Trinkets

This is one of those lesser-known books that, in my opinion, deserves heaps more attention. Trinkets wasn’t even on my radar until I read a review and realized that it was exactly the kind of book I love. Next time I was at the bookstore, I made a point of reading the first few pages, just to be sure. And then, so proud of myself for thoroughly researching a book before reading, I requested it from the library. (Except I totally should have bought it!)

Basically, I loved Trinkets. I loved it so much. Kirsten Smith’s take on realistic fiction is honest and raw, but also funny and endearing. I laughed out loud multiple times while reading this book, and certain scenes made me want to strangle-hug the characters. Just…ah, this was so adorable yet authentic. Totally my kind of book.

Smith tells her story through the perspective of three different girls. There’s Tabitha, rich and spoiled, dad’s a shmuck, mom’s in denial. There’s Elodie, new in town, shy, kind, dealing with her dad’s remarriage. There’s Moe, snarky, misfit, parents are dead, her crush is perfect in private but won’t give her the time of day when his friends are around. These very different narrators come together through their shared hobby: shoplifting.

I freaking loved these characters. Moe was probably my favorite, though Elodie gave her a run for her money once she started being adorable with her potential love interest (seriously, so cute!). Tabitha was up there too, and overall, she probably had the hardest time of the three girls. In any case, the author did a great job of creating well-rounded and authentic narrators who I rooted for and loved wholeheartedly.

Trinkets, also, is written a bit differently from some other books. Tabitha’s chapters are written in prose, Elodie’s chapters are in verse, and Moe narrates through journal entries. I was really impressed by how Kirsten Smith did well with all three styles, since I think it’s more difficult to do all of those storytelling methods justice. But it certainly worked here.

The novel itself is pretty short and doesn’t go into depth on the girls’ pasts, so some readers might feel like Trinkets is lacking in that respect. Personally, I thought that Smith gave just enough information and did well in portraying the emotions of the characters in the present. As I said, this book made me laugh, it gave me a certain amount of Feels, and in general I was totally impressed with it.