If you’re reading this, you probably love books. Which means we have a lot in common. We’ve all probably rainbowed our shelves, lined up for book signings, cried over fictional characters, and chosen books over underwear when packing for trips (ESSENTIALS PEOPLE!!!).

But we also probably have a few other things in common, and not just us lovely book people, but everyone. Most everyone has felt like they weren’t enough at one point or another. Most everyone has felt like they don’t belong. Most everyone has felt like they are alone. For us book people (#greatestpeoplealiveeee), a book is the friend that reminds you that you are not alone. That you do belong. And that you are enough.

So if you find yourself looking for a reminder like that (or for a new read to fall in love with, pass on to all of your friends, hold dear, wish the characters into existence, or tattoo the book cover onto your entire back (#realfanswould)), then Darius the Great Is Not Okay IS THE BOOK FOR YOU.

If we haven’t convinced you to read this book yet, then please kindly continue scrolling down this page to find five very good, very amazing, very convincing reasons why you should pick this tree-fiber-based stack of beautiful words ASAP.

Very good, very amazing, very convincing REASON #1:

If you meet all (it must be all, no less), of the following qualifications this book is your emotional soulmate:

• You breathe air (a delicious combo of nitrogen and oxygen…we think)
• You like books
• You like good books
• You like books that teach you something knew about the world and about yourself (we call that a double threat in the book biz) (we don’t actually) (but we should)
• You like to have books lined up on your TBR
• You have lots of feelings

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Very good, very amazing, very convincing REASON #2:

If you’ve read and loved books by Becky Alvertalli, David Arnold, or Jandy Nelson, YOU ARE MOST WELCOME WE HAVE THE BOOK FOR YOU. Just like these authors, debut author Adib Khorram delivers a straight-to-the-heart voice full of self-deprecation, humor, and honesty. There is a layer of levity and spirit here that you will likely only encounter once we develop technology for hovercars.

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Very good, very amazing, very convincing REASON #3:

Darius lives with clinical depression. He’s been struggling with different medications, outside perceptions, and pressure from his perfect father who just wants him to be normal. But Darius doesn’t know how to do that. If you’re looking for a book that helps you explore mental health, be sure to keep an eye out for Darius’s story.

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Very good, very amazing, very convincing REASON #4:

Identity is a hard thing to pin down. It’s hard to prioritize what it is, exactly, that identifies you. Darius has always seen himself as a “Fractional Persian.” His dad is white and his mom is from Yazd, Iran. During his trip to Iran, Darius starts to reconcile the two worlds he’s always struggled to find a place in. If you want to feel some wholesome, give-me-some-of-that validation that questioning your identity is okay, questioning your heritage is okay, and questioning who you are is okay…~*throws Darius through the screen you’re currently reading this on, for emphasis*~

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Very good, very amazing, very convincing REASON #5:

We have never had as big of a friendship crush on anyone as we have on Darius. He may not always feel okay, but he is truly great. And so is the book. And so would be the decision to read it.

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