Miles Away from You

At 18, Miles is a self-described %E2%80%9Catheist, pacifist, vegetarian, [and] clingy, pansexual queer.%E2%80%9D Months after the unsuccessful suicide attempt that left his girlfriend Vivian in a coma, Miles is tormented by memories, her family%E2%80%99s enduring refusal to accept Vivian%E2%80%99s transgender identity, and his own failures in their relationship. His worried mothers give him a plane ticket to Iceland, forcing Miles out of his comfort zone to consider who he is, with and without Vivian. Though Miles is privileged in many ways (his parents are fluent in child psychology and can offer him an expense-paid trip), his story of self-discovery, particularly his sexual exploits, are recognizable in all their awkward realness. Vivian and her suicide attempt do further Miles%E2%80%99s growth, but Rutledge does not exploit Vivian%E2%80%99s transgender identity for the benefit of the plot. Miles often reflects on his relationship with Vivian and his shortcomings (%E2%80%9CI cringe at what a snake I was.... I%E2%80%99ll never truly know if pressing you to work through your issues actually made things better or worse%E2%80%9D). Quietly striking in both story and setting, Miles%E2%80%99s pursuit of answers and understanding makes for a satisfying read. Ages 14%E2%80%93up. Agent: Moe Ferrara, Bookends Literary. (Mar.)