Books › Solitaire
Solitaire
400 pages
A sharp, cynical dive into the messy reality of teenage depression and the terrifying vulnerability of letting people in.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like scrolling through a late-night blog feed. It is sharp, cynical, and deeply steeped in the isolating melancholy of adolescence. The narrative voice is fiercely detached yet incredibly vulnerable, pulling you into the mind of a protagonist who uses apathy as a shield against a chaotic world. The pace moves briskly, driven by a backdrop of escalating school pranks, but the true momentum lies in the quiet, internal struggle to feel something real. The prose is conversational and unapologetically teenage, capturing the dark humor and heavy emotional weight of depression without romanticizing it. It is a perfect fit for readers who crave messy, authentic character studies about the terrifying, beautiful process of finally choosing to care.
- Mood
- melancholic
- isolating
- chaotic
- wintery
- Tone
- cynical
- wry
- detached
- angsty
- darkly humorous
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- teenage depression · sibling loyalty · internet culture · fear of connection · finding purpose
- The writing
- Sharp, conversational, and deeply internal, capturing the authentic, slightly detached voice of a depressed teenager.
- The arc
- Moves from numb, cynical detachment to a fragile but genuine willingness to care and connect with others.
- Who it's for
- Readers who love messy, authentic portrayals of teenage mental health and cynical protagonists who secretly care.
Content notes
- depression
- suicidal ideation
- self-harm
- eating disorders
- bullying
About the book
'I don't ever remember not being serious. As far as I'm concerned, I came out of the womb spouting cynicism and wishing for rain.'
My name is Tori Spring. I like the sleep and I like to blog. Last year I had friends. Things were very different, I guess, but that's all over now.
Now there's Solitaire. And Michael Holden.
I don't know what Solitaire are trying to do. And I don't care about Michael Holden. I really don't.
Description from Open Library.
Books like Solitaire
See why they match
Radio SilenceAlice OsemanA late-night, neon-lit love letter to platonic soulmates and the terrifying freedom of choosing your own path.
Heartstopper, Volume 1Alice OsemanA warm hug of a graphic novel that captures the dizzying, delicate butterflies of a first crush.
Only mostly devastatedSophie GonzalesA queer reimagining of a classic summer-nights romance that balances laugh-out-loud banter with the tender ache of real-world grief.
The upside of unrequitedBecky AlbertalliA warm, witty, and deeply relatable exploration of the terrifying leap between crushing from afar and risking your heart in the real world.
FangirlRainbow RowellA cozy, anxiety-laced love letter to fandom, first loves, and the terrifying leap of leaving your comfort zone.
Girl OnlineZoe SuggA warm, diary-style journey of healing a broken heart through new friendships and creative passions.