These 11 stories are meditations on themes that are both timeless—women looking for love, longing for more from life, fighting for their dreams—and modern, filled with influencers and celebrity-driven culture and people living on the periphery of both. Through engaging and occasionally shocking stories, Rende deftly shows the balancing act between the online and performative world in which we increasingly live and the rich, complicated interior lives of her characters. These impressive stories lay bare the hidden worlds of both the very online and those living adjacent to the spotlight or yearning for it, for better or worse. Consider Jane, a bored receptionist who takes center stage in the opening story, “Nothing Special.” Jane spends her time DMing former child stars and befriending influencers like Ramona, who isn’t at all the beautiful-inside-and-out person she pretends to be online. What follows is a darkly funny cautionary tale about falling for illusions. In “Lopsided,” a possibly ripped-from-reality story, the young narrator grapples with the fact that she wants to leave the boyfriend who just donated a kidney to her. Is she bound to stay with him forever, or can she dump him to see what else is out there? In “High School Junkie Girlfriend,” a struggling actress and temporary hot-tub saleswoman decides to go all in while preparing for her role as the titular junkie girlfriend. She is determined to break out of her rut and reach the next stage of her career no matter what, the result is a Raymond Carver–esque vignette of life on the sidelines.

Gilberg writes that he’s always sought to treat his patients holistically. Positive mental health requires being in touch with one’s physical well-being, and as a practicing psychiatrist for more than 50 years, the author is well placed to serve as a guide to that well-being. Specifically, his book serves as an attempt to allow readers to achieve the same quality of life that he helps his patients enjoy. The book focuses on practical advice, listed as a series of “prescriptions” for self-improvement and distributed among seven themes, including physical and mental fitness, coping with trauma, and romantic relationships. He tells those coping with loneliness to consider volunteer opportunities, warns older adults to be wary of antidepressants, and reminds all readers to respect others’ methods of grief over losing loved ones. Each part also includes anonymous patient anecdotes, such as a story of a parent coping with the death of their son, caused by an intoxicated driver. Gilberg didn’t tell the parent to deny or attempt to immediately “cure” any of his feelings; rather, he acknowledged that the pain that he was experiencing was what he needed to feel in that moment. At other points, Gilberg’s advice serves to shift the perspective of his imagined readers, for example by telling the parents and grandparents of LGBTQ+ children: “I understand how you feel. Now tell me how they feel.” The books’ prescriptions are well-reasoned, accessibly written, and don’t shy away from topics that some might find taboo, such as age-gap relationships. The cost of this breadth is that the book covers many of its 43 subjects too generally to offer acute or unexpected insights. It’s undeniable that finding community, taking care of one’s physical health, and considering others’ feelings are crucial components of general well-being, but such advice lacks enough nuance to have significant impact. Gilberg’s expertise is seen best in the anecdotes, and they should find a place at the core of his writing.

Apapachos (or hugs) brighten celebrations, soften disappointments, and chase away nighttime fears. But now that Mami’s working away from home for the first time, how will Luna manage without their daily embraces? A gentle apapacho from Abue after a small mishap while gardening makes Luna feel braver. Daddy’s bedtime hugs make Luna feel safe, and the youngster offers him one in return, knowing he misses Mami, too. Even Benito the poodle starts the morning with a slobbery snuggle that lifts Luna’s spirits. Over the next few days, family, friends, and teachers find other ways to make Luna feel appreciated, like encouraging words from Ms. Garcia at school and time spent on the playground with a best friend. And when Mami finally returns, Luna realizes an important truth: “Whether Mami’s near or far, our apapacho love can hold up the moon, the stars, and ALL of me.” Highlighting the many forms love can take, Harmony’s warm, reassuring story makes clear that distance can never diminish love. Depicting a diverse, sweet-faced cast, Meza’s mixed-media illustrations blend bright washes of color and squiggly action lines; they radiate emotion and make the meaning of apapachos tangible. An author’s note further discusses the title word, a Spanish word for a hug that derives from the Náhuatl term papachoa.

The other ghosts, who collectively narrate, are hoping for “the scariest garden EVER. A real boo-tanical fright”—ideally in the cemetery. But Leonard opts for the backyard. And instead of weeds, he plants seeds, much to the consternation of the others, who “don’t want anything that grows up to be pretty or smell nice.” Once the garden is in full bloom, the real test of its spookiness—or lack thereof—arrives when the ghosts’ human neighbors stop by. Perhaps unsurprisingly, a group of spirits, even adorable ones, is a frightening sight to the adults, who screech in terror, though their child is thrilled at her new neighbors. Leonard’s a sweet little ghost, always wearing his gardening hat and work gloves, a smudge of pink on his cheeks. Each of his friends—depicted as translucent floating sheets—has their own distinctive characteristic: a beanie, a hairbow, glasses, a furrowed brow. An especially captivating illustration shows the unassuming new seedlings reaching toward the sky, looking up at Leonard as he peers down at them, his joy a dramatic contrast to his friend’s dismay. Quietly determined to create the garden of his dreams, Leonard is a hero that readers will root for; the puns and sunny artwork combine for a story that’s just right for those who prefer their Halloween tales on the gentle side.

The family prepares for dinner, greets their guests, and begins the seder service with blessings. Along the way, the young narrator discusses the various customs—and offers earnestly enthusiastic asides. Everyone takes a sip of wine (“I get to drink grape juice”). Soon it’s time for the reading of the Four Questions (“I get to read [them]…because I am the youngest. This is my first year doing it!”). Next, the youngster tells the story of how the Jews escaped slavery in Egypt, the family eats their festive meal (“gefilte fish, roasted chicken, matzah ball soup, potato kugel, and noodle pudding. YUM!”), and the children hunt for the afikoman, the hidden piece of matzah. At last, the seder finishes with a wish for freedom and a “Happy Passover!” Katz’s illustrations rely on bright colors and eye-catching patterns; the characters sport such wide grins that readers can’t help smiling along. The text is clear and easy to follow, each tradition explained simply but effectively at an age-appropriate level, though the addition of backmatter would have been helpful. More complex topics—the seder plate, the 10 plagues—are well illustrated with examples, and the book follows the distinct steps of a seder; however, a few are combined or skipped. The young protagonist is pale-skinned; other characters vary in skin tone.