Please Ignore Vera Dietz: Number One for a Reason

Please Ignore Vera Dietz by A.S. King is number one this year on my best books list. It may be the best book I've ever read, and it is most certainly in the top ten best books I’ve ever read. Here’s why:

But, first, let’s make a few changes to the title of this post:

 

There. Much better. I would “officially” change the title, but “Number One for Reasons” just doesn’t has the same ring as “Number One for a Reason.” Anyway, here is a list of eight or so reasons for why you should read Please Ignore Vera Dietz:

Its Title:  As humans, we naturally do things that we are not supposed to do. Just like the urge to open a box that says “Do Not Open,” it is next-to-impossible to avoid a book with a title Please Ignore Vera Dietz.

Its Author: A.S. King is a literary mastermind. Vera is only her second book, yet it’s been racking up accolades like crazy. Creative and witty, King tells stories that deserve to be told again and again.

Its Story: Please Ignore Vera Dietz is the story of—you guessed it—teenage Vera and her struggle to find answers. The novel begins with the funeral for Charlie, Vera’s neighbor. Vera and Charlie were once best friends, even sortakindamaybe more than friends, until he brutally betrayed her. Now that he’s dead Vera doesn’t know what to think. She hates him and loves him at the same time. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn their story and see what went wrong. Eventually, Vera embarks on a mission to clear Charlie’s name, which was tainted by rumors. Trekking the long, twisted path, she crosses many obstacles. She discovers, she reconciles, she forgives. 

Is it okay to hate a dead kid? Even if you loved him once? Even if he was my best friend? Is it okay to hate him for being dead?

– from Please Ignore Vera Dietz

Its Characters: What I love about the characters from Vera is that they’re so round and complex. They’re like real humans, which is the highest compliment to an author, in my opinion. Vera is likeable for both her innocence and mistakes and for her loudness and quietness. Charlie, through flashbacks and “reincarnated” objects/ghosts, is lost and confident—loveable and despised. Even Vera’s dad is perfectly composed. He’s not perfect, but he’s still a great role model.

a pagoda

Its Eccentricities: The majority of the chapters of Vera are narrated by Vera herself. But on occasion a few other characters take over the book’s point-of-view. Charlie, frequently seen as a sliced pickle by Vera, gives little side notes from the “Dead Kid.” Vera’s dad has occasional chapters—in the form of flow charts. But, wait! Don’t worry! It’s the good kind of flow charts. The ones were you’re faced with a question, and branched off the side of the question are the answer options yes or no. And then you continue down the page until you reach a conclusion. And lastly a pagoda—yes, I mean an “Asian tiered tower with multiple eaves” (thanks, Wikipedia!)—doles out sound advice to the reader. “A pagoda?” you may ask. Yes. A pagoda. No, I won’t tell you why there’s a pagoda! READ THE BOOK! 

Also, Vera works at Pagoda Pizza, so you learn all the pizza delivery lingo and inner-workings.  

a flow chart similar to those in the book

Its POWER: A.S. King has a way with words. With A.S. King’s powers channeling through each page, I—just like Vera—simultaneously loved and hated Charlie. You can tell that each word is hand-crafted and hand-chosen to create a wide array of emotions and imagery.

Its Awards: That’s right, Vera’s a Printz Honor novel and has collected numerous starred reviews from the big-name reviewing companies. Rightfully so, too.

It’s About Everything and Nothing: Does that make any sense? Maybe I’m not explaining it correctly, but—to me—Please Ignore Vera Dietz is a beautiful, fragile, and wonderful book about something not too out of the ordinary. 

OK, there are eight reasons to read Please Ignore Vera Dietz. If you’re not convinced to read this book yet, I do not know what will convince you. This official trailer might, though:

And, A.S. King, if you’re reading this, please know that you’re a magnificent author and deserve all the acclaim that you are given.

Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars

(image via and via and via and via)