DNF. I got about 20% of the way in, and I just couldn't stick with it. I will possibly try to come back to this one later as the other reviews are mostly positive, but there were a few times that I cringed at stereotypical language at the beginning of the book, and it didn't set the tone well for me.

⭐⭐⭐⭐️💫 / 4.5 stars

This was a fantastic book and one that I will be encouraging my soon-to-be sixteen year old son to read.

The way in which the author addresses both uncomfortable but important subject matter is refreshing.

From sexual curiosity and censorship to racism and the reach of social media; Julia Walton addresses it all with such knowledge, class, and inclusivity.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's, and the author for this digital Advanced Reader Copy.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel. 4.5/5 stars.

Oh my god. This is SUCH an important novel for young adults, especially in regards to the discussion of sexuality and teenagers engaging in sexual activity. Phoebe writes a sex blog under the pseudonym "Pom" after finding a research interest as a 14 year old purchasing boxes of materials from an OB-GYN's estate sale. Pom's exposure explodes after a local mayor candidate -- who represents the right Christian morality group -- makes the blog go viral.

The novel deals with Phoebe's own conceptions of sexuality, hiding her identity, and helping those who attend their school (and the world) with their questions and concerns -- all while a nasty mayoral election campaign is going on AND Phoebe is dealing with bias from the school newspaper she works at.

The amount of information in this would be SO beneficial for teenagers and yeah, it might make them uncomfortable but I think the novel points out that 1) abstinence doesn't stop them from having sex and 2) they need to get accurate information from somewhere.

Also, Phoebe and Jorge were adorable. The plot was good. The intention was good. I just didn't like some elements of the plot w/ the mayoral campaign because it felt semi-unresolved.

Covers a timely topic with smooth, readable prose and some humor. Phoebe is a great narrator, observant and honest with a strong point of view, and the other characters are also well-defined. I appreciated the build of the romance, which was sweet and quite adorable, if a little lacking in sizzle. Antagonist Lydia Brockhurst does come across as incredibly cookie-cutter and lacking in nuance, but these days that seems close enough to reality that it isn't overly objectionable. I will mention that the sex advice does lean very heavily cis-centric, and small later additions don't do much to shift or walk back all the mentions of "female pleasure" or "male genitalia," and its very noticeable because of Phoebe/Pom's alleged status as transgressively enlightened and the current anti-trans positioning which would seemingly go part and parcel with the Brockhurst agenda. A quick, engaging read which will likely feel current and real to those who pick it up. Recommend to those who enjoyed Mathieu's Moxie, Keenan's Rebel Girls, or Smyth's Not My Problem.

This was one of the most adorable books I've ever read! And the most needed. I would have welcomed Phoebe into my library with welcome arms and provided her with all the research needed. Of course, I was also the librarian who was banned by that same woman. So, I feel Phoebe's pain!! Anyone who has this need to spread knowledge, and bears the pain of having that knowledge squashed or quieted, will so appreciate this book. Phoebe/Pom was such a relatable character in every way. I kept wanting to hug the book in hopes it would relay that hug to her.

Hell yes to a teen taking sex ed into her own hands, and creating such an incredible resource for other teens! I was so impressed with the characters in this story, and it felt very on point for the world we are living in today.

Quiet, smart, and inexperienced Phoebe Townsend is the author of a sex education blog gone viral called The Circle in the Square—but nobody knows it’s her. When a conservative political candidate gets a whiff of Phoebe’s blog and goes on a Twitter rampage, Phoebe’s blog goes viral, bringing supporters and critics alike. As a teenager herself, Phoebe understands how awkward it is to ask questions about sex and understands how important her blog is to teens looking for answers. Unfortunately, our aforementioned conservative political candidate, Lydia Brookhurst, has decided to make shutting down The Circle in the Square one of her priorities—replacing it and all sex education at the schools with abstinence only education. Phoebe isn’t going to back down, no matter what.

What makes this novel stand out from others is that it actually offers information about sex and safe sex. Using Phoebe’s blog as a platform to educate readers felt so simple yet so brilliant. I would have been stoked to have this book around when I was a teenager (and Phoebe’s blog, too) not because I was looking for any “tips or tricks” on how to have sex, but, because like many teens, I was simply curious. Additionally, in the current American political climate, safe sex education is absolutely pertinent. I can see this book being challenged at many libraries and schools—and I mean that as a compliment. No one bans a book that isn’t important.

