INDESTRUCTIBLE OBJECT

Through making a podcast, a Memphis teen ponders the point of love while examining her own and her parents’ relationships.

High school has ended, and Vincent, 18-year-old Lee Swan’s boyfriend of the past two years, has just broken up with her. She tries to play it maturely while they make a final episode of their podcast, Artists in Love, but between their breakup and her parents’ fresh separation, Lee is a mess. When she discovers evidence that leads her to question the beginning of her parents’ relationship, Lee starts to work on a new podcast as she uncovers the truth. She’s assisted by her friends Max and Risa, both queer, and through them, Lee begins to open up about her own bisexuality. As she grapples with how to live authentically, she embraces a more expansive view of romance and relationships. In addition to navigating sexuality, this character-driven story also provides insight into how race and gender shape how one moves through the world. It showcases the different lived experiences of realistic side characters, including biracial (Black/White) Vincent, Filipino Max, and Max’s nonbinary parent. These characters are juxtaposed with Lee, a White woman who often reads as straight. The characters are enriched by their passions: The book is populated with artists of varying types, and Lee loves being a sound engineer. Additionally, the Memphis setting is vividly portrayed, including all its lovely weirdness and challenges.

A thoughtful exploration of love and identity.