CLICK HERE FOR FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES, LINK BUTTONS AND MORE! »

Friday, April 6, 2012

Hold Still

Publisher: Penguin (Speak)
Pages: 229
Publication Date: September 25, 2009
Type: Paperback, bought

An arresting story about starting over after a friend's suicide, froma breakthrough new voice in YA fiction 

Dear Caitlin, there are so many things that i want so badly to tell you but i just can't. 

Devastating, hopeful, hopeless, playful . . . in words and illustrations, Ingrid left behind a painful farewell in her journal for Caitlin. Now Caitlin is left alone, by loss and by choice, struggling to find renewed hope in the wake of her best friend's suicide. With the help of family and newfound friends, Caitlin will encounter first love, broaden her horizons, and start to realize that true friendship didn't die with Ingrid. And the journal which once seemed only to chronicle Ingrid's descent into depression, becomes the tool by which Caitlin once again reaches out to all those who loved Ingrid - and Caitlin herself.



*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


I want to say so much about this book, but no matter how eloquent I try to be, it won't be enough.  This is just one of those books, I suppose?  One of those books that I can't review, that I can't dissect and analyze  or simply shout "I love it!"


I can't.  I can't do that to a book like this.  


To be honest, I don't think anything I say will fully communicate this. This book. This everything.  My review will never be able to express what this book is, and what it does.


All I can say is that this book is real.

It's so real it's painful.  It's so real that you pause, double back, make sure that this is fiction, that there is no Dylan no Maddy no Tyler no Caitlin no Ingrid.  That these people, their world, it doesn't quite exist.

Even those stories where I praise the beautiful three-dimensional characters, their faults and their assets and their everything, those stories where I say, If I just looked out the window, I could see them there. Walking along. Living their lives. 

They're not this.

This is not a story glossed up and prettied and toned down, a story written to appeal to the masses, to make some dramatic point, to have some transcendental meaning.  It's a girl and the loss of the one person who knew her best.  It's a girl and new friends, new love, real family.  It's a girl dealing with grief and anger and hope and life.

This book is short because it doesn't have to be any longer.  It says all it needs to say in 229 pages.  

I would recommend this to everyone.



10 comments:

Traci @ The Reading Geek

Great review Lexie! I haven't heard of this one before but I am definitely going to have to read this now. I always love the books that leave me speechless. It sounds like this is a "real" story and those are always great and refreshing.

Meagan

"I would recommend this to everyone" is pretty much all you need to say, although your speechlessness overall is telling.

I remember reading this book last year, and being glued to my bed, and once I was done, reading it over again from the beginning. I remember touching the cover like you did, and just wanting to be with the book for a really long time.

It's such an amazing book. It really is.

Blueicegal ♥

this book pretty much broke my heart. So it's lovely to see another reader who clearly connected with it. The diary entries were so sad :/

Sam (Realm of Fiction)

I know how difficult it must have been to write this review! Occasionally I come across books that blow me away and this definitely sounds like it could be one of them. Don't worry - you have convinced me. I am going to try and get my hands on this as soon as I can. Awesome review! :)

Nicole

...Wow. I read that synopsis and I immediately knew what this book would be like. And I'd love to read a book that deals truthfully with topics as raw and terrible and sad as this if it was well-written, and this certain seems it.

Amy

This sounds raw and emotional. Wonderful job with your review. I know how it is sometimes trying to write a review without being able to really say much.

Giselle

I love reviewing books like this that you loved so much you just want to shout it out. It gets me so high! haha. I hadn't even heard of this one before now I can't believe it it sounds like a book I would totally love as well!! Awesome review chick!

Nicola

I definitely know how it feels when words just won't do a book justice! Those are the best kind of books though. Thanks for the wonderful review- I am definitely going to check it out as I think I'd love it!

April

I can tell by your reviews, that you will be an amazing writer someday.. I know that sounds stupid, but seriously. I have no reason to kiss your ass, so I'm just speaking the truth.

If this book is anything as beautiful as your review, then I must have it now. *wonders if its on kindle* will look when i'm done.

sorry I haven't stopped by in a while. I have been meaning to catch up on blog reading and commenting, but my trialers have kept me busy. 50 shades will be done tonight possibly btw. lol.

April

just looked! it is.. different cover though. :)

Post a Comment