(Hot Key Books, 2016)

ISBN: 978-1471405747 (paperback)

ASIN: B01EHZ1FP2 (ebook)

Don’t call her a guardian angel. Annabel is dead – but she hasn’t completely gone away. Annabel immediately understands why her first assignment as a ghostly helper is to her old classmate: Julia is fat. And being fat makes you unhappy. Simple, right?As Annabel shadows Julia’s life in the pressured final year of school, Julia gradually lets Annabel’s voice in, guiding her thoughts towards her body, food and control.But nothing is as simple as it first seems. Spending time in Julia’s head seems to be having its own effect on Annabel . . . And she knows that once the voices take hold, it’s hard to ignore them.

• Nominated: CILIP Carnegie Medal 2017

• Shortlisted: STELLAR Shine Awards 2016

• Shortlisted: Specsavers Children’s Book of the Year (Senior) at the Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Awards 2016

Reviews:

"While eating disorders and body image are portrayed with great insight and sensitivity, this is absolutely not an issue book: it's extremely readable with plenty of snark and humour." - The Bookseller

"It's very wise... she writes about relationships in an incredibly nuanced way...I read it with awe." - Marian Keyes's World of Writing

"The Dublin author understands her young adult audience and is careful never to preach. The dangers of dieting and the pressures felt by young women to fit a certain, tiny mould come through clearly in the stories of her characters, without any labouring of the message. Hennessy achieves this through a clever narrative device – the ghost of teenager Annabel McCormack, a 17-year-old whose heart failed because of anorexia, and who is sent back as a spirit guide to a former schoolmate now in danger... Nothing Tastes as Good deals with its core issues in an original and engaging manner. It will connect with a young adult readership interested in learning more about eating disorders without being lectured. Or as Annabel herself puts it: “I don’t want to just be some cautionary tale.”" - Sarah Gilmartin, The Irish Times

"On the Irish front, Dave Rudden (Knights of the Borrowed Dark) and Claire Hennessy (Nothing Tastes As Good) are the must-read newbie summer hits for teens and young adults. They can't be recommended highly enough... Hennessy's offering is the dark, haunting and sometimes harrowing story of Julia..." - David O'Callaghan, Sunday Business Post

"A novelist since her teens, Hennessy's new release has attracted acclaim from the likes of Marian Keyes and tells the story of Annabel, a ghost haunting former classmate Julia and who is trying to set her on the same skinny-seeking path which claimed her." - Stellar magazine, 'The Cool Girl's Summer Reading List'

"Before we start thinking of Annabel as some benevolent, eating-disorder-related spiritual guide, she warns us otherwise: "Don't call me a guardian angel. No wings, no heavenly music, no fluffy white clouds here - just me and the Boss… and an assignment." This sassy tone continues throughout the novel, allowing Hennessy to combine humour with hard-hitting realities... This ambition and energy is keenly felt throughout Nothing Tastes as Good, a novel which yet again proves that Irish women writers are on a roll." - Ruth Gilligan, The Irish Independent

"A novel about eating disorders that’s sensitive and convincing yet darkly comic is a tricky act to pull off, but Claire Hennessy does it with aplomb." - Anna Carey, The Irish Times

"a clever YA novel... A searing, engaging and surprisingly humorous look at eating disorders and teen mental health... A must-read for older teens and their parents alike." - Sarah Webb, Irish Independent

"a refreshingly original examination of teenage eating disorders." - Juno Dawson, The Guardian

"I was completely hooked from the first page... The true strength of this story is Hennessy's smart and insightful approach to the link between mental health and food-related issues. As Annabel observes: 'It is interesting to see how talented people are at convincing themselves that the lies they whisper in their head are true.' The supernatural element does not overwhelm the story, but adds another unusual dimension: essentially the power of hindsight and the ignorance of looking from the inside in." - Ruth Concannan, Inis magazine

"A voyage into the terrifying waters of anorexia nervosa, bulimia, obesity, fat-shaming and comfort eating, this is a funny, poignant and ultimately uplifting fable. The disturbing culture of perfectionism, and - very importantly - not just physical perfectionism, is attacked from a multitude of angles. Hennessy has succeeded in getting right under the skin of her seemingly polar-opposite young protagonists, who it transpires are not so "opposite" after all, and has produced an original and convincing story of what can happen to girls who hurt.Despite its humour it's a sobering tale, a red light to our image-obsessed, selfie-fuelled daughters. And it's a cracking read." - Anne Cunningham, The Sunday Independent

"...it’s compelling, poignant and an intelligent take on such a complex issue." - Image

"A funny but ultimately poignant tale, this story deftly deals with the rampant body shaming that affects young women today." - Louise O'Neill, Stylist

"... highly original, uncompromising and brilliantly written evocation of teenage life." - Inis Reading Guide 2016

