diverse teen lgbtq fiction (indigenous local 17-y.o. boy starts relationship with mysterious 17 y.o. boy from the rich/tourist/fancy end of fictional post-colonial dystopian pacific island nation; author hails from the Philippines and Hawaii).
I read to page 192 (over halfway) but really wasn't enjoying this as much as I'd hoped. It definitely is "quirky" (haiku snapchats and lots of imagined convos with Oscar Wilde) and the queer inclusivity is excellent, but had trouble connecting with the characters. Between the dystopian world-building (sort of an alternate reality crammed right next to our current reality) and the disjointed communications between characters that are able to meet so rarely, the writing felt pretty all-over-the-place.

Would recommend instead: [b:We Contain Multitudes|41716953|We Contain Multitudes|Sarah Henstra|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1537674597l/41716953._SY75_.jpg|60091719], which is much more readable--letters (and later, love letters) traded between a hard-shelled, ex-jock super-senior (should have graduated last year but was kept back) and a picked-on sophomore who is openly gay and who dresses like Walt Whitman on purpose). ( )

Student Review by: Hannah H
Grade Range: 8th Grade and up
Literary merit: Good
Characterization: Ok

The Importance of Being Wilde at Heart by R. Zamora Linmark tells a story of a boy named Ken Z who is a lover of haikus, lists, and all things Oscar Wilde. Ken Z lives in South Kristol, a poor little island where residents have no access to the outside world without a passport. Ken Z is in an Oscar Wilde book club with his two eccentric best friends CaZZ and Estelle. Ken Z really doesn’t have much and likes to go to the fancy malls and restaurants and pretend to be someone from North Kristol; this act of pretending is what he calls “bunburying.” While he is on one of his bunburying adventures he meets a boy named Ran a boy from North Kristol who is also a fan of Oscar Wilde. They bond over their love of books, music, and dreams of getting away. Soon their relationship turns into more than just a friendship. Then just as Ken Z is falling for Ran, he disappears, stops answering messages and doesn’t come to see him anymore. Ken Z is stuck in a haze of pain and memories that Ran left behind. Will Ran come back and explain it all away or will Ken Z have to find a way to forget him?

This book was a miss for me. The incorporation of haikus and poems in the story was very cool, but I just couldn’t get into this book. Ran’s character wasn’t well developed; I wish the author had given him more depth so readers could actually feel something when he walks out of Ken Z’s life. I loved Ken Z’s best friends CaZZ and Estelle, who were funny, brave, and strong characters, but they don’t play a very big role. A few haikus I liked in this book were “The curve of your lips. The sigh that completes a kiss. Ah, the endless Ahs!” “Not quite morning. Not quite wakefulness. My craving crows.” “From dusk-draped window. Brightness leaves me. Light by light by light.” “It’s almost midnight. No magic spell at the door. Happiness on hold.” The poems made the book a lot more enjoyable, but ultimately, I couldn’t really relate to this book. I would, however, recommend this book to anyone who enjoys Oscar Wilde and his work. ( )

DNF reading. What a mess of a book. I tried to read this book 4 separate times and just couldn't get into. Too much going on in this book it makes no sense what so ever. It's a no for me. I do love the cover though. It's bright and colorful.

This is my honest opinion.

Rating 2.5 (because of the cover) ( )