Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You

Eighteen-year-old James has always been a loner, always been a little depressed, but at times lately he’s been wondering if he wants to live. At the very least, he’s decided he doesn’t want to live the way his family and peers expect him to—namely, going to college, where he’ll be surrounded by all those dreaded people his own age. Working in his mother's art gallery the summer after senior year, James reflects on his life and contemplates the future, while poring over midwest real estate ads, trying to attract the attention of John, the gay gallery manager, and deflecting his parents' attempts to talk.

Quiet, poetic, and often hilarious, this is one of those deeply touching books I wanted to pass on to all my friends. Highly recommended for teens and adults.