Content Warning: vandalism, cyberbullying

This book comes at the right time when current events in the USA are heightened because of the overturning of abortion rights. So reading this feels very relevant!

+ sex positivity. Phoebe is a high school student and a great writer. She writes for her school newspaper and she also has a blog that gives out information about sex. No one knows it’s her behind the blog but it’s a space where she can help others who need help finding answers to such a taboo topic. I wish I had all this information when I was young. We did have sex education class in the 5th grade, 7th grade, and even in the 9th grade because there was a high rate of teenage pregnancy going on in those days – but kids didn’t ask any questions because it really was a taboo topic.

+ I liked seeing all these high school kids with such different passions – Phoebe with journalism and science, Jorge with botany or planting crops, and others with their involvement in school and even politics.

+ Phoebe’s voice was great because she didn’t have all the answers but she tried to do her research and she really did reply respectfully to all the people making comments on her blog. Her blog really caused an uproar because people in on the internet believed her blog encouraged teens to have more sex. I know this can be a hot topic in politics with one side thinking no one should have sex until marriage but in my life experiences, reality doesn’t happen that way. People have sex. Teens have sex. Why is it bad for them to be informed on how to stay safe? So I understood Phoebe’s stance. What was horrible was the backlash that came when they revealed her identity. People really can be atrocious to one another.

+ The romance was sweet and I liked that when Phoebe finally had her own experiences with kissing and more, she was informed and took her time. The scene is a fade to black moment and perfect for this story. I like that the romance wasn’t the main focus of this story but a nice way to show Phoebe’s new experiences with boys.

~ Phoebe gave information about sex on the blog but when it finally came to a gay person asking a question and she had no clue how tot respond, she acknowledged that about herself – and realized she didn’t have information on that. She went and did research and I applauded her for that. It would have been nice to have some LGBTQ+ characters in this story because EVERYONE has questions about sex.

~ The election events in this book gave me minor ptsd – it’s so stressful these days but like I said, stays current to the times we are living in, sadly.


Why you should read it:
*this is a sex positive, smart, eye-opening story
*Phoebe has a great voice – she’s mature, coming of age and dealing with emotions and standing up for things she believes in
*coincides with the political atmosphere going on in America today

Why you might not want to read it:
*doesn’t have much LGBT+ rep – even with the sex information

My Thoughts:

This is really a fantastic book and one perfect for teens and young adults to read. I felt like it was open, positive (except for the negative reactions to Phoebe and her blog), hopeful and eye-opening. With so much happening to women’s rights in America right now, I feel like this book is timely and makes us realize nothing is wrong with trying to learn more and be safe. I wish I had a blog like this when I was young and dating. I do wish there was more LGBT+ rep in the story but I can understand that Phoebe was still learning and growing. Overall I think this story is very relevant and Phoebe is a brave character for standing up for what she believes in.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children's Books for this ARC of On the Subject of Unmentionable Things.

On the Subject of Unmentionable Things by Julia Walton manages to show how teenagers are curious and will find the answers they seek when it comes to sex education.

I have to admit that this book tackled a lot of hard issues. Topics that make adults uncomfortable. Things like sex, romance, bullying, and politics. We follow a young high school protagonist who was curious and started seeking out clinical answers to all her questions about sex. She journaled her research as a blog. But the moment she created a Twitter account for the blog she suddenly is thrust into the spotlight when a parent in the community discovers the anonymous blog and makes it her crusade to tear apart the community to find out who the blogger is. I really found the voices of the teenagers to sound really authentic particularly on the hard hitting topics addressed surrounding sex.

I can definitely see myself sharing this book as a recommendation to students. I myself couldn't put it down! (with some content warnings).

I absolutely loved this book! It was such a unique premise. Some parts of it were predictable, but I loved all the things the main character goes through. in her journey. I wish more books were made like this. I devoured the book in a day!

On the subject of unmentionable things is a fantastic book. It is deals with many issues that one hears all the time about people forcing their beliefs on others. The topic of sex and teenagers will greatly resonate with the readers of this novel. As an adult, I believe adults need to remember what it was like to be a teenager and having questions that teenagers do that need reliable answers. Sometimes the topics might make be uncomfortable, but are topics that are important to discuss. This story greatly focuses on that. Would highly recommend this novel.

