The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You

There’s a lot to enjoy in debut novelist Anderson’s geek-positive update of Much Ado About Nothing, including intense comic book fandom, a cheating scandal, student council drama, themed dances, and two central characters engaged in an epic love-hate relationship. Anderson sets 17-year-old narrator Trixie Watson among a group of smart and quirky friends at the Messina School for the Gifted, a “school for geniuses” affectionately called the Mess. For years, Trixie has raged against Ben West, the boy she considers her arch-nemesis—he’s nearly her equal in class rank, has the same IQ, and even loves the same comics, SF films, and more. Trixie’s face-offs with Ben showcase Anderson’s humor and geek culture bona fides (“This was the Doctor versus the Daleks. This was Ripley versus the Xenomorphs. This was a real, true, full-scale war”), and as the two shift from sparring to feeling sparks, Trixie’s shield of sarcasm gives way to heartfelt interest and affection. Readers familiar with the Shakespeare will enjoy Anderson’s riffs on the original’s plot points as Trixie and Ben get their nerdily-ever-after ending. Ages 12–up. Agent: Laura Zats, Red Sofa Literary. (May)