Tetley Abednego is the most hated girl in Garbagetown. She is berated, abused, and generally considered to be the worst person this side of the apocalypse. But none of this stops her from having hope, because when you are one of the few surviving members of the human race, and you have a hibiscus and a seal and you live on a beautiful floating island of garbage, what's the point of being unhappy?

Catherynne M. Valente is a singular writer. It is rare for a writer to be able to create an end of the world story that actually feels hopeful. Valente is the only writer who could take the concept of a floating garbage island at the end of the world and make it both funny and poignant, tragic and hopeful, ridiculous and beautiful. Despite being a short novella, there is so much in this book. I was enthralled the entire time, with the writing and the characters and Garbagetown itself. I usually shy away from climate disaster fiction, because it usually hits too close to home - this one does, but there is a warmth about it (no pun intended) that makes it impossible to put down. Tetley is such a delightful, complex character, and her observations about humanity and hope and love are endearing and profound. I will be thinking about this book for a long time.

Audio note: This audio is INCREDIBLE. Penelope Rawlins is charming and funny and adds so much life to this story. Highly, highly recommend.