“Hello. I hope somebody is listening…”

Genre: Young Adult Fiction

With class registration opening this week, we’ve all been thinking about our futures. What career should we pursue? Which friendships will last, and which won’t? Is it time to get serious and let go of our childish interests? Radio Silence by Alice Oseman covers all these questions perfectly, making it one of the most relatable books I’ve ever read. It follows Frances and her best friend Aled as they work together on Aled’s podcast, Universe City. Their platonic-soulmate relationship is refreshing in a genre flooded in forced romance, and side characters like Daniel and Raine are equally loveable. The characters talk like real teenagers, have real interests, and face real issues–none of that “omg totes lol #drama” adult authors tend to write. The story itself is interrupted with podcast scripts that add a level of mystery and give the reader a chance to look deeper at what’s really happening, keeping them on the edge of their seats. Yes, Radio Silence is a thick book, but it’s not painful; the first time I read the novel, I feverishly finished it in one sitting. Although it takes place in a pre-established universe, you don’t need to have read any of Oseman’s other series to get drawn into this standalone. And believe me, you will get drawn in. That synopsis barely brushes the surface of this fantastic novel.