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A review by savannarae
You Between the Lines by Katie Naymon
4.0
*You Between the Lines* follows Leigh, a poet embarking on her MFA journey alongside eight other writers, including William, a former crush and rival from high school. As Leigh navigates the competitive program, she grapples with feelings of inadequacy, especially given how different her writing style is compared to her peers. Driven by a desire to prove her worth, she's determined to succeed and leave William behind.
The novel effectively portrays Leigh's internal struggles with self-worth and anxiety. As an only child dealing with her parents' separation, Leigh experiences a deep sense of rejection, which fuels her insecurities and affects her relationships, particularly with William. Readers who have experienced similar anxieties will likely find Leigh relatable. The author skillfully depicts these emotions and incorporates insights from Leigh's therapy sessions.
The dynamic within the writing group is another strength of the book. The diverse writing styles and critiques offer a glimpse into the creative process and the challenges of artistic expression. The unraveling of Leigh's personal life, with her parents' separation, ties directly into her artistic anxieties. Her fear of rejection permeates her writing and colors her feelings towards William, adding complexity to her character and motivations.
Overall, *You Between the Lines* is an engaging read that explores themes of self-doubt, artistic identity, and the complexities of relationships. I enjoyed the author's insightful portrayal of Leigh's vulnerabilities and the realistic depiction of the writing program environment. It's a book that will likely resonate with anyone who has ever questioned their own abilities or struggled with feelings of inadequacy.
Thank you Grand Central Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
The novel effectively portrays Leigh's internal struggles with self-worth and anxiety. As an only child dealing with her parents' separation, Leigh experiences a deep sense of rejection, which fuels her insecurities and affects her relationships, particularly with William. Readers who have experienced similar anxieties will likely find Leigh relatable. The author skillfully depicts these emotions and incorporates insights from Leigh's therapy sessions.
The dynamic within the writing group is another strength of the book. The diverse writing styles and critiques offer a glimpse into the creative process and the challenges of artistic expression. The unraveling of Leigh's personal life, with her parents' separation, ties directly into her artistic anxieties. Her fear of rejection permeates her writing and colors her feelings towards William, adding complexity to her character and motivations.
Overall, *You Between the Lines* is an engaging read that explores themes of self-doubt, artistic identity, and the complexities of relationships. I enjoyed the author's insightful portrayal of Leigh's vulnerabilities and the realistic depiction of the writing program environment. It's a book that will likely resonate with anyone who has ever questioned their own abilities or struggled with feelings of inadequacy.
Thank you Grand Central Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.