"a carefully crafted masterpiece... She has successfully, and beautifully, characterised the ana voice... Nothing Tastes as Good is clever, clever clever... a fresh take on the realities of anorexia and binge eating, and you absolutely need to read it." - A Series of Erraticism

"a warm and intelligent YA book... An important and refreshing read." - Justine Carbery, Irish Independent

"This is a truly original and poignant insight into the minds of two girls in the grip of eating disorders – reinforcing how slippery that slope can be and how fast someone can fall." - Sarah Stewart, YA Shelfies

"When Annabel is assigned to guide Julia Jacobs from beyond the grave, she tries to “fix” Julia’s unhappiness by addressing what she sees as its obvious root: her weight. As she gets to know Julia, though, Annabel realises that happiness and unhappiness perhaps come down to something more than just this. The result is a beautifully complex depiction of relationships and body disorders." - Zoe Jellicoe, The Dublin Inquirer

"Nothing Tastes As Good by Claire Hennessy deals extremely well with teenage issues of body weight and self-esteem. It is ingeniously narrated by the ghost of a girl who has died as the result of anorexia. Not at all as grim as that might sound." - Liz Nugent, Irish Independent

"This book was incredibly relatable, because every one of us has an Annabel inside us. Telling us we’re fat, ugly, everything we’ve ever doubted about ourselves." - Pretty Purple Polka Dots

"This is so… good! A new realistic topic that could’ve neglected by some of us. Love the meaningful quotes, the humorous writing and I love the ending!... The writing of the author is what attracted me first... I love how Claire presents the book in a humorous way... Nothing Tastes As Good is what I think a refreshing read among the YA books that I’ve read." - Queen of Bibliophile

"an utterly unique piece of YA fiction that speaks to you whatever your waist size...I was taken by how oddly amusing this book was, even with the narrator being a girl who died in sad circumstances. It's quite an uplifting read and it's not even really about eating disorders, or at least anorexia, in the end. Instead it's about who you are and who you want to be, and navigating that time in your life when you're pretty sure you're an adult, and pretty much everything is legal, but you're technically still at school and therefore have to obey arbitrary rules that often make little sense." - The Book Bag

"a superb read which you will need tissues for, especially at the end." - Nayu's Reading Corner

"With carefully crafted plot and character development, the story is woven, frayed and re-woven frayed, coming to a resolution that, though not cut and dried, is filled with potential. A truly exceptional vision; unique and riveting. Read it!" - Mary Esther Judy, Fallen Star Stories

"...a fantastic book with an unusual perspective on eating disorders. Hennessy focuses on both over and under eating while linking mental health and self-esteem through the unique medium (see what I did there?!) of Annabel as a spiritual guide. Hennessy manages to take on all of these big issues, as well as some fantastic observations on feminism and sexism, but allows the story room to breathe and truly grab you by the heart. Fusing reality with a supernatural element, this is so much more than an ‘issues’ book – this is a Young Adult novel that really packs a punch." - Charlie Byrne's Bookshop

"This is a book that will move and engage readers. There is a strong feminist element to this book, in terms of relationships, careers, self worth and, of course, body image. There’s a line Julia writes: ‘but we don’t talk about the silly things that teenage girls do to themselves.’ It perfectly sums up the misconceptions around eating disorders (and other mental illnesses) that are explored in the book. Julia also wonders at one point ‘Why do they all end up treating you like a silly girl in the end?’ and this book really does tackle how frustrating it can be to not be taken seriously because you are female or to know you will have to work harder to have success in your chosen field. There is also a strong sense of female friendship or sisterhood that develops as the book progresses. ...Hennessy exposes some of the most difficult things about being a woman today, while also offering empowering narratives of female friendship... Nothing Tastes As Good may well be Hennessy’s best book yet. She deals with difficult issues in a relatable and honest manner, and avoids being preachy or moralising. This is the kind of book teenage girls (and boys) need, a book that challenges the stigma around ‘the silly things that teenage girls do to themselves.’" - Jenny Duffy, The Books, The Art and Me

"One of my favourite aspects of the novel was how perfectly the author captured the essence, emotions and feelings of being a teenage girl. This novel was one of those novels you read and you find yourself drawn so far into it that you feel as if you know the characters, they're emotions, the setting- and it's because you can relate to them. From teenage relationships, friendships, sex, school, alcohol etc- all were written with such reality and honesty. When reading the novel you realise you've felt some of these emotions, experienced some of their experiences, and this brings you closer to the story. Claire Hennessy did not "sugar-coat" or brush over the realities of the issues discussed in the novel and I think that was an important and honorable action...The plot of this novel was incredibly engaging, well developed and gripping (I sped through this novel in two days!). The way the plot was laid out, the way events developed and the writing style all made this novel a flawless piece of literature. There was a few twists and turns that left me speechless... The ending was also a really satisfying ending which is great to read! Claire Hennessy's writing, characterisation and ability to write about such important and serious issues is fantastic. Such beautiful realistic and vivid writing... I highly recommend this novel if you want a thought provoking, hard hitting and raw novel dealing with serious issues such as teenage life, mental health and relationships. One of the best books I've read this year." - Shannon Bookworm

