'I was born for this' : More than a 'Fanfiction'

Let's begin with establishing that this book is as much a fanfiction as Riverdale is a show about teenagers and school. For me however, I have always loved a band. Ever Since I was a teenager, it was always about bands for me. Their music, the excitement, the shared experience of growing up in a ‘fandom’ yet nobody ever came close to writing about this very unique and singular experience. Until Alice Osen man. I picked up Alice Osen man’s book titled ‘i was born for this’ one random day in a crossword where i had a coupon to spend and bus to catch leaving very less room for making an informed choice about the book i will be purchasing. But that is what i enjoy about Alice Osen man’s books, you can trust this author to not disappoint. The writing style, the authenticity of characters, the respect with which characters belonging to diverse gender and ethnic identities are treated, it all makes up for a pretty wholesome and comforting experience as a reader. However, this particular book struck a chord that no book ever has. It begins with ‘Angel’ Rahimi, a fan of this mega popular boy band: The Ark. Her experiences as a fangirl are written with detail and care. Often times fangirls are associated with mass hysteria, obsession, unhealthy romantic attachment etc. But this book dispels all those stereotypes by showing something deeper within the culture of fandoms. It does so by answering the question “why am I a fan of xyz in the first place”. To do so Alice has written point of views of angel as well as Ark’s member Jimmy. We get an insight into the lives of the two characters of the book, a fan and the idol. We see them go along with their days and how far apart they are until their lives finally converge. It is important to mention here that this is a romantic book, just not a romance between angel and jimmy. However, it will open your eyes to a type of love that very few of us are blessed with and that is the ability to give unconditional love as a fan. Maybe to some being called a fan is belittling but this book maps the journey of a fan which shows the good, the bad, the ugly and with authenticity. Most importantly it explains to fans and ‘non-fans’ alike that being a fan is so much more than just liking someone or something. It is a lifestyle and part of a person which sometimes defines a whole period in one’s life, something they can hold on to and keep dear