Heft (Liz Moore)

This is a lovely story, alternately heartbreaking and heartwarming, unflinching and touching. Arthur was wounded years ago when a delicate romance fell apart, and withdrew into a cocoon. He has not left his home in many years, even to step outside, but spends his time watching TV and eating. His only comfort is letters he exchanges with his old flame, in which he lies about his life. Kel is a high-school senior whose father left when he was four and whose mother is sinking into alcohol and mental illness, and who cares about nothing so much as sports. Their lives are linked, though they don't know it. Each is wounded but perhaps not broken; each is rescued in unexpected ways. I loved it.