Book Review: Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum
When I first stumbled upon Tell Me Three Things, I was immediately drawn in by its intriguing premise. An anonymous email buddy navigating high school chaos? As someone who navigated similar social waters in my youth, I was curious to see how author Julie Buxbaum would spin this modern tale of loss, friendship, and identity.
The story centers around Jessie, a girl grappling with her mother’s recent death and her father’s unexpected marriage to a new wife—with a son to boot! Relocating from Chicago to a posh prep school in Los Angeles felt like being thrown into an alternate universe, where the landscape of privilege and social hierarchy was as intimidating as it was foreign. Jessie’s vulnerability and sharp wit immediately resonated with me; her struggle to find her footing amid the glamor and complicity of haughty classmates felt all too familiar.
Buxbaum has an exceptional knack for blending humor with the heavy themes of grief and the search for belonging. The email exchanges between Jessie and her anonymous friend, dubbed Somebody/Nobody (SN), are a highlight of the novel. They are laced with a delightful mix of humor and sincerity that makes you root for both characters, even as you ponder who SN really is. Their growing connection highlights the poignant idea that sometimes, you can be your truest self behind a screen. "In the Venn diagram of my life, my imagined personality and my real personality have never converged," Jessie reflects, capturing that universal feeling of wanting to be seen and understood.
Buxbaum’s writing is smooth and accessible, making the pages fly by. I found myself losing track of time as I became immersed in the intricate dynamics of Jessie’s new environment—her snarky stepbrother, the judgmental clique at school, and the complexities of budding romance. The dialogue sparkles with authenticity, and the character development is nuanced, allowing Jessie’s evolution from a hurt outsider to a self-assured young woman to unfold beautifully.
One particularly poignant line struck me: “Maybe home doesn’t have to be a place.” This encapsulates one of the novel’s central themes—home is about connection, be it familial or platonic. Jessie’s journey towards finding her own place within this unfamiliar world is a testament to resilience and the idea that sometimes, friendships can arise from the unlikeliest of situations.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Tell Me Three Things to anyone who enjoys heartfelt stories with a blend of humor and poignancy. It resonates not just with young adults facing their own tumultuous transitions but also with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider. The emotional depth and relatable characters make it a book that surely lingers with you long after you turn the last page.
In a world where connection can often feel fleeting, Buxbaum reminds us that sometimes what we seek is just a conversation away—whether in person or via a typed message. This book was a delightful reminder of the support we can find through unexpected friendships, and it left me feeling warm and hopeful. So grab a cup of tea, cozy up, and let Jessie’s journey remind you that you’re never truly alone, no matter the circumstances.