"Hennessy perfectly mixed humor and meaningful quotes, and the result is a story that captures your heart. This is another diverse book that is just so damn important and perfectly executed. There’s no way that I can recommend this book enough, go read it now. Seriously." - The Neverending Book Pile

"Honest, disturbing but a complete page-turner nonetheless." - Sisterspooky

"Complex, well-rounded characters, and an amazing plot, Nothing Tastes As Good is by far one of the most important reads not just for teens, but everyone... a big part of the novel is packed with painful (and necessary) truths; on top of that, the huge plot twist and bittersweet ending makes it an even more powerful read." - Priscilla and Her Books

"Annabel might be dead, but she literally screams off the page...A really great read; brilliantly written, challenging, believable, real." - The Book Activist

"As someone who has had a problematic relationship with food, I really enjoyed Nothing Tastes As Good. Poignant and bittersweet, I came to love Julia and Annabel's story, and truly understand the importance behind a book such as this one. Claire Hennessy's latest novel is real–it captures the ups and downs of life perfectly, and promotes the idea of body positivity, which is unfortunately rare to find in young adult fiction. Don't miss out on this one!" - Confessions of a Readaholic

"Nothing Tastes as Good does an excellent job of showing how people don’t see us as we see ourselves." - Curiosity Killed The Bookworm

"Startling, visceral and audaciously written, Nothing Tastes as Good isn’t an easy read, but then it’s not supposed to be." - The Paper Alchemist

"Claire Hennessy writes in the language of a teenage girl, not an adult-writer’s version of a teenage girl. Her characters are written thoughtfully and with a depth of emotion, but Hennessy never patronises her readers. Yes, there are a lot of issues dealt with throughout these pages; friends, boys, school, feminism, the future and body image to name but a few. Yet, none of these feel shoe-horned into the story. Hennessy weaves these subjects together to create the rich tapestry of a realistic teenage experience, complete with the good, the bad and the absolutely devastating." - Niamh Callaghan, Gobblefunked

"the wheels begin coming off for both girls, as the real causes of Julia’s unrest begin to unfold and leave Annabel flailing as she becomes painfully aware that she didn’t perfect herself after all: she merely opted out of the whole game. There’s a brutal passage in Trainspotting where one of the main characters explains the benefits of heroin addiction: without it there’s all sort of problems to address, with it all you need to think about is when you’re getting more heroin. And that, for me, is what this story does for anorexia: removes the body, removes the numbers, removes the high stakes (I mean, she’s dead before the book starts!) and exposes the aching bewilderment at the heart of the monster, with a gentle suggestion that this is maybe how it becomes an option for brave and bright and fierce and sharp and intelligent girls (and boys), even ones whose eyes are as permanently rolled to the heavens as I suspect Annabel’s would be. And as we wrap up with a page-crackingly tense showdown with the forces of douchebaggery which I won’t spoil here, it becomes increasingly apparent to both girls that if you want to get rid of your monsters, you don’t eat them, or starve them, you have to name them. Because on paper, they lose their majesty and really, they can’t hurt you at all." - Emma O'Brien, Insert Witticism

"The author cleverly highlights the complexities of eating disorders and how they are not as simple as over-eating or under-eating. She sheds some light on the motivations and thought processes that go hand in hand with the excesses and restrictions of such illnesses.There was a real sense of immediacy- you were always in the moment with this novel, which is why I think it kept me hooked. I read it in a just a few days- a real asset to the genre." - Lucy Moore, femalefirst.co.uk

"This is an honest, funny, heartwarming, and incredibly sad story. I cannot recommend it highly enough." - Stephani Michelle

"If you want to read a novel that deals with real-life, social issues such as mental health, Nothing Tastes as Good is the one that you should pick up. This was such a down-to-earth novel, I'm glad I had the chance to read it." - The Books Bandit

"Gripping, moving, challenging, honest... a phenomenal must-read." - Breathe and Read

"I loved it so much that I had this book polished off in less than two days. The craft is sharp and snappy... Claire kept me hooked with good pace and a really good variety of characters... original." - Katie the Unicorn

"With a beautiful ending that had tears welling up my eyes in the end, Nothing Tastes as Good is nothing short of a top 2016 read for me. An inspiring read not to be missed, this is one of those that will stick with me for a while." - The Reading Escapade

