Hold Still

Goodreads Synopsis:    An arresting story about starting over after a friend’s suicide, from a 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 new found 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

My Thoughts:

-    This was a sad/somber story.

-    I wasn't really into it in the beginning, but then things started to get better.  

-    This book reminds me a little of Love You Hate You Miss You by Elizabeth Scott.  There were similar emotions, and the topic is the same.

-    From the trailer, I expected more story from Ingrid's journal.  

-    I want to build an awesome tree house now!

-    I loved how the author used art as a form of healing. 

-    There was a lot heavy swearing.  I lost track of how many f-bombs were dropped, but there were A LOT! 

-    There was also a journal entry that had sexual content.  It was uncomfortable.

-    While there were dark moments, there some hopeful/beautiful ones as well.

-    I liked Caitlin, but I think I liked her friends more.  

-    I couldn't really connect to what happened, cause I've never experienced anything like that, but I did feel a lot of emotion throughout the book.

-    I really enjoyed the ending.  I loved what Caitlin did with Ingrid's journal, and I really liked how she helped others through some of their grief.