Loved this book! Phoebe is my spirit animal and I would love to have a kid like her in our town. This book tackles a hot - button topic with truth, grace and a lot of compassion. I think that not only young people should read it but it should be a must read for parents and anyone who works with young people.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this title to preview.

This novel is part sex education and part a coming of age story. Phoebe, our main character, secretly writes a well-cited blog called The Circle in the Square. Once she launched her associated Twitter accounts, folks realized the name of her town because she didn't have the location services setting turned off. What follows is a conflict between a mayoral candidate and Phoebe's blog. Lydia Brookhurst finds the blog inappropriate for teens and runs on a campaign promise of abstinence only education. She calls the blog filth and smut and other associated terms.

Phoebe, an aspiring writer, is proud of her work, but wants to remain anonymous. She argues that facts aren't political and that she is merely providing information for people who need it. And given the scenes in the character's health class--most students need it.

The conflict rises as the reader just knows that Phoebe will eventually be outed as the blog author--but we just aren't sure how. Will Brookhurst identify her? Will Phoebe be careless and out herself? What will people think?

Walton includes many scenes in which Phoebe is writing her blog or responding to questions on her blog to include some sex education in the novel. Phoebe is always ensuring that each answer is factual and linked back to sources and/or cites sources.

What I loved most about this novel was how the teens had their passions: journalism, hybrid plants, sex education, etc. It was nice to see teens geek out and what makes them happy.

I think sex positive stories for teens are super important, which is why I wanted to read this. However, I believe said stories should also be inclusive of all teens, and not just the allocishet ones. The book starts off immediately with some very cisnormative language, and it didn't seem like it was going to get better, which is why I decided to DNF.

On the Subject of Unmentionable Things
by Julia Walton
Pub Date: 23 Aug 2022
If the cover isn't intriguing enough, the wit and wisdom found in the pages of this novel will get you.
Phoebe is a mousy journalism student trying to get through high school. She is also the anonymous author of a scientifically-based, well-researched sex blog for teens. Though no experience herself, she has found that her peers are grossly misinformed about sex. She has decided to do something about it in the form of a well-researched blog. Enter the town's substantially wealthy, close-minded mayoral candidate Mrs. Lyia Brookhurst, who is determined to unveil the identity of the sex "pervert" behind the blog to deflect some bad press she's received and making her a hero among her sheep followers. However, her attacks on the blog make it go viral while dividing the town.
Phoebe never meant to become famous (anonymously or not), but she does realize, now more than ever, students need open-discussion that will lead them to making better, safer choices. Her fight isn't her own.
Things to know before your read this book:
1. You will laugh out loud.
2. You will want to punch some of the characters.
3. You will learn about sex through scientifically sound research.
4. You will be shocked what some students (and adults) think they know about sex.
5. You will wish Phoebe had been your sex ed teacher.
I want a Circle in the Square Tshirt.
#netgalley #OntheSubjectofUnmentionableThings
#JuliaWalton

I think this is a great book for younger readers to read. It is very sex positive and is about learning what sex is. I think a lot of times schools only teach the basics of sex. But people have so many questions. This book helps people learn to understand there bodies. For me as a 27 year old I don't think this book was for me. Just because I am more educated than most younger reads. But I think this would be a good book for younger reads.

I loved this. It is definitely riding the coattails of the show Sex Education but I'm not mad about it. I'm so happy that the youth of today have resources and are able to have conversations about sex that even my generation (and I didn't think I was that old going into this reading) didn't have.

I loved the characters in this book. It was a good friend book and I loved David. I loved that the main character's relationship with David (her best friend's beau) grew as well. So often in YA literature the BF's significant other is either unwelcome or unimportant but that is a good relationship to explore as well.

Overall, this book was very well done.

Most of this book I agreed with, but there were a few parts that I did not; it was especially too bad to see how creationism was portrayed, though I was not surprised. Overall, I was so proud of the protagonist Phoebe and the voice that she was for her peers; this book said a lot without being too mean or disrespectful about it.

Overall I really liked this book and the concept of it. I think proper sex education is so important and it is something lacking in adolescent years and even into adult hood. I thought the plot seemed very realistic as well and a major reflection of the society we currently have here in America. If I had to say one thing, I could see people critiquing the sex scene at the end since this is a young adult book, meaning it isn't fade to black enough since the characters are minors.

This book was so cute! Phoebe is such a relatable character and I wish I had a friend like her in high school. This is definitely a great book to give to the teen in your life, as it covers some real world issues and answers a lot of questions.