Tash Hearts Tolstoy

Reach for this book when your teenager is navigating the complexities of their identity while under the pressure of social media or peer expectations. This story follows Tash Zeleny, a high school senior whose amateur web series adaptation of Leo Tolstoy suddenly goes viral. As she deals with sudden internet fame, she also navigates her identity as a romantic asexual (ace), a label she is finally ready to claim but struggles to explain to the people around her. It is a warm, witty, and grounded exploration of what it means to be true to yourself when the whole world is watching. Parents will appreciate how the book handles the intersection of creativity, digital citizenship, and healthy boundaries. The story addresses asexual identity with nuance, distinguishing between romantic attraction and sexual desire in a way that is accessible for teens. It is a realistic, secular contemporary novel perfect for older teens (14 and up) who are looking for representation that feels both modern and deeply connected to classic themes of love and self-discovery.