As someone who was a teen in the 1990’s in Canada I found I could relate to this book on several levels and really enjoyed all the little 90’s nostalgia snuck in. That said, this is a book for everyone, a wonderfully written coming of age/ modern living story that I’m sure everyone could find something to relate to.

3.5 stars. This was a good read but felt unfinished, with an unsatisfying ending. It was mostly a series of vignettes about the main character's life. I had hoped there would be more discussion of a significant event that occurs early in the book but it barely came up again.

The description of this book caught my interest. In hindsight, I should’ve read the description a little more carefully. The synopsis pretty well describes this book in a nutshell, a part from the humour aspect. The Most Precious Substance on Earth is somewhat dark and at times I found it disturbing. However, it will make you stop and reflect.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC.

3.5 stars

Nina is an East Indian girl, growing up in Halifax, Nova Scotia. It is mostly vignettes of her life, starting in grade 9 in the 1990s and continuing through high school and beyond, as she becomes a teacher and navigates online dating.

I thought this was good. I liked Nina’s parents, and I liked many of the pop culture references. I was a bit confused that there was something at the beginning that never seemed to be tied up, though. I kept wondering if it would resurface later in the book, but it didn’t – unless I missed it.

A coming of age story, The Most Precious Substance on Earth tells the story of Nina from the age of fourteen to her mid-thirties as she treads through school, being the sole daughter of Indian parents, through living independently, teaching and online dating.

Nina and her best friend Amy both experience traumas in their teens and the reader sees two ways that trauma can manifest itself throughout life. We see how the developing brains of teens can be forever changed by the actions of another.

This is not an easy story, nor is it a particularly happy one. A couple chapters in I had to put it down for a bit as I had such a sense of dis-ease. With that said, there were moments of inspiration and lightness that added a needed balm to the story.

The detailed writing created very distinct images of the moments. The pop culture and literary references that were dropped in here and there were fun and many. The character of Nina was sharp-I felt like I would recognize her at the coffee shop.

I look forward to reading more by this author and encourage everyone to pick this book up.

Thank you to @netgalley and @McClellandStewart / @PenguinRandomCa for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. The Most Precious Substance on Earth comes out August 24, 2021.

This is such a propulsive read, at once humorous and emotionally pulling with its 90's pop culture references and the ennui and angst of teenaged drama through to early millennial adulthood. The novel (which feels more like a series of interconnected short stories) follows Nina, perpetually unsure of herself and her place in the world, as she deals with losing her best friend, a crush on an English teacher, her mother's attempts at setting her up, an MFA attempt, to her own teaching days. Nina's character is well drawn, as are those of her parents (especially her father), and despite the sadness attached to her stories it was a joy to read.

I was invested in reading Nina’s story arc. This book starts out pretty light and funny, but it gets a lot more serious and offers some stark realities by the end of it.

CW: rape.

It’s the nineties and Nina is a ninth grade student in Halifax, Canada. She has a vivid imagination and often plays out various scenarios in her head of how she hopes things will turn out. - they usually don’t end the way she imagines. She has a big crush on her teacher. Nina and her best friend, Amy coordinate their schedules together. Nina’s parents try to set her up with local Indian boys who don’t get her pop culture references or interest in Satanic cults. When a traumatic incident happens at school Nina mentions it to no one. This incident changes Nina and has long-lasting consequences that she will struggle with well into her adult years.

Nina is a fully fleshed out character. She tends to hide her feelings and emotions until they rip her apart.

I loved her parents, they ultimately want her to get married to a nice guy, but they are a great support system for her and love her unconditionally. The pop culture references references were a nice touch. There’s everything from Gilmore Girls to Pretty Little Liars to Canadian favourite, Tim Hortons sprinkled throughout.

This an extremely well-written novel. I was hooked from the first sentence. Although it is a little depressing, so if books affect your mood, maybe save it for when you can manage it.

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for this arc in exchange for my honest review.