-definitive list of worst nightmares.
Then Esther is pickpocketed by Jonah Smallwood, an old elementary school classmate. Along with her phone, money and a fruit roll-up she’d been saving, Jonah also steals her list of fears. Despite the theft, Esther and Jonah become friends, and he sets a challenge for them: in an effort to break the curse that has crippled her family, they will meet every Sunday of senior year to work their way through the list, facing one terrifying fear at a time, including one that Esther hadn’t counted on: love.
Cover may vary.
Ever since Esther Solar’s grandfather was cursed by Death, everyone in her family has been doomed to suffer one great fear in their lifetime. Esther’s father is agoraphobic and hasn’t left the basement in six years, her twin brother can’t be in the dark without a light on, and her mother is terrified of bad luck.
The Solars are consumed by their fears and, according to the legend of the curse, destined to die from them.
Esther doesn’t know what her great fear is yet (nor does she want to), a feat achieved by avoiding pretty much everything. Elevators, small spaces and crowds are all off-limits. So are haircuts, spiders, dolls, mirrors and three dozen other phobias she keeps a record of in her semi-definitive list of worst nightmares.
Then Esther is pickpocketed by Jonah Smallwood, an old elementary school classmate. Along with her phone, money and a fruit roll-up she’d been saving, Jonah also steals her list of fears. Despite the theft, Esther and Jonah become friends, and he sets a challenge for them: in an effort to break the curse that has crippled her family, they will meet every Sunday of senior year to work their way through the list, facing one terrifying fear at a time, including one that Esther hadn’t counted on: love.
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Community Reviews
The writing of this book was brilliant. I loved how witty it was. It seemed so light hearted at first and then got really deep. I enjoyed it from start to finish.
I found "A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares" to be an engaging and enjoyable read. Sutherland's writing is witty and engaging, and she has a knack for creating characters that are quirky and endearing. Esther is a relatable protagonist, and her struggles with anxiety and mental health are sensitively portrayed.
One of the strengths of the book is the way Sutherland handles the theme of mental health. She explores the idea that mental illness is not something that can be easily cured or fixed, but rather something that requires ongoing management and support. Esther's journey towards accepting her mental health issues and seeking help is a positive message for young readers.
That being said, there were a few aspects of the book that I found problematic. The portrayal of Esther's family and their curse felt a bit contrived, and the resolution of the curse was somewhat unsatisfying. Additionally, the romantic subplot felt somewhat forced, and the love interest, Jonah, was not particularly well-developed.
Overall, I would recommend "A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares" to young adult readers who are looking for a fun, quirky story that also deals with important issues such as mental health. While it is not a perfect book, it is an enjoyable read that will keep readers engaged from start to finish.
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