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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
This book was fabulous. I loved how the story was written in dual timelines. The narrative slowly unveils the story through Ingrid’s experience at a summertime survival trek and her life pre-trek. Ingrid’s raw emotions and need to suppress the truth of her life show us what trauma can do. She is a believable character with authentic emotions- this isn’t a teenage trope. The story delves into mental health, suicide, anxiety, fear of failure, and depression. It also examines the effects of family relationships, sexual assault and the fear of rejection.
i loved this so much like this was actually so healing for me
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"I am feeling like lying on my back and looking up at the sky and letting the stars fall into my eyes and change me, drown me, light me up".
I haven’t ugly cried over a book so much since I read Marley and Me after my childhood dog died.
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Lowering to 4/4.5 in the light of the morning (and nightmares about being chased through the woods by a bear).
My own parents struggled with addiction issues, and my mom mental health issues on top of that. So many of the things Ingrid thought, felt, did, and said reminded me of myself at that age. There's still a part of me that holds on to these things- how unfair it is to be parentified, to feel helpless in the world before you even really grow up, and the despair of seeing someone you care about destroy themselves from the inside out.
This book is marked YA but it is Heavy. Kudos to the author for painting such a great portrait of families in crisis and a really realistic picture of the ups and downs of major depression. Not only is this a great fiction story, but it's a raw and unflinching account of real world trauma. I very rarely read young adult fiction anymore but this was a fantastic choice I don't regret picking up by accident.
I haven’t ugly cried over a book so much since I read Marley and Me after my childhood dog died.
-----
Lowering to 4/4.5 in the light of the morning (and nightmares about being chased through the woods by a bear).
My own parents struggled with addiction issues, and my mom mental health issues on top of that. So many of the things Ingrid thought, felt, did, and said reminded me of myself at that age. There's still a part of me that holds on to these things- how unfair it is to be parentified, to feel helpless in the world before you even really grow up, and the despair of seeing someone you care about destroy themselves from the inside out.
This book is marked YA but it is Heavy. Kudos to the author for painting such a great portrait of families in crisis and a really realistic picture of the ups and downs of major depression. Not only is this a great fiction story, but it's a raw and unflinching account of real world trauma. I very rarely read young adult fiction anymore but this was a fantastic choice I don't regret picking up by accident.
Holy moly-- this book!
Ingrid Burke really wants to accept an invitation to study at one of the world's most premiere music schools in London during her senior year, but her mother sets a condition: Ingrid must first attend a three week summer wilderness camp in northern Canada. To Ingrid's horror, her fellow campers are considered "at-risk" and include a criminal and a teenage mom, and worse, this is no relaxing, civilized camp experience. Instead, Ingrid and company must chart their own course, build lean-tos, save their excrement in Ziploc bags and share their feelings at nightly circle meetings. Ingrid writes to her mother nightly in her journal with all of her often angry thoughts on her experience. Readers learn, over time, that Ingrid has a sad story to tell that includes the love/hate relationship she has with her mother and her feelings for a boy who complicated everything with his penis.
Younge-Ullman's story is full of raw emotion, and she creates a completely believable story about what it's like to live with and love someone who is mentally ill. If I share more, I'll totally ruin the book for you. But please put this on your "must read" list. It's a marvel.
Ingrid Burke really wants to accept an invitation to study at one of the world's most premiere music schools in London during her senior year, but her mother sets a condition: Ingrid must first attend a three week summer wilderness camp in northern Canada. To Ingrid's horror, her fellow campers are considered "at-risk" and include a criminal and a teenage mom, and worse, this is no relaxing, civilized camp experience. Instead, Ingrid and company must chart their own course, build lean-tos, save their excrement in Ziploc bags and share their feelings at nightly circle meetings. Ingrid writes to her mother nightly in her journal with all of her often angry thoughts on her experience. Readers learn, over time, that Ingrid has a sad story to tell that includes the love/hate relationship she has with her mother and her feelings for a boy who complicated everything with his penis.
Younge-Ullman's story is full of raw emotion, and she creates a completely believable story about what it's like to live with and love someone who is mentally ill. If I share more, I'll totally ruin the book for you. But please put this on your "must read" list. It's a marvel.