Hold Still by Nina LaCour

Title: Hold Still

Author: Nina LaCour

Published: October 2009

Source: The Library

Synopsis from Goodreads:

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 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.

Going into this book I wasn't really sure what to expect. I mean, yeah, I'd seen some good things about it here and there, but I hadn't seen anything that made me think that I was starting such a spectacular novel! Hold Still is one of the best books I've read this year. The heart break of the beginning, the hopefulness of the end...it's just beautiful.

Caitlin is pretty messed up after her best friend Ingrid commits suicide. She blames herself, she grieves the loss of Ingrid's phenomenal talent, and, most of all, grieves the loss of her best friend. Her other half. The girl that she shared everything with. It really is heartbreaking.

Then, little by little she starts to heal. What helps is Ingrid's journal, which she finds under her bed. We get to read it right along with Caitlin, see the drawings and Ingrid's handwriting. It's really cool to be able to see a picture that's referenced in the book.

I really liked that Caitlin's new friend Dylan is a lesbian, but who cares? No big deal. There were a lot of things like that in here that made this book just so awesome.

The whole book I was rooting for Caitlin, cheering her on as she overcame obstacles and built new relationships. It got to a point where I physically couldn't put it down. I really liked it, and I'm sure that you will too.

Characters: 10/10
Writing: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
Originality: 9/10
Ending: 9/10
Overall: 48/50 A