Everything I thought I knew by Shannon Takaoka

Chloe's life was on track - in her last year of high school, headed towards one of the top colleges - when she collapses during track practice. Rushed to hospital, she learns that her heart isn't working correctly and she needs a transplant, or she won't make it to college. After months waiting for someone to die so she can live, her family gets the call and they rush to the hospital for the surgery. Having recovered from the transplant, Chloe is behind in her life plans while all her friends have graduated. She's stuck at summer school in order to be able to graduate and finds herself lacking her normal drive and her punctuality. She even takes up surfing - which had never been on her radar. And... she has memories that she doesn't recognise. Vivid and recurring memories that make no sense, Chloe needs answers, and will look wherever possible to find them.

This surprisingly delightful contemporary novel has an incredibly relatable protagonist, whose everyday life is disrupted by the need for surgery, at a very young age. The description of the fear leading up to surgery and the post-surgery lethargy is extremely accurate, as well as the monotony of taking daily medications. The aftermath of life saving surgery includes Chloe's search for meaning - in life and in the memories that have filled her mind. The whole story has a simple narrative, focusing on changing relationships, life choices and motivation. You will notice your own heart beating as you read this book, which is ideal for fans of Not if I see you first by Eric Lindstrom, The Book of Chance by Sue Whiting and John Green books.

Themes: Contemporary; Human Relationships; Heart Transplants; Cellular Memory; Surfing; Love Stories.

Melanie Pages