"At the heart of this book lies a story that everyone can relate too. It allows us to look at not just the current victims of anorexia but also the ones the victims leave behind, parents, friends, siblings. It’s a truly touching book that is written in a truly beautiful way. A wonderful standalone contemporary. It has everything you’re looking for and more." - rosiefrecklereads

"I’m going to take a leap here, and give it 5 stars. I have a feeling that I’m going to want to read it again when I want something with a complicated ending and complicated real feelings that have conclusions." - Dragon

"I like a book that while dealing with difficult and gritty subjects, can also make you laugh a little. This story really took me through a lot of different emotions before I reached the end." - The Queen of Teen Fiction

"PLEASE READ THIS BOOK! You will feel empowered" - The Book Moo

"Nothing Tastes As Good is a gripping, painful and funny and real story about teens and their battles – with themselves as well as with each other... Every school library should have a copy because the overall message is about positive body image, communication, allowing people in, and being honest with yourself." - Jo Cotterill

"This book will make an ideal and uplifting gift for any girl's fourteenth birthday." - Books for Keeps

"a touching, poignant story about self image...razor sharp, with a modern and mature edge to it... a thought-provoking, intelligent read" - Famous in Japan

"This story is full of humour but also full of heart and it has two complex and really interesting characters that will really get to you." - Alba In Bookland

"Stop whatever you’re doing and please read this book. This book is important and very much needed not only by teenage girls/ boys around the world, but also by adults like you and me." - The Bookynista

"This was a hard read in some places, but a funny, sweet and thoughtful one too, in a lot of the same places. Annabel’s compelling narration kept me up late reading, and I was rooting really hard for both Annabel and Julia to figure things out and be OK. This is one that stays with you for a while after you’ve finished." - Starship Library

"As part of what can only be called Ireland’s YA revolution, Nothing Tastes as Good sits up there with the best of the last few years. I would recommend it for anyone to read, as there’s something in there for everyone. The characters are well-written and developed, particularly Julia’s friends Gavin and Maria. The dialogue is realistic. Most importantly, the plot is excellent, and heart-breaking in parts, giving you all the feels." - Derek Carney

"This isn’t a one-issue book. As Julia’s secrets unfold, we meet a whole cast of beautifully-drawn characters, each with their own problems. Annabel’s window on their thoughts gives us a host of perspectives on school stress and young love, accompanied by a subtle critique of the society that turns a blind eye to the pressures facing adolescents.Should you buy Nothing Tastes as Good? Hell, yes. It’s a quick, easy read, very well-plotted, and I imagine it will start a lot of important conversations." - 52 Reads

"A powerful and unusual story about anorexia, this doesn’t only deal with the consequences for Annabel and Julia, but also touches on how Annabel’s younger sister, amongst others, choose to deal with her death. Annabel is a captivating narrator, though her views are often a tough read and for good reason. This shows an unflinching account of an eating disorder without coming across as preach-y. Perfect." - The Scribblers

"Claire Hennessy’s Nothing Tastes as Good delves into the often murky territory of confidence and self-image among teenage girls. By tasking a girl who dies from anorexia with being the spirit guide of a girl who is overweight, Claire is able to show both the contrasts and similarities between the way the two girls struggle with accepting their own bodies. The title itself is taken from Kate Moss’s famous slogan: “Nothing will ever taste as good as skinny feels.” It is clear from the outset that Claire has a strong understanding of the societal pressures faced by young girls and their struggles in overcoming them. Personal discomfort is endemic, but the personalities of the two girls go far beyond their disorders. They are likable and relatable, a crucial factor for a story that needs to warn without preaching." - TCD LitSoc

"Nothing Tastes as Good is a brilliant critique of the twenty-first century materialistic and consumerist society that seems almost happy to see women crack under the pressure." - Michela Curcio, University Times

"Claire Hennessy’s Nothing Tastes as Good has the most original narrator you’re likely to find anywhere... A brave and tender exploration of teenage eating disorders." - Kieran Fanning, The Irish Times

"Claire Hennessy's writing is painfully honest and direct, tackling serious problems facing many with a complete lack of preaching or moralising.This is primarily an excellent story. Well written and humorous, it is a clever and refreshing look at that nasty little voice inside all of us that tells us we are not good enough in some way- whether that we're not thin enough, not clever enough, not attractive enough...This is a powerful story which will resonate with many." - North Somerset Teachers' Book Award

"I love a good dark YA contemporary, and this is definitely one of the best I’ve read in a while." - Tea & Titles

"Fiction that tackles a particular issue can be cumbersome but this is a remarkable read... I would like to think that the skilful writing gets an appreciative audience from all readers, not just girls" - Rachel Ayers Nelson, School Librarian magazine

"It's compelling, poignant and an intelligent take on such a complex issue." - Image