Exploring Identity in the Internet Age: Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli

Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli is a sweet, very timely young adult romance about Imogen, a high school girl who thinks she’s just a “very, very dedicated ally” – despite her enduring love for Clea Duvall, such a classic root! – but, over the course of the book, realizes she’s actually bisexual.

This book addresses so many fears that I think a lot of younger folks have today – for example, that exploring your sexuality does not mean you’re “appropriating gayness” for “clout” or attention, that it’s okay to not know what your exact label is all the time, and that sexuality is a spectrum and the labels we choose to identify ourselves with may change over time, too.

The book also addresses the idea that there is no “one true gay,” essentially – that we can’t simply defer to the opinions of the “gayest” person in the room and assume they’re right, even when it comes to queer issues. We have to form our own moral compasses and stand by them, because these issues are not always, or even often, entirely black and white, and we all bring something unique and valid to the table. And further, we can never know who around us is questioning their own sexuality – so we ought to be kind and as open as possible to other folks’ journeys.

Aside from all that, it was also a super sweet and adorable romance! I definitely recommend it for both young adults and adult adults.