Progress: 39/52
The city is Portland OR, where I have spent much time. The book starts there, but then they travel to Iran and the bulk of it is set there. Best of both worlds - familiar settings at first, then new stuff.
This is written from the perspective of a Persian-American teenage boy who struggles with depression and anxiety. It’s a young adult novel, but don’t let that scare you off. There are serious topics here, from family relationships to mental illness to dealing with split cultural heritage.
Everyone should read this book. It will either hit close to home, or give you a window into a different experience. Very similar in that way to The Hate U Give, which is the last book that I recommended without qualification. In either case, you’ll be better for it.