'I became a mermaid not as a pearl in a clamshell, but as a girl in a locker room shower stall at the University of Pittsburgh pool during my junior year of high school.'

Holy cow, this book! Such a compelling, unputdownable story as teenage swimmer Ren transcends to mermaid. It's emotional and brutal to witness. There are scenes written where I'm not sure if I'm supposed to laugh or cry, because I could easily do either. (Reminded me a little of a Yorgos Lanthimos film in that way.) But this is such a fantastic read! 

'Our high school swim team was a small world, but it was ours - we ruled with a dihydrogen monoxide fist.'